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Liu Y, Ashmawy S, Latta L, Weiss AV, Kiefer AF, Nasr S, Loretz B, Hirsch AKH, Lee S, Lehr CM. pH-Responsive Dynaplexes as Potent Apoptosis Inductors by Intracellular Delivery of Survivin siRNA. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:3742-3754. [PMID: 37523746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Gene knockdown by siRNA offers an unrestricted choice of targets and specificity based on the principle of complementary Watson-Crick base pairing with mRNA. However, the negative charge, large molecular size, and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation of siRNA impede its successful transfection, hence limiting its potential for therapeutic use. The development of efficient and safe siRNA transfection agents is, therefore, critical for siRNA-based therapy. Herein, we developed a protein-based biodynamic polymer (biodynamer) that showed potential as a siRNA transfection vector, owing to its excellent biocompatibility, easy tunability, and dynamic polymerization under acidic environments. The positively charged biodynamers formed stable dynamic nanocomplexes (XL-DPs, hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 104 nm) with siRNA via electrostatic interactions and chemical cross-linking. As a proof of concept, the optimized XL-DPs were stable in physiological conditions with serum proteins and demonstrated significant pH-dependent size change and degradability, as well as siRNA release capability. The minimal cytotoxicity and excellent cellular uptake of XL-DPs effectively supported the intracellular delivery of siRNA. Our study demonstrated that the XL-DPs in survivin siRNA delivery enabled potent knockdown of survivin mRNA and induced notable apoptosis of carcinoma cells (2.2 times higher than a lipid-based transfection agent, Lipofectamine 2000). These findings suggested that our XL-DPs hold immense potential as a promising platform for siRNA delivery and can be considered strong candidates in the advancement of next-generation transfection agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Salma Ashmawy
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Lorenz Latta
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Alexander F Kiefer
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sarah Nasr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, 21521 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sangeun Lee
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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Su D, Swearson S, Krongbaramee T, Sun H, Hong L, Amendt BA. Exploring microRNAs in craniofacial regenerative medicine. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:841-854. [PMID: 37073783 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRs) have been reported over the decades as important regulators in bone development and bone regeneration. They play important roles in maintaining the stem cell signature as well as regulating stem cell fate decisions. Thus, delivering miRs and miR inhibitors to the defect site is a potential treatment towards craniofacial bone defects. However, there are challenges in translation of basic research to clinics, including the efficiency, specificity, and efficacy of miR manipulation methods and the safety of miR delivery systems. In this review, we will compare miR oligonucleotides, mimics and antagomirs as therapeutic reagents to treat disease and regenerate tissues. Newer technology will be discussed as well as the efficiency and efficacy of using these technologies to express or inhibit miRs in treating and repairing oral tissues. Delivery of these molecules using extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles can achieve different results and depending on their composition will elicit specific effects. We will highlight the specificity, toxicity, stability, and effectiveness of several miR systems in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Su
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
- Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
| | - Samuel Swearson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
| | - Tadkamol Krongbaramee
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
- Division of Endodontics, Department of Restorative Dentistry & Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Hongli Sun
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
| | - Liu Hong
- Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
| | - Brad A Amendt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
- Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
- Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A
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Meng X, Wu TG, Lou QY, Niu KY, Jiang L, Xiao QZ, Xu T, Zhang L. Optimization of CRISPR-Cas system for clinical cancer therapy. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10474. [PMID: 36925702 PMCID: PMC10013785 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic disease caused by alterations in genome and epigenome and is one of the leading causes for death worldwide. The exploration of disease development and therapeutic strategies at the genetic level have become the key to the treatment of cancer and other genetic diseases. The functional analysis of genes and mutations has been slow and laborious. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative approaches to improve the current status of cancer research. Gene editing technologies provide technical support for efficient gene disruption and modification in vivo and in vitro, in particular the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems. Currently, the applications of CRISPR-Cas systems in cancer rely on different Cas effector proteins and the design of guide RNAs. Furthermore, effective vector delivery must be met for the CRISPR-Cas systems to enter human clinical trials. In this review article, we describe the mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas systems and highlight the applications of class II Cas effector proteins. We also propose a synthetic biology approach to modify the CRISPR-Cas systems, and summarize various delivery approaches facilitating the clinical application of the CRISPR-Cas systems. By modifying the CRISPR-Cas system and optimizing its in vivo delivery, promising and effective treatments for cancers using the CRISPR-Cas system are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Meng
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Gang Wu
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Yue Lou
- Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Yuan Niu
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Heart Centre (G23) London UK.,Department of Otolaryngology The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University Hefei China
| | - Lei Jiang
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Zhong Xiao
- Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI), Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Heart Centre (G23) London UK
| | - Tao Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products Anhui Medical University Hefei China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province Hefei China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College & Hospital of Stomatology Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province Hefei People's Republic of China.,Department of Periodontology Anhui Stomatology Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University Hefei China
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Yamasaki Y, Kumekawa D, Yamauchi S, Omuro H. Re-examination of Peptide-Sequence-Dependent Gene Expression of Cysteine-Installed Pegylated Oligolysine/DNA Complexes. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:15478-15487. [PMID: 35571853 PMCID: PMC9096824 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We previously synthesized cysteine-installed C-terminally PEGylated oligolysines with 20 amino acid residues to form cross-linked polymeric micelles (PMs) with luciferase-coding plasmid DNA as a candidate for artificial gene vectors. Luciferase gene expression in HeLa cells mediated by PEG-CK18C, PEG-CK9CK9, and PEG-K9CK9C was reported to be 35-, 5.4-, and 1.3-fold higher than that mediated by cysteine-uninstalled PEGylated oligolysine PEG-K20, respectively. However, after the publication, the survival rate of HeLa cells used in the previous study was found to be lower than usual when subcutaneously implanted into mice to create a xenograft model. In this study, to re-examine the peptide sequence-dependent gene expression, gene expression efficacy mediated by PEG-peptide PMs was compared with the PM cellular uptake results using newly obtained HeLa cell lines and the additional cell lines Huh-7, PANC-1, and BxPC3. As a result, PEG-K9CK9C PMs mediated the maximum gene expression in all cell lines, and the corresponding cellular uptake was also obtained. Therefore, we concluded that our previous results were erroneously obtained due to normality-depleted HeLa cells. A comparison of physicochemical characterizations, gene expression efficacy, and cellular uptake of PEG-peptide PMs is discussed in detail.
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Delvaux NA, Mathew B, Rice KG. Fluorescent labeling of plasmid DNA for gene delivery: Implications of dye hydrophobicity on labeling efficiencies and nanoparticle size. Anal Biochem 2022; 644:113895. [PMID: 32783899 PMCID: PMC7870724 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Covalent fluorescent labels are important tools for monitoring the in vitro and in vivo localization of plasmid DNA nanoparticles, but must meet several criteria including high DNA labeling efficiencies and minimal impact on nanoparticle size. We developed a novel fluorescent labeling strategy utilizing an aryl azide photolabel conjugated to a short cationic peptide to label plasmid DNA with Cyanine 5 and sulfo-Cyanine 5. Using a simple camera flash apparatus, photolabel-peptide-dyes can be conjugated to DNA in minutes with preservation of DNA structure and minimal dye photobleaching. The addition of two anionic sulfonates to the Cyanine 5 core greatly improved labeling efficiencies from ~13 to ~53% and mitigated PEGylated polyacridine peptide-DNA nanoparticle size increases over a range of labeling densities. Comparison of our sulfo-Cyanine 5 peptide label to the Mirus Bio Label IT-Cy5 kit revealed that while both did not affect nanoparticle sizes appreciably, labeling efficiencies with our conjugate were higher, possibly due to the higher positive charge density on the peptide linker. The results from this work provide important considerations for choosing fluorophore tags to track DNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Basil Mathew
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Delvaux NA, Rice KG. The Reduced-Charge Melittin Analogue MelP5 Improves the Transfection of Non-Viral DNA Nanoparticles. J Pept Sci 2022; 28:e3404. [PMID: 35001445 PMCID: PMC10069327 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Melittin is a 26 amino acid amphiphilic alpha-helical peptide derived from honeybee venom. Prior studies have incorporated melittin into non-viral delivery systems to effect endosomal escape of DNA nanoparticles and improve transfection efficiency. Recent advances have led to the development of two newer melittin analogues, MelP5 and Macrolittin 70, with improved pore formation in lipid bilayers while possessing fewer positive charges relative to natural melittin. Consequently, MelP5 and Macrolittin 70 were conjugated through a disulfide bond to a DNA binding polyacridine peptide. The resulting peptide conjugates were used to prepare DNA nanoparticles to compare their relative endosomolytic potency by transfection of HepG2 cells. Melittin and MelP5 conjugates were equally potent at mediating in vitro gene transfer, whereas PEGylation of DNA nanoparticles revealed improved transfection with MelP5 relative to melittin. The results demonstrate the ability to substitute a potent, reduced charge analogue of melittin to improve overall DNA nanoparticle biocompatibility needed for in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
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Khatoon N, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Chu M. Macrophage membrane coated nanoparticles: a biomimetic approach for enhanced and targeted delivery. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1193-1208. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01664d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The enhanced and targeted drug delivery with low systemic toxicity and subsequent release of drugs is the major concern among researchers and pharmaceutics. Inspite of greater advancement and discoveries in...
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Ramanathan R, Delvaux NA, Rice KG. Gene transfection of primary mouse hepatocytes in 384-well plates. Anal Biochem 2020; 644:113911. [PMID: 32910973 PMCID: PMC7936984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We report the development of an improved in vitro transfection assay to test the efficiency of non-viral vector DNA nanoparticle transfection of primary hepatocytes. The protocol describes the isolation of viable hepatocytes from a mouse by collagenous perfusion. Primary mouse hepatocytes are plated in 384-well plates and cultured for 24 h prior to transfection with polyethylenimine (PEI) or peptide DNA nanoparticles. Luciferase expression is measured after 24 h following the addition of ONE-Glo substrate. The gene transfer assay for primary hepatocytes was optimized for cell plating number, DNA dose, and PEI to DNA ratio. The assay was applied to compare the expression mediated by mRNA relative to two plasmids possessing different promoters. The reported assay provides reliable in vitro expression results that allow direct comparison of the efficiency of different non-viral gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Ramanathan
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Nathan A Delvaux
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Kevin G Rice
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Rabiee N, Bagherzadeh M, Tavakolizadeh M, Pourjavadi A, Atarod M, Webster TJ. Synthesis, characterization and mechanistic study of nano chitosan tetrazole as a novel and promising platform for CRISPR delivery. INT J POLYM MATER PO 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2020.1809405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Navid Rabiee
- Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Tavakolizadeh
- Department of Chemistry, Polymer Research Laboratory, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Pourjavadi
- Department of Chemistry, Polymer Research Laboratory, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monireh Atarod
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
| | - Thomas J. Webster
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachussetts, USA
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