1
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Wang X. The Potential of mRNA Vaccines to Fight Against Viruses. Viral Immunol 2024; 37:383-391. [PMID: 39418074 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2024.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines have always been a critical tool in preventing infectious diseases. However, the development of traditional vaccines often takes a long time and may struggle to address the challenge of rapidly mutating viruses. The emergence of mRNA technology has brought revolutionary changes to vaccine development, particularly in rapidly responding to the threat of emerging viruses. The global promotion of mRNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has demonstrated the importance of mRNA technology. Also, mRNA vaccines targeting viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and Ebola are under development. These vaccines have shown promising preventive effects and safety profiles in clinical trials, although the duration of immune protection is still under evaluation. However, the development of mRNA vaccines also faces many challenges, such as stability, efficacy, and individual differences in immune response. Researchers adopt various strategies to address these challenges. Anyway, mRNA vaccines have shown enormous potential in combating viral diseases. With further development and technological maturity, mRNA vaccines are expected to have a profound impact on public health and vaccine equity. This review discussed the potential of mRNA vaccines to fight against viruses, current progress in clinical trials, challenges faced, and future prospects, providing a comprehensive scientific basis and reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Chen H, Liu D, Aditham A, Guo J, Huang J, Kostas F, Maher K, Friedrich MJ, Xavier RJ, Zhang F, Wang X. Chemical and topological design of multicapped mRNA and capped circular RNA to augment translation. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02393-y. [PMID: 39313647 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02393-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Protein and vaccine therapies based on mRNA would benefit from an increase in translation capacity. Here, we report a method to augment translation named ligation-enabled mRNA-oligonucleotide assembly (LEGO). We systematically screen different chemotopological motifs and find that a branched mRNA cap effectively initiates translation on linear or circular mRNAs without internal ribosome entry sites. Two types of chemical modification, locked nucleic acid (LNA) N7-methylguanosine modifications on the cap and LNA + 5 × 2' O-methyl on the 5' untranslated region, enhance RNA-eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF4E-eIF4G) binding and RNA stability against decapping in vitro. Through multidimensional chemotopological engineering of dual-capped mRNA and capped circular RNA, we enhanced mRNA protein production by up to tenfold in vivo, resulting in 17-fold and 3.7-fold higher antibody production after prime and boost doses in a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine setting, respectively. The LEGO platform opens possibilities to design unnatural RNA structures and topologies beyond canonical linear and circular RNAs for both basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dangliang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Abhishek Aditham
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jianting Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiahao Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Franklin Kostas
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kamal Maher
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mirco J Friedrich
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ramnik J Xavier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Lukaszewicz M. Application of Mammalian Nudix Enzymes to Capped RNA Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1195. [PMID: 39338357 PMCID: PMC11434898 DOI: 10.3390/ph17091195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, mRNA-based therapeutics have now become a great interest and potential. The development of this approach has been preceded by studies of modifications found on mRNA ribonucleotides that influence the stability, translation and immunogenicity of this molecule. The 5' cap of eukaryotic mRNA plays a critical role in these cellular functions and is thus the focus of intensive chemical modifications to affect the biological properties of in vitro-prepared mRNA. Enzymatic removal of the 5' cap affects the stability of mRNA in vivo. The NUDIX hydrolase Dcp2 was identified as the first eukaryotic decapping enzyme and is routinely used to analyse the synthetic cap at the 5' end of RNA. Here we highlight three additional NUDIX enzymes with known decapping activity, namely Nudt2, Nudt12 and Nudt16. These enzymes possess a different and some overlapping activity towards numerous 5' RNA cap structures, including non-canonical and chemically modified ones. Therefore, they appear as potent tools for comprehensive in vitro characterisation of capped RNA transcripts, with special focus on synthetic RNAs with therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Lukaszewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Wu Z, Sun W, Qi H. Recent Advancements in mRNA Vaccines: From Target Selection to Delivery Systems. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:873. [PMID: 39203999 PMCID: PMC11359327 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines are leading a medical revolution. mRNA technologies utilize the host's own cells as bio-factories to produce proteins that serve as antigens. This revolutionary approach circumvents the complicated processes involved in traditional vaccine production and empowers vaccines with the ability to respond to emerging or mutated infectious diseases rapidly. Additionally, the robust cellular immune response elicited by mRNA vaccines has shown significant promise in cancer treatment. However, the inherent instability of mRNA and the complexity of tumor immunity have limited its broader application. Although the emergence of pseudouridine and ionizable cationic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) made the clinical application of mRNA possible, there remains substantial potential for further improvement of the immunogenicity of delivered antigens and preventive or therapeutic effects of mRNA technology. Here, we review the latest advancements in mRNA vaccines, including but not limited to target selection and delivery systems. This review offers a multifaceted perspective on this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyan Wu
- Newish Biological R&D Center, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Weilu Sun
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
| | - Hailong Qi
- Newish Biological R&D Center, Beijing 100101, China;
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5
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Kurpiejewski K, Stankiewicz-Drogon A, Piecyk K, Rajkowska E, Skrzypczyk P, Geng J, Darzynkiewicz E, Grzela R, Jankowska-Anyszka M. The potential of N2-modified cap analogues for precise genetic manipulation through mRNA engineering. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1269028. [PMID: 38380271 PMCID: PMC10878308 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1269028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The technology of mRNA-based drugs is currently being intensively developed and implemented. Medical products of this type are already being used as viral vaccines and could potentially find application in a wide range of diseases. The tremendous interest in mRNA is due to the relatively easy production process, which can be quickly adapted to meet societal needs. The properties of this molecule depend on the structure of its individual components, such as the structure of the cap at the 5' end. Modifications of the cap significantly affect the translational potential and lifespan of the whole mRNA. In the current work, we present the synthesis of derivatives of cap analogues modified at the N2 position of 7-methylguanosine. In addition to the substituent at the N2 position, the derivatives had either an extended triphosphate chain, a thiophosphate modification, an added cap1-modified nucleotide or an extended linker between the substituent and 7-methylguanosine. The compounds were tested for use as translation inhibitors and as components for mRNA preparation and appeared of interest for both applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Stankiewicz-Drogon
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Jingping Geng
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Renata Grzela
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Inagaki M. Cell Reprogramming and Differentiation Utilizing Messenger RNA for Regenerative Medicine. J Dev Biol 2023; 12:1. [PMID: 38535481 PMCID: PMC10971469 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12010001] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic generated interest in the medicinal applications of messenger RNA (mRNA). It is expected that mRNA will be applied, not only to vaccines, but also to regenerative medicine. The purity of mRNA is important for its medicinal applications. However, the current mRNA synthesis techniques exhibit problems, including the contamination of undesired 5'-uncapped mRNA and double-stranded RNA. Recently, our group developed a completely capped mRNA synthesis technology that contributes to the progress of mRNA research. The introduction of chemically modified nucleosides, such as N1-methylpseudouridine and 5-methylcytidine, has been reported by Karikó and Weissman, opening a path for the practical application of mRNA for vaccines and regenerative medicine. Yamanaka reported the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by introducing four types of genes using a retrovirus vector. iPSCs are widely used for research on regenerative medicine and the preparation of disease models to screen new drug candidates. Among the Yamanaka factors, Klf4 and c-Myc are oncogenes, and there is a risk of tumor development if these are integrated into genomic DNA. Therefore, regenerative medicine using mRNA, which poses no risk of genome insertion, has attracted attention. In this review, the author summarizes techniques for synthesizing mRNA and its application in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Inagaki
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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7
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Wagner A, Mutschler H. Design principles and applications of synthetic self-replicating RNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1803. [PMID: 37264531 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of ever more sophisticated methods for the in vitro synthesis and the in vivo delivery of RNAs, synthetic mRNAs have gained substantial interest both for medical applications, as well as for biotechnology. However, in most biological systems exogeneous mRNAs possess only a limited half-life, especially in fast dividing cells. In contrast, viral RNAs can extend their lifetime by actively replicating inside their host. As such they may serve as scaffolds for the design of synthetic self-replicating RNAs (srRNA), which can be used to increase both the half-life and intracellular concentration of coding RNAs. Synthetic srRNAs may be used to enhance recombinant protein expression or induce the reprogramming of differentiated cells into pluripotent stem cells but also to create cell-free systems for research based on experimental evolution. In this article, we discuss the applications and design principles of srRNAs used for cellular reprogramming, mRNA-based vaccines and tools for synthetic biology. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wagner
- Biomimetic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hannes Mutschler
- Biomimetic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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8
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Kurpiejewski K, Jankowska-Anyszka M, Grzela R. N2 modified cap analogues as translation inhibitors and substrates for preparation of therapeutic mRNA. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2023; 52:511-519. [PMID: 37656232 PMCID: PMC10618310 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-023-01676-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent years many scientists have begun to focus on the mRNA molecule's emeregence as a new type of drug. Its fast-moving and successful career as a vaccine technology cannot be underestimated. mRNA provides new opportunities and allows for the rapid preparation of effective drugs at low cost. These extensive possibilities stem from a number of factors, but the small cap structure located at the 5' end of the mRNA is one contributing factor. Cap protects mRNA and ensures efficient recruitment to the biosynthesis machinery. Furthermore, it allows for the easy introduction of various modifications that influence the activity of the entire mRNA. Among the many different cap analogues that have been reported, those modified at the N2 position of guanosine have been systematically developed. N2-modified caps in the form of nucleoside monophosphates or dinucleotides show favorable biological properties, as well as a high capacity to inhibit the translation process in the cell-free RRL system. Modified N2 dinucleotides are efficiently incorporated into the structure of the mRNA transcript, and in specific circumstances with the correct orientation, making them an interesting alternative for ARCA-type analogues. Moreover, mRNA transcripts containing cap structures modified within the exocyclic amino group show very high translational activity. Therefore, analogues modified at the N2 position may have future applications as therapeutics against various manifestations of cancer and as desirable tools in RNA engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renata Grzela
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
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9
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Mbatha LS, Akinyelu J, Maiyo F, Kudanga T. Future prospects in mRNA vaccine development. Biomed Mater 2023; 18:052006. [PMID: 37589309 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aceceb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The recent advancements in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine development have vastly enhanced their use as alternatives to conventional vaccines in the prevention of various infectious diseases and treatment of several types of cancers. This is mainly due to their remarkable ability to stimulate specific immune responses with minimal clinical side effects. This review gives a detailed overview of mRNA vaccines currently in use or at various stages of development, the recent advancements in mRNA vaccine development, and the challenges encountered in their development. Future perspectives on this technology are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Jude Akinyelu
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria
| | - Fiona Maiyo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Kabarak University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tukayi Kudanga
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
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10
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Inagaki M, Abe N, Li Z, Nakashima Y, Acharyya S, Ogawa K, Kawaguchi D, Hiraoka H, Banno A, Meng Z, Tada M, Ishida T, Lyu P, Kokubo K, Murase H, Hashiya F, Kimura Y, Uchida S, Abe H. Cap analogs with a hydrophobic photocleavable tag enable facile purification of fully capped mRNA with various cap structures. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2657. [PMID: 37169757 PMCID: PMC10175277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38244-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Starting with the clinical application of two vaccines in 2020, mRNA therapeutics are currently being investigated for a variety of applications. Removing immunogenic uncapped mRNA from transcribed mRNA is critical in mRNA research and clinical applications. Commonly used capping methods provide maximum capping efficiency of around 80-90% for widely used Cap-0- and Cap-1-type mRNAs. However, uncapped and capped mRNA possesses almost identical physicochemical properties, posing challenges to their physical separation. In this work, we develop hydrophobic photocaged tag-modified cap analogs, which separate capped mRNA from uncapped mRNA by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Subsequent photo-irradiation recovers footprint-free native capped mRNA. This approach provides 100% capping efficiency even in Cap-2-type mRNA with versatility applicable to 650 nt and 4,247 nt mRNA. We find that the Cap-2-type mRNA shows up to 3- to 4-fold higher translation activity in cultured cells and animals than the Cap-1-type mRNA prepared by the standard capping method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Inagaki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Naoko Abe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Zhenmin Li
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yuko Nakashima
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Susit Acharyya
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ogawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kawaguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Haruka Hiraoka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Ayaka Banno
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Zheyu Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Mizuki Tada
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Tatsuma Ishida
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Pingxue Lyu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Kengo Kokubo
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Murase
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Hashiya
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Kimura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 1-5 Shimogamohangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-0823, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
- Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Abe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan.
- Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan.
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076, Japan.
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8601, Japan.
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11
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Niazi SK. RNA Therapeutics: A Healthcare Paradigm Shift. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051275. [PMID: 37238946 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 brought about the mRNA vaccine and a paradigm shift to a new mode of treating and preventing diseases. Synthetic RNA products are a low-cost solution based on a novel method of using nucleosides to act as an innate medicine factory with unlimited therapeutic possibilities. In addition to the common perception of vaccines preventing infections, the newer applications of RNA therapies include preventing autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Down syndrome; now, we can deliver monoclonal antibodies, hormones, cytokines, and other complex proteins, reducing the manufacturing hurdles associated with these products. Newer PCR technology removes the need for the bacterial expression of DNA, making mRNA a truly synthetic product. AI-driven product design expands the applications of mRNA technology to repurpose therapeutic proteins and test their safety and efficacy quickly. As the industry focuses on mRNA, many novel opportunities will arise, as hundreds of products under development will bring new perspectives based on this significant paradigm shift-finding newer solutions to existing challenges in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfaraz K Niazi
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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12
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Grzela R, Piecyk K, Stankiewicz-Drogon A, Pietrow P, Lukaszewicz M, Kurpiejewski K, Darzynkiewicz E, Jankowska-Anyszka M. N2 modified dinucleotide cap analogs as a potent tool for mRNA engineering. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:200-216. [PMID: 36418172 PMCID: PMC9891257 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079460.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
mRNA-based vaccines are relatively new technologies that have been in the field of interest of research centers and pharmaceutical companies in recent years. Such therapeutics are an attractive alternative for DNA-based vaccines since they provide material that can be used with no risk of genomic integration. Additionally, mRNA can be quite easily engineered to introduce modifications for different applications or to modulate its properties, for example, to increase translational efficiency or stability, which is not available for DNA vectors. Here, we describe the use of N2 modified dinucleotide cap analogs as components of mRNA transcripts. The compounds obtained showed very promising biological properties while incorporated into mRNA. The presented N2-guanine modifications within the cap structure ensure proper attachment of the dinucleotide to the transcripts in the IVT reaction, guarantees their incorporation only in the correct orientation, and enables highly efficient translation of mRNA both in the in vitro translation system and in human HEK293 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Grzela
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Piecyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Stankiewicz-Drogon
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Pietrow
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Lukaszewicz
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Edward Darzynkiewicz
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
- Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Protein Transduction Domain-Mediated Delivery of Recombinant Proteins and In Vitro Transcribed mRNAs for Protein Replacement Therapy of Human Severe Genetic Mitochondrial Disorders: The Case of Sco2 Deficiency. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010286. [PMID: 36678915 PMCID: PMC9861957 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010286] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial disorders represent a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders with variations in severity and clinical outcomes, mostly characterized by respiratory chain dysfunction and abnormal mitochondrial function. More specifically, mutations in the human SCO2 gene, encoding the mitochondrial inner membrane Sco2 cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly protein, have been implicated in the mitochondrial disorder fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy with COX deficiency. Since an effective treatment is still missing, a protein replacement therapy (PRT) was explored using protein transduction domain (PTD) technology. Therefore, the human recombinant full-length mitochondrial protein Sco2, fused to TAT peptide (a common PTD), was produced (fusion Sco2 protein) and successfully transduced into fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient. This PRT contributed to effective COX assembly and partial recovery of COX activity. In mice, radiolabeled fusion Sco2 protein was biodistributed in the peripheral tissues of mice and successfully delivered into their mitochondria. Complementary to that, an mRNA-based therapeutic approach has been more recently considered as an innovative treatment option. In particular, a patented, novel PTD-mediated IVT-mRNA delivery platform was developed and applied in recent research efforts. PTD-IVT-mRNA of full-length SCO2 was successfully transduced into the fibroblasts derived from a SCO2/COX-deficient patient, translated in host ribosomes into a nascent chain of human Sco2, imported into mitochondria, and processed to the mature protein. Consequently, the recovery of reduced COX activity was achieved, thus suggesting the potential of this mRNA-based technology for clinical translation as a PRT for metabolic/genetic disorders. In this review, such research efforts will be comprehensibly presented and discussed to elaborate their potential in clinical application and therapeutic usefulness.
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Karim ME, Haque ST, Al-Busaidi H, Bakhtiar A, Tha KK, Holl MMB, Chowdhury EH. Scope and challenges of nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery in cancer treatment. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:865-893. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01418-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Georgiou-Siafis SK, Miliotou AN, Ntenti C, Pappas IS, Papadopoulou LC. An Innovative PTD-IVT-mRNA Delivery Platform for CAR Immunotherapy of ErbB(+) Solid Tumor Neoplastic Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2885. [PMID: 36359405 PMCID: PMC9687928 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immunotherapy includes the genetic modification of immune cells to carry such a receptor and, thus, recognize cancer cell surface antigens. Viral transfection is currently the preferred method, but it carries the risk of off-target mutagenicity. Other transfection platforms have thus been proposed, such the in vitro transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs. In this study, we exploited our innovative, patented delivery platform to produce protein transduction domain (PTD)-IVT-mRNAs for the expression of CAR on NK-92 cells. CAR T1E-engineered NK-92 cells, harboring the sequence of T1E single-chain fragment variant (scFv) to recognize the ErbB receptor, bearing either CD28 or 4-1BB as co-stimulatory signaling domains, were prepared and assessed for their effectiveness in two different ErbB(+) cancer cell lines. Our results showed that the PTD-IVT-mRNA of CAR was safely transduced and expressed into NK-92 cells. CAR T1E-engineered NK-92 cells provoked high levels of cell death (25-33%) as effector cells against both HSC-3 (oral squamous carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast metastatic adenocarcinoma) human cells in the co-incubation assays. In conclusion, the application of our novel PTD-IVT-mRNA delivery platform to NK-92 cells gave promising results towards future CAR immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia K. Georgiou-Siafis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Androulla N. Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- Department of Health Sciences, KES College, Nicosia 1055, Cyprus
| | - Charikleia Ntenti
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
- 1st Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Lefkothea C. Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
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16
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Ura T, Takeuchi M, Kawagoe T, Mizuki N, Okuda K, Shimada M. Current Vaccine Platforms in Enhancing T-Cell Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1367. [PMID: 36016254 PMCID: PMC9413345 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081367] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction of T cell-mediated immunity is crucial in vaccine development. The most effective vaccine is likely to employ both cellular and humoral immune responses. The efficacy of a vaccine depends on T cells activated by antigen-presenting cells. T cells also play a critical role in the duration and cross-reactivity of vaccines. Moreover, pre-existing T-cell immunity is associated with a decreased severity of infectious diseases. Many technical and delivery platforms have been designed to induce T cell-mediated vaccine immunity. The immunogenicity of vaccines is enhanced by controlling the kinetics and targeted delivery. Viral vectors are attractive tools that enable the intracellular expression of foreign antigens and induce robust immunity. However, it is necessary to select an appropriate viral vector considering the existing anti-vector immunity that impairs vaccine efficacy. mRNA vaccines have the advantage of rapid and low-cost manufacturing and have been approved for clinical use as COVID-19 vaccines for the first time. mRNA modification and nanomaterial encapsulation can help address mRNA instability and translation efficacy. This review summarizes the T cell responses of vaccines against various infectious diseases based on vaccine technologies and delivery platforms and discusses the future directions of these cutting-edge platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Ura
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masaki Takeuchi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Tatsukata Kawagoe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, St. Marianna University, Kawazaki 216-8511, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Mizuki
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kenji Okuda
- Department of Molecular Biodefense Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masaru Shimada
- Department of Molecular Biodefense Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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Depaix A, Grudzien-Nogalska E, Fedorczyk B, Kiledjian M, Jemielity J, Kowalska J. Preparation of RNAs with non-canonical 5' ends using novel di- and trinucleotide reagents for co-transcriptional capping. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:854170. [PMID: 36060251 PMCID: PMC9437278 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.854170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Many eukaryotic and some bacterial RNAs are modified at the 5' end by the addition of cap structures. In addition to the classic 7-methylguanosine 5' cap in eukaryotic mRNA, several non-canonical caps have recently been identified, including NAD-linked, FAD-linked, and UDP-glucose-linked RNAs. However, studies of the biochemical properties of these caps are impaired by the limited access to in vitro transcribed RNA probes of high quality, as the typical capping efficiencies with NAD or FAD dinucleotides achieved in the presence of T7 polymerase rarely exceed 50%, and pyrimidine derivatives are not incorporated because of promoter sequence limitations. To address this issue, we developed a series of di- and trinucleotide capping reagents and in vitro transcription conditions to provide straightforward access to unconventionally capped RNAs with improved 5'-end homogeneity. We show that because of the transcription start site flexibility of T7 polymerase, R1ppApG-type structures (where R1 is either nicotinamide riboside or riboflavin) are efficiently incorporated into RNA during transcription from dsDNA templates containing both φ 6.5 and φ 2.5 promoters and enable high capping efficiencies (∼90%). Moreover, uridine-initiated RNAs are accessible by transcription from templates containing the φ 6.5 promoter performed in the presence of R2ppUpG-type initiating nucleotides (where R2 is a sugar or phosphate moiety). We successfully employed this strategy to obtain several nucleotide-sugar-capped and uncapped RNAs. The capping reagents developed herein provide easy access to chemical probes to elucidate the biological roles of non-canonical RNA 5' capping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Depaix
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Grudzien-Nogalska
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New York, NJ, United States
| | | | - Megerditch Kiledjian
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New York, NJ, United States
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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18
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Shanmugasundaram M, Senthilvelan A, Kore AR. Recent Advances in Modified Cap Analogs: Synthesis, Biochemical Properties, and mRNA Based Vaccines. CHEM REC 2022; 22:e202200005. [PMID: 35420257 PMCID: PMC9111249 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202200005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The recent FDA approval of the mRNA vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emphasizes the importance of mRNA as a powerful tool for therapeutic applications. The chemically modified mRNA cap analogs contain a unique cap structure, m7 G[5']ppp[5']N (where N=G, A, C or U), present at the 5'-end of many eukaryotic cellular and viral RNAs and several non-coding RNAs. The chemical modifications on cap analog influence orientation's nature, translational efficiency, nuclear stability, and binding affinity. The recent invention of a trinucleotide cap analog provides groundbreaking research in the area of mRNA analogs. Notably, trinucleotide cap analogs outweigh dinucleotide cap analogs in terms of capping efficiency and translational properties. This review focuses on the recent development in the synthesis of various dinucleotide cap analogs such as dinucleotide containing a triazole moiety, phosphorothiolate cap, biotinylated cap, cap analog containing N1 modification, cap analog containing N2 modification, dinucleotide containing fluorescence probe and TAT, bacterial caps, and trinucleotide cap analogs. In addition, the biological applications of these novel cap analogs are delineated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annamalai Senthilvelan
- Life Sciences Solutions GroupThermo Fisher Scientific2130 Woodward StreetAustinTX 78744-1832US
| | - Anilkumar R. Kore
- Life Sciences Solutions GroupThermo Fisher Scientific2130 Woodward StreetAustinTX 78744-1832US
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19
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Garbuglia AR, Minosse C, Del Porto P. mRNA- and Adenovirus-Based Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in HIV-Positive People. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040748. [PMID: 35458478 PMCID: PMC9031858 DOI: 10.3390/v14040748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
About two years have passed since the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in China. The rapid spread of this virus all over the world and its high transmissibility and pathogenicity in humans have resulted in a global pandemic. The negative impact of COVID-19 on health, society and the economy at the global level has pushed researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop effective vaccines to fight SARS-CoV-2. Thanks to this collaborative effort, the first COVID-19 vaccine was developed in less than a year. Since then, several COVID-19 vaccines have been validated for use by the World Health Organization. Among these, mRNA- (BNT162b2 and mRNA1273) and adenovirus-based (ChAdOx1) vaccines were developed through the use of novel technologies. While all three of these vaccines have shown effectiveness against the COVID-19 disease and their immunogenicity was characterized in clinical trials in the general population, data on their efficacy and immunogenicity in people living with HIV (PLWH) are limited. In this review, we provide a description of the characteristics of mRNA- and adenovirus-based vaccines and of the immune response elicited in the general population by vaccination. Then we describe the use of these vaccines and their efficacy and immunogenicity in people living with HIV and we conclude with a discussion regarding some open questions concerning the use of mRNA- and adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines in PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, “Lazzaro Spallanzani” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Claudia Minosse
- Laboratory of Virology, “Lazzaro Spallanzani” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Paola Del Porto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘C. Darwin’, Sapienza University, 00100 Rome, Italy;
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20
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Fang E, Liu X, Li M, Zhang Z, Song L, Zhu B, Wu X, Liu J, Zhao D, Li Y. Advances in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:94. [PMID: 35322018 PMCID: PMC8940982 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00950-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has determined 399,600,607 cases and 5,757,562 deaths worldwide. COVID-19 is a serious threat to human health globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 pandemic a major public health emergency. Vaccination is the most effective and economical intervention for controlling the spread of epidemics, and consequently saving lives and protecting the health of the population. Various techniques have been employed in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Among these, the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has been drawing increasing attention owing to its great application prospects and advantages, which include short development cycle, easy industrialization, simple production process, flexibility to respond to new variants, and the capacity to induce better immune response. This review summarizes current knowledge on the structural characteristics, antigen design strategies, delivery systems, industrialization potential, quality control, latest clinical trials and real-world data of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines as well as mRNA technology. Current challenges and future directions in the development of preventive mRNA vaccines for major infectious diseases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enyue Fang
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430207, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Miao Li
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Zelun Zhang
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Lifang Song
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Baiyu Zhu
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wu
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Danhua Zhao
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 102629, China.
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21
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He Q, Gao H, Tan D, Zhang H, Wang JZ. mRNA cancer vaccines: Advances, trends and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2969-2989. [PMID: 35345451 PMCID: PMC8942458 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients exhibit good tolerance to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, and the choice of encoded molecules is flexible and diverse. These vaccines can be engineered to express full-length antigens containing multiple epitopes without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction, are relatively easy to control and can be rapidly mass produced. In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, which has generated enthusiasm for mRNA vaccine research and development. Based on the above characteristics and the development of mRNA vaccines, mRNA cancer vaccines have become a research hotspot and have undergone rapid development, especially in the last five years. This review analyzes the advances in mRNA cancer vaccines from various perspectives, including the selection and expression of antigens/targets, the application of vectors and adjuvants, different administration routes, and preclinical evaluation, to reflect the trends and challenges associated with these vaccines.
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22
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Huff AL, Jaffee EM, Zaidi N. Messenger RNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy: progress promotes promise. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e156211. [PMID: 35289317 PMCID: PMC8920340 DOI: 10.1172/jci156211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated mRNA vaccines to global recognition due to their unprecedented success rate in protecting against a deadly virus. This international success is underscored by the remarkable versatility, favorable immunogenicity, and overall safety of the mRNA platform in diverse populations. Although mRNA vaccines have been studied in preclinical models and patients with cancer for almost three decades, development has been slow. The recent technological advances responsible for the COVID-19 vaccines have potential implications for successfully adapting this vaccine platform for cancer therapeutics. Here we discuss the lessons learned along with the chemical, biologic, and immunologic adaptations needed to optimize mRNA technology to successfully treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Huff
- Department of Oncology
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
- The Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and
- The Cancer Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of Oncology
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
- The Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and
- The Cancer Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Department of Oncology
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
- The Skip Viragh Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Clinical Care
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and
- The Cancer Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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23
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Salleh MZ, Norazmi MN, Deris ZZ. Immunogenicity mechanism of mRNA vaccines and their limitations in promoting adaptive protection against SARS-CoV-2. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13083. [PMID: 35287350 PMCID: PMC8917804 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019, hundreds of millions of people have been infected worldwide. There have been unprecedented efforts in acquiring effective vaccines to confer protection against the disease. mRNA vaccines have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional vaccines due to their high potency with the capacity for rapid development and low manufacturing costs. In this review, we summarize the currently available vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in development, with the focus on the concepts of mRNA vaccines, their antigen selection, delivery and optimization to increase the immunostimulatory capability of mRNA as well as its stability and translatability. We also discuss the host immune responses to the SARS-CoV-2 infection and expound in detail, the adaptive immune response upon immunization with mRNA vaccines, in which high levels of spike-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies were detected after two-dose vaccination. mRNA vaccines have been shown to induce a robust CD8+T cell response, with a balanced CD4+ TH1/TH2 response. We further discuss the challenges and limitations of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, where newly emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 may render currently deployed vaccines less effective. Imbalanced and inappropriate inflammatory responses, resulting from hyper-activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may lead to vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD) and rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis also are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Zulkifli Salleh
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Nor Norazmi
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Zakuan Zainy Deris
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery Systems to Enable mRNA-Based Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020398. [PMID: 35214130 PMCID: PMC8876479 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The world raced to develop vaccines to protect against the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection upon the recognition of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. A broad spectrum of candidates was evaluated, with mRNA-based vaccines emerging as leaders due to how quickly they were available for emergency use while providing a high level of efficacy. As a modular technology, the mRNA-based vaccines benefitted from decades of advancements in both mRNA and delivery technology prior to the current global pandemic. The fundamental lessons of the utility of mRNA as a therapeutic were pioneered by Dr. Katalin Kariko and her colleagues, perhaps most notably in collaboration with Drew Weissman at University of Pennsylvania, and this foundational work paved the way for the development of the first ever mRNA-based therapeutic authorized for human use, COMIRNATY®. In this Special Issue of Pharmaceutics, we will be honoring Dr. Kariko for her great contributions to the mRNA technology to treat diseases with unmet needs. In this review article, we will focus on the delivery platform, the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) carrier, which allowed the potential of mRNA therapeutics to be realized. Similar to the mRNA technology, the development of LNP systems has been ongoing for decades before culminating in the success of the first clinically approved siRNA-LNP product, ONPATTRO®, a treatment for an otherwise fatal genetic disease called transthyretin amyloidosis. Lessons learned from the siRNA-LNP experience enabled the translation into the mRNA platform with the eventual authorization and approval of the mRNA-LNP vaccines against COVID-19. This marks the beginning of mRNA-LNP as a pharmaceutical option to treat genetic diseases.
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Abstract
In recent years, it has become clear that RNA molecules are involved in almost all vital cellular processes and pathogenesis of human disorders. The functional diversity of RNA comes from its structural richness. Although composed of only four nucleotides, RNA molecules present a plethora of secondary and tertiary structures critical for intra and intermolecular contacts with other RNAs and ligands (proteins, small metabolites, etc.). In order to fully understand RNA function it is necessary to define its spatial structure. Crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and cryogenic electron microscopy have demonstrated considerable success in determining the structures of biologically important RNA molecules. However, these powerful methods require large amounts of sample. Despite their limitations, chemical synthesis and in vitro transcription are usually employed to obtain milligram quantities of RNA for structural studies, delivering simple and effective methods for large-scale production of homogenous samples. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of methods for large-scale RNA synthesis with emphasis on chemical synthesis and in vitro transcription. We also present our own results of testing the efficiency of these approaches in order to adapt the material acquisition strategy depending on the desired RNA construct.
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Schmalzing G, Markwardt F. Established Protocols for cRNA Expression and Voltage-Clamp Characterization of the P2X7 Receptor in Xenopus laevis Oocytes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2510:157-192. [PMID: 35776325 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2384-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are fast ATP4--gated ion channels that, like other members of the P2X receptor family, function as homotrimers. A high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the full-length rat P2X7R is available. Using voltage-clamp experiments in Xenopus laevis oocytes, even the earliest steps of P2X7R activation can be quantitatively recorded in the millisecond range. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with voltage-clamp recordings can reveal residues and domains of the P2X7R involved in ATP4- binding, gating (i.e., opening and closing of the channel pore) and ion selectivity. We present here proven voltage-clamp protocols that take into account requirements that are important at the levels of cDNA and vector sequences, cRNA synthesis, and Xenopus laevis oocyte isolation for reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günther Schmalzing
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fritz Markwardt
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany.
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27
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Ouranidis A, Vavilis T, Mandala E, Davidopoulou C, Stamoula E, Markopoulou CK, Karagianni A, Kachrimanis K. mRNA Therapeutic Modalities Design, Formulation and Manufacturing under Pharma 4.0 Principles. Biomedicines 2021; 10:50. [PMID: 35052730 PMCID: PMC8773365 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the quest for a formidable weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, mRNA therapeutics have stolen the spotlight. mRNA vaccines are a prime example of the benefits of mRNA approaches towards a broad array of clinical entities and druggable targets. Amongst these benefits is the rapid cycle "from design to production" of an mRNA product compared to their peptide counterparts, the mutability of the production line should another target be chosen, the side-stepping of safety issues posed by DNA therapeutics being permanently integrated into the transfected cell's genome and the controlled precision over the translated peptides. Furthermore, mRNA applications are versatile: apart from vaccines it can be used as a replacement therapy, even to create chimeric antigen receptor T-cells or reprogram somatic cells. Still, the sudden global demand for mRNA has highlighted the shortcomings in its industrial production as well as its formulation, efficacy and applicability. Continuous, smart mRNA manufacturing 4.0 technologies have been recently proposed to address such challenges. In this work, we examine the lab and upscaled production of mRNA therapeutics, the mRNA modifications proposed that increase its efficacy and lower its immunogenicity, the vectors available for delivery and the stability considerations concerning long-term storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ouranidis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theofanis Vavilis
- Laboratory of Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdokia Mandala
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Davidopoulou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Stamoula
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Catherine K Markopoulou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Karagianni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kyriakos Kachrimanis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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28
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Miliotou AN, Pappas IS, Spyroulias G, Vlachaki E, Tsiftsoglou AS, Vizirianakis IS, Papadopoulou LC. Development of a novel PTD-mediated IVT-mRNA delivery platform for potential protein replacement therapy of metabolic/genetic disorders. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:694-710. [PMID: 34703653 PMCID: PMC8517095 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The potential clinical applications of the powerful in vitro-transcribed (IVT)-mRNAs, to restore defective protein functions, strongly depend on their successful intracellular delivery and transient translation through the development of safe and efficient delivery platforms. In this study, an innovative (international patent-pending) methodology was developed, combining the IVT-mRNAs with the protein transduction domain (PTD) technology, as an efficient delivery platform. Based on the PTD technology, which enables the intracellular delivery of various cargoes intracellularly, successful conjugation of a PTD to the IVT-mRNAs was achieved and evaluated by band-shift assay and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the PTD-IVT-mRNAs were applied and evaluated in two protein-disease models, including the mitochondrial disorder fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency (attributed to SCO2 gene mutations) and β-thalassemia. The PTD-IVT-mRNA of SCO2 was successfully transduced and translated to the corresponding Sco2 protein inside the primary fibroblasts of a SCO2/COX-deficient patient, whereas the PTD-IVT-mRNA of β-globin was transduced and translated in bone marrow cells, derived from three β-thalassemic patients. The transducibility and the structural stability of the PDT-IVT-mRNAs, in both cases, were confirmed at the RNA and protein levels. We propose that our novel delivery platform could be clinically applicable as a protein therapy for metabolic/genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androulla N Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 42 Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S Pappas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, 431 00 Thessaly, Greece
| | | | - Efthimia Vlachaki
- Adult Thalassemia Unit, Hippokrateion General Hospital, Thessaloniki, 546 42 Macedonia, Greece
| | - Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 42 Macedonia, Greece
| | - Ioannis S Vizirianakis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 42 Macedonia, Greece.,Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 546 42 Macedonia, Greece
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29
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Wojcik R, Baranowski MR, Markiewicz L, Kubacka D, Bednarczyk M, Baran N, Wojtczak A, Sikorski PJ, Zuberek J, Kowalska J, Jemielity J. Novel N7-Arylmethyl Substituted Dinucleotide mRNA 5' cap Analogs: Synthesis and Evaluation as Modulators of Translation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111941. [PMID: 34834356 PMCID: PMC8623273 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dinucleotide analogs of the messenger RNA cap (m7GpppN) are useful research tools and have potential applications as translational inhibitors or reagents for modification of in vitro transcribed mRNAs. It has been previously reported that replacing the methyl group at the N7-position with benzyl (Bn) produces a dinucleotide cap with superior properties. Here, we followed up on this finding by synthesizing 17 novel Bn7GpppG analogs and determining their structure-activity relationship regarding translation and translational inhibition. The compounds were prepared in two steps, including selective N7-alkylation of guanosine 5'-monophosphate by arylmethyl bromide followed by coupling with imidazole-activated GDP, with total yields varying from 22% to 62%. The compounds were then evaluated by determining their affinity for eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), testing their susceptibility to decapping pyrophosphatase, DcpS-which is most likely the major cellular enzyme targeting this type of compound-and determining their translation inhibitory properties in vitro. We also synthesized mRNAs capped with the evaluated compounds and tested their translational properties in A549 cells. Our studies identified N7-(4-halogenbenzyl) substituents as promising modifications in the contexts of either mRNA translation or translational inhibition. Finally, to gain more insight into the consequences at the molecular level of N7-benzylation of the mRNA cap, we determined the crystal structures of three compounds with eIF4E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Wojcik
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Marek R. Baranowski
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Lukasz Markiewicz
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Dorota Kubacka
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Marcelina Bednarczyk
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Natalia Baran
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Anna Wojtczak
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Pawel J. Sikorski
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
| | - Joanna Zuberek
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.R.B.); (D.K.); (A.W.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland; (R.W.); (L.M.); (M.B.); (N.B.); (P.J.S.)
- Correspondence: (J.K.); (J.J.)
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30
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van Asbeck AH, Dieker J, Oude Egberink R, van den Berg L, van der Vlag J, Brock R. Protein Expression Correlates Linearly with mRNA Dose over Up to Five Orders of Magnitude In Vitro and In Vivo. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050511. [PMID: 34063094 PMCID: PMC8148180 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA is rapidly gaining significance as a therapeutic modality. Here, we address the dependence of dose-response functions on the type of delivery vehicle, cell line, and incubation time. Knowledge of these characteristics is crucial for the application of mRNA. As delivery vehicles, a lipid-based formulation and the cell-penetrating peptide Pepfect14 (PF14) were employed. As cell lines, we included a glomerular endothelial cell line (mGEnC) as a model for differentiated cells, HeLa cells, and SKOV-3 ovarian carcinoma cells. Uptake and expression were detected by flow cytometry, using a Cy5-labelled mRNA coding for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). There was a linear correlation of dose, uptake, and expression, and this correlation was maintained for over up to 72 h. Through application of a multistep kinetic model, we show that differences in expression levels can already be explained by the number of mRNAs packaged per delivery vehicle. Using luciferase as a reporter protein, linearity of expression was observed over 5 orders of magnitude in vitro and 3 orders of magnitude in vivo. Overall, the results demonstrate that mRNA provides excellent quantitative control over protein expression, also over extended periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H. van Asbeck
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.H.v.A.); (J.D.); (R.O.E.); (L.v.d.B.)
| | - Jürgen Dieker
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.H.v.A.); (J.D.); (R.O.E.); (L.v.d.B.)
| | - Rik Oude Egberink
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.H.v.A.); (J.D.); (R.O.E.); (L.v.d.B.)
| | - Lennard van den Berg
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.H.v.A.); (J.D.); (R.O.E.); (L.v.d.B.)
| | - Johan van der Vlag
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (A.H.v.A.); (J.D.); (R.O.E.); (L.v.d.B.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Medical Science, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Kingdom of Bahrain
- Correspondence:
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31
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Kim J, Eygeris Y, Gupta M, Sahay G. Self-assembled mRNA vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:83-112. [PMID: 33400957 PMCID: PMC7837307 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have evolved from being a mere curiosity to emerging as COVID-19 vaccine front-runners. Recent advancements in the field of RNA technology, vaccinology, and nanotechnology have generated interest in delivering safe and effective mRNA therapeutics. In this review, we discuss design and self-assembly of mRNA vaccines. Self-assembly, a spontaneous organization of individual molecules, allows for design of nanoparticles with customizable properties. We highlight the materials commonly utilized to deliver mRNA, their physicochemical characteristics, and other relevant considerations, such as mRNA optimization, routes of administration, cellular fate, and immune activation, that are important for successful mRNA vaccination. We also examine the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines currently in clinical trials. mRNA vaccines are ready for the clinic, showing tremendous promise in the COVID-19 vaccine race, and have pushed the boundaries of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghwan Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Yulia Eygeris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Mohit Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 South Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
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32
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Abstract
The mRNA epitranscriptome imparts diversity to gene expression by installing chemical modifications. Advances in detection methods have identified chemical modifications in eukaryotic, bacterial, and viral messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The biological functions of modifications in mRNAs still remain to be understood. Chemical modifications are introduced in synthetic mRNAs meant for therapeutic applications to maximize expression from the synthetic mRNAs and to evade the host immune response. This overview provides a background of chemical modifications found in mRNAs, with an emphasis on pseudouridine and its known effects on the mRNA life cycle, its potential applications in synthetic mRNA, and the methods used to assess its effects on mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijoyita Roy
- RNA and Genome Editing, New England Biolabs Inc, Ipswich, MA, USA.
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33
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Esprit A, de Mey W, Bahadur Shahi R, Thielemans K, Franceschini L, Breckpot K. Neo-Antigen mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E776. [PMID: 33353155 PMCID: PMC7766040 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in therapeutic cancer vaccines has caught enormous attention in recent years due to several breakthroughs in cancer research, among which the finding that successful checkpoint blockade treatments reinvigorate neo-antigen-specific T cells and that successful adoptive cell therapies are directed towards neo-antigens. Neo-antigens are cancer-specific antigens, which develop from somatic mutations in the cancer cell genome that can be highly immunogenic and are not subjected to central tolerance. As the majority of neo-antigens are unique to each patient's cancer, a vaccine technology that is flexible and potent is required to develop personalized neo-antigen vaccines. In vitro transcribed mRNA is such a technology platform and has been evaluated for delivery of neo-antigens to professional antigen-presenting cells both ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, strategies that support the activity of T cells in the tumor microenvironment have been developed. These represent a unique opportunity to ensure durable T cell activity upon vaccination. Here, we comprehensively review recent progress in mRNA-based neo-antigen vaccines, summarizing critical milestones that made it possible to bring the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.E.); (W.d.M.); (R.B.S.); (K.T.); (L.F.)
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34
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Pelletier J, Schmeing TM, Sonenberg N. The multifaceted eukaryotic cap structure. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2020; 12:e1636. [PMID: 33300197 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The 5' cap structure is added onto RNA polymerase II transcripts soon after initiation of transcription and modulates several post-transcriptional regulatory events involved in RNA maturation. It is also required for stimulating translation initiation of many cytoplasmic mRNAs and serves to protect mRNAs from degradation. These functional properties of the cap are mediated by several cap binding proteins (CBPs) involved in nuclear and cytoplasmic gene expression steps. The role that CBPs play in gene regulation, as well as the biophysical nature by which they recognize the cap, is quite intricate. Differences in mechanisms of capping as well as nuances in cap recognition speak to the potential of targeting these processes for drug development. In this review, we focus on recent findings concerning the cap epitranscriptome, our understanding of cap binding by different CBPs, and explore therapeutic targeting of CBP-cap interaction. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications Translation > Translation Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Pelletier
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - T Martin Schmeing
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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35
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Dissection of P2X4 and P2X7 Receptor Current Components in BV-2 Microglia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228489. [PMID: 33187309 PMCID: PMC7696836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia cells represent the immune system of the central nervous system. They become activated by ATP released from damaged and inflamed tissue via purinergic receptors. Ionotropic purinergic P2X4 and P2X7 receptors have been shown to be involved in neurological inflammation and pain sensation. Whether the two receptors assemble exclusively as homotrimers or also as heterotrimers is still a matter of debate. We investigated the expression of P2X receptors in BV-2 microglia cells applying the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. We dissected P2X4 and P2X7 receptor-mediated current components by using specific P2X4 and P2X7 receptor blockers and by their characteristic current kinetics. We found that P2X4 and P2X7 receptors are activated independently from each other, indicating that P2X4/P2X7 heteromers are not of functional significance in these cells. The pro-inflammatory mediators lipopolysaccharide and interferon γ, if applied in combination, upregulated P2X4, but not P2X7 receptor-dependent current components also arguing against phenotypically relevant heteromerization of P2X4 and P2X7 receptor subunits.
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36
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Moradian H, Lendlein A, Gossen M. Strategies for simultaneous and successive delivery of RNA. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:1767-1779. [PMID: 33146744 PMCID: PMC7679312 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01956-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Advanced non-viral gene delivery experiments often require co-delivery of multiple nucleic acids. Therefore, the availability of reliable and robust co-transfection methods and defined selection criteria for their use in, e.g., expression of multimeric proteins or mixed RNA/DNA delivery is of utmost importance. Here, we investigated different co- and successive transfection approaches, with particular focus on in vitro transcribed messenger RNA (IVT-mRNA). Expression levels and patterns of two fluorescent protein reporters were determined, using different IVT-mRNA doses, carriers, and cell types. Quantitative parameters determining the efficiency of co-delivery were analyzed for IVT-mRNAs premixed before nanocarrier formation (integrated co-transfection) and when simultaneously transfecting cells with separately formed nanocarriers (parallel co-transfection), which resulted in a much higher level of expression heterogeneity for the two reporters. Successive delivery of mRNA revealed a lower transfection efficiency in the second transfection round. All these differences proved to be more pronounced for low mRNA doses. Concurrent delivery of siRNA with mRNA also indicated the highest co-transfection efficiency for integrated method. However, the maximum efficacy was shown for successive delivery, due to the kinetically different peak output for the two discretely operating entities. Our findings provide guidance for selection of the co-delivery method best suited to accommodate experimental requirements, highlighting in particular the nucleic acid dose-response dependence on co-delivery on the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Moradian
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstr. 55, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Andreas Lendlein
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstr. 55, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstr. 55, 14513, Teltow, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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37
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Xu S, Yang K, Li R, Zhang L. mRNA Vaccine Era-Mechanisms, Drug Platform and Clinical Prospection. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6582. [PMID: 32916818 PMCID: PMC7554980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based drugs, notably mRNA vaccines, have been widely proven as a promising treatment strategy in immune therapeutics. The extraordinary advantages associated with mRNA vaccines, including their high efficacy, a relatively low severity of side effects, and low attainment costs, have enabled them to become prevalent in pre-clinical and clinical trials against various infectious diseases and cancers. Recent technological advancements have alleviated some issues that hinder mRNA vaccine development, such as low efficiency that exist in both gene translation and in vivo deliveries. mRNA immunogenicity can also be greatly adjusted as a result of upgraded technologies. In this review, we have summarized details regarding the optimization of mRNA vaccines, and the underlying biological mechanisms of this form of vaccines. Applications of mRNA vaccines in some infectious diseases and cancers are introduced. It also includes our prospections for mRNA vaccine applications in diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, such as tuberculosis. At the same time, some suggestions for future mRNA vaccine development about storage methods, safety concerns, and personalized vaccine synthesis can be found in the context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (S.X.); (K.Y.)
| | - Kunpeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (S.X.); (K.Y.)
| | - Rose Li
- M.B.B.S., School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China;
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; (S.X.); (K.Y.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Shanghai 200438, China
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38
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Sultana N, Hadas Y, Sharkar MTK, Kaur K, Magadum A, Kurian AA, Hossain N, Alburquerque B, Ahmed S, Chepurko E, Zangi L. Optimization of 5' Untranslated Region of Modified mRNA for Use in Cardiac or Hepatic Ischemic Injury. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 17:622-633. [PMID: 32300609 PMCID: PMC7150433 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Modified mRNA (modRNA) is a gene-delivery platform for transiently introducing a single gene or several genes of interest to different cell types and tissues. modRNA is considered to be a safe vector for gene transfer, as it negligibly activates the innate immune system and does not compromise the genome integrity. The use of modRNA in basic and translational science is rising, due to the clinical potential of modRNA. We are currently using modRNA to induce cardiac regeneration post-ischemic injury. Major obstacles in using modRNA for cardiac ischemic disease include the need for the direct and single administration of modRNA to the heart and the inefficient translation of modRNA due to its short half-life. Modulation of the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) to enhance translation efficiency in ischemic cardiac disease has great value, as it can reduce the amount of modRNA needed per delivery and will achieve higher and longer protein production post-single delivery. Here, we identified that 5' UTR, from the fatty acid metabolism gene carboxylesterase 1D (Ces1d), enhanced the translation of firefly luciferase (Luc) modRNA by 2-fold in the heart post-myocardial infarction (MI). Moreover, we identified, in the Ces1d, a specific RNA element (element D) that is responsible for the improvement of modRNA translation and leads to a 2.5-fold translation increment over Luc modRNA carrying artificial 5' UTR, post-MI. Importantly, we were able to show that 5' UTR Ces1d also enhances modRNA translation in the liver, but not in the kidney, post-ischemic injury, indicating that Ces1d 5' UTR and element D may play a wider role in translation of protein under an ischemic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishat Sultana
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yoav Hadas
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mohammad Tofael Kabir Sharkar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Keerat Kaur
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ajit Magadum
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ann Anu Kurian
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nadia Hossain
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Bremy Alburquerque
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sakib Ahmed
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Elena Chepurko
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lior Zangi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Moradian H, Roch T, Lendlein A, Gossen M. mRNA Transfection-Induced Activation of Primary Human Monocytes and Macrophages: Dependence on Carrier System and Nucleotide Modification. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4181. [PMID: 32144280 PMCID: PMC7060354 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocytes and macrophages are key players in maintaining immune homeostasis. Identifying strategies to manipulate their functions via gene delivery is thus of great interest for immunological research and biomedical applications. We set out to establish conditions for mRNA transfection in hard-to-transfect primary human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages due to the great potential of gene expression from in vitro transcribed mRNA for modulating cell phenotypes. mRNA doses, nucleotide modifications, and different carriers were systematically explored in order to optimize high mRNA transfer rates while minimizing cell stress and immune activation. We selected three commercially available mRNA transfection reagents including liposome and polymer-based formulations, covering different application spectra. Our results demonstrate that liposomal reagents can particularly combine high gene transfer rates with only moderate immune cell activation. For the latter, use of specific nucleotide modifications proved essential. In addition to improving efficacy of gene transfer, our findings address discrete aspects of innate immune activation using cytokine and surface marker expression, as well as cell viability as key readouts to judge overall transfection efficiency. The impact of this study goes beyond optimizing transfection conditions for immune cells, by providing a framework for assessing new gene carrier systems for monocyte and macrophage, tailored to specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Moradian
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Toralf Roch
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Translational Medicine, Medical Department I, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
| | - Andreas Lendlein
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 14513, Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- Institute of Biomaterial Science, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 14513, Teltow, Germany.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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40
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Weng Y, Li C, Yang T, Hu B, Zhang M, Guo S, Xiao H, Liang XJ, Huang Y. The challenge and prospect of mRNA therapeutics landscape. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 40:107534. [PMID: 32088327 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutics hold the potential to cause a major revolution in the pharmaceutical industry because they can be used for precise and individualized therapy, and enable patients to produce therapeutic proteins in their own bodies without struggling with the comprehensive manufacturing issues associated with recombinant proteins. Compared with the current therapeutics, the production of mRNA is much cost-effective, faster and more flexible because it can be easily produced by in vitro transcription, and the process is independent of mRNA sequence. Moreover, mRNA vaccines allow people to develop personalized medications based on sequencing results and/or personalized conditions rapidly. Along with the great potential from bench to bedside, technical obstacles facing mRNA pharmaceuticals are also obvious. The stability, immunogenicity, translation efficiency, and delivery are all pivotal issues need to be addressed. In the recently published research results, these issues are gradually being overcome by state-of-the-art development technologies. In this review, we describe the structural properties and modification technologies of mRNA, summarize the latest advances in developing mRNA delivery systems, review the preclinical and clinical applications, and put forward our views on the prospect and challenges of developing mRNA into a new class of drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Weng
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Chunhui Li
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Tongren Yang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Bo Hu
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Mengjie Zhang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Shuai Guo
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Haihua Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing 100190, PR China
| | - Yuanyu Huang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, PR China.
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41
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Jackson NAC, Kester KE, Casimiro D, Gurunathan S, DeRosa F. The promise of mRNA vaccines: a biotech and industrial perspective. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:11. [PMID: 32047656 PMCID: PMC7000814 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0159-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA technologies have the potential to transform areas of medicine, including the prophylaxis of infectious diseases. The advantages for vaccines range from the acceleration of immunogen discovery to rapid response and multiple disease target manufacturing. A greater understanding of quality attributes that dictate translation efficiency, as well as a comprehensive appreciation of the importance of mRNA delivery, are influencing a new era of investment in development activities. The application of translational sciences and growing early-phase clinical experience continue to inform candidate vaccine selection. Here we review the state of the art for the prevention of infectious diseases by using mRNA and pertinent topics to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. C. Jackson
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gibbs building, 215 Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London, NW1 2BE UK
| | - Kent E. Kester
- Sanofi Pasteur, 1 Discovery Dr, Swiftwater, PA 18370 USA
| | | | | | - Frank DeRosa
- Translate Bio, 29 Hartwell Ave, Lexington, MA 02421 USA
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cancer immunotherapy uses autologous immune system's cells, genetically modified, to reinforce the immune system against cancer cells. Genetic modification is usually mediated via viral transfection, despite the risk of insertional oncogenesis and off target side effects. In vitro-transcribed (IVT)-mRNA-mediated transfection could contribute to a much safer CAR therapy, since IVT-mRNA leaves no ultimate genetic residue in recipient cells. In this chapter, the IVT-mRNA generation procedure is described, from the selection of the target of the CAR T-cells, the cloning of the template for the in vitro transcription and the development of several chemical modifications for optimizing the structure and thus the stability of the produced CAR IVT-mRNA molecules. Among various transfection methods to efficiently express the CAR molecule on T-cells' surface, the electroporation and the cationic-lipid mediated transfection of the CAR IVT-mRNAs are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androulla N Miliotou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece
| | - Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
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43
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Tang X, Zhang S, Fu R, Zhang L, Huang K, Peng H, Dai L, Chen Q. Therapeutic Prospects of mRNA-Based Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1208. [PMID: 31781503 PMCID: PMC6857656 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of glioblastoma has been a big challenge for decades in the oncological field mainly owing to its unique biological characteristics, such as high heterogeneity, diffusing invasiveness, and capacity to resist conventional therapies. The mRNA-based therapeutic modality holds many superior features, including easy manipulation, rapid and transient expression, and adaptive convertibility without mutagenesis, which are suitable for dealing with glioblastoma's complexity and variability. Synthetic anticancer mRNAs carried by various vehicles act as the ultimate attackers of the tumor across biological barriers. In this modality, specifically targeted glioblastoma treatment can be guaranteed by adding targeting molecules at certain levels. The choice of mRNA-bearing vehicle and administration method is a fully patient-tailored selection. This review covers the advantages and possible limitations of mRNA-based gene therapy, the in vitro synthesis of mRNA, the feasible methods for synthetic mRNA delivery and clinical therapeutic prospects of mRNA-based gene therapy for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong, University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Shenqi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Kuanming Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Longjun Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Qianxue Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Trepotec Z, Lichtenegger E, Plank C, Aneja MK, Rudolph C. Delivery of mRNA Therapeutics for the Treatment of Hepatic Diseases. Mol Ther 2019; 27:794-802. [PMID: 30655211 PMCID: PMC6453508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Promising improvements in the field of transcript therapeutics have clearly enhanced the potential of mRNA as a new pillar for protein replacement therapies. Synthetic mRNAs are engineered to replace mutated mRNAs and to be immunologically inconspicuous and highly stable while maximizing protein expression. Approaches to deliver mRNA into the cellular cytoplasm safely and efficiently have been further developed so that two mRNA-based approaches replacing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) have now made it into clinical trials. These studies bring mRNA therapeutics for protein replacement therapy closer to clinical realization. Herein, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical developments of mRNA therapeutics for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeljka Trepotec
- Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christian Plank
- Ethris GmbH, RNA Biology, 82152 Planegg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Rudolph
- Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany; Ethris GmbH, RNA Biology, 82152 Planegg, Germany.
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45
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Patel S, Athirasala A, Menezes PP, Ashwanikumar N, Zou T, Sahay G, Bertassoni LE. Messenger RNA Delivery for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications. Tissue Eng Part A 2019; 25:91-112. [PMID: 29661055 PMCID: PMC6352544 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2017.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to control cellular processes and precisely direct cellular reprogramming has revolutionized regenerative medicine. Recent advances in in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA technology with chemical modifications have led to development of methods that control spatiotemporal gene expression. Additionally, there is a current thrust toward the development of safe, integration-free approaches to gene therapy for translational purposes. In this review, we describe strategies of synthetic IVT mRNA modifications and nonviral technologies for intracellular delivery. We provide insights into the current tissue engineering approaches that use a hydrogel scaffold with genetic material. Furthermore, we discuss the transformative potential of novel mRNA formulations that when embedded in hydrogels can trigger controlled genetic manipulation to regenerate tissues and organs in vitro and in vivo. The role of mRNA delivery in vascularization, cytoprotection, and Cas9-mediated xenotransplantation is additionally highlighted. Harmonizing mRNA delivery vehicle interactions with polymeric scaffolds can be used to present genetic cues that lead to precise command over cellular reprogramming, differentiation, and secretome activity of stem cells-an ultimate goal for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Collaborative Life Science Building, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Avathamsa Athirasala
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Paula P. Menezes
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - N. Ashwanikumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Collaborative Life Science Building, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Ting Zou
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Collaborative Life Science Building, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Collaborative Life Science Building, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Luiz E. Bertassoni
- Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Collaborative Life Science Building, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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46
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Xiong Q, Lee GY, Ding J, Li W, Shi J. Biomedical applications of mRNA nanomedicine. NANO RESEARCH 2018; 11:5281-5309. [PMID: 31007865 PMCID: PMC6472920 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-018-2146-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As an attractive alternative to plasmid DNA, messenger RNA (mRNA) has recently emerged as a promising class of nucleic acid therapeutics for biomedical applications. Advances in addressing the inherent shortcomings of mRNA and in the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems have prompted the development and clinical translation of mRNA-based medicines. In this review, we discuss the chemical modification strategies of mRNA to improve its stability, minimize immune responses, and enhance translational efficacy. We also highlight recent progress in nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery. Considerable attention is given to the increasingly widespread applications of mRNA nanomedicine in the biomedical fields of vaccination, protein-replacement therapy, gene editing, and cellular reprogramming and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xiong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Gha Young Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jianxun Ding
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Wenliang Li
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- School of Pharmacy, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, 132013 China
| | - Jinjun Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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47
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Kocmik I, Piecyk K, Rudzinska M, Niedzwiecka A, Darzynkiewicz E, Grzela R, Jankowska-Anyszka M. Modified ARCA analogs providing enhanced translational properties of capped mRNAs. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:1624-1636. [PMID: 29954234 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1486164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays gene manipulation techniques ("DNA therapy") undergo progressive development and become widely used in industry and medicine. Since new advances in mRNA technologies are capable for obtaining particles with increased stability and translational efficiency, RNA become an attractive alternative for advancement of DNA therapy. For the past years studies have been conducted to explore different modification in mRNA cap structure and its effect on RNA properties. Recently we have shown that modification of the cap structure at the N2 position of 7-methylguanosine leads to an enhancement in translation inhibition. Currently, we have decided to exploit translational properties of mRNA capped with the ARCA (anti-reversed cap) analogs modified within N2 position of purine moiety s. We designed and synthesized three new dinucleotide cap analogs and investigated them in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) and the human embryonic kidney derived HEK293 cell line, in vitro translational model systems. The obtained data indicate that, in both translational assays, the cap analogs synthesized by us when incorporated into mRNA improved its translational properties compared to the ARCA capped transcripts. Furthermore, the introduced modifications enhanced stability of the capped transcripts in HEK293 cells, which become higher compared to that of the transcripts capped with regular cap or with ARCA. Additionally one of the synthesized cap analogs revealed strong translation inhibition potency in RRL system, with IC50 value 1.7 µM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Kocmik
- a Faculty of Chemistry , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
| | - Karolina Piecyk
- a Faculty of Chemistry , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
| | | | - Anna Niedzwiecka
- c Laboratory of Biological Physics , Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences , Warsaw , Poland
| | - Edward Darzynkiewicz
- b Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland.,d Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
| | - Renata Grzela
- b Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
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48
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Wojtczak BA, Sikorski PJ, Fac-Dabrowska K, Nowicka A, Warminski M, Kubacka D, Nowak E, Nowotny M, Kowalska J, Jemielity J. 5'-Phosphorothiolate Dinucleotide Cap Analogues: Reagents for Messenger RNA Modification and Potent Small-Molecular Inhibitors of Decapping Enzymes. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:5987-5999. [PMID: 29676910 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b02597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The 5' cap consists of 7-methylguanosine (m7G) linked by a 5'-5'-triphosphate bridge to messenger RNA (mRNA) and acts as the master regulator of mRNA turnover and translation initiation in eukaryotes. Cap analogues that influence mRNA translation and turnover (either as small molecules or as part of an RNA transcript) are valuable tools for studying gene expression, which is often also of therapeutic relevance. Here, we synthesized a series of 15 dinucleotide cap (m7GpppG) analogues containing a 5'-phosphorothiolate (5'-PSL) moiety (i.e., an O-to-S substitution within the 5'-phosphoester) and studied their biological properties in the context of three major cap-binding proteins: translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and two decapping enzymes, DcpS and Dcp2. While the 5'-PSL moiety was neutral or slightly stabilizing for cap interactions with eIF4E, it significantly influenced susceptibility to decapping. Replacing the γ-phosphoester with the 5'-PSL moiety (γ-PSL) prevented β-γ-pyrophosphate bond cleavage by DcpS and conferred strong inhibitory properties. Combining the γ-PSL moiety with α-PSL and β-phosphorothioate (PS) moiety afforded first cap-derived hDcpS inhibitor with low nanomolar potency. Susceptibility to Dcp2 and translational properties were studied after incorporation of the new analogues into mRNA transcripts by RNA polymerase. Transcripts containing the γ-PSL moiety were resistant to cleavage by Dcp2. Surprisingly, superior translational properties were observed for mRNAs containing the α-PSL moiety, which were Dcp2-susceptible. The overall protein expression measured in HeLa cells for this mRNA was comparable to mRNA capped with the translation augmenting β-PS analogue reported previously. Overall, our study highlights 5'-PSL as a synthetically accessible cap modification, which, depending on the substitution site, can either reduce susceptibility to decapping or confer superior translational properties on the mRNA. The 5'-PSL-analogues may find application as reagents for the preparation of efficiently expressed mRNA or for investigation of the role of decapping enzymes in mRNA processing or neuromuscular disorders associated with decapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blazej A Wojtczak
- Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Banacha 2c Street , 02-097 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Pawel J Sikorski
- Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Banacha 2c Street , 02-097 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Kaja Fac-Dabrowska
- Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Banacha 2c Street , 02-097 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Anna Nowicka
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics , University of Warsaw , Pasteura 5 Street , 02-093 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Marcin Warminski
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics , University of Warsaw , Pasteura 5 Street , 02-093 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Dorota Kubacka
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics , University of Warsaw , Pasteura 5 Street , 02-093 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Elzbieta Nowak
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw , 4 Ks. Trojdena Street , 02-109 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Marcin Nowotny
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw , 4 Ks. Trojdena Street , 02-109 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics , University of Warsaw , Pasteura 5 Street , 02-093 Warsaw , Poland
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Banacha 2c Street , 02-097 Warsaw , Poland
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Synthetic mRNA with Superior Properties that Mimics the Intracellular Fates of Natural Histone mRNA. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1428:93-114. [PMID: 27236794 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Since DNA and histone levels must be closely balanced for cell survival, histone expressions are highly regulated. The regulation of replication-dependent histone expression is mainly achieved at the mRNA level, as the mRNAs are rapidly removed when DNA replication is inhibited during S-phase. Histone mRNA degradation initiates with addition of multiple uridines (oligouridylation) following the 3' stem-loop (SL) catalyzed by terminal uridyltransferase (TUTase). Previous studies showed that histone mRNA degradation occurs through both 5' → 3' and 3' → 5' processes, but the relative contributions are difficult to dissect due to lack of established protocols. The translational efficiency and stability of synthetic mRNA in both cultured cells and whole animals can be improved by structural modifications at the both 5' and 3' termini. In this chapter, we present methods of utilizing modified cap dinucleotide analogs to block 5' → 3' degradation of a reporter mRNA containing canonical histone mRNA 3' SL and monitoring how oligouridylation and 3' → 5' degradation occur. Protocols are presented for synthesis of reporter mRNA containing the histone 3' SL and modified cap analogs, monitoring mRNA stability and unidirectional degradation either from 5' or 3' termini, and detection of oligo(U) tracts from degradation products by either traditional or deep sequencing.
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Schneider M, Prudic K, Pippel A, Klapperstück M, Braam U, Müller CE, Schmalzing G, Markwardt F. Interaction of Purinergic P2X4 and P2X7 Receptor Subunits. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:860. [PMID: 29213241 PMCID: PMC5702805 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
P2X4 and P2X7 are members of the P2X receptor family, comprising seven isoforms (P2X1–P2X7) that form homo- and heterotrimeric non-specific cation channels gated by extracellular ATP. P2X4 and P2X7 are widely coexpressed, particularly in secretory epithelial cells and immune and inflammatory cells, and regulate inflammation and nociception. Although functional heteromerization has been established for P2X2 and P2X3 subunits expressed in sensory neurons, there are contradictory reports regarding a functional interaction between P2X4 and P2X7 subunits. To resolve this issue, we coexpressed P2X4 and P2X7 receptor subunits labeled with green (EGFP) and red (TagRFP) fluorescent proteins in Xenopus laevis oocytes and investigated a putative physical interaction between the fusion proteins by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Coexpression of P2X4 and P2X7 subunits with EGFP and TagRFP located in the extracellular receptor domains led to significant FRET signals. Significant FRET signals were also measured between C-terminally fluorophore-labeled full-length P2X41-384 and C-terminally truncated fluorescent P2X71-408 subunits. We furthermore used the two-electrode voltage clamp technique to investigate whether human P2X4 and P2X7 receptors (hP2X4, hP2X7) functionally interact at the level of ATP-induced whole-cell currents. Concentration–response curves and effects of ivermectin (P2X4-potentiating drug) or BzATP (P2X7-specific agonist) were consistent with a model in which coexpressed hP2X4 and hP2X7 do not interact. Similarly, the effect of adding specific inhibitors of P2X4 (PSB-15417) or P2X7 (oATP, A438079) could be explained by a model in which only homomers exist, and that these are blocked by the respective antagonist. In conclusion, we show that P2X4 and P2X7 subunits can form heterotrimeric P2X4/P2X7 receptors. However, unlike observations for P2X2 and P2X3, coexpression of P2X4 and P2X7 subunits does not result in a novel electrophysiologically discriminable P2X receptor phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schneider
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
| | - Kirsten Prudic
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
| | - Anja Pippel
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
| | - Manuela Klapperstück
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
| | - Ursula Braam
- Molecular Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Fritz Markwardt
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany
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