Astrocytic Responses to DNA Delivery Using Nucleofection

The cellular response to plasma membrane disruption for nanomaterial delivery

Delivery of nanomaterials into cells is of interest for fundamental cell biological research as well as for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. One way of doing so is by physically disrupting the plasma membrane (PM). Several methods that exploit electrical, mechanical or optical cues have been conceived to temporarily disrupt the PM for intracellular delivery, with variable effects on cell viability. However, apart from acute cytotoxicity, subtler effects on cell physiology may occur as well. Their nature and timing vary with the severity of the insult and the efficiency of repair, but some may provoke permanent phenotypic alterations. With the growing palette of nanoscale delivery methods and applications, comes a need for an in-depth understanding of this cellular response. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the chronology of cellular events that take place upon PM injury inflicted by different delivery methods. We also elaborate on their significance for cell homeostasis and cell fate. Based on the crucial nodes that govern cell fitness and functionality, we give directions for fine-tuning nano-delivery conditions.

Mutant TDP-43 Expression Triggers TDP-43 Pathology and Cell Autonomous Effects on Primary Astrocytes: Implications for Non-cell Autonomous Pathology in ALS

Motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is partly non-cell autonomous, involving cellular dysfunction of astrocytes. Whether non-cell autonomous effects occur in other forms of ALS, such as TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43)-related disease, remains unclear. Here, we characterised the impact of mutant TDP-43 expression on primary astrocytes derived from transgenic TDP-43A315T mice. Mutant TDP-43 astrocytes revealed evidence for TDP-43 pathology, shown by cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions and accumulation in insoluble cell fractions which was exacerbated by proteasomal inhibition. L-glutamate uptake, measured using an [3H]D-aspartate assay, was impaired in mutant TDP-43 astrocytes, while ATP accumulation was abnormal, suggesting mutant TDP-43 induced astrocytic dysfunction. Astrocyte activation coupled with spinal and cortical motor neuron loss in transgenic TDP-43A315T mice could imply non-cell autonomous effects of astrocytes in vivo. These data demonstrate mutant TDP-43-mediated cell autonomous effects on astrocytes that may contribute to motor neuron pathology in ALS.

Selective transfection of microglia in the brain using an antibody-based non-viral vector

There are currently few approaches to transiently manipulate the expression of specific proteins in microglia of the brain. An antibody directed against an extracellular epitope of scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) was found to be selectively taken up by these cells in the brain. Other antibodies tested were not internalised by microglia. A vector was produced by linking the SR-BI antibody to polyethyleneimine and binding a DNA plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein. Infusions of this vector into the hippocampus produced a widespread transfection of cells, more than 80% of which were immunoreactive for microglial/macrophage markers. Transfection was not detected in cells expressing markers for astrocytes or neurons. Reporter gene expression was most prominent near the infusion site but was seen in tissue up to 4mm away. DNA bound to polyethyleneimine alone or to a vector containing a different antibody did not produce transfection in the brain. Single injections of the vector containing the SR-BI antibody into the brain also resulted in transfection of microglia, albeit with lower efficiency. Vector modifications to promote lysis of endosomes or entry of DNA into the nucleus did not increase efficiency. The findings clearly demonstrate the capacity of the SR-BI antibody to selectively target brain microglia. This approach offers considerable potential to deliver DNA and other molecules capable of modifying the function of these cells in vivo.