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Shi Y, Zhen X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Koo S, Saiding Q, Kong N, Liu G, Chen W, Tao W. Chemically Modified Platforms for Better RNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:929-1033. [PMID: 38284616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based therapies have catalyzed a revolutionary transformation in the biomedical landscape, offering unprecedented potential in disease prevention and treatment. However, despite their remarkable achievements, these therapies encounter substantial challenges including low stability, susceptibility to degradation by nucleases, and a prominent negative charge, thereby hindering further development. Chemically modified platforms have emerged as a strategic innovation, focusing on precise alterations either on the RNA moieties or their associated delivery vectors. This comprehensive review delves into these platforms, underscoring their significance in augmenting the performance and translational prospects of RNA-based therapeutics. It encompasses an in-depth analysis of various chemically modified delivery platforms that have been instrumental in propelling RNA therapeutics toward clinical utility. Moreover, the review scrutinizes the rationale behind diverse chemical modification techniques aiming at optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of RNA molecules, thereby facilitating robust disease management. Recent empirical studies corroborating the efficacy enhancement of RNA therapeutics through chemical modifications are highlighted. Conclusively, we offer profound insights into the transformative impact of chemical modifications on RNA drugs and delineates prospective trajectories for their future development and clinical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesi Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xueyan Zhen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yongjiang Li
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Seyoung Koo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qimanguli Saiding
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Hakata Y, Yamashita K, Hashimoto S, Ohtsuki T, Miyazawa M, Kitamatsu M. Adjusting Heterodimeric Coiled-Coils (K/E Zipper) to Connect Autophagy-Inducing Peptide with Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041048. [PMID: 37111533 PMCID: PMC10141234 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A connection of a functional peptide with a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) used a heterodimeric coiled-coil as a molecular zipper can improve the intracellular delivery and activity of the functional peptide. However, the chain length of the coiled coil required for functioning as the molecular zipper is unknown at present. To solve the problem, we prepared an autophagy-inducing peptide (AIP) that conjugates with the CPP via heterodimeric coiled-coils consisting of 1 to 4 repeating units (K/E zipper; AIP-Kn and En-CPP), and we investigated the optimum length of the K/E zipper for effective intracellular delivery and autophagy induction. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that K/E zippers with n = 3 and 4 formed a stable 1:1 hybrid (AIP-K3/E3-CPP and AIP-K4/E4-CPP, respectively). Both AIP-K3 and AIP-K4 were successfully delivered into cells by the corresponding hybrid formation with K3-CPP and K4-CPP, respectively. Interestingly, autophagy was also induced by the K/E zippers with n = 3 and 4, more intensively by the former than by the latter. The peptides and K/E zippers used in this study did not show significant cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the effective induction of autophagy occurs via an exquisite balance of the association and dissociation of the K/E zipper in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Hakata
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
- Department of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
| | - Kazuma Yamashita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Sonoko Hashimoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohtsuki
- Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyazawa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
| | - Mizuki Kitamatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashiosaka 577-8502, Japan
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Altrichter Y, Bou-Dib P, Kuznia C, Seitz O. Towards a templated reaction that translates RNA in cells into a proaptotic peptide-PNA conjugate. J Pept Sci 2023:e3477. [PMID: 36606596 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-templated chemistry opens the intriguing prospect of triggering the synthesis of drugs only in diseased cells. Herein, we explore the feasibility of using RNA-templated chemical reactions for the activation of a known Smac peptidomimetic compound (SMC), which has proapoptotic activity. Two peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates were used to enable conditional activation of a masked SMC by reduction of an azide either by Staudinger reduction or catalytic photoreduction using a ruthenium complex. The latter provided ~135 nM SMC-PNA on as little as 10 nM (0.01 eq.) template. For the evaluation of the templated azido-SMC reduction system in cellulo, a stable HEK 293 cell line was generated, which overexpressed a truncated, non-functional form of the XIAP mRNA target. We furthermore describe the development of electroporation protocols that enable a robust delivery of PNA conjugates into HEK 293 cells. The action of the reactive PNA conjugates was evaluated by viability and flow cytometric apoptosis assays. In addition, electroporated probes were re-isolated and analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Unfortunately, the ruthenium-PNA conjugate proved phototoxic, and treatment of cells with PNA-linked reducing agent and the azido-masked SMC conjugate did not result in a greater viability loss than treatment with scrambled sequence controls. Intracellular product formation was not detectable. A control experiment in total cellular RNA isolate indicated that the templated reaction can in principle proceed in a complex system. The results of this first-of-its-kind study reveal the numerous hurdles that must be overcome if RNA molecules are to trigger the synthesis of pro-apoptotic drugs inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannic Altrichter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bou-Dib
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Kuznia
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Chang LH, Seitz O. RNA-templated chemical synthesis of proapoptotic L- and d-peptides. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 66:116786. [PMID: 35594647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid-programmed reactions find application in drug screening and nucleic acid diagnosis, and offer prospects for a RNA-sensitive prodrug approach. We aim for the development of a nucleic acid-templated reaction providing nucleic acid-linked molecules that can act on intracellular protein targets. Such reactions would be useful for in situ drug synthesis and activity-based DNA-encoded library screening. In this report, we show native chemical ligation-like chemical peptidyl transfer reactions between peptide-PNA conjugates. The reaction proceeds on RNA templates. As a chemical alternative to ribosomal peptide synthesis access to both L- and d-peptides is provided. In reactions affording 9 to 14 amino acid long pro-apoptotic L- and d-peptides, we found that certain PNA sequence motifs and combinations of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) cause surprisingly high reactivity in absence of a template. Viability measurements demonstrate that the products of templated peptidyl transfer act on HeLa cells and HEK293 cells. Of note, the presence of cysteine, which is required for NCL chemistry, can enhance the bioactivity. The study provides guidelines for the application of peptide-PNA conjugates in templated synthesis and is of interest for in situ drug synthesis and activity-based DNA-encoded library screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hao Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, D-12489 Berlin, Germany.
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Altrichter Y, Schöller J, Seitz O. Toward conditional control of Smac mimetic activity by RNA-templated reduction of azidopeptides on PNA or 2'-OMe-RNA. Biopolymers 2021; 112:e23466. [PMID: 34287823 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide templated reactions can be used to control the activity of functional molecules based on the presence of a specific trigger sequence. We report an RNA-controlled reaction system to conditionally restore the N-terminal amino group and thus binding affinity of azide-modified Smac mimetic compounds (SMCs) for their target protein X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP). Two templated reactions were compared: Staudinger reduction with phosphines and a photocatalytic reaction with Ru(bpy)2 (mcbpy). The latter proved faster and more efficient, especially for the activation of a bivalent SMC, which requires two consecutive reduction steps. The templated reaction proceeds with turnover when 2'-OMe-RNA probes are used, but is significantly more efficient with PNA, catalyzing a reaction in the presence of low, substoichiometric amounts (1%-3%, 10 nM) of target RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannic Altrichter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Justus Schöller
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Perera JDR, Carufe KEW, Glazer PM. Peptide nucleic acids and their role in gene regulation and editing. Biopolymers 2021; 112:e23460. [PMID: 34129732 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The unique properties of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) makes it a desirable candidate to be used in therapeutic and biotechnological interventions. It has been broadly utilized for numerous applications, with a major focus in regulation of gene expression, and more recently in gene editing. While the classic PNA design has mainly been employed to date, chemical modifications of the PNA backbone and nucleobases provide an avenue to advance the technology further. This review aims to discuss the recent developments in PNA based gene manipulation techniques and the use of novel chemical modifications to improve the current state of PNA mediated gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dinithi R Perera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kelly E W Carufe
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Zu H, Gao D. Non-viral Vectors in Gene Therapy: Recent Development, Challenges, and Prospects. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:78. [PMID: 34076797 PMCID: PMC8171234 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00608-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has been experiencing a breakthrough in recent years, targeting various specific cell groups in numerous therapeutic areas. However, most recent clinical studies maintain the use of traditional viral vector systems, which are challenging to manufacture cost-effectively at a commercial scale. Non-viral vectors have been a fast-paced research topic in gene delivery, such as polymers, lipids, inorganic particles, and combinations of different types. Although non-viral vectors are low in their cytotoxicity, immunogenicity, and mutagenesis, attracting more and more researchers to explore the promising delivery system, they do not carry ideal characteristics and have faced critical challenges, including gene transfer efficiency, specificity, gene expression duration, and safety. This review covers the recent advancement in non-viral vectors research and formulation aspects, the challenges, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zu
- Abbvie Inc., 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, Illinois, 60064, USA
| | - Danchen Gao
- Abbvie Inc., 1 N. Waukegan Rd, North Chicago, Illinois, 60064, USA.
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