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Nasr SS, Paul P, Loretz B, Lehr CM. Realizing time-staggered expression of nucleic acid-encoded proteins by co-delivery of messenger RNA and plasmid DNA on a single nanocarrier. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01668-w. [PMID: 39009932 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01668-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Co-delivery of different protein-encoding polynucleotide species with varying expression kinetics of their therapeutic product will become a prominent requirement in the realm of combined nucleic acid(NA)-based therapies in the upcoming years. The current study explores the capacity for time-staggered expression of encoded proteins by simultaneous delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) in the core and mRNA on the shell of the same nanocarrier. The core is based on a Gelatin Type A-pDNA coacervate, thermally stabilized to form an irreversible nanogel stable enough for the deposition of cationic coats namely, protamine sulfate or LNP-related lipid mixtures. Only the protamine-coated nanocarriers remained colloidally stable following mRNA loading and could successfully co-transfect murine dendritic cell line DC2.4 with fluorescent reporter mRNA(mCherry) and pDNA (pAmCyan1). Further investigation of the protamine-coated nanosystem only, the transfection efficiency (percentage of transfected cells) and level of protein expression (mean fluorescence intensity, MFI) of mRNA and pDNA, simultaneously delivered by the same nanocarrier, were compared and kinetically assessed over 48 h in DC2.4 using flow cytometry. The onset of transfection for both nucleotides was initially delayed, with levels < 5% at 6 h. Thereafter, mRNA transfection reached 90% after 24 h and continued to slightly increase until 48 h. In contrast, pDNA transfection was clearly slower, reaching approximately 40% after 24 h, but continuing to increase to reach 94% at 48 h. The time course of protein expression (represented by MFI) for both NAs essentially followed that of transfection. Model-independent as well as model-dependent kinetic parameters applied to the data further confirmed such time-staggered expression of the two NA's where mRNA's rate of transfection and protein expression initially exceeded those of pDNA in the first 24 h of the experiment whereas the opposite was true during the second 24 h of the experiment where pDNA displayed the higher response rates. We expect that innovative nanocarriers capable of time-staggered co-delivery of different nucleotides could open new perspectives for multi-dosing, pulsatile or sustained expression of nucleic acid-based therapeutics in protein replacement, vaccination, and CRISPR-mediated gene editing scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Nasr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Campus E8 1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21521, Egypt.
| | - Pascal Paul
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Campus E8 1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Campus E8 1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Campus E8 1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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2
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Opsomer L, Jana S, Mertens I, Cui X, Hoogenboom R, Sanders NN. Efficient in vitro and in vivo transfection of self-amplifying mRNA with linear poly(propylenimine) and poly(ethylenimine-propylenimine) random copolymers as non-viral carriers. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3927-3946. [PMID: 38563779 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb03003b] [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: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) based vaccines have been introduced worldwide to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. These vaccines consist of non-amplifying mRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Consequently, LNPs are considered benchmark non-viral carriers for nucleic acid delivery. However, the formulation and manufacturing of these mRNA-LNP nanoparticles are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, we used self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) and synthesized novel polymers as alternative non-viral carrier platform to LNPs, which enable a simple, rapid, one-pot formulation of saRNA-polyplexes. Our novel polymer-based carrier platform consists of randomly concatenated ethylenimine and propylenimine comonomers, resulting in linear, poly(ethylenimine-ran-propylenimine) (L-PEIx-ran-PPIy) copolymers with controllable degrees of polymerization. Here we demonstrate in multiple cell lines, that our saRNA-polyplexes show comparable to higher in vitro saRNA transfection efficiencies and higher cell viabilities compared to formulations with Lipofectamine MessengerMAX™ (LFMM), a commercial, lipid-based carrier considered to be the in vitro gold standard carrier. This is especially true for our in vitro best performing saRNA-polyplexes with N/P 5, which are characterised with a size below 100 nm, a positive zeta potential, a near 100% encapsulation efficiency, a high retention capacity and the ability to protect the saRNA from degradation mediated by RNase A. Furthermore, an ex vivo hemolysis assay with pig red blood cells demonstrated that the saRNA-polyplexes exhibit negligible hemolytic activity. Finally, a bioluminescence-based in vivo study was performed over a 35-day period, and showed that the polymers result in a higher and prolonged bioluminescent signal compared to naked saRNA and L-PEI based polyplexes. Moreover, the polymers show different expression profiles compared to those of LNPs, with one of our new polymers (L-PPI250) demonstrating a higher sustained expression for at least 35 days after injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Opsomer
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Somdeb Jana
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ine Mertens
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Xiaole Cui
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Richard Hoogenboom
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Snoeck J, Chiers K, Tam Y, Sanders NN, Garmyn A. Evaluation of a self-amplifying mRNA reporter vaccine in explant models of broiler chickens. Poult Sci 2023; 102:103078. [PMID: 37801866 PMCID: PMC10562763 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to minimize animal loss and economical loss, industrial poultry is heavily vaccinated against infectious agents. mRNA vaccination is an effective vaccination platform, yet little to no comprehensive, comparative studies in avians can be found. Nevertheless, poultry mRNA vaccination could prove to be very interesting due to the relatively low production cost, especially true when using self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA), and their extreme adaptability to new pathogens. The latter could be particularly useful when new pathogens join the stage or new variants arise. As a first step toward the investigation of saRNA vaccines in poultry, this study evaluates a luciferase-encoding saRNA in avian tracheal explants, conjunctival explants, primary chicken cecal cells and 18-day embryonated eggs. Naked saRNA in combination with RNase inhibitor and 2 different lipid-based formulations, that is, ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and Lipofectamine Messenger Max, were evaluated. The saRNA-LNP formulation led to the highest bioluminescent signal in the tracheal explants, conjunctival explants and cecal cell cultures. A dose-response experiment with these saRNA-LNPs (33-900 ng/well) in these avian organoids and cells showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship. After in ovo administration, the highest dose of the saRNA-LNPs (5 µg) resulted in a visual expression as a weak bioluminescence signal could be seen. The other delivery approaches did not lead to a visual saRNA expression in the embryos. In conclusion, effective entry of saRNA encapsulated in LNPs followed by successful saRNA translation in poultry was established. Hence, mRNA vaccination in poultry could be possible, but further in vivo testing is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Snoeck
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Koen Chiers
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - An Garmyn
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Liu H, Liu D. Development of novel SARS-CoV-2 viral vectors. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13053. [PMID: 37567900 PMCID: PMC10421939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The authentic SARS-CoV-2 requires to be handled in Biosafety Level 3 laboratories, which restrains investigation by the broader scientific community. Here, we report the development of a novel SARS-CoV-2 viral vector composed of all 4 SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, the packaging signal sequence of SARS-CoV-2, a reporter gene, and an RNA amplification component of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). This VEE-SARS-CoV-2 viral vector transduces target cells in an ACE2-dependent manner, and all 4 structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are indispensable for its transduction activity. Comparative studies show that the incorporation of the VEEV self-amplification mechanism increases the gene expression level by ~ 65-fold and extends the transgene expression up to 11 days in transduced cells. Additionally, we demonstrated the significant applications of this new VEE-SARS-CoV-2 vector for neutralizing antibody quantification and antiviral drug testing. The VEE-SARS-CoV-2 vectors developed will be an important and versatile tool for investigating SARS-CoV-2 molecular virology, developing antiviral agents targeting receptor binding, and studying RNA genome packaging and function of the essential but not well studied structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 West Green Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, 250 West Green Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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5
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Gao Y, Wang Z, Cui Y, Xu M, Weng L. Emerging Strategies of Engineering and Tracking Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:24-43. [PMID: 36520013 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs), a kind of specialized immune cells, play key roles in antitumor immune response and promotion of innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, many strategies have been developed to utilize DCs in cancer therapy, such as delivering antigens and adjuvants to DCs and using scaffold to recruit and activate DCs. Here we outline how different DC subsets influence antitumor immunity, summarize the FDA-approved vaccines and cancer vaccines under clinical trials, discuss the strategies for engineering DCs and noninvasive tracking of DCs to improve antitumor immunotherapy, and reveal the potential of artificial neural networks for the design of DC based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhixuan Wang
- School of Geography and Biological Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Cui
- School of Geography and Biological Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Miaomiao Xu
- School of Geography and Biological Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lixing Weng
- State Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.,School of Geography and Biological Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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6
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Amano T, Yu H, Amano M, Leyder E, Badiola M, Ray P, Kim J, Ko AC, Achour A, Weng NP, Kochba E, Levin Y, Ko MSH. Controllable self-replicating RNA vaccine delivered intradermally elicits predominantly cellular immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.09.05.506686. [PMID: 36263074 PMCID: PMC9580376 DOI: 10.1101/2022.09.05.506686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Intradermal delivery of self-replicating RNA (srRNA) is a promising vaccine platform. Considering that human skin temperature is around 33°C, lower than core body temperature of 37°C, we have developed an srRNA that functions optimally at skin temperature and is inactivated at or above 37°C as a safety switch. This temperature- c ontrollable srRNA (c-srRNA), when tested as an intradermal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, functions when injected naked without lipid nanoparticles. Unlike most currently available vaccines, c-srRNA vaccines predominantly elicit cellular immunity with little or no antibody production. Interestingly, c-srRNA-vaccinated mice produced antigen-specific antibodies upon subsequent stimulation with antigen protein. Antigen-specific antibodies were also produced when B-cell stimulation using antigen protein was followed by c-srRNA booster vaccination. Using c-srRNA, we have designed a pan-coronavirus booster vaccine that incorporates both spike receptor binding domains as viral surface proteins and evolutionarily conserved nucleoproteins as viral non-surface proteins, from both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. It can thereby potentially immunize against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and their variants. c-srRNA may provide a route to activate cellular immunity against a wide variety of pathogens.
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7
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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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8
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Maruggi G, Ulmer JB, Rappuoli R, Yu D. Self-amplifying mRNA-Based Vaccine Technology and Its Mode of Action. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 440:31-70. [PMID: 33861374 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Self-amplifying mRNAs derived from the genomes of positive-strand RNA viruses have recently come into focus as a promising technology platform for vaccine development. Non-virally delivered self-amplifying mRNA vaccines have the potential to be highly versatile, potent, streamlined, scalable, and inexpensive. By amplifying their genome and the antigen encoding mRNA in the host cell, the self-amplifying mRNA mimics a viral infection, resulting in sustained levels of the target protein combined with self-adjuvanting innate immune responses, ultimately leading to potent and long-lasting antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Moreover, in principle, any eukaryotic sequence could be encoded by self-amplifying mRNA without the need to change the manufacturing process, thereby enabling a much faster and flexible research and development timeline than the current vaccines and hence a quicker response to emerging infectious diseases. This chapter highlights the rapid progress made in using non-virally delivered self-amplifying mRNA-based vaccines against infectious diseases in animal models. We provide an overview of the unique attributes of this vaccine approach, summarize the growing body of work defining its mechanism of action, discuss the current challenges and latest advances, and highlight perspectives about the future of this promising technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dong Yu
- GSK, 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA. .,Dynavax Technologies, 2100 Powell Street Suite, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.
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9
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Jain S, Venkataraman A, Wechsler ME, Peppas NA. Messenger RNA-based vaccines: Past, present, and future directions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114000. [PMID: 34637846 PMCID: PMC8502079 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have received major attention in the fight against COVID-19. Formulations from companies such as Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer have allowed us to slowly ease the social distancing measures, mask requirements, and lockdowns that have been prevalent since early 2020. This past year's focused work on mRNA vaccines has catapulted this technology to the forefront of public awareness and additional research pursuits, thus leading to new potential for bionanotechnology principles to help drive further innovation using mRNA. In addition to alleviating the burden of COVID-19, mRNA vaccines could potentially provide long-term solutions all over the world for diseases ranging from influenza to AIDS. Herein, we provide a brief commentary based on the history and development of mRNA vaccines in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we address current research using the technology and future directions of mRNA vaccine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samagra Jain
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Abhijeet Venkataraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Marissa E. Wechsler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Peppas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA,Corresponding author
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10
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Immunogenicity of stabilized HIV-1 Env trimers delivered by self-amplifying mRNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 25:483-493. [PMID: 34589271 PMCID: PMC8463288 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) represents a promising platform for nucleic acid delivery of vaccine immunogens. Unlike plasmid DNA, saRNA does not require entry into the nucleus of target cells for expression, having the capacity to drive higher protein expression compared to mRNA as it replicates within the cytoplasm. In this study, we examined the potential of stabilized native-like HIV-1 Envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers to elicit immune responses when delivered by saRNA polyplexes (PLXs), assembled with linear polyethylenimine. We showed that Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) saRNA induces a stronger humoral immune response to the encoded transgene compared to Semliki Forest virus saRNA. Moreover, we characterized the immunogenicity of the soluble and membrane-bound ConSOSL.UFO Env design in mice and showed a faster humoral kinetic and an immunoglobulin G (IgG)2a skew using a membrane-bound design. The immune response generated by PLX VEEV saRNA encoding the membrane-bound Env was then evaluated in larger animal models including macaques, in which low doses induced high IgG responses. Our data demonstrated that the VEEV saRNA PLX nanoparticle formulation represents a suitable platform for the delivery of stabilized HIV-1 Env and has the potential to be used in a variety of vaccine regimens.
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Minnaert AK, Vanluchene H, Verbeke R, Lentacker I, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K, Sanders NN, Remaut K. Strategies for controlling the innate immune activity of conventional and self-amplifying mRNA therapeutics: Getting the message across. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113900. [PMID: 34324884 PMCID: PMC8325057 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent approval of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights the potential of both conventional mRNA and self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) as a flexible immunotherapy platform to treat infectious diseases. Besides the antigen it encodes, mRNA itself has an immune-stimulating activity that can contribute to vaccine efficacy. This self-adjuvant effect, however, will interfere with mRNA translation and may influence the desired therapeutic outcome. To further exploit its potential as a versatile therapeutic platform, it will be crucial to control mRNA's innate immune-stimulating properties. In this regard, we describe the mechanisms behind the innate immune recognition of mRNA and provide an extensive overview of strategies to control its innate immune-stimulating activity. These strategies range from modifications to the mRNA backbone itself, optimization of production and purification processes to the combination with innate immune inhibitors. Furthermore, we discuss the delicate balance of the self-adjuvant effect in mRNA vaccination strategies, which can be both beneficial and detrimental to the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Katrien Minnaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Helena Vanluchene
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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12
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Borah P, Deb PK, Al-Shar’i NA, Dahabiyeh LA, Venugopala KN, Singh V, Shinu P, Hussain S, Deka S, Chandrasekaran B, Jaradat DMM. Perspectives on RNA Vaccine Candidates for COVID-19. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:635245. [PMID: 33869282 PMCID: PMC8044912 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.635245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
With the current outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2, vaccination is acclaimed as a public health care priority. Rapid genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 has triggered the scientific community to search for effective vaccines. Collaborative approaches from research institutes and biotech companies have acknowledged the use of viral proteins as potential vaccine candidates against COVID-19. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) vaccines are considered the next generation vaccines as they can be rapidly designed to encode any desirable viral sequence including the highly conserved antigen sequences. RNA vaccines being less prone to host genome integration (cons of DNA vaccines) and anti-vector immunity (a compromising factor of viral vectors) offer great potential as front-runners for universal COVID-19 vaccine. The proof of concept for RNA-based vaccines has already been proven in humans, and the prospects for commercialization are very encouraging as well. With the emergence of COVID-19, mRNA-1273, an mRNA vaccine developed by Moderna, Inc. was the first to enter human trials, with the first volunteer receiving the dose within 10 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequencing. The recent interest in mRNA vaccines has been fueled by the state of the art technologies that enhance mRNA stability and improve vaccine delivery. Interestingly, as per the "Draft landscape of COVID-19 candidate vaccines" published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 29, 2020, seven potential RNA based COVID-19 vaccines are in different stages of clinical trials; of them, two candidates already received emergency use authorization, and another 22 potential candidates are undergoing pre-clinical investigations. This review will shed light on the rationality of RNA as a platform for vaccine development against COVID-19, highlighting the possible pros and cons, lessons learned from the past, and the future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pobitra Borah
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, India
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam, India
| | - Pran Kishore Deb
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nizar A. Al-Shar’i
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Lina A. Dahabiyeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Katharigatta N. Venugopala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Vinayak Singh
- Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Pottathil Shinu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Snawar Hussain
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Satyendra Deka
- Pratiksha Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam, India
| | - Balakumar Chandrasekaran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Da’san M. M. Jaradat
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan
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13
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Zhong Z, McCafferty S, Opsomer L, Wang H, Huysmans H, De Temmerman J, Lienenklaus S, Portela Catani JP, Combes F, Sanders NN. Corticosteroids and cellulose purification improve, respectively, the in vivo translation and vaccination efficacy of sa-mRNAs. Mol Ther 2021; 29:1370-1381. [PMID: 33484964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic mRNAs are an appealing platform with multiple biomedical applications ranging from protein replacement therapy to vaccination. In comparison with conventional mRNA, synthetic self-amplifying mRNAs (sa-mRNAs) are gaining interest because of their higher and longer-lasting expression. However, sa-mRNAs also elicit an innate immune response, which may complicate their clinical application. Approaches to reduce the innate immunity of sa-mRNAs have not been studied in detail. Here we investigated, in vivo, the effect of several innate immune inhibitors and a novel cellulose-based mRNA purification approach on the type I interferon (IFN) response and the translation and vaccination efficacy of our formerly developed sa-mRNA vaccine against Zika virus. Among the investigated inhibitors, we found that corticosteroids and especially topical application of clobetasol at the sa-mRNA injection site was the most efficient in suppressing the type I IFN response and increasing the translation of sa-mRNA. However, clobetasol prevented formation of antibodies against sa-mRNA-encoded antigens and should therefore be avoided in a vaccination context. Residual dsRNA by-products of the in vitro transcription reaction are known inducers of immediate type I IFN responses. We additionally demonstrate a drastic reduction of these dsRNA by-products upon cellulose-based purification, reducing the innate immune response and improving sa-mRNA vaccination efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifu Zhong
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Séan McCafferty
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Opsomer
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Haixiu Wang
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hanne Huysmans
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Joyca De Temmerman
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - João Paulo Portela Catani
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Francis Combes
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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14
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Mc Cafferty S, De Temmerman J, Kitada T, Becraft JR, Weiss R, Irvine DJ, Devreese M, De Baere S, Combes F, Sanders NN. In Vivo Validation of a Reversible Small Molecule-Based Switch for Synthetic Self-Amplifying mRNA Regulation. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1164-1173. [PMID: 33186690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic mRNA therapeutics have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, as they enable patients to produce therapeutic proteins inside their own bodies. However, convenient methods that allow external control over the timing and magnitude of protein production after in vivo delivery of synthetic mRNA are lacking. In this study, we validate the in vivo utility of a synthetic self-amplifying mRNA (RNA replicon) whose expression can be turned off using a genetic switch that responds to oral administration of trimethoprim (TMP), a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved small-molecule drug. After intramuscular electroporation, the engineered RNA replicon exhibited dose-dependent and reversible expression of its encoded protein upon TMP administration. The TMP serum level needed for maximal downregulation of protein translation was approximately 45-fold below that used in humans for therapeutic purposes. To demonstrate the therapeutic potential of the technology, we injected mice with a TMP-responsive RNA replicon encoding erythropoietin (EPO) and successfully controlled the timing and magnitude of EPO production as well as changes in hematocrit. This work demonstrates the feasibility of controlling mRNA kinetics in vivo, thereby broadly expanding the clinical versatility of mRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Mc Cafferty
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joyca De Temmerman
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | | | - Ron Weiss
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Mathias Devreese
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Siegrid De Baere
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Francis Combes
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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15
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Ballesteros-Briones MC, Silva-Pilipich N, Herrador-Cañete G, Vanrell L, Smerdou C. A new generation of vaccines based on alphavirus self-amplifying RNA. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 44:145-153. [PMID: 32898764 PMCID: PMC7474593 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alphavirus self-amplifiying RNA (saRNA) induces more potent immune responses than conventional mRNA. saRNA delivery can be enhanced by electroporation or conjugation with cationic lipid or polymers. saRNA vaccines induce protective responses against human pathogens in preclinical models. saRNA replication mediates innate immune signals that contribute to the strength of immune responses. saRNA vaccines could be generated in a quick way to face emergent pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.
DNA or mRNA vaccines have potential advantages over conventional vaccines since they are easier to manufacture and have higher safety profiles. In particular, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) derived from alphavirus expression vectors has shown to be very efficient to induce humoral and cellular responses against many antigens in preclinical models, being superior to non-replicating mRNA and DNA. This is mainly due to the fact that saRNA can provide very high expression levels and simultaneously induces strong innate responses, potentiating immunity. saRNA can be administered as viral particles or DNA, but direct delivery as RNA represents a safer and more simple approach. Although saRNA can be delivered as naked RNA, in vivo transfection can be enhanced by electroporation or by complexing it with cationic lipids or polymers. Alphavirus saRNA could have broad application to vaccinate against human pathogens, including emerging ones like SARS-CoV-2, for which clinical trials have been recently initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cristina Ballesteros-Briones
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Herrador-Cañete
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lucia Vanrell
- Facultad de ingeniería, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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16
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Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of a Naked Self-Replicating mRNA-Based Zika Virus Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7030096. [PMID: 31450775 PMCID: PMC6789535 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7030096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To combat emerging infectious diseases like Zika virus (ZIKV), synthetic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding viral antigens are very attractive as they allow a rapid, generic, and flexible production of vaccines. In this work, we engineered a self-replicating mRNA (sr-mRNA) vaccine encoding the pre-membrane and envelope (prM-E) glycoproteins of ZIKV. Intradermal electroporation of as few as 1 µg of this mRNA-based ZIKV vaccine induced potent humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c and especially IFNAR1-/- C57BL/6 mice, resulting in a complete protection of the latter mice against ZIKV infection. In wild-type C57BL/6 mice, the vaccine resulted in very low seroconversion rates and antibody titers. The potency of the vaccine was inversely related to the dose of mRNA used in wild-type BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, as robust type I interferon (IFN) response was determined in a reporter mice model (IFN-β+/Δβ-luc). We further investigated the inability of the sr-prM-E-mRNA ZIKV vaccine to raise antibodies in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and found indications that type I IFNs elicited by this naked sr-mRNA vaccine might directly impede the induction of a robust humoral response. Therefore, we assume that the efficacy of sr-mRNA vaccines after intradermal electroporation might be increased by strategies that temper their inherent innate immunogenicity.
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17
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Huysmans H, Zhong Z, De Temmerman J, Mui BL, Tam YK, Mc Cafferty S, Gitsels A, Vanrompay D, Sanders NN. Expression Kinetics and Innate Immune Response after Electroporation and LNP-Mediated Delivery of a Self-Amplifying mRNA in the Skin. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 17:867-878. [PMID: 31472371 PMCID: PMC6722285 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we studied the expression kinetics and innate immune response of a self-amplifying mRNA (sa-RNA) after electroporation and lipid-nanoparticle (LNP)-mediated delivery in the skin of mice. Intradermal electroporation of the sa-RNA resulted in a plateau-shaped expression, with the plateau between day 3 and day 10. The overall protein expression of sa-RNA was significantly higher than that obtained after electroporation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) or non-replication mRNAs. Moreover, using IFN-β reporter mice, we elucidated that intradermal electroporation of sa-RNA induced a short-lived moderate innate immune response, which did not affect the expression of the sa-RNA. A completely different expression profile and innate immune response were observed when LNPs were used. The expression peaked 24 h after intradermal injection of sa-RNA-LNPs and subsequently showed a sharp drop. This drop might be explained by a translational blockage caused by the strong innate immune response that we observed in IFN-β reporter mice shortly (4 h) after intradermal injection of sa-RNA-LNPs. A final interesting observation was the capacity of sa-RNA-LNPs to transfect the draining lymph nodes after intradermal injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Huysmans
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Joyca De Temmerman
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Séan Mc Cafferty
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arlieke Gitsels
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory for Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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18
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Huysmans H, De Temmerman J, Zhong Z, Mc Cafferty S, Combes F, Haesebrouck F, Sanders NN. Improving the Repeatability and Efficacy of Intradermal Electroporated Self-Replicating mRNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 17:388-395. [PMID: 31307005 PMCID: PMC6626868 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Local administration of naked self-replicating mRNA (sr-mRNA) in the skin or muscle using electroporation is effective but hampered by low repeatability. In this manuscript, we demonstrated that intradermal electroporation of sr-mRNA in combination with a protein-based RNase inhibitor increased the expression efficiency, success rate, and repeatability of the data. The RNase inhibitor should be added just before administration because storage of the inhibitor together with the sr-mRNA at −80°C resulted in a partial loss of the beneficial effect. Furthermore, the location of intradermal electroporation also had a major effect on the expression of the sr-mRNA, with the highest and longest expression observed at the tail base of the mice. In contrast with previous work, we did not observe a beneficial effect of calcium ions on the efficacy of naked sr-mRNA after intradermal injection. Finally, another important finding was that the traditional representation of in vivo bioluminescence data as means in logarithmic graphs can mask highly variable data. A more truthful representation can be obtained by showing the individual data points or by displaying median values in combination with interquartile ranges. In conclusion, intradermal sr-mRNA electroporation can be improved by adding an RNase inhibitor and injecting at the tail base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Huysmans
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Joyca De Temmerman
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Séan Mc Cafferty
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Francis Combes
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Freddy Haesebrouck
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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19
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mRNA as a Transformative Technology for Vaccine Development to Control Infectious Diseases. Mol Ther 2019; 27:757-772. [PMID: 30803823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, there has been growing interest in mRNA-based technology for the development of prophylactic vaccines against infectious diseases. Technological advancements in RNA biology, chemistry, stability, and delivery systems have accelerated the development of fully synthetic mRNA vaccines. Potent, long-lasting, and safe immune responses observed in animal models, as well as encouraging data from early human clinical trials, make mRNA-based vaccination an attractive alternative to conventional vaccine approaches. Thanks to these data, together with the potential for generic, low-cost manufacturing processes and the completely synthetic nature, the prospects for mRNA vaccines are very promising. In addition, mRNA vaccines have the potential to streamline vaccine discovery and development, and facilitate a rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. In this review, we overview the unique attributes of mRNA vaccine approaches, review the data of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases, discuss the current challenges, and highlight perspectives about the future of this promising technology.
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