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Kamimura K, Kanefuji T, Suda T, Yokoo T, Zhang G, Aoyagi Y, Liu D. Liver lobe-specific hydrodynamic gene delivery to baboons: A preclinical trial for hemophilia gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:903-913. [PMID: 37346981 PMCID: PMC10280096 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Hydrodynamics-based gene transfer has been successfully employed for in vivo gene delivery to the liver of small animals by tail vein injection and of large animals using a computer-assisted and image-guided protocol. In an effort to develop a hydrodynamic gene delivery procedure clinically applicable for gene therapy, we have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a lobe-specific hydrodynamic delivery procedure for hepatic gene delivery in baboons. Reporter plasmid was used to assess the gene delivery efficiency of the lobe-specific hydrodynamic gene delivery, and plasmid-carrying human factor IX gene was used to examine the pattern of long-term gene expression. The results demonstrated liver lobe-specific gene delivery, therapeutic levels of human factor IX gene expression lasting for >100 days, and the efficacy of repeated hydrodynamic gene delivery into the same liver lobes. Other than a transient increase in blood concentration of liver enzymes right after the injection, no significant adverse events were observed in animals during the study period. The results obtained from this first non-human primate study support the clinical applicability of the procedure for lobe-specific hydrodynamic gene delivery to liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
- Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Minami Uonuma, Niigata 949-7302, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Yutaka Aoyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Suda T, Yokoo T, Kanefuji T, Kamimura K, Zhang G, Liu D. Hydrodynamic Delivery: Characteristics, Applications, and Technological Advances. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041111. [PMID: 37111597 PMCID: PMC10141091 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The principle of hydrodynamic delivery was initially used to develop a method for the delivery of plasmids into mouse hepatocytes through tail vein injection and has been expanded for use in the delivery of various biologically active materials to cells in various organs in a variety of animal species through systemic or local injection, resulting in significant advances in new applications and technological development. The development of regional hydrodynamic delivery directly supports successful gene delivery in large animals, including humans. This review summarizes the fundamentals of hydrodynamic delivery and the progress that has been made in its application. Recent progress in this field offers tantalizing prospects for the development of a new generation of technologies for broader application of hydrodynamic delivery.
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Yasser M, Ribback S, Evert K, Utpatel K, Annweiler K, Evert M, Dombrowski F, Calvisi DF. Early Subcellular Hepatocellular Alterations in Mice Post Hydrodynamic Transfection: An Explorative Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020328. [PMID: 36672277 PMCID: PMC9857294 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamic transfection (HT) or hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVi) is among the leading technique that is used to deliver plasmid genes mainly into the liver of live mice or rats. The DNA constructs are composed of coupled plasmids, while one contains the gene of interest that stably integrate into the hepatocyte genome with help of the other consisting sleeping beauty transposase system. The rapid injection of a large volume of DNA-solution through the tail vein induces an acute cardiac congestion that refluxed into the liver, mainly in acinus zone 3, also found through our EM study. Although, HT mediated hydrodynamic force can permeabilizes the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of liver, but the mechanism of plasmid incorporation into the hepatocytes remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we have hydrodynamically injected 2 mL volume of empty plasmid (transposon vector) or saline solution (control) into the tail vein of anesthetized C57BL/6J/129Sv mice. Liver tissue was resected at different time points from two animal group conditions, i.e., one time point per animal (1, 5, 10-20, 60 min or 24 and 48 hrs after HT) or multiple time points per animal (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 min) and quickly fixed with buffered 4% osmium tetroxide. The tissues fed with only saline solution was also resected and fixed in the similar way. EM evaluation from the liver ultrathin sections reveals that swiftly after 1 min, the hepatocytes near to the central venule in the acinus zone 3 shows cytoplasmic membrane-bound vesicles. Such vesicles increased in both numbers and size to vacuoles and precisely often found in the proximity to the nucleus. Further, EM affirm these vacuoles are also optically empty and do not contain any electron dense material. Although, some of the other hepatocytes reveals sign of cell damage including swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and disrupted plasma membrane, but most of the hepatocytes appeared normal. The ultrastructural findings in the mice injected with empty vector or saline injected control mice were similar. Therefore, we have interpreted the vacuole formation as nonspecific endocytosis without specific interactions at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Yasser
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Katja Evert
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Utpatel
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Annweiler
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Diego F. Calvisi
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Shibata O, Kamimura K, Tanaka Y, Ogawa K, Owaki T, Oda C, Morita S, Kimura A, Abe H, Ikarashi S, Hayashi K, Yokoo T, Terai S. Establishment of a pancreatic cancer animal model using the pancreas-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery method. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:342-352. [PMID: 35474735 PMCID: PMC9018811 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This research developed an easy-to-use, reproducible pancreatic cancer animal model utilizing pancreas-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery to deliver human pancreatic cancer-related genes to the pancreas of wild-type rats. KRASG12D-induced pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions showed malignant transformation in the main pancreatic duct at 4 weeks and developed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, which led to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma within 5 weeks, and the gene combination of KRASG12D and YAP enhanced these effects. The repeat hydrodynamic gene delivery of KRASG12D + YAP combination at 4 weeks showed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in all rats and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in 80% of rats 1 week later. Metastatic tumors in the liver, lymph nodes, and subcutaneous lesions and nervous invasion were confirmed. KRASG12D and YAP combined transfer contributes to the E- to N-cadherin switch in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells and to tumor metastases. This pancreatic cancer model will speed up pancreatic cancer research for novel treatments and biomarkers for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Shibata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
- Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
- Corresponding author. Kenya Kamimura, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Yuto Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Takashi Owaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Chiyumi Oda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morita
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ikarashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Kazunao Hayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori Chuo–ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
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Chan T, Grisch-Chan HM, Schmierer P, Subotic U, Rimann N, Scherer T, Hetzel U, Bozza M, Harbottle R, Williams JA, Steblaj B, Ringer SK, Häberle J, Sidler X, Thöny B. Delivery of non-viral naked DNA vectors to liver in small weaned pigs by hydrodynamic retrograde intrabiliary injection. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 24:268-279. [PMID: 35211639 PMCID: PMC8829443 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic gene therapy by delivering non-integrating therapeutic vectors in newborns remains challenging due to the risk of dilution and loss of efficacy in the growing liver. Previously we reported on hepatocyte transfection in piglets by intraportal injection of naked DNA vectors. Here, we established delivery of naked DNA vectors to target periportal hepatocytes in weaned pigs by hydrodynamic retrograde intrabiliary injection (HRII). The surgical procedure involved laparotomy and transient isolation of the liver. For vector delivery, a catheter was placed within the common bile duct by enterotomy. Under optimal conditions, no histological abnormalities were observed in liver tissue upon pressurized injections. The transfection of hepatocytes in all tested liver samples was observed with vectors expressing luciferase from a liver-specific promoter. However, vector copy number and luciferase expression were low compared to hydrodynamic intraportal injection. A 10-fold higher number of vector genomes and luciferase expression was observed in pigs using a non-integrating naked DNA vector with the potential for replication. In summary, the HRII application was less efficient (i.e., lower luciferase activity and vector copy numbers) than the intraportal delivery method but was significantly less distressful for the piglets and has the potential for injection (or re-injection) of vector DNA by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Chan
- Department of Farm Animals, Division of Swine Medicine of the Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hiu Man Grisch-Chan
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Schmierer
- Department of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Subotic
- Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Rimann
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Scherer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Department of Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Bozza
- DNA Vector Laboratory, DKFZ Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Barbara Steblaj
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Services, Section of Anesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simone K Ringer
- Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Services, Section of Anesthesiology, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Häberle
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xaver Sidler
- Department of Farm Animals, Division of Swine Medicine of the Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Kruse RL, Huang Y, Shum T, Bai L, Ding H, Wang ZZ, Selaru FM, Kumbhari V. Endoscopic-mediated, biliary hydrodynamic injection mediating clinically relevant levels of gene delivery in pig liver. Gastrointest Endosc 2021; 94:1119-1130.e4. [PMID: 34197834 PMCID: PMC8605992 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gene therapy could provide curative therapies to many inherited monogenic liver diseases. Clinical trials have largely focused on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for liver gene delivery. These vectors, however, are limited by small packaging size, capsid immune responses, and inability to redose. As an alternative, nonviral, hydrodynamic injection through vascular routes can successfully deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) into mouse liver but has achieved limited success in large animal models. METHODS We explored hydrodynamic delivery of pDNA through the biliary system into the liver of pigs using ERCP and a power injector to supply hydrodynamic force. Human factor IX (hFIX), deficient in hemophilia B, was used as a model gene therapy. RESULTS Biliary hydrodynamic injection was well tolerated without significant changes in vital signs, liver enzymes, hematology, or histology. No off-target pDNA delivery to other organs was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 50.19% of the liver stained positive for hFIX after hydrodynamic injection at 5.5 mg pDNA, with every hepatic lobule in all liver lobes demonstrating hFIX expression. hFIX-positive hepatocytes were concentrated around the central vein, radiating outward across all 3 metabolic zones. Biliary hydrodynamic injection in pigs resulted in significantly higher transfection efficiency than mouse vascular hydrodynamic injection at matched pDNA per liver weight dose (32.7%-51.9% vs 18.9%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Biliary hydrodynamic injection using ERCP can achieve higher transfection efficiency into hepatocytes compared with AAVs at magnitudes of less cost in a clinically relevant human-sized large animal. This technology may serve as a platform for gene therapy of human liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Kruse
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuting Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Shum
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hui Ding
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zack Z Wang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Florin M Selaru
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vivek Kumbhari
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Huang Y, Kruse RL, Ding H, Itani MI, Morrison J, Wang ZZ, Selaru FM, Kumbhari V. Parameters of biliary hydrodynamic injection during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in pigs for applications in gene delivery. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249931. [PMID: 33909609 PMCID: PMC8081268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The biliary system is routinely accessed for clinical purposes via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We previously pioneered ERCP-mediated hydrodynamic injection in large animal models as an innovative gene delivery approach for monogenic liver diseases. However, the procedure poses potential safety concerns related mainly to liver or biliary tree injury. Here, we sought to further define biliary hydrodynamic injection parameters that are well-tolerated in a human-sized animal model. ERCP was performed in pigs, and hydrodynamic injection carried out using a novel protocol to reduce duct wall stress. Each pig was subjected to multiple repeated injections to expedite testing and judge tolerability. Different injection parameters (volume, flow rate) and injection port diameters were tested. Vital signs were monitored throughout the procedure, and liver enzyme panels were collected pre- and post-procedure. Pigs tolerated repeated biliary hydrodynamic injections with only occasional, mild, isolated elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which returned to normal levels within one day post-injection. All other liver tests remained unchanged. No upper limit of volume tolerance was reached, which suggests the biliary tree can readily transmit fluid into the vascular space. Flow rates up to 10 mL/sec were also tolerated with minimal disturbance to vital signs and no anatomic rupture of bile ducts. Measured intrabiliary pressure was up to 150 mmHg, and fluid-filled vesicles were induced in liver histology at high flow rates, mimicking the changes in histology observed in mouse liver after hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Overall, our investigations in a human-sized pig liver using standard clinical equipment suggest that ERCP-guided hydrodynamic injection will be safely tolerated in patients. Future investigations will interrogate if higher flow rates and pressure mediate higher DNA delivery efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert L. Kruse
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hui Ding
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mohamad I. Itani
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Morrison
- R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zack Z. Wang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Florin M. Selaru
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VK); (FMS)
| | - Vivek Kumbhari
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail: (VK); (FMS)
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Effect of Diphtheria Toxin-Based Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020472. [PMID: 32085552 PMCID: PMC7072394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global malignancy, responsible for >90% of primary liver cancers. Currently available therapeutic options have poor performances due to the highly heterogeneous nature of the tumor cells; recurrence is highly probable, and some patients develop resistances to the therapies. Accordingly, the development of a novel therapy is essential. We assessed gene therapy for HCC using a diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) gene-expressing plasmid, utilizing a non-viral hydrodynamics-based procedure. The antitumor effect of DTA expression in HCC cell lines (and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter selectivity) is assessed in vitro by examining HCC cell growth. Moreover, the effect and safety of the AFP promoter-selective DTA expression was examined in vivo using an HCC mice model established by the hydrodynamic gene delivery of the yes-associated protein (YAP)-expressing plasmid. The protein synthesis in DTA transfected cells is inhibited by the disappearance of tdTomato and GFP expression co-transfected upon the delivery of the DTA plasmid; the HCC cell growth is inhibited by the expression of DTA in HCC cells in an AFP promoter-selective manner. A significant inhibition of HCC occurrence and the suppression of the tumor marker of AFP and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin can be seen in mice groups treated with hydrodynamic gene delivery of DTA, both 0 and 2 months after the YAP gene delivery. These results suggest that DTA gene therapy is effective for HCC.
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Sendra L, Herrero MJ, Montalvá EM, Noguera I, Orbis F, Díaz A, Fernández-Delgado R, López-Andújar R, Aliño SF. Efficacy of interleukin 10 gene hydrofection in pig liver vascular isolated 'in vivo' by surgical procedure with interest in liver transplantation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224568. [PMID: 31689315 PMCID: PMC6830756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Liver transplantation is the only curative strategy for final stage liver diseases. Despite the great advances achieved during the last 20 years, the recipient immune response after transplantation is not entirely controlled. This results in high rates of acute cell rejection and, approximately, 10% of early mortality. Therapeutic treatment could be improved by efficiently transfecting genes that encode natural immunosuppressant proteins, employing safe procedures that could be transferred to clinical setting. In this sense, interleukin 10 plays a central role in immune tolerance response by acting at different levels. Methods hIL10 gene was hydrofected by retrograde hydrodynamic injection in pig liver with complete vascular exclusion mediated by an ‘in vivo’ surgical procedure. Levels of IL10 DNA, RNA and protein were determined within liver tissue 1 and 10 days after the injection and, more frequently, also the interleukin-10 protein in peripheral blood. Results The procedure was safe for the animals and neither hemodynamic parameters nor liver function determinations showed relevant alterations. The hIL10 hydrofection in watertight liver mediated efficient gene transfer and this was transcribed and translated to protein, achieving up to 110 pg/ml of IL10 in peripheral blood. This value is close to that considered able to reduce the activity of TNFα by half (IL10 IC50 for TNFα = 124 pg/ml). Conclusions Results of this work suggest that IL10 liver hydrofection with vascular exclusion in vivo is a safe and transferable procedure that mediates plasma protein levels with potential clinical interest in immune modulation after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Sendra
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Gene Therapy Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Herrero
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Gene Therapy Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva María Montalvá
- Unit of Experimental Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- HPB Surgery and Transplant Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Noguera
- SCSIE, Central Services of Experimental Support, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Orbis
- HPB Surgery and Transplant Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Díaz
- SCSIE, Central Services of Experimental Support, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael Fernández-Delgado
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Andújar
- Unit of Experimental Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- HPB Surgery and Transplant Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador F Aliño
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Gene Therapy Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Lee HO, Gallego-Villar L, Grisch-Chan HM, Häberle J, Thöny B, Kruger WD. Treatment of Cystathionine β-Synthase Deficiency in Mice Using a Minicircle-Based Naked DNA Vector. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1093-1100. [PMID: 31084364 PMCID: PMC6761586 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is a recessive inborn error of metabolism characterized by extremely elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) in the blood. Patients diagnosed with CBS deficiency have a variety of clinical problems, including dislocated lenses, osteoporosis, cognitive and behavioral issues, and a significantly increased risk of thrombosis. Current treatment strategies involve a combination of vitamin supplementation and restriction of foods containing the homocysteine precursor methionine. Here, a mouse model for CBS deficiency (Tg-I278T Cbs-/-) was used to evaluate the potential of minicircle-based naked DNA gene therapy to treat CBS deficiency. A 2.3 kb DNA-minicircle containing the liver-specific P3 promoter driving the human CBS cDNA (MC.P3-hCBS) was delivered into Tg-I278T Cbs-/- mice via a single hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Mean serum tHcy decreased from 351 μM before injection to 176 μM 7 days after injection (p = 0.0005), and remained decreased for at least 42 days. Western blot analysis reveals significant minicircle-directed CBS expression in the liver tissue. Liver CBS activity increased 34-fold (12.8 vs. 432 units; p = 0.0004) in MC.P3-hCBS-injected animals. Injection of MC.P3-hCBS in young mice, subsequently followed for 202 days, showed that the vector can ameliorate the mouse homocystinuria alopecia phenotype. The present findings show that minicircle-based gene therapy can lower tHcy in a mouse model of CBS deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Ok Lee
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lorena Gallego-Villar
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hiu Man Grisch-Chan
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Häberle
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Warren D. Kruger
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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11
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Haraguchi A, Fuchigami Y, Kawaguchi M, Fumoto S, Ohyama K, Shimizu K, Hagimori M, Kawakami S. Determining Transgene Expression Characteristics Using a Suction Device with Multiple Hole Adjusting a Left Lateral Lobe of the Mouse Liver. Biol Pharm Bull 2018; 41:944-950. [PMID: 29863083 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We developed a tissue suction-mediated transfection method (suction method) as a relatively reliable and less invasive technique for in vivo transfection. In this study, we determined hepatic transgene expression characteristics in the mouse liver, using a suction device, collecting information relevant to gene therapy and gene functional analysis by the liver suction method. To achieve high transgene expression levels, we developed a suction device with four holes (multiple hole device) and applied it to the larger portion of the left lateral lobe of the mouse liver. Hepatic transfection with physical stimuli was potentially controlled by activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). We examined the spatial distribution of transgene expression in the suctioned lobe by 2-dimensional imaging with histochemical staining and 3-dimensional multicolor deep imaging with tissue clearing methods. Through monitoring spatial distribution of transgene expression, the liver suction method was used to efficiently transfect extravascular hepatocytes in the suction-deformable upper lobe of the liver. Moreover, long-term transgene expression, at least 14 d, was achieved with the liver suction method when cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG)-free plasmid DNA was applied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuki Fuchigami
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
| | - Maho Kawaguchi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
| | | | - Kaname Ohyama
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University
| | - Kazunori Shimizu
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University
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12
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Kumbhari V, Li L, Piontek K, Ishida M, Fu R, Khalil B, Garrett CM, Liapi E, Kalloo AN, Selaru FM. Successful liver-directed gene delivery by ERCP-guided hydrodynamic injection (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc 2018; 88:755-763.e5. [PMID: 30220303 PMCID: PMC6249687 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2018.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A simple, safe, targeted, and efficient in vivo DNA delivery system is necessary for clinical-grade liver-targeted gene therapy in humans. Intravascular hydrodynamic gene delivery has been investigated in large animal models, but translation to humans has been hampered by its technical challenges, invasiveness, and potential for significant cardiovascular adverse events. We posited that intrabiliary delivery of DNA plasmids via ERCP-guided hydrodynamic injection could overcome these obstacles. METHODS Twelve pigs (40-50 kg) were divided into 3 groups (4 per group) and survived 21, 30, or 60 days. ERCP was performed by inflating a balloon catheter in the common hepatic duct and creating a closed space between it and the liver parenchyma. Last, a solution composed of plasmid/sleeping beauty (SB) mix was injected under pressure through the catheter into the closed space. Swine were killed at the 3 different time points and liver tissue harvested. Plasmid DNA expression and functional translated protein expression were assessed. RESULTS ERCP-guided hydrodynamic delivery of naked plasmid DNA facilitated by pCytomegalovirus-Sleep Beauty (pCMV-SB) transposons was technically feasible and devoid of cardiovascular and local adverse events in all 12 pigs. Furthermore, plasmid DNA (both single and combination) was successfully transferred into swine hepatocytes in all 12 pigs. Additionally, stable integration of the DNA constructs in hepatocyte genomic DNA was reliably noted at all 3 time points. In the 4 swine that were kept alive to 60 days, successful genomic integration and subsequent protein expression was observed in the targeted liver tissue. CONCLUSIONS ERCP-guided hydrodynamic delivery of gene therapy may usher in the next chapter in gene therapy with the potential to impact a variety of single-gene, complex genetic, and epigenetic liver diseases. It also raises the possibility that other nucleic acid therapeutics (microRNA, lncRNA, siRNA, shRNA) could similarly be delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Kumbhari
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Klaus Piontek
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Masaharu Ishida
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rongdang Fu
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bassem Khalil
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Caroline M Garrett
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eleni Liapi
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony N Kalloo
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Florin M Selaru
- Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; The Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Togashi R, Tanaka H, Nakamura S, Yokota H, Tange K, Nakai Y, Yoshioka H, Harashima H, Akita H. A hepatic pDNA delivery system based on an intracellular environment sensitive vitamin E-scaffold lipid-like material with the aid of an anti-inflammatory drug. J Control Release 2018; 279:262-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Liu J, Li W, Limbu MH, Li Y, Wang Z, Cheng Z, Zhang X, Chen P. Effects of Simultaneous Downregulation of PHD1 and Keap1 on Prevention and Reversal of Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:555. [PMID: 29899699 PMCID: PMC5988854 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: To investigate whether double-knockdown of PHD1 and Keap1 in mice could enhance the resolution of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Methods: The liver fibrosis model of mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of 25% CCl4 in olive oil (4 ul/g) twice a week for 8 weeks. PHD1shRNA and Keap1shRNA eukaryotic expression plasmids were simultaneously administered from the beginning of the first to fourth week (preventive group) or from the fifth to eighth week of CCl4 injection (therapeutic group) via hydrodynamic-based tail vein injection. Successful transfection was confirmed with the expression of red fluorescent protein and green fluorescent protein in hepatocytes. Western blot was used for determining the expression of PHD1 and Keap1, HE, Sirius red, and Masson staining for evaluating the histopathological stages of fibrosis. Immunohistochemical techniques were applied to evaluate the expression of a-SMA. Results: The fluorescence of red and green were observed mainly in hepatocytes, and downregulation of PHD1 and Keap1 expression in liver was detected by western blot. Meanwhile, double-knockdown of PHD1 and Keap1 in mice alleviated liver fibrosis, and the effect was further enhanced especially in the preventive group. Immunocytochemical staining showed decreased expression of a-SMA when both PHD1 and Keap1 were knockdown. Conclusion: Downregulation of PHD1 and Keap1 expression in the liver could be achieved via hydrodynamic injection of PHD1shRNA and Keap1shRNA, thereby, preventing liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wencai Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Manoj H Limbu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyuan Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pingsheng Chen
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Aravalli RN, Steer CJ. CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics for liver diseases. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:4265-4278. [PMID: 29266637 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of innovative genome editing techniques in recent years has revolutionized the field of biomedicine. Among the novel approaches, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas9) technology has become the most popular, in part due to its matchless ability to carry out gene editing at the target site with great precision. With considerable successes in animal and preclinical studies, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing has paved the way for its use in human trials, including patients with a variety of liver diseases. Gene editing is a logical therapeutic approach for liver diseases because many metabolic and acquired disorders are caused by mutations within a single gene. In this review, we provide an overview on current and emerging therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver diseases using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal N Aravalli
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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16
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Huang M, Sun R, Huang Q, Tian Z. Technical Improvement and Application of Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery in Study of Liver Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:591. [PMID: 28912718 PMCID: PMC5582077 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an safe and efficient in vivo gene delivery method is indispensable for molecular biology research and the progress in the following gene therapy. Over the past few years, hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) with naked DNA has drawn increasing interest in both research and potential clinic applications due to its high efficiency and low risk in triggering immune responses and carcinogenesis in comparison to viral vectors. This method, involving intravenous injection (i.v.) of massive DNA in a short duration, gives a transient but high in vivo gene expression especially in the liver of small animals. In addition to DNA, it has also been shown to deliver other substance such as RNA, proteins, synthetic small compounds and even viruses in vivo. Given its ability to robustly mimic in vivo hepatitis B virus (HBV) production in liver, HGD has become a fundamental and important technology on HBV studies in our group and many other groups. Recently, there have been interesting reports about the applications and further improvement of this technology in other liver research. Here, we review the principle, safety, current application and development of hydrodynamic delivery in liver disease studies, and discuss its future prospects, clinical potential and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Institute of Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, China
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17
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Efficacy and Safety of Pancreas-Targeted Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery in Rats. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 9:80-88. [PMID: 29246326 PMCID: PMC5612811 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Development of an effective, safe, and convenient method for gene delivery to the pancreas is a critical step toward gene therapy for pancreatic diseases. Therefore, we tested the possibility of applying the principle of hydrodynamic gene delivery for successful gene transfer to pancreas using rats as a model. The established procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into the superior mesenteric vein with temporary blood flow occlusion at the portal vein and hydrodynamic injection of DNA solution. We demonstrated that our procedure achieved efficient pancreas-specific gene expression that was 2,000-fold higher than that seen in the pancreas after the systemic hydrodynamic gene delivery. In addition, the level of gene expression achieved in the pancreas by the pancreas-specific gene delivery was comparable to the level in the liver achieved by a liver-specific hydrodynamic gene delivery. The optimal level of reporter gene expression in the pancreas requires an injection volume equivalent to 2.0% body weight with flow rate of 1 mL/s and plasmid DNA concentration at 5 μg/mL. With the exception of transient expansion of intercellular spaces and elevation of serum amylase levels, which recovered within 3 days, no permanent tissue damage was observed. These results suggest that pancreas-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery is an effective and safe method for gene delivery to the pancreas and clinically applicable.
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18
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Yang XF, Ren LW, Yang L, Deng CY, Li FR. In vivo direct reprogramming of liver cells to insulin producing cells by virus-free overexpression of defined factors. Endocr J 2017; 64:291-302. [PMID: 28100871 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej16-0463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct reprogramming of autologous cells from diabetes patients to insulin producing cells is a new method for pancreatic cell replacement therapy. At present, transdifferentiation among mature cells is achieved mainly by introducing foreign genes into the starting tissue with viral vector, but there are potentical safety problems. In the present study, we delivered plasmids carrying Pdx1, Neurog3 and MafA genes (PNM) into mouse hepatocytes by hydrodynamics tail vein injection, investigated islet β cells markers in transfected cells from protein and mRNA level, and then observed the long-term control of blood glucose in diabetic mice. We found that hepatocytes could be directly reprogrammed into insulin-producing cells after PNM gene transfection by non-viral hydrodynamics injection, and fasting blood glucose was reduced to normal, and lasted until 100 days after transfection. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) showed that glucose regulation ability was improved gradually and the serum insulin level approached to the level of normal mice with time. Insulin-positive cells were found in the liver tissue, and the expression of various islet β-cell-specific genes were detected at the mRNA level, including islet mature marker gene Ucn3. In conclusion, we provide a new approach for the treatment of diabetes by in vivo direct reprogramming of liver cells to insulin producing cells through non-viral methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fei Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Ji'nan University, Shenzhen, China
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19
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Sendra Gisbert L, Miguel Matas A, Sabater Ortí L, Herrero MJ, Sabater Olivas L, Montalvá Orón EM, Frasson M, Abargues López R, López-Andújar R, García-Granero Ximénez E, Aliño Pellicer SF. Efficacy of hydrodynamic interleukin 10 gene transfer in human liver segments with interest in transplantation. Liver Transpl 2017; 23:50-62. [PMID: 27783460 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Different diseases lead, during their advanced stages, to chronic or acute liver failure, whose unique treatment consists in organ transplantation. The success of intervention is limited by host immune response and graft rejection. The use of immunosuppressant drugs generally improve organ transplantation, but they cannot completely solve the problem. Also, their management is delicate, especially during the early stages of treatment. Thus, new tools to set an efficient modulation of immune response are required. The local expression of interleukin (IL) 10 protein in transplanted livers mediated by hydrodynamic gene transfer could improve the organ acceptance by the host because it presents the natural ability to modulate the immune response at different levels. In the organ transplantation scenario, IL10 has already demonstrated positive effects on graft tolerance. Hydrodynamic gene transfer has been proven to be safe and therapeutically efficient in animal models and could be easily moved to the clinic. In the present work, we evaluated efficacy of human IL10 gene transfer in human liver segments and the tissue natural barriers for gene entry into the cell, employing gold nanoparticles. In conclusion, the present work shows for the first time that hydrodynamic IL10 gene transfer to human liver segments ex vivo efficiently delivers a human gene into the cells. Indexes of tissue protein expression achieved could mediate local pharmacological effects with interest in controlling the immune response triggered after liver transplantation. On the other hand, the ultrastructural study suggests that the solubilized plasmid could access the hepatocyte in a passive manner mediated by the hydric flow and that an active mechanism of transportation could facilitate its entry into the nucleus. Liver Transplantation 23:50-62 2017 AASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Sendra Gisbert
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia
- Gene Therapy Unit, Pharmacology Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Miguel Matas
- Gene Therapy Unit, Pharmacology Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Sabater Ortí
- General and Digestive Surgery Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Herrero
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia
| | | | - Eva María Montalvá Orón
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Transplantation Unit, General Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Matteo Frasson
- Coloproctology Unit, General Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Rafael López-Andújar
- Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery and Transplantation Unit, General Surgery Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Salvador Francisco Aliño Pellicer
- Pharmacogenetics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia
- Gene Therapy Unit, Pharmacology Department, Medicine Faculty, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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20
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Kerr AG, Tam LC, Hale AB, Cioroch M, Douglas G, Channon KM, Wade-Martins R. Episomal Nonviral Gene Therapy Vectors Slow Progression of Atherosclerosis in a Model of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e383. [PMID: 27824334 PMCID: PMC5155321 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a life-threatening genetic disorder characterized by elevated levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol). Current attempts at gene therapy for FH have been limited by the use of strong heterologous promoters which lack genomic DNA elements essential for regulated expression. Here, we have combined a mini-gene vector expressing the human LDLR cDNA from a 10 kb native human LDLR locus genomic DNA promoter element, with an efficient miRNA targeting 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr), to further enhance LDLR expression. We show that the combined vector suppresses endogenous Hmgcr transcripts in vivo, leading to an increase in LDLR transgene expression. In a diet-induced Ldlr-/- mouse model of FH, we show that administration of the combined vector reduces atherogenic plasma lipids by ~32%. Finally, we demonstrate that our episomal nonviral vectors are able to reduce atherosclerosis by ~40% after 12 weeks in vivo. Taken together, the vector system we describe exploits the normal cellular regulation of the LDLR to provide prolonged expression of LDLR through targeted knockdown of Hmgcr. This novel gene therapy system could act alone, or in synergy with current therapies that modulate intracellular cholesterol, such as statins, greatly enhancing its therapeutic application for FH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair G Kerr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lawrence Cs Tam
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ashley B Hale
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Milena Cioroch
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gillian Douglas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Keith M Channon
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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21
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Yokoo T, Kamimura K, Abe H, Kobayashi Y, Kanefuji T, Ogawa K, Goto R, Oda M, Suda T, Terai S. Liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene therapy: Recent advances in the technique. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:8862-8868. [PMID: 27833377 PMCID: PMC5083791 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i40.8862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major research focuses in the field of gene therapy is the development of clinically applicable, safe, and effective gene-delivery methods. Since the first case of human gene therapy was performed in 1990, a number of gene-delivery methods have been developed, evaluated for efficacy and safety, and modified for human application. To date, viral-vector-mediated deliveries have shown effective therapeutic results. However, the risk of lethal immune response and carcinogenesis have been reported, and it is still controversial to be applied as a standard therapeutic option. On the other hand, delivery methods for nonviral vector systems have been developed, extensively studied, and utilized in in vivo gene-transfer studies. Compared to viral-vector mediated gene transfer, nonviral systems have less risk of biological reactions. However, the lower gene-transfer efficiency was a critical hurdle for applying them to human gene therapy. Among a number of nonviral vector systems, our studies focus on hydrodynamic gene delivery to utilize physical force to deliver naked DNA into the cells in the living animals. This method achieves a high gene-transfer level by DNA solution injections into the tail vein of rodents, especially in the liver. With the development of genome editing methods, in vivo gene-transfer therapy using this method is currently the focus in this research field. This review explains the method principle, efficiency, safety, and procedural modifications to achieve a high level of reproducibility in large-animal models.
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22
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Sendra L, Miguel A, Pérez-Enguix D, Herrero MJ, Montalvá E, García-Gimeno MA, Noguera I, Díaz A, Pérez J, Sanz P, López-Andújar R, Martí-Bonmatí L, Aliño SF. Studying Closed Hydrodynamic Models of "In Vivo" DNA Perfusion in Pig Liver for Gene Therapy Translation to Humans. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163898. [PMID: 27695064 PMCID: PMC5047531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Expressing exogenous genes after naked DNA delivery into hepatocytes might achieve sustained and high expression of human proteins. Tail vein DNA injection is an efficient procedure for gene transfer in murine liver. Hydrodynamic procedures in large animals require organ targeting, and improve with liver vascular exclusion. In the present study, two closed liver hydrofection models employing the human alpha-1-antitrypsin (hAAT) gene are compared to reference standards in order to evaluate their potential clinical interest. MATERIAL AND METHODS A solution of naked DNA bearing the hAAT gene was retrogradely injected in 7 pig livers using two different closed perfusion procedures: an endovascular catheterization-mediated procedure (n = 3) with infrahepatic inferior vena cava and portal vein blockage; and a surgery-mediated procedure (n = 4) with completely sealed liver. Gene transfer was performed through the suprahepatic inferior cava vein in the endovascular procedure and through the infrahepatic inferior vena cava in the surgical procedure. The efficiency of the procedures was evaluated 14 days after hydrofection by quantifying the hAAT protein copies per cell in tissue and in plasma. For comparison, samples from mice (n = 7) successfully hydrofected with hAAT and healthy human liver segments (n = 4) were evaluated. RESULTS Gene decoding occurs efficiently using both procedures, with liver vascular arrest improving its efficiency. The surgically closed procedure (sealed organ) reached higher tissue protein levels (4x10^5- copies/cell) than the endovascular procedure, though the levels were lower than in human liver (5x10^6- copies/cell) and hydrofected mouse liver (10^6- copies/cell). However, protein levels in plasma were lower (p<0.001) than the reference standards in all cases. CONCLUSION Hydrofection of hAAT DNA to "in vivo" isolated pig liver mediates highly efficient gene delivery and protein expression in tissue. Both endovascular and surgically closed models mediate high tissue protein expression. Impairment of protein secretion to plasma is observed and might be species-related. This study reinforces the potential application of closed liver hydrofection for therapeutic purposes, provided protein secretion improves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Sendra
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Miguel
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel Pérez-Enguix
- Servicio de Radiología y Grupo de Investigación Biomédica en Imagen GIBI239, IIS La Fe y Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - María José Herrero
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Unidad de Farmacogenética, IIS La Fe y Área Clínica del Medicamento, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Montalvá
- Unidad de Cirugía Hepatobiliopancreática y Trasplante, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Noguera
- Servicio Central de Soporte a la Investigación Experimental (SCSIE), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Díaz
- Servicio Central de Soporte a la Investigación Experimental (SCSIE), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Judith Pérez
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pascual Sanz
- CIBER e Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael López-Andújar
- Unidad de Cirugía Hepatobiliopancreática y Trasplante, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Martí-Bonmatí
- Servicio de Radiología y Grupo de Investigación Biomédica en Imagen GIBI239, IIS La Fe y Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador F. Aliño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Unidad de Farmacogenética, IIS La Fe y Área Clínica del Medicamento, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Unidad de Farmacología Clínica, Área Clínica del Medicamento, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Kobayashi Y, Kamimura K, Abe H, Yokoo T, Ogawa K, Shinagawa-Kobayashi Y, Goto R, Inoue R, Ohtsuka M, Miura H, Kanefuji T, Suda T, Tsuchida M, Aoyagi Y, Zhang G, Liu D, Terai S. Effects of Fibrotic Tissue on Liver-targeted Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e359. [PMID: 27574785 PMCID: PMC5023407 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hydrodynamic gene delivery is a common method for gene transfer to the liver of small animals, and its clinical applicability in large animals has been demonstrated. Previous studies focused on functional analyses of therapeutic genes in animals with normal livers and little, however, is known regarding its effectiveness and safety in animals with liver fibrosis. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of liver fibrosis on hydrodynamic gene delivery efficiency using a rat liver fibrosis model. We demonstrated for the first time, using pCMV-Luc plasmid, that this procedure is safe and that the amount of fibrotic tissue in the liver decreases gene delivery efficiency, resulting in decrease in luciferase activity depending on the volume of fibrotic tissue in the liver and the number of hepatocytes that are immunohistochemically stained positive for transgene product. We further demonstrate that antifibrotic gene therapy with matrix metalloproteinase-13 gene reduces liver fibrosis and improves efficiency of hydrodynamic gene delivery. These results demonstrate the negative effects of fibrotic tissue on hydrodynamic gene delivery and its recovery by appropriate antifibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori, Chuo–ku, Niigata, Niigata, 9518510, Japan. E-mail:
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoko Shinagawa-Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryo Goto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Hiromi Miura
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masanori Tsuchida
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yutaka Aoyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
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24
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Aravalli RN, Steer CJ. Gene editing technology as an approach to the treatment of liver diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 16:595-608. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2016.1158808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Abe H, Kamimura K, Kobayashi Y, Ohtsuka M, Miura H, Ohashi R, Yokoo T, Kanefuji T, Suda T, Tsuchida M, Aoyagi Y, Zhang G, Liu D, Terai S. Effective Prevention of Liver Fibrosis by Liver-targeted Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery of Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 in a Rat Liver Fibrosis Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e276. [PMID: 26730813 PMCID: PMC5012547 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the final stage of liver diseases that lead to liver failure and cancer. While various diagnostic methods, including the use of serum marker, have been established, no standard therapy has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess the approach of overexpressing matrix metalloproteinase-13 gene (MMP13) in rat liver to prevent liver fibrosis progression. A rat liver fibrosis model was established by ligating the bile duct, followed by liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery of a MMP13 expression vector, containing a CAG promoter-MMP13-IRES-tdTomato-polyA cassette. After 14 days, the serum level of MMP13 peaked at 71.7 pg/ml in MMP13-treated group, whereas the nontreated group only showed a level of ~5 pg/ml (P < 0.001). These levels were sustained for the next 60 days. The statistically lower level of the hyaluronic acids in treated group versus the nontreated group (P < 0.05) reveals the therapeutic effect of MMP13 overexpression. Quantitative analysis of tissue stained with sirius red showed a statistically larger volume of fibrotic tissue in the nontreated group compared to that of MMP13-treated rats (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the liver-targeted hydrodynamic delivery of MMP13 gene could be effective in the prevention of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori, Chuo–ku, Niigata, Niigata 9518510, Japan. E-mail:
| | - Yuji Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromi Miura
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Riuko Ohashi
- Department of Pathology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masanori Tsuchida
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yutaka Aoyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
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26
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Stoller F, Schlegel A, Viecelli HM, Rüfenacht V, Cesarovic N, Viecelli C, Deplazes S, Bettschart R, Hurter K, Schmierer P, Sidler X, Kron P, Dutkowski P, Graf R, Thöny B, Häberle J. Hepatocyte Transfection in Small Pigs After Weaning by Hydrodynamic Intraportal Injection of Naked DNA/Minicircle Vectors. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2015; 26:181-92. [DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2014.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Stoller
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Swiss HBP and Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hiu Man Viecelli
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Véronique Rüfenacht
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Cesarovic
- Division of Surgical Research, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Viecelli
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sereina Deplazes
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Regula Bettschart
- Department of Anaesthesia, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hurter
- Department of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Schmierer
- Department of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xaver Sidler
- Departement für Nutztiere, Abteilung für Schweinemedizin, Vetsuisse-Fakultät, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Kron
- Swiss HBP and Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Dutkowski
- Swiss HBP and Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Graf
- Swiss HBP and Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Häberle
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Yokoo T, Kanefuji T, Suda T, Kamimura K, Liu D, Terai S. Site-Specific Impact of a Regional Hydrodynamic Injection: Computed Tomography Study during Hydrodynamic Injection Targeting the Swine Liver. Pharmaceutics 2015; 7:334-43. [PMID: 26389943 PMCID: PMC4588204 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics7030334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A hemodynamic study of hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) from the tail vein in rodents has inspired a mechanism and an approach to further improve the efficacy of this procedure. However, there is no report on the hemodynamics of a regional HGD, which is an inevitable approach in large animals. Here, we report the hemodynamics of a regional hydrodynamic injection in detail based on 3D volume data and the dynamism of tissue intensity over time by using computed tomography (CT) both during and after a regional hydrodynamic injection that targeted the liver of a pig weighing 15.6 kg. Contrast medium (CM) was injected at a steady speed of 20 mL/s for 7.5 s under the temporal balloon occlusion of the hepatic vein (HV). A retrograde flow formed a wedge-shaped strong enhancement area downstream of the corresponding HV within 2.5 s, which was followed by drainage into another HV beginning from the target area and the portal vein (PV) toward a non-target area of the liver. After the injection, the CM was readily eliminated from the PV outside the target area. These data suggest that an interventional radiology approach is effective in limiting the hydrodynamic impacts in large animals at a target area and that the burden overflowing into the PV is limited. A further investigation that simultaneously evaluates gene delivery efficiency and hemodynamics using CT is needed to establish feasible parameters for a regional HGD in large animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-8510, Japan.
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University, 4132 Urasa, Minami Uonuma, Niigata, 949-7392, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University, 4132 Urasa, Minami Uonuma, Niigata, 949-7392, Japan.
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-8510, Japan.
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biochemical Sciences, University of Georgia, College of Pharmacy, 250 W. Green street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-8510, Japan.
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28
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Kamimura K, Yokoo T, Abe H, Kobayashi Y, Ogawa K, Shinagawa Y, Inoue R, Terai S. Image-Guided Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery: Current Status and Future Directions. Pharmaceutics 2015; 7:213-23. [PMID: 26308044 PMCID: PMC4588196 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics7030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamics-based delivery has been used as an experimental tool to express transgene in small animals. This in vivo gene transfer method is useful for functional analysis of genetic elements, therapeutic effect of oligonucleotides, and cancer cells to establish the metastatic cancer animal model for experimental research. Recent progress in the development of image-guided procedure for hydrodynamics-based gene delivery in large animals directly supports the clinical applicability of this technique. This review summarizes the current status and recent progress in the development of hydrodynamics-based gene delivery and discusses the future directions for its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Yuji Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Kohei Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Yoko Shinagawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
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Aravalli RN, Belcher JD, Steer CJ. Liver-targeted gene therapy: Approaches and challenges. Liver Transpl 2015; 21:718-37. [PMID: 25824605 PMCID: PMC9353592 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The liver plays a major role in many inherited and acquired genetic disorders. It is also the site for the treatment of certain inborn errors of metabolism that do not directly cause injury to the liver. The advancement of nucleic acid-based therapies for liver maladies has been severely limited because of the myriad untoward side effects and methodological limitations. To address these issues, research efforts in recent years have been intensified toward the development of targeted gene approaches using novel genetic tools, such as zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats as well as various nonviral vectors such as Sleeping Beauty transposons, PiggyBac transposons, and PhiC31 integrase. Although each of these methods uses a distinct mechanism of gene modification, all of them are dependent on the efficient delivery of DNA and RNA molecules into the cell. This review provides an overview of current and emerging therapeutic strategies for liver-targeted gene therapy and gene repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal N. Aravalli
- Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
| | - John D. Belcher
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
| | - Clifford J. Steer
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455,Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
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Di Matteo M, Samara-Kuko E, Ward NJ, Waddington SN, Waddingon SN, McVey JH, Chuah MKL, VandenDriessche T. Hyperactive piggyBac transposons for sustained and robust liver-targeted gene therapy. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1614-24. [PMID: 25034357 PMCID: PMC4435487 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of robust nonviral vectors could facilitate clinical gene therapy applications and may overcome some of the immune complications of viral vectors. Nevertheless, most nonviral gene deliver approaches typically yield only transient and/or low gene expression. To address these caveats, we have explored piggyBac transposons to correct hemophilia B by liver-directed factor IX (FIX) gene therapy in hemophilic mice. To achieve this, we combined the use of: (i) a hyperactive codon-optimized piggyBac transposase, (ii) a computationally enhanced liver-specific promoter, (iii) a hyperfunctional codon-optimized FIX transgene (FIX R338L Padua), and (iv) a modification of the transposon terminal repeats. This combination strategy resulted in a robust 400-fold improvement in vector performance in hepatocytes, yielding stable supraphysiologic human FIX activity (>1 year). Liver-specific expression resulted in the induction of FIX-specific immune tolerance. Remarkably, only very low transposon/transposase doses were required to cure the bleeding diathesis. Similarly, PB transposons could be used to express supraphysiologic factor VIII levels using low transposon/transposase doses. PB transposition did not induce tumors in a sensitive hepatocellular carcinoma-prone mouse model. These results underscore the potency and relative safety of the latest generation PB transposons, which constitutes a versatile platform for stable and robust secretion of therapeutic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Di Matteo
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium [2] Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie J Ward
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon N Waddington
- 1] Institute for Women's Health Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, UK [2] School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | | | - John H McVey
- University of Surrey, Molecular Medicine Group, Surrey, UK
| | - Marinee K L Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium [2] Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium [2] Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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31
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Kamimura K, Kanefuji T, Yokoo T, Abe H, Suda T, Kobayashi Y, Zhang G, Aoyagi Y, Liu D. Safety assessment of liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery in dogs. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107203. [PMID: 25251246 PMCID: PMC4175463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence in support of safety of a gene delivery procedure is essential toward gene therapy. Previous studies using the hydrodynamics-based procedure primarily focus on gene delivery efficiency or gene function analysis in mice. The current study focuses on an assessment of the safety of computer-controlled and liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery in dogs as the first step toward hydrodynamic gene therapy in clinic. We demonstrate that the impacts of the hydrodynamic procedure were limited in the injected region and the influences were transient. Histological examination and the hepatic microcirculation measurement using reflectance spectrophotometry reveal that the liver-specific impact of the procedure involves a transient expansion of the liver sinusoids. No systemic damage or toxicity was observed. Physiological parameters, including electrocardiogram, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, remained in normal ranges during and after hydrodynamic injection. Body weight was also examined to assess the long-term effects of the procedure in animals who underwent 3 hydrodynamic injections in 6 weeks with 2-week time interval in between. Serum biochemistry analysis showed a transient increase in liver enzymes and a few cytokines upon injection. These results demonstrate that image-guided, liver-specific hydrodynamic gene delivery is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- * E-mail: kenya––u.ac.jp (KK); (DL)
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuji Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yutaka Aoyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: kenya––u.ac.jp (KK); (DL)
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32
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Hemodynamics of a hydrodynamic injection. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2014. [PMID: 26015971 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.29.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The hemodynamics during a hydrodynamic injection were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and fluoroscopic imaging. The impacts of hydrodynamic (5 seconds) and slow (60 seconds) injections into the tail veins of mice were compared using 9% body weight of a phase-contrast medium. Hydrodynamically injected solution traveled to the heart and drew back to the hepatic veins (HV), which led to liver expansion and a trace amount of spillover into the portal vein (PV). The liver volumes peaked at 165.6 ± 13.3% and 165.5 ± 11.9% of the original liver volumes in the hydrodynamic and slow injections, respectively. Judging by the intensity of the CBCT images at the PV, HV, right atrium, liver parenchyma (LP), and the inferior vena cava (IVC) distal to the HV conjunction, the slow injection resulted in the higher intensity at PV than at LP. In contrast, a significantly higher intensity was observed in LP after hydrodynamic injection in comparison with that of PV, suggesting that the liver took up the iodine from the blood flow. These results suggest that the enlargement speed of the liver, rather than the expanded volume, primarily determines the efficiency of hydrodynamic delivery to the liver.
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33
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Kanefuji T, Yokoo T, Suda T, Abe H, Kamimura K, Liu D. Hemodynamics of a hydrodynamic injection. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2014; 1:14029. [PMID: 26015971 PMCID: PMC4362352 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hemodynamics during a hydrodynamic injection were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and fluoroscopic imaging. The impacts of hydrodynamic (5 seconds) and slow (60 seconds) injections into the tail veins of mice were compared using 9% body weight of a phase-contrast medium. Hydrodynamically injected solution traveled to the heart and drew back to the hepatic veins (HV), which led to liver expansion and a trace amount of spillover into the portal vein (PV). The liver volumes peaked at 165.6 ± 13.3% and 165.5 ± 11.9% of the original liver volumes in the hydrodynamic and slow injections, respectively. Judging by the intensity of the CBCT images at the PV, HV, right atrium, liver parenchyma (LP), and the inferior vena cava (IVC) distal to the HV conjunction, the slow injection resulted in the higher intensity at PV than at LP. In contrast, a significantly higher intensity was observed in LP after hydrodynamic injection in comparison with that of PV, suggesting that the liver took up the iodine from the blood flow. These results suggest that the enlargement speed of the liver, rather than the expanded volume, primarily determines the efficiency of hydrodynamic delivery to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- ()
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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