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Evans MM, Liu S, Krautner JS, Seguin CG, Leung R, Ronald JA. Evaluation of DNA minicircles for delivery of adenine and cytosine base editors using activatable gene on "GO" reporter imaging systems. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102248. [PMID: 39040503 PMCID: PMC11260848 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Over 30,000 point mutations are associated with debilitating diseases, including many cancer types, underscoring a critical need for targeted genomic solutions. CRISPR base editors, like adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs), enable precise modifications by converting adenine to guanine and cytosine to thymine, respectively. Challenges in efficiency and safety concerns regarding viral vectors used in delivery limit the scope of base editing. This study introduces non-viral minicircles, bacterial-backbone-free plasmids, as a delivery vehicle for ABEs and CBEs. The research uses cells engineered with the "Gene On" (GO) reporter gene systems for tracking minicircle-delivered ABEs, CBEs, or Cas9 nickase (control), using green fluorescent protein (GFPGO), bioluminescence reporter firefly luciferase (LUCGO), or a highly sensitive Akaluciferase (AkalucGO) designed in this study. The results show that transfection of minicircles expressing CBE or ABE resulted in significantly higher GFP expression and luminescence signals over controls, with minicircles demonstrating the most substantial editing. This study presents minicircles as a new strategy for base editor delivery and develops an enhanced bioluminescence imaging reporter system for tracking ABE activity. Future studies aim to evaluate the use of minicircles in preclinical cancer models, facilitating potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Evans
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Shirley Liu
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Joshua S. Krautner
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Caroline G. Seguin
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Rajan Leung
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - John A. Ronald
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
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Sun Y, You Y, Wu Q, Hu R, Dai K. Senescence-targeted MicroRNA/Organoid composite hydrogel repair cartilage defect and prevention joint degeneration via improved chondrocyte homeostasis. Bioact Mater 2024; 39:427-442. [PMID: 38855061 PMCID: PMC11157121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cartilage defect (CD) is a common complication in osteoarthritis (OA). Impairment of chondrogenesis and cellular senescence are considered as hallmarks of OA development and caused failure of cartilage repair in most clinical CD cases. Exploring markers for cellular senescence in CD patients might provide new perspectives for osteoarthritic CD patients. In the present study, we aim to explore senescent markers in CD patients with OA to fabricate a senescence-targeted SMSC organoid hydrogel for cartilage repair. Methods Clinical cartilage samples from cartilage defect patients were collected. Immunofluorescence staining of senescent markers and SA-β-Gal staining were used to detect the senescence state of SMSCs and chondrocytes in cartilage defect and OA patients. MicroRNA expression profiles of SMSC organoids and H2O2-treated SMSC organoids were analyzed and compared with high-throughput microRNA sequencing. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of miRNA were used to determine the expression level of miR-24 in SMSC organoids and cartilage samples. Interaction between miR-24 and its downstream target was analyzed via qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and luciferase assay. Senescence-targeted miR-24 μS/SMSC organoid hydrogel (MSOH) was constructed for cartilage repair. Anti-senescence properties and chondrogenesis were determined in vitro for MSOH. Rats were used to evaluate the cartilage repair capacity of the MSOH hydrogel in vivo. Results In this study, we found Osteoarthritic cartilage defect patients demonstrated upregulated cellular senescence in joint cartilage. MicroRNA sequencing demonstrated senescence marker miR-24 was negatively associated with cartilage impairment and cellular senescence in osteoarthritic CD patients. Moreover, miR-24 mimics alleviates cellular senescence to promote chondrogenesis by targeting downstream TAOK1. Also, miR-24 downregulated TAOK1 expression and promoted chondrogenesis in SMSC organoids. Senescence-targeted miR-24 μS/SMSC organoid hydrogel (MSOH) was constructed and demonstrated superior chondrogenesis in vitro. Animal experiments demonstrated that MSOH hydrogel showed better cartilage repairing effects and better maintained joint function at 24 weeks with low intra-articular inflammatory response after transplantation in rat joint. Single-cell RNA-seq of generated cartilage indicated that implanted MSOH could affect chondrocyte homeostatic state and alter the chondrocyte cluster frequency by regulating cellular glycolysis and OXPHOS, impacting cell cycle and ferroptosis to alleviate cellular senescence and prevent joint degeneration. Conclusion Osteoarthritic cartilage defect patients demonstrated upregulated cellular senescence in joint cartilage. Senescence marker miR-24 was negatively associated with cartilage impairment in osteoarthritic CD patients. miR-24 attenuates chondrocytes senescence and promotes chondrogenesis in SMSC organoids through targeting TAOK1. Senescence-targeted miR-24 microsphere/SMSC organoid composite hydrogel could successfully repair cartilage defect in osteoarthritic microenvironment via enhanced miR-24/TAOK1 signaling pathway, suggesting MSOH might be a novel therapy for cartilage repair in osteoarthritic CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, 210029, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yongqing You
- Renal Division, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Kerong Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
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Brown DW, Wee P, Bhandari P, Bukhari A, Grin L, Vega H, Hejazi M, Sosnowski D, Ablack J, Clancy EK, Pink D, Kumar J, Solis Ares MP, Lamb S, Quevedo R, Rawal B, Elian F, Rana N, Morales L, Govindasamy N, Todd B, Delmage A, Gupta S, McMullen N, MacKenzie D, Beatty PH, Garcia H, Parmar M, Gyoba J, McAllister C, Scholz M, Duncan R, Raturi A, Lewis JD. Safe and effective in vivo delivery of DNA and RNA using proteolipid vehicles. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00783-9. [PMID: 39260374 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.023] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Genetic medicines show promise for treating various diseases, yet clinical success has been limited by tolerability, scalability, and immunogenicity issues of current delivery platforms. To overcome these, we developed a proteolipid vehicle (PLV) by combining features from viral and non-viral approaches. PLVs incorporate fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins isolated from fusogenic orthoreoviruses into a well-tolerated lipid formulation, using scalable microfluidic mixing. Screening a FAST protein library, we identified a chimeric FAST protein with enhanced membrane fusion activity that improved gene expression from an optimized lipid formulation. Systemically administered FAST-PLVs showed broad biodistribution and effective mRNA and DNA delivery in mouse and non-human primate models. FAST-PLVs show low immunogenicity and maintain activity upon repeat dosing. Systemic administration of follistatin DNA gene therapy with FAST-PLVs raised circulating follistatin levels and significantly increased muscle mass and grip strength. These results demonstrate the promising potential of FAST-PLVs for redosable gene therapies and genetic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas W Brown
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Ping Wee
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Prakash Bhandari
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Amirali Bukhari
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Liliya Grin
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Hector Vega
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Maryam Hejazi
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Deborah Sosnowski
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Jailal Ablack
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada; OncoSenX, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Eileen K Clancy
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Desmond Pink
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | | | - Suellen Lamb
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Rodrigo Quevedo
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Bijal Rawal
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Fahed Elian
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Natasha Rana
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Luis Morales
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Natasha Govindasamy
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Brendan Todd
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Angela Delmage
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Somnath Gupta
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Nichole McMullen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Duncan MacKenzie
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Perrin H Beatty
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Henry Garcia
- Oisin Biotechnologies, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Manoj Parmar
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Jennifer Gyoba
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Chandra McAllister
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
| | - Matthew Scholz
- Oisin Biotechnologies, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Roy Duncan
- Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Arun Raturi
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada.
| | - John D Lewis
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Entos Pharmaceuticals, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Suite 4550, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada; OncoSenX, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Oisin Biotechnologies, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
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Qiu L, Sun M, Chen L, Jiang J, Fu Z, Wang Y, Bi Y, Guo Q, Bai H, Chen S, Gao L, Chang G. Iron-Confined CRISPR/Cas9-Ribonucleoprotein Delivery System for Redox-Responsive Gene Editing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309431. [PMID: 38402425 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a promising gene editing tool to treat diseases at the genetic level. Nonetheless, the challenge of the safe and efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to host cells constrains its clinical applicability. In the current study, a facile, redox-responsive CRISPR/Cas9-Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery system by combining iron-coordinated aggregation with liposomes (Fe-RNP@L) is reported. The Fe-RNP is formed by the coordination of Fe3+ with amino and carboxyl groups of Cas9, which modifies the lipophilicity and surface charge of RNP and alters cellular uptake from primary endocytosis to endocytosis and cholesterol-dependent membrane fusion. RNP can be rapidly and reversibly released from Fe-RNP in response to glutathione without loss of structural integrity and enzymatic activity. In addition, iron coordination also improves the stability of RNP and substantially mitigates cytotoxicity. This construct enabled highly efficient cytoplasmic/nuclear delivery (≈90%) and gene-editing efficiency (≈70%) even at low concentrations. The high payload content, high editing efficiency, good stability, low immunogenicity, and ease of production and storage, highlight its potential for diverse genome editing and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Minmin Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Lei Chen
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozyme, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozyme, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhendong Fu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Bi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Qixin Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Hao Bai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Shihao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Lizeng Gao
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Nanozyme, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Guobin Chang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
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Banda A, Impomeni O, Singh A, Baloch AR, Hu W, Jaijyan DK. Precision in Action: The Role of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas in Gene Therapies. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:636. [PMID: 38932365 PMCID: PMC11209408 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated enzyme-CAS holds great promise for treating many uncured human diseases and illnesses by precisely correcting harmful point mutations and disrupting disease-causing genes. The recent Food and Drug Association (FDA) approval of the first CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell anemia marks the beginning of a new era in gene editing. However, delivering CRISPR specifically into diseased cells in vivo is a significant challenge and an area of intense research. The identification of new CRISPR/Cas variants, particularly ultra-compact CAS systems with robust gene editing activities, paves the way for the low-capacity delivery vectors to be used in gene therapies. CRISPR/Cas technology has evolved beyond editing DNA to cover a wide spectrum of functionalities, including RNA targeting, disease diagnosis, transcriptional/epigenetic regulation, chromatin imaging, high-throughput screening, and new disease modeling. CRISPR/Cas can be used to engineer B-cells to produce potent antibodies for more effective vaccines and enhance CAR T-cells for the more precise and efficient targeting of tumor cells. However, CRISPR/Cas technology has challenges, including off-target effects, toxicity, immune responses, and inadequate tissue-specific delivery. Overcoming these challenges necessitates the development of a more effective and specific CRISPR/Cas delivery system. This entails strategically utilizing specific gRNAs in conjunction with robust CRISPR/Cas variants to mitigate off-target effects. This review seeks to delve into the intricacies of the CRISPR/Cas mechanism, explore progress in gene therapies, evaluate gene delivery systems, highlight limitations, outline necessary precautions, and scrutinize the ethical considerations associated with its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Banda
- Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA
| | - Olivia Impomeni
- Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA
| | - Aparana Singh
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Agartala, Agartala 799046, India;
| | - Abdul Rasheed Baloch
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Dabbu Kumar Jaijyan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
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Li M, Liu Z, Wang D, Ye J, Shi Z, Pan C, Zhang Q, Ju R, Zheng Y, Liu Y. Intraocular mRNA delivery with endogenous MmPEG10-based virus-like particles. Exp Eye Res 2024; 243:109899. [PMID: 38636802 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLP) are a promising tool for intracellular gene delivery, yet their potential in ocular gene therapy remains underexplored. In this study, we bridged this knowledge gap by demonstrating the successful generation and application of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG)-pseudotyped mouse PEG10 (MmPEG10)-VLP for intraocular mRNA delivery. Our findings revealed that PEG10-VLP can efficiently deliver GFP mRNA to adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19 (ARPE-19) cells, leading to transient expression. Moreover, we showed that MmPEG10-VLP can transfer SMAD7 to inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RPE cells effectively. In vivo experiments further substantiated the potential of these vectors, as subretinal delivery into adult mice resulted in efficient transduction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and GFP reporter gene expression without significant immune response. However, intravitreal injection did not yield efficient ocular expression. We also evaluated the transduction characteristics of MmPEG10-VLP following intracameral delivery, revealing transient GFP protein expression in corneal endothelial cells without significant immunotoxicities. In summary, our study established that VSVG pseudotyped MmPEG10-based VLP can transduce mitotically inactive RPE cells and corneal endothelial cells in vivo without triggering an inflammatory response, underscoring their potential utility in ocular gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China
| | - Zhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Dongliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jinguo Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhuoxing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Caineng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Qikai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rong Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China.
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China
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Zhang Y, Zhang M, Song H, Dai Q, Liu C. Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Polymer-Based RNA Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400278. [PMID: 38803312 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics offer a broad prospect in cancer treatment. However, their successful application requires overcoming various physiological barriers to effectively deliver RNAs to the target sites. Currently, a number of RNA delivery systems based on polymeric nanoparticles are developed to overcome these barriers in RNA delivery. This work provides an overview of the existing RNA therapeutics for cancer gene therapy, and particularly summarizes those that are entering the clinical phase. This work then discusses the core features and latest research developments of tumor microenvironment-responsive polymer-based RNA delivery carriers which are designed based on the pathological characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Finally, this work also proposes opportunities for the transformation of RNA therapies into cancer immunotherapy methods in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahan Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Haiqin Song
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qiong Dai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Chaoyong Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
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Wang F, Huang Y, Li J, Zhou W, Wang W. Targeted gene delivery systems for T-cell engineering. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00954-6. [PMID: 38753155 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00954-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes are indispensable for the host systems of defense against pathogens, tumors, and environmental threats. The therapeutic potential of harnessing the cytotoxic properties of T lymphocytes for antigen-specific cell elimination is both evident and efficacious. Genetically engineered T-cells, such as those employed in CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapies, have demonstrated significant clinical benefits in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, the current landscape of T-cell genetic engineering is dominated by strategies that necessitate in vitro T-cell isolation and modification, which introduce complexity and prolong the development timeline of T-cell based immunotherapies. This review explores the complexities of gene delivery systems designed for T cells, covering both viral and nonviral vectors. Viral vectors are known for their high transduction efficiency, yet they face significant limitations, such as potential immunogenicity and the complexities involved in large-scale production. Nonviral vectors, conversely, offer a safer profile and the potential for scalable manufacturing, yet they often struggle with lower transduction efficiency. The pursuit of gene delivery systems that can achieve targeted gene transfer to T cell without the need for isolation represents a significant advancement in the field. This review assesses the design principles and current research progress of such systems, highlighting the potential for in vivo gene modification therapies that could revolutionize T-cell based treatments. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these systems, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the future development of T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengling Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - JiaQian Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Maji D, Miguela V, Cameron AD, Campbell DA, Sasset L, Yao X, Thompson AT, Sussman C, Yang D, Miller R, Drozdz MM, Liberatore RA. Enhancing In Vivo Electroporation Efficiency through Hyaluronidase: Insights into Plasmid Distribution and Optimization Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:547. [PMID: 38675208 PMCID: PMC11053992 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040547] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Electroporation (EP) stands out as a promising non-viral plasmid delivery strategy, although achieving optimal transfection efficiency in vivo remains a challenge. A noteworthy advancement in the field of in vivo EP is the application of hyaluronidase, an enzyme with the capacity to degrade hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix, which thereby enhances DNA transfer efficiency by 2- to 3-fold. This paper focuses on elucidating the mechanism of hyaluronidase's impact on transfection efficiency. We demonstrate that hyaluronidase promotes a more uniform distribution of plasmid DNA (pDNA) within skeletal muscle. Additionally, our study investigates the effect of the timing of hyaluronidase pretreatment on EP efficiency by including time intervals of 0, 5, and 30 min between hyaluronidase treatment and the application of pulses. Serum levels of the pDNA-encoded transgene reveal a minimal influence of the hyaluronidase pretreatment time on the final serum protein levels following delivery in both mice and rabbit models. Leveraging bioimpedance measurements, we capture morphological changes in muscle induced by hyaluronidase treatment, which result in a varied pDNA distribution. Subsequently, these findings are employed to optimize EP electrical parameters following hyaluronidase treatment in animal models. This paper offers novel insights into the potential of hyaluronidase in enhancing the effectiveness of in vivo EP, as well as guides optimized electroporation strategies following hyaluronidase use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debnath Maji
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
| | - Verónica Miguela
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas—Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Sant Joan d’Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Linda Sasset
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
| | - Xin Yao
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
| | | | | | - David Yang
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Robert Miller
- RenBio Inc., Long Island City, New York, NY 11101, USA
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10
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Herpoldt KL, López CL, Sappington I, Pham MN, Srinivasan S, Netland J, Montgomery KS, Roy D, Prossnitz AN, Ellis D, Wargacki AJ, Pepper M, Convertine AJ, Stayton PS, King NP. Macromolecular Cargo Encapsulation via In Vitro Assembly of Two-Component Protein Nanoparticles. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303910. [PMID: 38180445 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303910] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembling protein nanoparticles are a promising class of materials for targeted drug delivery. Here, the use of a computationally designed, two-component, icosahedral protein nanoparticle is reported to encapsulate multiple macromolecular cargoes via simple and controlled self-assembly in vitro. Single-stranded RNA molecules between 200 and 2500 nucleotides in length are encapsulated and protected from enzymatic degradation for up to a month with length-dependent decay rates. Immunogenicity studies of nanoparticles packaging synthetic polymers carrying a small-molecule TLR7/8 agonist show that co-delivery of antigen and adjuvant results in a more than 20-fold increase in humoral immune responses while minimizing systemic cytokine secretion associated with free adjuvant. Coupled with the precise control over nanoparticle structure offered by computational design, robust and versatile encapsulation via in vitro assembly opens the door to a new generation of cargo-loaded protein nanoparticles that can combine the therapeutic effects of multiple drug classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla-Luise Herpoldt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ciana L López
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Isaac Sappington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Minh N Pham
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Selvi Srinivasan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jason Netland
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Debashish Roy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Daniel Ellis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Adam J Wargacki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Marion Pepper
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Patrick S Stayton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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11
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Carvalho BG, Nakayama A, Miwa H, Han SW, de la Torre LG, Di Carlo D, Lee J, Kim HJ, Khademhosseini A, de Barros NR. Gelatin methacryloyl granular scaffolds for localized mRNA delivery. AGGREGATE (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2024; 5:e464. [PMID: 38800607 PMCID: PMC11126212 DOI: 10.1002/agt2.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
mRNA therapy is the intracellular delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce desired therapeutic proteins. Developing strategies for local mRNA delivery is still required where direct intra-articular injections are inappropriate for targeting a specific tissue. The mRNA delivery efficiency depends on protecting nucleic acids against nuclease-mediated degradation and safe site-specific intracellular delivery. Herein, we report novel mRNA-releasing matrices based on RGD-moiety-rich gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffolds. GelMA concentration in aerogel-based microgels (μgels) produced through a microfluidic process, MAP stiffnesses, and microporosity are crucial parameters for cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. After being loaded with mRNA complexes, MAP scaffolds composed of 10 % GelMA μgels display excellent cell viability with increasing cell infiltration, adhesion, proliferation, and gene transfer. The intracellular delivery is achieved by the sustained release of mRNA complexes from MAP scaffolds and cell adhesion on mRNA-releasing scaffolds. These findings highlight that hybrid systems can achieve efficient protein expression by delivering mRNA complexes, making them promising mRNA-releasing biomaterials for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Gregatti Carvalho
- Department of Material and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970, Brazil; Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 90064, USA
| | - Aya Nakayama
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 90064, USA
| | - Hiromi Miwa
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), 90095, USA
| | - Sang Won Han
- Center for Cell Therapy and Molecular, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04044-010, Brazil
| | - Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
- Department of Material and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), 90095, USA
| | - Junmin Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 37673, Republic of Korea; Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 90064, USA; College of Pharmacy, Korea University, 30019, Republic of Korea; Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, India
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12
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Chen Z, Zhang D, Zheng R, Yang L, Huo Y, Zhang D, Fang X, Li Y, Xu G, Li D, Geng H. In vivo base editing rescues primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in rats. Kidney Int 2024; 105:496-507. [PMID: 38142039 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a childhood-onset autosomal recessive disease, characterized by nephrocalcinosis, multiple recurrent urinary calcium oxalate stones, and a high risk of progressive kidney damage. PH1 is caused by inherent genetic defects of the alanine glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT) gene. The in vivo repair of disease-causing genes was exceedingly inefficient before the invention of base editors which can efficiently introduce precisely targeted base alterations without double-strand DNA breaks. Adenine base editor (ABE) can precisely convert A·T to G·C with the assistance of specific guide RNA. Here, we demonstrated that systemic delivery of dual adeno-associated virus encoding a split-ABE8e could artificially repair 13% of the pathogenic allele in AgxtQ84X rats, a model of PH1, alleviating the disease phenotype. Specifically, ABE treatment partially restored the expression of alanine-glyoxylate-aminotransferase (AGT), reduced endogenous oxalate synthesis and alleviated calcium oxalate crystal deposition. Western blot and immunohistochemistry confirmed that ABE8e treatment restored AGT protein expression in hepatocytes. Moreover, the precise editing efficiency in the liver remained stable six months after treatment. Thus, our findings provided a prospect of in vivo base editing as a personalized and precise medicine for PH1 by directly correcting the mutant Agxt gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhoutong Chen
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dexin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Departmentof Pediatric Urology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Huo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoliang Fang
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueyan Li
- Departmentof Pediatric Urology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofeng Xu
- Departmentof Pediatric Urology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Dali Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongquan Geng
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Blasiak J, Pawlowska E, Ciupińska J, Derwich M, Szczepanska J, Kaarniranta K. A New Generation of Gene Therapies as the Future of Wet AMD Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2386. [PMID: 38397064 PMCID: PMC10888617 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease and the most common cause of vision loss in the Western World. In its advanced stage, AMD occurs in two clinically distinguished forms, dry and wet, but only wet AMD is treatable. However, the treatment based on repeated injections with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) antagonists may at best stop the disease progression and prevent or delay vision loss but without an improvement of visual dysfunction. Moreover, it is a serious mental and financial burden for patients and may be linked with some complications. The recent first success of intravitreal gene therapy with ADVM-022, which transformed retinal cells to continuous production of aflibercept, a VEGF antagonist, after a single injection, has opened a revolutionary perspective in wet AMD treatment. Promising results obtained so far in other ongoing clinical trials support this perspective. In this narrative/hypothesis review, we present basic information on wet AMD pathogenesis and treatment, the concept of gene therapy in retinal diseases, update evidence on completed and ongoing clinical trials with gene therapy for wet AMD, and perspectives on the progress to the clinic of "one and done" therapy for wet AMD to replace a lifetime of injections. Gene editing targeting the VEGFA gene is also presented as another gene therapy strategy to improve wet AMD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz Blasiak
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Plock, 09-402 Plock, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Justyna Ciupińska
- Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, H. Bieganski Hospital, 91-347 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Marcin Derwich
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Joanna Szczepanska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (E.P.); (M.D.); (J.S.)
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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14
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Bettegazzi B, Cattaneo S, Simonato M, Zucchini S, Soukupova M. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: What Does the Future Hold? Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:5-13. [PMID: 38103141 PMCID: PMC10786988 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many pre-clinical studies have tested gene therapy approaches as possible treatments for epilepsy, following the idea that they may provide an alternative to conventional pharmacological and surgical options. Multiple gene therapy approaches have been developed, including those based on anti-sense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and viral vectors. In this opinion article, we focus on translational issues related to viral vector-mediated gene therapy for epilepsy. Research has advanced dramatically in addressing issues like viral vector optimization, target identification, strategies of gene expression, editing or regulation, and safety. Some of these pre-clinically validated potential gene therapies are now being tested in clinical trials, in patients with genetic or focal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we discuss the ongoing translational research and the advancements that are needed and expected in the near future. We then describe the clinical trials in the pipeline and the further challenges that will need to be addressed at the clinical and economic levels. Our optimistic view is that all these issues and challenges can be overcome, and that gene therapy approaches for epilepsy will soon become a clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
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15
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Aziz AA, Khan H, Khanani ZA, Thomas MJ, Khan H, Ahmed A, Gahn GM, Khanani AM. Review of Gene Therapy Clinical Trials for Retinal Diseases. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2024; 64:141-151. [PMID: 38146887 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
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16
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Liaghat A, Konsman JP. Methodological advice for the young at heart investigator: Triangulation to build better foundations. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:737-746. [PMID: 37972881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In medicine and science, one is typically taught the main theories in a discipline or field along with standard models before receiving more instructions on how to apply certain methods. The aim of this work is not to address one method, but rather methodology, the study and evaluation of methods, by taking a philosophy of science detour. In this, a critique of biomedicine will be used as a starting point to address some positions regarding reductionism, specifying notions such as systems and mechanisms, as well as regarding the mind-body problem discussing psychosomatic medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. Some recommendations to make science more pluralistic, robust and translationally-relevant will then be made as a way to foster constructive debates on reductionism and the mind-body problem and, in turn, favor more interdisciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Liaghat
- IMMUNOlogy from CONcepts and ExPeriments to Translation, CNRS UMR 5164, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Jan Pieter Konsman
- IMMUNOlogy from CONcepts and ExPeriments to Translation, CNRS UMR 5164, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
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17
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Mohammed OA, Alghamdi M, Alfaifi J, Alamri MMS, Al-Shahrani AM, Alharthi MH, Alshahrani AM, Alhalafi AH, Adam MIE, Bahashwan E, Jarallah AlQahtani AA, BinAfif WF, Abdel-Reheim MA, Abdel Mageed SS, Doghish AS. The emerging role of miRNAs in myocardial infarction: From molecular signatures to therapeutic targets. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:155087. [PMID: 38183820 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Globally, myocardial infarction (MI) and other cardiovascular illnesses have long been considered the top killers. Heart failure and mortality are the results of myocardial apoptosis, cardiomyocyte fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, all of which are caused by MI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial regulatory function in the progression and advancement of heart disease following an MI. By consolidating the existing data on miRNAs, our aim is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their role in the pathological progression of myocardial injury after MI and to identify potential crucial target pathways. Also included are the primary treatment modalities and their most recent developments. miRNAs have the ability to regulate both normal and pathological activity, including the key signaling pathways. As a result, they may exert medicinal benefits. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the role of miRNAs in MI with a specific emphasis on their impact on the regeneration of cardiomyocytes and other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, the targets of pro- and anti-MI miRNAs are comparatively elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mushabab Alghamdi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaber Alfaifi
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohannad Mohammad S Alamri
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Al-Shahrani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muffarah Hamid Alharthi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Alshahrani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Hassan Alhalafi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Masoud I E Adam
- Department of Medical Education and Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad Bahashwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - AbdulElah Al Jarallah AlQahtani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waad Fuad BinAfif
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62521, Egypt.
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
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18
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Khoshandam M, Soltaninejad H, Mousazadeh M, Hamidieh AA, Hosseinkhani S. Clinical applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system: Delivery options and challenges in precision medicine. Genes Dis 2024; 11:268-282. [PMID: 37588217 PMCID: PMC10425811 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is an effective gene editing tool with broad applications for the prevention or treatment of numerous diseases. It depends on CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) as a bacterial immune system and plays as a gene editing tool. Due to the higher specificity and efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 compared to other editing approaches, it has been broadly investigated to treat numerous hereditary and acquired illnesses, including cancers, hemolytic diseases, immunodeficiency disorders, cardiovascular diseases, visual maladies, neurodegenerative conditions, and a few X-linked disorders. CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to treat cancers through a variety of approaches, with stable gene editing techniques. Here, the applications and clinical trials of CRISPR/Cas9 in various illnesses are described. Due to its high precision and efficiency, CRISPR/Cas9 strategies may treat gene-related illnesses by deleting, inserting, modifying, or blocking the expression of specific genes. The most challenging barrier to the in vivo use of CRISPR/Cas9 like off-target effects will be discussed. The use of transfection vehicles for CRISPR/Cas9, including viral vectors (such as an Adeno-associated virus (AAV)), and the development of non-viral vectors is also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadeseh Khoshandam
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Qom Branch, Qom 3716986466, Iran
- National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran 14155-6463, Iran
| | - Hossein Soltaninejad
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14117-13116, Iran
- Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14155-6559, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Mousazadeh
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14117-13116, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Hamidieh
- Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapy Research Center, Gene, Cell & Tissue Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14155-6559, Iran
| | - Saman Hosseinkhani
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14117-13116, Iran
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19
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Jiang F, Zhang C, Liu W, Liu F, Huang H, Tan Y, Qin B. Bibliometric analysis of global research trends in adeno-associated virus vector for gene therapy (1991-2022). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1301915. [PMID: 38145048 PMCID: PMC10739348 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1301915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gene therapy involves introducing and editing foreign genes in the body to treat and prevent genetic diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector has become a widely used tool in gene therapy due to its high safety and transfection efficiency. Methods This study employs bibliometric analysis to explore the foundation and current state of AAV vector application in gene therapy research. A total of 6,069 publications from 1991 to 2022 were analyzed, retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) of Clarivate Analytics. Institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords were analyzed and visualized by using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. The R language and Microsoft Excel 365 were used for statistical analyses. Results The global literature on AAV vector and gene therapy exhibited consistent growth, with the United States leading in productivity, contributing 3,868 papers and obtaining the highest H-index. Noteworthy authors like Wilson JM, Samulski RJ, Hauswirth WW, and Mingozzi F were among the top 10 most productive and co-cited authors. The journal "Human Gene Therapy" published the most papers (n = 485) on AAV vector and gene therapy. Current research focuses on "gene editing," "gene structure," "CRISPR," and "AAV gene therapy for specific hereditary diseases." Conclusion The application of AAV vector in gene therapy has shown continuous growth, fostering international cooperation among countries and institutions. The intersection of gene editing, gene structure, CRISPR, and AAV gene therapy for specific hereditary diseases and AAV vector represents a prominent and prioritized focus in contemporary gene therapy research. This study provides valuable insights into the trends and characteristics of AAV gene therapy research, facilitating further advancements in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Haiyan Huang
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Tan
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Aier Ophthalmic Technology Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Qin
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Aier Ophthalmic Technology Institute, Shenzhen, China
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20
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Srivastava RAK. New opportunities in the management and treatment of refractory hypercholesterolemia using in vivo CRISPR-mediated genome/base editing. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 33:2317-2325. [PMID: 37805309 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Refractory hypercholesterolemia (RH), caused primarily by the loss-of-function mutation of LDL receptor (LDLR) gene seen in HoFH and HeFH patients, remains a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statin and ezetimibe combination therapy lower circulating LDL by 30% in HoFH patients. PCSK9 mAB, being an LDLR-dependent therapy, is not effective in HoFH, but lowers LDL by 25% in HeFH patients. A maximum reduction of 50% was noted in HoFH patients treated with ANGPTL3 mAB, which was not enough to achieve therapeutic goal of LDL. Therefore, new approaches are warranted to offer hopes to individuals intolerant to higher dose statins and not able to achieve recommended LDL level. DATA SYNTHESIS New approaches to lower LDL include gene therapy and gene editing. AAV-based gene therapy has shown encouraging results in animal models. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome/base editing, gain of function and loss of function have been successfully done in animal models. Recent progress in the refinement of genome/base editing has overcome the issues of off-target mutagenesis with ∼1% mutagenesis in case of PCSK9 and almost no off-target mutagenesis in inactivating ANGPTL3 in animal models showing 50% reduction in cholesterol. Current approaches using CRISPR-Cas9 genome/base editing targeting LDLR-dependent and LDLR-independent pathways are underway. CONCLUSIONS The new information on gain of LDLR function and inactivation of ANGPTL3 together with developments in genome/base editing technology to overcome off-target insertion and deletion mutagenesis offer hope to refractory hypercholesterolemic individuals who are at a higher risk of developing ASCVD.
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21
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Shi H, He X, Yang Z, Liao Q, Ruan J, Ge S, Chai P, Jia R, Fan J, Wen X, Fan X. The Use of rAAV2-RB1-Mediated Gene Therapy in Retinoblastoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:31. [PMID: 38133505 PMCID: PMC10746934 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.15.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinoblastoma (RB) is a life-threatening malignancy that arises from the retina and is activated upon homozygous inactivation of the tumor suppressor RB1. Gene therapy targeting RB1 is an effective strategy to treat RB. However, it is difficult to target the RB1 gene by site-specific repair, with up to 3366 gene mutation sites identified in RB1. Thus, it is necessary to construct a promising and efficacious gene therapeutic strategy for patients with RB. Methods To recover the function of the RB1 protein, we constructed a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2) expressing RB1 that can restore RB1 function and significantly inhibit RB progression. To confirm the clinical feasibility of rAAV2-RB1, the RB1 protein was validated in vitro and in vivo after transfection. To further evaluate the clinical efficacy, RB patient-derived xenograft models were established and applied. The biosafety of rAAV2-RB1 was also validated in immunocompetent mice. Results rAAV2-RB1 was a rAAV2 expressing the RB1 protein, which was validated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, rAAV2-RB1 was effectively expressed in patient-derived RB cells. In mice, intravitreal administration of rAAV2-RB1 in a population-based patient-derived xenograft trial induced limited tumor growth. Moreover, after transfection of rAAV2-RB1 in immunocompetent mice, rAAV2-RB1 did not replicate and was expressed in other important organs, except retinas, inducing minor local side effects. Conclusions Our study suggested a promising efficacy gene therapeutic strategy, which might provide a chemotherapy-independent treatment option for RB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhan Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qili Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ruan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuyang Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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22
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Clemente B, Denis M, Silveira CP, Schiavetti F, Brazzoli M, Stranges D. Straight to the point: targeted mRNA-delivery to immune cells for improved vaccine design. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1294929. [PMID: 38090568 PMCID: PMC10711611 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
With the deepening of our understanding of adaptive immunity at the cellular and molecular level, targeting antigens directly to immune cells has proven to be a successful strategy to develop innovative and potent vaccines. Indeed, it offers the potential to increase vaccine potency and/or modulate immune response quality while reducing off-target effects. With mRNA-vaccines establishing themselves as a versatile technology for future applications, in the last years several approaches have been explored to target nanoparticles-enabled mRNA-delivery systems to immune cells, with a focus on dendritic cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells and key mediators of B- and T-cell immunity, and therefore considered as an ideal target for cell-specific antigen delivery. Indeed, improved potency of DC-targeted vaccines has been proved in vitro and in vivo. This review discusses the potential specific targets for immune system-directed mRNA delivery, as well as the different targeting ligand classes and delivery systems used for this purpose.
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23
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Perez-Sanchez J, Middleton SJ, Pattison LA, Hilton H, Awadelkareem MA, Zuberi SR, Renke MB, Hu H, Yang X, Clark AJ, Smith ESJ, Bennett DL. A humanized chemogenetic system inhibits murine pain-related behavior and hyperactivity in human sensory neurons. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadh3839. [PMID: 37792955 PMCID: PMC7615191 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh3839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Hyperexcitability in sensory neurons is known to underlie many of the maladaptive changes associated with persistent pain. Chemogenetics has shown promise as a means to suppress such excitability, yet chemogenetic approaches suitable for human applications are needed. PSAM4-GlyR is a modular system based on the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and glycine receptors, which responds to inert chemical ligands and the clinically approved drug varenicline. Here, we demonstrated the efficacy of this channel in silencing both mouse and human sensory neurons by the activation of large shunting conductances after agonist administration. Virally mediated expression of PSAM4-GlyR in mouse sensory neurons produced behavioral hyposensitivity upon agonist administration, which was recovered upon agonist washout. Stable expression of the channel led to similar reversible suppression of pain-related behavior even after 10 months of viral delivery. Mechanical and spontaneous pain readouts were also ameliorated by PSAM4-GlyR activation in acute and joint pain inflammation mouse models. Furthermore, suppression of mechanical hypersensitivity generated by a spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain was also observed upon activation of the channel. Effective silencing of behavioral hypersensitivity was reproduced in a human model of hyperexcitability and clinical pain: PSAM4-GlyR activation decreased the excitability of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons and spontaneous activity due to a gain-of-function NaV1.7 mutation causing inherited erythromelalgia. Our results demonstrate the contribution of sensory neuron hyperexcitability to neuropathic pain and the translational potential of an effective, stable, and reversible humanized chemogenetic system for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Perez-Sanchez
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Steven J. Middleton
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Luke A. Pattison
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge; Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Helen Hilton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge; Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | | | - Sana R. Zuberi
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Maria B. Renke
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Huimin Hu
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Xun Yang
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Alex J. Clark
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry; London E1 2AT, UK
| | | | - David L. Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford; Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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24
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Zhang W, Jiang Y, He Y, Boucetta H, Wu J, Chen Z, He W. Lipid carriers for mRNA delivery. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4105-4126. [PMID: 37799378 PMCID: PMC10547918 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the template for protein biosynthesis and is emerging as an essential active molecule to combat various diseases, including viral infection and cancer. Especially, mRNA-based vaccines, as a new type of vaccine, have played a leading role in fighting against the current global pandemic of COVID-19. However, the inherent drawbacks, including large size, negative charge, and instability, hinder its use as a therapeutic agent. Lipid carriers are distinguishable and promising vehicles for mRNA delivery, owning the capacity to encapsulate and deliver negatively charged drugs to the targeted tissues and release cargoes at the desired time. Here, we first summarized the structure and properties of different lipid carriers, such as liposomes, liposome-like nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, exosomes and lipoprotein particles, and their applications in delivering mRNA. Then, the development of lipid-based formulations as vaccine delivery systems was discussed and highlighted. Recent advancements in the mRNA vaccine of COVID-19 were emphasized. Finally, we described our future vision and perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuxin Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yonglong He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Hamza Boucetta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhongjian Chen
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200443, China
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25
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Zeng Y, Shen M, Pattipeiluhu R, Zhou X, Zhang Y, Bakkum T, Sharp TH, Boyle AL, Kros A. Efficient mRNA delivery using lipid nanoparticles modified with fusogenic coiled-coil peptides. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:15206-15218. [PMID: 37671560 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02175k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene delivery has great potential in modulating protein expression in specific cells to treat diseases. Such therapeutic gene delivery demands sufficient cellular internalization and endosomal escape. Of various nonviral nucleic acid delivery systems, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the most advanced, but still, are very inefficient as the majority are unable to escape from endosomes/lysosomes. Here, we develop a highly efficient gene delivery system using fusogenic coiled-coil peptides. We modified LNPs, carrying EGFP-mRNA, and cells with complementary coiled-coil lipopeptides. Coiled-coil formation between these lipopeptides induced fast nucleic acid uptake and enhanced GFP expression. The cellular uptake of coiled-coil modified LNPs is likely driven by membrane fusion thereby omitting typical endocytosis pathways. This direct cytosolic delivery circumvents the problems commonly observed with the limited endosomal escape of mRNA. Therefore fusogenic coiled-coil peptide modification of existing LNP formulations to enhance nucleic acid delivery efficiency could be beneficial for several gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zeng
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Mengjie Shen
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Roy Pattipeiluhu
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Xuequan Zhou
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Bakkum
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas H Sharp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Section Electron Microscopy, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aimee L Boyle
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexander Kros
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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26
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Kranjc M, Polajžer T, Novickij V, Miklavčič D. Determination of the Impact of High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on the Release of Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14607. [PMID: 37834054 PMCID: PMC10572873 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914607] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (HI-PEMF) treatment is an emerging noninvasive and contactless alternative to conventional electroporation, since the electric field inside the tissue is induced remotely by an externally applied pulsed magnetic field. Recently, HI-PEMF has been successfully used in the transfer of plasmid DNA and siRNA in vivo, with no or minimal infiltration of immune cells. In addition to gene electrotransfer, treatment with HI-PEMF has also shown potential for electrochemotherapy, where activation of the immune response contributes to the treatment outcome. The immune response can be triggered by immunogenic cell death that is characterized by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from damaged or/and dying cells. In this study, the release of the best-known DAMP molecules, i.e., adenosine triphosphate (ATP), calreticulin and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMBG1), after HI-PEMF treatment was investigated in vitro on three different cell lines of different tissue origin and compared with conventional electroporation treatment parameters. We have shown that HI-PEMF by itself does not cause the release of HMGB1 or calreticulin, whereas the release of ATP was detected immediately after HI-PEMF treatment. Our results indicate that HI-PEMF treatment causes no to minimal release of DAMP molecules, which results in minimal/limited activation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Kranjc
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Trzaska cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Tamara Polajžer
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Trzaska cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Vitalij Novickij
- Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Plytinės g. 27, 10105 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Immunology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariskiu g. 5, 08410 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Trzaska cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.K.); (T.P.)
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27
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Lu J, Atochina-Vasserman EN, Maurya DS, Sahoo D, Ona N, Reagan EK, Ni H, Weissman D, Percec V. Targeted and Equally Distributed Delivery of mRNA to Organs with Pentaerythritol-Based One-Component Ionizable Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18760-18766. [PMID: 37606244 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Delivery of nucleic acids with viral and synthetic vectors has pioneered genetic nanomedicine. Four-component lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) consisting of ionizable lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and PEG-conjugated lipids, assembled by microfluidic or T-tube, are the benchmark synthetic vector for delivery of mRNA. One-component multifunctional sequence-defined ionizable amphiphilic Janus dendrimer (IAJD) delivery systems for mRNA were developed by us to complement LNPs. IAJDs consist of multifunctional hydrophilic low-generation dendrons or minidendrons conjugated to hydrophobic dendrons. They were inspired by amphiphilic Janus dendrimers and glycodendrimers. IAJDs coassemble with mRNA into predictable-size vesicles, named dendrimersome nanoparticles (DNPs), by simple injection in acetate buffer, rather than by the complex technology required by LNPs. Assembly of DNPs by simple injection together with sequence design in the hydrophilic and hydrophobic modules of IAJDs endowed rapid screening to access discovery. Molecular design principles for targeted delivery were elaborated when the branching points of IAJDs were constructed from symmetrically and nonsymmetrically substituted plant phenolic acids interconnected by pentaerythritol (PE). Here, we report the first library containing simplified IAJDs constructed in only three steps from symmetrically trialkylated PE in the hydrophobic domain and four different piperazine-based ionizable amines in the hydrophilic part. Rapid coassembly with mRNA and in vivo screening led to the discovery of the two most active IAJDs targeting the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes, one predominantly to the spleen and liver and six delivering equally to the spleen, liver, lung, and lymph nodes. These IAJDs represent the simplest synthetic vectors and the first viral or synthetic system delivering equally to multiple organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juncheng Lu
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Elena N Atochina-Vasserman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Devendra S Maurya
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Dipankar Sahoo
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nathan Ona
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Erin K Reagan
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Houping Ni
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Virgil Percec
- Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
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28
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Adlat S, Vázquez Salgado AM, Lee M, Yin D, Wangensteen KJ. Emerging and potential use of CRISPR in human liver disease. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00538. [PMID: 37607734 PMCID: PMC10881897 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR is a gene editing tool adapted from naturally occurring defense systems from bacteria. It is a technology that is revolutionizing the interrogation of gene functions in driving liver disease, especially through genetic screens and by facilitating animal knockout and knockin models. It is being used in models of liver disease to identify which genes are critical for liver pathology, especially in genetic liver disease, hepatitis, and in cancer initiation and progression. It holds tremendous promise in treating human diseases directly by editing DNA. It could disable gene function in the case of expression of a maladaptive protein, such as blocking transthyretin as a therapy for amyloidosis, or to correct gene defects, such as restoring the normal functions of liver enzymes fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase or alpha-1 antitrypsin. It is also being studied for treatment of hepatitis B infection. CRISPR is an exciting, evolving technology that is facilitating gene characterization and discovery in liver disease and holds the potential to treat liver diseases safely and permanently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Adlat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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29
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Khidr EG, Abulsoud AI, Doghish AA, El-Mahdy HA, Ismail A, Elballal MS, Sarhan OM, Abdel Mageed SS, Elsakka EGE, Elkhawaga SY, El-Husseiny AA, Abdelmaksoud NM, El-Demerdash AA, Shahin RK, Midan HM, Elrebehy MA, Mohammed OA, Abulsoud LA, Doghish AS. The potential role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases - A focus on signaling pathways interplay. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154624. [PMID: 37348290 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
For the past two decades since their discovery, scientists have linked microRNAs (miRNAs) to posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in critical cardiac physiological and pathological processes. Multiple non-coding RNA species regulate cardiac muscle phenotypes to stabilize cardiac homeostasis. Different cardiac pathological conditions, including arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and hypertrophy, are modulated by non-coding RNAs in response to stress or other pathological conditions. Besides, miRNAs are implicated in several modulatory signaling pathways of cardiovascular disorders including mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa beta, protein kinase B (AKT), NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1)/caspases. This review highlights the potential role of miRNAs as therapeutic targets and updates our understanding of their roles in the processes underlying pathogenic phenotypes of cardiac muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Gamil Khidr
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
| | - Ayman A Doghish
- Department of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Ain-Shams University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham A El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Omnia M Sarhan
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Elsayed G E Elsakka
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samy Y Elkhawaga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A El-Husseiny
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Badr City 11829, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Aya A El-Demerdash
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Reem K Shahin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Heba M Midan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Bisha University, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Logyna A Abulsoud
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
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Abdul TY, Hawse GP, Smith J, Sellon JL, Abdel MP, Wells JW, Coenen MJ, Evans CH, De La Vega RE. Prevalence of AAV2.5 neutralizing antibodies in synovial fluid and serum of patients with osteoarthritis. Gene Ther 2023; 30:587-591. [PMID: 35260797 PMCID: PMC9598672 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00326-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability with no cure and only supportive therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2.5 is being used in a Phase I clinical trial to deliver the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist into knee joints with OA. Neutralizing antibodies (Nab) directed against AAV2.5, if present, could inhibit gene transfer. Here, we report the prevalence of AAV2.5 Nab in the sera and synovial fluids of patients with OA. Nab titers were measured by their ability to inhibit in vitro transduction by AAV2.5 encoding GFP. Of 44 synovial fluids from patients with mid-stage and advanced OA, 43% had undetectable Nab; 25% had low titers (<1:100), 16% had medium titers (1:100-1:1000) and 16% had high titers (>1:1000) of Nab. Titers of AAV2.5 Nabs correlated with those of AAV2, but not with those of AAV5. Serum titers of AAV2.5 Nab correlated positively with titers in synovial fluid, and were never less than the matched synovial fluid titers. These findings suggest that high titers of Nab against AAV2.5 are uncommon in the synovial fluids of patients with OA, and individuals with high synovial fluid Nab titers can be identified by measuring titers in the serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temilola Y Abdul
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Gresin P Hawse
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jay Smith
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jacob L Sellon
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew P Abdel
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James W Wells
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Michael J Coenen
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Christopher H Evans
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Rodolfo E De La Vega
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology Inspired Tissue Engineering, MERLN Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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31
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Roy P, Kreofsky NW, Brown ME, Van Bruggen C, Reineke TM. Enhancing pDNA Delivery with Hydroquinine Polymers by Modulating Structure and Composition. JACS AU 2023; 3:1876-1889. [PMID: 37502160 PMCID: PMC10369409 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Quinine is a promising natural product building block for polymer-based nucleic acid delivery vehicles as its structure enables DNA binding through both intercalation and electrostatic interactions. However, studies exploring the potential of quinine-based polymers for nucleic acid delivery applications (transfection) are limited. In this work, we used a hydroquinine-functionalized monomer, HQ, with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate to create a family of seven polymers (HQ-X, X = mole percentage of HQ), with mole percentages of HQ ranging from 12 to 100%. We developed a flow cytometer-based assay for studying the polymer-pDNA complexes (polyplex particles) directly and demonstrate that polymer composition and monomer structure influence polyplex characteristics such as the pDNA loading and the extent of adsorption of serum proteins on polyplex particles. Biological delivery experiments revealed that maximum transgene expression, outperforming commercial controls, was achieved with HQ-25 and HQ-35 as these two variants sustained gene expression over 96 h. HQ-44, HQ-60, and HQ-100 were not successful in inducing transgene expression, despite being able to deliver pDNA into the cells, highlighting that the release of pDNA is likely the bottleneck in transfection for polymers with higher HQ content. Using confocal imaging, we quantified the extent of colocalization between pDNA and lysosomes, proving the remarkable endosomal escape capabilities of the HQ-X polymers. Overall, this study demonstrates the advantages of HQ-X polymers as well as provides guiding principles for improving the monomer structure and polymer composition, supporting the development of the next generation of polymer-based nucleic acid delivery vehicles harnessing the power of natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punarbasu Roy
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Nicholas W. Kreofsky
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Mary E. Brown
- University
Imaging Centers, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Craig Van Bruggen
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Theresa M. Reineke
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Ahn I, Kang CS, Han J. Where should siRNAs go: applicable organs for siRNA drugs. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-00998-y. [PMID: 37430086 PMCID: PMC10393947 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00998-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has been exploited for the development of therapeutics. siRNAs can be a powerful therapeutic tool because the working mechanisms of siRNAs are straightforward. siRNAs determine targets based on their sequence and specifically regulate the gene expression of the target gene. However, efficient delivery of siRNAs to the target organ has long been an issue that needs to be solved. Tremendous efforts regarding siRNA delivery have led to significant progress in siRNA drug development, and from 2018 to 2022, a total of five siRNA drugs were approved for the treatment of patients. Although all FDA-approved siRNA drugs target the hepatocytes of the liver, siRNA-based drugs targeting different organs are in clinical trials. In this review, we introduce siRNA drugs in the market and siRNA drug candidates in clinical trials that target cells in multiple organs. The liver, eye, and skin are the preferred organs targeted by siRNAs. Three or more siRNA drug candidates are in phase 2 or 3 clinical trials to suppress gene expression in these preferred organs. On the other hand, the lungs, kidneys, and brain are challenging organs with relatively few clinical trials. We discuss the characteristics of each organ related to the advantages and disadvantages of siRNA drug targeting and strategies to overcome the barriers in delivering siRNAs based on organ-specific siRNA drugs that have progressed to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insook Ahn
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanhee S Kang
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinju Han
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- BioMedical Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Silva-Pilipich N, Covo-Vergara Á, Vanrell L, Smerdou C. Checkpoint blockade meets gene therapy: Opportunities to improve response and reduce toxicity. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 379:43-86. [PMID: 37541727 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on monoclonal antibodies represent a breakthrough for the treatment of cancer. However, their efficacy varies among tumor types and patients, and they can lead to adverse effects due to on-target/off-tumor activity, since they are administered systemically at high doses. An alternative and attractive approach for the delivery of ICIs is the use of gene therapy vectors able to express them in vivo. This review focuses on the most recent studies using viral vectors able to express ICIs locally or systemically in preclinical models of cancer. These vectors include non-replicating viruses, oncolytic viruses able to propagate specifically in tumor cells and destroy them, and self-amplifying RNA vectors, armed with different formats of antibodies against immune checkpoints. Non-replicating vectors usually lead to long-term ICI expression, potentially eliminating the need for repeated administration. Vectors with replication capacity, although they have a shorter window of expression, can induce inflammation which enhances the antitumor effect. Finally, these engineered vectors can be used in combination with other immunostimulatory molecules or with CAR-T cells, further boosting the antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Ángela Covo-Vergara
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lucía Vanrell
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay; Nanogrow Biotech, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), and CCUN, Pamplona, Spain.
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Srivastava RAK. A Review of Progress on Targeting LDL Receptor-Dependent and -Independent Pathways for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia, a Major Risk Factor of ASCVD. Cells 2023; 12:1648. [PMID: 37371118 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the LDL receptor in 1973 by Brown and Goldstein as a causative protein in hypercholesterolemia, tremendous amounts of effort have gone into finding ways to manage high LDL cholesterol in familial hypercholesterolemic (HoFH and HeFH) individuals with loss-of-function mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene. Statins proved to be the first blockbuster drug, helping both HoFH and HeFH individuals by inhibiting the cholesterol synthesis pathway rate-limiting enzyme HMG-CoA reductase and inducing the LDL receptor. However, statins could not achieve the therapeutic goal of LDL. Other therapies targeting LDLR include PCSK9, which lowers LDLR by promoting LDLR degradation. Inducible degrader of LDLR (IDOL) also controls the LDLR protein, but an IDOL-based therapy is yet to be developed. Among the LDLR-independent pathways, such as angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3), apolipoprotein (apo) B, apoC-III and CETP, only ANGPTL3 offers the advantage of treating both HoFH and HeFH patients and showing relatively better preclinical and clinical efficacy in animal models and hypercholesterolemic individuals, respectively. While loss-of-LDLR-function mutations have been known for decades, gain-of-LDLR-function mutations have recently been identified in some individuals. The new information on gain of LDLR function, together with CRISPR-Cas9 genome/base editing technology to target LDLR and ANGPTL3, offers promise to HoFH and HeFH individuals who are at a higher risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rai Ajit K Srivastava
- Integrated Pharma Solutions LLC, Boston, MA 02101-02117, USA
- College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02101-02117, USA
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35
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Liu C, Shi Q, Huang X, Koo S, Kong N, Tao W. mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. Nat Rev Cancer 2023:10.1038/s41568-023-00586-2. [PMID: 37311817 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the fact that mRNA technology allows the production of diverse vaccines and treatments in a shorter time frame and with reduced expense compared to conventional approaches, there has been a surge in the use of mRNA-based therapeutics in recent years. With the aim of encoding tumour antigens for cancer vaccines, cytokines for immunotherapy, tumour suppressors to inhibit tumour development, chimeric antigen receptors for engineered T cell therapy or genome-editing proteins for gene therapy, many of these therapeutics have shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies, and some have even entered clinical trials. Given the evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of clinically approved mRNA vaccines, coupled with growing interest in mRNA-based therapeutics, mRNA technology is poised to become one of the major pillars in cancer drug development. In this Review, we present in vitro transcribed mRNA-based therapeutics for cancer treatment, including the characteristics of the various types of synthetic mRNA, the packaging systems for efficient mRNA delivery, preclinical and clinical studies, current challenges and future prospects in the field. We anticipate the translation of promising mRNA-based treatments into clinical applications, to ultimately benefit patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Liu
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiangqiang Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangang Huang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seyoung Koo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Polajžer T, Miklavčič D. Immunogenic Cell Death in Electroporation-Based Therapies Depends on Pulse Waveform Characteristics. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1036. [PMID: 37376425 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, electroporation-based therapies such as electrochemotherapy (ECT), gene electrotransfer (GET) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) are performed with different but typical pulse durations-100 microseconds and 1-50 milliseconds. However, recent in vitro studies have shown that ECT, GET and IRE can be achieved with virtually any pulse duration (millisecond, microsecond, nanosecond) and pulse type (monopolar, bipolar-HFIRE), although with different efficiency. In electroporation-based therapies, immune response activation can affect treatment outcome, and the possibility of controlling and predicting immune response could improve the treatment. In this study, we investigated if different pulse durations and pulse types cause different or similar activations of the immune system by assessing DAMP release (ATP, HMGB1, calreticulin). Results show that DAMP release can be different when different pulse durations and pulse types are used. Nanosecond pulses seems to be the most immunogenic, as they can induce the release of all three main DAMP molecules-ATP, HMGB1 and calreticulin. The least immunogenic seem to be millisecond pulses, as only ATP release was detected and even that assumingly occurs due to increased permeability of the cell membrane. Overall, it seems that DAMP release and immune response in electroporation-based therapies can be controlled though pulse duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Polajžer
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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37
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Cai X, Dou R, Guo C, Tang J, Li X, Chen J, Zhang J. Cationic Polymers as Transfection Reagents for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051502. [PMID: 37242744 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapy can achieve lasting and even curative effects through gene augmentation, gene suppression, and genome editing. However, it is difficult for naked nucleic acid molecules to enter cells. As a result, the key to nucleic acid therapy is the introduction of nucleic acid molecules into cells. Cationic polymers are non-viral nucleic acid delivery systems with positively charged groups on their molecules that concentrate nucleic acid molecules to form nanoparticles, which help nucleic acids cross barriers to express proteins in cells or inhibit target gene expression. Cationic polymers are easy to synthesize, modify, and structurally control, making them a promising class of nucleic acid delivery systems. In this manuscript, we describe several representative cationic polymers, especially biodegradable cationic polymers, and provide an outlook on cationic polymers as nucleic acid delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Cai
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rui Dou
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chen Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiaruo Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiajuan Li
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jun Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Multi-Disciplinary Research Division, Institute of High Energy Physics and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
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Lin M, Qi X. Advances and Challenges of Stimuli-Responsive Nucleic Acids Delivery System in Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051450. [PMID: 37242692 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has emerged as a powerful tool to treat various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, ocular diseases and cancer diseases. In 2018, the FDA approved Patisiran (the siRNA therapeutic) for treating amyloidosis. Compared with traditional drugs, gene therapy can directly correct the disease-related genes at the genetic level, which guarantees a sustained effect. However, nucleic acids are unstable in circulation and have short half-lives. They cannot pass through biological membranes due to their high molecular weight and massive negative charges. To facilitate the delivery of nucleic acids, it is crucial to develop a suitable delivery strategy. The rapid development of delivery systems has brought light to the gene delivery field, which can overcome multiple extracellular and intracellular barriers that prevent the efficient delivery of nucleic acids. Moreover, the emergence of stimuli-responsive delivery systems has made it possible to control the release of nucleic acids in an intelligent manner and to precisely guide the therapeutic nucleic acids to the target site. Considering the unique properties of stimuli-responsive delivery systems, various stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have been developed. For example, taking advantage of the physiological variations of a tumor (pH, redox and enzymes), various biostimuli- or endogenous stimuli-responsive delivery systems have been fabricated to control the gene delivery processes in an intelligent manner. In addition, other external stimuli, such as light, magnetic fields and ultrasound, have also been employed to construct stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Nevertheless, most stimuli-responsive delivery systems are in the preclinical stage, and some critical issues remain to be solved for advancing the clinical translation of these nanocarriers, such as the unsatisfactory transfection efficiency, safety issues, complexity of manufacturing and off-target effects. The purpose of this review is to elaborate the principles of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and to emphasize the most influential advances of stimuli-responsive gene delivery systems. Current challenges of their clinical translation and corresponding solutions will also be highlighted, which will accelerate the translation of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and advance the development of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610044, China
| | - Xianrong Qi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
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Silva-Pilipich N, Covo-Vergara Á, Smerdou C. Local Delivery of Immunomodulatory Antibodies for Gastrointestinal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082352. [PMID: 37190279 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy has experienced a breakthrough with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are able to unleash immune responses against tumors refractory to other therapies. Despite the great advancement that ICIs represent, most patients with gastrointestinal tumors have not benefited from this therapy. In addition, ICIs often induce adverse effects that are related to their systemic use. Local administration of ICIs in tumors could concentrate their effect in the malignant tissue and provide a higher safety profile. A new and attractive approach for local delivery of ICIs is the use of gene therapy vectors to express these blocking antibodies in tumor cells. Several vectors have been evaluated in preclinical models of gastrointestinal tumors to express ICIs against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, among other immune checkpoints, with promising results. Vectors used in these settings include oncolytic viruses, self-replicating RNA vectors, and non-replicative viral and non-viral vectors. The use of viral vectors, especially when they have replication capacity, provides an additional adjuvant effect that has been shown to enhance antitumor responses. This review covers the most recent studies involving the use of gene therapy vectors to deliver ICIs to gastrointestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ángela Covo-Vergara
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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40
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Jiang T, Gonzalez KM, Cordova LE, Lu J. Nanotechnology-enabled gene delivery for cancer and other genetic diseases. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:523-540. [PMID: 37017558 PMCID: PMC10164135 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2200246] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite gene therapy is ideal for genetic abnormality-related diseases, the easy degradation, poor targeting, and inefficiency in entering targeted cells are plaguing the effective delivery of gene therapy. Viral and non-viral vectors have been used for delivering gene therapeutics in vivo by safeguarding nucleic acid agents to target cells and to reach the specific intracellular location. A variety of nanotechnology-enabled safe and efficient systems have been successfully developed to improve the targeting ability for effective therapeutic delivery of genetic drugs. AREAS COVERED In this review, we outline the multiple biological barriers associated with gene delivery process, and highlight recent advances to gene therapy strategy in vivo, including gene correction, gene silencing, gene activation and genome editing. We point out current developments and challenges exist of non-viral and viral vector systems in association with chemical and physical gene delivery technologies and their potential for the future. EXPERT OPINION This review focuses on the opportunities and challenges to various gene therapy strategy, with specific emphasis on overcoming the challenges through the development of biocompatibility and smart gene vectors for potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Jiang
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Karina Marie Gonzalez
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Leyla Estrella Cordova
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
| | - Jianqin Lu
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- NCI-designated University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
- Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, United States
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41
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Hakim A, Guido B, Narsineni L, Chen DW, Foldvari M. Gene therapy strategies for glaucoma from IOP reduction to retinal neuroprotection: progress towards non-viral systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114781. [PMID: 36940751 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is the result of the gradual death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) whose axons form the optic nerve. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factors thatcontributes to RGC apoptosis and axonal loss at the lamina cribrosa, resulting in progressive reduction and eventual anterograde-retrograde transport blockade of neurotrophic factors. Current glaucoma management mainly focuses on pharmacological or surgical lowering of IOP, to manage the only modifiable risk factor. Although IOP reduction delays disease progression, it does not address previous and ongoing optic nerve degeneration. Gene therapy is a promising direction to control or modify genes involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. Both viral and non-viral gene therapy delivery systems are emerging as promising alternatives or add-on therapies to traditional treatments for improving IOP control and provide neuroprotection. The specific spotlight on non-viral gene delivery systems shows further progress towards improving the safety of gene therapy and implementing neuroprotection by targeting specific tissues and cells in the eye and specifically in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Hakim
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Benjamin Guido
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Lokesh Narsineni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Ding-Wen Chen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Marianna Foldvari
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1; Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology and Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
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Hosseinkhani H, Domb AJ, Sharifzadeh G, Nahum V. Gene Therapy for Regenerative Medicine. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:856. [PMID: 36986717 PMCID: PMC10057434 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of biological methods over the past decade has stimulated great interest in the possibility to regenerate human tissues. Advances in stem cell research, gene therapy, and tissue engineering have accelerated the technology in tissue and organ regeneration. However, despite significant progress in this area, there are still several technical issues that must be addressed, especially in the clinical use of gene therapy. The aims of gene therapy include utilising cells to produce a suitable protein, silencing over-producing proteins, and genetically modifying and repairing cell functions that may affect disease conditions. While most current gene therapy clinical trials are based on cell- and viral-mediated approaches, non-viral gene transfection agents are emerging as potentially safe and effective in the treatment of a wide variety of genetic and acquired diseases. Gene therapy based on viral vectors may induce pathogenicity and immunogenicity. Therefore, significant efforts are being invested in non-viral vectors to enhance their efficiency to a level comparable to the viral vector. Non-viral technologies consist of plasmid-based expression systems containing a gene encoding, a therapeutic protein, and synthetic gene delivery systems. One possible approach to enhance non-viral vector ability or to be an alternative to viral vectors would be to use tissue engineering technology for regenerative medicine therapy. This review provides a critical view of gene therapy with a major focus on the development of regenerative medicine technologies to control the in vivo location and function of administered genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Hosseinkhani
- Innovation Center for Advanced Technology, Matrix, Inc., New York, NY 10019, USA
| | - Abraham J. Domb
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Alex Grass Center for Drug Design and Synthesis and Cannabinoids Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ghorbanali Sharifzadeh
- Department of Polymer Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Victoria Nahum
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Alex Grass Center for Drug Design and Synthesis and Cannabinoids Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Host Cell Restriction Factors Blocking Efficient Vector Transduction: Challenges in Lentiviral and Adeno-Associated Vector Based Gene Therapies. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050732. [PMID: 36899868 PMCID: PMC10001033 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050732] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy relies on the delivery of genetic material to the patient's cells in order to provide a therapeutic treatment. Two of the currently most used and efficient delivery systems are the lentiviral (LV) and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Gene therapy vectors must successfully attach, enter uncoated, and escape host restriction factors (RFs), before reaching the nucleus and effectively deliver the therapeutic genetic instructions to the cell. Some of these RFs are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, while others are cell-specific, and others still are expressed only upon induction by danger signals as type I interferons. Cell restriction factors have evolved to protect the organism against infectious diseases and tissue damage. These restriction factors can be intrinsic, directly acting on the vector, or related with the innate immune response system, acting indirectly through the induction of interferons, but both are intertwined. The innate immunity is the first line of defense against pathogens and, as such cells derived from myeloid progenitors (but not only), are well equipped with RFs to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In addition, some non-professional cells, such as epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, play major roles in pathogen recognition. Unsurprisingly, foreign DNA and RNA molecules are among the most detected PAMPs. Here, we review and discuss identified RFs that block LV and AAV vector transduction, hindering their therapeutic efficacy.
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Shi Q, Wu Y, Xu Y, Bao M, Chen X, Huang K, Yang Q, Yang Y. Virus Mimetic Framework DNA as a Non-LNP Gene Carrier for Modulated Cell Endocytosis and Apoptosis. ACS NANO 2023; 17:2460-2471. [PMID: 36693051 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c09772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mimicking the size and shape of spherical viruses, we constructed a soccer-ball shaped virus-inspired DNA origami (ViDO) framework as a programmable non-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) gene carrier. The DNA framework was decorated with precisely controlled recognition molecules outside and loaded with adequate genetic molecules inside. Five variants were constructed to systematically investigate their cell uptake and modulated gene silencing efficiency. Cellular uptake was enhanced with an increasing number of aptamers, while with a median number of aptamer supply, dispersed distribution performed better than the clustered pattern. Intriguingly, the transfection efficiency was maximized using the ViDO with clustered five aptamers, which exhibited a competitive RNA silencing effect induced by Lipo2000 with low cytotoxicity. Our results revealed the effects of aptamer distribution patterns on endocytosis and transfection, thus providing a programmable platform for meticulous optimization of the gene delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Shi
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yunyun Xu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Min Bao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Kui Huang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Qiulan Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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Yang W, Mixich L, Boonstra E, Cabral H. Polymer-Based mRNA Delivery Strategies for Advanced Therapies. Adv Healthc Mater 2023:e2202688. [PMID: 36785927 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapies offer great promise for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In 2020, two FDA approvals of mRNA-based vaccines have elevated mRNA vaccines to global recognition. However, the therapeutic capabilities of mRNA extend far beyond vaccines against infectious diseases. They hold potential for cancer vaccines, protein replacement therapies, gene editing therapies, and immunotherapies. For realizing such advanced therapies, it is crucial to develop effective carrier systems. Recent advances in materials science have led to the development of promising nonviral mRNA delivery systems. In comparison to other carriers like lipid nanoparticles, polymer-based delivery systems often receive less attention, despite their unique ability to carefully tune their chemical features to promote mRNA protection, their favorable pharmacokinetics, and their potential for targeting delivery. In this review, the central features of polymer-based systems for mRNA delivery highlighting the molecular design criteria, stability, and biodistribution are discussed. Finally, the role of targeting ligands for the future of RNA therapies is analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Lucas Mixich
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Eger Boonstra
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
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Müller P, Lerche H. [Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: Clinical Studies are on the Road]. FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2023; 91:135-140. [PMID: 36716773 DOI: 10.1055/a-1995-5405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
For more than 10 years, research has been conducted on gene therapies for the most severe forms of epilepsy, which until now have proven resistant to treatment. First gene therapies are now in clinical trials for pharmacoresistant focal epilepsies and Dravet syndrome. In this article, we describe how these and many more gene therapies work and what they target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Müller
- Abteilung Neurologie mit Schwerpunkt Epileptologie, Hertie Institute für klinische Hirnforschung, Universität Tübingen
| | - Holger Lerche
- Abteilung Neurologie mit Schwerpunkt Epileptologie, Hertie Institute für klinische Hirnforschung, Universität Tübingen
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Zhu L, Luo J, Ren K. Nucleic acid-based artificial nanocarriers for gene therapy. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:261-279. [PMID: 36524395 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01179d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid nanotechnology is a powerful tool in the fields of biosensing and nanomedicine owing to their high editability and easy synthesis and modification. Artificial nucleic acid nanostructures have become an emerging research hotspot as gene carriers with low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity for therapeutic approaches. In this review, recent progress in the design and functional mechanisms of nucleic acid-based artificial nano-vectors especially for exogenous siRNA and antisense oligonucleotide delivery is summarized. Different types of DNA nanocarriers, including DNA junctions, tetrahedrons, origami, hydrogels and scaffolds, are introduced. The enhanced targeting strategies to improve the delivery efficacy are demonstrated. Furthermore, RNA based gene nanocarrier systems by self-assembly of short strands, rolling circle transcription, chemical crosslinking and using RNA motifs and DNA-RNA hybrids are demonstrated. Finally, the outlook and potential challenges are highlighted. The nucleic acid-based artificial nanocarriers offer a promising and precise tool for gene delivery and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyi Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
| | - Jun Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
| | - Kewei Ren
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
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Weeraman D, Jones DA, Hussain M, Beirne AM, Hadyanto S, Rathod KS, Whiteford JR, Reid AE, Bourantas CV, Ylä-Herttuala S, Baumbach A, Gersh BJ, Henry TD, Mathur A. Proangiogenic Growth Factor Therapy for the Treatment of Refractory Angina: A Meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ANGIOGRAPHY & INTERVENTIONS 2023; 2:100527. [PMID: 39132540 PMCID: PMC11307391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jscai.2022.100527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Background Refractory angina (RFA; limiting angina despite optimal medical therapy) is a growing, global problem, with limited treatment options. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of proangiogenic growth factor therapy (in the form of vascular growth factors delivered either as recombinant proteins or gene therapy) in patients with RFA ineligible for revascularization. Methods We performed a meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42018107283) of RCTs as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology. A comprehensive search of the PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar databases, as well as scientific session abstracts, were performed. The pooled outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACE), mortality, myocardial perfusion, and indices of angina severity (Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class [CCS] and exercise tolerance). A prespecified subgroup analysis was performed for delivery method, vector, and protein type. The standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio (OR) was calculated to assess relevant outcomes. We assessed heterogeneity using the χ2 and I2 tests. Results We included 16 RCTs involving 1607 patients (1052 received proangiogenic growth factor therapy and 555 received a placebo or optimal medical therapy). Our analysis showed a significant decreased risk of MACE (OR, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.93) and significantly improved CCS class (SMD, -0.55; 95% CI, -1.10 to 0.00), but not mortality (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.28-1.54) or exercise tolerance (SMD, 0.47; 95% CI, -0.14 to 1.09), in treated patients compared to those in the control group. Conclusions Proangiogenic growth factor therapy is a promising treatment option for RFA, with beneficial effects seen on MACE and CCS class. The results of ongoing trials are needed before it can be considered for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deshan Weeraman
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel A. Jones
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohsin Hussain
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Marie Beirne
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Hadyanto
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krishnaraj S. Rathod
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - James R. Whiteford
- Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London Medical School, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice E. Reid
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christos V. Bourantas
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andreas Baumbach
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard J. Gersh
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Timothy D. Henry
- The Carl and Edyth Lindner Center for Research and Education at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Anthony Mathur
- Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Barts Heart Centre & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Barts Heart Centre, Barts Health National Health Service Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Wang J, Griffiths E, Tounekti O, Nemec M, Deneault E, Lavoie JR, Ridgway A. Canadian Regulatory Framework and Regulatory Requirements for Cell and Gene Therapy Products. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1430:91-116. [PMID: 37526844 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34567-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Health Canada regulates gene therapy products and many cell therapy products as biological drugs under the Canadian Food and Drugs Act and its attendant regulations. Cellular products that meet certain criteria, including minimal manipulation and homologous use, may be subjected to a standards-based approach under the Safety of Human Cells, Tissues and Organs for Transplantation Regulations. The manufacture and clinical testing of cell and gene therapy products (CGTP) presents many challenges beyond those for protein biologics. Cells cannot be subjected to pathogen removal or inactivation procedures and must frequently be administered shortly after final formulation. Viral vector design and manufacturing control are critically important to overall product quality and linked to safety and efficacy in patients through concerns such as replication competence, vector integration, and vector shedding. In addition, for many CGTP, the value of nonclinical studies is largely limited to providing proof of concept, and the first meaningful data relating to appropriate dosing, safety parameters, and validity of surrogate or true determinants of efficacy must come from carefully designed clinical trials in patients. Addressing these numerous challenges requires application of various risk mitigation strategies and meeting regulatory expectations specifically adapted to the product types. Regulatory cooperation and harmonization at an international level are essential for progress in the development and commercialization of these products. However, particularly in the area of cell therapy, new regulatory paradigms may be needed to harness the benefits of clinical progress in situations where the resources and motivation to pursue a typical drug product approval pathway may be lacking. This chapter is dedicated to provide an overview of Health Canada regulatory oversight of CGTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Clinical Evaluation Division - Oncology/Radiopharmaceuticals, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Emily Griffiths
- Centre for Policy, Pediatrics and International Collaboration, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Omar Tounekti
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Nemec
- Cells, Gene Therapies and Radiopharmaceuticals Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Deneault
- Regulatory Research Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jessie R Lavoie
- Regulatory Research Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony Ridgway
- Emeritus Scientist, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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50
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Ramamurthy RM, Rodriguez M, Ainsworth HC, Shields J, Meares D, Bishop C, Farland A, Langefeld CD, Atala A, Doering CB, Spencer HT, Porada CD, Almeida-Porada G. Comparison of different gene addition strategies to modify placental derived-mesenchymal stromal cells to produce FVIII. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954984. [PMID: 36591257 PMCID: PMC9800010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Placenta-derived mesenchymal cells (PLCs) endogenously produce FVIII, which makes them ideally suited for cell-based fVIII gene delivery. We have previously reported that human PLCs can be efficiently modified with a lentiviral vector encoding a bioengineered, expression/secretion-optimized fVIII transgene (ET3) and durably produce clinically relevant levels of functionally active FVIII. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to achieve location-specific insertion of a fVIII transgene into a genomic safe harbor, thereby eliminating the potential risks arising from the semi-random genomic integration inherent to lentiviral vectors. We hypothesized this approach would improve the safety of the PLC-based gene delivery platform and might also enhance the therapeutic effect by eliminating chromatin-related transgene silencing. Methods We used CRISPR/Cas9 to attempt to insert the bioengineered fVIII transgene "lcoET3" into the AAVS1 site of PLCs (CRISPR-lcoET3) and determined their subsequent levels of FVIII production, comparing results with this approach to those achieved using lentivector transduction (LV-lcoET3) and plasmid transfection (Plasmid-lcoET3). In addition, since liver-derived sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the native site of FVIII production in the body, we also performed parallel studies in human (h)LSECs). Results PLCs and hLSECs can both be transduced (LV-lcoET3) with very high efficiency and produce high levels of biologically active FVIII. Surprisingly, both cell types were largely refractory to CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockin of the lcoET3 fVIII transgene in the AAVS1 genome locus. However, successful insertion of an RFP reporter into this locus using an identical procedure suggests the failure to achieve knockin of the lcoET3 expression cassette at this site is likely a function of its large size. Importantly, using plasmids, alone or to introduce the CRISPR/Cas9 "machinery", resulted in dramatic upregulation of TLR 3, TLR 7, and BiP in PLCs, compromising their unique immune-inertness. Discussion Although we did not achieve our primary objective, our results validate the utility of both PLCs and hLSECs as cell-based delivery vehicles for a fVIII transgene, and they highlight the hurdles that remain to be overcome before primary human cells can be gene-edited with sufficient efficiency for use in cell-based gene therapy to treat HA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu M. Ramamurthy
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Martin Rodriguez
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Hannah C. Ainsworth
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Sciences Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jordan Shields
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Diane Meares
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Colin Bishop
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Andrew Farland
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Carl D. Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Sciences Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Anthony Atala
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christopher B. Doering
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - H. Trent Spencer
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Christopher D. Porada
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
| | - Graça Almeida-Porada
- Fetal Research and Therapy Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, United States
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