1
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Koller EJ, Wood CA, Lai Z, Borgenheimer E, Hoffman KL, Jankowsky JL. Doxycycline for transgene control disrupts gut microbiome diversity without compromising acute neuroinflammatory response. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:11. [PMID: 38178148 PMCID: PMC10765643 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-03004-4] [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] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The tetracycline transactivator (tTA) system provides controllable transgene expression through oral administration of the broad-spectrum antibiotic doxycycline. Antibiotic treatment for transgene control in mouse models of disease might have undesirable systemic effects resulting from changes in the gut microbiome. Here we assessed the impact of doxycycline on gut microbiome diversity in a tTA-controlled model of Alzheimer's disease and then examined neuroimmune effects of these microbiome alterations following acute LPS challenge. We show that doxycycline decreased microbiome diversity in both transgenic and wild-type mice and that these changes persisted long after drug withdrawal. Despite the change in microbiome composition, doxycycline treatment had minimal effect on basal transcriptional signatures of inflammation the brain or on the neuroimmune response to LPS challenge. Our findings suggest that central neuroimmune responses may be less affected by doxycycline at doses needed for transgene control than by antibiotic cocktails at doses used for experimental microbiome disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Koller
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM295, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Caleb A Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM295, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zoe Lai
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM295, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ella Borgenheimer
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM295, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kristi L Hoffman
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joanna L Jankowsky
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail Stop BCM295, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Huffington Center On Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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2
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Zhu M, Kim J, Deng Q, Ricciuti B, Alessi JV, Eglenen-Polat B, Bender ME, Huang HC, Kowash RR, Cuevas I, Bennett ZT, Gao J, Minna JD, Castrillon DH, Awad MM, Xu L, Akbay EA. Loss of p53 and mutational heterogeneity drives immune resistance in an autochthonous mouse lung cancer model with high tumor mutational burden. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1731-1748.e8. [PMID: 37774698 PMCID: PMC10693909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The role of tumor mutational burden (TMB) in shaping tumor immunity is a key question that has not been addressable using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of lung cancer. To induce TMB in lung GEMMs, we expressed an ultra-mutator variant of DNA polymerase-E (POLE)P286R in lung epithelial cells. Introduction of PoleP286R allele into KrasG12D and KrasG12D; p53L/L (KP) models significantly increase their TMB. Immunogenicity and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) induced by Pole is partially dependent on p53. Corroborating these observations, survival of NSCLC patients whose tumors have TP53truncating mutations is shorter than those with TP53WT with immunotherapy. Immune resistance is in part through reduced antigen presentation and in part due to mutational heterogeneity. Total STING protein levels are elevated in Pole mutated KP tumors creating a vulnerability. A stable polyvalent STING agonist or p53 induction increases sensitivity to immunotherapy offering therapeutic options in these polyclonal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jiwoong Kim
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Qing Deng
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Biagio Ricciuti
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joao V Alessi
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Buse Eglenen-Polat
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew E Bender
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hai-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ryan R Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ileana Cuevas
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zachary T Bennett
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jinming Gao
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diego H Castrillon
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mark M Awad
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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3
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Wang Y. Rendezvous with Vaccinia Virus in the Post-smallpox Era: R&D Advances. Viruses 2023; 15:1742. [PMID: 37632084 PMCID: PMC10457812 DOI: 10.3390/v15081742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Smallpox was eradicated in less than 200 years after Edward Jenner's practice of cowpox variolation in 1796. The forty-three years of us living free of smallpox, beginning in 1979, never truly separated us from poxviruses. The recent outbreak of monkeypox in May 2022 might well warn us of the necessity of keeping up both the scientific research and public awareness of poxviruses. One of them in particular, the vaccinia virus (VACV), has been extensively studied as a vector given its broad host range, extraordinary thermal stability, and exceptional immunogenicity. Unceasing fundamental biological research on VACV provides us with a better understanding of its genetic elements, involvement in cellular signaling pathways, and modulation of host immune responses. This enables the rational design of safer and more efficacious next-generation vectors. To address the new technological advancement within the past decade in VACV research, this review covers the studies of viral immunomodulatory genes, modifications in commonly used vectors, novel mechanisms for rapid generation and purification of recombinant virus, and several other innovative approaches to studying its biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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4
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Wang Y, Zhang K, Zhao Y, Li Y, Su W, Li S. Construction and Applications of Mammalian Cell-Based DNA-Encoded Peptide/Protein Libraries. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1874-1888. [PMID: 37315219 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
DNA-encoded peptide/protein libraries are the starting point for protein evolutionary modification and functional peptide/antibody selection. Different display technologies, protein directed evolution, and deep mutational scanning (DMS) experiments employ DNA-encoded libraries to provide sequence variations for downstream affinity- or function-based selections. Mammalian cells promise the inherent post-translational modification and near-to-natural conformation of exogenously expressed mammalian proteins and thus are the best platform for studying transmembrane proteins or human disease-related proteins. However, due to the current technical bottlenecks of constructing mammalian cell-based large size DNA-encoded libraries, the advantages of mammalian cells as screening platforms have not been fully exploited. In this review, we summarize the current efforts in constructing DNA-encoded libraries in mammalian cells and the existing applications of these libraries in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Kaili Zhang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yanjie Zhao
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Weijun Su
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
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5
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Wang T, Zhang J, Wei L, Zhao D, Bi C, Liu Q, Xu N, Liu J. Developing a PAM-Flexible CRISPR-Mediated Dual-Deaminase Base Editor to Regulate Extracellular Electron Transport in Shewanella oneidensis. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:1727-1738. [PMID: 37212667 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a promising electroactive microorganism in environmental bioremediation, bioenergy generation, and bioproduct synthesis. Accelerating the extracellular electron transfer (EET) pathway that enables efficient electron exchange between microbes and extracellular substances is critical for improving its electrochemical properties. However, the potential genomic engineering strategies for enhancing EET capabilities are still limited. Here, we developed a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated dual-deaminase base editing system, named in situ protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM)-flexible dual base editing regulatory system (iSpider), for precise and high-throughput genomic manipulation. The iSpider enabled simultaneous C-to-T and A-to-G conversions with high diversity and efficiency in S. oneidensis. By weakening DNA glycosylase-based repair pathway and tethering two copies of adenosine deaminase, the A-to-G editing efficiency was obviously improved. As a proof-of-concept study, the iSpider was adapted to achieve multiplexed base editing for the regulation of the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway, and the optimized strain showed an approximately three-fold increase in riboflavin production. Moreover, the iSpider was also applied to evolve the performance of an inner membrane component CymA implicated in EET, and one beneficial mutant facilitating electron transfer could be rapidly identified. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the iSpider allows efficient base editing in a PAM-flexible manner, providing insights into the design of novel genomic tools for Shewanella engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tailin Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Liang Wei
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Zhao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Changhao Bi
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Qingdai Liu
- School of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Ning Xu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China
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6
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Beltran-Huarac J, Yamaleyeva DN, Dotti G, Hingtgen S, Sokolsky-Papkov M, Kabanov AV. Magnetic Control of Protein Expression via Magneto-mechanical Actuation of ND-PEGylated Iron Oxide Nanocubes for Cell Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:19877-19891. [PMID: 37040569 PMCID: PMC10143622 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Engineered cells used as smart vehicles for delivery of secreted therapeutic proteins enable effective treatment of cancer and certain degenerative, autoimmune, and genetic disorders. However, current cell-based therapies use mostly invasive tools for tracking proteins and do not allow for controlled secretion of therapeutic proteins, which could result in unconstrained killing of surrounding healthy tissues or ineffective killing of host cancer cells. Regulating the expression of therapeutic proteins after success of therapy remains elusive. In this study, a noninvasive therapeutic approach mediated by magneto-mechanical actuation (MMA) was developed to remotely regulate the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein, which is secreted by transduced cells. Stem cells, macrophages, and breast cancer cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding the SGpL2TR protein. SGpL2TR comprises TRAIL and GpLuc domains optimized for cell-based applications. Our approach relies on the remote actuation of cubic-shape highly magnetic field responsive superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with nitrodopamine PEG (ND-PEG), which are internalized within the cells. Cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs actuated by superlow frequency alternating current magnetic fields can translate magnetic forces into mechanical motion and in turn spur mechanosensitive cellular responses. Cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs were artificially designed to effectively operate at low magnetic field strengths (<100 mT) retaining approximately 60% of their saturation magnetization. Compared to other cells, stems cells were more sensitive to the interaction with actuated cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs, which clustered near the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Luciferase, ELISA, and RT-qPCR analyses revealed a marked TRAIL downregulation (secretion levels were depleted down to 30%) when intracellular particles at 0.100 mg/mL Fe were actuated by magnetic fields (65 mT and 50 Hz for 30 min). Western blot studies indicated actuated, intracellular cubic ND-PEG-SPIONs can cause mild ER stress at short periods (up to 3 h) of postmagnetic field treatment thus leading to the unfolded protein response. We observed that the interaction of TRAIL polypeptides with ND-PEG can also contribute to this response. To prove the applicability of our approach, we used glioblastoma cells, which were exposed to TRAIL secreted from stem cells. We demonstrated that in the absence of MMA treatment, TRAIL essentially killed glioblastoma cells indiscriminately, but when treated with MMA, we were able to control the cell killing rate by adjusting the magnetic doses. This approach can expand the capabilities of stem cells to serve as smart vehicles for delivery of therapeutic proteins in a controlled manner without using interfering and expensive drugs, while retaining their potential to regenerate damaged tissue after treatment. This approach brings forth new alternatives to regulate protein expression noninvasively for cell therapy and other cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Beltran-Huarac
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Department
of Physics, Howell Science Complex, East
Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - Dina N. Yamaleyeva
- Joint
UNC/NC State Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Shawn Hingtgen
- Division
of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School
of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Marina Sokolsky-Papkov
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Alexander V. Kabanov
- Center
for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Pharmacoengineering
and Molecular Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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7
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Good PI, Li L, Hurst HA, Serrano Herrera I, Xu K, Rao M, Bateman DA, Al-Awqati Q, D’Agati VD, Costantini F, Lin F. Low nephron endowment increases susceptibility to renal stress and chronic kidney disease. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e161316. [PMID: 36626229 PMCID: PMC9977438 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth results in low nephron endowment and increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). To understand the pathogenesis of AKI and CKD in preterm humans, we generated potentially novel mouse models with a 30%-70% reduction in nephron number by inhibiting or deleting Ret tyrosine kinase in the developing ureteric bud. These mice developed glomerular and tubular hypertrophy, followed by the transition to CKD, recapitulating the renal pathological changes seen in humans born preterm. We injected neonatal mice with gentamicin, a ubiquitous nephrotoxic exposure in preterm infants, and detected more severe proximal tubular injury in mice with low nephron number compared with controls with normal nephron number. Mice with low nephron number had reduced proliferative repair with more rapid development of CKD. Furthermore, mice had more profound inflammation with highly elevated levels of MCP-1 and CXCL10, produced in part by damaged proximal tubules. Our study directly links low nephron endowment with postnatal renal hypertrophy, which in this model is maladaptive and results in CKD. Underdeveloped kidneys are more susceptible to gentamicin-induced AKI, suggesting that AKI in the setting of low nephron number is more severe and further increases the risk of CKD in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Pediatrics and
| | | | | | - Katherine Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons New York, New York, USA
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Qais Al-Awqati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons New York, New York, USA
| | - Vivette D. D’Agati
- Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Frank Costantini
- Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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8
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Shin W, Jeong S, Lee JU, Jeong SY, Shin J, Kim HH, Cheon J, Lee JH. Magnetogenetics with Piezo1 Mechanosensitive Ion Channel for CRISPR Gene Editing. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:7415-7422. [PMID: 36069378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of genetic activity in single cells and tissues is pivotal to determine key cellular functions in current biomedicine, yet the conventional biochemical activators lack spatiotemporal precision due to the diffusion-mediated slow kinetics and nonselectivity. Here, we describe a magnetogenetic method for target-specific activation of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system for the regulation of intracellular proteins. We used magnetomechanical force generated by the magnetic nanostructure to activate pre-encoded Piezo1, the mechanosensitive ion channel, on the target cell. The activated Piezo1 further triggers the intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathway, inducing the pre-encoded genes to express genes of interest (GOIs), which is Cas9 protein for the CRISPR regulation of the target proteins. We demonstrated that this magnetogenetic CRISPR system successfully edits the target genome for both in vitro and pseudo-in vivo environments, providing a versatile magnetic platform for remote gene editing of animals with various size scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wookjin Shin
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumin Jeong
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Uk Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Yeun Jeong
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghong Shin
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyongbum Henry Kim
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Cheon
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyun Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program of Nano Biomedical Engineering (NanoBME), Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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9
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Cripe TP, Hutzen B, Currier MA, Chen CY, Glaspell AM, Sullivan GC, Hurley JM, Deighen MR, Venkataramany AS, Mo X, Stanek JR, Miller AR, Wijeratne S, Magrini V, Mardis ER, Mendell JR, Chandler DS, Wang PY. Leveraging gene therapy to achieve long-term continuous or controllable expression of biotherapeutics. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm1890. [PMID: 35857488 PMCID: PMC9278853 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm1890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
T cells redirected to cancer cells either via a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) or a bispecific molecule have been breakthrough technologies; however, CAR-T cells require individualized manufacturing and bispecifics generally require continuous infusions. We created an off-the-shelf, single-dose solution for achieving prolonged systemic serum levels of protein immunotherapeutics via adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer. We demonstrate proof of principle in a CD19+ lymphoma xenograft model using a single intravenous dose of AAV expressing a secreted version of blinatumomab, which could serve as a universal alternative for CD19 CAR-T cell therapy. In addition, we created an inducible version using an exon skipping strategy and achieved repeated, on-demand expression up to at least 36 weeks after AAV injection. Our system could be considered for short-term and/or repeated expression of other transgenes of interest for noncancer applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P. Cripe
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Brian Hutzen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mark A. Currier
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Andrea M. Glaspell
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Grace C. Sullivan
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Julia M. Hurley
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Mackenzie R. Deighen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Akila S. Venkataramany
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, 105 Biological Sciences Building, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1292, USA
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Joseph R. Stanek
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Anthony R. Miller
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Saranga Wijeratne
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Vincent Magrini
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Elaine R. Mardis
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Jerry R. Mendell
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Dawn S. Chandler
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, 105 Biological Sciences Building, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1292, USA
| | - Pin-Yi Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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10
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Broadly Applicable, Virus-Free Dual Reporter Assay to Identify Compounds Interfering with Membrane Fusion: Performance for HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071354. [PMID: 35891336 PMCID: PMC9322530 DOI: 10.3390/v14071354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion constitutes an essential step in the replication cycle of numerous viral pathogens, hence it represents an important druggable target. In the present study, we established a virus-free, stable reporter fusion inhibition assay (SRFIA) specifically designed to identify compounds interfering with virus-induced membrane fusion. The dual reporter assay is based on two stable Vero cell lines harboring the third-generation tetracycline (Tet3G) transactivator and a bicistronic reporter gene cassette under the control of the tetracycline responsive element (TRE3G), respectively. Cell–cell fusion by the transient transfection of viral fusogens in the presence of doxycycline results in the expression of the reporter enzyme secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and the fluorescent nuclear localization marker EYFPNuc. A constitutively expressed, secreted form of nanoluciferase (secNLuc) functioned as the internal control. The performance of the SRFIA was tested for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2- and HSV-1-induced cell–cell fusion, respectively, showing high sensitivity and specificity, as well as the reliable identification of known fusion inhibitors. Parallel quantification of secNLuc enabled the detection of cytotoxic compounds or insufficient transfection efficacy. In conclusion, the SRFIA reported here is well suited for high-throughput screening for new antiviral agents and essentially will be applicable to all viral fusogens causing cell–cell fusion in Vero cells.
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11
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Islam A, Tom VJ. The use of viral vectors to promote repair after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2022; 354:114102. [PMID: 35513025 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that can permanently disrupt multiple modalities. Unfortunately, the combination of the inhibitory environment at a central nervous system (CNS) injury site and the diminished intrinsic capacity of adult axons for growth results in the failure for robust axonal regeneration, limiting the ability for repair. Delivering genetic material that can either positively or negatively modulate gene expression has the potential to counter the obstacles that hinder axon growth within the spinal cord after injury. A popular gene therapy method is to deliver the genetic material using viral vectors. There are considerations when deciding on a viral vector approach for a particular application, including the type of vector, as well as serotypes, and promoters. In this review, we will discuss some of the aspects to consider when utilizing a viral vector approach to as a therapy for SCI. Additionally, we will discuss some recent applications of gene therapy to target extrinsic and/or intrinsic barriers to promote axon regeneration after SCI in preclinical models. While still in early stages, this approach has potential to treat those living with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraful Islam
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Veronica J Tom
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Characterization of an immune-evading doxycycline-inducible lentiviral vector for gene therapy in the spinal cord. Exp Neurol 2022; 355:114120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Kavaliauskaitė J, Kazlauskaitė A, Lazutka JR, Mozolevskis G, Stirkė A. Pulsed Electric Fields Alter Expression of NF-κB Promoter-Controlled Gene. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010451. [PMID: 35008875 PMCID: PMC8745616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The possibility to artificially adjust and fine-tune gene expression is one of the key milestones in bioengineering, synthetic biology, and advanced medicine. Since the effects of proteins or other transgene products depend on the dosage, controlled gene expression is required for any applications, where even slight fluctuations of the transgene product impact its function or other critical cell parameters. In this context, physical techniques demonstrate optimistic perspectives, and pulsed electric field technology is a potential candidate for a noninvasive, biophysical gene regulator, exploiting an easily adjustable pulse generating device. We exposed mammalian cells, transfected with a NF-κB pathway-controlled transcription system, to a range of microsecond-duration pulsed electric field parameters. To prevent toxicity, we used protocols that would generate relatively mild physical stimulation. The present study, for the first time, proves the principle that microsecond-duration pulsed electric fields can alter single-gene expression in plasmid context in mammalian cells without significant damage to cell integrity or viability. Gene expression might be upregulated or downregulated depending on the cell line and parameters applied. This noninvasive, ligand-, cofactor-, nanoparticle-free approach enables easily controlled direct electrostimulation of the construct carrying the gene of interest; the discovery may contribute towards the path of simplification of the complexity of physical systems in gene regulation and create further synergies between electronics, synthetic biology, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justina Kavaliauskaitė
- Laboratory of Bioelectrics, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (J.K.); (A.K.)
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Ave. 7, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Auksė Kazlauskaitė
- Laboratory of Bioelectrics, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (J.K.); (A.K.)
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Ave. 7, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Juozas Rimantas Lazutka
- Department of Botany and Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Ave. 7, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Gatis Mozolevskis
- Laboratory of Prototyping of Electronic and Photonic Devices, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Str. 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Arūnas Stirkė
- Laboratory of Bioelectrics, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (J.K.); (A.K.)
- Laboratory of Prototyping of Electronic and Photonic Devices, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga Str. 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia;
- Correspondence:
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14
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Simion V, Loussouarn C, Laurent Y, Roncali L, Gosset D, Reverchon F, Rousseau A, Martin F, Midoux P, Pichon C, Garcion E, Baril P. LentiRILES, a miRNA-ON sensor system for monitoring the functionality of miRNA in cancer biology and therapy. RNA Biol 2021; 18:198-214. [PMID: 34570661 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1978202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major unresolved challenge in miRNA biology is the capacity to monitor the spatiotemporal activity of miRNAs expressed in animal disease models. We recently reported that the miRNA-ON monitoring system called RILES (RNAi-inducible expression Luciferase system) implanted in lentivirus expression system (LentiRILES) offers unique opportunity to decipher the kinetics of miRNA activity in vitro, in relation with their intracellular trafficking in glioblastoma cells. In this study, we describe in detail the method for the production of LentiRILES stable cell lines and employed it in several applications in the field of miRNA biology and therapy. We show that LentiRILES is a robust, highly specific and sensitive miRNA sensor system that can be used in vitro as a single-cell miRNA monitoring method, cell-based screening platform for miRNA therapeutics and as a tool to analyse the structure-function relationship of the miRNA duplex. Furthermore, we report the kinetics of miRNA activity upon the intracranial delivery of miRNA mimics in an orthotopic animal model of glioblastoma. This information is exploited to evaluate the tumour suppressive function of miRNA-200c as locoregional therapeutic modality to treat glioblastoma. Our data provide evidence that LentiRILES is a robust system, well suited to resolve the activity of endogenous and exogenously expressed miRNAs from basic research to gene and cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Claire Loussouarn
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Yoan Laurent
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Loris Roncali
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - David Gosset
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Flora Reverchon
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Audrey Rousseau
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Francisco Martin
- GENYO, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Emmanuel Garcion
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
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15
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Tickner ZJ, Farzan M. Riboswitches for Controlled Expression of Therapeutic Transgenes Delivered by Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060554. [PMID: 34200913 PMCID: PMC8230432 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vectors developed from adeno-associated virus (AAV) are powerful tools for in vivo transgene delivery in both humans and animal models, and several AAV-delivered gene therapies are currently approved for clinical use. However, AAV-mediated gene therapy still faces several challenges, including limited vector packaging capacity and the need for a safe, effective method for controlling transgene expression during and after delivery. Riboswitches, RNA elements which control gene expression in response to ligand binding, are attractive candidates for regulating expression of AAV-delivered transgene therapeutics because of their small genomic footprints and non-immunogenicity compared to protein-based expression control systems. In addition, the ligand-sensing aptamer domains of many riboswitches can be exchanged in a modular fashion to allow regulation by a variety of small molecules, proteins, and oligonucleotides. Riboswitches have been used to regulate AAV-delivered transgene therapeutics in animal models, and recently developed screening and selection methods allow rapid isolation of riboswitches with novel ligands and improved performance in mammalian cells. This review discusses the advantages of riboswitches in the context of AAV-delivered gene therapy, the subsets of riboswitch mechanisms which have been shown to function in human cells and animal models, recent progress in riboswitch isolation and optimization, and several examples of AAV-delivered therapeutic systems which might be improved by riboswitch regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J. Tickner
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, the Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Michael Farzan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, the Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA;
- Emmune, Inc., Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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16
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Parker CC, Lusk R, Saba LM. Alcohol Sensitivity as an Endophenotype of Alcohol Use Disorder: Exploring Its Translational Utility between Rodents and Humans. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E725. [PMID: 33066036 PMCID: PMC7600833 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex, chronic, relapsing disorder with multiple interacting genetic and environmental influences. Numerous studies have verified the influence of genetics on AUD, yet the underlying biological pathways remain unknown. One strategy to interrogate complex diseases is the use of endophenotypes, which deconstruct current diagnostic categories into component traits that may be more amenable to genetic research. In this review, we explore how an endophenotype such as sensitivity to alcohol can be used in conjunction with rodent models to provide mechanistic insights into AUD. We evaluate three alcohol sensitivity endophenotypes (stimulation, intoxication, and aversion) for their translatability across human and rodent research by examining the underlying neurobiology and its relationship to consumption and AUD. We show examples in which results gleaned from rodents are successfully integrated with information from human studies to gain insight in the genetic underpinnings of AUD and AUD-related endophenotypes. Finally, we identify areas for future translational research that could greatly expand our knowledge of the biological and molecular aspects of the transition to AUD with the broad hope of finding better ways to treat this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa C. Parker
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Ryan Lusk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Laura M. Saba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
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17
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Song Y, Xu Z, Wang F. Genetically Encoded Reporter Genes for MicroRNA Imaging in Living Cells and Animals. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:555-567. [PMID: 32721876 PMCID: PMC7390858 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by base paring with the complementary sequences of the target mRNAs, and then exert their function through degrading mRNA or inhibiting protein translation. They play a significant role as a regulatory factor in biological processes of organism development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Some of the traditional methods for studying miRNAs, such as northern blot, real-time PCR, or microarray, have been extensively used to investigate the biological properties and expression patterns of miRNAs. However, these methods often require considerable time, cell samples, and the design of effective primers or specific probes. Therefore, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of miRNAs in biological processes and accelerate the clinical application of miRNAs in the field of disease treatment, non-invasive, sensitive, and efficient imaging methods are needed to visualize the dynamic expression of miRNAs in living cells and animals. In this study, we reviewed the recent progress in the genetically encoded reporter genes for miRNA imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhuang Song
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhijing Xu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Fu Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China.
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18
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Moses C, Hodgetts SI, Nugent F, Ben-Ary G, Park KK, Blancafort P, Harvey AR. Transcriptional repression of PTEN in neural cells using CRISPR/dCas9 epigenetic editing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11393. [PMID: 32647121 PMCID: PMC7347541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
After damage to the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), surviving neurons have limited capacity to regenerate and restore functional connectivity. Conditional genetic deletion of PTEN results in robust CNS axon regrowth, while PTEN repression with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) improves regeneration but to a lesser extent, likely due to suboptimal PTEN mRNA knockdown using this approach. Here we employed the CRISPR/dCas9 system to repress PTEN transcription in neural cells. We targeted the PTEN proximal promoter and 5' untranslated region with dCas9 fused to the repressor protein Krüppel-associated box (KRAB). dCas9-KRAB delivered in a lentiviral vector with one CRISPR guide RNA (gRNA) achieved potent and specific PTEN repression in human cell line models and neural cells derived from human iPSCs, and induced histone (H)3 methylation and deacetylation at the PTEN promoter. The dCas9-KRAB system outperformed a combination of four shRNAs targeting the PTEN transcript, a construct previously used in CNS injury models. The CRISPR system also worked more effectively than shRNAs for Pten repression in rat neural crest-derived PC-12 cells, and enhanced neurite outgrowth after nerve growth factor stimulation. PTEN silencing with CRISPR/dCas9 epigenetic editing may provide a new option for promoting axon regeneration and functional recovery after CNS trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Moses
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - S I Hodgetts
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - F Nugent
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - G Ben-Ary
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - K K Park
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - P Blancafort
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - A R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
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19
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O’Connell CM, Jasperse B, Hagen CJ, Titong A, Verardi PH. Replication-inducible vaccinia virus vectors with enhanced safety in vivo. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230711. [PMID: 32240193 PMCID: PMC7117657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia virus (VACV) has been used extensively as the vaccine against smallpox and as a viral vector for the development of recombinant vaccines and cancer therapies. Replication-competent, non-attenuated VACVs induce strong, long-lived humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and can be effective oncolytic vectors. However, complications from uncontrolled VACV replication in vaccinees and their close contacts can be severe, particularly in individuals with predisposing conditions. In an effort to develop replication-competent VACV vectors with improved safety, we placed VACV late genes encoding core or virion morphogenesis proteins under the control of tet operon elements to regulate their expression with tetracycline antibiotics. These replication-inducible VACVs would only express the selected genes in the presence of tetracyclines. VACVs inducibly expressing the A3L or A6L genes replicated indistinguishably from wild-type VACV in the presence of tetracyclines, whereas there was no evidence of replication in the absence of antibiotics. These outcomes were reflected in mice, where the VACV inducibly expressing the A6L gene caused weight loss and mortality equivalent to wild-type VACV in the presence of tetracyclines. In the absence of tetracyclines, mice were protected from weight loss and mortality, and viral replication was not detected. These findings indicate that replication-inducible VACVs based on the conditional expression of the A3L or A6L genes can be used for the development of safer, next-generation live VACV vectors and vaccines. The design allows for administration of replication-inducible VACV in the absence of tetracyclines (as a replication-defective vector) or in the presence of tetracyclines (as a replication-competent vector) with enhanced safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. O’Connell
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Brittany Jasperse
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Caitlin J. Hagen
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Allison Titong
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Paulo H. Verardi
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
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20
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Burnside ER, De Winter F, Didangelos A, James ND, Andreica EC, Layard-Horsfall H, Muir EM, Verhaagen J, Bradbury EJ. Immune-evasive gene switch enables regulated delivery of chondroitinase after spinal cord injury. Brain 2019; 141:2362-2381. [PMID: 29912283 PMCID: PMC6061881 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitinase ABC is a promising preclinical therapy that promotes functional neuroplasticity after CNS injury by degrading extracellular matrix inhibitors. Efficient delivery of chondroitinase ABC to the injured mammalian spinal cord can be achieved by viral vector transgene delivery. This approach dramatically modulates injury pathology and restores sensorimotor functions. However, clinical development of this therapy is limited by a lack of ability to exert control over chondroitinase gene expression. Prior experimental gene regulation platforms are likely to be incompatible with the non-resolving adaptive immune response known to occur following spinal cord injury. Therefore, here we apply a novel immune-evasive dual vector system, in which the chondroitinase gene is under a doxycycline inducible regulatory switch, utilizing a chimeric transactivator designed to evade T cell recognition. Using this novel vector system, we demonstrate tight temporal control of chondroitinase ABC gene expression, effectively removing treatment upon removal of doxycycline. This enables a comparison of short and long-term gene therapy paradigms in the treatment of clinically-relevant cervical level contusion injuries in adult rats. We reveal that transient treatment (2.5 weeks) is sufficient to promote improvement in sensory axon conduction and ladder walking performance. However, in tasks requiring skilled reaching and grasping, only long term treatment (8 weeks) leads to significantly improved function, with rats able to accurately grasp and retrieve sugar pellets. The late emergence of skilled hand function indicates enhanced neuroplasticity and connectivity and correlates with increased density of vGlut1+ innervation in spinal cord grey matter, particularly in lamina III–IV above and below the injury. Thus, our novel gene therapy system provides an experimental tool to study temporal effects of extracellular matrix digestion as well as an encouraging step towards generating a safer chondroitinase gene therapy strategy, longer term administration of which increases neuroplasticity and recovery of descending motor control. This preclinical study could have a significant impact for tetraplegic individuals, for whom recovery of hand function is an important determinant of independence, and supports the ongoing development of chondroitinase gene therapy towards clinical application for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Burnside
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Fred De Winter
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Athanasios Didangelos
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nicholas D James
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elena-Cristina Andreica
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Hugo Layard-Horsfall
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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21
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Injectable cell-encapsulating composite alginate-collagen platform with inducible termination switch for safer ocular drug delivery. Biomaterials 2019; 201:53-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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22
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Hinkel R, Klett K, Bähr A, Kupatt C. Thymosin β4-mediated protective effects in the heart. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 18:121-129. [PMID: 30063857 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1490409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite recent advances in the treatment of coronary heart disease, a significant number of patients progressively develop heart failure. Reduction of infarct size after acute myocardial infarction and normalization of microvasculature in chronic myocardial ischemia could enhance cardiac survival. AREAS COVERED Induction of neovascularization using vascular growth factors has emerged as a promising novel approach for cardiac regeneration. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) might be a promising candidate for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. It has been characterized as a major G-actin-sequestering factor regulating cell motility, migration, and differentiation. During cardiac development, Thymosin β4 seems essential for vascularization of the myocardium. In the adult organism, Thymosin β4 has anti-inflammatory properties, increases myocyte and endothelial cell survival accompanied by differentiation of epicardial progenitor cells. In chronic myocardial ischemia, Tβ4 overexpression enhances micro- and macrovasculature in the ischemic area and thereby improves myocardial function. A comparable effect is seen in diabetic and dyslipidemic pig ischemic hearts, suggesting an attractive therapeutic potential of adeno-associated virus encoding for Tβ4 for patients with ischemic heart disease. EXPERT OPINION Induction of mature micro-vessels is a prerequisite for chronic myocardial ischemia and might be achieved via a long-term overexpression of Thymosin β4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabea Hinkel
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Katharina Klett
- b Institut for Cardiovascular Prevention , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Andrea Bähr
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- a Internal Medicine I , Klinikum rechts der Isar der TU München , Munich , Germany.,c DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) , partner site Munich Heart Alliance , Munich , Germany
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Ziegler T, Ishikawa K, Hinkel R, Kupatt C. Translational Aspects of Adeno-Associated Virus–Mediated Cardiac Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1341-1351. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Ziegler
- I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Kiyotake Ishikawa
- Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Rabea Hinkel
- I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
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Development of Inducible CD19-CAR T Cells with a Tet-On System for Controlled Activity and Enhanced Clinical Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113455. [PMID: 30400287 PMCID: PMC6275001 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tetracycline regulatory system has been widely used to control the transgene expression. With this powerful tool, it might be possible to effectively control the functional activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and manage the severe side effects after infusion. In this study, we developed novel inducible CD19CAR (iCAR19) T cells by incorporating a one-vector Tet-on system into the CD19CAR construct. The iCAR19 T cells showed dox-dependent cell proliferation, cytokine production, CAR expression, and strong CD19-specific cytotoxicity. After 48 h of dox induction, the relative CAR expression of induced cells was five times greater than that of uninduced cells. Twenty-four hours after dox removal, CAR expression significantly decreased by more than 60%. In cytotoxicity assays, dox-treated cells induced significantly higher specific lysis against target cells. These results suggested that the activity of iCAR19 T cells was successfully controlled by our Tet-on system, offering an enhanced safety profile while maintaining a robust anti-tumor effect. Besides, all manufacture processes of the lentiviral vectors and the T cells were conducted according to the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards for subsequent clinical translation.
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25
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Zeng Y, Si H, Wu Y, Li Y, Cao F, Li C, He Z, Chen Z, Shen B. Gene Therapy with Tetracycline-Regulated Human Recombinant COLIA1 cDNA Direct Adenoviral Delivery Enhances Fracture Healing in Osteoporotic Rats. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:902-915. [PMID: 29641324 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.013] [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: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of previous studies have indicated that the genetic variation at the collage type I alpha 1 (COLIA1) gene locus influences susceptibility to osteoporosis. However, seldom have studies reported the effect of gene delivery using an adenovirus vector carrying human recombinant COLIA1 cDNA on stimulating osteogenic activity of osteoblasts and enhancing fracture healing of ovariectomized rats. The current study was performed to demonstrate whether direct gene delivery using an adenovirus vector carrying human recombinant COLIA1 cDNA could stimulate osteogenic activity of osteoblast in vitro and enhance fracture healing of ovariectomized rats in vivo. In vitro, the tet-on system regulated COLIA1 gene adenovirus was constructed and transfected to osteoblasts. COLIA1 mRNA and collagen type I levels were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine whether adenovirus transfected successfully. Osteogenic activity of the osteoblasts was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity, immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescent staining, mineralized matrix formation, and extracellular calcium levels. In vivo, adenovirus-delivered COLIA1 gene was injected into the fracture site of the tibia in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, and bone callus condition was assessed to determine whether the COLIA1 gene could accelerate osteoporotic fracture healing. In vitro, the results showed that COLIA1 gene adenovirus transfection could increase osteoblast COLIA1 gene expression and collagen type I protein synthesis, increase alkaline phosphatase activity, and stimulate calcium nodules formation, which exhibited a direct osteogenic effect on the osteoblasts. In vivo, local injection of COLIA1 gene adenovirus increased collagen type I expression, restored bone mineral density, and accelerated fracture healing in ovariectomized rats, without increasing serum collagen type I and liver COLIA1 mRNA levels. This study suggests direct gene delivery using an adenovirus carrying human COLIA1 cDNA can stimulate the osteogenic activity of osteoblasts in vitro and enhance bone fracture healing in vivo. The tet-on system is an ideal gene regulatory system for effective and safe regulation of the therapeutic gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zeng
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haibo Si
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuangang Wu
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Li
- 2 Department of Orthopedics, Navy General Hospital, Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Cao
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Canfeng Li
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiyao He
- 3 Lab for Aging Research, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- 4 Molecular Medicine Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Shen
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Szczesny RJ, Kowalska K, Klosowska-Kosicka K, Chlebowski A, Owczarek EP, Warkocki Z, Kulinski TM, Adamska D, Affek K, Jedroszkowiak A, Kotrys AV, Tomecki R, Krawczyk PS, Borowski LS, Dziembowski A. Versatile approach for functional analysis of human proteins and efficient stable cell line generation using FLP-mediated recombination system. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194887. [PMID: 29590189 PMCID: PMC5874048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering a function of a given protein requires investigating various biological aspects. Usually, the protein of interest is expressed with a fusion tag that aids or allows subsequent analyses. Additionally, downregulation or inactivation of the studied gene enables functional studies. Development of the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology opened many possibilities but in many cases it is restricted to non-essential genes. Recombinase-dependent gene integration methods, like the Flp-In system, are very good alternatives. The system is widely used in different research areas, which calls for the existence of compatible vectors and efficient protocols that ensure straightforward DNA cloning and generation of stable cell lines. We have created and validated a robust series of 52 vectors for streamlined generation of stable mammalian cell lines using the FLP recombinase-based methodology. Using the sequence-independent DNA cloning method all constructs for a given coding-sequence can be made with just three universal PCR primers. Our collection allows tetracycline-inducible expression of proteins with various tags suitable for protein localization, FRET, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), protein dynamics studies (FRAP), co-immunoprecipitation, the RNA tethering assay and cell sorting. Some of the vectors contain a bidirectional promoter for concomitant expression of miRNA and mRNA, so that a gene can be silenced and its product replaced by a mutated miRNA-insensitive version. Our toolkit and protocols have allowed us to create more than 500 constructs with ease. We demonstrate the efficacy of our vectors by creating stable cell lines with various tagged proteins (numatrin, fibrillarin, coilin, centrin, THOC5, PCNA). We have analysed transgene expression over time to provide a guideline for future experiments and compared the effectiveness of commonly used inducers for tetracycline-responsive promoters. As proof of concept we examined the role of the exoribonuclease XRN2 in transcription termination by RNAseq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman J. Szczesny
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail: (RJS); (AD)
| | - Katarzyna Kowalska
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Klosowska-Kosicka
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksander Chlebowski
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina P. Owczarek
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Warkocki
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Kulinski
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Adamska
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Affek
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Jedroszkowiak
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna V. Kotrys
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafal Tomecki
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel S. Krawczyk
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz S. Borowski
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Dziembowski
- Laboratory of RNA Biology and Functional Genomics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail: (RJS); (AD)
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27
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Kumar TR. Extragonadal Actions of FSH: A Critical Need for Novel Genetic Models. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2-8. [PMID: 29236987 PMCID: PMC5761596 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is critical for ovarian folliculogenesis and essential for female fertility. FSH binds to FSH receptors (FSHRs) and regulates estrogen production in ovarian granulosa cells to orchestrate female reproductive physiology. Ovarian senescence that occurs as a function of aging results in loss of estrogen production, and this is believed to be the major reason for bone loss in postmenopausal women. Although conflicting, studies in rodents and humans during the last decade have provided genetic, pharmacological, and physiological evidence that elevated FSH levels that occur in the face of normal or declining estrogen levels directly regulate bone mass and adiposity. Recently, an efficacious blocking polyclonal FSHβ antibody was developed that inhibited ovariectomy-induced bone loss and triggered white-to-brown fat conversion accompanied by mitochondrial biogenesis in mice. Moreover, additional nongonadal targets of FSH action have been identified, and these include the female reproductive tract (endometrium and myometrium), the placenta, hepatocytes, and blood vessels. In this mini-review, I summarize these studies in mice and humans and discuss critical gaps in our knowledge, yet unanswered questions, and the rationale for developing novel genetic models to unambiguously address the extragonadal actions of FSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Rajendra Kumar
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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28
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Polstein LR, Juhas M, Hanna G, Bursac N, Gersbach CA. An Engineered Optogenetic Switch for Spatiotemporal Control of Gene Expression, Cell Differentiation, and Tissue Morphogenesis. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:2003-2013. [PMID: 28793186 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The precise spatial and temporal control of gene expression, cell differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis has widespread application in regenerative medicine and the study of tissue development. In this work, we applied optogenetics to control cell differentiation and new tissue formation. Specifically, we engineered an optogenetic "on" switch that provides permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination. To demonstrate its utility in controlling cell differentiation and reprogramming, we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes. Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illumination of cell cultures through a photomask. To demonstrate the application of the system to controlling in vivo tissue development, the light inducible switch was used to control the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1, which induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model. Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature. This optogenetic switch is broadly useful for applications in which sustained and patterned gene expression is desired following transient induction, including tissue engineering, gene therapy, synthetic biology, and fundamental studies of morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R. Polstein
- Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Mark Juhas
- Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Gabi Hanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Charles A. Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical
Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Center for
Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
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29
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Ziegler T, Kraus M, Husada W, Gesenhues F, Jiang Q, Pinkenburg O, Trenkwalder T, Laugwitz KL, le Noble F, Weber C, Kupatt C, Hinkel R. Steerable Induction of the Thymosin β4/MRTF-A Pathway via AAV-Based Overexpression Induces Therapeutic Neovascularization. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 29:1407-1415. [PMID: 28726522 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors have been frequently used in a variety of preclinical animal models to deliver genetic constructs into tissues. Among the vectors used, adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) may be targeted to specific tissues, depending on the serotype used. Moreover, they show robust expression for prolonged periods of time and have a low immunogenic potential. Furthermore, AAVs, unlike other vector systems, only display a low rate of genomic integration. However, to ensure efficient transgene production, expression is typically driven by constitutively active promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Tetracyclin responsive promoters represent a promising alternative to unregulated promoters. The present study compares AAVs encoding either constitutively active CMV or tet-off promoter regions in the preclinical models of hindlimb and chronic myocardial ischemia. Therapeutically, mediators regulating vessel maturation, specifically thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) and the downstream signaling molecule myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) as well as the endothelial activator angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) were overexpressed via AAVs using both promotors. In the model of rabbit hindlimb ischemia, temporary (tet-off) expression of Tβ4 improved capillary density, collateralization, and perfusion in the ischemic hindlimb, with no detectable difference to constitutive Tβ4 overexpression. Similarly, constitutive overexpression of MRTF-A alone was able to improve capillarization, collateralization and perfusion. Temporary expression of Ang2 for 7 days further increased capillary density and pericyte coverage compared with MRTF-A alone, without further improving collateralization or perfusion. In the pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia constitutive expression of Tβ4 for 4 weeks induced capillary and collateral growth similarly to a pulsed expression (2 day expression per week for 3 weeks). Taken together these findings demonstrate for two models of preclinical interventions that temporary gene expression may lead to similar results as constitutive expression, highlighting the potential of controlled temporary gene expression for induction of vascular growth as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Ziegler
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Kraus
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wira Husada
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Gesenhues
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Qui Jiang
- 3 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Olaf Pinkenburg
- 4 Institut für Immunologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Trenkwalder
- 5 Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, German Heart Centre Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Ludwig Laugwitz
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christian Weber
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- 7 Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Rabea Hinkel
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- 7 Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich, Germany
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30
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Simion V, Sobilo J, Clemoncon R, Natkunarajah S, Ezzine S, Abdallah F, Lerondel S, Pichon C, Baril P. Positive radionuclide imaging of miRNA expression using RILES and the human sodium iodide symporter as reporter gene is feasible and supports a protective role of miRNA-23a in response to muscular atrophy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177492. [PMID: 28493972 PMCID: PMC5426778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in many biological processes and are considered as an emerging class of pharmacology drugs for diagnosis and therapy. However to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of miRNAs, it is becoming crucial to monitor their expression pattern using medical imaging modalities. Recently, we developed a method called RILES, for RNAi-Inducible Luciferase Expression System that relies on an engineered regulatable expression system to switch-ON the expression of the luciferase gene when a miRNA of interest is expressed in cells. Here we investigated whether replacing the luciferase reporter gene with the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) reporter gene will be also suited to monitor the expression of miRNAs in a clinical setting context. We provide evidence that radionuclide imaging of miRNA expression using hNIS is feasible although it is not as robust as when the luciferase reporter gene is used. However, under appropriate conditions, we monitored the expression of several miRNAs in cells, in the liver and in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice undergoing muscular atrophy. We demonstrated that radiotracer accumulation in transfected cells correlated with the induction of hNIS and with the expression of miRNAs detected by real time PCR. We established the kinetic of miRNA-23a expression in mice and demonstrated that this miRNA follows a biphasic expression pattern characterized by a loss of expression at a late time point of muscular atrophy. At autopsy, we found an opposite expression pattern between miRNA-23a and one of the main transcriptional target of this miRNA, APAF-1, and as downstream target, Caspase 9. Our results report the first positive monitoring of endogenously expressed miRNAs in a nuclear medicine imaging context and support the development of additional work to establish the potential therapeutic value of miRNA-23 to prevent the damaging effects of muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | - Julien Sobilo
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Rudy Clemoncon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | - Sharuja Natkunarajah
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Safia Ezzine
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | | | - Stephanie Lerondel
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France.,Université d'Orléans, Collégium Sciences et Techniques, Orléans, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France.,Université d'Orléans, Collégium Sciences et Techniques, Orléans, France
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31
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Regulable Transgene Expression in Dorsal Root Ganglia of a Replication-Defective Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Vector by Means of Sciatic Nerve Injection. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016; 137:331e-338e. [PMID: 26818323 DOI: 10.1097/01.prs.0000475777.22020.ff] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted and controllable gene delivery to neurons is essential to efforts to facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration. The authors investigated both the in vitro and in vivo expression profiles of a tetracycline-controlled, replication-defective, herpes simplex virus type 1-based vector. METHODS Mouse primary dorsal root ganglia cells were infected with QR9TO-LacZ in the absence or presence of tetracycline. LacZ gene expression was examined. It was also injected into sciatic nerves in CD-1 mice fed with and without tetracycline. LacZ expression in the upstream dorsal root ganglia was examined. RESULTS Following inoculation with QR9TO-LacZ, approximately 40 percent of the cultured primary dorsal root ganglia cells exhibited strong LacZ activity in the presence of tetracycline at 48 and 72 hours, whereas little was detected in those in the absence of tetracycline. Quantitative analysis revealed that the β-galactosidase activity within cells exposed to tetracycline increased 181-fold at 48 hours (p < 0.001) and 47-fold at 72 hours after infection (p < 0.05) compared with those without tetracycline. However, this LacZ transgene activity in the presence of tetracycline tapered off to less than sevenfold over baseline 168 hours after infection (p < 0.05). Furthermore, successful uptake of this replication-defective viral vector was evident in upstream dorsal root ganglia after sciatic nerve injection in mice. In addition, its expression profile was similar to that in vitro, as strong β-galactosidase activity was evident only in mice fed with a doxycycline-containing diet, and it tapered off by 168 hours. CONCLUSION The replication-defective herpes simplex virus type 1-based vector, which provides tightly regulated transgene expression in dorsal root ganglia by means of peripheral nerve injection, represents an appealing approach to improve peripheral nerve regeneration.
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32
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Jiang B, Zhang R, Feng D, Wang F, Liu K, Jiang Y, Niu K, Yuan Q, Wang M, Wang H, Zhang Y, Fang X. A Tet-on and Cre-loxP Based Genetic Engineering System for Convenient Recycling of Selection Markers in Penicillium oxalicum. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:485. [PMID: 27148179 PMCID: PMC4828452 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of selective markers has been a key problem preventing multistep genetic engineering in filamentous fungi, particularly for industrial species such as the lignocellulose degrading Penicillium oxalicum JUA10-1(formerly named as Penicillium decumbens). To resolve this problem, we constructed a genetic manipulation system taking advantage of two established genetic systems: the Cre-loxP system and Tet-on system in P. oxalicum JUA10-1. This system is efficient and convenient. The expression of Cre recombinase was activated by doxycycline since it was controlled by Tet-on system. Using this system, two genes, ligD and bglI, were sequentially disrupted by loxP flanked ptrA. The successful application of this procedure will provide a useful tool for genetic engineering in filamentous fungi. This system will also play an important role in improving the productivity of interesting products and minimizing by-product when fermented by filamentous fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baojie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Ruiqin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Dan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Fangzhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Kuimei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Kangle Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Quanquan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong UniversityJinan, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong UniversityJinan, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong UniversityJinan, China
| | - Xu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, School of Life Science, Shandong University Jinan, China
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Tet-On lentiviral transductants lose inducibility when silenced for extended intervals in mammary epithelial cells. Metab Eng Commun 2016; 3:64-67. [PMID: 29142821 PMCID: PMC5678824 DOI: 10.1016/j.meteno.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Silencing of virally transduced genes by promoter methylation and histone deacetylation has been a chronic problem both experimentally and therapeutically. We observed frequent silencing of the tetracycline-inducible Tet-On promoter borne by the Tripz lentivirus in mammary epithelial cell lines. We found that silencing could be prevented by continuous induction, but uninduced Tet-On gradually became uninducible, suggesting promoter modification. Accordingly, silencing was reversible by a common inhibitor of histone deacetylases, sodium butyrate. The effect was cell-line dependent, as HEK293 cells exhibited only moderate silencing that could be partly reversed by extended induction. These results indicate the need to test individual cell lines prior to using this system for studies that require induction after long periods of repression such as in animal models or RNA interference screens. Loss of inducibility of Tet-On transgenes in cancer cell lines is reported. Expression can be restored by an HDAC inhibitor. Expression can be maintained by continuous induction. Loss of expression is cell-line dependent.
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Rivera-Delgado E, Ward E, von Recum HA. Providing sustained transgene induction through affinity-based drug delivery. J Biomed Mater Res A 2016; 104:1135-42. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Ward
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; Case Western Reserve University Cleveland; Ohio
| | - Horst A. von Recum
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; Case Western Reserve University Cleveland; Ohio
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35
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Baril P, Pichon C. Positive Bioluminescence Imaging of MicroRNA Expression in Small Animal Models Using an Engineered Genetic-Switch Expression System, RILES. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1372:193-208. [PMID: 26530925 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3148-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNAs which regulate gene expression by directing their target mRNA for degradation or translational repression. Since their discovery in the early 1990s, miRNAs have emerged as key components in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene networks, shaping many biological processes from development, morphogenesis, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Although understanding of the molecular basis of miRNA biology is improving, methods to monitor the dynamic and the spatiotemporal aspects of miRNA expression under physiopathological conditions are required. However, monitoring of miRNAs is difficult due to their small size, low abundance, high degree of sequence similarity, and their dynamic expression pattern which is subjected to tight transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls. Recently, we developed a miRNA monitoring system called RILES, standing for RNAi-inducible expression system, which relies on an engineered regulatable expression system, to switch on the expression of the luciferase gene when the targeted miRNA is expressed in cells. We demonstrated that RILES is a specific, sensitive, and robust method to determine the fine-tuning of miRNA expression during the development of an experimental pathological process in mice. Because RILES offers the possibility for longitudinal studies on individual subjects, sharper insights into miRNA regulation can be generated, with applications in physiology, pathophysiology and development of RNAi-based therapies. This chapter describes methods and protocols to monitor the expression of myomiR-206, -1, and -133 in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice. These protocols can be used and adapted to monitor the expression of other miRNAs in other biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans France, Rue Charles Sadron CS 80054, Orléans Cedex 2, 45071, France.
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans France, Rue Charles Sadron CS 80054, Orléans Cedex 2, 45071, France
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Andersson HA, Kim YS, O’Neill BE, Shi ZZ, Serda RE. HSP70 promoter-driven activation of gene expression for immunotherapy using gold nanorods and near infrared light. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 2:216-27. [PMID: 25328682 PMCID: PMC4199457 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines2020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the cytokine milieu is one approach for vaccine development. However, therapy with pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12, is limited in practice due to adverse systemic effects. Spatially-restricted gene expression circumvents this problem by enabling localized amplification. Intracellular co-delivery of gold nanorods (AuNR) and a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) promoter-driven expression vector enables gene expression in response to near infrared (NIR) light. AuNRs absorb the light, convert it into heat and thereby stimulate photothermal expression of the cytokine. As proof-of-concept, human HeLa and murine B16 cancer cells were transfected with a HSP70-Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) plasmid and polyethylenimine (PEI)-conjugated AuNRs. Exposure to either 42 °C heat-shock or NIR light induced significant expression of the reporter gene. In vivo NIR driven expression of the reporter gene was confirmed at 6 and 24 h in mice bearing B16 melanoma tumors using in vivo imaging and flow-cytometric analysis. Overall, we demonstrate a novel opportunity for site-directed, heat-inducible expression of a gene based upon the NIR-absorbing properties of AuNRs and a HSP70 promoter-driven expression vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A. Andersson
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Yoo-Shin Kim
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Brian E. O’Neill
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Zheng-Zheng Shi
- Department of Translational Imaging, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mails: (Y.-S.K.); (B.E.O.); (Z.-Z.S.)
| | - Rita E. Serda
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-713-798-3242
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Wimmer T, Lorenz B, Stieger K. Functional Characterization of AAV-Expressed Recombinant Anti-VEGF Single-Chain Variable Fragments In Vitro. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2015; 31:269-76. [PMID: 25867736 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2014.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Most retinal neovascular disorders are caused by upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. These disorders are treated with repeated injections of anti-VEGF molecules, which may have severe side effects. The expression of anti-VEGF molecules by the retina itself in a controlled manner following adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene transfer could be a replacement of this therapy. METHODS The open reading frames (orf) of the light and the heavy chain of ranibizumab were cloned into an expression plasmid separated by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). The construct was mutated to generate ranibizumab single-chain variable fragments (scFv). Expression was verified by western blotting and the concentrations were measured with a custom-made ranibizumab ELISA. Biological activity, VEGF-binding properties, and the doxycycline-dependent induction of anti-VEGF expression were tested. An AAV2/5 vector was generated containing the optimal variant Ra02. RESULTS Ra01-Ra05 molecules were detected in the cell culture medium. While the VEGF-binding affinity was significantly lower for Ra01 and Ra02 compared to Lucentis(®), the inhibition of cell migration was comparable and the maximum inhibition of Ra01 and Ra02 was reached at lower doses. The expression of Ra01 and Ra02 was shown to be regulable with the TetOn-system(®) as plasmid (Ra01, Ra02) and AAV vector construct (Ra02). CONCLUSION Ra01 and Ra02 can be produced in eukaryotic cells after AAV-mediated gene transfer in a regulable manner in vitro and display comparable biological activity as Lucentis. These results are the basis for in vivo studies in human VEGF-overexpressing mice, a model for human neovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Wimmer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Birgit Lorenz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Knut Stieger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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38
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Baril P, Ezzine S, Pichon C. Monitoring the spatiotemporal activities of miRNAs in small animal models using molecular imaging modalities. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:4947-72. [PMID: 25749473 PMCID: PMC4394458 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16034947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding mRNA targets via sequence complementary inducing translational repression and/or mRNA degradation. A current challenge in the field of miRNA biology is to understand the functionality of miRNAs under physiopathological conditions. Recent evidence indicates that miRNA expression is more complex than simple regulation at the transcriptional level. MiRNAs undergo complex post-transcriptional regulations such miRNA processing, editing, accumulation and re-cycling within P-bodies. They are dynamically regulated and have a well-orchestrated spatiotemporal localization pattern. Real-time and spatio-temporal analyses of miRNA expression are difficult to evaluate and often underestimated. Therefore, important information connecting miRNA expression and function can be lost. Conventional miRNA profiling methods such as Northern blot, real-time PCR, microarray, in situ hybridization and deep sequencing continue to contribute to our knowledge of miRNA biology. However, these methods can seldom shed light on the spatiotemporal organization and function of miRNAs in real-time. Non-invasive molecular imaging methods have the potential to address these issues and are thus attracting increasing attention. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of methods used to detect miRNAs and discusses their contribution in the emerging field of miRNA biology and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Safia Ezzine
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
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Chen H, Wang D, Xia R, Mao Q, Xia H. A novel adenoviral vector carrying an all-in-one Tet-On system with an autoregulatory loop for tight, inducible transgene expression. BMC Biotechnol 2015; 15:4. [PMID: 25888000 PMCID: PMC4331377 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-015-0121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most commonly used vectors for gene therapy is the adenoviral vector; its ability to tightly regulate transgene expression is critical for optimizing therapeutic outcomes. The tetracycline-regulated system (especially the Tet-On system) for gene expression is one of the most valuable tools for controlling gene expression. The major problem of an adenoviral vector carrying a Tet-On system is suboptimal regulation of transgene expression. Results We constructed a single adenoviral vector carrying in its E1 region a novel “all-in-one” Tet-On system with an autoregulatory loop. This system had improved Dox-inducible gene expression in terms of low basal expression, high induced expression and high responsiveness to Dox. To our knowledge, this is the first reported adenovirus-based, all-in-one Tet-On system with an autoregulatory loop inserted into a single region of adenoviral genome. This system was further tested by inducible expression of soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (sTRAIL). The adenovirus that expressed soluble TRAIL under the control of this novel Tet-On system showed tumor-derived cells inhibitory activity in SW480 cells only under induced conditions. Conclusions Our novel, single adenoviral vector carrying in its E1 region an all-in-one Tet-On system with an autoregulatory loop displayed tight regulation of transgene expression in vitro. This system has great potential for a variety of applications, including gene therapy and the study of gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Dongyang Wang
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Ruiting Xia
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Qinwen Mao
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Haibin Xia
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Schmidt F, Grimm D. CRISPR genome engineering and viral gene delivery: A case of mutual attraction. Biotechnol J 2015; 10:258-72. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201400529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Controlled Striatal DOPA Production From a Gene Delivery System in a Rodent Model of Parkinson's Disease. Mol Ther 2015; 23:896-906. [PMID: 25592335 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) with long-term L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is complicated with development of drug-induced side effects. In vivo viral vector-mediated gene expression encoding tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) provides a drug delivery strategy of DOPA with distinct advantages over pharmacotherapy. Since the brain alterations made with current gene transfer techniques are irreversible, the therapeutic approaches taken to the clinic should preferably be controllable to match the needs of each individual during the course of their disease. We used a recently described tunable gene expression system based on the use of destabilized dihydrofolate reductase (DD) and generated a N-terminally coupled GCH1 enzyme (DD-GCH1) while the TH enzyme was constitutively expressed, packaged in adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. Expression of DD-GCH1 was regulated by the activating ligand trimethoprim (TMP) that crosses the blood-brain barrier. We show that the resulting intervention provides a TMP-dose-dependent regulation of DOPA synthesis that is closely linked to the magnitude of functional effects. Our data constitutes the first proof of principle for controlled reconstitution of dopamine capacity in the brain and suggests that such next-generation gene therapy strategies are now mature for preclinical development toward use in patients with PD.
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Gao Y, Osman S, Koide K. Total Synthesis and Biological Studies of TMC-205 and Analogues as Anticancer Agents and Activators of SV40 Promoter. ACS Med Chem Lett 2014; 5:863-7. [PMID: 25147604 DOI: 10.1021/ml500025p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
TMC-205 is a natural fungal metabolite with antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines. The light- and air-sensitivity prevented in-depth exploitation of this novel indole derivative. Herein, we report the first synthesis of TMC-205. On the basis of its reactivity with reactive oxygen species, we developed air-stable analogues of TMC-205. These analogues are 2-8-fold more cytotoxic than TMC-205 against HCT-116 colon cancer cell line. Importantly, at noncytotoxic dose levels, these analogues activated the transcription of luciferase reporter gene driven by simian virus 40 promoter (SV40). Further, these small molecules also inhibit firefly luciferase, presumably by direct interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Sami Osman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Kazunori Koide
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, 219 Parkman
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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Kust N, Rybalkina E, Mertsalov I, Savchenko E, Revishchin A, Pavlova G. Functional analysis of Drosophila HSP70 promoter with different HSE numbers in human cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101994. [PMID: 25101947 PMCID: PMC4125163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of genetic constructs including the Drosophila hsp70 promoter with four and eight HSE sequences in the regulatory region has been described in human cells. The promoter was shown to be induced at lower temperatures compared to the human hsp70 promoter. The promoter activity increased after a 60-min heat shock already at 38 °C in human cells. The promoter activation was observed 24 h after heat shock for the constructs with eight HSEs, while those with four HSEs required 48 h. After transplantation of in vitro heat-shocked transfected cells, the promoter activity could be maintained for 3 days with a gradual decline. The promoter activation was confirmed in vivo without preliminary heat shock in mouse ischemic brain foci. Controlled expression of the Gdnf gene under a Drosophila hsp70 promoter was demonstrated. This promoter with four and eight HSE sequences in the regulatory region can be proposed as a regulated promoter in genetic therapeutic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Kust
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Ltd Apto-pharm, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Ilya Mertsalov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Savchenko
- Institute of Medicine and Cell Transplantation, Moscow, Russia
- Ltd Apto-pharm, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Revishchin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Medicine and Cell Transplantation, Moscow, Russia
- Ltd Apto-pharm, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gali Pavlova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Medicine and Cell Transplantation, Moscow, Russia
- Ltd Apto-pharm, Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail:
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Yamaguchi M, Ito A, Ono A, Kawabe Y, Kamihira M. Heat-inducible gene expression system by applying alternating magnetic field to magnetic nanoparticles. ACS Synth Biol 2014; 3:273-9. [PMID: 24144205 DOI: 10.1021/sb4000838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
By combining synthetic biology with nanotechnology, we demonstrate remote controlled gene expression using a magnetic field. Magnetite nanoparticles, which generate heat under an alternating magnetic field, have been developed to label cells. Magnetite nanoparticles and heat-induced therapeutic genes were introduced into tumor xenografts. The magnetically triggered gene expression resulted in tumor growth inhibition. This system shows great potential for controlling target gene expression in a space and time selective manner and may be used for remote control of cell functions via gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Akira Ito
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ono
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Kawabe
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Masamichi Kamihira
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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45
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All-in-One inducible lentiviral vector systems based on drug controlled FLP recombinase. Biomaterials 2014; 35:4345-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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46
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Hoyng SA, Gnavi S, de Winter F, Eggers R, Ozawa T, Zaldumbide A, Hoeben RC, Malessy MJA, Verhaagen J. Developing a potentially immunologically inert tetracycline-regulatable viral vector for gene therapy in the peripheral nerve. Gene Ther 2014; 21:549-57. [PMID: 24694534 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viral vector-mediated gene transfer of neurotrophic factors is an emerging and promising strategy to promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. Unfortunately, the chronic exposure to neurotrophic factors results in local trapping of regenerating axons or other unwanted side effects. Therefore, tight control of therapeutic gene expression is required. The tetracycline/doxycycline-inducible system is considered to be one of the most promising systems for regulating heterologous gene expression. However, an immune response directed against the transactivator protein rtTA hampers further translational studies. Immunogenic proteins fused with the Gly-Ala repeat of the Epstein-Barr virus Nuclear Antigen-1 protein have been shown to successfully evade the immune system. In this article, we used this strategy to demonstrate that a chimeric transactivator, created by fusing the Gly-Ala repeat with rtTA and embedded in a lentiviral vector (i) retained its transactivator function in vitro, in muscle explants, and in vivo following injection into the rat peripheral nerve, (ii) exhibited a reduced leaky expression, and (iii) had an immune-evasive advantage over rtTA as shown in a novel bioassay for human antigen presentation. The current findings are an important step toward creating a clinically applicable potentially immune-evasive tetracycline-regulatable viral vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Hoyng
- 1] Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S Gnavi
- 1] Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri Ottolenghi Foundation (NICO), Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F de Winter
- 1] Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R Eggers
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T Ozawa
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Zaldumbide
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R C Hoeben
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M J A Malessy
- 1] Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Verhaagen
- 1] Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands [2] Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Tereshchenko J, Maddalena A, Bähr M, Kügler S. Pharmacologically controlled, discontinuous GDNF gene therapy restores motor function in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 65:35-42. [PMID: 24440408 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors have raised hopes to be able to cure symptoms and to prevent progressive neurodegeneration in devastating neurological diseases. Gene therapy by means of viral vectors can overcome the hurdle of targeted delivery, but its current configuration is irreversible and thus much less controllable than that of classical pharmacotherapies. We thus aimed at developing a strategy allowing for both curative and controllable neurotrophic factor expression. Therefore, the short-term, intermittent and reversible expression of a neutrophic factor was evaluated for therapeutic efficacy in a slowly progressive animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD). We demonstrate that short-term induced expression of glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is sufficient to provide i) substantial protection of nigral dopaminergic neurons from degeneration and ii) restoration of dopamine supply and motor behaviour in the partial striatal 6-OHDA model PD. These neurorestorative effects of GDNF lasted several weeks beyond the time of its expression. Later on, therapeutic efficacy ceased, but was restored by a second short induction of GDNF expression, demonstrating that monthly application of the inducing drug mifepristone was sufficient to maintain neuroprotective and neurorestorative GDNF levels. These findings suggest that forthcoming gene therapies for PD or other neurodegenerative disorders can be designed in a way that low frequency application of an approved drug can provide controllable and therapeutically efficient levels of GDNF or other neurotrophic factors. Neurotrophic factor expression can be withdrawn in case of off-target effects or sufficient clinical benefit, a feature that may eventually increase the acceptance of gene therapy for less advanced patients, which may profit better from such approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tereshchenko
- University Medicine Göttingen, Dept. of Neurology, Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Maddalena
- University Medicine Göttingen, Dept. of Neurology, Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mathias Bähr
- University Medicine Göttingen, Dept. of Neurology, Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kügler
- University Medicine Göttingen, Dept. of Neurology, Center for Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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Hagen CJ, Titong A, Sarnoski EA, Verardi PH. Antibiotic-dependent expression of early transcription factor subunits leads to stringent control of vaccinia virus replication. Virus Res 2014; 181:43-52. [PMID: 24394294 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2013.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The use of vaccinia virus (VACV) as the vaccine against variola virus resulted in the eradication of smallpox. VACV has since been used in the development of recombinant vaccine and therapeutic vectors, but complications associated with uncontrolled viral replication have constrained its use as a live viral vector. We propose to improve the safety of VACV as a live-replicating vector by using elements of the tet operon to control the transcription of genes that are essential for viral growth. Poxviruses encode all enzymes and factors necessary for their replication within the host cell cytoplasm. One essential VACV factor is the vaccinia early transcription factor (VETF) packaged into the viral core. This heterodimeric protein is required for expression of early VACV genes. VETF is composed of a large subunit encoded by the A7L gene and a small subunit encoded by the D6R gene. Two recombinant VACVs were generated in which either the A7L or D6R gene was placed under the control of tet operon elements to allow their transcription, and therefore viral replication, to be dependent on tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline. In the absence of inducers, no plaques were produced but abortively infected cells could be identified by expression of a reporter gene. In the presence of doxycycline, both recombinant viruses replicated indistinguishably from the wild-type strain. This stringent control of VACV replication can be used for the development of safer, next-generation VACV vaccines and therapeutic vectors. Such replication-inducible VACVs would only replicate when administered with tetracycline antibiotics, and if adverse events were to occur, treatment would be as simple as antibiotic cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J Hagen
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
| | - Allison Titong
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
| | - Ethan A Sarnoski
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States
| | - Paulo H Verardi
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, United States.
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Yao Y, He Y, Guan Q, Wu Q. A tetracycline expression system in combination with Sox9 for cartilage tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2013; 35:1898-906. [PMID: 24321708 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cartilage tissue engineering using controllable transcriptional therapy together with synthetic biopolymer scaffolds shows higher potential for overcoming chondrocyte degradation and constructing artificial cartilages both in vivo and in vitro. Here, the potential regulating tetracycline expression (Tet-on) system was used to express Sox9 both in vivo and in vitro. Chondrocyte degradation was measured in vitro and overcome by Soxf9 expression. Experiments confirmed the feasibility of the combined use of Sox9 and Tet-on system in cartilage tissue engineering. Engineered poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) scaffolds were seeded with recombinant chondrocytes which were transfected with Tet-induced Sox9 expression; the scaffolds were implanted under the skin of 8-week-old rats. The experimental group was injected with Dox in the abdomen, while the control group was injected with normal saline. After 4 or 8 days of implantation in vivo, the newly formed pieces of articular chondrocytes were taken out and measured. Dox injection in vivo showed positive effect on recombinant chondrocytes, in which Sox9 expression was up-regulated by an inducible system with specific matrix proteins. The results demonstrate this controllable transcriptional therapy is a potential approach for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yao
- MOE Key Lab. Bioinformatics, Center for Epigentics and Chromatin, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yu He
- MOE Key Lab. Bioinformatics, Center for Epigentics and Chromatin, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qian Guan
- MOE Key Lab. Bioinformatics, Center for Epigentics and Chromatin, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- MOE Key Lab. Bioinformatics, Center for Epigentics and Chromatin, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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50
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Chtarto A, Bockstael O, Tshibangu T, Dewitte O, Levivier M, Tenenbaum L. A next step in adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy for neurological diseases: regulation and targeting. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2013; 76:217-32. [PMID: 23331189 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors mediating long term transgene expression are excellent gene therapy tools for chronic neurological diseases. While rAAV2 was the first serotype tested in the clinics, more efficient vectors derived from the rh10 serotype are currently being evaluated and other serotypes are likely to be tested in the near future. In addition, aside from the currently used stereotaxy-guided intraparenchymal delivery, new techniques for global brain transduction (by intravenous or intra-cerebrospinal injections) are very promising. Various strategies for therapeutic gene delivery to the central nervous system have been explored in human clinical trials in the past decade. Canavan disease, a genetic disease caused by an enzymatic deficiency, was the first to be approved. Three gene transfer paradigms for Parkinson's disease have been explored: converting L-dopa into dopamine through AADC gene delivery in the putamen; synthesizing GABA through GAD gene delivery in the overactive subthalamic nucleus and providing neurotrophic support through neurturin gene delivery in the nigro-striatal pathway. These pioneer clinical trials demonstrated the safety and tolerability of rAAV delivery in the human brain at moderate doses. Therapeutic effects however, were modest, emphasizing the need for higher doses of the therapeutic transgene product which could be achieved using more efficient vectors or expression cassettes. This will require re-addressing pharmacological aspects, with attention to which cases require either localized and cell-type specific expression or efficient brain-wide transgene expression, and when it is necessary to modulate or terminate the administration of transgene product. The ongoing development of targeted and regulated rAAV vectors is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelwahed Chtarto
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery, Free University of Brussels (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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