1
|
Lee D, Kwak G, Johnson TV, Suk JS. Formulation and Evaluation of Polymer-Based Nanoparticles for Intravitreal Gene-Delivery Applications. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e607. [PMID: 36469609 PMCID: PMC9731353 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The advent of the first-ever retinal gene therapy product, involving subretinal administration of a virus-based gene delivery platform, has garnered hope that this state-of-the-art therapeutic modality may benefit a broad spectrum of patients with diverse retinal disorders. On the other hand, clinical studies have revealed limitations of the applied delivery strategy that may restrict its universal use. To this end, intravitreal administration of synthetic gene-delivery platforms, such as polymer-based nanoparticles (PNPs), has emerged as an attractive alternative to the current mainstay. To achieve success, however, it is imperative that synthetic platforms overcome key biological barriers in human eyes encountered following intravitreal administration, including the vitreous gel and inner limiting membrane (ILM). Here, we introduce a series of experiments, from the fabrication of PNPs to a comprehensive evaluation in relevant experimental models, to determine whether PNPs overcome these barriers and efficiently deliver therapeutic gene payloads to retinal cells. We conclude the article by discussing a few important considerations for successful implementation of the strategy. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation and characterization of PNPs Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of in vitro transfection efficacy Basic Protocol 3: Evaluation of PNP diffusion in vitreous gel Basic Protocol 4: Ex vivo assessment of PNP penetration within vitreoretinal explant culture Basic Protocol 5: Assessment of in vivo transgene expression mediated by intravitreally administered PNPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiheon Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Gijung Kwak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Thomas V. Johnson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jung Soo Suk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bellingrath JS, McClements ME, Shanks M, Clouston P, Fischer MD, MacLaren RE. Envisioning the development of a CRISPR-Cas mediated base editing strategy for a patient with a novel pathogenic CRB1 single nucleotide variant. Ophthalmic Genet 2022; 43:661-670. [PMID: 35538629 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2073599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) associated with mutations in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene is associated with a severe, early-onset retinal degeneration for which no therapy currently exists. Base editing, with its capability to precisely catalyse permanent nucleobase conversion in a programmable manner, represents a novel therapeutic approach to targeting this autosomal recessive IRD, for which a gene supplementation is challenging due to the need to target three different retinal CRB1 isoforms. PURPOSE To report and classify a novel CRB1 variant and envision a possible therapeutic approach in form of base editing. METHODS Case report. RESULTS A 16-year-old male patient with a clinical diagnosis of early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and characteristic clinical findings of retinal thickening and coarse lamination was seen at the Oxford Eye Hospital. He was found to be compound heterozygous for two CRB1 variants: a novel pathogenic nonsense variant in exon 9, c.2885T>A (p.Leu962Ter), and a likely pathogenic missense change in exon 6, c.2056C>T (p.Arg686Cys). While a base editing strategy for c.2885T>A would encompass a CRISPR-pass mediated "read-through" of the premature stop codon, the resulting missense changes were predicted to be "possibly damaging" in in-silico analysis. On the other hand, the transversion missense change, c.2056C>T, is amenable to transition editing with an adenine base editor (ABE) fused to a SaCas9-KKH with a negligible chance of bystander edits due to an absence of additional Adenines (As) in the editing window. CONCLUSIONS This case report records a novel pathogenic nonsense variant in CRB1 and gives an example of thinking about a base editing strategy for a patient compound heterozygous for CRB1 variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J-S Bellingrath
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - M E McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - M Shanks
- Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - P Clouston
- Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - M D Fischer
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - R E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Morales DE, Mousa SA. Intranasal Delivery in Glioblastoma treatment: Prospective Molecular Treatment Modalities. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09517. [PMID: 35647354 PMCID: PMC9136349 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is rare and fatal glioma with limited treatment options. Treatments provide minimal improvement in prognosis and only 6.8% of GBM patients have a life expectancy greater than five years. Surgical resection of this malignant glioma is difficult due to its highly invasive nature and follow-up radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, the currently approved standard of care, and will only extend the life of patients by a few months. It has been nearly two decades since the approval of temozolomide and there have been no clinically relevant major breakthroughs since, painting a dismal picture for patients with GBM. Although the future of GBM management seems bleak, there are many new treatment options on the horizon that propose methods of delivery to circumvent current limitations in the standard of care, i.e., the blood brain barrier and treatment resistance mechanisms. The nose is a highly accessible non-invasive route of delivery that has been incorporated into many investigational studies within the past five years and potentially paves the path to a brighter future for the management of GBM. Intranasal administration has its limitations however, as drugs can be degraded and/or fail to reach the site of action. This has prompted many studies for implementation of nanoparticle systems to overcome these limitations and to accurately deliver drugs to the site of action. This review highlights the advances in intranasal therapy delivery and impact of nanotechnology in the management of GBM and discusses potential treatment modalities that show promise for further investigation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang J, Jiao J, Niu M, Gao X, Zhang G, Yu H, Yang X, Liu L. Ten Years of Knowledge of Nano-Carrier Based Drug Delivery Systems in Ophthalmology: Current Evidence, Challenges, and Future Prospective. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:6497-6530. [PMID: 34588777 PMCID: PMC8473849 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s329831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex drug delivery barrier in the eye reduces the bioavailability of many drugs, resulting in poor therapeutic effects. It is necessary to investigate new drugs through appropriate delivery routes and vehicles. Nanotechnology has utilized various nano-carriers to develop potential ocular drug delivery techniques that interact with the ocular mucosa, prolong the retention time of drugs in the eye, and increase permeability. Additionally, nano-carriers such as liposomes, nanoparticles, nano-suspensions, nano-micelles, and nano-emulsions have grown in popularity as an effective theranostic application to combat different microbial superbugs. In this review, we summarize the nano-carrier based drug delivery system developments over the last decade, particularly review the biology, methodology, approaches, and clinical applications of nano-carrier based drug delivery system in the field of ocular therapeutics. Furthermore, this review addresses upcoming challenges, and provides an outlook on potential future trends of nano-carrier-based drug delivery approaches in ophthalmology, and hopes to eventually provide successful applications for treating ocular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weifang Eye Hospital, Weifang, 261041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghua Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110024, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Niu
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotong Gao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Institute of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Guisen Zhang
- Department of Retina, Inner Mongolia Chaoju Eye Hospital, Hohhot, 010050, People's Republic of China
| | - Honghua Yu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Liu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boon N, Wijnholds J, Pellissier LP. Research Models and Gene Augmentation Therapy for CRB1 Retinal Dystrophies. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:860. [PMID: 32922261 PMCID: PMC7456964 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are inherited degenerative retinal dystrophies with vision loss that ultimately lead to blindness. Several genes have been shown to be involved in early onset retinal dystrophies, including CRB1 and RPE65. Gene therapy recently became available for young RP patients with variations in the RPE65 gene. Current research programs test adeno-associated viral gene augmentation or editing therapy vectors on various disease models mimicking the disease in patients. These include several animal and emerging human-derived models, such as human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal organoids or hiPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and human donor retinal explants. Variations in the CRB1 gene are a major cause for early onset autosomal recessive RP with patients suffering from visual impairment before their adolescence and for LCA with newborns experiencing severe visual impairment within the first months of life. These patients cannot benefit yet from an available gene therapy treatment. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances, advantages and disadvantages of different CRB1 human and animal retinal degeneration models. In addition, we will describe novel therapeutic tools that have been developed, which could potentially be used for retinal gene augmentation therapy for RP patients with variations in the CRB1 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanda Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Wijnholds
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lucie P Pellissier
- Biology and Bioinformatics of Signalling Systems, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements INRAE UMR 0085, CNRS UMR 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rajala RVS. Therapeutic Benefits from Nanoparticles: The Potential Significance of Nanoscience in Retinal Degenerative Diseases. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS 2019; 1:44-55. [PMID: 34528026 PMCID: PMC8439377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Several nanotechnology podiums have gained remarkable attention in the area of medical sciences, including diagnostics and treatment. In the past decade, engineered multifunctional nanoparticles have served as drug and gene carriers. The most important aspect of translating nanoparticles from the bench to bedside is safety. These nanoparticles should not elicit any immune response and should not be toxic to humans or the environment. Lipid-based nanoparticles have been shown to be the least toxic for in vivo applications, and significant progress has been made in gene and drug delivery employing lipid-based nanoassemblies. Several excellent reviews and reports discuss the general use and application of lipid-based nanoparticles; our review focuses on the application of lipid-based nanoparticles for the treatment of ocular diseases, and recent advances in and updates on their use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raju V S Rajala
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Box Behnken design of siRNA-loaded liposomes for the treatment of a murine model of ocular keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018; 173:725-732. [PMID: 30384269 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acanthamoeba keratitis is an ophthalmic disease with no specific treatment that specially affects contact lens users. The silencing of serine phosphatase (SP) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) proteins produced by Acanthamoeba has been shown to significantly reduce the cytopathic effect, although no vehicle was proposed yet to deliver the siRNA sequences to the trophozoites. In this study, PEGylated cationic liposomes were proposed and optimized using Box-Behnken design. The influence of DOTAP:DOPE ratio, DSPE-PEG concentration, and siRNA/DOTAP charge ratio were evaluated over both biological response and physicochemical properties of liposomes. The ratio of DOTAP:DOPE had an effect in the trophozoite activity whereas the charge ratio influenced both size and protease activity. The predicted values were very close to the observed values, yielding a formulation with good activity and toxicity profile, which was used in the following experiments. A murine model of ocular keratitis was treated with siGP + siSP-loaded liposomes, as well as their respective controls, and combined treatment of liposomes and chlorhexidine. After 15 days of eight daily administrations, the liposomal complex combined with chlorhexidine was the only treatment able to reverse the more severe lesions associated with keratitis. There was 60% complete regression in corneal damage, with histological sections demonstrating the presence of an integral epithelium, without lymphocytic infiltrate. The set of results demonstrate the efficacy of a combined therapy based on siRNA with classical drugs for a better prognosis of keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba.
Collapse
|