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Tan CP, Sinigaglia L, Gomez V, Nicholls J, Habib NA. RNA Activation-A Novel Approach to Therapeutically Upregulate Gene Transcription. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216530. [PMID: 34770939 PMCID: PMC8586927 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA activation (RNAa) is a mechanism whereby RNA oligos complementary to genomic sequences around the promoter region of genes increase the transcription output of their target gene. Small activating RNA (saRNA) mediate RNAa through interaction with protein co-factors to facilitate RNA polymerase II activity and nucleosome remodeling. As saRNA are small, versatile and safe, they represent a new class of therapeutics that can rescue the downregulation of critical genes in disease settings. This review highlights our current understanding of saRNA biology and describes various examples of how saRNA are successfully used to treat various oncological, neurological and monogenic diseases. MTL-CEBPA, a first-in-class compound that reverses CEBPA downregulation in oncogenic processes using CEBPA-51 saRNA has entered clinical trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Preclinical models demonstrate that MTL-CEBPA reverses the immunosuppressive effects of myeloid cells and allows for the synergistic enhancement of other anticancer drugs. Encouraging results led to the initiation of a clinical trial combining MTL-CEBPA with a PD-1 inhibitor for treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon Ping Tan
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; (C.P.T.); (L.S.); (V.G.); (J.N.)
| | - Laura Sinigaglia
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; (C.P.T.); (L.S.); (V.G.); (J.N.)
| | - Valentí Gomez
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; (C.P.T.); (L.S.); (V.G.); (J.N.)
| | - Joanna Nicholls
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; (C.P.T.); (L.S.); (V.G.); (J.N.)
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nagy A. Habib
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., Translation & Innovation Hub, 84 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK; (C.P.T.); (L.S.); (V.G.); (J.N.)
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)20-3313-8574
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Oligonucleotide-Based Therapies for Renal Diseases. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9030303. [PMID: 33809425 PMCID: PMC8001091 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9030303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing every year and represents a great cost for public healthcare systems, as the majority of these diseases are progressive. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies. Oligonucleotide-based drugs are emerging as novel and promising alternatives to traditional drugs. Their expansion corresponds with new knowledge regarding the molecular basis underlying CKD, and they are already showing encouraging preclinical results, with two candidates being evaluated in clinical trials. However, despite recent technological advances, efficient kidney delivery remains challenging, and the presence of off-targets and side-effects precludes development and translation to the clinic. In this review, we provide an overview of the various oligotherapeutic strategies used preclinically, emphasizing the most recent findings in the field, together with the different strategies employed to achieve proper kidney delivery. The use of different nanotechnological platforms, including nanocarriers, nanoparticles, viral vectors or aptamers, and their potential for the development of more specific and effective treatments is also outlined.
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Ghanbarian H, Aghamiri S, Eftekhary M, Wagner N, Wagner KD. Small Activating RNAs: Towards the Development of New Therapeutic Agents and Clinical Treatments. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030591. [PMID: 33800164 PMCID: PMC8001863 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small double-strand RNA (dsRNA) molecules can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism. RNA activation (RNAa) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism present in diverse eukaryotic organisms ranging from nematodes to humans. Small activating RNAs (saRNAs) involved in RNAa have been successfully used to activate gene expression in cultured cells, and thereby this emergent technique might allow us to develop various biotechnological applications, without the need to synthesize hazardous construct systems harboring exogenous DNA sequences. Accordingly, this thematic issue aims to provide insights into how RNAa cellular machinery can be harnessed to activate gene expression leading to a more effective clinical treatment of various diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/cytology
- Brain/growth & development
- Brain/metabolism
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Humans
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Muscle Development/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/therapy
- Myocardium/cytology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Neurogenesis/genetics
- Neurons/cytology
- Neurons/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Double-Stranded/therapeutic use
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Small Untranslated/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/therapeutic use
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Ghanbarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran;
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Nicole Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
| | - Kay-Dietrich Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
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Cherng JH, Hsu YJ, Liu CC, Tang SH, Sartika D, Chang SJ, Fan GY, Wu ST, Meng E. Reply to An et al. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2020; 318:F507-F508. [PMID: 32045266 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00016.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juin-Hong Cherng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China.,Department of Gerontological Health Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Yu-Juei Hsu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Chuan-Chieh Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Shou-Hung Tang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Dewi Sartika
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Shu-Jen Chang
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Gang-Yi Fan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Sheng-Tang Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - En Meng
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, China
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Cherng JH, Hsu YJ, Liu CC, Tang SH, Sartika D, Chang SJ, Fan GY, Wu ST, Meng E. Activities of Ca 2+-related ion channels during the formation of kidney stones in an infection-induced urolithiasis rat model. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F1342-F1349. [PMID: 31509008 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00199.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infection has long been recognized to contribute to struvite urinary stone deposition; however, its contribution to the development of chronic kidney stones has not been extensively investigated. In the present study, we hypothesized another possible method of bacteria contributing to the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) that accounts for the biggest part of the kidney stone. Bacteria may play important roles by influencing renal Ca2+-related ion channel activities, resulting in chronic inflammation of the kidney along with rapid aggregation of stones. We examined the correlation among infection-promoted CaOx kidney stones and alterations in Ca2+-related ion channels in an animal model with experimentally induced Proteus mirabilis and foreign body infection. After the bladder was infected for 7 days, the data demonstrated that stones were presented and induced severe renal tubular breakage as well as altered levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, osteopontin, and transient receptor potential vanilloid member 5 expression, reflecting responses of kidney ion channels. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, osteopontin, and transient receptor potential vanilloid member 5 expression was significantly downregulated over time, indicating the chronic inflammation phase of the kidney and accelerated aggregation of CaOx crystals, respectively, whereas cyclooxygenase-2 exhibited no differences. These results indicated that bacterial infection is considerably correlated with an alteration in renal Ca2+-related ion channels and might support specific and targeted Ca2+-related ion channel-based therapeutics for urolithiasis and related inflammatory renal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juin-Hong Cherng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.,Department of Gerontological Health Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yu-Juei Hsu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chuan-Chieh Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shou-Hung Tang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Dewi Sartika
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biology and Anatomy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shu-Jen Chang
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Gang-Yi Fan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Tang Wu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - En Meng
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Yoon S, Rossi JJ. Therapeutic Potential of Small Activating RNAs (saRNAs) in Human Cancers. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2018; 19:604-610. [PMID: 29804529 PMCID: PMC6204660 DOI: 10.2174/1389201019666180528084059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: RNA is increasingly recognized as a powerful molecule that can be used to control gene expression. Sophisticated, well-engineered RNA-based regulators are being developed as oligotherapeutics. Methods: In particular, small activating RNAs (saRNAs) are promising therapeutic options for targeting human diseases. Numerous saRNAs targeting multiple cancers have been developed in preclinical models. One saRNA targeting C/EBPα is currently undergoing clinical trials in liver cancer. Results and Conclusion: In this review, we describe the current working model of the intracellular mechanism of saRNA, discuss the recent progress of saRNA therapeutics in preclinical and clinical trials, and current advances in targeted delivery using aptamers in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorah Yoon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
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Shin S, Srivastava A, Alli NA, Bandyopadhyay BC. Confounding risk factors and preventative measures driving nephrolithiasis global makeup. World J Nephrol 2018; 7:129-142. [PMID: 30510912 PMCID: PMC6259033 DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v7.i7.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nephrolithiasis is increasing in developed and developing countries at an alarming rate. With the global spike in kidney stone diseases, it is crucial to determine what risk factors are influencing the current global landscape for kidney stones. Our aims for this review are: to identity and analyze the four categories of risk factors in contributing to the global scale of stone formation: lifestyle, genetics, diet, and environment; and discuss preventative measures for kidney stone formation. We also performed data search through the published scientific literature, i.e., PubMed® and found that there is a significant link between lifestyle and obesity with cases of calcium stones. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization factor indicators for dietary intake and obesity, along with climate data were used to create the projected total risk world map model for nephrolithiasis risk. Complete global analyses of nephrolithiasis deplete of generalizations is nearly insurmountable due to limited sources of medical and demographic information, but we hope this review can provide further elucidation into confounding risk factors and preventative measures for global nephrolithiasis analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Shin
- Calcium Signaling Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422, United States
| | - Aneil Srivastava
- Calcium Signaling Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422, United States
- George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
| | - Nazira A Alli
- Calcium Signaling Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422, United States
| | - Bidhan C Bandyopadhyay
- Calcium Signaling Laboratory, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422, United States
- George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, United States
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