1
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Aguti S, Cheng S, Ala P, Briggs S, Muntoni F, Zhou H. Strategies to improve the design of gapmer antisense oligonucleotide on allele-specific silencing. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102237. [PMID: 38993932 PMCID: PMC11238192 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) hold therapeutic promise for allele-specific silencing, but face challenges in distinguishing between mutant and wild-type transcripts. This study explores new design strategies to enhance ASO specificity, focusing on a common dominant mutation in COL6A3 gene associated with Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Initial gapmer ASO design exhibited high efficiency but poor specificity for the mutant allele. We then adopted a mixmer design, incorporating additional RNA bases based on computational predictions of secondary structures for both mutant and wild-type alleles, aiming to enhance ASO accessibility to mutant transcripts. The mixmer ASO design demonstrated up to a 3-fold increase in specificity compared with the classical gapmer design. Further refinement involved introducing a nucleotide mismatch as a structural modification, resulting in a 10-fold enhancement in specificity compared with the gapmer design and a 3-fold over the mixmer design. Additionally, we identified for the first time a potential role of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), alongside RNase H1, in gapmer-mediated silencing, in contrast with what was observed with mixmer ASOs, where only RNase H1 was involved. In conclusion, this study presents a novel design concept for allele-specific ASOs leveraging mRNA secondary structures and nucleotide mismatching and suggests a potential involvement of RISC in gapmer-mediated silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Aguti
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Shuzhi Cheng
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Pierpaolo Ala
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Sean Briggs
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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2
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Li Y, Chen S, Rahimizadeh K, Zhang Z, Veedu RN. Inhibition of survivin by 2'- O-methyl phosphorothioate-modified steric-blocking antisense oligonucleotides. RSC Adv 2024; 14:13336-13341. [PMID: 38660533 PMCID: PMC11040434 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra01925c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemically modified antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been established as a successful therapeutic strategy for treating various human diseases. To date, ten ASO drugs, which are capable of either inducing mRNA degradation via RNase H recruitment (fomivirsen, mipomersen, inotersen, volanesorsen and tofersen) or splice modulation (eteplirsen, nusinersen, golodirsen, viltolarsen and casimersen), have been approved by the regulatory agencies for market entry. Nonetheless, none of these approved drugs are prescribed as cancer therapy. Towards this, we have developed steric-blocking ASOs targeting BIRC5 - a well-validated oncogene. Initial screening was performed by transfection of HepG2 cells with seven BIRC5 exon-2 targeting, uniformly 2'-OMe-PS modified ASOs at 400 nM respectively, leading to the identification of two best-performing candidates ASO-2 and ASO-7 in reducing the production of BIRC5 mRNA. Subsequent dose-response assay was conducted via transfection of HepG2 cells by different concentrations (400, 200, 100, 50, 25 nM) of ASO-2 and ASO-7 respectively, showing that both ASOs consistently and efficiently inhibited BIRC5 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, western blot analysis confirmed that ASO-7 could significantly repress survivin production on protein level. Based on our preliminary results, we believe that ASO-7 could be a useful BIRC5 inhibitor for both research purpose and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy Zhengzhou 450018 China
| | - Suxiang Chen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University Murdoch 6150 Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Nedlands WA 6009 Australia
| | - Kamal Rahimizadeh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University Murdoch 6150 Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Nedlands WA 6009 Australia
| | - Zhen Zhang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy Zhengzhou 450018 China
| | - Rakesh N Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University Murdoch 6150 Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science Nedlands WA 6009 Australia
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3
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Zhang J, Joshua AM, Li Y, O'Meara CH, Morris MJ, Khachigian LM. Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents for melanoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216633. [PMID: 38281663 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216633] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Primary cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal of all skin neoplasms and its incidence is increasing. Clinical management of advanced melanoma in the last decade has been revolutionised by the availability of immunotherapies and targeted therapies, used alone and in combination. This article summarizes advances in the treatment of late-stage melanoma including use of protein kinase inhibitors, antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy, vaccines and more recently, small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony M Joshua
- Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Connor H O'Meara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, ANU Medical School and Canberra Health Services, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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4
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Xue ST, Cao SQ, Ding JC, Li WJ, Hu GS, Zheng JC, Lin X, Chen C, Liu W, Zheng B. LncRNA LUESCC promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting the miR-6785-5p/NRSN2 axis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:121. [PMID: 38457049 PMCID: PMC10924007 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05172-9] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal malignancies with high mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in human cancers, including ESCC. However, the detailed mechanisms of lncRNAs in the regulation of ESCC progression remain incompletely understood. LUESCC was upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, which was associated with gender, deep invasion, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis of ESCC patients. LUESCC was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of ESCC cells. Knockdown of LUESCC inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistic investigation indicated that LUESCC functions as a ceRNA by sponging miR-6785-5p to enhance NRSN2 expression, which is critical for the malignant behaviors of ESCC. Furthermore, ASO targeting LUESCC substantially suppressed ESCC both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these data demonstrate that LUESCC may exerts its oncogenic role by sponging miR-6785-5p to promote NRSN2 expression in ESCC, providing a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Tao Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Shi-Qiang Cao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Wen-Juan Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Guo-Sheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Jian-Cong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China.
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, No. 29 Xinquan Road, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
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5
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Chen S, Heendeniya SN, Le BT, Rahimizadeh K, Rabiee N, Zahra QUA, Veedu RN. Splice-Modulating Antisense Oligonucleotides as Therapeutics for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. BioDrugs 2024; 38:177-203. [PMID: 38252341 PMCID: PMC10912209 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-024-00644-7] [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: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The last decade (2013-2023) has seen unprecedented successes in the clinical translation of therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Eight such molecules have been granted marketing approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) during the decade, after the first ASO drug, fomivirsen, was approved much earlier, in 1998. Splice-modulating ASOs have also been developed for the therapy of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), due to their ability to redirect aberrant splicing caused by mutations, thus recovering the expression of normal transcripts, and correcting the deficiency of functional proteins. The feasibility of treating IEM patients with splice-switching ASOs has been supported by FDA permission (2018) of the first "N-of-1" study of milasen, an investigational ASO drug for Batten disease. Although for IEM, owing to the rarity of individual disease and/or pathogenic mutation, only a low number of patients may be treated by ASOs that specifically suppress the aberrant splicing pattern of mutant precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA), splice-switching ASOs represent superior individualized molecular therapeutics for IEM. In this work, we first summarize the ASO technology with respect to its mechanisms of action, chemical modifications of nucleotides, and rational design of modified oligonucleotides; following that, we precisely provide a review of the current understanding of developing splice-modulating ASO-based therapeutics for IEM. In the concluding section, we suggest potential ways to improve and/or optimize the development of ASOs targeting IEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suxiang Chen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Saumya Nishanga Heendeniya
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Bao T Le
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
- ProGenis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Kamal Rahimizadeh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Navid Rabiee
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Qurat Ul Ain Zahra
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Rakesh N Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
- Precision Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
- ProGenis Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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6
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Popova KB, Penchovsky R. General and Specific Cytotoxicity of Chimeric Antisense Oligonucleotides in Bacterial Cells and Human Cell Lines. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:122. [PMID: 38391508 PMCID: PMC10885958 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020122] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, antisense oligonucleotide technology has emerged as a promising approach to tackling various healthcare issues and diseases, such as antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the numerous improvements in the structure and modifications of the antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), there are still specific problems with their clinical efficacy and preclinical cytotoxicity results. To better understand the effects of the ASOs in this paper, we conducted many MTT assays to assess the general and specific cytotoxicity of four new chimeric ASOs in bacterial cells and human cell lines. We demonstrate the absence of inhibitory activity in the human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus by non-specific ASOs. The pVEC-ASO1 and pVEC-ASO2 are designed to have no specific targets in S. aureus. They have only partial hybridization to the guanylate kinase mRNA. The pVEC-ASO3 targets UBA2 mRNA, a hallmark cancer pathology in MYC-driven cancer, while pVEC-ASO4 has no complementary sequences. We discovered some cytotoxicity of the non-specific ASOs in healthy and cancer human cell lines. The results are compared with two other ASOs, targeting specific mRNA in cancer cells. All ASOs are delivered into the cell via the cell-penetrating oligopeptide pVEC, which is attached to them. We draw a good correlation between the thermodynamic stability of ASO/target RNA and the toxicity effect in human cell lines. The data obtained signify the importance of thorough bioinformatic analysis and high specificity in designing and developing novel ASOs for safer therapeutic agents in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya B Popova
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Robert Penchovsky
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", 8 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
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7
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Khan FA, Fang N, Zhang W, Ji S. The multifaceted role of Fragile X-Related Protein 1 (FXR1) in cellular processes: an updated review on cancer and clinical applications. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:72. [PMID: 38238286 PMCID: PMC10796922 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) modulate the expression level of several target RNAs (such as mRNAs) post-transcriptionally through interactions with unique binding sites in the 3'-untranslated region. There is mounting information that suggests RBP dysregulation plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. However, the function of FMR1 autosomal homolog 1(FXR1) in malignancies is just beginning to be unveiled. Due to the diversity of their RNA-binding domains and functional adaptability, FXR1 can regulate diverse transcript processing. Changes in FXR1 interaction with RNA networks have been linked to the emergence of cancer, although the theoretical framework defining these alterations in interaction is insufficient. Alteration in FXR1 expression or localization has been linked to the mRNAs of cancer suppressor genes, cancer-causing genes, and genes involved in genomic expression stability. In particular, FXR1-mediated gene regulation involves in several cellular phenomena related to cancer growth, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, senescence, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. FXR1 dysregulation has been implicated in diverse cancer types, suggesting its diagnostic and therapeutic potential. However, the molecular mechanisms and biological effects of FXR1 regulation in cancer have yet to be understood. This review highlights the current knowledge of FXR1 expression and function in various cancer situations, emphasizing its functional variety and complexity. We further address the challenges and opportunities of targeting FXR1 for cancer diagnosis and treatment and propose future directions for FXR1 research in oncology. This work intends to provide an in-depth review of FXR1 as an emerging oncotarget with multiple roles and implications in cancer biology and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Ali Khan
- Huaihe Hospital,Medical School, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Basic Sciences Research, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Na Fang
- Huaihe Hospital,Medical School, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Weijuan Zhang
- Huaihe Hospital,Medical School, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Shaoping Ji
- Huaihe Hospital,Medical School, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Zhengzhou Shuqing Medical College, Zhengzhou, China.
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8
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Singh H. Role of gene therapy in treatment of cancer with craniofacial regeneration-current molecular strategies, future perspectives, and challenges: a narrative review. JOURNAL OF YEUNGNAM MEDICAL SCIENCE 2024; 41:13-21. [PMID: 37218144 PMCID: PMC10834268 DOI: 10.12701/jyms.2023.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy involves the introduction of foreign genetic material into host tissue to alter the expression of genetic products. Gene therapy represents an opportunity to alter the course of various diseases. Hence, genetic products utilizing safe and reliable vectors with improved biotechnology will play a critical role in the treatment of various diseases in the future. This review summarizes various important vectors for gene therapy along with modern techniques for potential craniofacial regeneration using gene therapy. This review also explains current molecular approaches for the management and treatment of cancer using gene therapy. The existing literature was searched to find studies related to gene therapy and its role in craniofacial regeneration and cancer treatment. Various databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for English language articles using the keywords "gene therapy," "gene therapy in present scenario," "gene therapy in cancer," "gene therapy and vector," "gene therapy in diseases," and "gene therapy and molecular strategies."
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Singh
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, Index Institute of Dental Sciences, Indore, India
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9
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Cesur-Ergün B, Demir-Dora D. Gene therapy in cancer. J Gene Med 2023; 25:e3550. [PMID: 37354071 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy, recently frequently investigated, is an alternative treatment method that introduces therapeutic genes into a cancer cell or tissue to cause cell death or slow down the growth of the cancer. This treatment has various strategies such as therapeutic gene activation or silencing of unwanted or defective genes; therefore a wide variety of genes and viral or nonviral vectors are being used in studies. Gene therapy strategies in cancer can be classified as inhibition of oncogene activation, activation of tumor suppressor gene, immunotherapy, suicide gene therapy and antiangiogenic gene therapy. In this review, we explain gene therapy, gene therapy strategies in cancer, approved gene medicines for cancer treatment and future of gene therapy in cancer. Today gene therapy has not yet reached the level of replacing conventional therapies. However, with a better understanding of the mechanism of cancer to determine the right treatment and target, in the future gene therapy, used as monotherapy or in combination with another existing treatment options, is likely to be used as a new medical procedure that will make cancer a controllable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Büşra Cesur-Ergün
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
- Health Sciences Institute, Department of Gene and Cell Therapy, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Devrim Demir-Dora
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
- Health Sciences Institute, Department of Gene and Cell Therapy, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
- Health Sciences Institue, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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10
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Matsuyama K, Kurihara C, Crawley FP, Kerpel-Fronius S. Utilization of genetic information for medicines development and equitable benefit sharing. Front Genet 2023; 14:1085864. [PMID: 37388927 PMCID: PMC10300349 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1085864] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomic research have significantly enhanced modern drug development. However, equitable benefit sharing of the results of scientific advancement has not always been achieved. This paper shows how molecular biology has modified medicines development while also leaving open significant challenges for benefit sharing. Presented here is a conceptual modeling describing the processes in genetic-related medicines development and how these are related to specific ethical considerations. The focus is on three important areas: 1) population genetics and the need for discrimination prevention; 2) pharmacogenomics and the need for inclusive governance; and 3) global health to be achieved in open science frameworks. Benefit sharing is taken as the ethical value that underlies all these aspects. The implementation of benefit sharing requires a value shift in which the outcomes of health science are not viewed simply as trade commodities but also as a "global public good". This approach should lead to genetic science to contribute to promoting the fundamental human right to health to all members of the global community.
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11
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Luo X, Peng Y, Fan X, Xie X, Jin Z, Zhang X. The Crosstalk and Clinical Implications of CircRNAs and Glucose Metabolism in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082229. [PMID: 37190158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082229] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of glucose in tumor cells is converted to lactate despite the presence of sufficient oxygen and functional mitochondria, a phenomenon known as the "Warburg effect" or "aerobic glycolysis". Aerobic glycolysis supplies large amounts of ATP, raw material for macromolecule synthesis, and also lactate, thereby contributing to cancer progression and immunosuppression. Increased aerobic glycolysis has been identified as a key hallmark of cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of endogenous single-stranded RNAs characterized by covalently circular structures. Accumulating evidence suggests that circRNAs influence the glycolytic phenotype of various cancers. In gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, circRNAs are related to glucose metabolism by regulating specific glycolysis-associated enzymes and transporters as well as some pivotal signaling pathways. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of glucose-metabolism-associated circRNAs in GI cancers. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential clinical prospects of glycolysis-associated circRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonuan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yin Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xinmin Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiaoxun Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Zhe Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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12
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Hirsch E, Nacsa M, Pantea E, Szabó E, Vass P, Domján J, Farkas A, Nyíri Z, Eke Z, Vigh T, Andersen SK, Verreck G, Marosi GJ, Nagy ZK. Oligonucleotide Formulations Prepared by High-Speed Electrospinning: Maximizing Loading and Exploring Downstream Processability. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030855. [PMID: 36986716 PMCID: PMC10054037 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop antisense oligonucleotide tablet formulations using high-speed electrospinning. Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) was used as a stabilizer and as an electrospinning matrix. In order to optimize the morphology of the fibers, electrospinning of various formulations was carried out using water, methanol/water (1:1), and methanol as solvents. The results showed that using methanol could be advantageous due to the lower viscosity threshold for fiber formation enabling higher potential drug loadings by using less excipient. To increase the productivity of electrospinning, high-speed electrospinning technology was utilized and HPβCD fibers containing 9.1% antisense oligonucleotide were prepared at a rate of ~330 g/h. Furthermore, to increase the drug content of the fibers, a formulation with a 50% drug loading was developed. The fibers had excellent grindability but poor flowability. The ground fibrous powder was mixed with excipients to improve its flowability, which enabled the automatic tableting of the mixture by direct compression. The fibrous HPβCD–antisense oligonucleotide formulations showed no sign of physical or chemical degradation over the 1-year stability study, which also shows the suitability of the HPβCD matrix for the formulation of biopharmaceuticals. The obtained results demonstrate possible solutions for the challenges of electrospinning such as scale-up and downstream processing of the fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Hirsch
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Márió Nacsa
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Pantea
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabó
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Panna Vass
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Júlia Domján
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Farkas
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Nyíri
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Eke
- Joint Research and Training Laboratory on Separation Techniques, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter stny. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Vigh
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sune Klint Andersen
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Geert Verreck
- Oral Solids Development, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - György János Marosi
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsombor Kristóf Nagy
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Müegyetem rkp. 3, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
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13
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Bowling GC, Rands MG, Dobi A, Eldhose B. Emerging Developments in ETS-Positive Prostate Cancer Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:168-178. [PMID: 36511830 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a global health concern, which has a low survival rate in its advanced stages. Even though second-generation androgen receptor-axis inhibitors serve as the mainstay treatment options, utmost of the metastatic cases progress into castration-resistant prostate cancer after their initial treatment response with poor prognostic outcomes. Hence, there is a dire need to develop effective inhibitors that aim the causal oncogenes tangled in the prostate cancer initiation and progression. Molecular-targeted therapy against E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors, particularly ETS-related gene, has gained wide attention as a potential treatment strategy. ETS rearrangements with the male hormone responsive transmembrane protease serine 2 promoter defines a significant number of prostate cancer cases and is responsible for cancer initiation and progression. Notably, inhibition of ETS activity has shown to reduce tumorigenesis, thus highlighting its potential as a clinical therapeutic target. In this review, we recapitulate the various targeted drug approaches, including small molecules, peptidomimetics, nucleic acids, and many others, aimed to suppress ETS activity. Several inhibitors have demonstrated ERG antagonist activity in prostate cancer, but further investigations into their molecular mechanisms and impacts on nontumor ETS-containing tissues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gartrell C Bowling
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mitchell G Rands
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Binil Eldhose
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
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14
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Mehta M, Raguraman R, Ramesh R, Munshi A. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and their role in DNA damage and radiation response in cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 191:114569. [PMID: 36252617 PMCID: PMC10411638 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally majority of eukaryotic gene expression is influenced by transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Alterations in the expression of proteins that act post-transcriptionally can affect cellular signaling and homeostasis. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are a family of proteins that specifically bind to RNAs and are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and important cellular processes such as cell differentiation and metabolism. Deregulation of RNA-RBP interactions and any changes in RBP expression or function can lead to various diseases including cancer. In cancer cells, RBPs play an important role in regulating the expression of tumor suppressors and oncoproteins involved in various cell-signaling pathways. Several RBPs such as HuR, AUF1, RBM38, LIN28, RBM24, tristetrapolin family and Musashi play critical roles in various types of cancers and their aberrant expression in cancer cells makes them an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review we provide an overview of i). RBPs involved in cancer progression and their mechanism of action ii). the role of RBPs, including HuR, in breast cancer progression and DNA damage response and iii). explore RBPs with emphasis on HuR as therapeutic target for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA.
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15
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Li C, Zhang G, Mohapatra S, Callahan AJ, Loas A, Gómez‐Bombarelli R, Pentelute BL. Machine Learning Guides Peptide Nucleic Acid Flow Synthesis and Sequence Design. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201988. [PMID: 36270977 PMCID: PMC9731686 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are potential antisense therapies for genetic, acquired, and viral diseases. Efficiently selecting candidate PNA sequences for synthesis and evaluation from a genome containing hundreds to thousands of options can be challenging. To facilitate this process, this work leverages machine learning (ML) algorithms and automated synthesis technology to predict PNA synthesis efficiency and guide rational PNA sequence design. The training data is collected from individual fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) deprotection reactions performed on a fully automated PNA synthesizer. The optimized ML model allows for 93% prediction accuracy and 0.97 Pearson's r. The predicted synthesis scores are validated to be correlated with the experimental high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) crude purities (correlation coefficient R2 = 0.95). Furthermore, a general applicability of ML is demonstrated through designing synthetically accessible antisense PNA sequences from 102 315 predicted candidates targeting exon 44 of the human dystrophin gene, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, as well as selected genes associated with cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, and various cancers. Collectively, ML provides an accurate prediction of PNA synthesis quality and serves as a useful computational tool for informing PNA sequence design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxi Li
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
- College of Chemical and Biological EngineeringZhejiang UniversityNo.866 Yuhangtang RoadHangzhouZhejiang310030P. R. China
- ZJU‐Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation CenterNo.733 Jianshe San Road, Xiaoshan DistrictHangzhouZhejiang311200P. R. China
| | - Genwei Zhang
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Somesh Mohapatra
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Alex J. Callahan
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Andrei Loas
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Rafael Gómez‐Bombarelli
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department of ChemistryMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer ResearchMassachusetts Institute of Technology500 Main StreetCambridgeMA02142USA
- Center for Environmental Health SciencesMassachusetts Institute of Technology77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridgeMA02139USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard415 Main StreetCambridgeMA02142USA
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16
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Simon S, Sibuyi NRS, Fadaka AO, Meyer S, Josephs J, Onani MO, Meyer M, Madiehe AM. Biomedical Applications of Plant Extract-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2792. [PMID: 36359308 PMCID: PMC9687463 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted a lot of interest directed towards biomedical applications due in part to their outstanding anti-microbial activities. However, there have been many health-impacting concerns about their traditional synthesis methods, i.e., the chemical and physical methods. Chemical methods are commonly used and contribute to the overall toxicity of the AgNPs, while the main disadvantages of physical synthesis include high production costs and high energy consumption. The biological methods provide an economical and biocompatible option as they use microorganisms and natural products in the synthesis of AgNPs with exceptional biological properties. Plant extract-based synthesis has received a lot of attention and has been shown to resolve the limitations associated with chemical and physical methods. AgNPs synthesized using plant extracts provide a safe, cost-effective, and environment-friendly approach that produces biocompatible AgNPs with enhanced properties for use in a wide range of applications. The review focused on the use of plant-synthesized AgNPs in various biomedical applications as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and drug-delivery agents. The versatility and potential use of green AgNPs in the bio-medicinal sector provides an innovative alternative that can overcome the limitations of traditional systems. Thus proving green nanotechnology to be the future for medicine with continuous progress towards a healthier and safer environment by forming nanomaterials that are low- or non-toxic using a sustainable approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Simon
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
- Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Nicole Remaliah Samantha Sibuyi
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
- Health Platform Diagnostic Unit, Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, Randburg 2194, South Africa
| | - Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Samantha Meyer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Jamie Josephs
- Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Martin Opiyo Onani
- Organometallics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Mervin Meyer
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Abram Madimabe Madiehe
- Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre (NIC), Biolabels Research Node, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
- Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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17
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Mulcrone PL, Herzog RW, Xiao W. Adding recombinant AAVs to the cancer therapeutics mix. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 27:73-88. [PMID: 36321134 PMCID: PMC9588955 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a powerful biological tool that is reshaping therapeutic landscapes for several diseases. Researchers are using both non-viral and viral-based gene therapy methods with success in the lab and the clinic. In the cancer biology field, gene therapies are expanding treatment options and the possibility of favorable outcomes for patients. While cellular immunotherapies and oncolytic virotherapies have paved the way in cancer treatments based on genetic engineering, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), a viral-based module, is also emerging as a potential cancer therapeutic through its malleability, specificity, and broad application to common as well as rare tumor types, tumor microenvironments, and metastatic disease. A wide range of AAV serotypes, promoters, and transgenes have been successful at reducing tumor growth and burden in preclinical studies, suggesting more groundbreaking advances using rAAVs in cancer are on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L. Mulcrone
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Roland W. Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA,Corresponding author Weidong Xiao, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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18
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Zhang P, Zhang H, Zheng B, Wang H, Qi X, Wang S, Liu Z, Sun L, Liu Y, Qin X, Fan W, Ma M, Lai WF, Zhang D. Combined Self-Assembled Hendeca-Arginine Nanocarriers for Effective Targeted Gene Delivery to Bladder Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:4433-4448. [PMID: 36172006 PMCID: PMC9512291 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s379356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. However, the effectiveness of intravesical therapy for BCa is limited due to the short dwell time and the presence of the permeation barrier. Methods Nanocomplexes were self-assembled between DNA and hendeca-arginine peptide (R11). Stepwise intravesical instillation of R11 and the generated nanocomplexes significantly enhanced the targeting capacity and penetration efficiency in BCa therapy. The involved mechanism of cellular uptake and penetration of the nanocomplexes was determined. The therapeutic effect of the nanocomplexes was verified preclinically in murine orthotopic BCa models. Results Nanocomplexes exhibited the best BCa targeting efficiency at a nitrogen-to-phosphate (NP) ratio of 5 but showed a lack of stability during cellular uptake. The method of stepwise intravesical instillation not only increased the stability and target specificity of the DNA component but also caused the delivered DNA to more effectively penetrate into the glycosaminoglycan layer and plasma membrane. The method promotes the accumulation of the delivered DNA in the clathrin-independent endocytosis pathway, directs the intracellular trafficking of the delivered DNA to nonlysosome-localized regions, and enables the intercellular transport of the delivered DNA via a direct transfer mechanism. In preclinical trials, our stepwise method was shown to remarkably enhance the targeting and penetration efficiency of DNA in murine orthotopic BCa models. Conclusion With this method, a stepwise intravesical instillation of self-assembled nanocomplexes, which are generated from hendeca-arginine peptides, was achieved; thus, this method offers an effective strategy to deliver DNA to target and penetrate BCa cells during gene therapy and warrants further development for future intravesical gene therapy in the clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Zhang
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Haibao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Wang
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenghong Liu
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Li Sun
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Qin
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Weijiao Fan
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Minghai Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Wing-Fu Lai
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
| | - Dahong Zhang
- Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang People's Republic of China
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19
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Transcriptomics and RNA-Based Therapeutics as Potential Approaches to Manage SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911058. [PMID: 36232363 PMCID: PMC9570475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus family member that appeared in China in December 2019 and caused the disease called COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic in 2020 by the World Health Organization. In recent months, great efforts have been made in the field of basic and clinical research to understand the biology and infection processes of SARS-CoV-2. In particular, transcriptome analysis has contributed to generating new knowledge of the viral sequences and intracellular signaling pathways that regulate the infection and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, generating new information about its biology. Furthermore, transcriptomics approaches including spatial transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics and direct RNA sequencing have been used for clinical applications in monitoring, detection, diagnosis, and treatment to generate new clinical predictive models for SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, RNA-based therapeutics and their relationship with SARS-CoV-2 have emerged as promising strategies to battle the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with the assistance of novel approaches such as CRISPR-CAS, ASOs, and siRNA systems. Lastly, we discuss the importance of precision public health in the management of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and establish that the fusion of transcriptomics, RNA-based therapeutics, and precision public health will allow a linkage for developing health systems that facilitate the acquisition of relevant clinical strategies for rapid decision making to assist in the management and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2-infected population to combat this global public health problem.
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20
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Thng DKH, Toh TB, Pigini P, Hooi L, Dan YY, Chow PK, Bonney GK, Rashid MBMA, Guccione E, Wee DKB, Chow EK. Splice-switch oligonucleotide-based combinatorial platform prioritizes synthetic lethal targets CHK1 and BRD4 against MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10363. [PMID: 36684069 PMCID: PMC9842033 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10363] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of MYC is among the most frequent oncogenic drivers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the clinical success of MYC-targeted therapies is limited. Synthetic lethality offers an alternative therapeutic strategy by leveraging on vulnerabilities in tumors with MYC deregulation. While several synthetic lethal targets of MYC have been identified in HCC, the need to prioritize targets with the greatest therapeutic potential has been unmet. Here, we demonstrate that by pairing splice-switch oligonucleotide (SSO) technologies with our phenotypic-analytical hybrid multidrug interrogation platform, quadratic phenotypic optimization platform (QPOP), we can disrupt the functional expression of these targets in specific combinatorial tests to rapidly determine target-target interactions and rank synthetic lethality targets. Our SSO-QPOP analyses revealed that simultaneous attenuation of CHK1 and BRD4 function is an effective combination specific in MYC-deregulated HCC, successfully suppressing HCC progression in vitro. Pharmacological inhibitors of CHK1 and BRD4 further demonstrated its translational value by exhibiting synergistic interactions in patient-derived xenograft organoid models of HCC harboring high levels of MYC deregulation. Collectively, our work demonstrates the capacity of SSO-QPOP as a target prioritization tool in the drug development pipeline, as well as the therapeutic potential of CHK1 and BRD4 in MYC-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Paolo Pigini
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Pierce Kah‐Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgical OncologyNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary and Transplant SurgerySingapore General HospitalSingaporeSingapore,Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Glenn Kunnath Bonney
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation SurgeryNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | | | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore,Department of Oncological SciencesTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological and Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Dave Keng Boon Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Edward Kai‐Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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21
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Chien JY, Huang SP. Gene therapy in hereditary retinal dystrophy. Tzu Chi Med J 2022; 34:367-372. [PMID: 36578644 PMCID: PMC9791861 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_78_22] [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: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary retinal dystrophies (HRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), Usher syndrome, and retinoschisis, are a group of genetic retinal disorders exhibiting both genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Symptoms include progressive retinal degeneration and constricted visual field. Some patients will be legal or completely blind. Advanced sequencing technologies improve the genetic diagnosis of HRD and lead to a new era of research into gene-targeted therapies. Following the first Food and Drug Administration approval of gene augmentation therapy for LCA caused by RPE65 mutations, multiple clinical trials are currently underway applying different techniques. In this review, we provide an overview of gene therapy for HRD and emphasize four distinct approaches to gene-targeted therapy that have the potential to slow or even reverse retinal degeneration: (1) viral vector-based and nonviral gene delivery, (2) RNA-based antisense oligonucleotide, (3) genome editing by the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/cas9 system, and (4) optogenetics gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ying Chien
- Institute of Medical Science, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Ping Huang
- Institute of Medical Science, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan,Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan,Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan,Address for correspondence: Dr. Shun-Ping Huang, Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, 701, Zhongyang Road, Section 3, Hualien, Taiwan. E-mail:
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22
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Elebiyo TC, Rotimi D, Evbuomwan IO, Maimako RF, Iyobhebhe M, Ojo OA, Oluba OM, Adeyemi OS. Reassessing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 32:100620. [PMID: 35964475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vascularization is fundamental to the growth and spread of tumor cells to distant sites. As a consequence, angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing ones, is a characteristic trait of cancer. In 1971, Judah Folkman postulated that tumour growth is angiogenesis dependent and that by cutting off blood supply, a neoplastic lesion could be potentially starved into remission. Decades of research have been devoted to understanding the role that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in tumor angiogenesis, and it has been identified as a significant pro-angiogenic factor that is frequently overexpressed within a tumor mass. Today, anti-VEGF drugs such as Sunitinib, Sorafenib, Axitinib, Tanibirumab, and Ramucirumab have been approved for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cancers. However, anti-angiogenic therapy has turned out to be more complex than originally thought. The failure of this therapeutic option calls for a reevaluation of VEGF as the major target in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. The call for reassessment is based on two rationales: first, tumour blood vessels are abnormal, disorganized, and leaky; this not only prevents optimal drug delivery but it also promotes hypoxia and metastasis; secondly, tumour growth or regrowth might be blood vessel dependent and not angiogenesis dependent as tumour cells can acquire blood vessels via non-angiogenic mechanisms. Therefore, a critical assessment of VEGF, VEGFRs, and their inhibitors could glean newer options such as repurposing anti-VEGF drugs as vascular normalizing agents to enhance drug delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damilare Rotimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
- Phytomedicine, Molecular Toxicology, and Computational Biochemistry Research Laboratory (PMTCB-RL), Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, 232101, Nigeria..
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23
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Drozd VS, Eldeeb AA, Kolpashchikov DM, Nedorezova DD. Binary Antisense Oligonucleotide Agent for Cancer Marker-Dependent Degradation of Targeted RNA. Nucleic Acid Ther 2022; 32:412-420. [DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valeriia S. Drozd
- Laboratory of Molecular Robotics and Biosensor Materials, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Ahmed A. Eldeeb
- Laboratory of Molecular Robotics and Biosensor Materials, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry M. Kolpashchikov
- Laboratory of Molecular Robotics and Biosensor Materials, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Daria D. Nedorezova
- Laboratory of Molecular Robotics and Biosensor Materials, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
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24
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Bartolucci D, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. Precision Anti-Cancer Medicines by Oligonucleotide Therapeutics in Clinical Research Targeting Undruggable Proteins and Non-Coding RNAs. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071453. [PMID: 35890348 PMCID: PMC9315662 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality continue to increase, while the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs confer limited efficacy and relevant toxic side effects. Novel strategies are urgently needed for more effective and safe therapeutics in oncology. However, a large number of proteins are considered undruggable by conventional drugs, such as the small molecules. Moreover, the mRNA itself retains oncological functions, and its targeting offers the double advantage of blocking the tumorigenic activities of the mRNA and the translation into protein. Finally, a large family of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has recently emerged that are also dysregulated in cancer, but they could not be targeted by drugs directed against the proteins. In this context, this review describes how the oligonucleotide therapeutics targeting RNA or DNA sequences, are emerging as a new class of drugs, able to tackle the limitations described above. Numerous clinical trials are evaluating oligonucleotides for tumor treatment, and in the next few years some of them are expected to reach the market. We describe the oligonucleotide therapeutics targeting undruggable proteins (focusing on the most relevant, such as those originating from the MYC and RAS gene families), and for ncRNAs, in particular on those that are under clinical trial evaluation in oncology. We highlight the challenges and solutions for the clinical success of oligonucleotide therapeutics, with particular emphasis on the peculiar challenges that render it arduous to treat tumors, such as heterogeneity and the high mutation rate. In the review are presented these and other advantages offered by the oligonucleotide as an emerging class of biotherapeutics for a new era of precision anti-cancer medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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25
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Barik GK, Sahay O, Paul D, Santra MK. Ezrin gone rogue in cancer progression and metastasis: An enticing therapeutic target. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188753. [PMID: 35752404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer as it remains the most complicated, devastating, and enigmatic aspect of cancer. Several decades of extensive research have identified several key players closely associated with metastasis. Among these players, cytoskeletal linker Ezrin (the founding member of the ERM (Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin) family) was identified as a critical promoter of metastasis in pediatric cancers in the early 21st century. Ezrin was discovered 40 years ago as a aminor component of intestinal epithelial microvillus core protein, which is enriched in actin-containing cell surface structures. It controls gastric acid secretion and plays diverse physiological roles including maintaining cell polarity, regulating cell adhesion, cell motility and morphogenesis. Extensive research for more than two decades evinces that Ezrin is frequently dysregulated in several human cancers. Overexpression, altered subcellular localization and/or aberrant activation of Ezrin are closely associated with higher metastatic incidence and patient mortality, thereby justifying Ezrin as a valuable prognostic biomarker in cancer. Ezrin plays multifaceted role in multiple aspects of cancer, with its significant contribution in the complex metastatic cascade, through reorganizing the cytoskeleton and deregulating various cellular signaling pathways. Current preclinical studies using genetic and/or pharmacological approaches reveal that inactivation of Ezrin results in significant inhibition of Ezrin-mediated tumor growth and metastasis as well as increase in the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we discuss the recent advances illuminating the molecular mechanisms responsible for Ezrin dysregulation in cancer and its pleiotropic role in cancer progression and metastasis. We also highlight its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers. More importantly, we put forward some potential questions, which we strongly believe, will stimulate both basic and translational research to better understand Ezrin-mediated malignancy, ultimately leading to the development of Ezrin-targeted cancer therapy for the betterment of human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Kumar Barik
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Osheen Sahay
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
| | - Debasish Paul
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Centre for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Cancer Biology Division, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India.
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Meng F, Wang J, Yeo Y. Nucleic acid and oligonucleotide delivery for activating innate immunity in cancer immunotherapy. J Control Release 2022; 345:586-600. [PMID: 35351528 PMCID: PMC9133138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A group of nucleic acids and oligonucleotides play various roles in the innate immune system. They can stimulate pattern recognition receptors to activate innate immune cells, encode immunostimulatory proteins or peptides, or silence specific genes to block negative regulators of immune cells. Given the limitations of current cancer immunotherapy, there has been increasing interest in harnessing innate immune responses by nucleic acids and oligonucleotides. The poor biopharmaceutical properties of nucleic acids and oligonucleotides make it critical to use carriers that can protect them in circulation, retain them in the tumor microenvironment, and bring them to intracellular targets. Therefore, various gene carriers have been repurposed to deliver nucleic acids and oligonucleotides for cancer immunotherapy and improve their safety and activity. Here, we review recent studies that employed carriers to enhance the functions of nucleic acids and oligonucleotides and overall immune responses to cancer, and discuss remaining challenges and future opportunities in the development of nucleic acid-based immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanfei Meng
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yoon Yeo
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S Martin Jischke Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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27
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Xue ST, Zheng B, Cao SQ, Ding JC, Hu GS, Liu W, Chen C. Long non-coding RNA LINC00680 functions as a ceRNA to promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression through the miR-423-5p/PAK6 axis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:69. [PMID: 35255921 PMCID: PMC8900330 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01539-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common invasive malignancy worldwide with poor clinical outcomes. Increasing amount of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in cancer development. However, lncRNAs that are functional in ESCC and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Methods Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify dysregulated lncRNAs in ESCC tissue samples. The high expression of LINC00680 in ESCC was validated by RT-qPCR, and the oncogenic functions of LINC00680 was investigated by cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion assays in ESCC cells in vitro and xenografts derived from ESCC cells in mice. RNA-seq, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis, and luciferase reporter assays were carried out to identify LINC00680 target genes and the microRNAs (miRNAs) bound to LINC00680. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were used for in vivo treatment. Results Transcriptome profiling revealed that a large number of lncRNAs was dysregulated in ESCC tissues. Notably, LINC00680 was highly expressed, and upregulation of LINC00680 was associated with large tumor size, advanced tumor stage, and poor prognosis. Functionally, knockdown of LINC00680 restrained ESCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00680 was found to act as a ceRNA by sponging miR-423-5p to regulate PAK6 (p21-activated kinase 6) expression in ESCC cells. The cell viability and motility inhibition induced by LINC00680 knockdown was significantly reversed upon PAK6 restoration and miR-423-5p inhibition. Furthermore, ASO targeting LINC00680 substantially suppressed ESCC both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions An oncogenic lncRNA, LINC00680, was identified in ESCC, which functions as a ceRNA by sponging miR-423-5p to promote PAK6 expression and ESCC. LINC00680/miR-423-5p/PAK6 axis may serve as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ESCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01539-3.
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28
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A feedforward circuit between KLF5 and lncRNA KPRT4 contributes to basal-like breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2022; 534:215618. [PMID: 35259457 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in human cancers. Krüppel-like Factor 5 (KLF5) is a key oncogenic transcription factor in BLBC. However, the underlying mechanism of mutual regulation between KLF5 and lncRNA remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that lncRNA KPRT4 promotes BLBC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KLF5 directly binds to the promoter of KPRT4 to promote KPRT4 transcription. Reciprocally, KPRT4 recruits the YB-1 transcription factor to the KLF5 promoter by interacting with YB-1 at its 5' domain and forming an RNA-DNA-DNA triplex structure at its 3' domain, resulting in enhanced transcription of KLF5 and ultimately establishing a feedforward circuit to promote cell proliferation. Moreover, the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapy targeting KPRT4 substantially attenuated tumor growth in vivo. Clinically, the expression levels of YB-1, KLF5 and KPRT4 are positively correlated in clinical breast specimens. Together, our data suggest that KPRT4 is a major molecule for BLBC progression and that the feedforward circuit between KLF5 and KPRT4 may represent a potential therapeutic target in BLBC.
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29
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Raguraman R, Shanmugarama S, Mehta M, Elle Peterson J, Zhao YD, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Drug delivery approaches for HuR-targeted therapy for lung cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114068. [PMID: 34822926 PMCID: PMC8724414 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and conventional treatments for disease management have limitations associated with them. Novel therapeutic targets are thus avidly sought for the effective management of LC. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been convincingly established as key players in tumorigenesis, and their dysregulation is linked to multiple cancers, including LC. In this context, we review the role of Human antigen R (HuR), an RBP that is overexpressed in LC, and further associated with various aspects of LC tumor growth and response to therapy. Herein, we describe the role of HuR in LC progression and outline the evidences supporting various pharmacologic and biologic approaches for inhibiting HuR expression and function. These approaches, including use of small molecule inhibitors, siRNAs and shRNAs, have demonstrated favorable results in reducing tumor cell growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and metastasis. Hence, HuR has significant potential as a key therapeutic target in LC. Use of siRNA-based approaches, however, have certain limitations that prevent their maximal exploitation as cancer therapies. To address this, in the conclusion of this review, we provide a list of nanomedicine-based HuR targeting approaches currently being employed for siRNA and shRNA delivery, and provide a rationale for the immense potential therapeutic benefits offered by nanocarrier-based HuR targeting and its promise for treating patients with LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Santny Shanmugarama
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jo Elle Peterson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yan D Zhao
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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30
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Mollah F, Varamini P. Overcoming Therapy Resistance and Relapse in TNBC: Emerging Technologies to Target Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1921. [PMID: 34944738 PMCID: PMC8698629 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121921] [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] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer. Often, TNBC is not effectively treated due to the lack of specificity of conventional therapies and results in relapse and metastasis. Breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) are the predominant cells that reside in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulate tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis, and therapy resistance. BCAFs secrete a wide range of factors, including growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, some of which have been proved to lead to a poor prognosis and clinical outcomes. This TME component has been emerging as a promising target due to its crucial role in cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance. A number of therapeutic candidates are designed to effectively target BCAFs with a focus on their tumor-promoting properties and tumor immune response. This review explores various agents targeting BCAFs in TNBC, including small molecules, nucleic acid-based agents, antibodies, proteins, and finally, nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Mollah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Pegah Varamini
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Raguraman P, Balachandran AA, Chen S, Diermeier SD, Veedu RN. Antisense Oligonucleotide-Mediated Splice Switching: Potential Therapeutic Approach for Cancer Mitigation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5555. [PMID: 34771719 PMCID: PMC8583451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing is an essential process wherein precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) is reshaped into mature mRNA. In alternative splicing, exons of any pre-mRNA get rearranged to form mRNA variants and subsequently protein isoforms, which are distinct both by structure and function. On the other hand, aberrant splicing is the cause of many disorders, including cancer. In the past few decades, developments in the understanding of the underlying biological basis for cancer progression and therapeutic resistance have identified many oncogenes as well as carcinogenic splice variants of essential genes. These transcripts are involved in various cellular processes, such as apoptosis, cell signaling and proliferation. Strategies to inhibit these carcinogenic isoforms at the mRNA level are promising. Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) have been developed to inhibit the production of alternatively spliced carcinogenic isoforms through splice modulation or mRNA degradation. AOs can also be used to induce splice switching, where the expression of an oncogenic protein can be inhibited by the induction of a premature stop codon. In general, AOs are modified chemically to increase their stability and binding affinity. One of the major concerns with AOs is efficient delivery. Strategies for the delivery of AOs are constantly being evolved to facilitate the entry of AOs into cells. In this review, the different chemical modifications employed and delivery strategies applied are discussed. In addition to that various AOs in clinical trials and their efficacy are discussed herein with a focus on six distinct studies that use AO-mediated exon skipping as a therapeutic strategy to combat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithi Raguraman
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (P.R.); (A.A.B.); (S.C.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Akilandeswari Ashwini Balachandran
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (P.R.); (A.A.B.); (S.C.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Suxiang Chen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (P.R.); (A.A.B.); (S.C.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Sarah D. Diermeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
| | - Rakesh N. Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (P.R.); (A.A.B.); (S.C.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
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32
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Kim SW, Cho YI, Jung KE. Avoiding
High‐Pressure
Problem for Modified
RNA
‐attached Polystyrene Support by
Pre‐Swelling
Using Toluene in the Oligonucleotide Synthesis. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Won Kim
- Research Center, Oligo CDMO, ST Pharm Siheung 15086 South Korea
- Catholic University Department of Biotechnology Bucheon 14662 South Korea
| | - Yang Il Cho
- Research Center, Oligo CDMO, ST Pharm Siheung 15086 South Korea
| | - Kyeong Eun Jung
- Research Center, Oligo CDMO, ST Pharm Siheung 15086 South Korea
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Yang B, Song BP, Shankar S, Guller A, Deng W. Recent advances in liposome formulations for breast cancer therapeutics. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5225-5243. [PMID: 33974093 PMCID: PMC11071878 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03850-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Among many nanoparticle-based delivery platforms, liposomes have been particularly successful with many formulations passed into clinical applications. They are well-established and effective gene and/or drug delivery systems, widely used in cancer therapy including breast cancer. In this review we discuss liposome design with the targeting feature and triggering functions. We also summarise the recent progress (since 2014) in liposome-based therapeutics for breast cancer including chemotherapy and gene therapy. We finally identify some challenges on the liposome technology development for the future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Yang
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Bo-Ping Song
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Mechatronic Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shaina Shankar
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Anna Guller
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Wei Deng
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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Łaszewski HJ, Palpant B, Buckle M, Nogues C. Influence of the Sequestration Effect of CTAB on the Biofunctionalization of Gold Nanorods. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:4753-4759. [PMID: 35007025 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gold nanorods (GNRs) can be functionalized with multiple biomolecules allowing efficient cell targeting and delivery into specific cells. However, various issues have to be addressed prior to any clinical applications. They involve controlled biofunctionalization to be able to deliver a known dose of drug by immobilizing a known number of active molecules to GNRs while protecting their surface from degradation. The most widely used synthesis method of GNRs is seed-mediated growth. It requires the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) that acts as a strong capping agent stabilizing the colloidal solution. The problem is that not only is CTAB cytotoxic to most cells but it also induces the sequestration of biomolecules in solution during the functionalization steps of GNRs. The presence of CTAB therefore makes it difficult to control the immobilization of biomolecules to GNRs while removing CTAB from the colloidal solution, leading to the aggregation of GNRs. The sequestration effect of ssDNA in solution by CTAB was studied in detail as a function of the CTAB concentration and the nature of the solution (water or buffer) using Forster resonance energy transfer as a detection tool. The conditions in which DNA sequestration did and did not occur could be clearly defined. Using gel electrophoresis, we could demonstrate how strongly the ssDNA sequestration effect in solution impacts the GNR surface biofunctionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henryk J Łaszewski
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, CNRS (UMR 8113), IDA (FR 3242), ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, LuMIn, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Bruno Palpant
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, LuMIn, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Malcolm Buckle
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, CNRS (UMR 8113), IDA (FR 3242), ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Claude Nogues
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, CNRS (UMR 8113), IDA (FR 3242), ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Iturriaga-Goyon E, Buentello-Volante B, Magaña-Guerrero FS, Garfias Y. Future Perspectives of Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Prognostic Aptamers in Eye Pathological Angiogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061455. [PMID: 34200613 PMCID: PMC8227682 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are currently used in clinical trials due to their selectivity and specificity to bind small molecules such as proteins, peptides, viral particles, vitamins, metal ions and even whole cells. Aptamers are highly specific to their targets, they are smaller than antibodies and fragment antibodies, they can be easily conjugated to multiple surfaces and ions and controllable post-production modifications can be performed. Aptamers have been therapeutically used for age-related macular degeneration, cancer, thrombosis and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight the therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic possibilities associated with aptamers, focusing on eye pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Iturriaga-Goyon
- MD/PhD (PECEM) Program, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Buentello-Volante
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
| | - Fátima Sofía Magaña-Guerrero
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
| | - Yonathan Garfias
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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Kaniowski D, Ebenryter-Olbińska K, Kulik K, Suwara J, Cypryk W, Jakóbik-Kolon A, Leśnikowski Z, Nawrot B. Composites of Nucleic Acids and Boron Clusters (C 2B 10H 12) as Functional Nanoparticles for Downregulation of EGFR Oncogene in Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094863. [PMID: 34064412 PMCID: PMC8125477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most promising molecular targets for anticancer therapy. We used boron clusters as a platform for generation of new materials. For this, functional DNA constructs conjugated with boron clusters (B-ASOs) were developed. These B-ASOs, built from 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane linked with two anti-EGFR antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), form with their complementary congeners torus-like nanostructures, as previously shown by atomic force microscope (AFM) and transmission electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-TEM) imaging. In the present work, deepened studies were carried out on B-ASO's properties. In solution, B-ASOs formed four dominant complexes as confirmed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). These complexes exhibited increased stability in cell lysate comparing to the non-modified ASO. Fluorescently labeled B-ASOs localized mostly in the cytoplasm and decreased EGFR expression by activating RNase H. Moreover, the B-ASO complexes altered the cancer cell phenotype, decreased cell migration rate, and arrested the cells in the S phase of cell cycle. The 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-containing nanostructures did not activate NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages. In addition, as shown by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS), these nanostructures effectively penetrated the human squamous carcinoma cells (A431), showing their potential applicability as anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Kaniowski
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Katarzyna Ebenryter-Olbińska
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Katarzyna Kulik
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Justyna Suwara
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Wojciech Cypryk
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Agata Jakóbik-Kolon
- Department of Inorganic, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 6, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Zbigniew Leśnikowski
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 92-232 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Barbara Nawrot
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (D.K.); (K.E.-O.); (K.K.); (J.S.); (W.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-6803248
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Xiong H, Veedu RN, Diermeier SD. Recent Advances in Oligonucleotide Therapeutics in Oncology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3295. [PMID: 33804856 PMCID: PMC8036554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Conventional therapies, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have achieved increased survival rates for many types of cancer over the past decades. However, cancer recurrence and/or metastasis to distant organs remain major challenges, resulting in a large, unmet clinical need. Oligonucleotide therapeutics, which include antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and aptamers, show promising clinical outcomes for disease indications such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, familial amyloid neuropathies, and macular degeneration. While no approved oligonucleotide drug currently exists for any type of cancer, results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials are encouraging. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics in oncology, review current clinical trials, and discuss associated challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
| | - Rakesh N. Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia;
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Sarah D. Diermeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
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Savarin M, Kamensek U, Znidar K, Todorovic V, Sersa G, Cemazar M. Evaluation of a Novel Plasmid for Simultaneous Gene Electrotransfer-Mediated Silencing of CD105 and CD146 in Combination with Irradiation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063069. [PMID: 33802812 PMCID: PMC8002395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor vasculature through specific endothelial cell markers represents a promising approach for cancer treatment. Here our aim was to construct an antibiotic resistance gene-free plasmid encoding shRNAs to simultaneously target two endothelial cell markers, CD105 and CD146, and to test its functionality and therapeutic potential in vitro when delivered by gene electrotransfer (GET) and combined with irradiation (IR). Functionality of the plasmid was evaluated by determining the silencing of the targeted genes using qRT-PCR. Antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects were determined by the cytotoxicity assay tube formation assay and wound healing assay in murine endothelial cells 2H-11. The functionality of the plasmid construct was also evaluated in malignant melanoma tumor cell line B16F10. Additionally, potential activation of immune response was measured by induction of DNA sensor STING and proinflammatory cytokines by qRT-PCR in endothelial cells 2H-11. We demonstrated that the plasmid construction was successful and can efficiently silence the expression of the two targeted genes. As a consequence of silencing, reduced migration rate and angiogenic potential was confirmed in 2H-11 endothelial cells. Furthermore, induction of DNA sensor STING and proinflammatory cytokines were determined, which could add to the therapeutic effectiveness when used in vivo. To conclude, we successfully constructed a novel plasmid DNA with two shRNAs, which holds a great promise for further in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Savarin
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Urska Kamensek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Vesna Todorovic
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (U.K.); (K.Z.); (V.T.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.C.)
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Zaslavsky A, Adams M, Cao X, Yamaguchi A, Henderson J, Busch-Østergren P, Udager A, Pitchiaya S, Tourdot B, Kasputis T, Church SJ, Lee SK, Ohl S, Patel S, Morgan TM, Alva A, Wakefield TW, Reichert Z, Holinstat M, Palapattu GS. Antisense oligonucleotides and nucleic acids generate hypersensitive platelets. Thromb Res 2021; 200:64-71. [PMID: 33540294 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the great promise for therapies using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), their adverse effects, which include pro-inflammatory effects and thrombocytopenia, have limited their use. Previously, these effects have been linked to the phosphorothioate (PS) backbone necessary to prevent rapid ASO degradation in plasma. The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the nucleic acid portion of an ASO-type drug on platelets and determine if it may contribute to thrombosis or thrombocytopenia. METHODS Platelets were isolated from healthy donors and men with advanced prostate cancer. Effects of antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), oligonucleotides, gDNA, and microRNA on platelet activation and aggregation were evaluated. A mouse model of lung thrombosis was used to confirm the effects of PS-modified oligonucleotides in vivo. RESULTS Platelet exposure to gDNA, miRNA, and oligonucleotides longer than 16-mer at a concentration above 8 mM resulted in the formation of hypersensitive platelets, characterized by an increased sensitivity to low-dose thrombin (0.1 nM) and increase in p-Selectin expression (6-8 fold greater than control; p < 0.001). The observed nucleic acid (NA) effects on platelets were toll-like receptor (TLR) -7 subfamily dependent. Injection of a p-Selectin inhibitor significantly (p = 0.02) reduced the formation of oligonucleotide-associated pulmonary microthrombosis in vivo. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that platelet exposure to nucleic acids independent of the presence of a PS modification leads to a generation of hypersensitive platelets and requires TLR-7 subfamily receptors. ASO studies conducted in cancer patients may benefit from testing the ASO effects on platelets ex vivo before initiation of patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Zaslavsky
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Mackenzie Adams
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiu Cao
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Adriana Yamaguchi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James Henderson
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Aaron Udager
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sethuramasundaram Pitchiaya
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Tourdot
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tadas Kasputis
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samuel J Church
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samantha K Lee
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sydney Ohl
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shivam Patel
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Todd M Morgan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ajjai Alva
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas W Wakefield
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Conrad Jobst Vascular Research Laboratories, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zachery Reichert
- Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael Holinstat
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ganesh S Palapattu
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Aho A, Äärelä A, Korhonen H, Virta P. Expanding the Scope of the Cleavable N-(methoxy)oxazolidine Linker for the Synthesis of Oligonucleotide Conjugates. Molecules 2021; 26:490. [PMID: 33477693 PMCID: PMC7838870 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides modified by a 2'-deoxy-2'-(N-methoxyamino) ribonucleotide react readily with aldehydes in slightly acidic conditions to yield the corresponding N-(methoxy)oxazolidine-linked oligonucleotide-conjugates. The reaction is reversible and dynamic in slightly acidic conditions, while the products are virtually stable above pH 7, where the reaction is in a ''switched off-state''. Small molecular examinations have demonstrated that aldehyde constituents affect the cleavage rate of the N-(methoxy)oxazolidine-linkage. This can be utilized to adjust the stability of this pH-responsive cleavable linker for drug delivery applications. In the present study, Fmoc-β-Ala-H was immobilized to a serine-modified ChemMatrix resin and used for the automated assembly of two peptidealdehydes and one aldehyde-modified peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In addition, a triantennary N-acetyl-d-galactosamine-cluster with a β-Ala-H unit has been synthesized. These aldehydes were conjugated via N-(methoxy)oxazolidine-linkage to therapeutically relevant oligonucleotide phosphorothioates and one DNA-aptamer in 19-47% isolated yields. The cleavage rates of the conjugates were studied in slightly acidic conditions. In addition to the diverse set of conjugates synthesized, these experiments and a comparison to published data demonstrate that the simple conversion of Gly-H to β-Ala-H residue resulted in a faster cleavage of the N-(methoxy)oxazolidine-linker at pH 5, being comparable (T0.5 ca 7 h) to hydrazone-based structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland; (A.A.); (A.Ä.); (H.K.)
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Le BT, Agarwal S, Veedu RN. Evaluation of DNA segments in 2′-modified RNA sequences in designing efficient splice switching antisense oligonucleotides. RSC Adv 2021; 11:14029-14035. [PMID: 35423918 PMCID: PMC8697723 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00878a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic approaches. So far, nine ASO drugs have received approval for clinical use, and four of them are based on splice-switching principles demonstrating the impact of ASO-mediated splice modulation. Notably, three among them (Exondys 51, Vyondys 53 and Viltepso) are based on phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO) chemistry whereas Spinraza is based on 2′-O-methoxyethyl phosphorothioate (2′-MOE PS) chemistry. Although systemic delivery of PMOs has displayed a good safety profile even at high doses, the 2′-O-methyl phosphorothioate modified (2′-OMe PS) ASO drug candidate (drisapersen) failed due to safety issues. The potency of 2′-modified RNA for splice-switching needs to be further improved by novel design strategies for broad applicability. Towards this goal, in this study, we evaluated the potential of incorporating DNA segments at appropriate sites in 2′-OMe PS and 2′-MOE PS ASOs to induce exon skipping. For this purpose, a four-nucleotide DNA segment was systematically incorporated into a 20-mer 2′-OMe PS and 2′-MOE PS ASO designed to skip exon 23 in mdx mouse myotubes in vitro. Our results demonstrated that 2′-modified RNA PS ASOs containing four or less PS DNA nucleotides at the 3′-end yielded improved exon 23 skipping efficacy in line with fully modified ASO controls. Based on these results, we firmly believe that the present study opens new avenues towards designing splice modulating ASOs with limited chemical modifications for enhanced safety and therapeutic efficacy. We evaluated the potential of 2′-modified RNA antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) incorporated with DNA segments to induce exon skipping. Results demonstrated that ASOs with 4 or less DNA nucleotides at the 3′-end induce more efficient exon skipping compared with the control.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao T. Le
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
- Murdoch University
- Perth
- Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science
| | | | - Rakesh N. Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
- Murdoch University
- Perth
- Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science
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Shen J, Chen J, Ma J, Fan L, Zhang X, Yue T, Yan Y, Zhang Y. Enhanced lysosome escape mediated by 1,2-dicarboxylic-cyclohexene anhydride-modified poly-l-lysine dendrimer as a gene delivery system. Asian J Pharm Sci 2020; 15:759-776. [PMID: 33363631 PMCID: PMC7750821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) can directly interfere a series of biological events of the target RNA derived from tumor cells through Watson-Crick base pairing, in turn, plays antitumor therapeutic roles. In the study, a novel HIF-1α ASODN-loaded nanocomposite was formulated to efficiently deliver gene to the target RNA. The physicochemical properties of nanocomposite were characterized using TEM, FTIR, DLS and zeta potentials. The mean diameter of resulting GEL-DGL-FA-ASODN-DCA nanocomposite was about 170-192 nm, and according to the agarose gel retardation assay, the loading amount of ASODN accounted for 166.7 mg/g. The results of cellular uptake showed that the nanocomposite could specifically target to HepG2 and Hela cells. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the toxicity of vectors was greatly reduced by using DCA to reversibly block the cationic DGL. The subcellular distribution images clearly displayed the lysosomal escape ability of the DCA-modified nanocomposite. In vitro exploration of molecular mechanism indicated that the nanocomposite could inhibit mRNA expression and HIF-1α protein translation at different levels. In vivo optical images and quantitative assay testified that the formulation accumulated preferentially in the tumor tissue. In vivo antitumor efficacy research confirmed that this nanocomposite had significant antitumor activity and the tumor inhibitory rate was 77.99%. These results manifested that the GEL-DGL-FA-ASODN-DCA nanocomposite was promising in gene therapeutics for antitumor by interacting directly with target RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Jingbo Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Linlan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Ting Yue
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Yaping Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Montaño-Samaniego M, Bravo-Estupiñan DM, Méndez-Guerrero O, Alarcón-Hernández E, Ibáñez-Hernández M. Strategies for Targeting Gene Therapy in Cancer Cells With Tumor-Specific Promoters. Front Oncol 2020; 10:605380. [PMID: 33381459 PMCID: PMC7768042 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.605380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by cardiovascular diseases, due to the lack of early diagnosis, and high relapse rate after conventional therapies. Chemotherapy inhibits the rapid growth of cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells with fast proliferation rate. Therefore, it is imperative to develop other safe and more effective treatment strategies, such as gene therapy, in order to significantly improve the survival rate and life expectancy of patients with cancer. The aim of gene therapy is to transfect a therapeutic gene into the host cells to express itself and cause a beneficial biological effect. However, the efficacy of the proposed strategies has been insufficient for delivering the full potential of gene therapy in the clinic. The type of delivery vehicle (viral or non viral) chosen depends on the desired specificity of the gene therapy. The first gene therapy trials were performed with therapeutic genes driven by viral promoters such as the CMV promoter, which induces non-specific toxicity in normal cells and tissues, in addition to cancer cells. The use of tumor-specific promoters over-expressed in the tumor, induces specific expression of therapeutic genes in a given tumor, increasing their localized activity. Several cancer- and/or tumor-specific promoters systems have been developed to target cancer cells. This review aims to provide up-to-date information concerning targeting gene therapy with cancer- and/or tumor-specific promoters including cancer suppressor genes, suicide genes, anti-tumor angiogenesis, gene silencing, and gene-editing technology, as well as the type of delivery vehicle employed. Gene therapy can be used to complement traditional therapies to provide more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Montaño-Samaniego
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Diana M. Bravo-Estupiñan
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Oscar Méndez-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ernesto Alarcón-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Miguel Ibáñez-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Terapia Génica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Re VD, Brisotto G, Repetto O, De Zorzi M, Caggiari L, Zanussi S, Alessandrini L, Canzonieri V, Miolo G, Puglisi F, Belluco C, Steffan A, Cannizzaro R. Overview of Epstein-Barr-Virus-Associated Gastric Cancer Correlated with Prognostic Classification and Development of Therapeutic Options. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9400. [PMID: 33321820 PMCID: PMC7764600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a deadly disease with poor prognosis that is characterized by heterogeneity. New classifications based on histologic features, genotypes, and molecular phenotypes, for example, the Cancer Genome Atlas subtypes and those by the Asian Cancer Research Group, help understand the carcinogenic differences in GC and have led to the identification of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related GC subtype (EBVaGC), providing new indications for tailored treatment and prognostic factors. This article provides a review of the features of EBVaGC and an update on the latest insights from EBV-related research with a particular focus on the strict interaction between EBV infection and the gastric tumor environment, including the host immune response. This information may help increase our knowledge of EBVaGC pathogenesis and the mechanisms that sustain the immune response of patients since this mechanism has been demonstrated to offer a survival advantage in a proportion of patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valli De Re
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Giulia Brisotto
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Ombretta Repetto
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Mariangela De Zorzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Laura Caggiari
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Stefania Zanussi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Lara Alessandrini
- Pathology, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, 61-35121 Padova, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Surgical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical, University of Trieste Medical School, 34100 Trieste, Italy;
- Pathology, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Miolo
- Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (G.M.); (F.P.)
| | - Fabio Puglisi
- Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (G.M.); (F.P.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Belluco
- Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy;
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Bioproteomic Facility, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33077 Aviano, Italy; (G.B.); (O.R.); (M.D.Z.); (L.C.); (S.Z.); (A.S.)
| | - Renato Cannizzaro
- Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy;
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Li L, Hobson L, Perry L, Clark B, Heavey S, Haider A, Sridhar A, Shaw G, Kelly J, Freeman A, Wilson I, Whitaker H, Nurmemmedov E, Oltean S, Porazinski S, Ladomery M. Targeting the ERG oncogene with splice-switching oligonucleotides as a novel therapeutic strategy in prostate cancer. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:1024-1032. [PMID: 32581342 PMCID: PMC7493922 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0951-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ERG oncogene, a member of the ETS family of transcription factor encoding genes, is a genetic driver of prostate cancer. It is activated through a fusion with the androgen-responsive TMPRSS2 promoter in 50% of cases. There is therefore significant interest in developing novel therapeutic agents that target ERG. We have taken an antisense approach and designed morpholino-based oligonucleotides that target ERG by inducing skipping of its constitutive exon 4. METHODS We designed antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (splice-switching oligonucleotides, SSOs) that target both the 5' and 3' splice sites of ERG's exon 4. We tested their efficacy in terms of inducing exon 4 skipping in two ERG-positive cell lines, VCaP prostate cancer cells and MG63 osteosarcoma cells. We measured their effect on cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. We also tested their effect on xenograft tumour growth in mice and on ERG protein expression in a human prostate cancer radical prostatectomy sample ex vivo. RESULTS In VCaP cells, both SSOs were effective at inducing exon 4 skipping, which resulted in a reduction of overall ERG protein levels up to 96 h following a single transfection. SSO-induced ERG reduction decreased cell proliferation, cell migration and significantly increased apoptosis. We observed a concomitant reduction in protein levels for cyclin D1, c-Myc and the Wnt signalling pathway member β-catenin as well as a marker of activated Wnt signalling, p-LRP6. We tested the 3' splice site SSO in MG63 xenografts in mice and observed a reduction in tumour growth. We also demonstrated that the 3' splice site SSO caused a reduction in ERG expression in a patient-derived prostate tumour tissue cultured ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS We have successfully designed and tested morpholino-based SSOs that cause a marked reduction in ERG expression, resulting in decreased cell proliferation, a reduced migratory phenotype and increased apoptosis. Our initial tests on mouse xenografts and a human prostate cancer radical prostatectomy specimen indicate that SSOs can be effective for oncogene targeting in vivo. As such, this study encourages further in vivo therapeutic studies using SSOs targeting the ERG oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Lisa Hobson
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Laura Perry
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Bethany Clark
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Susan Heavey
- Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aiman Haider
- Department of Pathology, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ashwin Sridhar
- Department of Urology, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Greg Shaw
- Department of Urology, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - John Kelly
- Department of Urology, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alex Freeman
- Department of Pathology, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ian Wilson
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Hayley Whitaker
- Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elmar Nurmemmedov
- John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, USA
| | - Sebastian Oltean
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Sean Porazinski
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
- Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Michael Ladomery
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
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Emerging Therapeutic RNAs for the Targeting of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061365. [PMID: 32466591 PMCID: PMC7352655 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor mass consists of a complex ensemble of malignant cancer cells and a wide variety of resident and infiltrating cells, secreted factors, and extracellular matrix proteins that are referred as tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key TME components that support tumor growth, generating a physical barrier against drugs and immune infiltration, and contributing to regulate malignant progression. Thus, it is largely accepted that therapeutic approaches aimed at hampering the interactions between tumor cells and CAFs can enhance the effectiveness of anti-cancer treatments. In this view, nucleic acid therapeutics have emerged as promising molecules. Here, we summarize recent knowledge about their role in the regulation of CAF transformation and tumor-promoting functions, highlighting their therapeutic utility and challenges.
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47
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Quandt E, Ribeiro MPC, Clotet J. Atypical cyclins in cancer: New kids on the block? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 107:46-53. [PMID: 32417219 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Atypical cyclins have recently emerged as a new subfamily of cyclins characterized by common structural features and interactor pattern. Interestingly, atypical cyclins are phylogenetically close to canonical cyclins, which have well-established roles in cell cycle regulation and cancer. Therefore, although the function of atypical cyclins is still poorly characterized, it seems likely that they are involved in cancer pathogenesis as well. Here, we coupled gene expression and prognostic significance analysis to bibliographic search in order to provide new insights into the role of atypical cyclins in cancer. The information gathered suggests that atypical cyclins intervene in critical processes to sustain cancer growth and have potential to become novel prognostic markers and drug targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Quandt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional De Catalunya, 08195, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariana P C Ribeiro
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional De Catalunya, 08195, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Josep Clotet
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional De Catalunya, 08195, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Ma Z, Han C, Xia W, Wang S, Li X, Fang P, Yin R, Xu L, Yang L. circ5615 functions as a ceRNA to promote colorectal cancer progression by upregulating TNKS. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:356. [PMID: 32393760 PMCID: PMC7214456 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2514-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), non-coding RNAs generated by precursor mRNA back-splicing of exons, have been reported to fulfill multiple roles in cancer. However, the role of quite a lot circRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains mostly unknown. Herein, we explored the expression profiles of circRNAs in 5 paired samples of CRC patients by microarray and noted a circRNA, hsa_circ_0005615 (circ5615), was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues. Circ5615 was derived from exon 2 of NFATC3 and its upregulation was tightly correlated with higher T stage and poor prognosis in CRC patients. Studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that knockdown of circ5615 in cancer cells inhibited proliferation and cell cycle acceleration, while overexpression promoted malignant phenotypes. Mechanistically, RNA immunoprecipitation, biotin-coupled probe pull-down and luciferase reporter assays revealed circ5615 effectively bound to miR-149-5p and might play a role like miR-149-5p sponge. Additionally, tankyrase (TNKS), regulator of β-catenin stabilization, was identified as circ5615 downstream and the potential miR-149-5p targets by RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis. We further verified the upregulation of β-catenin and cyclin D1 induced by circ5615. Our results indicated that circ5615 exerted oncogenic function as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-149-5p to release TNKS and activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifei Ma
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Chencheng Han
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjia Xia
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Siwei Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Panqi Fang
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Yin
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China.
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The role of contextual signal TGF-β1 inducer of epithelial mesenchymal transition in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases: an update on its pathological significance and therapeutic potential. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2019; 23:187-194. [PMID: 31992949 PMCID: PMC6978756 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2019.91543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LA) is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the advances over last decade in new targeted therapies, cancer genetics, diagnostics, staging, and surgical techniques as well as new chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocols, the death rate from LA remains high. The tumour microenvironment is composed of several cytokines, one of which is transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which modulates and mediates the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), correlated with invasive growth in LAs, and exhibits its pleiotropic effects through binding to transmembrane receptors TβR-1 (also termed activin receptor-like kinases – ALKs) and TβR-2. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with the tumoural spreading process and therapeutic resistance of this serious pathology. In this review, we briefly discuss the current role of contextual signal TGF-β1 inducer of epithelial mesenchymal transition in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases, and give an overview of our current mechanistic understanding of the TGF-β1-related pathways in brain metastases progression, TGF-β1 pathway inhibitors that could be used for clinical treatment, and examination of models used to study these processes. Finally, we summarise the current progress in the therapeutic approaches targeting TGF-β1.
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50
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Laudisi F, Cherubini F, Di Grazia A, Dinallo V, Di Fusco D, Franzè E, Ortenzi A, Salvatori I, Scaricamazza S, Monteleone I, Sakamoto N, Monteleone G, Stolfi C. Progranulin sustains STAT3 hyper-activation and oncogenic function in colorectal cancer cells. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:2142-2159. [PMID: 31361391 PMCID: PMC6763778 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT)3 occurs in a high percentage of tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC), thereby contributing to malignant cell proliferation and survival. Although STAT3 is recognized as an attractive therapeutic target in CRC, conventional approaches aimed at inhibiting its functions have met with several limitations. Moreover, the factors that sustain hyper-activation of STAT3 in CRC are not yet fully understood. The identification of tumor-specific STAT3 cofactors may facilitate the development of compounds that interfere exclusively with STAT3 activity in cancer cells. Here, we show that progranulin, a STAT3 cofactor, is upregulated in human CRC as compared to nontumor tissue/cells and its expression correlates with STAT3 activation. Progranulin physically interacts with STAT3 in CRC cells, and its knockdown with a specific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) inhibits STAT3 activation and restrains the expression of STAT3-related oncogenic proteins, thus causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, progranulin knockdown reduces STAT3 phosphorylation and cell proliferation induced by tumor-infiltrating leukocyte (TIL)-derived supernatants in CRC cell lines and human CRC explants. These findings indicate that CRC exhibits overexpression of progranulin, and suggest a role for this protein in amplifying the STAT3 pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Laudisi
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Fabio Cherubini
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | | | - Vincenzo Dinallo
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Davide Di Fusco
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Eleonora Franzè
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Angela Ortenzi
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | | | - Silvia Scaricamazza
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa LuciaRomeItaly
- Department of BiologyUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Ivan Monteleone
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Molecular PathologyHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | | | - Carmine Stolfi
- Department of Systems MedicineUniversity of ‘Tor Vergata’RomeItaly
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