1
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Casmil IC, Blakney AK. Can self-amplifying RNA vaccines and viruses exchange genetic material? Mol Ther 2024; 32:2437-2438. [PMID: 39032486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Irafasha C Casmil
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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2
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Ahmed S, Herschhorn A. mRNA-based HIV-1 vaccines. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024:e0004124. [PMID: 39016564 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00041-24] [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: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe success of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 mRNA vaccines to lessen/prevent severe COVID-19 opened new opportunities to develop RNA vaccines to fight other infectious agents. HIV-1 is a lentivirus that integrates into the host cell genome and persists for the lifetime of infected cells. Multiple mechanisms of immune evasion have posed significant obstacles to the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine over the last four decades since the identification of HIV-1. Recently, attempts to address some of these challenges have led to multiple studies that manufactured, optimized, and tested, in different animal models, mRNA-based HIV-1 vaccines. Several clinical trials have also been initiated or are planned to start soon. Here, we review the current strategies applied to HIV-1 mRNA vaccines, discuss different targeting approaches, summarize the latest findings, and offer insights into the challenges and future of HIV-1 mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamim Ahmed
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alon Herschhorn
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- The College of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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3
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Jiang B, Elkashif A, Coulter JA, Dunne NJ, McCarthy HO. Immunotherapy for HPV negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189138. [PMID: 38889878 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is the 8th most common cancer in the UK, with incidence increasing due to lifestyle factors such as tobacco and alcohol abuse. HNSCC is an immune-suppressive disease characterised by impaired cytokine secretion and dysregulation of immune infiltrate. As such, immunotherapy is a potential treatment option, with therapeutic cancer vaccination demonstrating the greatest potential. The success of cancer vaccination is dependent on informed antigen selection: an ideal antigen must be either tumour-specific or tumour-associated, as well as highly immunogenic. Stratification of the patient population for antigen expression and validated biomarkers are also vital. This review focuses on the latest developments in immunotherapy, specifically the development of therapeutic vaccines, and highlights successes, potential drawbacks and areas for future development. Immunotherapy approaches considered for HNSCC include monoclonal antibodies (mAb), Oncolytic viral (OV) therapies, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) and cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyumeng Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Ahmed Elkashif
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Jonathan A Coulter
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Nicholas J Dunne
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Helen O McCarthy
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK.
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4
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Skerritt JH, Tucek-Szabo C, Sutton B, Nolan T. The Platform Technology Approach to mRNA Product Development and Regulation. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:528. [PMID: 38793779 PMCID: PMC11126020 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) medicinal products can be considered a platform technology because the development process is similar for different diseases and conditions, with similar noncoding mRNA sequences and lipid nanoparticles and essentially unchanged manufacturing and analytical methods often utilised for different products. It is critical not to lose the momentum built using the platform approach during the development, regulatory approval and rollout of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. This review proposes a set of modifications to existing regulatory requirements for mRNA products, based on a platform perspective for quality, manufacturing, preclinical, and clinical data. For the first time, we address development and potential regulatory requirements when the mRNA sequences and LNP composition vary in different products as well. In addition, we propose considerations for self-amplifying mRNA, individualised oncology mRNA products, and mRNA therapeutics. Providing a predictable development pathway for academic and commercial groups so that they can know in detail what product characterisation and data are required to develop a dossier for regulatory submission has many potential benefits. These include: reduced development and regulatory costs; faster consumer/patient access and more agile development of products in the face of pandemics; and for rare diseases where alternatives may not exist or to increase survival and the quality of life in cancer patients. Therefore, achieving consensus around platform approaches is both urgent and important. This approach with mRNA can be a template for similar platform frameworks for other therapeutics and vaccines to enable more efficient development and regulatory review.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H. Skerritt
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | | | - Brett Sutton
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Research Way, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia;
| | - Terry Nolan
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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5
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Popova PG, Lagace MA, Tang G, Blakney AK. Effect of in vitro transcription conditions on yield of high quality messenger and self-amplifying RNA. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 198:114247. [PMID: 38462138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114247] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 produced using in vitro transcription (IVT) were clinically approved in 2020 and 2022, respectively. While the industrial production of mRNA using IVT has been extensively optimized, the optimal conditions for saRNA have been explored to a lesser extent. Most T7 polymerase IVT protocols have been specifically optimized for mRNA which is ∼5-10-fold smaller than saRNA and may have profound effects on both the quality and yield of longer transcripts. Here, we optimized IVT conditions for simultaneously increasing the yield of full-length transcripts and reducing dsRNA formation through Design of Experiments. Using a definitive screening approach, we found that the key parameters are temperature and magnesium in the outcome of RNA quality (% full length transcript) and yield in small scale synthesis. The most important parameter for reducing dsRNA formation for both mRNA and saRNA was Mg2+ concentration (10 mM). We observed that a lower temperature was vital for production of high quality saRNA transcripts. mRNA quality was optimal at higher Mg2+ concentration (>40 mM). High quality transcripts correspond to significantly reduced product yield for saRNA, but not for mRNA. The differences between mRNA and saRNA requirements for high quality product and the relationship between high quality large saRNA molecules and low temperature synthesis have not been reported previously. These findings are key for informing future IVT parameters design and optimization for smaller and larger RNA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petya G Popova
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melissa A Lagace
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - George Tang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada.
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6
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Teng M, Xia ZJ, Lo N, Daud K, He HH. Assembling the RNA therapeutics toolbox. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:110-128. [PMID: 38680684 PMCID: PMC11046573 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
From the approval of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to the 2023 Nobel Prize awarded for nucleoside base modifications, RNA therapeutics have entered the spotlight and are transforming drug development. While the term "RNA therapeutics" has been used in various contexts, this review focuses on treatments that utilize RNA as a component or target RNA for therapeutic effects. We summarize the latest advances in RNA-targeting tools and RNA-based technologies, including but not limited to mRNA, antisense oligos, siRNAs, small molecules and RNA editors. We focus on the mechanisms of current FDA-approved therapeutics but also provide a discussion on the upcoming workforces. The clinical utility of RNA-based therapeutics is enabled not only by the advances in RNA technologies but in conjunction with the significant improvements in chemical modifications and delivery platforms, which are also briefly discussed in the review. We summarize the latest RNA therapeutics based on their mechanisms and therapeutic effects, which include expressing proteins for vaccination and protein replacement therapies, degrading deleterious RNA, modulating transcription and translation efficiency, targeting noncoding RNAs, binding and modulating protein activity and editing RNA sequences and modifications. This review emphasizes the concept of an RNA therapeutic toolbox, pinpointing the readers to all the tools available for their desired research and clinical goals. As the field advances, the catalog of RNA therapeutic tools continues to grow, further allowing researchers to combine appropriate RNA technologies with suitable chemical modifications and delivery platforms to develop therapeutics tailored to their specific clinical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Teng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ziting Judy Xia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas Lo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kashif Daud
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Housheng Hansen He
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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7
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Feng S, Rcheulishvili N, Jiang X, Zhu P, Pan X, Wei M, Wang PG, Ji Y, Papukashvili D. A review on Gaucher disease: therapeutic potential of β-glucocerebrosidase-targeted mRNA/saRNA approach. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:2111-2129. [PMID: 38617529 PMCID: PMC11008270 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease (GD), a rare hereditary lysosomal storage disorder, occurs due to a deficiency in the enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase). This deficiency leads to the buildup of substrate glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in macrophages, eventually resulting in various complications. Among its three types, GD2 is particularly severe with neurological involvements. Current treatments, such as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), are not effective for GD2 and GD3 due to their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Other treatment approaches, such as gene or chaperone therapies are still in experimental stages. Additionally, GD treatments are costly and can have certain side effects. The successful use of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines for COVID-19 in 2020 has sparked interest in nucleic acid-based therapies. Remarkably, mRNA technology also offers a novel approach for protein replacement purposes. Additionally, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) technology shows promise, potentially producing more protein at lower doses. This review aims to explore the potential of a cost-effective mRNA/saRNA-based approach for GD therapy. The use of GCase-mRNA/saRNA as a protein replacement therapy could offer a new and promising direction for improving the quality of life and extending the lifespan of individuals with GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunping Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Nino Rcheulishvili
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | | | - Pan Zhu
- Cheerland Biomedicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuehua Pan
- Shenzhen Pengbo Biotech Co. Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meilan Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Peng George Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yang Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Dimitri Papukashvili
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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8
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Shi Y, Zhen X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Koo S, Saiding Q, Kong N, Liu G, Chen W, Tao W. Chemically Modified Platforms for Better RNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:929-1033. [PMID: 38284616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based therapies have catalyzed a revolutionary transformation in the biomedical landscape, offering unprecedented potential in disease prevention and treatment. However, despite their remarkable achievements, these therapies encounter substantial challenges including low stability, susceptibility to degradation by nucleases, and a prominent negative charge, thereby hindering further development. Chemically modified platforms have emerged as a strategic innovation, focusing on precise alterations either on the RNA moieties or their associated delivery vectors. This comprehensive review delves into these platforms, underscoring their significance in augmenting the performance and translational prospects of RNA-based therapeutics. It encompasses an in-depth analysis of various chemically modified delivery platforms that have been instrumental in propelling RNA therapeutics toward clinical utility. Moreover, the review scrutinizes the rationale behind diverse chemical modification techniques aiming at optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of RNA molecules, thereby facilitating robust disease management. Recent empirical studies corroborating the efficacy enhancement of RNA therapeutics through chemical modifications are highlighted. Conclusively, we offer profound insights into the transformative impact of chemical modifications on RNA drugs and delineates prospective trajectories for their future development and clinical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesi Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xueyan Zhen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yongjiang Li
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Seyoung Koo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qimanguli Saiding
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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9
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Sinsinbar G, Bindra AK, Liu S, Chia TW, Yoong Eng EC, Loo SY, Lam JH, Schultheis K, Nallani M. Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Nanostructures as a Tunable Delivery Platform: Perspective and Framework for the Future Drug Product Development. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:541-563. [PMID: 38240244 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Nanoformulation of active payloads or pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) has always been an area of interest to achieve targeted, sustained, and efficacious delivery. Various delivery platforms have been explored, but loading and delivery of APIs have been challenging because of the chemical and structural properties of these molecules. Polymersomes made from amphiphilic block copolymers (ABCPs) have shown enormous promise as a tunable API delivery platform and confer multifold advantages over lipid-based systems. For example, a COVID booster vaccine comprising polymersomes encapsulating spike protein (ACM-001) has recently completed a Phase I clinical trial and provides a case for developing safe drug products based on ABCP delivery platforms. However, several limitations need to be resolved before they can reach their full potential. In this Perspective, we would like to highlight such aspects requiring further development for translating an ABCP-based delivery platform from a proof of concept to a viable commercial product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Sinsinbar
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Anivind Kaur Bindra
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Shaoqiong Liu
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Teck Wan Chia
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Eunice Chia Yoong Eng
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Ser Yue Loo
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Jian Hang Lam
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Katherine Schultheis
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
| | - Madhavan Nallani
- ACM Biolabs Pte Ltd., 71 Nanyang Drive, #02M-02, NTU Innovation Center, Singapore 638075, Singapore
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10
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Guterres A, Filho PNS, Moura-Neto V. Breaking Barriers: A Future Perspective on Glioblastoma Therapy with mRNA-Based Immunotherapies and Oncolytic Viruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:61. [PMID: 38250874 PMCID: PMC10818651 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of mRNA-based immunotherapies that leverage the genomes of oncolytic viruses holds significant promise in addressing glioblastoma (GBM), an exceptionally aggressive neurological tumor. We explore the significance of mRNA-based platforms in the area of immunotherapy, introducing an innovative approach to mitigate the risks associated with the use of live viruses in cancer treatment. The ability to customize oncolytic virus genome sequences enables researchers to precisely target specific cancer cells, either through viral genome segments containing structural proteins or through a combination of regions with oncolytic potential. This strategy may enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing unintended impacts on non-cancerous cells. A notable case highlighted here pertains to advanced findings regarding the application of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in GBM treatment. ZIKV, a member of the family Flaviviridae, shows oncolytic properties against GBM, opening novel therapeutic avenues. We explore intensive investigations of glioblastoma stem cells, recognized as key drivers in GBM initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. However, a comprehensive elucidation of ZIKV's underlying mechanisms is imperative to pave the way for ZIKV-based clinical trials targeting GBM patients. This investigation into harnessing the potential of oncolytic-virus genomes for mRNA-based immunotherapies underscores its noteworthy implications, potentially paving the way for a paradigm shift in cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Vivaldo Moura-Neto
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro 20231-092, RJ, Brazil; (P.N.S.F.)
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, RJ, Brazil
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11
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Vuong HL, Lan CT, Le HTT. The development and technologies of RNA therapeutics. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 203:13-39. [PMID: 38359995 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Since it was discovered for over 20 years ago, the potentiality of siRNAs in gene silencing in vitro and in vivo models has been recognized. Several studies in the new generation, molecular mechanisms, target attachment, and purification of RNA have supported the development of RNA therapeutics for a variety of applications. RNA therapeutics are growing rapidly with various platforms contributing to the standard of personalized medicine and rare disease treatment. Therefore, understanding the development and technologies of RNA therapeutics becomes a crucial point for new drug generation. Here, the primary purpose of this review is to provide a general view of six therapeutic categories that make up RNA-based therapeutic approaches, including RNA-target therapeutics, protein-targeted therapeutics, cellular reprogramming and tissues engineering, RNA-based protein replacement therapeutics, RNA-based genome editing, and RNA-based immunotherapies based on non-coding RNAs and coding RNA. Furthermore, we present an overview of the RNA strategies regarding viral approaches and nonviral approaches in designing a new generation of RNA technologies. The advantages and challenges of using RNA therapeutics are also discussed along with various approaches for RNA delivery. Therefore, this review is designed to provide updated reference evidence of RNA therapeutics in the battle against rare or difficult-to-treat diseases for researchers in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong Lan Vuong
- Pharmacy Department, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Chu Thanh Lan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Tissue Regeneration, College of Medicine, Soonchunghyang University, South Korea
| | - Hien Thi Thu Le
- Intestinal Signaling and Epigenetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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12
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Huang Y, Dong Q, Liu G, Wang T, Gu W, Tian Z, Ma Q, Zhang S. A novel three-plasmid packaging system for chimeric SFV/SIN VRPs derived from Semliki Forest virus and Sindbis virus as a candidate gene delivery vector. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29376. [PMID: 38235850 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29376] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Semliki Forest virus (SFV) viral replicon particles (VRPs) have been frequently used in various animal models and clinical trials. Chimeric replicon particles offer different advantages because of their unique biological properties. We here constructed a novel three-plasmid packaging system for chimeric SFV/SIN VRPs. The capsid and envelope of SIN structural proteins were generated using two-helper plasmids separately, and the SFV replicon contained the SFV replicase gene, packaging signal of SIN, subgenomic promoter followed by the exogenous gene, and 3' UTR of SIN. The chimeric VRPs carried luciferase or eGFP as reporter genes. The fluorescence and electron microscopy results revealed that chimeric VRPs were successfully packaged. The yield of the purified chimeric VRPs was approximately 2.5 times that of the SFV VRPs (1.38 × 107 TU/ml vs. 5.41 × 106 TU/ml) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, chimeric VRPs could be stored stably at 4°C for at least 60 days. Animal experiments revealed that mice immunized with chimeric VRPs (luciferase) had stronger luciferase expression than those immunized with equivalent amount of SFV VRPs (luciferase) (p < 0.01), and successfully expressed luciferase for approximately 12 days. Additionally, the chimeric VRPs expressed the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 efficiently and induced robust RBD-specific antibody responses in mice. In conclusion, the chimeric VRPs constructed here met the requirements of a gene delivery tool for vaccine development and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Huang
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qisheng Dong
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guotao Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention, Henan Institute of Reproduction Health Science and Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tian Wang
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Gu
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhen Tian
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Ma
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shoutao Zhang
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Longhu Laboratory of Advanced Immunology, Zhengzhou, China
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13
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Comes JDG, Poniman M, van Oosten L, Doets K, de Cloe S, Geertsema C, Pijlman GP. Infectious clone of a contemporary Tembusu virus and replicons expressing reporter genes or heterologous antigens from poultry viruses. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300254. [PMID: 37750498 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300254] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The novel mosquito-borne Tembusu virus (TMUV, family Flaviviridae) was discovered as the cause of a severe outbreak of egg-drop syndrome affecting ducks in Southeast Asia in 2010. TMUV infection can also lead to high mortality in various additional avian species such as geese, pigeons, and chickens. This study describes the construction of an infectious cDNA clone of a contemporary duck-isolate (TMUV WU2016). The virus recovered after transfection of BHK-21 cells shows enhanced virus replication compared to the mosquito-derived MM1775 strain. Next, the WU2016 cDNA clone was modified to create a SP6 promoter-driven, self-amplifying mRNA (replicon) capable of expressing a range of different reporter genes (Renilla luciferase, mScarlet, mCherry, and GFP) and viral (glyco)proteins of avian influenza virus (AIV; family Orthomyxoviridae), infectious bursal disease virus (IDBV; family Bunyaviridae) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV; family Coronaviridae). The current study demonstrates the flexibility of the TMUV replicon system, to produce different heterologous proteins over an extended period of time and its potential use as a platform technology for novel poultry vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome D G Comes
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Meliawati Poniman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Linda van Oosten
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kristel Doets
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd de Cloe
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Corinne Geertsema
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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14
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Verma A, Awasthi A. Innovative Strategies to Enhance mRNA Vaccine Delivery and Effectiveness: Mechanisms and Future Outlook. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:1049-1059. [PMID: 38551046 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128296588240321072042] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The creation of mRNA vaccines has transformed the area of vaccination and allowed for the production of COVID-19 vaccines with previously unheard-of speed and effectiveness. The development of novel strategies to enhance the delivery and efficiency of mRNA vaccines has been motivated by the ongoing constraints of the present mRNA vaccine delivery systems. In this context, intriguing methods to get beyond these restrictions include lipid nanoparticles, self-amplifying RNA, electroporation, microneedles, and cell-targeted administration. These innovative methods could increase the effectiveness, safety, and use of mRNA vaccines, making them more efficient, effective, and broadly available. Additionally, mRNA technology may have numerous and far-reaching uses in the field of medicine, opening up fresh avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This paper gives an overview of the existing drawbacks of mRNA vaccine delivery techniques, the creative solutions created to address these drawbacks, and their prospective public health implications. The development of mRNA vaccines for illnesses other than infectious diseases and creating scalable and affordable manufacturing processes are some of the future directions for research in this area that are covered in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab 142001, India
| | - Ankit Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab 142001, India
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15
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Delehedde C, Ciganek I, Laroui N, Rameix N, Perche F, Pichon C. Messenger RNA Lipid-Based Nanoparticles: Optimization of Formulations in the Lab. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2786:255-287. [PMID: 38814399 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3770-8_12] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Among the large variety of messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery systems, those developed with lipid-based formulations were the most widely used and efficient. In our lab, we produced different mRNA formulations made with liposomes, hybrid lipid polymer, and lipid nanoparticles. Our formulations were made with lipids bearing imidazole groups that trigger the endosomal escape of nanoparticles once protonated inside the mild acidic milieu of endosomes upon their cell uptake. Herein, we describe protocols that we used to produce, optimize, and characterize those formulations. The transfection efficiency is influenced by various factors including the physicochemical parameters of the nanoparticles, their efficiency to be internalized in cells, and their intracellular routing as well as their capacity to induce immune system sensors. We provide details on how to quantify the amount of mRNA nanoparticles uptake by cells and evaluate the acidity of the intracellular compartments where they are located, to investigate the endosomal escape, and to assess the activation of innate immune sensors as phosphorylation of PKR hampering mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Delehedde
- Innovative Therapies & Nanomedicine, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire CNRS UPR01, Orléans, France
- Sanofi R&D, Integrated Drug Discovery, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Ivan Ciganek
- Innovative Therapies & Nanomedicine, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire CNRS UPR01, Orléans, France
- Inserm, ART-ARNm Inserm US55, Orléans, France
| | - Nabila Laroui
- Innovative Therapies & Nanomedicine, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire CNRS UPR01, Orléans, France
- Inserm, ART-ARNm Inserm US55, Orléans, France
| | - Nathalie Rameix
- Sanofi R&D, Integrated Drug Discovery, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Federico Perche
- Innovative Therapies & Nanomedicine, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire CNRS UPR01, Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Innovative Therapies & Nanomedicine, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire CNRS UPR01, Orléans, France.
- Orléans University, Château de la Source, Orleans, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
- Inserm, ART-ARNm Inserm US55, Orléans, France.
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16
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Cheng H, Zhang H, Cai H, Liu M, Wen S, Ren J. Molecular biology of canine parainfluenza virus V protein and its potential applications in tumor immunotherapy. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1282112. [PMID: 38173672 PMCID: PMC10761501 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1282112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV) is a zoonotic virus that is widely distributed and is the main pathogen causing canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), also known as "kennel cough," in dogs. The CPIV-V protein is the only nonstructural protein of the virus and plays an important role in multiple stages of the virus life cycle by inhibiting apoptosis, altering the host cell cycle and interfering with the interferon response. In addition, studies have shown that the V protein has potential applications in the field of immunotherapy in oncolytic virus therapy or self-amplifying RNA vaccines. In this review, the biosynthesis, structural characteristics and functions of the CPIV-V protein are reviewed with an emphasis on how it facilitates viral immune escape and its potential applications in the field of immunotherapy. Therefore, this review provides a scientific basis for research into the CPIV-V protein and its potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Cheng
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hewei Zhang
- College of Food and Drugs, Luoyang Polytechnic, Luoyang, China
- Animal Diseases and Public Health Engineering Research Center of Henan Province, Luoyang, China
| | - Huanchang Cai
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Min Liu
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shubo Wen
- Preventive Veterinary Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Jingqiang Ren
- Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
- Animal Diseases and Public Health Engineering Research Center of Henan Province, Luoyang, China
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17
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Lima ES, dos Santos D, Souza AL, Macedo ME, Bandeira ME, Junior SSS, Fiuza BSD, Rocha VPC, dos Santos Fonseca LM, Nunes DDG, Hodel KVS, Machado BAS. RNA Combined with Nanoformulation to Advance Therapeutic Technologies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1634. [PMID: 38139761 PMCID: PMC10745936 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to address numerous diseases that pose significant challenges to more traditional methods. RNA-based therapies have emerged as a promising avenue, utilizing nanoformulation treatments to target a range of pathologies. Nanoformulation offers several advantages compared to other treatment modalities, including targeted delivery, low toxicity, and bioactivity suitable for drug loading. At present, various types of nanoformulations are available, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), magnetic NPs, nanoshells, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). RNA-based therapy utilizes intracellular gene nanoparticles with messenger RNA (mRNA) emerging prominently in cancer therapy and immunotechnology against infectious diseases. The approval of mRNA-based technology opens doors for future technological advancements, particularly self-amplifying replicon RNA (repRNA). RepRNA is a novel platform in gene therapy, comprising viral RNA with a unique molecular property that enables the amplification of all encoded genetic information countless times. As a result, repRNA-based therapies have achieved significant levels of gene expression. In this context, the primary objective of this study is to furnish a comprehensive review of repRNA and its applications in nanoformulation treatments, with a specific focus on encapsulated nanoparticles. The overarching goal is to provide an extensive overview of the use of repRNA in conjunction with nanoformulations across a range of treatments and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC (Integrated Manufacturing and Technology Campus), Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (E.S.L.); (D.d.S.); (A.L.S.); (M.E.M.); (M.E.B.); (S.S.S.J.); (B.S.D.F.); (V.P.C.R.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (D.D.G.N.); (K.V.S.H.)
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18
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Casmil IC, Huang C, Blakney AK. A duplex droplet digital PCR assay for absolute quantification and characterization of long self-amplifying RNA. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19050. [PMID: 37923834 PMCID: PMC10624827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46314-6] [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] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-amplifying messenger ribonucleic acid (saRNA) provides extended expression of genes of interest by encoding an alphavirus-derived RNA replicase and thus is 2-3 times larger than conventional messenger RNA. However, quality assessment of long RNA transcripts is challenging using standard techniques. Here, we utilized a multiplex droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay to assess the quality of saRNA produced from an in vitro transcription reaction and the replication kinetics in human cell lines. Using the one-step reverse transcription ddPCR, we show that an in vitro transcription generates 50-60% full-length saRNA transcripts. However, we note that the two-step reverse transcription ddPCR assay results in a 20% decrease from results obtained using the one-step and confirmed using capillary gel electrophoresis. Additionally, we provided three formulas that differ in the level of stringency and assumptions made to calculate the fraction of intact saRNA. Using ddPCR, we also showed that subgenomic transcripts of saRNA were 19-to-108-fold higher than genomic transcripts at different hours post-transfection of mammalian cells in copies. Therefore, we demonstrate that multiplex ddPCR is well suited for quality assessment of long RNA and replication kinetics of saRNA based on absolute quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irafasha C Casmil
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cynthia Huang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Michael Smith Laboratories, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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19
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Hu C, Liu J, Cheng F, Bai Y, Mao Q, Xu M, Liang Z. Amplifying mRNA vaccines: potential versatile magicians for oncotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1261243. [PMID: 37936701 PMCID: PMC10626473 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1261243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines drive the activation and proliferation of tumor-reactive immune cells, thereby eliciting tumor-specific immunity that kills tumor cells. Accordingly, they possess immense potential in cancer treatment. However, such vaccines are also faced with challenges related to their design and considerable differences among individual tumors. The success of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 has prompted the application of mRNA vaccine technology platforms to the field of oncotherapy. These platforms include linear, circular, and amplifying mRNA vaccines. In particular, amplifying mRNA vaccines are characterized by high-level and prolonged antigen gene expression at low doses. They can also stimulate specific cellular immunity, making them highly promising in cancer vaccine research. In this review, we summarize the research progress in amplifying mRNA vaccines and provide an outlook of their prospects and future directions in oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoying Hu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyang Liu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Feiran Cheng
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qunying Mao
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenglun Liang
- Division of Hepatitis and Enterovirus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Research on Quality and Standardization of Biotech Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
- National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Biological Products, Institute of Biological Products, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
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20
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Zhang W, Jiang Y, He Y, Boucetta H, Wu J, Chen Z, He W. Lipid carriers for mRNA delivery. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4105-4126. [PMID: 37799378 PMCID: PMC10547918 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the template for protein biosynthesis and is emerging as an essential active molecule to combat various diseases, including viral infection and cancer. Especially, mRNA-based vaccines, as a new type of vaccine, have played a leading role in fighting against the current global pandemic of COVID-19. However, the inherent drawbacks, including large size, negative charge, and instability, hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. Lipid carriers are distinguishable and promising vehicles for mRNA delivery, owning the capacity to encapsulate and deliver negatively charged drugs to the targeted tissues and release cargoes at the desired time. Here, we first summarized the structure and properties of different lipid carriers, such as liposomes, liposome-like nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, exosomes and lipoprotein particles, and their applications in delivering mRNA. Then, the development of lipid-based formulations as vaccine delivery systems was discussed and highlighted. Recent advancements in the mRNA vaccine of COVID-19 were emphasized. Finally, we described our future vision and perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuxin Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yonglong He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Hamza Boucetta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
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21
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Jamous YF, Alhomoud DA. The Safety and Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2. Cureus 2023; 15:e45602. [PMID: 37868494 PMCID: PMC10588549 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in numerous deaths worldwide, along with devastating economic disruptions, and has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems around the world. In the wake of COVID-19's emergence in 2019, a variety of vaccine technologies were formulated and developed, including those that drew from the technology employed in messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, designed to curb the disease's transmission and manage the pandemic. mRNA vaccine has several advantages over traditional ones, and hence its development has received considerable attention recently. Researchers believe the mRNA vaccine technology will emerge as the leading technology because it is potent, inexpensive, rapidly developed, and safe. This article provides an overview of mRNA vaccines with a special focus on the efficacy and safety of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines against the different variants of COVID-19 and compare them with the Oxford-AstraZeneca (viral vector) and Sinopharm (inactivated virus) vaccines. The clinical data reviewed in this article demonstrate that the currently authorized Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines are highly safe and potent against different variants of COVID-19, especially in comparison with Oxford-AstraZeneca (viral vector) and Sinopharm (inactivated virus) vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahya F Jamous
- National Center of Vaccine and Bioprocessing, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Dalal A Alhomoud
- National Center of Vaccine and Bioprocessing, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, SAU
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22
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Zhou W, Jiang L, Liao S, Wu F, Yang G, Hou L, Liu L, Pan X, Jia W, Zhang Y. Vaccines' New Era-RNA Vaccine. Viruses 2023; 15:1760. [PMID: 37632102 PMCID: PMC10458896 DOI: 10.3390/v15081760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA vaccines, including conventional messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, circular RNA (circRNA) vaccines, and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines, have ushered in a promising future and revolutionized vaccine development. The success of mRNA vaccines in combating the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that emerged in 2019 has highlighted the potential of RNA vaccines. These vaccines possess several advantages, such as high efficacy, adaptability, simplicity in antigen design, and the ability to induce both humoral and cellular immunity. They also offer rapid and cost-effective manufacturing, flexibility to target emerging or mutant pathogens and a potential approach for clearing immunotolerant microbes by targeting bacterial or parasitic survival mechanisms. The self-adjuvant effect of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations or circular RNA further enhances the potential of RNA vaccines. However, some challenges need to be addressed. These include the technology's immaturity, high research expenses, limited duration of antibody response, mRNA instability, low efficiency of circRNA cyclization, and the production of double-stranded RNA as a side product. These factors hinder the widespread adoption and utilization of RNA vaccines, particularly in developing countries. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mRNA, circRNA, and saRNA vaccines for infectious diseases while also discussing their development, current applications, and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuo Zhou
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Linglei Jiang
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Shimiao Liao
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Feifei Wu
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Guohuan Yang
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Li Hou
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Lan Liu
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - Xinping Pan
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
| | - William Jia
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
- Shanghai-Virogin Biotech Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yuntao Zhang
- CNBG-Virogin Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201800, China; (W.Z.); (L.J.); (S.L.); (F.W.); (G.Y.); (L.H.); (L.L.); (X.P.); (W.J.)
- Sinopharm Group China National Biotech Group (CNBG) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100124, China
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23
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prior to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the potential use of mRNA vaccines for a rapid pandemic response had been well described in the scientific literature, however during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak we witnessed the large-scale deployment of the platform in a real pandemic setting. Of the three RNA platforms evaluated in clinical trials, including 1) conventional, non-amplifying mRNA (mRNA), 2) base-modified, non-amplifying mRNA (bmRNA), which incorporate chemically modified nucleotides, and 3) self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), the bmRNA technology emerged with superior clinical efficacy. AREAS COVERED This review describes the current state of these mRNA vaccine technologies, evaluates their strengths and limitations, and argues that saRNA may have significant advantages if the limitations of stability and complexities of manufacturing can be overcome. EXPERT OPINION The success of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines has been remarkable. However, several challenges remain to be addressed before this technology can successfully be applied broadly to other disease targets. Innovation in the areas of mRNA engineering, novel delivery systems, antigen design, and high-quality manufacturing will be required to achieve the full potential of this disruptive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoltan Kis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey B Ulmer
- Immorna Biotherapeutics, Morrisville, North Carolina.,TechImmune LLC, Newport Beach, CA, USA
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24
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Krähling V, Erbar S, Kupke A, Nogueira SS, Walzer KC, Berger H, Dietzel E, Halwe S, Rohde C, Sauerhering L, Aragão-Santiago L, Moreno Herrero J, Witzel S, Haas H, Becker S, Sahin U. Self-amplifying RNA vaccine protects mice against lethal Ebola virus infection. Mol Ther 2023; 31:374-386. [PMID: 36303436 PMCID: PMC9931551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.10.011] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV), pose a global threat and require immediate countermeasures, including the rapid development of effective vaccines that are easy to manufacture. Synthetic self-amplifying RNAs (saRNAs) attend to these needs, being safe and strong immune stimulators that can be inexpensively produced in large quantities, using cell-free systems and good manufacturing practice. Here, the first goal was to develop and optimize an anti-EBOV saRNA-based vaccine in terms of its antigen composition and route of administration. Vaccinating mice with saRNAs expressing the EBOV glycoprotein (GP) alone or in combination with the nucleoprotein (NP) elicited antigen-specific immune responses. GP-specific antibodies showed neutralizing activity against EBOV. Strong CD4+ T cell response against NP and GP and CD8+ T cell response against NP were detected by ELISpot assays. Intramuscular vaccination with saRNAs conferred better immune response than intradermal. Finally, mice vaccinated in a prime-boost regimen with saRNAs encoding both GP and NP or with GP alone survived an EBOV infection. In addition, a single dose of GP and NP saRNAs was also protective against fatal EBOV infection. Overall, saRNAs expressing viral antigens represent a promising vaccine platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Krähling
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Alexandra Kupke
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Erik Dietzel
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sandro Halwe
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Rohde
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lucie Sauerhering
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Sonja Witzel
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Freiligrathstraße 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinrich Haas
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Becker
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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25
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mRNA-From COVID-19 Treatment to Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020308. [PMID: 36830845 PMCID: PMC9953480 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview covering mRNA from its use in the COVID-19 pandemic to cancer immunotherapy, starting from the selection of appropriate antigens, tumor-associated and tumor-specific antigens, neoantigens, the basics of optimizing the mRNA molecule in terms of stability, efficacy, and tolerability, choosing the best formulation and the optimal route of administration, to summarizing current clinical trials of mRNA vaccines in tumor therapy.
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26
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Liu GW, Guzman EB, Menon N, Langer RS. Lipid Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Delivery to Endothelial Cells. Pharm Res 2023; 40:3-25. [PMID: 36735106 PMCID: PMC9897626 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03471-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells play critical roles in circulatory homeostasis and are also the gateway to the major organs of the body. Dysfunction, injury, and gene expression profiles of these cells can cause, or are caused by, prevalent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Modulation of gene expression within endothelial cells could therefore be therapeutically strategic in treating longstanding disease challenges. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged as potent, scalable, and tunable carrier systems for delivering nucleic acids, making them attractive vehicles for gene delivery to endothelial cells. Here, we discuss the functions of endothelial cells and highlight some receptors that are upregulated during health and disease. Examples and applications of DNA, mRNA, circRNA, saRNA, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, and ASO delivery to endothelial cells and their targets are reviewed, as well as LNP composition and morphology, formulation strategies, target proteins, and biomechanical factors that modulate endothelial cell targeting. Finally, we discuss FDA-approved LNPs as well as LNPs that have been tested in clinical trials and their challenges, and provide some perspectives as to how to surmount those challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary W Liu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Edward B Guzman
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Nandita Menon
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Strand Therapeutics, MA, 02215, Boston, USA
| | - Robert S Langer
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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27
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Colunga-Saucedo M, Rubio-Hernandez EI, Coronado-Ipiña MA, Rosales-Mendoza S, Castillo CG, Comas-Garcia M. Construction of a Chikungunya Virus, Replicon, and Helper Plasmids for Transfection of Mammalian Cells. Viruses 2022; 15:132. [PMID: 36680173 PMCID: PMC9864538 DOI: 10.3390/v15010132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of Alphaviruses can be modified to produce self-replicating RNAs and virus-like particles, which are useful virological tools. In this work, we generated three plasmids for the transfection of mammalian cells: an infectious clone of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), one that codes for the structural proteins (helper plasmid), and another one that codes nonstructural proteins (replicon plasmid). All of these plasmids contain a reporter gene (mKate2). The reporter gene in the replicon RNA and the infectious clone are synthesized from subgenomic RNA. Co-transfection with the helper and replicon plasmids has biotechnological/biomedical applications because they allow for the delivery of self-replicating RNA for the transient expression of one or more genes to the target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Colunga-Saucedo
- Sección de Genómica Médica, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Edson I. Rubio-Hernandez
- Laboratorio de Células Troncales Humanas, Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Miguel A. Coronado-Ipiña
- Sección de Microscopía de Alta Resolución, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Claudia G. Castillo
- Laboratorio de Células Troncales Humanas, Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Comas-Garcia
- Sección de Genómica Médica, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
- Sección de Microscopía de Alta Resolución, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78295, Mexico
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Pourseif MM, Masoudi-Sobhanzadeh Y, Azari E, Parvizpour S, Barar J, Ansari R, Omidi Y. Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines: Mode of action, design, development and optimization. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103341. [PMID: 35988718 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The mRNA-based vaccines are quality-by-design (QbD) immunotherapies that provide safe, tunable, scalable, streamlined and potent treatment possibilities against different types of diseases. The self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccines, as a highly advantageous class of mRNA vaccines, are inspired by the intracellular self-multiplication nature of some positive-sense RNA viruses. Such vaccine platforms provide a relatively increased expression level of vaccine antigen(s) together with self-adjuvanticity properties. Lined with the QbD saRNA vaccines, essential optimizations improve the stability, safety, and immunogenicity of the vaccine constructs. Here, we elaborate on the concepts and mode-of-action of mRNA and saRNA vaccines, articulate the potential limitations or technical bottlenecks, and explain possible solutions or optimization methods in the process of their design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yosef Masoudi-Sobhanzadeh
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Erfan Azari
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sepideh Parvizpour
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jaleh Barar
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Rais Ansari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
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29
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Unlocking the promise of mRNA therapeutics. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1586-1600. [PMID: 36329321 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01491-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The extraordinary success of mRNA vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has renewed interest in mRNA as a means of delivering therapeutic proteins. Early clinical trials of mRNA therapeutics include studies of paracrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA for heart failure and of CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA for a congenital liver-specific storage disease. However, a series of challenges remains to be addressed before mRNA can be established as a general therapeutic modality with broad relevance to both rare and common diseases. An array of new technologies is being developed to surmount these challenges, including approaches to optimize mRNA cargos, lipid carriers with inherent tissue tropism and in vivo percutaneous delivery systems. The judicious integration of these advances may unlock the promise of biologically targeted mRNA therapeutics, beyond vaccines and other immunostimulatory agents, for the treatment of diverse clinical indications.
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30
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Papukashvili D, Rcheulishvili N, Liu C, Wang X, He Y, Wang PG. Strategy of developing nucleic acid-based universal monkeypox vaccine candidates. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1050309. [PMID: 36389680 PMCID: PMC9646902 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1050309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Until May 2022, zoonotic infectious disease monkeypox (MPX) caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) was one of the forgotten viruses considered to be geographically limited in African countries even though few cases outside of Africa were identified. Central and West African countries are known to be endemic for MPXV. However, since the number of human MPX cases has rapidly increased outside of Africa the global interest in this virus has markedly grown. The majority of infected people with MPXV have never been vaccinated against smallpox virus. Noteworthily, the MPXV spreads fast in men who have sex with men (MSM). Preventive measures against MPXV are essential to be taken, indeed, vaccination is the key. Due to the antigenic similarities, the smallpox vaccine is efficient against MPXV. Nevertheless, there is no specific MPXV vaccine until now. Nucleic acid vaccines deserve special attention since the emergency approval of two messenger RNA (mRNA)-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in 2020. This milestone in vaccinology has opened a new platform for developing more mRNA- or DNA-based vaccines. Certainly, this type of vaccine has a number of advantages including time- and cost-effectiveness over conventional vaccines. The platform of nucleic acid-based vaccines gives humankind a huge opportunity. Ultimately, there is a strong need for developing a universal vaccine against MPXV. This review will shed the light on the strategies for developing nucleic acid vaccines against MPXV in a timely manner. Consequently, developing nucleic acid-based vaccines may alleviate the global threat against MPXV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yunjiao He
- *Correspondence: Yunjiao He, ; Peng George Wang,
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31
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Papukashvili D, Rcheulishvili N, Liu C, Ji Y, He Y, Wang PG. Self-Amplifying RNA Approach for Protein Replacement Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12884. [PMID: 36361673 PMCID: PMC9655356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology has already been successfully tested preclinically and there are ongoing clinical trials for protein replacement purposes; however, more effort has been put into the development of prevention strategies against infectious diseases. Apparently, mRNA vaccine approval against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a landmark for opening new opportunities for managing diverse health disorders based on this approach. Indeed, apart from infectious diseases, it has also been widely tested in numerous directions including cancer prevention and the treatment of inherited disorders. Interestingly, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA)-based technology is believed to display more developed RNA therapy compared with conventional mRNA technique in terms of its lower dosage requirements, relatively fewer side effects, and possessing long-lasting effects. Nevertheless, some challenges still exist that need to be overcome in order to achieve saRNA-based drug approval in clinics. Hence, the current review discusses the feasibility of saRNA utility for protein replacement therapy on various health disorders including rare hereditary diseases and also provides a detailed overview of saRNA advantages, its molecular structure, mechanism of action, and relevant delivery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yunjiao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Peng George Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518000, China
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Amano T, Yu H, Amano M, Leyder E, Badiola M, Ray P, Kim J, Ko AC, Achour A, Weng NP, Kochba E, Levin Y, Ko MSH. Controllable self-replicating RNA vaccine delivered intradermally elicits predominantly cellular immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.09.05.506686. [PMID: 36263074 PMCID: PMC9580376 DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.05.506686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Intradermal delivery of self-replicating RNA (srRNA) is a promising vaccine platform. Considering that human skin temperature is around 33°C, lower than core body temperature of 37°C, we have developed an srRNA that functions optimally at skin temperature and is inactivated at or above 37°C as a safety switch. This temperature- c ontrollable srRNA (c-srRNA), when tested as an intradermal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, functions when injected naked without lipid nanoparticles. Unlike most currently available vaccines, c-srRNA vaccines predominantly elicit cellular immunity with little or no antibody production. Interestingly, c-srRNA-vaccinated mice produced antigen-specific antibodies upon subsequent stimulation with antigen protein. Antigen-specific antibodies were also produced when B-cell stimulation using antigen protein was followed by c-srRNA booster vaccination. Using c-srRNA, we have designed a pan-coronavirus booster vaccine that incorporates both spike receptor binding domains as viral surface proteins and evolutionarily conserved nucleoproteins as viral non-surface proteins, from both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. It can thereby potentially immunize against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and their variants. c-srRNA may provide a route to activate cellular immunity against a wide variety of pathogens.
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Intratumoral electroporation of a self-amplifying RNA expressing IL-12 induces antitumor effects in mouse models of cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:387-399. [PMID: 36035753 PMCID: PMC9386029 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alphavirus vectors based on self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) generate high and transient levels of transgene expression and induce innate immune responses, making them an interesting tool for antitumor therapy. These vectors are usually delivered as viral particles, but it is also possible to administer them as RNA. We evaluated this possibility by in vivo electroporation of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) saRNA for local treatment of murine colorectal MC38 subcutaneous tumors. Optimization of saRNA electroporation conditions in tumors was performed using an SFV vector coding for luciferase. Then we evaluated the therapeutic potential of this approach using an SFV saRNA coding for interleukin-12 (SFV-IL-12), a proinflammatory cytokine with potent antitumor effects. Delivery of SFV-IL-12 saRNA by electroporation led to improvement in tumor control and higher survival compared with mice treated with electroporation or with SFV-IL-12 saRNA alone. The antitumor efficacy of SFV-IL-12 saRNA electroporation increased by combination with systemic PD-1 blockade. This therapy, which was also validated in a hepatocellular carcinoma tumor model, suggests that local delivery of saRNA by electroporation could be an attractive strategy for cancer immunotherapy. This approach could have easy translation to the clinical practice, especially for percutaneously accessible tumors.
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Savar NS, Vallet T, Arashkia A, Lundstrom K, Vignuzzi M, Mahmoudzadeh Niknam H. Packaging, Purification, and Titration of Replication-Deficient Semliki Forest Virus-Derived Particles as a Self-Amplifying mRNA Vaccine Vector. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2022; 26:269-78. [PMID: 35468712 PMCID: PMC9432467 DOI: 10.52547/ibj.3535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Self-amplifying mRNA is the next-generation vaccine platform with the potential advantages in efficacy and speed of development against infectious diseases and cancer. The main aim was to present optimized and rapid methods for Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-PD self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) preparation, its packaging, and titer determination. These protocols are provided for producing and harvesting the high yields of virus replicon particle (VRP)-packaged SAM for vaccine studies. Methods pSFV-PD-EGFP plasmid was linearized and subjected to in vitro transcription. Different concentrations of SFV-PD SAM were first transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293) and baby hamster kidney cell line 21 (BHK-21) cell lines, and EGFP expression at different time points was evaluated by fluorescent microscopy. Replicon particle packaging was achieved by co-transfection of SFV-PD SAM and pSFV-Helper2 RNA into BHK-21 cells. The VRPs were concentrated using ultrafiltration with 100 kDa cut-off. The titers of replicon particles were determined by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results In vitro transcribed SAM encoding EGFP was successfully transfected and expressed in HEK-293 and BHK-21 cell lines. Higher levels of EGFP expression was observed in BHK-21 compared to HEK-293 cells showing more stable protein overexpression and VRP packaging. Using ultrafiltration, the high yields of purified SFV-PD-EGFP particles were rapidly obtained with only minor loss of replicon particles. Accurate and rapid titer determination of replication-deficient particles was achieved by RT-qPCR. Conclusion Using optimized methods for SAM transfection, VRP packaging, and concentration, high yields of SFV-PD VRPs could be produced and purified. The RT-qPCR demonstrated to be an accurate and rapid method for titer determination of replication deficient VRPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Vallet
- Institut Pasteur, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, Paris, France
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marco Vignuzzi
- Institut Pasteur, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, Paris, France
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Qin S, Tang X, Chen Y, Chen K, Fan N, Xiao W, Zheng Q, Li G, Teng Y, Wu M, Song X. mRNA-based therapeutics: powerful and versatile tools to combat diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:166. [PMID: 35597779 PMCID: PMC9123296 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic use of messenger RNA (mRNA) has fueled great hope to combat a wide range of incurable diseases. Recent rapid advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine have enabled the production of almost any functional protein/peptide in the human body by introducing mRNA as a vaccine or therapeutic agent. This represents a rising precision medicine field with great promise for preventing and treating many intractable or genetic diseases. In addition, in vitro transcribed mRNA has achieved programmed production, which is more effective, faster in design and production, as well as more flexible and cost-effective than conventional approaches that may offer. Based on these extraordinary advantages, mRNA vaccines have the characteristics of the swiftest response to large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the currently devastating pandemic COVID-19. It has always been the scientists’ desire to improve the stability, immunogenicity, translation efficiency, and delivery system to achieve efficient and safe delivery of mRNA. Excitingly, these scientific dreams have gradually been realized with the rapid, amazing achievements of molecular biology, RNA technology, vaccinology, and nanotechnology. In this review, we comprehensively describe mRNA-based therapeutics, including their principles, manufacture, application, effects, and shortcomings. We also highlight the importance of mRNA optimization and delivery systems in successful mRNA therapeutics and discuss the key challenges and opportunities in developing these tools into powerful and versatile tools to combat many genetic, infectious, cancer, and other refractory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugang Qin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoshan Tang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kepan Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Fan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guohong Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Teng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA
| | - Xiangrong Song
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Kim D, Han S, Ji Y, Moon S, Nam H, Lee JB. Multimeric RNAs for efficient RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. J Control Release 2022; 345:770-785. [PMID: 35367477 PMCID: PMC8970614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
There has been a growing interest in RNA therapeutics globally, and much progress has been made in this area, which has been further accelerated by the clinical applications of RNA-based vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Following these successful clinical trials, various technologies have been developed to improve the efficacy of RNA-based drugs. Multimerization of RNA therapeutics is one of the most attractive approaches to ensure high stability, high efficacy, and prolonged action of RNA-based drugs. In this review, we offer an overview of the representative approaches for generating repetitive functional RNAs by chemical conjugation, structural self-assembly, enzymatic elongation, and self-amplification. The therapeutic and vaccine applications of engineered multimeric RNAs in various diseases have also been summarized. By outlining the current status of multimeric RNAs, the potential of multimeric RNA as a promising treatment strategy is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sangwoo Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonbin Ji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sunghyun Moon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyangsu Nam
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong Bum Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
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mRNA Lipoplexes with Cationic and Ionizable α-Amino-lipophosphonates: Membrane Fusion, Transfection, mRNA Translation and Conformation. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030581. [PMID: 35335957 PMCID: PMC8952827 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic liposomes are attractive carriers for mRNA delivery. Here, mRNA lipoplexes (LX) were prepared with the cationic lipids α-aminolipophosphonate (3b) or imidazolium lipophosphoramidate (2) associated with various α-aminolipophosphonates co-lipids comprising protonable groups (imidazole or pyridine) and DOPE. Physicochemical parameters of liposomes and their membrane fusion activity were measured. LXs comprising either 3b- or 2- allowed transfection of ~25% and 40% of dendritic cells with low cytotoxicity, respectively; the efficiency increased up to 80% when 2 was combined with the imidazole-based co-lipid 1. The transfections were high with 3b/1, 3b/DOPE, 2/1 and 2/DOPE LXs. We observed that the transfection level was not well correlated with the acid-mediated membrane fusion activity of liposomes supposed to destabilize endosomes. The mRNA release from LXs and its translation capacity after release were studied for the most efficient LXs. The results showed that the more mRNA was condensed, the poorer the translation efficiency after release was. In contrast to DNA, circular dichroism performed on mRNA complexed with 2/DOPE revealed the presence of denatured mRNA in LXs explaining this lack of translation efficiency. This is an important parameter that should be stressed for the preparation of mRNA LXs with a conserved mRNA translation activity.
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The Potential of Nanomedicine to Unlock the Limitless Applications of mRNA. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020460. [PMID: 35214191 PMCID: PMC8879057 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The year 2020 was a turning point in the way society perceives science. Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology finally showed and shared its potential, starting a new era in medicine. However, there is no doubt that commercialization of these vaccines would not have been possible without nanotechnology, which has finally answered the long-term question of how to deliver mRNA in vivo. The aim of this review is to showcase the importance of this scientific milestone for the development of additional mRNA therapeutics. Firstly, we provide a full description of the marketed vaccine formulations and disclose LNPs’ pharmaceutical properties, including composition, structure, and manufacturing considerations Additionally, we review different types of lipid-based delivery technologies currently in preclinical and clinical development, namely lipoplexes and cationic nanoemulsions. Finally, we highlight the most promising clinical applications of mRNA in different fields such as vaccinology, immuno-oncology, gene therapy for rare genetic diseases and gene editing using CRISPR Cas9.
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Du L, Yang Y, Zhang X, Li F. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:1054-1074. [PMID: 35018939 PMCID: PMC8863106 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03831a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic and millions of deaths. It is imperative to develop effective countermeasures against the causative viral agent, SARS-CoV-2 and its many variants. Vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are the most effective approaches for preventing and treating COVID-19, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells through the activities of the virus-surface spike (S) protein. Accordingly, the S protein is a prime target for vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Dealing with particles with dimensions on the scale of nanometers, nanotechnology has emerged as a critical tool for rapidly designing and developing safe, effective, and urgently needed vaccines and therapeutics to control the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, nanotechnology was key to the fast-track approval of two mRNA vaccines for their wide use in human populations. In this review article, we first explore the roles of nanotechnology in battling COVID-19, including protein nanoparticles (for presentation of protein vaccines), lipid nanoparticles (for formulation with mRNAs), and nanobodies (as unique therapeutic antibodies). We then summarize the currently available COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics based on nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Yang Yang
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Coronavirus Research, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.
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Iyer S, Yadav R, Agarwal S, Tripathi S, Agarwal R. Bioengineering Strategies for Developing Vaccines against Respiratory Viral Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0012321. [PMID: 34788128 PMCID: PMC8597982 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00123-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral pathogens like influenza and coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have caused outbreaks leading to millions of deaths. Vaccinations are, to date, the best and most economical way to control such outbreaks and have been highly successful for several pathogens. Currently used vaccines for respiratory viral pathogens are primarily live attenuated or inactivated and can risk reversion to virulence or confer inadequate immunity. The recent trend of using potent biomolecules like DNA, RNA, and protein antigenic components to synthesize vaccines for diseases has shown promising results. Still, it remains challenging to translate due to their high susceptibility to degradation during storage and after delivery. Advances in bioengineering technology for vaccine design have made it possible to control the physicochemical properties of the vaccines for rapid synthesis, heightened antigen presentation, safer formulations, and more robust immunogenicity. Bioengineering techniques and materials have been used to synthesize several potent vaccines, approved or in trials, against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and are being explored for influenza, SARS, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) vaccines as well. Here, we review bioengineering strategies such as the use of polymeric particles, liposomes, and virus-like particles in vaccine development against influenza and coronaviruses and the feasibility of adopting these technologies for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Iyer
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rajesh Yadav
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Smriti Agarwal
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rachit Agarwal
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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Machado BAS, Hodel KVS, Fonseca LMDS, Mascarenhas LAB, Andrade LPCDS, Rocha VPC, Soares MBP, Berglund P, Duthie MS, Reed SG, Badaró R. The Importance of RNA-Based Vaccines in the Fight against COVID-19: An Overview. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1345. [PMID: 34835276 PMCID: PMC8623509 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, vaccine development using ribonucleic acid (RNA) has become the most promising and studied approach to produce safe and effective new vaccines, not only for prophylaxis but also as a treatment. The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) as an immunogenic has several advantages to vaccine development compared to other platforms, such as lower coast, the absence of cell cultures, and the possibility to combine different targets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of mRNA as a vaccine became more relevant; two out of the four most widely applied vaccines against COVID-19 in the world are based on this platform. However, even though it presents advantages for vaccine application, mRNA technology faces several pivotal challenges to improve mRNA stability, delivery, and the potential to generate the related protein needed to induce a humoral- and T-cell-mediated immune response. The application of mRNA to vaccine development emerged as a powerful tool to fight against cancer and non-infectious and infectious diseases, for example, and represents a relevant research field for future decades. Based on these advantages, this review emphasizes mRNA and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) for vaccine development, mainly to fight against COVID-19, together with the challenges related to this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Aparecida Souza Machado
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Katharine Valéria Saraiva Hodel
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Larissa Moraes dos Santos Fonseca
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Luís Alberto Brêda Mascarenhas
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Leone Peter Correia da Silva Andrade
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Vinícius Pinto Costa Rocha
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Peter Berglund
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Malcolm S. Duthie
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Steven G. Reed
- HDT Bio, 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; (P.B.); (M.S.D.); (S.G.R.)
| | - Roberto Badaró
- SENAI Institute of Innovation (ISI) in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (K.V.S.H.); (L.M.d.S.F.); (L.A.B.M.); (L.P.C.d.S.A.); (V.P.C.R.); (M.B.P.S.); (R.B.)
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Idiotype vaccines produced with a non-cytopathic alphavirus self-amplifying RNA vector induce antitumor responses in a murine model of B-cell lymphoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21427. [PMID: 34728659 PMCID: PMC8563967 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00787-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A promising therapy for patients with B-cell lymphoma is based on vaccination with idiotype monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Since idiotypes are different in each tumor, a personalized vaccine has to be produced for each patient. Expression of immunoglobulins with appropriate post-translational modifications for human use often requires the use of stable mammalian cells that can be scaled-up to reach the desired level of production. We have used a noncytopathic self-amplifying RNA vector derived from Semliki Forest virus (ncSFV) to generate BHK cell lines expressing murine follicular lymphoma-derived idiotype A20 mAb. ncSFV/BHK cell lines expressed approximately 2 mg/L/24 h of A20 mAb with proper quaternary structure and a glycosylation pattern similar to that of A20 mAb produced by hybridoma cells. A20 mAb purified from the supernatant of a ncSFV cell line, or from the hybridoma, was conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and used to immunize Balb/c mice by administration of four weekly doses of 25 µg of mAb. Both idiotype mAbs were able to induce a similar antitumor protection and longer survival compared to non-immunized mice. These results indicate that the ncSFV RNA vector could represent a quick and efficient system to produce patient-specific idiotypes with potential application as lymphoma vaccines.
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Farouq MA, Al Qaraghuli MM, Kubiak-Ossowska K, Ferro VA, Mulheran PA. Biomolecular interactions with nanoparticles: applications for coronavirus disease 2019. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 54:101461. [PMID: 33907504 PMCID: PMC8062422 DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are small particles sized 1-100 nm, which have a large surface-to-volume ratio, allowing efficient adsorption of drugs, proteins, and other chemical compounds. Consequently, functionalized nanoparticles have potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. A variety of nanoparticles have been studied, including those constructed from inorganic materials, biopolymers, and lipids. In this review, we focus on recent work targeting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Understanding the interactions between coronavirus-specific proteins (such as the spike protein and its host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) with different nanoparticles paves the way to the development of new therapeutics and diagnostics that are urgently needed for the fight against COVID-19, and indeed for related future viral threats that may emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A.H. Farouq
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK,Corresponding author: Farouq, M.A.H
| | - Mohammed M. Al Qaraghuli
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK
| | - Karina Kubiak-Ossowska
- Department of Physics/Archie-West HPC, University of Strathclyde, 107 Rottenrow East, Glasgow, G4 0NG, UK
| | - Valerie A. Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Paul A. Mulheran
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK
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Tournier JN, Kononchik J. Virus Eradication and Synthetic Biology: Changes with SARS-CoV-2? Viruses 2021; 13:569. [PMID: 33800626 PMCID: PMC8066276 DOI: 10.3390/v13040569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The eradication of infectious diseases has been achieved only once in history, in 1980, with smallpox. Since 1988, significant effort has been made to eliminate poliomyelitis viruses, but eradication is still just out of reach. As the goal of viral disease eradication approaches, the ability to recreate historically eradicated viruses using synthetic biology has the potential to jeopardize the long-term sustainability of eradication. However, the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 pandemic has highlighted our ability to swiftly and resolutely respond to a potential outbreak. This virus has been synthetized faster than any other in the past and is resulting in vaccines before most attenuated candidates reach clinical trials. Here, synthetic biology has the opportunity to demonstrate its truest potential to the public and solidify a footing in the world of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Nicolas Tournier
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France;
- CNRS UMR-3569, Innovative Vaccine Laboratory, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
- Ecole du Val-de-Grâce, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Joseph Kononchik
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France;
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), 8350 Ricketts Point Rd., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
- Toxicology and Chemical Risk Department, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
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45
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Martinez-Sobrido L, Nogales A. Editorial overview: Virus reverse genetics approaches for the development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 44:iii-iv. [PMID: 33349418 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aitor Nogales
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), 28130 Madrid, Spain
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