1
|
Krishnan MA, Alimi OA, Pan T, Kuss M, Korade Z, Hu G, Liu B, Duan B. Engineering Neurotoxin-Functionalized Exosomes for Targeted Delivery to the Peripheral Nervous System. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:102. [PMID: 38258111 PMCID: PMC10818718 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The administration of therapeutics to peripheral nerve tissue is challenging due to the complexities of peripheral neuroanatomy and the limitations imposed by the blood-nerve barrier (BNB). Therefore, there is a pressing need to enhance delivery effectiveness and implement targeted delivery methods. Recently, erythrocyte-derived exosomes (Exos) have gained widespread attention as biocompatible vehicles for therapeutics in clinical applications. However, engineering targeted Exos for the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is still challenging. This study aims to develop a targeted Exo delivery system specifically designed for presynaptic terminals of peripheral nerve tissue. The clostridium neurotoxin, tetanus toxin-C fragment (TTC), was tethered to the surface of red blood cell (RBC)-derived Exos via a facile and efficient bio-orthogonal click chemistry method without a catalyst. Additionally, Cyanine5 (Cy5), a reactive fluorescent tag, was also conjugated to track Exo movement in both in vitro and in vivo models. Subsequently, Neuro-2a, a mouse neuronal cell line, was treated with dye-labeled Exos with/without TTC in vitro, and the results indicated that TTC-Exos exhibited more efficient accumulation along the soma and axonal circumference, compared to their unmodified counterparts. Further investigation, using a mouse model, revealed that within 72 h of intramuscular administration, engineered TTC-Exos were successfully transported into the neuromuscular junction and sciatic nerve tissues. These results indicated that TTC played a crucial role in the Exo delivery system, improving the affinity to peripheral nerves. These promising results underscore the potential of using targeted Exo carriers to deliver therapeutics for treating peripheral neuropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mena Asha Krishnan
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Olawale A. Alimi
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tianshu Pan
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mitchell Kuss
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Zeljka Korade
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
- Child Health Research Institute, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Guoku Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Bo Liu
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Bin Duan
- Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (M.A.K.); (O.A.A.); (T.P.); (M.K.)
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kanao-Kanda M, Kanda H, Liu S, Roy S, Toborek M, Hao S. Viral Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase for Chronic Pain Treatment: A Literature Review. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:405-414. [PMID: 32041431 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is long-lasting nociceptive state, impairing the patient's quality of life. Existing analgesics are generally not effective in the treatment of chronic pain, some of which such as opioids have the risk of tolerance/dependence and overdose death with higher daily opioid doses for increasing analgesic effect. Opioid use disorders have already reached an epidemic level in the United States; therefore, nonopioid analgesic approach and/or use of nonpharmacologic interventions will be employed with increasing frequency. Viral vector-mediated gene therapy is promising in clinical trials in the nervous system diseases. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, a key enzyme in biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), plays an important role in analgesic mechanism. In the literature review, we used PubMed and bioRxiv to search the studies, and the eligible criteria include (1) article written in English, (2) use of viral vectors expressing GAD67 or GAD65, and (3) preclinical pain models. We identified 13 eligible original research articles, in which the pain models include nerve injury, HIV-related pain, painful diabetic neuropathy, and formalin test. GAD expressed by the viral vectors from all the reports produced antinociceptive effects. Restoring GABA systems is a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic pain, which provides evidence for the clinical trial of gene therapy for pain in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Kanao-Kanda
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Hirotsugu Kanda
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Shue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Michal Toborek
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shuanglin Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lopes CDF, Gonçalves NP, Gomes CP, Saraiva MJ, Pêgo AP. BDNF gene delivery mediated by neuron-targeted nanoparticles is neuroprotective in peripheral nerve injury. Biomaterials 2016; 121:83-96. [PMID: 28081461 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuron-targeted gene delivery is a promising strategy to treat peripheral neuropathies. Here we propose the use of polymeric nanoparticles based on thiolated trimethyl chitosan (TMCSH) to mediate targeted gene delivery to peripheral neurons upon a peripheral and minimally invasive intramuscular administration. Nanoparticles were grafted with the non-toxic carboxylic fragment of the tetanus neurotoxin (HC) to allow neuron targeting and were explored to deliver a plasmid DNA encoding for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a peripheral nerve injury model. The TMCSH-HC/BDNF nanoparticle treatment promoted the release and significant expression of BDNF in neural tissues, which resulted in an enhanced functional recovery after injury as compared to control treatments (vehicle and non-targeted nanoparticles), associated with an improvement in key pro-regenerative events, namely, the increased expression of neurofilament and growth-associated protein GAP-43 in the injured nerves. Moreover, the targeted nanoparticle treatment was correlated with a significantly higher density of myelinated axons in the distal stump of injured nerves, as well as with preservation of unmyelinated axon density as compared with controls and a protective role in injury-denervated muscles, preventing them from denervation. These results highlight the potential of TMCSH-HC nanoparticles as non-viral gene carriers to deliver therapeutic genes into the peripheral neurons and thus, pave the way for their use as an effective therapeutic intervention for peripheral neuropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cátia D F Lopes
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; FMUP - Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nádia P Gonçalves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla P Gomes
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Saraiva
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma F, Wang C, Yoder WE, Westlund KN, Carlson CR, Miller CS, Danaher RJ. Efficacy of Herpes Simplex Virus Vector Encoding the Human Preproenkephalin Gene for Treatment of Facial Pain in Mice. J Oral Facial Pain Headache 2016; 30:42-50. [PMID: 26817032 DOI: 10.11607/ofph.1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine whether herpes simplex virus-based vectors can efficiently transduce mouse trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons and attenuate preexisting nerve injury-induced whisker pad mechanical hypersensitivity in a trigeminal inflammatory compression (TIC) neuropathic pain model. METHODS Tissue transduction efficiencies of replication-conditional and replication-defective vectors to mouse whisker pads after topical administration and subcutaneous injection were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Tissue tropism and transgene expression were assessed using qPCR and reverse-transcriptase qPCR following topical application of the vectors. Whisker pad mechanical sensitivities of TIC-injured mice were determined using graduated von Frey fibers before and after application of human preproenkephalin expressing replication-conditional vector (KHPE). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests. RESULTS Transduction of target TGs was 8- to 50-fold greater after topical application than subcutaneous injection and ≥ 100-fold greater for replication-conditional than replication-defective vectors. Mean KHPE loads remained constant in TGs (4.5-9.8 × 10(4) copies/TG) over 3 weeks but were below quantifiable levels (10 copies/tissue) within 2 weeks of application in other nontarget cephalic tissues examined. Transgene expression in TGs was maximal during 2 weeks after topical application (100-200 cDNA copies/mL) and was below quantifiable levels (1 cDNA copy/mL) in all nontarget tissues. Topical KHPE administration reduced TIC-related mechanical hypersensitivity on whisker pads 4-fold (P < .05) for at least 1 week. CONCLUSION Topically administered KHPE produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the TIC mouse model of chronic facial neuropathic pain. This is the first report in which a gene therapeutic approach reduced trigeminal pain-related behaviors in an established pain state in mice.
Collapse
|
5
|
Kibaly C, Loh H, Law PY. A Mechanistic Approach to the Development of Gene Therapy for Chronic Pain. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 327:89-161. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
6
|
Guedon JMG, Wu S, Zheng X, Churchill CC, Glorioso JC, Liu CH, Liu S, Vulchanova L, Bekker A, Tao YX, Kinchington PR, Goins WF, Fairbanks CA, Hao S. Current gene therapy using viral vectors for chronic pain. Mol Pain 2015; 11:27. [PMID: 25962909 PMCID: PMC4446851 DOI: 10.1186/s12990-015-0018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of chronic pain and the challenges of pharmacotherapy highlight the importance of development of new approaches to pain management. Gene therapy approaches may be complementary to pharmacotherapy for several advantages. Gene therapy strategies may target specific chronic pain mechanisms in a tissue-specific manner. The present collection of articles features distinct gene therapy approaches targeting specific mechanisms identified as important in the specific pain conditions. Dr. Fairbanks group describes commonly used gene therapeutics (herpes simplex viral vector (HSV) and adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)), and addresses biodistribution and potential neurotoxicity in pre-clinical models of vector delivery. Dr. Tao group addresses that downregulation of a voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv1.2) contributes to the maintenance of neuropathic pain. Alleviation of chronic pain through restoring Kv1.2 expression in sensory neurons is presented in this review. Drs Goins and Kinchington group describes a strategy to use the replication defective HSV vector to deliver two different gene products (enkephalin and TNF soluble receptor) for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. Dr. Hao group addresses the observation that the pro-inflammatory cytokines are an important shared mechanism underlying both neuropathic pain and the development of opioid analgesic tolerance and withdrawal. The use of gene therapy strategies to enhance expression of the anti-pro-inflammatory cytokines is summarized. Development of multiple gene therapy strategies may have the benefit of targeting specific pathologies associated with distinct chronic pain conditions (by Guest Editors, Drs. C. Fairbanks and S. Hao).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc G Guedon
- Graduate Program in Molecular Virology and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Room 1020 EEI, 203 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Shaogen Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, 185 S. Orange Ave., MSB, F-548, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
| | - Xuexing Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | | | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 424 Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
| | - Ching-Hang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Shue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Lucy Vulchanova
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Alex Bekker
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, 185 S. Orange Ave., MSB, F-548, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
| | - Yuan-Xiang Tao
- Department of Anesthesiology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, 185 S. Orange Ave., MSB, F-548, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA. .,Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA. .,Department of Neurology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA. .,Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA.
| | - Paul R Kinchington
- Graduate Program in Molecular Virology and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Room 1020 EEI, 203 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - William F Goins
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 424 Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
| | - Carolyn A Fairbanks
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, 9-177 Weaver Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Shuanglin Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Daniels SI, Soule EE, Davidoff KS, Bernbaum JG, Hu D, Maeda K, Stahl SJ, Naiman NE, Waheed AA, Freed EO, Wingfield P, Yarchoan R, Davis DA. Activation of virus uptake through induction of macropinocytosis with a novel polymerizing peptide. FASEB J 2013; 28:106-16. [PMID: 24097312 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-238113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A 27-aa peptide (P27) was previously shown to decrease the accumulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the supernatant of chronically infected cells; however, the mechanism was not understood. Here, we show that P27 prevents virus accumulation by inducing macropinocytosis (MPC). Treatment of HIV-1- and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected cells with 2-10 μM P27 caused cell membrane ruffling and uptake of virus and polymerized forms of the peptide into large vacuoles. As demonstrated by electron microscopy, activation of MPC did not require virus or cells infected with virus, as P27 initiated its own uptake in the absence of virus. Inhibitors of MPC, Cytochalasin D and amiloride, decreased P27-mediated uptake of soluble dextran and inhibited P27-induced virus uptake by >60%, which provides further evidence that P27 induces MPC. In CD4(+) HeLa cells, HIV-1 infection was enhanced by P27 up to 4-fold, and P27 increased infection at concentrations as low as 20 nM. The 5-aa C-terminal domain of P27 was necessary for virus uptake and may be responsible for the polymerization of P27 into fibrils. These forms of P27 may play a key role in triggering MPC, making this peptide a useful tool for studying virus uptake and infection, as well as MPC of other macromolecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah I Daniels
- 110 Center Dr., Bldg 10, Rm. 6N106, MSC 1868, NIH, Bethesda MD 20892-1868, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sun J, Liu S, Mata M, Fink DJ, Hao S. Transgene-mediated expression of tumor necrosis factor soluble receptor attenuates morphine tolerance in rats. Gene Ther 2011; 19:101-8. [PMID: 21614028 PMCID: PMC3175012 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Opiate/narcotic analgesics are the most effective treatments for chronic severe pain, but their clinical utility is often hampered by the development of analgesic tolerance. Recent evidence suggests chronic morphine may activate glial cells to release proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we used herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors-based gene transfer to dorsal root ganglion to produce a local release of p55 TNF soluble receptor in the spinal cord in rats with morphine tolerance. Subcutaneous inoculation of HSV vectors expressing p55 TNF soluble receptor into the plantar surface of the hindpaws, enhanced the antinociceptive effect of acute morphine in rats. Subcutaneous inoculation of those vectors into hindpaws also delayed the development of chronic morphine tolerance in rats. TNF soluble receptor expressed by HSV vector reduced gene transcription of mRNA of spinal TNFα and IL-1β induced by repeated morphine. Furthermore, we found that TNF soluble receptor mediated by HSV, reversed the upregulation of TNFα, IL-1β and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by repeated morphine. These results support the concept that proinflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis induced by morphine. This study provides a novel approach to treating morphine tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Oliveira H, Pires LR, Fernandez R, Martins MCL, Simões S, Pêgo AP. Chitosan-based gene delivery vectors targeted to the peripheral nervous system. J Biomed Mater Res A 2011; 95:801-10. [PMID: 20734332 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.32874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A non-toxic, targeted, simple and efficient system that can specifically transfect peripheral sensorial neurons can pave the way towards the development of new therapeutics for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. In this study chitosan (CH), a biodegradable polymer, was used as the starting material in the design of a multicomponent vector targeted to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Polycation-DNA complexes were optimized using imidazole- and thiol-grafted CH (CHimiSH), in order to increase transfection efficiency and allow the formation of ligand conjugated nanocomplexes, respectively. The 50 kDa non-toxic fragment from the tetanus toxin (HC), shown to interact specifically with peripheral neurons and undergo retrograde transport, was grafted to the binary complex via a bi-functional poly(ethylene glycol) (HC-PEG) reactive for the thiol moieties present in the complex surface. The targeting of the developed nanocomplexes was assessed by means of internalization and transfection studies in the ND7/23 (neuronal) vs. NIH 3T3 (fibroblast) cell lines. Targeted transfection was further confirmed in dorsal root ganglion dissociated primary cultures. A versatile, multi-component nanoparticle system that successfully targets and transfects neuronal cell lines, as well as dorsal root ganglia (DRG) primary neuron cultures was obtained for the 1.0 (w/w) HC-PEG/DNA formulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Oliveira
- INEB, Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Divisão de Biomateriais, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Foamy virus: an available vector for gene transfer in neural cells and other nondividing cells. J Neurovirol 2010; 16:419-26. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03210847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
11
|
Biffi A, Naldini L. Novel candidate disease for gene therapy: metachromatic leukodystrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2007; 7:1193-205. [PMID: 17696818 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.8.1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare, fatal, inherited, autosomal recessive, lysosomal storage disorder, characterized by severe and progressive demyelination affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Despite some initial expectations in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and despite the ameliorated supportive therapy, MLD remains a life-threatening disease, with an extremely poor quality of life and a severe prognosis for all affected patients. Prospectively, in children affected by MLD, who have no other therapeutic option and an extremely poor prognosis, the potential risks associated with the use of a novel technology, such as gene therapy, might be well balanced by the potential benefit of a positive outcome. Thus, MLD might be considered an optimal candidate disease for testing innovative and potentially efficacious therapeutic approaches. Some of the gene therapy approaches discussed here, such as hematopoietic stem cells gene therapy, are likely to enter clinical testing in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Biffi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy and Vita Salute University, H. San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. a.biffi @hsr.it
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Affiliation(s)
- Shuanglin Hao
- University of Michigan Health System--VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jiang C, Ataai M, Ozuer A, Krisky D, Wechuck J, Pornsuwan S, Pourarian F, Glorioso JC. Inactivation of herpes simplex type 1 gene vector on immobilized metal affinity chromatography: oxidative damage by hydroxyl free radicals and its prevention. Biotechnol Bioeng 2006; 95:48-57. [PMID: 16673413 DOI: 10.1002/bit.20943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Metal catalyzed oxidation (MCO), which typically involves oxygen free radical generation, is an important pathway that leads to the deterioration of many biological molecules in solution. The occurrence of MCO in immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) systems and its potential for inactivating biological products has not been well recognized. In this study, we report the inactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene therapy vector on immobilized cobalt affinity chromatography. We observed that purification of KgBHAT, an HSV-1 mutant bearing cobalt affinity tags (HAT) on the surface, on an IDA-Co2+ column using crude supernatant as starting material resulted in signification loss in virus infectivity (<5% recovery). Electron spin resonance (ESR) revealed that the virus inactivation was caused by hydroxyl free radicals generated from the interactions between cellular impurities and the metal ions on the column. Inclusion of 20 mM ascorbate, a free radical scavenger, in the chromatography mobile phase effectively scavenged the hydroxyl radicals and dramatically augmented the infectivity recovery to 70%. This finding is the first demonstration of oxygen free radical-mediated biological inactivation in an actual IMAC purification and the way on how to effectively prevent it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Canping Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gimenez-Cassina A, Lim F, Diaz-Nido J. Gene transfer into Purkinje cells using herpesviral amplicon vectors in cerebellar cultures. Neurochem Int 2006; 50:181-8. [PMID: 16989924 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2006.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2006] [Revised: 07/26/2006] [Accepted: 08/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purkinje cells play a crucial role in sensory motor coordination since they are the only output projection neurons in the cerebellar cortex and are affected in most spinocerebellar ataxias. They stand out in the central nervous system due to their large size and their profusely branched dendritic arbor. However, molecular and cellular studies on Purkinje cells are often hampered by the difficulty of maintaining these cells in culture. Here we report an easy, robust and reproducible method to obtain Purkinje-enriched mixed cerebellar cell cultures from day 16 mouse embryos using papain digestion and a semi-defined culture medium, being the composition of the culture approximately 20% Purkinje cells, 70% non-Purkinje neurons and 10% glial cells. We demonstrate that efficient gene transfer into Purkinje cells (as well as into other cerebellar populations) is possible using herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1)-derived vectors. Indeed, up to 50% of the Purkinje cells can be transduced and gene expression may persist for at least 14 days. As a result, this procedure permits functional gene expression studies to be carried out on cultured Purkinje neurons. To demonstrate this, we show that the expression of a dominant-negative form of glycogen synthase kinase-3 protects Purkinje neurons against cell death triggered by a chemical inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. In summary, we have established reproducible and reliable cerebellar cell cultures enriched for Purkinje cells which enables gene transfer studies to be carried out using herpesviral vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Gimenez-Cassina
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jiang C, Glorioso JC, Ataai M. Presence of imidazole in loading buffer prevents formation of free radical in immobilized metal affinity chromatography and dramatically improves the recovery of herpes simplex virus type 1 gene therapy vectors. J Chromatogr A 2006; 1121:40-5. [PMID: 16735041 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2006.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2006] [Revised: 03/31/2006] [Accepted: 04/03/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have recently shown that immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) is an effective technique for purification of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene vector engineered to display cobalt affinity tag on the envelope. However, the tagged HSV-1 viruses were severely inactivated by oxidative hydroxyl free radicals when crude HSV-1 supernatant was applied on an immobilized cobalt column and eluted by a low pH buffer. Furthermore, we have reported that virus inactivation could be prevented by inclusion of high concentration of ascorbate in chromatographic mobile phase. In this paper we report that when elution of bound virus was attempted by inclusion of imidazole in elution buffer, rather than lowering the pH of elution buffer, similar inactivation was also observed. The results also demonstrated that virus inactivation was dramatically reduced by inclusion of 20mM imidazole in the loading buffer. Electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments suggest that imidazole prevents hydroxyl free radical generation from the cobalt complexes. This is the first report describing the role of imidazole in preventing free radical formation in an IMAC column. From a practical stand point, our results imply that inclusion of appropriate amount of imidazole in the loading buffer is an effective strategy for improving the recovery yield of active products and for enhancing product quality during IMAC purification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Canping Jiang
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Pittsburgh, 1249 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yao F, Theopold C, Hoeller D, Bleiziffer O, Lu Z. Highly efficient regulation of gene expression by tetracycline in a replication-defective herpes simplex viral vector. Mol Ther 2006; 13:1133-41. [PMID: 16574491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2004] [Revised: 01/09/2006] [Accepted: 01/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Employing the tetracycline repressor tetR and the wild-type hCMV major immediate-early promoter, we have developed a highly sensitive tetracycline-inducible transcription switch in mammalian cells (T-REx; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). In view of the previous difficulty in achieving regulatable gene expression in recombinant HSV vector systems, we constructed a T-REx-encoding replication-defective HSV-1 recombinant, QR9TO-lacZ, that encodes two copies of the tetR gene controlled by the HSV-1 immediate-early ICP0 promoter and a reporter, the LacZ gene, under the control of the tetO-bearing hCMV major immediate-early promoter. Infection of cells, such as Vero, PC12, and NGF-differentiated PC12 cells, with QR9TO-lacZ led to 300- to 1000-fold tetracycline-regulated gene expression. Moreover, the expression of the LacZ gene by QR9TO-lacZ can be finely controlled by tetracycline in a dose-dependent fashion. Efficiently regulated gene expression can also be achieved in vivo following intracerebral and footpad inoculations in mice. The demonstrated capability of T-REx for achieving high levels of sensitively regulated gene expression in the context of the HSV-1 genome will significantly expand the utility of HSV-based vector systems for studying gene function in the nervous system and delivering regulated gene expression in therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of CNS diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yao
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Gene Transfer, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zibert A, Thomassen A, Müller L, Nguyen L, Glouchkova L, Fraefel C, Roskrow M, Meisel R, Dilloo D. Herpes simplex virus type-1 amplicon vectors for vaccine generation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Gene Ther 2006; 12:1707-17. [PMID: 16034459 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
For leukemia vaccine generation, high-efficiency gene transfer is required to express immunomodulatory molecules that stimulate potent antileukemic immune responses. In this context, herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-derived vectors have proven to be a promising tool for genetic modification of lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Yet, vector-associated viral protein expression might inadvertently modulate vaccine efficacy facilitating both immune evasion and immune stimulation. To explore the issue of immune-stimulation versus immune-suppression in immature lymphoblastic leukemia cells, two types of HSV-1 amplicon vectors, helper virus-dependent and helper virus-free that express the immunomodulatory molecules CD70 and IL-2, were compared with regard to their vector-associated immunomodulatory potential. We first established that lymphoblastic cell lines and primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells express HSV receptor genes. Lymphoblastic cell lines were transduced with high efficiency, and in primary ALL cells high gene transfer rates of 47+/-15 and 42+/-14% were obtained with helper virus-dependent and -free HSV-1 amplicon vectors, respectively. The efficacy of the two amplicon vectors to induce antineoplastic responses was assessed in a vaccine setting in mice with pre-existing highly malignant lymphoblastic disease. Treatment of mice with vaccine cells transgenically expressing CD70+IL2 significantly suppressed lymphoblastic cell proliferation and improved survival. Of note, when helper virus-dependent HSV-1 amplicon vectors were used for vaccine preparation, the high immunogenic potential of the vector itself, in the absence of transgenic CD70+IL2 expression, seemed to be sufficient to mediate protection comparable to the antineoplastic response achieved by expression of immunomodulatory molecules. Thus for vaccine generation in B lymphoblastic leukemia, the immunogenic potential of HSV-1 helper virus-dependent amplicon vectors does provide additional benefit to the high transduction efficiency of HSV-1-derived vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Zibert
- Clinic for Pediatric-Oncology, -Hematology and -Immunology, University Clinic of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Maguire-Zeiss KA, Federoff HJ. Novel gene therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2006:147-71. [PMID: 16315613 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-27626-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The convergent pathobiologic model of Parkinson's disease stipulates that disparate insults initiate a disease process that obligately share a common pathway leading to cell death. A combinatorial treatment which targets various steps in this pathway is likely to be the most successful therapeutic strategy. As advances are made in the field of neuroimaging and pharmacogenomics, early detection of sporadic PD will become a reality. Early intervention will likely spare more dopaminergic neurons and extend the quality of life for the patient. Continued advancements in the fields of pharmacology, neurosurgery, and gene therapy will strengthen the armamentarium available for the treatment of PD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Maguire-Zeiss
- Center for Aging and Developmental Biology, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY 14642, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MND), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), are progressive neurodegenerative diseases that share the common characteristic of upper and/or lower motor neuron degeneration. Therapeutic strategies for MND are designed to confer neuroprotection, using trophic factors, anti-apoptotic proteins, as well as antioxidants and anti-excitotoxicity agents. Although a large number of therapeutic clinical trials have been attempted, none has been shown satisfactory for MND at this time. A variety of strategies have emerged for motor neuron gene transfer. Application of these approaches has yielded therapeutic results in cell culture and animal models, including the SOD1 models of ALS. In this study we describe the gene-based treatment of MND in general, examining the potential viral vector candidates, gene delivery strategies, and main therapeutic approaches currently attempted. Finally, we discuss future directions and potential strategies for more effective motor neuron gene delivery and clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais Federici
- Department of Neuroscience, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, NB2-126A, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gimenez-Cassina A, Lim F, Diaz-Nido J. Differentiation of a human neuroblastoma into neuron-like cells increases their susceptibility to transduction by herpesviral vectors. J Neurosci Res 2006; 84:755-67. [PMID: 16802347 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.20976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Gene transfer is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis in human cells. In this respect, there is a need to develop experimental models that involve homogeneous cultures of human neuron-like cells susceptible to gene transduction and that are easy to handle. Here we describe an optimized and reproducible procedure to differentiate human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells into a homogeneous population of neuron-like cells. The fully differentiated cells are postmitotic and resemble primary cultured neurons in terms of their cytoskeletal polarity. Notably, differentiated SH-SY5Y cells are far more susceptible to transduction by herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)-based vectors than proliferating SH-SY5Y cells. This increase in transduction efficiency after neuronal differentiation may be due to the up-regulation of cell surface receptors for herpesvirus entry. In summary, we propose that fully differentiated human neuron-like cells obtained from the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma may constitute an excellent and versatile experimental tool for gene transfer and functional genomic studies with HSV-1 vectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Gimenez-Cassina
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kang HC, Kim S, Lee M, Bae YH. Polymeric gene carrier for insulin secreting cells: poly(L-lysine)-g-sulfonylurea for receptor mediated transfection. J Control Release 2005; 105:164-76. [PMID: 15885844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2005.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2005] [Revised: 03/21/2005] [Accepted: 03/28/2005] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ex vivo transfer of therapeutic genes to cells is one of the potential strategies to prolong the life span of cell transplants. However, relatively safe non-viral carriers have not been extensively investigated due to their lower transfection efficiency. In this study, poly(L-lysine)-g-sulfonylurea varying SU content (PLL-SU) was synthesized to promote gene delivery efficacy to an insulin secreting cell line, RINm5F, which is known to express sulfonylurea receptor (SUR). The polymer formed complexes with a model reporter gene of pCMV-Luc (DNA) and the size of resulting particles was around 100 nm. The transfection efficiency of a polymer synthesized with 5 mol% of SU in the reaction feed (PLL-SU5%) to RINm5F cell was at least 5 times higher than that of PLL. The cytotoxicity of PLL-SU5%/DNA complex was equivalent to that of PLL/DNA complex. PLL-SU5% showed less transfection efficiency than PLL to NIH3T3 and HepG2 cells which are SUR negative. In RINm5F cells, the addition of free SU decreased the transfection efficiency of PLL-SU5%/DNA complex, suggesting that the complex shares the same receptors for SU. The PLL-SU5%/DNA complex seems to be internalized via SUR-mediated endocytosis pathway as suggested by vacuolar ATPases inhibition by Bafilomycin A1. It is noted that RINm5F cells treated with PLL-SU5%/DNA complex secreted more insulin than control, untreated cells, suggesting the insulinotropic effect of SU in PLL-SU5%. In conclusion, PLL-SU may be useful for transfer of therapeutic genes into insulin secreting cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Chang Kang
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Utah, 421 Wakara way, Suite 318, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Biffi A, Naldini L. Gene Therapy of Storage Disorders by Retroviral and Lentiviral Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2005. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.ft-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
23
|
Marconi P, Zucchini S, Berto E, Bozac A, Paradiso B, Bregola G, Grassi C, Volpi I, Argnani R, Marzola A, Manservigi R, Simonato M. Effects of defective herpes simplex vectors expressing neurotrophic factors on the proliferation and differentiation of nervous cells in vivo. Gene Ther 2005; 12:559-69. [PMID: 15616598 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are known to govern the processes involved in central nervous system cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, they represent very attractive candidates for use in the study and therapy of neurological disorders. We constructed recombinant herpesvirus-based-vectors capable of expressing fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) alone or in combinations. In vitro, vectors expressing FGF-2 and CNTF together, but not those expressing either NTF alone, caused proliferation of O-2A progenitors. Furthermore, based on double-labeling experiments performed using markers for neurons (MAP-2), oligodendrocytes (CNPase) and astrocytes (GFAP), most of the new cells were identified as astrocytes, but many expressed neuronal or oligodendrocytic markers. In vivo, vectors have been injected in the rat hippocampus. At 1 month after inoculation, a highly significant increase in BrdU-positive cells was observed in the dentate gyrus of animals injected with the vector expressing FGF-2 and CNTF together, but not in those injected with vectors expressing the single NTFs. Furthermore, double-labeling experiments confirmed in vitro data, that is, most of the new cells identified as astrocytes, some as neurons or oligodendrocytes. These data show the feasibility of the vector approach to induce proliferation and differentiation of neurons and/or oligodendrocytes in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Marconi
- Department of Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Allen GA, Denes B, Fodor I, De Leon M. Vaccinia virus infection and gene transduction in cultured neurons. Microbes Infect 2005; 7:1087-96. [PMID: 15893497 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2004] [Revised: 11/09/2004] [Accepted: 02/24/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The study of neurons in culture would benefit from the development of a gene transduction system capable of delivering foreign genes at high efficiency, as transduction of primary neurons with existing systems is inefficient. The efficacy of lytic vaccinia virus (VV) infection of primary retinal cultures and PC12 cells (a model of neuronal differentiation) was examined in order to determine the efficiency of gene transduction using VV in neuronal primary culture. VV was able to infect retinal cells and PC12 cells and express transgenes of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) and epithelial fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) in a virus dose-dependent manner. Most (50-100%) of the retinal cells were positive for transgene protein at multiplicities of infection (MOI) between 10 and 100 plaque-forming units (PFU), while over 50% of VV-infected PC12 cells expressed the virus encoded gene at an MOI = 10. The production of foreign mRNA and protein by VV following infection was verified by PCR and Western blot. Because VV is a lytic virus, cytopathic effects were examined. Retinal cultures maintained for 0.5 days in vitro showed greater than 90% survival at 24 h post-infection, while 14-day cultures were equally viable for 48 h. Retinal ganglion cells and differentiated PC12 cells appear to be more protected against lytic VV infection than proliferating glial and undifferentiated PC12 cells. These data suggest that VV may be a useful vector for delivering foreign genes to neuronal cells with an efficient transient transgene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Allen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Whittlesey KJ, Shea LD. Delivery systems for small molecule drugs, proteins, and DNA: the neuroscience/biomaterial interface. Exp Neurol 2005; 190:1-16. [PMID: 15473976 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2004] [Revised: 04/30/2004] [Accepted: 06/18/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Manipulation of cellular processes in vivo by the delivery of drugs, proteins or DNA is of paramount importance to neuroscience research. Methods for the presentation of these molecules vary widely, including direct injection (either systemic or stereotactic), osmotic pump-mediated chronic delivery, or even implantation of cells engineered to indefinitely secrete a factor of interest. Biomaterial-based delivery systems represent an alternative to more traditional approaches, with the possibility of increased efficacy. Drug-releasing biomaterials, either as injectable microspheres or as three-dimensional implants, can deliver a molecule of interest (including small molecule drugs, biologically active proteins, or DNA) over a more prolonged period of time than by standard bolus injection, avoiding the need for repeated administration. Furthermore, sustained-release systems can maintain therapeutic concentrations at a target site, thus reducing the chance for toxicity. This review summarizes applications of polymer-based delivery of small molecule drugs, proteins, and DNA specifically relevant to neuroscience research. We detail the fabrication procedures for the polymeric systems and their utility in various experimental models. The biomaterial field offers unique experimental tools with downstream clinical application for the study and treatment of neurologic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Whittlesey
- Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
McGinn MJ, Sun D, Schneider SL, Alexander JK, Colello RJ. Epidermal growth factor-induced cell proliferation in the adult rat striatum. Brain Res 2004; 1007:29-38. [PMID: 15064133 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2003.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2003] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current strategies for repairing the adult CNS following injury include cell transplantation and/or the use of viral vectors to deliver therapeutic agents. Although promising, both techniques are limited in their usefulness due to the immunological response triggered in the brain as a result of the introduction of foreign antigens. An alternative method to repair the damaged CNS is to stimulate endogenous cells within the brain to divide thereby replacing cells lost to injury. Since it has been shown that growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) are potent mitogens to CNS cells in vitro, we sought to assess the mitogenic effect of an in vivo application of EGF to the adult mammalian brain. Accordingly, varying doses of human recombinant EGF were administered to the striatum of adult rats, followed 48 h later by intraperitoneal injections of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a marker for cell proliferation. Of four doses assessed, 0.05 ng of EGF induced the highest levels of cell proliferation. To determine the cellular identity of these proliferating cells, animals were injected with (3)H-thymidine 48 h following EGF administration to label dividing cells. Sections were subsequently immunostained for markers to astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, neural precursors, and mature neurons. Compared to controls, a significant proportion of the newly generated cells resulting from EGF administration were identified as immature and mature astrocytes. Collectively, these results provide valuable information for utilizing a growth factor administration approach to mobilize the proliferative response of endogenous cells to replace those lost to injury or disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J McGinn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980709, Richmond, VA 23298-0709, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Carnicero E, Zelarayan LC, Rüttiger L, Knipper M, Alvarez Y, Alonso MT, Schimmang T. Differential roles of fibroblast growth factor-2 during development and maintenance of auditory sensory epithelia. J Neurosci Res 2004; 77:787-97. [PMID: 15334598 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.20222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) has been postulated to be a key regulator involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration of sensory hair cells. Here we have addressed the potential functions of FGF2 during the formation and regeneration of the auditory epithelium in chicken and mice. By using viral gene transfer, based on herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1), we show that ectopically applied FGF2 drastically increases the number of cells expressing early hair cell markers during embryonic development in avians. Intriguingly, FGF2 does not stimulate cell division during this process. These data suggest that FGF2 plays a role during differentiation of sensory hair cells in avians. To address the potential functions of FGF2 during murine inner ear development, we analyzed FGF2 mouse mutants. Mice lacking FGF2 showed normal formation of the inner ear, and no abnormalities were observed at the adult stage. Moreover, FGF2 mouse mutants showed similar hearing thresholds compared with those observed in control mice before and after noise damage. Therefore, endogenous FGF2 appears not to be essential for the development or functional maintenance of the auditory organ in mammals. In light of these results, the differential roles of FGF2 in the vertebrate inner ear are discussed with respect to its previously postulated functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estela Carnicero
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Biffi A, De Palma M, Quattrini A, Del Carro U, Amadio S, Visigalli I, Sessa M, Fasano S, Brambilla R, Marchesini S, Bordignon C, Naldini L. Correction of metachromatic leukodystrophy in the mouse model by transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells. J Clin Invest 2004; 113:1118-29. [PMID: 15085191 PMCID: PMC385395 DOI: 10.1172/jci19205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2003] [Accepted: 01/20/2004] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene-based delivery can establish a sustained supply of therapeutic proteins within the nervous system. For diseases characterized by extensive CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement, widespread distribution of the exogenous gene may be required, a challenge to in vivo gene transfer strategies. Here, using lentiviral vectors (LVs), we efficiently transduced hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ex vivo and evaluated the potential of their progeny to target therapeutic genes to the CNS and PNS of transplanted mice and correct a neurodegenerative disorder, metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). We proved extensive repopulation of CNS microglia and PNS endoneurial macrophages by transgene-expressing cells. Intriguingly, recruitment of these HSC-derived cells was faster and more robust in MLD mice. By transplanting HSCs transduced with the arylsulfatase A gene, we fully reconstituted enzyme activity in the hematopoietic system of MLD mice and prevented the development of motor conduction impairment, learning and coordination deficits, and neuropathological abnormalities typical of the disease. Remarkably, ex vivo gene therapy had a significantly higher therapeutic impact than WT HSC transplantation, indicating a critical role for enzyme overexpression in the HSC progeny. These results indicate that transplantation of LV-transduced autologous HSCs represents a potentially efficacious therapeutic strategy for MLD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Biffi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scienctific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wood MJA, Trülzsch B, Abdelgany A, Beeson D. Therapeutic gene silencing in the nervous system. Hum Mol Genet 2003; 12 Spec No 2:R279-84. [PMID: 12928477 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddg275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress in the understanding of RNA biology has brought into focus the prospect of using RNA-based therapeutics as a novel approach to treat human disease. In particular, following the discovery of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, the emergence of technology based on small interfering RNA (siRNA) now offers a powerful and highly specific tool for therapeutic gene silencing. Many neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, tumours and retinal disease are likely candidates to benefit from such advances. The challenges ahead will be to identify appropriate disease gene targets and, crucially, to understand the biological parameters that determine safe, precise and effective delivery and function of RNA-based therapeutic molecules within the unique environment of the nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|