1
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Ling Q, Herstine JA, Bradbury A, Gray SJ. AAV-based in vivo gene therapy for neurological disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:789-806. [PMID: 37658167 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in gene supplementation therapy are expanding the options for the treatment of neurological disorders. Among the available delivery vehicles, adeno-associated virus (AAV) is often the favoured vector. However, the results have been variable, with some trials dramatically altering the course of disease whereas others have shown negligible efficacy or even unforeseen toxicity. Unlike traditional drug development with small molecules, therapeutic profiles of AAV gene therapies are dependent on both the AAV capsid and the therapeutic transgene. In this rapidly evolving field, numerous clinical trials of gene supplementation for neurological disorders are ongoing. Knowledge is growing about factors that impact the translation of preclinical studies to humans, including the administration route, timing of treatment, immune responses and limitations of available model systems. The field is also developing potential solutions to mitigate adverse effects, including AAV capsid engineering and designs to regulate transgene expression. At the same time, preclinical research is addressing new frontiers of gene supplementation for neurological disorders, with a focus on mitochondrial and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this Review, we describe the current state of AAV-mediated neurological gene supplementation therapy, including critical factors for optimizing the safety and efficacy of treatments, as well as unmet needs in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglan Ling
- Department of Paediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Herstine
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Allison Bradbury
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Paediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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2
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Iwasa Y, Klimara MJ, Yoshimura H, Walls WD, Omichi R, West CA, Shibata SB, Ranum PT, Smith RJ. Mutation-agnostic RNA interference with engineered replacement rescues Tmc1-related hearing loss. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/3/e202201592. [PMID: 36574989 PMCID: PMC9795038 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit, of which genetic etiologies are a frequent cause. Dominant and recessive mutations in TMC1, a gene encoding the pore-forming subunit of the hair cell mechanotransduction channel, cause DFNA36 and DFNB7/11, respectively, accounting for ∼2% of genetic hearing loss. Previous work has established the efficacy of mutation-targeted RNAi in treatment of murine models of autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. However, application of such approaches is limited by the infeasibility of development and validation of novel constructs for each variant. We developed an allele-non-specific approach consisting of mutation-agnostic RNAi suppression of both mutant and WT alleles, co-delivered with a knockdown-resistant engineered WT allele with or without the use of woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element (WPRE) to augment transgene expression. This therapeutic construct was delivered into the mature murine model of DFNA36 with an AAV vector and achieved robust hair cell and auditory brainstem response preservation. However, WPRE-enhanced Tmc1 expression resulted in inferior outcomes, suggesting a role for gene dosage optimization in future TMC1 gene therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichiro Iwasa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Miles J Klimara
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Hidekane Yoshimura
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - William D Walls
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ryotaro Omichi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Cody A West
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Seiji B Shibata
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul T Ranum
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard Jh Smith
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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3
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Luo M, Lee LKC, Peng B, Choi CHJ, Tong WY, Voelcker NH. Delivering the Promise of Gene Therapy with Nanomedicines in Treating Central Nervous System Diseases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201740. [PMID: 35851766 PMCID: PMC9475540 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases, such as Alzheimer's diseases (AD), Parkinson's Diseases (PD), brain tumors, Huntington's disease (HD), and stroke, still remain difficult to treat by the conventional molecular drugs. In recent years, various gene therapies have come into the spotlight as versatile therapeutics providing the potential to prevent and treat these diseases. Despite the significant progress that has undoubtedly been achieved in terms of the design and modification of genetic modulators with desired potency and minimized unwanted immune responses, the efficient and safe in vivo delivery of gene therapies still poses major translational challenges. Various non-viral nanomedicines have been recently explored to circumvent this limitation. In this review, an overview of gene therapies for CNS diseases is provided and describes recent advances in the development of nanomedicines, including their unique characteristics, chemical modifications, bioconjugations, and the specific applications that those nanomedicines are harnessed to deliver gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Luo
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics ScienceMonash UniversityParkville Campus, 381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnologythe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLD4072Australia
| | - Leo Kit Cheung Lee
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShatinNew TerritoriesHong Kong
| | - Bo Peng
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics ScienceMonash UniversityParkville Campus, 381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible ElectronicsXi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical materials & EngineeringNorthwestern Polytechnical UniversityXi'an710072China
| | - Chung Hang Jonathan Choi
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Chinese University of Hong KongShatinNew TerritoriesHong Kong
| | - Wing Yin Tong
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics ScienceMonash UniversityParkville Campus, 381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
| | - Nicolas H. Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutics ScienceMonash UniversityParkville Campus, 381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVIC3052Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)ClaytonVIC3168Australia
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility151 Wellington RoadClaytonVIC3168Australia
- Materials Science and EngineeringMonash University14 Alliance LaneClaytonVIC3800Australia
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4
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Leib D, Chen YH, Monteys AM, Davidson BL. Limited astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in the mouse brain using NeuroD1 overexpression. Mol Ther 2022; 30:982-986. [PMID: 35123657 PMCID: PMC8899704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Leib
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yong Hong Chen
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alex Mas Monteys
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Beverly L. Davidson
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Corresponding author: Beverly L. Davidson, Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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5
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Saad NY, Al-Kharsan M, Garwick-Coppens SE, Chermahini GA, Harper MA, Palo A, Boudreau RL, Harper SQ. Human miRNA miR-675 inhibits DUX4 expression and may be exploited as a potential treatment for Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7128. [PMID: 34880230 PMCID: PMC8654987 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27430-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a potentially devastating myopathy caused by de-repression of the DUX4 gene in skeletal muscles. Effective therapies will likely involve DUX4 inhibition. RNA interference (RNAi) is one powerful approach to inhibit DUX4, and we previously described a RNAi gene therapy to achieve DUX4 silencing in FSHD cells and mice using engineered microRNAs. Here we report a strategy to direct RNAi against DUX4 using the natural microRNA miR-675, which is derived from the lncRNA H19. Human miR-675 inhibits DUX4 expression and associated outcomes in FSHD cell models. In addition, miR-675 delivery using gene therapy protects muscles from DUX4-associated death in mice. Finally, we show that three known miR-675-upregulating small molecules inhibit DUX4 and DUX4-activated FSHD biomarkers in FSHD patient-derived myotubes. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the use of small molecules to suppress a dominant disease gene using an RNAi mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nizar Y. Saad
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Mustafa Al-Kharsan
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA ,grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Sara E. Garwick-Coppens
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Gholamhossein Amini Chermahini
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Madison A. Harper
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Andrew Palo
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Ryan L. Boudreau
- grid.214572.70000 0004 1936 8294Department of Internal Medicine, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA
| | - Scott Q. Harper
- grid.240344.50000 0004 0392 3476Center for Gene Therapy, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH USA
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6
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Zhu J, Zhu N, Xu J. miR‑101a‑3p overexpression prevents acetylcholine‑CaCl 2‑induced atrial fibrillation in rats via reduction of atrial tissue fibrosis, involving inhibition of EZH2. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:740. [PMID: 34435649 PMCID: PMC8404104 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), a clinically common heart arrhythmia, can result in left ventricular hypofunction, embolism and infarction. MicroRNA (miR)‑101a‑3p is lowly expressed in atrial tissues of patients with AF, but its role in AF remains unknown. In the present study, an AF model in rats was established via intravenous injection of acetylcholine (Ach)‑CaCl2. The downregulation of miR‑101a‑3p and upregulation of enhancer of zeste 2 homolog 2 (EZH2) were observed in AF model rats, indicating the involvement of miR‑101a‑3p and EZH2 in AF development. To study the effect of miR‑101a‑3p on AF in vivo, AF model rats were intramyocardially injected with lentivirus expressing miR‑101a‑3p. Electrocardiogram analysis identified that miR‑101a‑3p overexpression restored disappeared P wave and R‑R interphase changes in Ach‑CaCl2‑induced rats. Overexpression of miR‑101a‑3p also increased the atrial effective refractory period, reduced AF incidence and shortened duration of AF. Histological changes in atrial tissues were observed after H&E and Masson staining, which demonstrated that miR‑101a‑3p reduced atrial remodeling and fibrosis in AF model rats. Moreover, EZH2 expression was downregulated in atrial tissues by miR‑101a‑3p induction. Immunohistochemistry for collagen Ⅰ and collagen III revealed a reduction in atrial collagen synthesis following miR‑101a‑3p overexpression in AF model rats. Additionally, miR‑101a‑3p lowered the expression of pro‑fibrotic biomarkers, including TGF‑β1, connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin and α‑smooth muscle actin. The luciferase reporter assay results also indicated that EZH2 was a target gene of miR‑101a‑3p. Taken together, it was found that miR‑101a‑3p prevented AF in rats possibly via inhibition of collagen synthesis and atrial fibrosis by targeting EZH2, which provided a potential target for preventing AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Ning Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
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7
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Cheong RY, Baldo B, Sajjad MU, Kirik D, Petersén Å. Effects of mutant huntingtin inactivation on Huntington disease-related behaviours in the BACHD mouse model. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:564-578. [PMID: 33330988 PMCID: PMC8247873 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no disease-modifying treatments approved so far. Ongoing clinical trials are attempting to reduce huntingtin (HTT) expression in the central nervous system (CNS) using different strategies. Yet, the distribution and timing of HTT-lowering therapies required for a beneficial clinical effect is less clear. Here, we investigated whether HD-related behaviours could be prevented by inactivating mutant HTT at different disease stages and to varying degrees in an experimental model. METHODS We generated mutant BACHD mice with either a widespread or circuit-specific inactivation of mutant HTT by using Cre recombinase (Cre) under the nestin promoter or the adenosine A2A receptor promoter respectively. We also simulated a clinical gene therapy scenario with allele-specific HTT targeting by injections of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors expressing Cre into the striatum of adult BACHD mice. All mice were assessed using behavioural tests to investigate motor, metabolic and psychiatric outcome measures at 4-6 months of age. RESULTS While motor deficits, body weight changes, anxiety and depressive-like behaviours are present in BACHD mice, early widespread CNS inactivation during development significantly improves rotarod performance, body weight changes and depressive-like behaviour. However, conditional circuit-wide mutant HTT deletion from the indirect striatal pathway during development and focal striatal-specific deletion in adulthood failed to rescue any of the HD-related behaviours. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that widespread targeting and the timing of interventions aimed at reducing mutant HTT are important factors to consider when developing disease-modifying therapies for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Y. Cheong
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research UnitDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Barbara Baldo
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research UnitDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
- Present address:
Evotec SEHD Research and Translational SciencesHamburgGermany
| | - Muhammad U. Sajjad
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research UnitDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Deniz Kirik
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems UnitDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Åsa Petersén
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research UnitDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceLund UniversityLundSweden
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8
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Morozko EL, Smith-Geater C, Monteys AM, Pradhan S, Lim RG, Langfelder P, Kachemov M, Kulkarni JA, Zaifman J, Hill A, Stocksdale JT, Cullis PR, Wu J, Ochaba J, Miramontes R, Chakraborty A, Hazra TK, Lau A, St-Cyr S, Orellana I, Kopan L, Wang KQ, Yeung S, Leavitt BR, Reidling JC, Yang XW, Steffan JS, Davidson BL, Sarkar PS, Thompson LM. PIAS1 modulates striatal transcription, DNA damage repair, and SUMOylation with relevance to Huntington's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2021836118. [PMID: 33468657 PMCID: PMC7848703 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021836118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damage repair genes are modifiers of disease onset in Huntington's disease (HD), but how this process intersects with associated disease pathways remains unclear. Here we evaluated the mechanistic contributions of protein inhibitor of activated STAT-1 (PIAS1) in HD mice and HD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and find a link between PIAS1 and DNA damage repair pathways. We show that PIAS1 is a component of the transcription-coupled repair complex, that includes the DNA damage end processing enzyme polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (PNKP), and that PIAS1 is a SUMO E3 ligase for PNKP. Pias1 knockdown (KD) in HD mice had a normalizing effect on HD transcriptional dysregulation associated with synaptic function and disease-associated transcriptional coexpression modules enriched for DNA damage repair mechanisms as did reduction of PIAS1 in HD iPSC-derived neurons. KD also restored mutant HTT-perturbed enzymatic activity of PNKP and modulated genomic integrity of several transcriptionally normalized genes. The findings here now link SUMO modifying machinery to DNA damage repair responses and transcriptional modulation in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva L Morozko
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Charlene Smith-Geater
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Alejandro Mas Monteys
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cell and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Subrata Pradhan
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Ryan G Lim
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Peter Langfelder
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Marketta Kachemov
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Jayesh A Kulkarni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Josh Zaifman
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Austin Hill
- Incisive Genetics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6A 0H9
| | | | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
- NanoMedicines Innovation Network, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Joseph Ochaba
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ricardo Miramontes
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Anirban Chakraborty
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Tapas K Hazra
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Alice Lau
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sophie St-Cyr
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cell and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Iliana Orellana
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Lexi Kopan
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Keona Q Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sylvia Yeung
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4H4
| | - Jack C Reidling
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - X William Yang
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Joan S Steffan
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cell and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Partha S Sarkar
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697;
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Institute of Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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9
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Tan M, Takahashi N, Fujii S, Sakurai K, Kusamori K, Takahashi Y, Takakura Y, Nishikawa M. Analysis of Tertiary Structural Features of Branched DNA Nanostructures with Partially Common Sequences Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 3:308-314. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Tan
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 46-29, Yoshidashimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Natsuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 46-29, Yoshidashimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shota Fujii
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Kitakyushu, 1-1 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
| | - Kazuo Sakurai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Kitakyushu, 1-1 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
- Structural Materials Science Laboratory SPring-8 Center, RIKEN Harima Institute Research, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kusamori
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 46-29, Yoshidashimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Takakura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 46-29, Yoshidashimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Makiya Nishikawa
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, 46-29, Yoshidashimoadachi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
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10
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Effective and Accurate Gene Silencing by a Recombinant AAV-Compatible MicroRNA Scaffold. Mol Ther 2019; 28:422-430. [PMID: 31843447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Short hairpin RNAs that are delivered by recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) have the potential to elicit long-term RNAi therapy for human disease. However, the discovery that short hairpin sequences can cause truncation of the rAAV genome calls into question the efficiency and gene-silencing specificity of this strategy in humans. Here, we report that embedding the guide strand of a small silencing RNA into an artificial microRNA (miRNA) scaffold derived from mouse miRNA-33 ensures rAAV genomic integrity and reduces off-targeting by 10-fold, while maintaining effective in vivo target gene repression in mice.
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11
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Pourshafie N, Lee PR, Chen KL, Harmison GG, Bott LC, Fischbeck KH, Rinaldi C. Systemic Delivery of MicroRNA Using Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Serotype 9 to Treat Neuromuscular Diseases in Rodents. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30148479 PMCID: PMC6126683 DOI: 10.3791/55724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference via the endogenous miRNA pathway regulates gene expression by controlling protein synthesis through post-transcriptional gene silencing. In recent years, miRNA-mediated gene regulation has shown potential for treatment of neurological disorders caused by a toxic gain of function mechanism. However, efficient delivery to target tissues has limited its application. Here we used a transgenic mouse model for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a neuromuscular disease caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR), to test gene silencing by a newly identified AR-targeting miRNA, miR-298. We overexpressed miR-298 using a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotype 9 vector to facilitate transduction of non-dividing cells. A single tail-vein injection in SBMA mice induced sustained and widespread overexpression of miR-298 in skeletal muscle and motor neurons and resulted in amelioration of the neuromuscular phenotype in the mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naemeh Pourshafie
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
| | - Philip R Lee
- Section on Nervous System Development and Plasticity, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child and Human Development, National Institutes of Health
| | - Ke-Lian Chen
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
| | - George G Harmison
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
| | - Laura C Bott
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health; Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University
| | - Kenneth H Fischbeck
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
| | - Carlo Rinaldi
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford;
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12
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Evers MM, Miniarikova J, Juhas S, Vallès A, Bohuslavova B, Juhasova J, Skalnikova HK, Vodicka P, Valekova I, Brouwers C, Blits B, Lubelski J, Kovarova H, Ellederova Z, van Deventer SJ, Petry H, Motlik J, Konstantinova P. AAV5-miHTT Gene Therapy Demonstrates Broad Distribution and Strong Human Mutant Huntingtin Lowering in a Huntington's Disease Minipig Model. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2163-2177. [PMID: 30007561 PMCID: PMC6127509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene. Previously, we showed strong huntingtin reduction and prevention of neuronal dysfunction in HD rodents using an engineered microRNA targeting human huntingtin, delivered via adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 5 vector with a transgene encoding an engineered miRNA against HTT mRNA (AAV5-miHTT). One of the challenges of rodents as a model of neurodegenerative diseases is their relatively small brain, making successful translation to the HD patient difficult. This is particularly relevant for gene therapy approaches, where distribution achieved upon local administration into the parenchyma is likely dependent on brain size and structure. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the translation of huntingtin-lowering gene therapy to a large-animal brain. We investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and tolerability of one-time intracranial administration of AAV5-miHTT in the transgenic HD (tgHD) minipig model. We detected widespread dose-dependent distribution of AAV5-miHTT throughout the tgHD minipig brain that correlated with the engineered microRNA expression. Both human mutant huntingtin mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in all brain regions transduced by AAV5-miHTT. The combination of widespread vector distribution and extensive huntingtin lowering observed with AAV5-miHTT supports the translation of a huntingtin-lowering gene therapy for HD from preclinical studies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M Evers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jana Miniarikova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Juhas
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Astrid Vallès
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jana Juhasova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | | | - Petr Vodicka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Ivona Valekova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Cynthia Brouwers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bas Blits
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jacek Lubelski
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hana Kovarova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenka Ellederova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Sander J van Deventer
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Harald Petry
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Motlik
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Konstantinova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Pre-clinical Safety and Off-Target Studies to Support Translation of AAV-Mediated RNAi Therapy for FSHD. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2017; 8:121-130. [PMID: 29387734 PMCID: PMC5787672 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RNAi emerged as a prospective molecular therapy nearly 15 years ago. Since then, two major RNAi platforms have been under development: oligonucleotides and gene therapy. Oligonucleotide-based approaches have seen more advancement, with some promising therapies that may soon reach market. In contrast, vector-based approaches for RNAi therapy have remained largely in the pre-clinical realm, with limited clinical safety and efficacy data to date. We are developing a gene therapy approach to treat the autosomal-dominant disorder facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Our strategy involves silencing the myotoxic gene DUX4 using adeno-associated viral vectors to deliver targeted microRNA expression cassettes (miDUX4s). We previously demonstrated proof of concept for this approach in mice, and we are now taking additional steps here to assess safety issues related to miDUX4 overexpression and sequence-specific off-target silencing. In this study, we describe improvements in vector design and expansion of our miDUX4 sequence repertoire and report differential toxicity elicited by two miDUX4 sequences, of which one was toxic and the other was not. This study provides important data to help advance our goal of translating RNAi gene therapy for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
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14
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Abstract
Gene suppression approaches have emerged over the last 20 years as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These include RNA interference and anti-sense oligonucleotides, both of which act at the post-transcriptional level, and genome-editing techniques, which aim to repair the responsible mutant gene. All serve to inhibit the expression of disease-causing proteins, leading to the potential prevention or even reversal of the disease phenotype. In this review we summarise the main developments in gene suppression strategies, using examples from Huntington's disease and other inherited causes of neurodegeneration, and explore how these might illuminate a path to tackle other proteinopathy-associated dementias in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhia Ghosh
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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15
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Alkan F, Wenzel A, Palasca O, Kerpedjiev P, Rudebeck A, Stadler PF, Hofacker IL, Gorodkin J. RIsearch2: suffix array-based large-scale prediction of RNA-RNA interactions and siRNA off-targets. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:e60. [PMID: 28108657 PMCID: PMC5416843 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermolecular interactions of ncRNAs are at the core of gene regulation events, and identifying the full map of these interactions bears crucial importance for ncRNA functional studies. It is known that RNA-RNA interactions are built up by complementary base pairings between interacting RNAs and high level of complementarity between two RNA sequences is a powerful predictor of such interactions. Here, we present RIsearch2, a large-scale RNA-RNA interaction prediction tool that enables quick localization of potential near-complementary RNA-RNA interactions between given query and target sequences. In contrast to previous heuristics which either search for exact matches while including G-U wobble pairs or employ simplified energy models, we present a novel approach using a single integrated seed-and-extend framework based on suffix arrays. RIsearch2 enables fast discovery of candidate RNA-RNA interactions on genome/transcriptome-wide scale. We furthermore present an siRNA off-target discovery pipeline that not only predicts the off-target transcripts but also computes the off-targeting potential of a given siRNA. This is achieved by combining genome-wide RIsearch2 predictions with target site accessibilities and transcript abundance estimates. We show that this pipeline accurately predicts siRNA off-target interactions and enables off-targeting potential comparisons between different siRNA designs. RIsearch2 and the siRNA off-target discovery pipeline are available as stand-alone software packages from http://rth.dk/resources/risearch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferhat Alkan
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Anne Wenzel
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Oana Palasca
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Peter Kerpedjiev
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, 1090 Wien, Austria
| | - Anders Frost Rudebeck
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Peter F. Stadler
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, 1090 Wien, Austria
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science & IZBI-Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics & LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases & Competence Center for Scalable Data Services and Solutions, University Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16–18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Inselstraße 22, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Ivo L. Hofacker
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, 1090 Wien, Austria
- Research Group Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, 1090 Wien, Austria
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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16
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Kim YC, Miller A, Lins LCRF, Han SW, Keiser MS, Boudreau RL, Davidson BL, Narayanan NS. RNA Interference of Human α-Synuclein in Mouse. Front Neurol 2017; 8:13. [PMID: 28197125 PMCID: PMC5281542 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is postulated to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Aggregates of α-synuclein contribute to neurodegeneration and cell death in humans and in mouse models of PD. Here, we use virally mediated RNA interference to knockdown human α-synuclein in mice. We used an siRNA design algorithm to identify eight siRNA sequences with minimal off-targeting potential. One RNA-interference sequence (miSyn4) showed maximal protein knockdown potential in vitro. We then designed AAV vectors expressing miSyn4 and injected them into the mouse substantia nigra. miSyn4 was robustly expressed and did not detectably change dopamine neurons, glial proliferation, or mouse behavior. We then injected AAV2-miSyn4 into Thy1-hSNCA mice over expressing α-synuclein and found decreased human α-synuclein (hSNCA) in both midbrain and cortex. In separate mice, co-injection of AAV2-hSNCA and AAV2-miSyn4 demonstrated decreased hSNCA expression and rescue of hSNCA-mediated behavioral deficits. These data suggest that virally mediated RNA interference can knockdown hSNCA in vivo, which could be helpful for future therapies targeting human α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Cho Kim
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , Iowa City, IA , USA
| | - Adam Miller
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Aging Mind and Brain Initiative, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Livia C R F Lins
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
| | - Sang-Woo Han
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , Iowa City, IA , USA
| | - Megan S Keiser
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Ryan L Boudreau
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics , Iowa City, IA , USA
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nandakumar S Narayanan
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Aging Mind and Brain Initiative, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
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17
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Scherman D, Rousseau A, Bigey P, Escriou V. Genetic pharmacology: progresses in siRNA delivery and therapeutic applications. Gene Ther 2017; 24:151-156. [PMID: 28121307 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the RNA interference process, the catalytic degradation of an endogenous mRNA results from the Watson-Crick complementary recognition by either a small silencing synthetic double-stranded ribonucleotide (siRNA) or by a small hairpin RNA (shRNA) produced in the cell by transcription from a DNA template. This interference process ideally results in an exquisitely specific mRNA suppression. The present review is dedicated to siRNAs. It describes the mechanism of RNA silencing and the main siRNA delivery techniques, with a focus on siRNA self-complexing to cationic lipids to form nanoparticles, which are called lipoplexes. The addition to lipoplexes of an anionic polymer leads to the ternary formulation APIRL (Anionic-Polymer-Interfering-RNA-Lipoplexes) with increased in vivo stability and biological efficacy. In terms of clinical development, the review focuses on therapeutic applications by intravenous delivery to the liver and inflammatory joints, and to localized siRNA delivery to the ocular sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Scherman
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, Paris, France.,Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), Paris, France.,INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France, 4,avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France
| | - A Rousseau
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, Paris, France.,Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), Paris, France.,INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France, 4,avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France
| | - P Bigey
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, Paris, France.,Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), Paris, France.,INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France, 4,avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France
| | - V Escriou
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, Paris, France.,Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), Paris, France.,INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France, 4,avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, France
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18
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Dissen GA, Adachi K, Lomniczi A, Chatkupt T, Davidson BL, Nakai H, Ojeda SR. Engineering a gene silencing viral construct that targets the cat hypothalamus to induce permanent sterility: An update. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 52 Suppl 2:354-358. [PMID: 27859771 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12834] [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: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The intent of this contribution is to provide an update of the progress we have made towards developing a method/treatment to permanently sterilize cats. Our approach employs two complementary methodologies: RNA interference (RNAi) to silence genes involved in the central control of reproduction and a virus-based gene therapy system intended to deliver RNAi selectively to the hypothalamus (where these genes are expressed) via the systemic administration of modified viruses. We selected the hypothalamus because it contains neurons expressing Kiss1 and Tac3, two genes essential for reproduction and fertility. We chose the non-pathogenic adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector whose tropism could be modified to target the hypothalamus. The issues that must be overcome to utilize this vector as a delivery vehicle to induce sterility include modification of the wild-type AAV to target the hypothalamic region of the brain with a simultaneous reduction in targeting of peripheral tissues and non-hypothalamic brain regions, identification of RNAi targets that will effectively reduce the expression of Kiss1 and Tac3 without off-target effects, and determination if neutralizing antibodies to the AAV serotype of choice are present in cats. Successful resolution of these issues will pave the way for the development of a powerful tool to induce the permanent sterility in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Dissen
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - K Adachi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - A Lomniczi
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - T Chatkupt
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - B L Davidson
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - H Nakai
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA.,Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - S R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
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19
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Shibata SB, Ranum PT, Moteki H, Pan B, Goodwin AT, Goodman SS, Abbas PJ, Holt JR, Smith RJ. RNA Interference Prevents Autosomal-Dominant Hearing Loss. Am J Hum Genet 2016; 98:1101-1113. [PMID: 27236922 PMCID: PMC4908151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hearing impairment is the most common sensory deficit. It is frequently caused by the expression of an allele carrying a single dominant missense mutation. Herein, we show that a single intracochlear injection of an artificial microRNA carried in a viral vector can slow progression of hearing loss for up to 35 weeks in the Beethoven mouse, a murine model of non-syndromic human deafness caused by a dominant gain-of-function mutation in Tmc1 (transmembrane channel-like 1). This outcome is noteworthy because it demonstrates the feasibility of RNA-interference-mediated suppression of an endogenous deafness-causing allele to slow progression of hearing loss. Given that most autosomal-dominant non-syndromic hearing loss in humans is caused by this mechanism of action, microRNA-based therapeutics might be broadly applicable as a therapy for this type of deafness.
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20
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Abstract
The idea of treating disease in humans with genetic material was conceived over two decades ago and with that a promising journey involving development and efficacy studies in cells and animals of a large number of novel therapeutic reagents unfolded. In the footsteps of this process, successful gene therapy treatment of genetic conditions in humans has shown clear signs of efficacy. Notably, significant advancements using gene supplementation and silencing strategies have been made in the field of ocular gene therapy, thereby pinpointing ocular gene therapy as one of the compelling "actors" bringing gene therapy to the clinic. Most of all, this success has been facilitated because of (1) the fact that the eye is an effortlessly accessible, exceedingly compartmentalized, and immune-privileged organ offering a unique advantage as a gene therapy target, and (2) significant progress toward efficient, sustained transduction of cells within the retina having been achieved using nonintegrating vectors based on recombinant adeno-associated virus and nonintegrating lentivirus vectors. The results from in vivo experiments and trials suggest that treatment of inherited retinal dystrophies, ocular angiogenesis, and inflammation with gene therapy can be both safe and effective. Here, the progress of ocular gene therapy is examined with special emphasis on the potential use of RNAi- and protein-based antiangiogenic gene therapy to treat exudative age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus C, Denmark
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21
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Keiser MS, Kordasiewicz HB, McBride JL. Gene suppression strategies for dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases: lessons from Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:R53-64. [PMID: 26503961 PMCID: PMC4802374 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-targeting approaches are emerging as viable therapeutics that offer an alternative method to modulate traditionally 'undrugable' targets. In the case of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases, gene suppression strategies can target the underlying cause of these intractable disorders. Polyglutamine diseases are caused by CAG expansions in discrete genes, making them ideal candidates for gene suppression therapies. Here, we discuss the current state of gene suppression approaches for Huntington's disease and the spinocerebellar ataxias, including the use of antisense oligonucleotides, short-interfering RNAs, as well as viral vector-mediated delivery of short hairpin RNAs and artificial microRNAs. We focus on lessons learned from preclinical studies investigating gene suppression therapies for these disorders, particularly in rodent models of disease and in non-human primates. In animal models, recent advances in gene suppression technologies have not only prevented disease progression in a number of cases, but have also reversed existing disease, providing evidence that reducing the expression of disease-causing genes may be of benefit in symptomatic patients. Both allele- and non-allele-specific approaches to gene suppression have made great strides over the past decade, showing efficacy and safety in both small and large animal models. Advances in delivery techniques allow for broad and durable suppression of target genes, have been validated in non-human primates and in some cases, are currently being evaluated in human patients. Finally, we discuss the challenges of developing and delivering gene suppression constructs into the CNS and recent advances of potential therapeutics into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S Keiser
- Raymond G. Perlman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jodi L McBride
- Department of Neurology, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA and Deparment of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
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22
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Bhandare VV, Ramaswamy A. Identification of possible siRNA molecules for TDP43 mutants causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: In silico design and molecular dynamics study. Comput Biol Chem 2016; 61:97-108. [PMID: 26854610 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The DNA binding protein, TDP43 is a major protein involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurological disorders such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer disease, etc. In the present study, we have designed possible siRNAs for the glycine rich region of tardbp mutants causing ALS disorder based on a systematic theoretical approach including (i) identification of respective codons for all mutants (reported at the protein level) based on both minimum free energy and probabilistic approaches, (ii) rational design of siRNA, (iii) secondary structure analysis for the target accessibility of siRNA, (iii) determination of the ability of siRNA to interact with mRNA and the formation/stability of duplex via molecular dynamics study for a period of 15ns and (iv) characterization of mRNA-siRNA duplex stability based on thermo-physical analysis. The stable GC-rich siRNA expressed strong binding affinity towards mRNA and forms stable duplex in A-form. The linear dependence between the thermo-physical parameters such as Tm, GC content and binding free energy revealed the ability of the identified siRNAs to interact with mRNA in comparable to that of the experimentally reported siRNAs. Hence, this present study proposes few siRNAs as the possible gene silencing agents in RNAi therapy based on the in silico approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amutha Ramaswamy
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India.
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23
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MiR-298 Counteracts Mutant Androgen Receptor Toxicity in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Mol Ther 2016; 24:937-45. [PMID: 26755334 PMCID: PMC4881766 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a currently untreatable adult-onset neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the androgen receptor (AR). In SBMA, as in other polyglutamine diseases, a toxic gain of function in the mutant protein is an important factor in the disease mechanism; therefore, reducing the mutant protein holds promise as an effective treatment strategy. In this work, we evaluated a microRNA (miRNA) to reduce AR expression. From a list of predicted miRNAs that target human AR, we selected microRNA-298 (miR-298) for its ability to downregulate AR mRNA and protein levels when transfected in cells overexpressing wild-type and mutant AR and in SBMA patient-derived fibroblasts. We showed that miR-298 directly binds to the 3'-untranslated region of the human AR transcript, and counteracts AR toxicity in vitro. Intravenous delivery of miR-298 with adeno-associated virus serotype 9 vector resulted in efficient transduction of muscle and spinal cord and amelioration of the disease phenotype in SBMA mice. Our findings support the development of miRNAs as a therapeutic strategy for SBMA and other neurodegenerative disorders caused by toxic proteins.
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Alleviation of off-target effects from vector-encoded shRNAs via codelivered RNA decoys. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E4007-16. [PMID: 26170322 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1510476112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Exogenous RNAi triggers such as shRNAs ideally exert their activities exclusively via the antisense strand that binds and silences designated target mRNAs. However, in principle, the sense strand also possesses silencing capacity that may contribute to adverse RNAi side effects including off-target gene regulation. Here, we address this concern with a novel strategy that reduces sense strand activity of vector-encoded shRNAs via codelivery of inhibitory tough decoy (TuD) RNAs. Using various shRNAs for proof of concept, we validate that coexpression of TuDs can sequester and inactivate shRNA sense strands in human cells selectively without affecting desired antisense activities from the same shRNAs. Moreover, we show how coexpressed TuDs can alleviate shRNA-mediated perturbation of global gene expression by specifically de-repressing off-target transcripts carrying seed matches to the shRNA sense strand. Our combination of shRNA and TuD in a single bicistronic gene transfer vector derived from Adeno-associated virus (AAV) enables a wide range of applications, including gene therapies. To this end, we engineered our constructs in a modular fashion and identified simple hairpin design rules permitting adaptation to preexisting or new shRNAs. Finally, we demonstrate the power of our vectors for combinatorial RNAi strategies by showing robust suppression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with an AAV expressing a bifunctional TuD against an anti-HCV shRNA sense strand and an HCV-related cellular miRNA. The data and tools reported here represent an important step toward the next generation of RNAi triggers with increased specificity and thus ultimately safety in humans.
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Li G, Ma S, Sun C. RNA interference-based therapeutics for inherited long QT syndrome. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:395-400. [PMID: 26622327 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an electrical heart disorder that manifests with syncope, seizures, and increased risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. Dominant-negative current suppression is a mechanism by which pathogenic proteins disrupt the function of ion channels in inherited LQTS. However, current approaches for the management of inherited LQTS are inadequate. RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful technique that is able to suppress or silence the expression of mutant genes. RNAi may be harnessed to knock out mRNAs that code for toxic proteins, and has been increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic intervention for a range of conditions. The present study reviews the literature for RNAi-based therapeutics in the treatment of inherited LQTS. Furthermore, this review discusses the combined use of RNAi with the emerging technology of induced pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of inherited LQTS. In addition, key challenges that must be overcome prior to RNAi-based therapies becoming clinically applicable are addressed. In summary, RNAi-based therapy is potentially a powerful therapeutic intervention, although a number of difficulties remain unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Shuting Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Chaofeng Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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Artificial miRNAs Targeting Mutant Huntingtin Show Preferential Silencing In Vitro and In Vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2015; 4:e234. [PMID: 25849618 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG repeat expansion in exon 1 of huntingtin (HTT). Studies in mouse models of HD with a regulated mutant transgene show that continuous mutant allele expression is required for behavioral and pathological signs; when mutant HTT expression declined, neuronal degeneration improved. To date, it is unknown whether neural cells in the adult human brain can tolerate reduction in both normal and mutant alleles. Thus, it may be important to develop allele-specific silencing approaches. Several siRNA sequences targeting the CAG expanded motif or prevalent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in linkage disequilibrium with the mutant allele have been designed and their selectivity demonstrated in vitro. However, it is unknown whether these allele-specific siRNAs will retain their specificity when expressed from artificial RNAi platforms. Here, we designed CAG- and SNP- targeting artificial miRNAs and demonstrate that some, but not all, retained their selectivity in vitro using an allele-specific reporter system and in vivo in a transgenic mouse model developed to express normal and mutant human HTT alleles.
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The role of the immune system in triplet repeat expansion diseases. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:873860. [PMID: 25873774 PMCID: PMC4385693 DOI: 10.1155/2015/873860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders (TREDs) are a group of dominantly inherited neurological diseases caused by the expansion of unstable repeats in specific regions of the associated genes. Expansion of CAG repeat tracts in translated regions of the respective genes results in polyglutamine- (polyQ-) rich proteins that form intracellular aggregates that affect numerous cellular activities. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of an RNA toxicity component in polyQ expansion disorders, thus increasing the complexity of the pathogenic processes. Neurodegeneration, accompanied by reactive gliosis and astrocytosis is the common feature of most TREDs, which may suggest involvement of inflammation in pathogenesis. Indeed, a number of immune response markers have been observed in the blood and CNS of patients and mouse models, and the activation of these markers was even observed in the premanifest stage of the disease. Although inflammation is not an initiating factor of TREDs, growing evidence indicates that inflammatory responses involving astrocytes, microglia, and the peripheral immune system may contribute to disease progression. Herein, we review the involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of triplet repeat expansion diseases, with particular emphasis on polyglutamine disorders. We also present various therapeutic approaches targeting the dysregulated inflammation pathways in these diseases.
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28
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Pharmacogenetics of Neurodegenerative Disorders. ADVANCES IN PREDICTIVE, PREVENTIVE AND PERSONALISED MEDICINE 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15344-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lee JH, Sowada MJ, Boudreau RL, Aerts AM, Thedens DR, Nopoulos P, Davidson BL. Rhes suppression enhances disease phenotypes in Huntington's disease mice. J Huntingtons Dis 2014; 3:65-71. [PMID: 25062765 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-140094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In Huntington's disease (HD) mutant HTT is ubiquitously expressed yet the striatum undergoes profound early degeneration. Cell culture studies suggest that a striatal-enriched protein, Rhes, may account for this vulnerability. We investigated the therapeutic potential of silencing Rhes in vivo using inhibitory RNAs (miRhes). While Rhes suppression was tolerated in wildtype mice, it failed to improve rotarod function in two distinct HD mouse models. Additionally, miRhes treated HD mice had increased anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced striatal atrophy as measured by longitudinal MRI when compared to control treated mice. These findings raise caution regarding the long-term implementation of inhibiting Rhes as a therapy for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Lee
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Matthew J Sowada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ryan L Boudreau
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Andrea M Aerts
- Department of Psychiatry, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Daniel R Thedens
- Department of Radiology, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peg Nopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Neurology, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Monteys AM, Spengler RM, Dufour BD, Wilson MS, Oakley CK, Sowada MJ, McBride JL, Davidson BL. Single nucleotide seed modification restores in vivo tolerability of a toxic artificial miRNA sequence in the mouse brain. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:13315-27. [PMID: 25332397 PMCID: PMC4245975 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by polyglutamine-expansion in huntingtin (HTT). Recent work showed that gene silencing approaches, including RNA interference (RNAi), improve disease readouts in mice. To advance RNAi to the clinic, we designed miHDS1, with robust knockdown of human HTT and minimized silencing of unintended transcripts. In Rhesus macaque, AAV delivery of miHDS1 to the putamen reduced HTT expression with no adverse effects on neurological status including fine and gross motor skills, no immune activation and no induction of neuropathology out to 6 weeks post injection. Others showed safety of a different HTT-targeting RNAi in monkeys for 6 months. Application of miHDS1 to Huntington's patients requires further safety testing in normal rodents, despite the fact that it was optimized for humans. To satisfy this regulatory requirement, we evaluated normal mice after AAV.miHDS1 injection. In contrast to monkeys, neurological deficits occurred acutely in mice brain and was attributed to off-target silencing through interactions of miHDS1 with the 3′UTR of other transcripts. While we resolved miHDS1 toxicity in mouse brain and maintained miHDS1-silencing efficacy, these studies highlight that optimizing nucleic acid-based medicines for safety in humans presents challenges for safety testing in rodents or other distantly related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Mas Monteys
- The Center for Cell and Molecular Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryan M Spengler
- Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Brett D Dufour
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Matt S Wilson
- Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Matt J Sowada
- The Center for Cell and Molecular Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jodi L McBride
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- The Center for Cell and Molecular Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Gu S, Zhang Y, Jin L, Huang Y, Zhang F, Bassik MC, Kampmann M, Kay MA. Weak base pairing in both seed and 3' regions reduces RNAi off-targets and enhances si/shRNA designs. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:12169-76. [PMID: 25270879 PMCID: PMC4231738 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of RNA interference is becoming routine in scientific discovery and treatment of human disease. However, its applications are hampered by unwanted effects, particularly off-targeting through miRNA-like pathways. Recent studies suggest that the efficacy of such off-targeting might be dependent on binding stability. Here, by testing shRNAs and siRNAs of various GC content in different guide strand segments with reporter assays, we establish that weak base pairing in both seed and 3' regions is required to achieve minimal off-targeting while maintaining the intended on-target activity. The reduced off-targeting was confirmed by RNA-Seq analyses from mouse liver RNAs expressing various anti-HCV shRNAs. Finally, our protocol was validated on a large scale by analyzing results of a genome-wide shRNA screen. Compared with previously established work, the new algorithm was more effective in reducing off-targeting without jeopardizing on-target potency. These studies provide new rules that should significantly improve on siRNA/shRNA design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Gu
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lan Jin
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yong Huang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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32
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Wild EJ, Tabrizi SJ. Targets for future clinical trials in Huntington's disease: what's in the pipeline? Mov Disord 2014; 29:1434-45. [PMID: 25155142 PMCID: PMC4265300 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The known genetic cause of Huntington's disease (HD) has fueled considerable progress in understanding its pathobiology and the development of therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting specific changes linked to the causative mutation. Among the most promising is reducing expression of mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) with RNA interference or antisense oligonucleotides; human trials are now being planned. Zinc-finger transcriptional repression is another innovative method to reduce mHTT expression. Modulation of mHTT phosphorylation, chaperone upregulation, and autophagy enhancement represent attempts to alter cellular homeostasis to favor removal of mHTT. Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) remains of interest; recent work affirms HDAC4 as a target but questions the assumed centrality of its catalytic activity in HD. Phosphodiesterase inhibition, aimed at restoring synaptic function, has progressed rapidly to human trials. Deranged cellular signaling provides several tractable targets, but specificity and complexity are challenges. Restoring neurotrophic support in HD remains a key potential therapeutic approach. with several approaches being pursued, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mimesis through tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) agonism and monoclonal antibodies. An increasing understanding of the role of glial cells in HD has led to several new therapeutic avenues, including kynurenine monooxygenase inhibition, immunomodulation by laquinimod, CB2 agonism, and others. The complex metabolic derangements in HD remain under study, but no clear therapeutic strategy has yet emerged. We conclude that many exciting therapeutics are progressing through the development pipeline, and combining a better understanding of HD biology in human patients, with concerted medicinal chemistry efforts, will be crucial for bringing about an era of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Wild
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology & NeurosurgeryQueen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology & NeurosurgeryQueen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
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Fiszer A, Krzyzosiak WJ. Oligonucleotide-based strategies to combat polyglutamine diseases. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:6787-810. [PMID: 24848018 PMCID: PMC4066792 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable advances have been recently made in understanding the molecular aspects of pathogenesis and in developing therapeutic approaches for polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. Studies on pathogenic mechanisms have extended our knowledge of mutant protein toxicity, confirmed the toxicity of mutant transcript and identified other toxic RNA and protein entities. One very promising therapeutic strategy is targeting the causative gene expression with oligonucleotide (ON) based tools. This straightforward approach aimed at halting the early steps in the cascade of pathogenic events has been widely tested for Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. In this review, we gather information on the use of antisense oligonucleotides and RNA interference triggers for the experimental treatment of polyQ diseases in cellular and animal models. We present studies testing non-allele-selective and allele-selective gene silencing strategies. The latter include targeting SNP variants associated with mutations or targeting the pathologically expanded CAG repeat directly. We compare gene silencing effectors of various types in a number of aspects, including their design, efficiency in cell culture experiments and pre-clinical testing. We discuss advantages, current limitations and perspectives of various ON-based strategies used to treat polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Fiszer
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz J Krzyzosiak
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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Valor LM. Transcription, epigenetics and ameliorative strategies in Huntington's Disease: a genome-wide perspective. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 51:406-23. [PMID: 24788684 PMCID: PMC4309905 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8715-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation in Huntington’s disease (HD) is an early event that shapes the brain transcriptome by both the depletion and ectopic activation of gene products that eventually affect survival and neuronal functions. Disruption in the activity of gene expression regulators, such as transcription factors, chromatin-remodeling proteins, and noncoding RNAs, accounts for the expression changes observed in multiple animal and cellular models of HD and in samples from patients. Here, I review the recent advances in the study of HD transcriptional dysregulation and its causes to finally discuss the possible implications in ameliorative strategies from a genome-wide perspective. To date, the use of genome-wide approaches, predominantly based on microarray platforms, has been successful in providing an extensive catalog of differentially regulated genes, including biomarkers aimed at monitoring the progress of the pathology. Although still incipient, the introduction of combined next-generation sequencing techniques is enhancing our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying altered transcriptional dysregulation in HD by providing the first genomic landscapes associated with epigenetics and the occupancy of transcription factors. In addition, the use of genome-wide approaches is becoming more and more necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ameliorative strategies and to identify novel mechanisms of amelioration that may help in the improvement of current preclinical therapeutics. Finally, the major conclusions obtained from HD transcriptomics studies have the potential to be extrapolated to other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Valor
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550, Alicante, Spain,
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35
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Oligonucleotide-based therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Brain Res 2014; 1584:116-28. [PMID: 24727531 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular genetics insight into the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer׳s disease, Parkinson׳s disease, Huntington׳s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, encourages direct interference with the activity of neurotoxic genes or the molecular activation of neuroprotective pathways. Oligonucleotide-based therapies are recently emerging as an efficient strategy for drug development and these can be employed as new treatments of neurodegenerative states. Here we review advances in this field in recent years which suggest an encouraging assessment that oligonucleotide technologies for targeting of RNAs will enable the development of new therapies and will contribute to preservation of brain integrity.
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Stanek LM, Sardi SP, Mastis B, Richards AR, Treleaven CM, Taksir T, Misra K, Cheng SH, Shihabuddin LS. Silencing mutant huntingtin by adeno-associated virus-mediated RNA interference ameliorates disease manifestations in the YAC128 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 25:461-74. [PMID: 24484067 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2013.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an increase in the number of polyglutamine residues in the huntingtin (Htt) protein. With the identification of the underlying basis of HD, therapies are being developed that reduce expression of the causative mutant Htt. RNA interference (RNAi) that seeks to selectively reduce the expression of such disease-causing agents is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy for this and similar disorders. This study examines the merits of administering a recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector designed to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets the degradation of the Htt transcript. The aim was to lower Htt levels and to correct the behavioral, biochemical, and neuropathological deficits shown to be associated with the YAC128 mouse model of HD. Our data demonstrate that AAV-mediated RNAi is effective at transducing greater than 80% of the cells in the striatum and partially reducing the levels (~40%) of both wild-type and mutant Htt in this region. Concomitant with these reductions are significant improvements in behavioral deficits, reduction of striatal Htt aggregates, and partial correction of the aberrant striatal transcriptional profile observed in YAC128 mice. Importantly, a partial reduction of both the mutant and wild-type Htt levels is not associated with any notable overt neurotoxicity. Collectively, these results support the continued development of AAV-mediated RNAi as a therapeutic strategy for HD.
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Intrajugular vein delivery of AAV9-RNAi prevents neuropathological changes and weight loss in Huntington's disease mice. Mol Ther 2014; 22:797-810. [PMID: 24390280 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurological disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene, which encodes a mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The mutation confers a toxic gain of function on huntingtin, leading to widespread neurodegeneration and inclusion formation in many brain regions. Although the hallmark symptom of HD is hyperkinesia stemming from striatal degeneration, several other brain regions are affected which cause psychiatric, cognitive, and metabolic symptoms. Additionally, mHTT expression in peripheral tissue is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy, cardiac failure, weight loss, and diabetes. We, and others, have demonstrated a prevention of motor symptoms in HD mice following direct striatal injection of adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) serotype 1 encoding an RNA interference (RNAi) construct targeting mutant HTT mRNA (mHTT). Here, we expand these efforts and demonstrate that an intrajugular vein injection of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) expressing a mutant HTT-specific RNAi construct significantly reduced mHTT expression in multiple brain regions and peripheral tissues affected in HD. Correspondingly, this approach prevented atrophy and inclusion formation in key brain regions as well as the severe weight loss germane to HD transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that systemic delivery of AAV9-RNAi may provide more widespread clinical benefit for patients suffering from HD.
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38
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Gherardini L, Bardi G, Gennaro M, Pizzorusso T. Novel siRNA delivery strategy: a new "strand" in CNS translational medicine? Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1-20. [PMID: 23508806 PMCID: PMC11113879 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1310-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference has been envisaged as a powerful tool for molecular and clinical investigation with a great potential for clinical applications. In recent years, increased understanding of cancer biology and stem cell biology has dramatically accelerated the development of technology for cell and gene therapy in these areas. This paper is a review of the most recent report of innovative use of siRNA to benefit several central nervous system diseases. Furthermore, a description is made of innovative strategies of delivery into the brain by means of viral and non-viral vectors with high potential for translation into clinical use. Problems are also highlighted that might hamper the transition from bench to bed, analyzing the lack of reliable preclinical models with predictive validity and the lack of effective delivery systems, which are able to overcome biological barriers and specifically reach the brain site of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Bardi
- Center for MicroBioRobotics @SSSA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, Via Moruzzi, 1 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Borel F, Kay MA, Mueller C. Recombinant AAV as a platform for translating the therapeutic potential of RNA interference. Mol Ther 2013; 22:692-701. [PMID: 24352214 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference has become a ubiquitous biological tool, and is being harnessed for therapeutic purposes as well. Therapeutic posttranscriptional gene silencing takes advantage of the endogenous RNAi pathway through delivery of either chemically synthesized siRNAs, or transgenes expressing hairpin-based inhibitory RNAs (e.g., shRNAs and artificial miRNAs). RNAi has expanded the field of viral gene therapy from gene replacement to gene knockdown. Here, we review various noncoding RNAs such as shRNAs, miRNAs, and miRNA decoys which can be utilized for therapeutic applications when expressed from recombinant adeno-associated vectors (AAV), and present examples of their basic design. In addition the basis of exploiting cellular miRNA profiles for detargeting AAV expression from specific cells is described. Finally, an overview of AAV-mediated RNAi preclinical studies is presented, and current RNAi-based clinical trials are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florie Borel
- Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Christian Mueller
- 1] Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA [2] Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Broad therapeutic benefit after RNAi expression vector delivery to deep cerebellar nuclei: implications for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 therapy. Mol Ther 2013; 22:588-595. [PMID: 24419082 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant, late-onset neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the ataxin-1 protein, which causes progressive neurodegeneration in cerebellar Purkinje cells and brainstem nuclei. Here, we tested if reducing mutant ataxin-1 expression would significantly improve phenotypes in a knock-in (KI) mouse model that recapitulates spatial and temporal aspects of SCA1. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), expressing inhibitory RNAs targeting ataxin-1, were injected into the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of KI mice. This approach induced ataxin-1 suppression in the cerebellar cortex and in brainstem neurons. RNA interference (RNAi) of ataxin-1 preserved cerebellar lobule integrity and prevented disease-related transcriptional changes for over a year. Notably, RNAi therapy also preserved rotarod performance and neurohistology. These data suggest that delivery of AAVs encoding RNAi sequences against ataxin-1, to DCN alone, may be sufficient for SCA1 therapy.
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41
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Martí E, Estivill X. Small non-coding RNAs add complexity to the RNA pathogenic mechanisms in trinucleotide repeat expansion diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2013; 6:45. [PMID: 24348326 PMCID: PMC3848198 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Trinucleotide-repeat expansion diseases (TREDs) are a group of inherited human genetic disorders normally involving late-onset neurological/neurodegenerative affectation. Trinucleotide-repeat expansions occur in coding and non-coding regions of unique genes that typically result in protein and RNA toxic gain of function, respectively. In polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the coding region of specific genes, neuronal dysfunction has been traditionally linked to the long polyQ stretch. However, a number of evidences suggest a detrimental role of the expanded/mutant mRNA, which may contribute to cell function impairment. In this review we describe the mechanisms of RNA-induced toxicity in TREDs with special focus in small-non-coding RNA pathogenic mechanisms and we summarize and comment on translational approaches targeting the expanded trinucleotide-repeat for disease modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulàlia Martí
- Genomics and Disease, Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation Barcelona, Spain ; Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Estivill
- Genomics and Disease, Bioinformatics and Genomics Programme, Centre for Genomic Regulation Barcelona, Spain ; Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Spain
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Therapeutic expression of hairpins targeting apolipoprotein B100 induces phenotypic and transcriptome changes in murine liver. Gene Ther 2013; 21:60-70. [PMID: 24152580 PMCID: PMC3881031 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2013.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Constitutive expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) may cause cellular toxicity in vivo and using microRNA (miRNA) scaffolds can circumvent this problem. Previously, we have shown that embedding small interfering RNA sequences targeting apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB) in shRNA (shApoB) or miRNA (miApoB) scaffolds resulted in differential processing and long-term efficacy in vivo. Here we show that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-shApoB- or AAV-miApoB-mediated ApoB knockdown induced differential liver morphology and transcriptome expression changes. Our analyses indicate that ApoB knockdown with both shApoB and miApoB resulted in alterations of genes involved in lipid metabolism. In addition, in AAV-shApoB-injected animals, genes involved in immune system activation or cell growth and death were affected, which was associated with increased hepatocyte proliferation. Subsequently, in AAV-miApoB-injected animals, changes of genes involved in oxidoreductase activity, oxidative phosphorylation and nucleic bases biosynthetic processes were observed. Our results demonstrate that long-term knockdown of ApoB in vivo by shApoB or miApoB induces several transcriptome changes in murine liver. The increased hepatocyte profileration by AAV-shRNA may have severe long-term effects indicating that AAV-mediated RNA interference therapy using artificial miRNA may be a safer approach for familial hypercholesterolemia therapy.
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Zare-Shahabadi A, Renaudineau Y, Rezaei N. MicroRNAs and multiple sclerosis: from physiopathology toward therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2013; 17:1497-507. [PMID: 24053428 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.838219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging group of small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally, by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for translational repression or degradation. They have roles in multiple facets of immunity, from regulation of cell development to activation and function in immune responses. Recent evidence underlines an involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases as well as multiple sclerosis (MS). AREAS COVERED In this review, the current knowledge of miRNA biogenesis, diverse roles of miRNAs in different cells that could be involved in the process of the disease, and their potential therapeutic applications are summarized. The authors searched MEDLINE and Science direct databases. EXPERT OPINION The miRNAs in central nervous system lesions and peripheral blood are potential biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic use. Also, miRNA mimics, small-molecule inhibitors of specific miRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides could be therapeutic weapons that facilitate us to combat the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Zare-Shahabadi
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Molecular Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology , Tehran , Iran
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44
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Nielsen TT, Nielsen JE. Antisense gene silencing: therapy for neurodegenerative disorders? Genes (Basel) 2013; 4:457-84. [PMID: 24705213 PMCID: PMC3924827 DOI: 10.3390/genes4030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first reports that double-stranded RNAs can efficiently silence gene expression in C. elegans, the technology of RNA interference (RNAi) has been intensively exploited as an experimental tool to study gene function. With the subsequent discovery that RNAi could also be applied to mammalian cells, the technology of RNAi expanded from being a valuable experimental tool to being an applicable method for gene-specific therapeutic regulation, and much effort has been put into further refinement of the technique. This review will focus on how RNAi has developed over the years and how the technique is exploited in a pre-clinical and clinical perspective in relation to neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troels T Nielsen
- Danish Dementia Research Centre, Neurogenetics Clinic, Department of Neurology, Section 6702, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Jørgen E Nielsen
- Danish Dementia Research Centre, Neurogenetics Clinic, Department of Neurology, Section 6702, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Dissen GA, Lomniczi A, Boudreau RL, Chen YH, Davidson BL, Ojeda SR. Applying gene silencing technology to contraception. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 47 Suppl 6:381-6. [PMID: 23279544 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Population control of feral animals is often difficult, as it can be dangerous for the animals, labour intensive and expensive. Therefore, a useful tool for control of animal populations would be a non-surgical method to induce sterility. Our laboratories utilize methods aimed at targeting brain cells in vivo with vehicles that deliver a payload of either inhibitory RNAs or genes intended to correct cellular dysfunction. A useful framework for design of a new approach will be the combination of these methods with the intended goal to produce a technique that can be used to non-invasively sterilize cats and dogs. For this approach to succeed, it has to meet several conditions: the target gene must be essential for fertility; the method must include a mechanism to effectively and specifically silence the gene of interest; the method of delivering the silencing agent must be minimally invasive, and finally, the silencing effect must be sustained for the lifespan of the target species, so that expansion of the population can be effectively prevented. In this article, we discuss our work to develop gene silencing technology to induce sterility; we will use examples of our previous studies demonstrating that this approach is viable. These studies include (i) the use of viral vectors able to disrupt reproductive cyclicity when delivered to the regions of the brain involved in the control of reproduction and (ii) experiments with viral vectors that are able to ameliorate neuronal disease when delivered systemically using a novel approach of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Dissen
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center-Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, USA.
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Zhou J, Cai J, Huang Z, Ding H, Wang J, Jia J, Zhao Y, Huang D, Wang Z. Proteomic identification of target proteins following Drosha knockdown in cervical cancer. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:2229-37. [PMID: 23969986 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear microRNA (miRNA) processing enzyme Drosha is upregulated in cervical cancer, and its overexpression is related to an invasive tumour phenotype. However, the mechanisms that underlie this effect remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify the potential targets of Drosha in cervical cancer. Here, we demonstrated that Drosha knockdown (Drosha-KD) inhibited proliferation, colony formation and the migration of cervical cancer cells in vitro. A global upregulation of proteins in Drosha-KD cells was revealed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Eighteen proteins were identified by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry technology (LC-MS/MS) from 21 selected protein spots that exhibited significant alterations in Drosha-KD cells. The majority of the identified proteins have been previously associated with tumour formation. The downregulation of tubulin 5β in Drosha-KD cervical cancer cells was further confirmed by western blotting. Our results suggest that Drosha affects the biological activity of cervical cancer cells by regulating the expression of numerous tumour-associated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Medical College, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
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Østergaard ME, Southwell AL, Kordasiewicz H, Watt AT, Skotte NH, Doty CN, Vaid K, Villanueva EB, Swayze EE, Bennett CF, Hayden MR, Seth PP. Rational design of antisense oligonucleotides targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms for potent and allele selective suppression of mutant Huntingtin in the CNS. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:9634-50. [PMID: 23963702 PMCID: PMC3834808 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant diseases such as Huntington’s disease (HD) are caused by a gain of function mutant protein and/or RNA. An ideal treatment for these diseases is to selectively suppress expression of the mutant allele while preserving expression of the wild-type variant. RNase H active antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs can achieve allele selective suppression of gene expression by targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the repeat expansion. ASOs have been previously shown to discriminate single nucleotide changes in targeted RNAs with ∼5-fold selectivity. Based on RNase H enzymology, we enhanced single nucleotide discrimination by positional incorporation of chemical modifications within the oligonucleotide to limit RNase H cleavage of the non-targeted transcript. The resulting oligonucleotides demonstrate >100-fold discrimination for a single nucleotide change at an SNP site in the disease causing huntingtin mRNA, in patient cells and in a completely humanized mouse model of HD. The modified ASOs were also well tolerated after injection into the central nervous system of wild-type animals, suggesting that their tolerability profile is suitable for advancement as potential allele-selective HD therapeutics. Our findings lay the foundation for efficient allele-selective downregulation of gene expression using ASOs—an outcome with broad application to HD and other dominant genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Østergaard
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
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Boese AS, Majer A, Saba R, Booth SA. Small RNA drugs for prion disease: a new frontier. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:1265-84. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.818976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Keiser MS, Geoghegan JC, Boudreau RL, Lennox KA, Davidson BL. RNAi or overexpression: alternative therapies for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 56:6-13. [PMID: 23583610 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant late onset neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in ataxin-1. Here, we compared the protective effects of overexpressing ataxin-1-like using recombinant AAVs, or reducing expression of mutant ataxin-1 using virally delivered RNA interference (RNAi), in a transgenic mouse model of SCA1. For the latter, we used an artificial microRNA (miR) design that optimizes potency, efficacy and safety to suppress ataxin-1 expression (miS1). Delivery of either ataxin-1-like or miS1 viral vectors to SCA1 mice cerebella resulted in widespread cerebellar Purkinje cell transduction and improved behavioral and histological phenotypes. Our data indicate the utility of either approach as a possible therapy for SCA1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan S Keiser
- Department of the Neuroscience Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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50
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Altered Purkinje cell miRNA expression and SCA1 pathogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 54:456-63. [PMID: 23376683 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by polyglutamine repeat expansions in Ataxin-1. Recent evidence supports a role for microRNAs (miRNAs) deregulation in SCA1 pathogenesis. However, the extent to which miRNAs may modulate the onset, progression or severity of SCA1 remains largely unknown. In this study, we used a mouse model of SCA1 to determine if miRNAs are misregulated in pre- and post-symptomatic SCA1 cerebellum. We found a significant alteration in the steady-state levels of numerous miRNAs prior to and following phenotypic onset. In addition, we provide evidence that increased miR-150 levels in SCA1 Purkinje neurons may modulate disease pathogenesis by targeting the expression of Rgs8 and Vegfa.
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