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Chambers CZ, Soo GL, Engel AL, Glass IA, Frassetto A, Martini PGV, Cherry TJ. Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of mRNA Into the Mouse and Human Retina and Other Ocular Tissues. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:7. [PMID: 38980261 PMCID: PMC11235142 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.7.7] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) show promise in their ability to introduce mRNA to drive protein expression in specific cell types of the mammalian eye. Here, we examined the ability of mRNA encapsulated in LNPs with two distinct formulations to drive gene expression in mouse and human retina and other ocular tissues. Methods We introduced mRNA-carrying LNPs into two biological systems. Intravitreal injections were tested to deliver LNPs into the mouse eye. Human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal explants were used to assess mRNA expression in human tissue. We analyzed specificity of expression using histology, immunofluorescence, and imaging. Results In mice, mRNAs encoding GFP and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were specifically expressed by Müller glia and RPE. Acute inflammatory changes measured by microglia distribution (Iba-1) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were not observed 6 hours post-injection. Human RPE also expressed high levels of GFP. Human retinal explants expressed GFP in cells with apical and basal processes consistent with Müller glia and in perivascular cells consistent with macrophages. Conclusions We demonstrated the ability to reliably transfect subpopulations of retinal cells in mouse eye tissues in vivo and in human ocular tissues. Of significance, intravitreal injections were sufficient to transfect the RPE in mice. To our knowledge, we demonstrate delivery of mRNA using LNPs in human ocular tissues for the first time. Translational Relevance Ocular gene-replacement therapies using non-viral vector methods are a promising alternative to adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Our studies show that mRNA LNP delivery can be used to transfect retinal cells in both mouse and human tissues without inducing significant inflammation. This methodology could be used to transfect retinal cell lines, tissue explants, mice, or potentially as gene-replacement therapy in a clinical setting in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri Z. Chambers
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gillian L. Soo
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Abbi L. Engel
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ian A. Glass
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - the Birth Defects Research Laboratory (BDRL)
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Timothy J. Cherry
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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2
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Antas P, Carvalho C, Cabral-Teixeira J, de Lemos L, Seabra MC. Toward low-cost gene therapy: mRNA-based therapeutics for treatment of inherited retinal diseases. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:136-146. [PMID: 38044158 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) stem from genetic mutations that result in vision impairment. Gene therapy shows promising therapeutic potential, exemplified by the encouraging initial results with voretigene neparvovec. Nevertheless, the associated costs impede widespread access, particularly in low-to-middle income countries. The primary challenge remains: how can we make these therapies globally affordable? Leveraging advancements in mRNA therapies might offer a more economically viable alternative. Furthermore, transitioning to nonviral delivery systems could provide a dual benefit of reduced costs and increased scalability. Relevant stakeholders must collaboratively devise and implement a research agenda to realize the potential of mRNA strategies in equitable access to treatments to prevent vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Antas
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal; iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cláudia Carvalho
- iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Luísa de Lemos
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel C Seabra
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal; iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.
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3
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Chambers CZ, Soo GL, Engel AL, Glass IA, Frassetto A, Martini PGV, Cherry TJ. Lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of mRNA into the mouse and human retina and other ocular tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.13.548758. [PMID: 37502987 PMCID: PMC10369938 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.13.548758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) show promise in their ability to introduce mRNA to drive protein expression in specific cell types of the mammalian eye. Here, we examined the ability of mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) with two distinct formulations to drive gene expression in mouse and human retina and other ocular tissues. Methods We introduced mRNA carrying LNPs into two biological systems. Intravitreal injections were tested to deliver LNPs into the mouse eye. Human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal explants were used to assess mRNA expression in human tissue. We analyzed specificity of expression using histology, immunofluorescence, and imaging. Results In mice, mRNAs encoding GFP and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were specifically expressed by Müller glia and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Acute inflammatory changes measured by microglia distribution (Iba-1) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were not observed 6 hours post-injection. Human RPE also expressed high levels of GFP. Human retinal explants expressed GFP in cells with apical and basal processes consistent with Müller glia and in perivascular cells consistent with macrophages. Conclusions We demonstrated the ability to reliably transfect subpopulations of retinal cells in mice eye tissues in vivo and in human ocular tissues. Of significance, intravitreal injections were sufficient to transfect the RPE in mice. To our knowledge we demonstrate delivery of mRNA using LNPs in human ocular tissues for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheri Z Chambers
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gillian L Soo
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Abbi L Engel
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ian A Glass
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Timothy J Cherry
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Khalil AS, Hellenbrand D, Reichl K, Umhoefer J, Filipp M, Choe J, Hanna A, Murphy WL. A Localized Materials-Based Strategy to Non-Virally Deliver Chondroitinase ABC mRNA Improves Hindlimb Function in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200206. [PMID: 35882512 PMCID: PMC10031873 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury often results in devastating consequences for those afflicted, with very few therapeutic options. A central element of spinal cord injuries is astrogliosis, which forms a glial scar that inhibits neuronal regeneration post-injury. Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) is an enzyme capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), the predominant extracellular matrix component of the glial scar. However, poor protein stability remains a challenge in its therapeutic use. Messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery is an emerging gene therapy technology for in vivo production of difficult-to-produce therapeutic proteins. Here, mineral-coated microparticles as an efficient, non-viral mRNA delivery vehicles to produce exogenous ChABC in situ within a spinal cord lesion are used. ChABC production reduces the deposition of CSPGs in an in vitro model of astrogliosis, and direct injection of these microparticles within a glial scar forces local overexpression of ChABC and improves recovery of motor function seven weeks post-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Khalil
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Present address:
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchCambridgeMA02142USA
- Present address:
The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringBostonMA02115USA
| | - Daniel Hellenbrand
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI53705USA
| | - Kaitlyn Reichl
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Present address:
Virginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineRichmondVA23298USA
| | - Jennifer Umhoefer
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Present address:
Biomedical Sciences ProgramUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCA94143USA
| | - Mallory Filipp
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI53705USA
- Present address:
Driskill Graduate ProgramNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Joshua Choe
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Medical Scientist Training ProgramUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI53705USA
| | - Amgad Hanna
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWI53705USA
| | - William L. Murphy
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Department of Orthopedics and RehabilitationUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
- Forward BIO InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
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Molins B, Mesquida M, Adan A. Bioengineering approaches for modelling retinal pathologies of the outer blood-retinal barrier. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101097. [PMID: 35840488 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the junctional complex of the outer blood-retinal barrier (oBRB), which is integrated by the close interaction of the retinal pigment epithelium, the Bruch's membrane, and the choriocapillaris, contribute to the loss of neuronal signalling and subsequent vision impairment in several retinal inflammatory disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Reductionist approaches into the mechanisms that underlie such diseases have been hindered by the absence of adequate in vitro models using human cells to provide the 3D dynamic architecture that enables expression of the in vivo phenotype of the oBRB. Conventional in vitro cell models are based on 2D monolayer cellular cultures, unable to properly recapitulate the complexity of living systems. The main drawbacks of conventional oBRB models also emerge from the cell sourcing, the lack of an appropriate Bruch's membrane analogue, and the lack of choroidal microvasculature with flow. In the last years, the advent of organ-on-a-chip, bioengineering, and stem cell technologies is providing more advanced 3D models with flow, multicellularity, and external control over microenvironmental properties. By incorporating additional biological complexity, organ-on-a-chip devices can mirror physiologically relevant properties of the native tissue while offering additional set ups to model and study disease. In this review we first examine the current understanding of oBRB biology as a functional unit, highlighting the coordinated contribution of the different components to barrier function in health and disease. Then we describe recent advances in the use of pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal cells, Bruch's membrane analogues, and co-culture techniques to recapitulate the oBRB. We finally discuss current advances and challenges of oBRB-on-a-chip technologies for disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Molins
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marina Mesquida
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alfredo Adan
- Group of Ocular Inflammation: Clinical and Experimental Studies, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Agustí Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Clínic de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, C/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Chen YJ, Chang R, Fan YJ, Yang KC, Wang PY, Tseng CL. Binary Colloidal Crystals (BCCs) Modulate the Retina-related Gene Expression of hBMSCs – A Preliminary Study. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 218:112717. [PMID: 35961109 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Surface topography-induced lineage commitment of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) has been reported. However, this effect on hBMSC differentiation toward retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-like cells has not been explored. Herein, a family of cell culture substrates called binary colloidal crystals (BCCs) was used to stimulate hBMSCs into RPE-like cells without induction factors. Two BCCs, named SiPS (silica (Si)/polystyrene (PS)) and SiPSC (Si/carboxylated PS), having similar surface topographies but different surface chemistry was used for cell culture. The result showed that cell proliferation was no difference between the two BCCs and tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) control. However, the cell attachment, spreading area, and aspect ratio between surfaces were significantly changed. For example, cells displayed more elongated on SiPS (aspect ratio ~7.0) than those on SiPSC and TCPS (~2.0). The size of focal adhesions on SiPSC (~1.6 µm2) was smaller than that on the TCPS (~2.5 µm2). qPCR results showed that hBMSCs expressed higher RPE progenitor genes (i.e., MITF and PAX6) on day 15, and mature RPE genes (i.e., CRALBP and RPE65) on day 30 on SiPS than TCPS. On the other hand, the expression of optical vesicle or neuroretina genes (i.e., MITF and VSX2) was upregulated on day 15 on SiPSC compared to the TCPS. This study reveals that hBMSCs could be modulated into different cell subtypes depending on the BCC combinations. This study shows the potential of BCCs in controlling stem cell differentiation.
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Random Copolymers of Lysine and Isoleucine for Efficient mRNA Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105363. [PMID: 35628177 PMCID: PMC9140483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is currently of great interest as a new category of therapeutic agent, which could be used for prevention or treatment of various diseases. For this mRNA requires effective delivery systems that will protect it from degradation, as well as allow cellular uptake and mRNA release. Random poly(lysine-co-isoleucine) polypeptides were synthesized and investigated as possible carriers for mRNA delivery. The polypeptides obtained under lysine:isoleucine monomer ratio equal to 80/20 were shown to give polyplexes with smaller size, positive ζ-potential and more than 90% encapsulation efficacy. The phase inversion method was proposed as best way for encapsulation of mRNA into polyplexes, which are based on obtained amphiphilic copolymers. These copolymers showed efficacy in protection of bound mRNA towards ribonuclease and lower toxicity as compared to lysine homopolymer. The poly(lysine-co-isoleucine) polypeptides showed greater than poly(ethyleneimine) efficacy as vectors for transfection of cells with green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase encoding mRNAs. This allows us to consider obtained copolymers as promising candidates for mRNA delivery applications.
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Woogeng IN, Kaczkowski B, Abugessaisa I, Hu H, Tachibana A, Sahara Y, Hon CC, Hasegawa A, Sakai N, Nishida M, Sanyal H, Sho J, Kajita K, Kasukawa T, Takasato M, Carninci P, Maeda A, Mandai M, Arner E, Takahashi M, Kime C. Inducing human retinal pigment epithelium-like cells from somatic tissue. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:289-306. [PMID: 35030321 PMCID: PMC8828536 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine relies on basic research outcomes that are only practical when cost effective. The human eyeball requires the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to interface the neural retina and the choroid at large. Millions of people suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a blinding multifactor genetic disease among RPE degradation pathologies. Recently, autologous pluripotent stem-cell-derived RPE cells were prohibitively expensive due to time; therefore, we developed a faster reprogramming system. We stably induced RPE-like cells (iRPE) from human fibroblasts (Fibs) by conditional overexpression of both broad plasticity and lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs). iRPE cells displayed critical RPE benchmarks and significant in vivo integration in transplanted retinas. Herein, we detail the iRPE system with comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiling to interpret and characterize its best cells. We anticipate that our system may enable robust retinal cell induction for basic research and affordable autologous human RPE tissue for regenerative cell therapy. Human Fibs reprogrammed to stable RPE-like cells Reprogramming factors selected for pioneering, plasticity, lineage, and target cell Nicotinamide (NIC) and Chetomin (CTM) improved the reprogramming outcomes scRNA-seq analysis identifies high-quality subpopulation resembling model cells
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Imad Abugessaisa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Haiming Hu
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | | | - Yoshiki Sahara
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and Development, Department of Animal Development and Physiology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Renal and Cardiovascular Research, New Drug Research Division, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokushima 771-0192, Japan
| | - Chung-Chau Hon
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Akira Hasegawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Noriko Sakai
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | | | - Hashimita Sanyal
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Junki Sho
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kajita
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Takeya Kasukawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Minoru Takasato
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and Development, Department of Animal Development and Physiology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Human Technopole, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 1, Milan, Italy
| | - Akiko Maeda
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Michiko Mandai
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Erik Arner
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masayo Takahashi
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Cody Kime
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
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Alambiaga-Caravaca AM, Domenech-Monsell IM, Sebastián-Morelló M, Calatayud-Pascual MA, Merino V, Rodilla V, López-Castellano A. Development, characterization, and ex vivo evaluation of an insert for the ocular administration of progesterone. Int J Pharm 2021; 606:120921. [PMID: 34303817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone (PG) affords neuroprotection in degenerative diseases associated to oxidative stress, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. The aim of this project was to develop ocular inserts for delivery of PG to the eye. Different inserts with PG in its composition were formulated and the insert with the best characteristics (59% polyvinyl alcohol, 39% polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 and 2% propylene glycol) was selected for ex vivo studies. Physical characteristics and drug release patterns of the insert were analysed. In vitro diffusion studies revealed a controlled diffusion of progesterone. Ex vivo experiments demonstrated similar trans-corneal and trans-scleral PG diffusion (corneal apparent permeability coefficient 6.46 ± 0.38 × 10-7 cm/s and scleral apparent permeability coefficient 5.87 ± 1.18 × 10-7 cm/s; mean ± SD; n = 5). However, the amount of PG accumulated in scleras was statistically higher than in corneas (30.07 ± 9.09 μg/cm2 and 15.56 ± 4.36 μg/cm2 respectively). The PG-loaded inserts (55.6 μg/cm2) were thin, translucent, showed no irritancy (HET-CAM test) and were elastic and robust, all suitable properties for its potential use in the treatment of several ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián M Alambiaga-Caravaca
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - Iris M Domenech-Monsell
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Sebastián-Morelló
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Aracely Calatayud-Pascual
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - Virginia Merino
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy. Institute of Molecular Recognition and Technological Development, Polytechnic University of Valencia, University of València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicent Rodilla
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Alicia López-Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, C/Santiago Ramón y Cajal, s/n., Alfara del Patriarca 46115, Valencia, Spain.
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10
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Paiva MRBD, Vasconcelos-Santos DVD, Coelho MM, Machado RR, Lopes NP, Silva-Cunha A, Fialho SL. Licarin A as a Novel Drug for Inflammatory Eye Diseases. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2021; 37:290-300. [PMID: 33761287 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2020.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of licarin A (LCA) in the treatment of intraocular inflammation. Methods: In vitro safety of LCA in retinal pigmented epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and human embryonic stem cell derived-retinal pigmented epithelial cells (hES-RPE) was evaluated using CellTiter-Blue® kit. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to investigate LCA safety and antiangiogenic activity. In vivo safety of intravitreal LCA was accomplished by clinical examination (including assessment of intraocular pressure), electroretinography (ERG), and histopathology. Uveitis was induced in rats by subcutaneous and intravitreal injection of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) antigen of Mycobacterium bovis. Intraocular inflammation was graded by slit-lamp and fundus examination, ERG, and histopathology. Results: LCA was safe to cells and to the CAM at concentration below 12.0 μM. LCA significantly reduced the percentage of blood vessels in the CAM. Retinal safety and anti-inflammatory efficacy of intravitreal injection of LCA 6.0 μM were confirmed through clinical, functional, and histopathological evaluation. Significant reduction of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) was also found, when compared to untreated animals. Conclusion: The results suggest that LCA is a potential new drug for the treatment of inflammatory eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Márcio Matos Coelho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- NPPNS, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Armando Silva-Cunha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Silvia Ligório Fialho
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Oliveira CR, Paiva MRBD, Ribeiro MCS, Andrade GF, Carvalho JL, Gomes DA, Nehemy M, Fialho SL, Silva-Cunha A, Góes AMD. Human Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells as a Model for Drug Screening and Pre-Clinical Assays Compared to ARPE-19 Cell Line. Int J Stem Cells 2021; 14:74-84. [PMID: 33377455 PMCID: PMC7904525 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc20094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Eye diseases have a high socioeconomic impact on society and may be one of the fields in which most stem cell-related scientific accomplishments have been achieved recently. In this context, human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) technology arises as an important tool to produce and study human Embryonic Stem cell derived-Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells (hES-RPE) for several applications, such as cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening. The use of this technology in pre-clinical phases attends to the overall population desire for animal-free product development. Here, we aimed to compare hES-RPE cells with ARPE-19, one of the most commonly used retinal pigmented epithelial immortalized cell lines. Methods and Results Functional, cellular and molecular data obtained suggest that hES-RPE cells more closely resembles native RPEs compared to ARPE-19. Furthermore, hES-RPE revealed an interesting robustness when cultured on human Bruch’s membrane explants and after exposure to Cyclosporine (CSA), Sirolimus (SRL), Tacrolimus (TAC), Leflunomide (LEF) and Teriflunomide (TER). On these conditions, hES-RPE cells were able to survive at higher drug concentrations, while ARPE-19 cell line was more susceptible to cell death. Conclusions Therefore, hES-RPEs seem to have the ability to incur a broader range of RPE functions than ARPE-19 and should be more thoroughly explored for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Reis Oliveira
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gracielle Ferreira Andrade
- SENAN, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN/CNEN, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Department of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Dawidson Assis Gomes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Nehemy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Ligório Fialho
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Armando Silva-Cunha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alfredo Miranda de Góes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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12
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Azimi SM, Sheridan SD, Ghannad-Rezaie M, Eimon PM, Yanik MF. Combinatorial programming of human neuronal progenitors using magnetically-guided stoichiometric mRNA delivery. eLife 2018; 7:31922. [PMID: 29714688 PMCID: PMC5959718 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of optimal transcription factor expression patterns to direct cellular differentiation along a desired pathway presents significant challenges. We demonstrate massively combinatorial screening of temporally-varying mRNA transcription factors to direct differentiation of neural progenitor cells using a dynamically-reconfigurable magnetically-guided spotting technology for localizing mRNA, enabling experiments on millimetre size spots. In addition, we present a time-interleaved delivery method that dramatically reduces fluctuations in the delivered transcription factor copy numbers per cell. We screened combinatorial and temporal delivery of a pool of midbrain-specific transcription factors to augment the generation of dopaminergic neurons. We show that the combinatorial delivery of LMX1A, FOXA2 and PITX3 is highly effective in generating dopaminergic neurons from midbrain progenitors. We show that LMX1A significantly increases TH-expression levels when delivered to neural progenitor cells either during proliferation or after induction of neural differentiation, while FOXA2 and PITX3 increase expression only when delivered prior to induction, demonstrating temporal dependence of factor addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayyed M Azimi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Mostafa Ghannad-Rezaie
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Swiss federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter M Eimon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Mehmet Fatih Yanik
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Swiss federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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Santos-Carballal B, Fernández Fernández E, Goycoolea FM. Chitosan in Non-Viral Gene Delivery: Role of Structure, Characterization Methods, and Insights in Cancer and Rare Diseases Therapies. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E444. [PMID: 30966479 PMCID: PMC6415274 DOI: 10.3390/polym10040444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-viral gene delivery vectors have lagged far behind viral ones in the current pipeline of clinical trials of gene therapy nanomedicines. Even when non-viral nanovectors pose less safety risks than do viruses, their efficacy is much lower. Since the early studies to deliver pDNA, chitosan has been regarded as a highly attractive biopolymer to deliver nucleic acids intracellularly and induce a transgenic response resulting in either upregulation of protein expression (for pDNA, mRNA) or its downregulation (for siRNA or microRNA). This is explained as the consequence of a multi-step process involving condensation of nucleic acids, protection against degradation, stabilization in physiological conditions, cellular internalization, release from the endolysosome ("proton sponge" effect), unpacking and enabling the trafficking of pDNA to the nucleus or the siRNA to the RNA interference silencing complex (RISC). Given the multiple steps and complexity involved in the gene transfection process, there is a dearth of understanding of the role of chitosan's structural features (Mw and degree of acetylation, DA%) on each step that dictates the net transfection efficiency and its kinetics. The use of fully characterized chitosan samples along with the utilization of complementary biophysical and biological techniques is key to bridging this gap of knowledge and identifying the optimal chitosans for delivering a specific gene. Other aspects such as cell type and administration route are also at play. At the same time, the role of chitosan structural features on the morphology, size and surface composition of synthetic virus-like particles has barely been addressed. The ongoing revolution brought about by the recent discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 technology will undoubtedly be a game changer in this field in the short term. In the field of rare diseases, gene therapy is perhaps where the greatest potential lies and we anticipate that chitosans will be key players in the translation of research to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Fernández Fernández
- Lung Biology Group, Department Clinical Microbiology, RCSI, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
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14
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Satyal U, Draghici B, Dragic LL, Zhang Q, Norris KW, Madesh M, Brailoiu E, Ilies MA. Interfacially Engineered Pyridinium Pseudogemini Surfactants as Versatile and Efficient Supramolecular Delivery Systems for DNA, siRNA, and mRNA. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:29481-29495. [PMID: 28809098 PMCID: PMC7774514 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b07066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the synthesis, self-assembly, and biological activity as transfection agents for pDNA, siRNA, and mRNA of novel pyridinium pseudogemini surfactants, interfacially engineered from the most efficient gemini surfactants and lipids generated in our amphiphile research program. Formulation of novel amphiphiles in water revealed supramolecular properties very similar to those of gemini surfactants, despite their lipidlike charge/mass ratio. This dual character was found also to enhance endosomal escape and significantly increase the transfection efficiency. We were also successful in identifying the parameters governing the efficient delivery of pDNA, siRNA, and mRNA, drawing valuable structure-activity and structure-property relationships for each nucleic acid type, and establishing DNA/siRNA/mRNA comparisons. Several supramolecular complexes identified in this study proved to be extremely efficient nucleic acid delivery systems, displaying excellent serum stability and tissue penetration in three-dimensional organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uttam Satyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Bogdan Draghici
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Lisa L. Dragic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Qiangnan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Kyle W. Norris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Muniswamy Madesh
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Center for Translational Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Eugen Brailoiu
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Marc A. Ilies
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Moulder Center of Drug Discovery Research, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
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15
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Kim SM, Lim MS, Lee EH, Jung SJ, Chung HY, Kim CH, Park CH. Efficient Generation of Dopamine Neurons by Synthetic Transcription Factor mRNAs. Mol Ther 2017; 25:2028-2037. [PMID: 28705346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of functional dopamine (DA) neurons is an essential step for the development of effective cell therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). The generation of DA neurons can be accomplished by overexpression of DA-inducible genes using virus- or DNA-based gene delivery methods. However, these gene delivery methods often cause chromosomal anomalies. In contrast, mRNA-based gene delivery avoids this problem and therefore is considered safe to use in the development of cell-based therapy. Thus, we used mRNA-based gene delivery method to generate safe DA neurons. In this study, we generated transformation-free DA neurons by transfection of mRNA encoding DA-inducible genes Nurr1 and FoxA2. The delivery of mRNA encoding dopaminergic fate inducing genes proved sufficient to induce naive rat forebrain precursor cells to differentiate into neurons exhibiting the biochemical, electrophysiological, and functional properties of DA neurons in vitro. Additionally, the generation efficiency of DA neurons was improved by the addition of small molecules, db-cAMP, and the adjustment of transfection timing. The successful generation of DA neurons using an mRNA-based method offers the possibility of developing clinical-grade cell sources for neuronal cell replacement treatment for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Mi Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Lim
- R&D Center, Jeil Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yongin 17172, Korea; Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 06360, Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Sung Jun Jung
- Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Hee Yong Chung
- Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea.
| | | | - Chang-Hwan Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea.
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16
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Lu S, Li J, Lui KO. Individual Variation in Conditional β Cell Ablation Mice Contributes Significant Biases in Evaluating β Cell Functional Recovery. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:242. [PMID: 28959236 PMCID: PMC5604075 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the βDTA (Ins2-rtTA; Tet-DTA) mice have been developed as a valuable tool to study β cell regeneration, their individual variation in therapeutic efficacy has not been characterized. Here, we demonstrated that the βDTA mice exhibited significant variations in both spontaneous and acquired β cell regeneration. We found that doxycycline (DOX)-induced β cell death was sufficient to cause polydipsia, translating even subtle difference in drinking habit into large variations in actual DOX intake among individuals within the same group. Accumulating evidence shows that transient expression of VEGFA enhances β cell functional recovery after injury. Therefore, we utilized the chemically modified mRNA (modRNA) technology to enable transient yet efficient VEGFA expression in the pancreas after DOX-induced β cell death. Surprisingly, under optimized DOX dose permissive of β cell regeneration, VEGFA modRNA only demonstrated marginal benefits on β cell functional recovery with large individual variations. We also revealed that the therapeutic efficacy of VEGFA modRNA on β cell regeneration was dependent on the degree of β cell loss induced by the accumulated DOX intake. Therefore, our results highlight a significant contribution of individual variation in the βDTA model and call for attention in evaluating potential efficacy of therapeutic agents in β cell regeneration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jiatao Li
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kathy O. Lui
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- *Correspondence: Kathy O. Lui,
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17
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Expression of the T85A mutant of zebrafish aquaporin 3b improves post-thaw survival of cryopreserved early mammalian embryos. ZYGOTE 2016; 24:839-847. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199416000174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SummaryWhile vitrification has become the method of choice for preservation of human oocytes and embryos, cryopreservation of complex tissues and of large yolk-containing cells, remains largely unsuccessful. One critical step in such instances is appropriate permeation while avoiding potentially toxic concentrations of cryoprotectants. Permeation of water and small non-charged solutes, such as those used as cryoprotectants, occurs largely through membrane channel proteins termed aquaporins (AQPs). Substitution of a Thr by an Ala residue in the pore-forming motif of the zebrafish (Dario rerio) Aqp3b paralog resulted in a mutant (DrAqp3b-T85A) that when expressed in Xenopus or porcine oocytes increased their permeability to ethylene glycol at pH 7.5 and 8.5. The main objective of this study was to test whether ectopic expression of DrAqp3b-T85A also conferred higher resistance to cryoinjury. For this, DrAqp3b-T85A + eGFP (reporter) cRNA, or eGFP cRNA alone, was microinjected into in vivo fertilized 1-cell mouse zygotes. Following culture to the 2-cell stage, appropriate membrane expression of DrAqp3b-T85A was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy using a primary specific antibody directed against the C-terminus of DrAqp3b. Microinjected 2-cell embryos were then cryopreserved using a fast-freezing rate and low concentration (1.5 M) of ethylene glycol in order to highlight any benefits from DrAqp3b-T85A expression. Notably, post-thaw survival rates were higher (P<0.05) for T85A–eGFP-injected than for -uninjected or eGFP-injected embryos (73±7.3 vs. 28±7.3 or 14±6.7, respectively). We propose that ectopic expression of mutant AQPs may provide an avenue to improve cryopreservation results of large cells and tissues in which current vitrification protocols yield low survival.
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18
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Ramanathan A, Robb GB, Chan SH. mRNA capping: biological functions and applications. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:7511-26. [PMID: 27317694 PMCID: PMC5027499 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 482] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5′ m7G cap is an evolutionarily conserved modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Decades of research have established that the m7G cap serves as a unique molecular module that recruits cellular proteins and mediates cap-related biological functions such as pre-mRNA processing, nuclear export and cap-dependent protein synthesis. Only recently has the role of the cap 2′O methylation as an identifier of self RNA in the innate immune system against foreign RNA has become clear. The discovery of the cytoplasmic capping machinery suggests a novel level of control network. These new findings underscore the importance of a proper cap structure in the synthesis of functional messenger RNA. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the biological roles of mRNA caps in eukaryotic cells. We will also discuss different means that viruses and their host cells use to cap their RNA and the application of these capping machineries to synthesize functional mRNA. Novel applications of RNA capping enzymes in the discovery of new RNA species and sequencing the microbiome transcriptome will also be discussed. We will end with a summary of novel findings in RNA capping and the questions these findings pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Ramanathan
- New England Biolabs, Inc. 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - G Brett Robb
- New England Biolabs, Inc. 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Siu-Hong Chan
- New England Biolabs, Inc. 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
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19
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Riera M, Fontrodona L, Albert S, Ramirez DM, Seriola A, Salas A, Muñoz Y, Ramos D, Villegas-Perez MP, Zapata MA, Raya A, Ruberte J, Veiga A, Garcia-Arumi J. Comparative study of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) as a treatment for retinal dystrophies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2016; 3:16010. [PMID: 27006969 PMCID: PMC4793806 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Retinal dystrophies (RD) are major causes of familial blindness and are characterized by progressive dysfunction of photoreceptor and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of two pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based therapies. We differentiated RPE from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and transplanted them into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. Once differentiated, cells from either source of PSC resembled mature RPE in their morphology and gene expression profile. Following transplantation, both hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells maintained the expression of specific RPE markers, lost their proliferative capacity, established tight junctions, and were able to perform phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. Remarkably, grafted areas showed increased numbers of photoreceptor nuclei and outer segment disk membranes. Regardless of the cell source, human transplants protected retina from cell apoptosis, glial stress and accumulation of autofluorescence, and responded better to light stimuli. Altogether, our results show that hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells survived, migrated, integrated, and functioned as RPE in the RCS rat retina, providing preclinical evidence that either PSC source could be of potential benefit for treating RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Riera
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Microcirurgia Ocular (IMO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Fontrodona
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Albert
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Mora Ramirez
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna Seriola
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Salas
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Muñoz
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Ramos
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Angel Zapata
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel Raya
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus Ruberte
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- CIISA, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Anatomy and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna Veiga
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Garcia-Arumi
- Ophthalmology Research, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Microcirurgia Ocular (IMO), Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Lu S, Chow CC, Zhou J, Leung PS, Tsui SK, Lui KO. Genetic Modification of Human Pancreatic Progenitor Cells Through Modified mRNA. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1428:307-17. [PMID: 27236809 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we describe a highly efficient genetic modification strategy for human pancreatic progenitor cells using modified mRNA-encoding GFP and Neurogenin-3. The properties of modified mRNA offer an invaluable platform to drive protein expression, which has broad applicability in pathway regulation, directed differentiation, and lineage specification. This approach can also be used to regulate expression of other pivotal transcription factors during pancreas development and might have potential therapeutic values in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Christie C Chow
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Junwei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Po Sing Leung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Stephen K Tsui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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21
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Enhancement of the in vivo persistence and antitumor efficacy of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells through the delivery of modified TERT mRNA. Cell Discov 2015; 1:15040. [PMID: 27462436 PMCID: PMC4860832 DOI: 10.1038/celldisc.2015.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating tumors, demonstrating its efficiency in eliminating several hematological malignancies in recent years. However, a major obstacle associated with current chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy is that the limited replicative lifespan of chimeric antigen receptor T cells prohibits the long-term persistence and expansion of these cells in vivo, potentially hindering the long-term therapeutic effects of chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy. Here we showed that the transient delivery of modified mRNA encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase to human chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting the CD19 antigen (CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells) would transiently elevate the telomerase activity in these cells, leading to increased proliferation and delayed replicative senescence without risk of insertion mutagenesis or immortalization. Importantly, compared to conventional CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells, after the transient delivery of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA, these CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells showed improved persistence and proliferation in mouse xenograft tumor models of human B-cell malignancies. Furthermore, the transfer of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells after the transient delivery of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA enhanced long-term antitumor effects in mouse xenograft tumor models compared with conventional CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell transfer. The results of the present study provide an effective and safe method to improve the therapeutic potential of chimeric antigen receptor T cells, which might be beneficial for treating other types of cancer, particularly solid tumors.
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