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Mazurov D, Ramadan L, Kruglova N. Packaging and Uncoating of CRISPR/Cas Ribonucleoproteins for Efficient Gene Editing with Viral and Non-Viral Extracellular Nanoparticles. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030690. [PMID: 36992399 PMCID: PMC10056905 DOI: 10.3390/v15030690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid progress in gene editing based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) has revolutionized functional genomic studies and genetic disease correction. While numerous gene editing applications have been easily adapted by experimental science, the clinical utility of CRISPR/Cas remains very limited due to difficulty in delivery to primary cells and possible off-target effects. The use of CRISPR in the form of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex substantially reduces the time of DNA exposure to the effector nuclease and minimizes its off-target activity. The traditional electroporation and lipofection methods lack the cell-type specificity of RNP delivery, can be toxic for cells, and are less efficient when compared to nanoparticle transporters. This review focuses on CRISPR/Cas RNP packaging and delivery using retro/lentiviral particles and exosomes. First, we briefly describe the natural stages of viral and exosomal particle formation, release and entry into the target cells. This helps us understand the mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas RNP packaging and uncoating utilized by the current delivery systems, which we discuss afterward. Much attention is given to the exosomes released during viral particle production that can be passively loaded with RNPs as well as the mechanisms necessary for particle fusion, RNP release, and transportation inside the target cells. Collectively, together with specific packaging mechanisms, all these factors can substantially influence the editing efficiency of the system. Finally, we discuss ways to improve CRISPR/Cas RNP delivery using extracellular nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy Mazurov
- Cell and Gene Technology Group, Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology RAS, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: or
| | - Lama Ramadan
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Kruglova
- Cell and Gene Technology Group, Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology RAS, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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Sun L, Liu L, Yu T, Wang Q, Fu H. VCAM1-targeted RNA interference inhibits the proliferation of human oral squamous carcinoma HN12 cells. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:5650-5654. [PMID: 29552201 PMCID: PMC5840534 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to investigate the effect of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) silencing on the proliferation of human oral squamous carcinoma HN12 cells. HN12 cells were divided into three groups: The untreated blank control cell group (CK), the negative control group transfected with non-homologous vector (NC) and the positive group transfected with the target sequence VCAM1 small hairpin RNA (KD). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to examine the effects of VCAM1-knockdown on the mRNA expression of VCAM1 and subsequent protein expression. Furthermore, the HN12 cell growth inhibition rate was detected using the cell counting kit-8 method. The VCAM1-targeted lentiviral vector RNAi significantly inhibited VCAM1 mRNA, and subsequent protein, expression. Compared with the NC group, the VCAM1 gene knockdown efficiency was ~85%, while the expression level of VCAM1 protein was reduced by ~74% in KD group cells. In addition, cell growth was significantly inhibited in the KD group, with a growth inhibition rate of ~34%. Therefore, this targeted lentiviral vector RNAi effectively inhibited VCAM1 gene, and subsequent protein, expression, as well as the proliferation of oral squamous carcinoma cells. These results may provide an experimental reference for the diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Legang Sun
- Department of Oral Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Ling Liu
- Room of Gastroscopy, The Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Oral Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Qiuqin Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Honghai Fu
- Department of Oral Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
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Robert MA, Lytvyn V, Deforet F, Gilbert R, Gaillet B. Virus-Like Particles Derived from HIV-1 for Delivery of Nuclear Proteins: Improvement of Production and Activity by Protein Engineering. Mol Biotechnol 2016; 59:9-23. [PMID: 27830536 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-016-9987-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from retroviruses and lentiviruses can be used to deliver recombinant proteins without the fear of causing insertional mutagenesis to the host cell genome. In this study we evaluate the potential of an inducible lentiviral vector packaging cell line for VLP production. The Gag gene from HIV-1 was fused to a gene encoding a selected protein and it was transfected into the packaging cells. Three proteins served as model: the green fluorescent protein and two transcription factors-the cumate transactivator (cTA) of the inducible CR5 promoter and the human Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). The sizes of the VLPs were 120-150 nm in diameter and they were resistant to freeze/thaw cycles. Protein delivery by the VLPs reached up to 100% efficacy in human cells and was well tolerated. Gag-cTA triggered up to 1100-fold gene activation of the reporter gene in comparison to the negative control. Protein engineering was required to detect Gag-KLF4 activity. Thus, insertion of the VP16 transactivation domain increased the activity of the VLPs by eightfold. An additional 2.4-fold enhancement was obtained by inserting nuclear export signal. In conclusion, our platform produced VLPs capable of efficient protein transfer, and it was shown that protein engineering can be used to improve the activity of the delivered proteins as well as VLP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-André Robert
- Département de génie chimique, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.,National Research Council Canada, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montréal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.,Regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l'ingénierie et les applications des protéines, PROTEO, Québec, QC, Canada.,Réseau de thérapie cellulaire et tissulaire du FRQS, ThéCell, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Viktoria Lytvyn
- National Research Council Canada, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montréal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Francis Deforet
- National Research Council Canada, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montréal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- National Research Council Canada, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montréal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.,Réseau de thérapie cellulaire et tissulaire du FRQS, ThéCell, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Bruno Gaillet
- Département de génie chimique, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. .,Regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, l'ingénierie et les applications des protéines, PROTEO, Québec, QC, Canada. .,Réseau de thérapie cellulaire et tissulaire du FRQS, ThéCell, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Retrovirus-based vectors for transient and permanent cell modification. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 24:135-46. [PMID: 26433198 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Retroviral vectors are commonly employed for long-term transgene expression via integrating vector technology. However, three alternative retrovirus-based platforms are currently available that allow transient cell modification. Gene expression can be mediated from either episomal DNA or RNA templates, or selected proteins can be directly transferred through retroviral nanoparticles. The different technologies are functionally graded with respect to safety, expression magnitude and expression duration. Improvement of the initial technologies, including modification of vector designs, targeted increase in expression strength and duration as well as improved safety characteristics, has allowed maturation of retroviral systems into efficient and promising tools that meet the technological demands of a wide variety of potential application areas.
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Segura MM, Mangion M, Gaillet B, Garnier A. New developments in lentiviral vector design, production and purification. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:987-1011. [PMID: 23590247 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2013.779249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lentiviruses are a very potent class of viral vectors for which there is presently a rapidly growing interest for a number of gene therapy. However, their construction, production and purification need to be performed according to state-of-the-art techniques in order to obtain sufficient quantities of high purity material of any usefulness and safety. AREAS COVERED The recent advances in the field of recombinant lentivirus vector design, production and purification will be reviewed with an eye toward its utilization for gene therapy. Such a review should be helpful for the potential user of this technology. EXPERT OPINION The principal hurdles toward the use of recombinant lentivirus as a gene therapy vector are the low titer at which it is produced as well as the difficulty to purify it at an acceptable level without degrading it. The recent advances in the bioproduction of this vector suggest these issues are about to be resolved, making the retrovirus gene therapy a mature technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mercedes Segura
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès (08193), Barcelona, Spain
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Miyauchi K, Urano E, Takizawa M, Ichikawa R, Komano J. Therapeutic potential of HIV protease-activable CASP3. Sci Rep 2012; 2:359. [PMID: 22496955 PMCID: PMC3323887 DOI: 10.1038/srep00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of a therapeutic application of CASP3/caspase 3/CPP32, an executor of apoptosis, has been challenging because regulation of its activation is complicated. This study aimed to inhibit cancer cell growth and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) propagation through a CASP3 mutant, CASP3*, activable by HIV-1-encoded aspartate protease. Active CASP3* was delivered to leukemic cells using a protein transduction vehicle, the lentivirus-like nanoparticle (LENA), which should contain thousands of CASP3*-Gag protein molecules and release the activated CASP3* into the target cell cytoplasm. CASP3*-LENA induced apoptosis in various types of leukemic cells. In addition to being effective against leukemic cells, constitutive expression of CASP3* restricted HIV-1 propagation in SUP-T1 cells. The attenuation of HIV-1 replication in SUP-T1/CASP3* cells was attributed to the elimination of HIV-1-infected cells by apoptosis. These data suggest that CASP3* has therapeutic potential against both lymphoid malignancies and HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Miyauchi
- AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Abstract
Until recently, progress in ex vivo gene therapy (GT) for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) treatment has been incremental. Long-term HIV-1 remission in a patient who received a heterologous stem cell transplant for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related lymphoma from a CCR5(-/-) donor, even after discontinuation of conventional therapy, has energized the field. We review the status of current approaches as well as future directions in the areas of therapeutic targets, combinatorial strategies, vector design, introduction of therapeutics into stem cells and enrichment/expansion of gene-modified cells. Finally, we discuss recent advances towards clinical application of HIV-1 GT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa J Scherer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Abstract
A simple, efficient and reproducible method to transduce proteins into mammalian cells has not been established. Here we describe a novel protein transduction method based on a lentiviral vector. We have developed a method to package several thousand foreign protein molecules into a lentivirus-like nanoparticle (LENA) and deliver them into mammalian cells. In this proof-of-concept study, we used β-lactamase (BlaM) as a reporter molecule. The amino-terminus of BlaM was fused to the myristoylation signal of lyn, which was placed upstream of the amino-terminus of Gag (BlaM-gag-pol). By co-transfection of plasmids encoding BlaM-gag-pol and vesicular stomatitis virus-G (VSV-G) into 293T cells, LENA were produced containing BlaM enzyme molecules as many as Gag per capsid, which has been reported to be ∼5000 molecules, but lacking the viral genome. Infection of 293T and MT-4 cells by VSV-G-pseudotyped BlaM-containing LENA led to successful transduction of BlaM molecules into the cell cytoplasm, as detected by cleavage of the fluorescent BlaM substrate CCF2-AM. LENA-mediated transient protein transduction does not damage cellular DNA, and the preparation of highly purified protein is not necessary. This technology is potentially useful in various basic and clinical applications.
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