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Bettegazzi B, Cattaneo S, Simonato M, Zucchini S, Soukupova M. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: What Does the Future Hold? Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:5-13. [PMID: 38103141 PMCID: PMC10786988 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many pre-clinical studies have tested gene therapy approaches as possible treatments for epilepsy, following the idea that they may provide an alternative to conventional pharmacological and surgical options. Multiple gene therapy approaches have been developed, including those based on anti-sense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and viral vectors. In this opinion article, we focus on translational issues related to viral vector-mediated gene therapy for epilepsy. Research has advanced dramatically in addressing issues like viral vector optimization, target identification, strategies of gene expression, editing or regulation, and safety. Some of these pre-clinically validated potential gene therapies are now being tested in clinical trials, in patients with genetic or focal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we discuss the ongoing translational research and the advancements that are needed and expected in the near future. We then describe the clinical trials in the pipeline and the further challenges that will need to be addressed at the clinical and economic levels. Our optimistic view is that all these issues and challenges can be overcome, and that gene therapy approaches for epilepsy will soon become a clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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Mastrobattista E. Formulation and delivery solutions for the next generation biotherapeutics. J Control Release 2021; 336:583-597. [PMID: 34174354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.029] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In 2018 I was appointed full professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Delivery at the Pharmaceutics division of the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. In this contribution to the Orations - New Horizons of the Journal of Controlled Release I will introduce my research group (see also www.uu.nl/pharmaceutics) and will highlight my current and future research projects. In coming years the focus of my research will be on the administration of biotherapeutics, aiming to control their fate from the site of injection to the site of action. I will discuss issues related to formulation of biotherapeutics into nanomedicines (NMs), intracellular delivery of nucleic acids as well as protein therapeutics, and targeted delivery of biotherapeutics beyond the liver. In addition, I will provide a forward view on how current developments in the drug delivery and gene therapy field may result in sustainable and cost-effective dosing regimens for biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Mastrobattista
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Medina MV, Sapochnik D, Garcia Solá M, Coso O. Regulation of the Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1: Signal Transduction, Gene Promoter Activation, and Beyond. Antioxid Redox Signal 2020; 32:1033-1044. [PMID: 31861960 PMCID: PMC7153632 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a ubiquitous 32-kDa protein expressed in many tissues and highly inducible. They catalyze the degradation of the heme group and the release of free iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin; the latter converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Its role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis is widely documented. Studying regulation of HO-1 expression is important not only to understand the life of healthy cells but also the unbalances in cell metabolism that lead to disease. Recent Advances: The regulation of its enzymatic activity depends heavily upon changes in expression studied mainly at the transcriptional level. Current knowledge regarding HO-1 gene expression focuses primarily on transcription factors such as Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), AP-1 (activator protein-1), and hypoxia-inducible factor, which collect signal transduction pathway information at the HO-1 gene promoter. Understanding of gene expression regulation is not limited to transcription factor activity but also involves an extended range of post- or cotranscriptional regulated events. Critical Issues: In addition to the regulation of gene promoter activity, alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation, and regulation of messenger RNA stability play critical roles in changes in HO-1 gene expression levels, involving specific factors, proteins, and microRNAs. All potential targets for diagnosis or treatment of diseases are related to HO-1 dysregulation. Future Directions: Unbalances in the tightly regulated gene expression mechanisms lead to cell transformation and cancer development. Knowledge of these events and signal transduction cascades triggered by oncogenes in which HO-1 plays a critical role is of upmost importance for research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Medina
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular (FBMC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daiana Sapochnik
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular (FBMC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Garcia Solá
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular (FBMC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Omar Coso
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular (FBMC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Mammadzada P, Corredoira PM, André H. The role of hypoxia-inducible factors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a gene therapy perspective. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:819-833. [PMID: 31893312 PMCID: PMC7058677 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03422-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that underlie age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has led to the identification of key molecules. Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) have been associated with choroidal neovascularization and the progression of AMD into the neovascular clinical phenotype (nAMD). HIFs regulate the expression of multiple growth factors and cytokines involved in angiogenesis and inflammation, hallmarks of nAMD. This knowledge has propelled the development of a new group of therapeutic strategies focused on gene therapy. The present review provides an update on current gene therapies in ocular angiogenesis, particularly nAMD, from both basic and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Mammadzada
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pablo M Corredoira
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helder André
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Modulation of the monocyte/macrophage system in heart failure by targeting heme oxygenase-1. Vascul Pharmacol 2018; 112:79-90. [PMID: 30213580 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Upon myocardial infarction (MI) immune system becomes activated by extensive necrosis of cardiomyocytes releasing intracellular molecules called damage-associated molecular patterns. Overactive and prolonged immune responses are likely to be responsible for heart failure development and progression in patients surviving the ischemic episode. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a crucial role in heme degradation and in this way releases carbon monoxide, free iron, and biliverdin. This stress-inducible enzyme is induced by various oxidative and inflammatory signals. Consequently, biological actions of HO-1 are not limited to degradation of a toxic heme released from hemoproteins, but also provide an adaptive cellular response against chronic inflammation and oxidative injury. Indeed, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1 were demonstrated in several experimental studies, as well as in human cases of genetic HO-1 deficiency. HO-1 was shown to suppress the production, myocardial infiltration and inflammatory properties of monocytes and macrophages what resulted in limitation of post-MI cardiac damage. This review specifically addresses the role of HO-1, heme and its degradation products in macrophage biology and post-ischemic cardiac repair. A more complete understanding of these mechanisms is essential to develop new therapeutic approaches.
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Conditional tenomodulin overexpression favors tenogenic lineage differentiation of transgenic mouse derived cells. Gene 2017; 598:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Mehrpour M, Gohari F, Dizaji MZ, Ahani A, Malicdan MCV, Behnam B. An ABCD1 Mutation (c.253dupC) Caused Diverse Phenotypes of Adrenoleukodystrophy in an Iranian Consanguineous Pedigree. J Mol Genet Med 2016; 10. [PMID: 27489563 PMCID: PMC4969076 DOI: 10.4172/1747-0862.1000222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Current study was the first to report a consanguineous Iranian pedigree with ABCD1 mutation. METHODS Targeted molecular analysis was initially performed in three affected individuals in one family suspected to have X-ALD due to chronic progressive spasticity. Upon confirmation of genetic diagnosis, further neurologic and genetic evaluation of all family members was done. RESULTS A mutation in ABCD1 was identified in 35 affected individuals (out 96 pedigree members). The c. 253dup, in exon 1, leads to a frame shift and a premature stop codon at amino acid position 194 (p.Arg85Profs*110). Surprisingly, affected individuals in our cohort show some variability in phenotype, including childhood cerebral ALD, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and addison-only disease phenotypes, expanding the phenotype of X-ALD with p.Arg85Profs*110. CONCLUSION This report characterizes the clinical spectrum of an expanded Iranian pedigree with X-ALD due to an ABCD1 mutation. Given a high frequency of carriers in this region, we expect the prevalence of X-ALD to be higher, underscoring the importance of genetic counseling through reliable identification of heterozygous as well as homozygote females in consanguineous communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Mehrpour
- Department of Neurology, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of medical sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Faeze Gohari
- Medical Student Research Committee (MSRC), Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of medical sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Zaki Dizaji
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahani
- Medical Student Research Committee (MSRC), Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of medical sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - May Christine V Malicdan
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Babak Behnam
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Olmedillas López S, Garcia-Arranz M, Garcia-Olmo D, Liras A. Preliminary study on non-viral transfection of F9 (factor IX) gene by nucleofection in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. PeerJ 2016; 4:e1907. [PMID: 27114871 PMCID: PMC4841220 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Hemophilia is a rare recessive X-linked disease characterized by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII or factor IX. Its current treatment is merely palliative. Advanced therapies are likely to become the treatment of choice for the disease as they could provide a curative treatment. Methods. The present study looks into the use of a safe non-viral transfection method based on nucleofection to express and secrete human clotting factor IX (hFIX) where human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells were used as target cells in vitro studies and NOD. Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice were used to analyze factor IX expression in vivo studies. Previously, acute liver injury was induced by an injected intraperitoneal dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen. Results. Nucleofection showed a percentage of positive cells ranging between 30.7% and 41.9% and a cell viability rate of 29.8%, and cells were shown to secrete amounts of hFIX between 36.8 and 71.9 ng/mL. hFIX levels in the blood of NSG mice injected with ASCs transfected with this vector, were 2.7 ng/mL 48 h after injection. Expression and secretion of hFIX were achieved both in vitro cell culture media and in vivo in the plasma of mice treated with the transfected ASCs. Such cells are capable of eventually migrating to a previously damaged target tissue (the liver) where they secrete hFIX, releasing it to the bloodstream over a period of at least five days from administration. Conclusions. The results obtained in the present study may form a preliminary basis for the establishment of a future ex vivo non-viral gene/cellular safe therapy protocol that may eventually contribute to advancing the treatment of hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariano Garcia-Arranz
- Health Research Institute-Jiménez Diaz Foundation (iiS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Damian Garcia-Olmo
- Health Research Institute-Jiménez Diaz Foundation (iiS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Liras
- Department of Physiology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; Victoria Eugenia Royal Hemophilia Foundation, Madrid, Spain; Health Research Institute-Hospital 12 de Octubre Foundation (iiS-i+12O), Madrid, Spain
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KRISHNAN SP. Induced pluripotent stem cells: methods, disease modeling, and microenvironment for drug discovery and screening. Turk J Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.3906/biy-1507-138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Hoyng SA, de Winter F, Tannemaat MR, Blits B, Malessy MJA, Verhaagen J. Gene therapy and peripheral nerve repair: a perspective. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:32. [PMID: 26236188 PMCID: PMC4502351 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical phase I/II studies have demonstrated the safety of gene therapy for a variety of central nervous system disorders, including Canavan's, Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), retinal diseases and pain. The majority of gene therapy studies in the CNS have used adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) and the first AAV-based therapeutic, a vector encoding lipoprotein lipase, is now marketed in Europe under the name Glybera. These remarkable advances may become relevant to translational research on gene therapy to promote peripheral nervous system (PNS) repair. This short review first summarizes the results of gene therapy in animal models for peripheral nerve repair. Secondly, we identify key areas of future research in the domain of PNS-gene therapy. Finally, a perspective is provided on the path to clinical translation of PNS-gene therapy for traumatic nerve injuries. In the latter section we discuss the route and mode of delivery of the vector to human patients, the efficacy and safety of the vector, and the choice of the patient population for a first possible proof-of-concept clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan A Hoyng
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Fred de Winter
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Martijn R Tannemaat
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Martijn J A Malessy
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Center for Neurogenomics and Cognition Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Liras A. Biological therapies for inherited diseases: social and bioethical considerations. Hemophilia as an example. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15:713-22. [PMID: 25826280 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1029451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In hemophilia, advanced therapies are warranted from a conceptual and methodological standpoint. Current advanced therapy strategies are centered on the use of adeno-associated viral vectors, although problems related to immunogenicity and hepatotoxicity still remain. AREAS COVERED Future clinical trials will have to scrupulously observe international bioethical standards in terms of patient selection, particularly children. Patient recruitment rates are likely to remain low due to the stringent exclusion criteria usually imposed on the trial population regarding their hepatic and immunological markers and the presence of viral coinfection; and to the existence of an optimal palliative treatment. EXPERT OPINION Accordingly, the results obtained are likely to be of low statistical significance, which could hinder their application to clinical practice. Another important issue is the degree to which society embraces these new emerging therapies. The unfamiliarity of society with these new methods, together with the many unresolved questions about them that remain, may threaten their acceptance not only by society at large but also by health-care professionals, which would limit their translational application to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Liras
- Complutense University of Madrid, Research Institute 12 October Hospital of Madrid, Department of Physiology , Madrid , Spain +34649907879 ;
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12
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Ramboer E, Vanhaecke T, Rogiers V, Vinken M. Immortalized Human Hepatic Cell Lines for In Vitro Testing and Research Purposes. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1250:53-76. [PMID: 26272134 PMCID: PMC4579543 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2074-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous shortage of primary human hepatocytes has urged the scientific community to search for alternative cell sources, such as immortalized hepatic cell lines. Over the years, several human hepatic cell lines have been produced, whether or not using a combination of viral oncogenes and human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein. Conditional approaches for hepatocyte immortalization have also been established and allow generation of growth-controlled cell lines. A variety of immortalized human hepatocytes have already proven useful as tools for liver-based in vitro testing and fundamental research purposes. The present chapter describes currently applied immortalization strategies and provides an overview of the actually available immortalized human hepatic cell lines and their in vitro applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ramboer
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium,
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Eva R, Bram DC, Joery DK, Tamara V, Geert B, Vera R, Mathieu V. Strategies for immortalization of primary hepatocytes. J Hepatol 2014; 61:925-43. [PMID: 24911463 PMCID: PMC4169710 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The liver has the unique capacity to regenerate in response to a damaging event. Liver regeneration is hereby largely driven by hepatocyte proliferation, which in turn relies on cell cycling. The hepatocyte cell cycle is a complex process that is tightly regulated by several well-established mechanisms. In vitro, isolated hepatocytes do not longer retain this proliferative capacity. However, in vitro cell growth can be boosted by immortalization of hepatocytes. Well-defined immortalization genes can be artificially overexpressed in hepatocytes or the cells can be conditionally immortalized leading to controlled cell proliferation. This paper discusses the current immortalization techniques and provides a state-of-the-art overview of the actually available immortalized hepatocyte-derived cell lines and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramboer Eva
- Department of Toxicology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - De Craene Bram
- Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - De Kock Joery
- Department of Toxicology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Vanhaecke Tamara
- Department of Toxicology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Berx Geert
- Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rogiers Vera
- Department of Toxicology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Vinken Mathieu
- Department of Toxicology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium
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Yuan C, An Y, Zhang J, Li H, Zhang H, Wang L, Zhang D. Magnetic nanoparticles for targeted therapeutic gene delivery and magnetic-inducing heating on hepatoma. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 25:345101. [PMID: 25091504 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/34/345101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy holds great promise for treating cancers, but their clinical applications are being hampered due to uncontrolled gene delivery and expression. To develop a targeted, safe and efficient tumor therapy system, we constructed a tissue-specific suicide gene delivery system by using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as carriers for the combination of gene therapy and hyperthermia on hepatoma. The suicide gene was hepatoma-targeted and hypoxia-enhanced, and the MNPs possessed the ability to elevate temperature to the effective range for tumor hyperthermia as imposed on an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The tumoricidal effects of targeted gene therapy associated with hyperthermia were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The experiment demonstrated that hyperthermia combined with a targeted gene therapy system proffer an effective tool for tumor therapy with high selectivity and the synergistic effect of hepatoma suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyan Yuan
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. Affiliated Zhong Da Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Hu BG, Liu LP, Chen GG, Ye CG, Leung KKC, Ho RLK, Lin MC, Lai PBS. Therapeutic efficacy of improved α-fetoprotein promoter-mediated tBid delivered by folate-PEI600-cyclodextrin nanopolymer vector in hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2014; 324:183-91. [PMID: 24726886 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
SNPs in human AFP promoter are associated with serum AFP levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting that AFP promoter variants may generate better transcriptional activities while retaining high specificity to AFP-producing cells. We sequenced human AFP promoters, cloned 15 different genotype promoters and tested their reporter activities in AFP-producing and non-producing cells. Among various AFP variant fragments tested, EA4D exhibited the highest reporter activity and thus was selected for the further study. EA4D was fused with tBid and coupled with nano-particle vector (H1) to form pGL3-EA4D-tBid/H1. pGL3-EA4D-tBid/H1 could express a high level of tBid while retain the specificity to AFP-producing cells. In a HCC tumor model, application of pGL3-EA4D-tBid/H1 significantly inhibited the growth of AFP-producing-implanted tumors with minimal side-effects, but had no effect on non-AFP-producing tumors. Furthermore, pGL3-EA4D-tBid/H1 could significantly sensitize HCC cells to sorafenib, an approved anti-HCC agent. Collectively, pGL3-EA4D-tBid/H1, a construct with the AFP promoter EA4D and the novel H1 delivery system, can specifically target and effectively suppress the AFP-producing HCC. This new therapeutic tool shows little toxicity in vitro and in vivo and it should thus be safe for further clinical tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-guang Hu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Li-ping Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Shenzhen People׳s Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Cai Guo Ye
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kevin K C Leung
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rocky L K Ho
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Marie C Lin
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul B S Lai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Wang D, Zhong L, Nahid MA, Gao G. The potential of adeno-associated viral vectors for gene delivery to muscle tissue. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2014; 11:345-364. [PMID: 24386892 PMCID: PMC4098646 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2014.871258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Muscle-directed gene therapy is rapidly gaining attention primarily because muscle is an easily accessible target tissue and is also associated with various severe genetic disorders. Localized and systemic delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors of several serotypes results in very efficient transduction of skeletal and cardiac muscles, which has been achieved in both small and large animals, as well as in humans. Muscle is the target tissue in gene therapy for many muscular dystrophy diseases, and may also be exploited as a biofactory to produce secretory factors for systemic disorders. Current limitations of using rAAVs for muscle gene transfer include vector size restriction, potential safety concerns such as off-target toxicity and the immunological barrier composing of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies and CD8(+) T-cell response against AAV capsid in humans. AREAS COVERED In this article, we will discuss basic AAV vector biology and its application in muscle-directed gene delivery, as well as potential strategies to overcome the aforementioned limitations of rAAV for further clinical application. EXPERT OPINION Delivering therapeutic genes to large muscle mass in humans is arguably the most urgent unmet demand in treating diseases affecting muscle tissues throughout the whole body. Muscle-directed, rAAV-mediated gene transfer for expressing antibodies is a promising strategy to combat deadly infectious diseases. Developing strategies to circumvent the immune response following rAAV administration in humans will facilitate clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Gene Therapy Center, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Physiology Systems, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Li Zhong
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Gene Therapy Center, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - M Abu Nahid
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Gene Therapy Center, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Physiology Systems, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Gene Therapy Center, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Physiology Systems, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Sichuan University, West China Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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Dulak J, Jozkowicz A. Introduction to the special issue dedicated to the founding editor, Dr. Waclaw Szybalski. Gene 2013; 525:147-8. [PMID: 23500597 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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