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Balcorta HV, Contreras Guerrero VG, Bisht D, Poon W. Nucleic Acid Delivery Nanotechnologies for In Vivo Cell Programming. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:5020-5036. [PMID: 38288693 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
In medicine, it is desirable for clinicians to be able to restore function and imbue novel function into selected cells for therapy and disease prevention. Cells damaged by disease, injury, or aging could be programmed to restore normal or lost functions, such as retinal cells in inherited blindness and neuronal cells in Alzheimer's disease. Cells could also be genetically programmed with novel functions such as immune cells expressing synthetic chimeric antigen receptors for immunotherapy. Furthermore, knockdown or modification of risk factor proteins can mitigate disease development. Currently, nucleic acids are emerging as a versatile and potent therapeutic modality for achieving this cellular programming. In this review, we highlight the latest developments in nanobiomaterials-based nucleic acid therapeutics for cellular programming from a biomaterial design and delivery perspective and how to overcome barriers to their clinical translation to benefit patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannia V Balcorta
- Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Veronica G Contreras Guerrero
- Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Deepali Bisht
- Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Wilson Poon
- Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
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2
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Islam GJ, Arrigan DWM. Electrochemical behaviour of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers at micropipette-based liquid/liquid micro-interfaces. Talanta 2024; 280:126598. [PMID: 39146869 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Dendrimers are macromolecules with well-defined three-dimensional structures, sizes and surface charges. In this work, four generations of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers were investigated at the micro-interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (μITIES) to understand their electrochemical responses as simple models of ionised macromolecules. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) across a range of aqueous phase pH revealed that all four generations (G0-G3) presented diffusion-controlled ion-transfer from aqueous to organic phase, while the reverse transfers from organic to aqueous phase varied with both pH and the dendrimer generation. The larger dendrimers (G2 and G3) show an adsorption behaviour at pH ≤ 3.5, but show a diffusional response at pH ≥ 6. On the other hand, the smaller dendrimers (G0 and G1) always show a diffusional response and are not impacted by the pH. This indicates that more highly charged dendrimers condense at the interface. The reverse scan of CVs showed that an increased applied potential was required to remove (desorb) these polycations from the interfaces in comparison to smaller, less charged species. Diffusion coefficients (D) were estimated, showing a decrease with increasing generation. Limits of detection for these dendrimers by CV at the μITIES were 0.4, 0.2, 0.7 and 0.5 μM for G0 to G3, respectively, while differential pulse voltammetry lowered the LODs (0.07, 0.05, 0.09 and 0.08 μM, respectively). These study shows that the μITIES provides a simple way to detect and evaluate the electrochemical behaviour of ionised macromolecules, providing a simple illustration of detection mechanism with diffusion or adsorption processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazi Jahirul Islam
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia; Department of Chemistry, University of Barishal, Barishal, 8254, Bangladesh
| | - Damien W M Arrigan
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
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3
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Berckmueller K, Thomas J, Taha EA, Choo S, Madhu R, Kanestrom G, Rupert PB, Strong R, Kiem HP, Radtke S. CD90-targeted lentiviral vectors for HSC gene therapy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2901-2913. [PMID: 37550965 PMCID: PMC10556220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.08.003] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy is currently performed on CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells containing less than 1% true HSCs and requiring a highly specialized infrastructure for cell manufacturing and transplantation. We have previously identified the CD34+CD90+ subset to be exclusively responsible for short- and long-term engraftment. However, purification and enrichment of this subset is laborious and expensive. HSC-specific delivery agents for the direct modification of rare HSCs are currently lacking. Here, we developed novel targeted viral vectors to specifically transduce CD90-expressing HSCs. Anti-CD90 single chain variable fragments (scFvs) were engineered onto measles- and VSV-G-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors that were knocked out for native targeting. We further developed a custom hydrodynamic titration methodology to assess the loading of surface-engineered capsids, measure antigen recognition of the scFv, and predict the performance on cells. Engineered vectors formed with minimal impairment in the functional titer, maintained their ability to fuse with the target cells, and showed highly specific recognition of CD90 on cells ex vivo. Most important, targeted vectors selectively transduced human HSCs with secondary colony-forming potential. Our novel HSC-targeted viral vectors have the potential to significantly enhance the feasibility of ex vivo gene therapy and pave the way for future in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Berckmueller
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Justin Thomas
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Eman A Taha
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Ain Shams University Faculty of Science, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Seunga Choo
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ravishankar Madhu
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Greta Kanestrom
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Peter B Rupert
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Roland Strong
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Stefan Radtke
- Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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4
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Li Y, Zhang X, Xiang Z, Chen T, Hu Z, Yang K, Sun X, Wu Y, Wu J. Public Attitudes About the Use of Gene Therapy in Mainland China. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2328352. [PMID: 37566417 PMCID: PMC10422191 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance In addition to technical barriers, public attitudes about the use of gene therapy have an important association with the clinical implementation of gene therapy. Objective To investigate the factors associated with public acceptance of gene therapy among individuals in China. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used data from a survey conducted among 21 880 individuals in mainland China from June 20 to August 31, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures Stepwise linear regression was used to analyze factors associated with public acceptance of gene therapy in 5 key areas: basic personal information (gender, region, age, and educational level), family situation (marital status, children, and cousins), economic status (assets, debts, and insurance coverage), health knowledge (health literacy score and media use), and physical health status (chronic illness, cancer, European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level version [EQ-5D-5L] score, and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire [BIPQ] score). Acceptance scores were calculated based on a visual analog scale (range, 0-100, with higher scores indicating higher acceptance of gene therapy). Further subgroup analysis was carried out in different age subgroups and populations with or without chronic diseases. Results A total of 21 880 participants (mean [SD] age, 39.4 [18.9] years; 10 947 female participants [50.0%]; 10 933 male participants [50.0%]) were analyzed in this study. The mean (SD) acceptance score of gene therapy in the survey was 60.56 (27.60). Compared with people aged 60 years or older, those aged 12 to 18 years had higher acceptance of gene therapy (β = 1.48 [95% CI, 0.09-2.88]), while groups aged 19 to 30 years (β = -3.43 [95% CI, -4.80 to -2.07]), 31 to 44 years (β = -1.44 [95% CI, -2.76 to -0.12]), and 45 to 59 years (β = -2.05 [95% CI, -3.27 to -0.83]) had lower acceptance. Compared with people living in Eastern China, those in Central China had lower acceptance of gene therapy (β = -1.58 [95% CI, -2.54 to -0.62]), while those in Western China had higher acceptance (β = 0.92 [95% CI, 0.09-1.76]). Higher educational level (undergraduate or above vs junior high or below) was associated with higher acceptance of gene therapy (β = 1.56 [95% CI, 0.49-2.63]). Number of properties owned was also associated with higher acceptance of gene therapy (2 vs 0: β = 2.38 [95% CI, 1.04-3.72]; ≥3 vs 0: β = 4.66 [95% CI, 2.92-6.39]). Diagnosis of chronic disease was associated with lower acceptance of gene therapy (β = -17.86 [95% CI, -20.49 to -15.24]), while diagnosis of cancer was associated with higher acceptance (β = 6.99 [95% CI, 1.84-12.14]). Higher BIPQ score (β = 0.40 [95% CI, 0.34-0.45]), higher health literacy score (β = 0.70 [95% CI, 0.62-0.78]), and media use (β = 0.49 [95% CI, 0.41-0.57]) were all associated with high acceptance of gene therapy, while a higher EQ-5D-5L score was associated with lower acceptance (β = -0.29 [95% CI, -0.47 to -0.11]). For older people, being in debt, not having health insurance, and the EQ-5D-5L score were uniquely relevant factors. For people with chronic disease, having an undergraduate degree or higher, a diagnosis of cancer, and the BIPQ score were uniquely relevant factors. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest that basic personal information, economic status, health knowledge, and physical health status were the main factors associated with the acceptance of gene therapy. Improving the health literacy of the population and promoting trust in gene therapy may be effective ways to increase the acceptance of gene therapy. Poorer economic levels and worse disease states may reduce the public's willingness to accept gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Li
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianle Chen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zihao Hu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kexin Yang
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinying Sun
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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5
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Maturana CJ, Chan A, Verpeut JL, Engel EA. Local and systemic administration of AAV vectors with alphaherpesvirus latency-associated promoter 2 drives potent transgene expression in mouse liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. J Virol Methods 2023; 314:114688. [PMID: 36736702 PMCID: PMC10236909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has great potential as a source of treatments for conditions that might respond to potent and ubiquitous transgene expression. However, among its drawbacks, the genetic "payload" of AAV vectors is limited to <4.9 kb and some commonly used gene promoters are sizeable and susceptible to transcriptional silencing. We recently described a short (404 bp), potent, and persistent promoter obtained from the genome of pseudorabies virus (PrV) called alphaherpesvirus latency-associated promoter 2 (LAP2). Here, we evaluated the biodistribution and potency of transgene expression in mouse peripheral tissues in response to local and systemic administration of AAV8-LAP2 and AAV9-LAP2. We found that administration of these vectors resulted in levels of transgene expression that were similar to the larger EF1α promoter. LAP2 drives potent transgene expression in mouse liver and kidney when administered systemically and in skeletal muscle in response to intramuscular delivery. Notably, in skeletal muscle, administration of vectors with LAP2 and EF1α promoters resulted in preferential transduction of myofibers type 2. A direct side-by-side comparison between LAP2 and the EF1α promoter revealed that, despite its smaller size, LAP2 was equally potent to the EF1α promoter and resulted in widespread gene expression after IV and IM administration of AAV8 or AAV9 vectors. Collectively, these findings suggest that constructs that include LAP2 may have the capacity to deliver large therapeutically effective payloads in support of future gene therapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola J Maturana
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Angela Chan
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jessica L Verpeut
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Esteban A Engel
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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6
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Mora DSO, Cox M, Magunda F, Williams AB, Linke L. An optimized live bacterial delivery vehicle safely and efficaciously delivers bacterially transcribed therapeutic nucleic acids. Eng Life Sci 2023; 23:e2200037. [PMID: 36874611 PMCID: PMC9978928 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202200037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need for delivery platforms that realize the full potential of next-generation nucleic acid therapeutics. The in vivo usefulness of current delivery systems is limited by numerous weaknesses, including poor targeting specificity, inefficient access to target cell cytoplasm, immune activation, off-target effects, small therapeutic windows, limited genetic encoding and cargo capacity, and manufacturing challenges. Here we characterize the safety and efficacy of a delivery platform comprising engineered live, tissue-targeting, non-pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli SVC1) for intracellular cargo delivery. SVC1 bacteria are engineered to specifically bind to epithelial cells via a surface-expressed targeting ligand, to allow escape of their cargo from the phagosome, and to have minimal immunogenicity. We describe SVC1's ability to deliver short hairpin RNA (shRNA), localized SVC1 administration to various tissues, and its minimal immunogenicity. To validate the therapeutic potential of SVC1, we used it to deliver influenza-targeting antiviral shRNAs to respiratory tissues in vivo. These data are the first to establish the safety and efficacy of this bacteria-based delivery platform for use in multiple tissue types and as an antiviral in the mammalian respiratory tract. We expect that this optimized delivery platform will enable a variety of advanced therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Forgivemore Magunda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
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7
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Zhang Z, Cao Z, Hou L, Song M, Zhou Y, Chen Y, Hu H, Hou Y, Liu Y, Li B, Song X, Ge W, Li B, Jiang X, Yang J, Song D, Zhang X, Pang J, Zhang T, Zhang H, Yang P, Wang J, Wang C. Adenovirus-mediated Overexpression of FcγRIIB Attenuates Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 68:213-227. [PMID: 36227848 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0056oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs) result in high mortality and lack effective therapies. The pathogenesis of PF-ILDs involves macrophages driving inflammation and irreversible fibrosis. Fc-γ receptors (FcγRs) regulate macrophages and inflammation, but their roles in PF-ILDs remain unclear. We characterized the expression of FcγRs and found upregulated FcγRIIB in human and mouse lungs after exposure to silica. FcγRIIB deficiency aggravated lung dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis in silica-exposed mice. Using single-cell transcriptomics and in vitro experiments, FcγRIIB was found in alveolar macrophages, where it regulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes Spp1 and Ctss. In mice with macrophage-specific overexpression of FcγRIIB and in mice treated with adenovirus by intratracheal instillation to upregulate FcγRIIB, silica-induced functional and histological changes were ameliorated. Our data from three genetic models and a therapeutic model suggest that FcγRIIB plays a protective role that can be enhanced by adenoviral overexpression, representing a potential therapeutic strategy for PF-ILDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Taiyuan, China
| | | | - Lin Hou
- Department of Physiology and
| | - Meiyue Song
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yitian Zhou
- Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yiling Chen
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao tong University, Xi'an, China; and
| | - Huiyuan Hu
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao tong University, Xi'an, China; and
| | - Yangfeng Hou
- Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | | | - Bolun Li
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weipeng Ge
- Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Baicun Li
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Dingyun Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinri Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junling Pang
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Department of Physiology and.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Pathophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Physiology and.,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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8
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Shabani L, Abbasi M, Azarnew Z, Amani AM, Vaez A. Neuro-nanotechnology: diagnostic and therapeutic nano-based strategies in applied neuroscience. Biomed Eng Online 2023; 22:1. [PMID: 36593487 PMCID: PMC9809121 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-022-01062-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial, de-novo manufactured materials (with controlled nano-sized characteristics) have been progressively used by neuroscientists during the last several decades. The introduction of novel implantable bioelectronics interfaces that are better suited to their biological targets is one example of an innovation that has emerged as a result of advanced nanostructures and implantable bioelectronics interfaces, which has increased the potential of prostheses and neural interfaces. The unique physical-chemical properties of nanoparticles have also facilitated the development of novel imaging instruments for advanced laboratory systems, as well as intelligently manufactured scaffolds and microelectrodes and other technologies designed to increase our understanding of neural tissue processes. The incorporation of nanotechnology into physiology and cell biology enables the tailoring of molecular interactions. This involves unique interactions with neurons and glial cells in neuroscience. Technology solutions intended to effectively interact with neuronal cells, improved molecular-based diagnostic techniques, biomaterials and hybridized compounds utilized for neural regeneration, neuroprotection, and targeted delivery of medicines as well as small chemicals across the blood-brain barrier are all purposes of the present article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Shabani
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Namazi Teaching Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Milad Abbasi
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zeynab Azarnew
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Amani
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Vaez
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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9
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Dai L, Du L. Genes in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension and the most promising BMPR2 gene therapy. Front Genet 2022; 13:961848. [PMID: 36506323 PMCID: PMC9730536 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.961848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and lethal vascular disease of diverse etiologies, mainly caused by proliferation of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells in the pulmonary artery, and fibroblasts, which ultimately leads to right-heart hypertrophy and cardiac failure. Recent genetic studies of childhood-onset PAH report that there is a greater genetic burden in children than in adults. Since the first-identified pathogenic gene of PAH, BMPR2, which encodes bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2, a receptor in the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, was discovered, novel causal genes have been identified and substantially sharpened our insights into the molecular genetics of childhood-onset PAH. Currently, some newly identified deleterious genetic variants in additional genes implicated in childhood-onset PAH, such as potassium channels (KCNK3) and transcription factors (TBX4 and SOX17), have been reported and have greatly updated our understanding of the disease mechanism. In this review, we summarized and discussed the advances of genetic variants underlying childhood-onset PAH susceptibility and potential mechanism, and the most promising BMPR2 gene therapy and gene delivery approaches to treat childhood-onset PAH in the future.
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10
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Ottaviano G, Qasim W. Genome-Edited T Cell Therapies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:729-744. [PMID: 35773047 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.03.006] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are widely being investigated against malignancies, and allogeneic 'universal donor' CAR-T cells offer the possibility of widened access to pre-manufactured, off-the-shelf therapies. Different genome-editing platforms have been used to address human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers to generate universal CAR-T cell therapy and early applications have been reported in children and adults against B cell malignancies. Recently developed Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based systems and related technologies offer the prospect of enhanced cellular immunotherapies for a wider range of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Ottaviano
- Infection, Immunity & Inflammation Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Waseem Qasim
- Infection, Immunity & Inflammation Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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11
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Gao Q, DeLaura IF, Anwar IJ, Kesseli SJ, Kahan R, Abraham N, Asokan A, Barbas AS, Hartwig MG. Gene Therapy: Will the Promise of Optimizing Lung Allografts Become Reality? Front Immunol 2022; 13:931524. [PMID: 35844566 PMCID: PMC9283701 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung transplantation is the definitive therapy for patients living with end-stage lung disease. Despite significant progress made in the field, graft survival remains the lowest of all solid organ transplants. Additionally, the lung has among the lowest of organ utilization rates-among eligible donors, only 22% of lungs from multi-organ donors were transplanted in 2019. Novel strategies are needed to rehabilitate marginal organs and improve graft survival. Gene therapy is one promising strategy in optimizing donor allografts. Over-expression or inhibition of specific genes can be achieved to target various pathways of graft injury, including ischemic-reperfusion injuries, humoral or cellular rejection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Experiments in animal models have historically utilized adenovirus-based vectors and the majority of literature in lung transplantation has focused on overexpression of IL-10. Although several strategies were shown to prevent rejection and prolong graft survival in preclinical models, none have led to clinical translation. The past decade has seen a renaissance in the field of gene therapy and two AAV-based in vivo gene therapies are now FDA-approved for clinical use. Concurrently, normothermic ex vivo machine perfusion technology has emerged as an alternative to traditional static cold storage. This preservation method keeps organs physiologically active during storage and thus potentially offers a platform for gene therapy. This review will explore the advantages and disadvantages of various gene therapy modalities, review various candidate genes implicated in various stages of allograft injury and summarize the recent efforts in optimizing donor lungs using gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Gao
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Isabel F. DeLaura
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Imran J. Anwar
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Samuel J. Kesseli
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Riley Kahan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nader Abraham
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Andrew S. Barbas
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Matthew G. Hartwig
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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12
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Guan S, Liu H, Zhou J, Zhang Q, Bi H. The MIR100HG/miR-29a-3p/Tab1 axis modulates TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in type II alveolar epithelial cells BLM-caused lung fibrogenesis in mice. Toxicol Lett 2022; 363:45-54. [PMID: 35472619 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced fibrotic changes in alveolar epithelium is a critical event in pulmonary fibrosis. Herein, we recognized that lncRNA mir-100-let-7a-2-mir-125b-1 cluster host gene (MIR100HG) was abnormally upregulated within human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung tissue, bleomycin (BLM)-caused pulmonary fibrotic model mice and TGF-β1-stimulated mice type II alveolar epithelial cells. In vivo, MIR100HG knockdown attenuated BLM-caused lung fibrogenesis in mice; in vitro, MIR100HG knockdown attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in mice type II alveolar epithelial cells. Through direct binding, MIR100HG knockdown upregulated microRNA-29a-3p (miR-29a-3p) expression; through serving as competing endogenous RNA for miR-29a-3p, MIR100HG knockdown downregulated TGF-beta activated kinase 1/MAP3K7 binding protein 1 (Tab1) expression. Finally, under TGF-β1 stimulation, Tab1 knockdown attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes and partially attenuated the effects of miR-29a-3p inhibition. In conclusion, we demonstrated the aberrant upregulation of lncRNA MIR100HG in BLM-caused lung fibrogenesis and TGF-β1-stimulated MLE 12 cells. The MIR100HG/miR-29a-3p/Tab1 axis could modulate TGF-β1-induced fibrotic changes in type II alveolar epithelial cells and, thus, might be promising targets for pulmonary fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Guan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Third Clinical Medicine School of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China.
| | - Qiudi Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Hui Bi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
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13
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Anticipating New Treatments for Cystic Fibrosis: A Global Survey of Researchers. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051283. [PMID: 35268374 PMCID: PMC8911007 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that affects at least 100,000 people worldwide. It is caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene and presently, 360 CFTR-causing mutations have been identified. Since the discovery of the CFTR gene, the expectation of developing treatments that can substantially increase the quality of life or even cure cystic fibrosis patients is growing. Yet, it is still uncertain today which developing treatments will be successful against cystic fibrosis. This study addresses this gap by assessing the opinions of over 524 cystic fibrosis researchers who participated in a global web-based survey. For most respondents, CFTR modulator therapies are the most likely to succeed in treating cystic fibrosis in the next 15 years, especially through the use of CFTR modulator combinations. Most respondents also believe that fixing or replacing the CFTR gene will lead to a cure for cystic fibrosis within 15 years, with CRISPR-Cas9 being the most likely genetic tool for this purpose.
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14
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Sussman MA. VAPIng into ARDS: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Cardiopulmonary Failure. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108006. [PMID: 34582836 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
"Modern" vaping involving battery-operated electronic devices began approximately one dozen years and has quickly evolved into a multibillion dollar industry providing products to an estimated 50 million users worldwide. Originally developed as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, vaping now appeals to a diverse demographic including substantial involvement of young people who often have never used cigarettes. The rapid rise of vaping fueled by multiple factors has understandably outpaced understanding of biological effects, made even more challenging due to wide ranging individual user habits and preferences. Consequently while vaping-related research gathers momentum, vaping-associated pathological injury (VAPI) has been established by clinical case reports with severe cases manifesting as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with examples of right ventricular cardiac failure. Therefore, basic scientific studies are desperately needed to understand the impact of vaping upon the lungs as well as cardiopulmonary structure and function. Experimental models that capture fundamental characteristics of vaping-induced ARDS are essential to study pathogenesis and formulate recommendations to mitigate harmful effects attributable to ingredients or equipment. So too, treatment strategies to promote recovery from vaping-associated damage require development and testing at the preclinical level. This review summarizes the back story of vaping leading to present day conundrums with particular emphasis upon VAPI-associated ARDS and prioritization of research goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Sussman
- SDSU Integrated Regenerative Research Institute and Biology Department, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
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15
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Colon-Cortes Y, Hasan MA, Aslanidi G. Intra-tracheal delivery of AAV6 vectors results in sustained transduction in murine lungs without genomic integration. Gene 2021; 763S:100037. [PMID: 32904225 PMCID: PMC7452375 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite the progress made in AAV-based gene therapy targeting different organ systems, lung-targeted gene therapy using AAV vectors has not been effective, mostly due to the poor transduction and un-sustained gene expression in airway epithelium. Furthermore, concerns over possible harmful insertional mutagenesis seen in other cell types, particularly hepatocytes, raised a question about AAV safety. In this study, we evaluate the long-term persistence of this vector in mouse lungs and any possible harmful integration of these vectors into the host genome. AAV6 vectors expressing reporter gene (firefly luciferase) were delivered to the lungs of C57BL/6 mice through intra-tracheal intubation. Despite the large variation among individual animals, most animals had high and sustained luciferase activity with a peak from 2 to 3 weeks post-transduction before a significant decline between 15 and 19 weeks post-transduction. More importantly, even after its decline, most animals maintained detectable luciferase expression for 150 days or more, which was confirmed by post-necropsy qPCR analysis of luciferase gene expression. At the termination point of experiments, an average of one copy of AAV expression cassette per mouse genome was detected. We also found that partial overlaps between the AAV6 expression cassette and the mouse genome were distributed broadly with no apparent systematic preference in any mouse chromosomal map location. In summary, our data suggest that AAV6 mediated long-term gene expression in the lungs with no evidence of genomic integration, and thus, any insertional mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George Aslanidi
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, United States of America.
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16
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Rocha LFM, Braga LAM, Mota FB. Gene Editing for Treatment and Prevention of Human Diseases: A Global Survey of Gene Editing-Related Researchers. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:852-862. [PMID: 32718240 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the next decades, gene editing technologies are expected to be used in the treatment and prevention of human diseases. Yet, the future uses of gene editing in medicine are still unknown, including its applicability and effectiveness to the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, cancer, and monogenic and polygenic hereditary diseases. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the views of over 1,000 gene editing-related researchers from all over the world. Some of our survey results show that, in the next 10 years, DNA double-strand breaks are expected to be the main method for gene editing, and CRISPR-Cas systems to be the mainstream programmable nuclease. In the same period, gene editing is expected to have more applicability and effectiveness to treat and prevent infectious diseases and cancer. Off-targeting mutations, reaching therapeutic levels of editing efficiency, difficulties in targeting specific tissues in vivo, and regulatory and ethical challenges are among the most relevant factors that might hamper the use of gene editing in humans. In conclusion, our results suggest that gene editing might become a reality to the treatment and prevention of a variety of human diseases in the coming 10 years. If the future confirms these researchers' expectations, gene editing could change the way medicine, health systems, and public health deal with the treatment and prevention of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabio Batista Mota
- Center for Strategic Studies, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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17
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Exploring interactions between extracellular vesicles and cells for innovative drug delivery system design. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:252-278. [PMID: 33798644 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are submicron cell-secreted structures containing proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. EVs can functionally transfer these cargoes from one cell to another to modulate physiological and pathological processes. Due to their presumed biocompatibility and capacity to circumvent canonical delivery barriers encountered by synthetic drug delivery systems, EVs have attracted considerable interest as drug delivery vehicles. However, it is unclear which mechanisms and molecules orchestrate EV-mediated cargo delivery to recipient cells. Here, we review how EV properties have been exploited to improve the efficacy of small molecule drugs. Furthermore, we explore which EV surface molecules could be directly or indirectly involved in EV-mediated cargo transfer to recipient cells and discuss the cellular reporter systems with which such transfer can be studied. Finally, we elaborate on currently identified cellular processes involved in EV cargo delivery. Through these topics, we provide insights in critical effectors in the EV-cell interface which may be exploited in nature-inspired drug delivery strategies.
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18
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Jiang Z, Li N, Zhu D, Ren L, Shao Q, Yu K, Yang G. Genetically modified cell sheets in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2021; 275:120908. [PMID: 34119885 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetically modified cell sheet technology is emerging as a promising biomedical tool to deliver therapeutic genes for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Virus-based gene transfection and non-viral gene transfection have been used to fabricate genetically modified cell sheets. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown various beneficial effects of genetically modified cell sheets in the regeneration of bone, periodontal tissue, cartilage and nerves, as well as the amelioration of dental implant osseointegration, myocardial infarction, skeletal muscle ischemia and kidney injury. Furthermore, this technology provides a potential treatment option for various hereditary diseases. However, the method has several limitations, such as safety concerns and difficulties in controlling transgene expression. Therefore, recent studies explored efficient and safe gene transfection methods, prolonged and controllable transgene expression and their potential application in personalized and precision medicine. This review summarizes various types of genetically modified cell sheets, preparation procedures, therapeutic applications and possible improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Jiang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Na Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Danji Zhu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Lingfei Ren
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Qin Shao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Ke Yu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Guoli Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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19
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Tissue and cell-type-specific transduction using rAAV vectors in lung diseases. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:1057-1071. [PMID: 34021360 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02086-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy of genetically determined diseases, including some pathologies of the respiratory system, requires an efficient method for transgene delivery. Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are well studied and employed in gene therapy, as they are relatively simple and low immunogenic and able to efficiently transduce eukaryotic cells. To date, many natural and artificial (with modified capsids) AAV serotypes have been isolated, demonstrating preferential tropism toward different tissues and cells in accordance with the prevalent receptors on the cell surface. However, rAAV-mediated delivery is not strictly specific due to wide tropism of some viral serotypes. Thus, the development of the methods allowing modulating specificity of these vectors could be beneficial in some cases. This review describes various approaches for retargeting rAAV to respiratory cells, for example, using different types of capsid modifications and regulation of a transgene expression by tissue-specific promoters. Part of the review is devoted to the issues of transduction of stem and progenitor lung cells using AAV, which is a complicated task today.
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20
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Abstract
Delivery of genetic material to tissues in vivo is an important technique used in research settings and is the foundation upon which clinical gene therapy is built. The lung is a prime target for gene delivery due to a host of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases that manifest themselves there, resulting in many pathologies. However, the in vivo delivery of genetic material to the lung remains a practical problem clinically and is considered the major obstacle needed to be overcome for gene therapy. Currently there are four main strategies for in vivo gene delivery to the lung: viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and electroporation. Viral delivery uses several different genetically modified viruses that enter the cell and express desired genes that have been inserted to the viral genome. Liposomes use combinations of charged and neutral lipids that can encapsulate genetic cargo and enter cells through endogenous mechanisms, thereby delivering their cargoes. Nanoparticles are defined by their size (typically less than 100 nm) and are made up of many different classes of building blocks, including biological and synthetic polymers, cell penetrant and other peptides, and dendrimers, that also enter cells through endogenous mechanisms. Electroporation uses mild to moderate electrical pulses to create pores in the cell membrane through which delivered genetic material can enter a cell. An emerging fifth category, exosomes and extracellular vesicles, may have advantages of both viral and non-viral approaches. These extracellular vesicles bud from cellular membranes containing receptors and ligands that may aid cell targeting and which can be loaded with genetic material for efficient transfer. Each of these vectors can be used for different gene delivery applications based on mechanisms of action, side-effects, and other factors, and their use in the lung and possible clinical considerations is the primary focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uday K Baliga
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - David A Dean
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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21
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Rai N, Shihan M, Seeger W, Schermuly RT, Novoyatleva T. Genetic Delivery and Gene Therapy in Pulmonary Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031179. [PMID: 33503992 PMCID: PMC7865388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive complex fatal disease of multiple etiologies. Hyperproliferation and resistance to apoptosis of vascular cells of intimal, medial, and adventitial layers of pulmonary vessels trigger excessive pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction in the course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a subgroup of PH. Multiple gene mutation/s or dysregulated gene expression contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH by endorsing the proliferation and promoting the resistance to apoptosis of pulmonary vascular cells. Given the vital role of these cells in PAH progression, the development of safe and efficient-gene therapeutic approaches that lead to restoration or down-regulation of gene expression, generally involved in the etiology of the disease is the need of the hour. Currently, none of the FDA-approved drugs provides a cure against PH, hence innovative tools may offer a novel treatment paradigm for this progressive and lethal disorder by silencing pathological genes, expressing therapeutic proteins, or through gene-editing applications. Here, we review the effectiveness and limitations of the presently available gene therapy approaches for PH. We provide a brief survey of commonly existing and currently applicable gene transfer methods for pulmonary vascular cells in vitro and describe some more recent developments for gene delivery existing in the field of PH in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabham Rai
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Mazen Shihan
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Werner Seeger
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph T. Schermuly
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Tatyana Novoyatleva
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Lorvellec M, Pellegata AF, Maestri A, Turchetta C, Alvarez Mediavilla E, Shibuya S, Jones B, Scottoni F, Perocheau DP, Cozmescu AC, Delhove JM, Kysh D, Gjinovci A, Counsell JR, Heywood WE, Mills K, McKay TR, De Coppi P, Gissen P. An In Vitro Whole-Organ Liver Engineering for Testing of Genetic Therapies. iScience 2020; 23:101808. [PMID: 33305175 PMCID: PMC7708813 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Explosion of gene therapy approaches for treating rare monogenic and common liver disorders created an urgent need for disease models able to replicate human liver cellular environment. Available models lack 3D liver structure or are unable to survive in long-term culture. We aimed to generate and test a 3D culture system that allows long-term maintenance of human liver cell characteristics. The in vitro whole-organ "Bioreactor grown Artificial Liver Model" (BALM) employs a custom-designed bioreactor for long-term 3D culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived hepatocyte-like cells (hiHEPs) in a mouse decellularized liver scaffold. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) and lentiviral (LV) vectors were introduced by intravascular injection. Substantial AAV and LV transgene expression in the BALM-grown hiHEPs was detected. Measurement of secreted proteins in the media allowed non-invasive monitoring of the system. We demonstrated that humanized whole-organ BALM is a valuable tool to generate pre-clinical data for investigational medicinal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlle Lorvellec
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alessandro Filippo Pellegata
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alice Maestri
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Chiara Turchetta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta," Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Elena Alvarez Mediavilla
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Soichi Shibuya
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Brendan Jones
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Federico Scottoni
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dany P. Perocheau
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Andrei Claudiu Cozmescu
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Juliette M. Delhove
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia
| | - Daniel Kysh
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Asllan Gjinovci
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - John R. Counsell
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Wendy E. Heywood
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Kevin Mills
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Tristan R. McKay
- Centre for Bioscience, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research & Teaching Department, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Paul Gissen
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Shi J, Li J, Xu Z, Chen L, Luo R, Zhang C, Gao F, Zhang J, Fu C. Celastrol: A Review of Useful Strategies Overcoming its Limitation in Anticancer Application. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:558741. [PMID: 33364939 PMCID: PMC7751759 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.558741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Celastrol, a natural bioactive ingredient derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, exhibits significant broad-spectrum anticancer activities for the treatment of a variety of cancers including liver cancer, breast cancer, prostate tumor, multiple myeloma, glioma, etc. However, the poor water stability, low bioavailability, narrow therapeutic window, and undesired side effects greatly limit its clinical application. To address this issue, some strategies were employed to improve the anticancer efficacy and reduce the side-effects of celastrol. The present review comprehensively focuses on the various challenges associated with the anticancer efficiency and drug delivery of celastrol, and the useful approaches including combination therapy, structural derivatives and nano/micro-systems development. The specific advantages for the use of celastrol mediated by these strategies are presented. Moreover, the challenges and future research directions are also discussed. Based on this review, it would provide a reference to develop a natural anticancer compound for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruifeng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaomei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Shcharbin D, Bryszewska M, Mignani S, Shi X, Majoral JP. Phosphorus dendrimers as powerful nanoplatforms for drug delivery, as fluorescent probes and for liposome interaction studies: A concise overview. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112788. [PMID: 32883637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a new and promising tool to treat many severe diseases and the silencing of proteins is the safest and the most efficient tool to treat diseases because it does not induce changes in human genome and avoids a huge problem encompassing insertional mutagenesis. Using small RNAs to switch on/off target proteins is limited due to existence of some barriers for them in the human body (blood RNAses, serum albumins, cell walls, etc). For therapeutic applications they need the efficient and non-toxic carrier which will deliver them into cell cytoplasm. Within the huge range of carriers available, dendrimers can be underlined as new promising efficient carriers. This review summarizes several findings in phosphorus dendrimers based on in vitro and in vivo studies. As a result, we can conclude that advantages of phosphorus dendrimers are strong interaction with siRNA/DNA and formation of small and compact positively charged complexes of high and fast penetration into cells; efficient release of siRNA/pDNA in endosomes due to "proton sponge" effect; possibility of their modification including addition of fluorescent probes - in this case fluorescent dendrimer can be used both as a gene carrier and a tracer of delivery into cells. Additional benefit of using fluorescent phosphorus dendrimers is their ability to monitor the macrophage physiological status in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dzmitry Shcharbin
- Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of NASB, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Maria Bryszewska
- Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Serge Mignani
- Université Paris Descartes, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 860, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologique, 45, Rue des Saints Peres, 75006, Paris, France; CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Xiangyang Shi
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Portugal; State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, PR China
| | - Jean-Pierre Majoral
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination Du CNRS, 205 Route de Narbonne, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France; Université Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
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25
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Munis AM, Bentley EM, Takeuchi Y. A tool with many applications: vesicular stomatitis virus in research and medicine. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1187-1201. [PMID: 32602788 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1787981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has long been a useful research tool in virology and recently become an essential part of medicinal products. Vesiculovirus research is growing quickly following its adaptation to clinical gene and cell therapy and oncolytic virotherapy. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the versatility of VSV as a research tool and biological reagent, its use as a viral and vaccine vector delivering therapeutic and immunogenic transgenes and an oncolytic virus aiding cancer treatment. Challenges such as the immune response against such advanced therapeutic medicinal products and manufacturing constraints are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION The field of in vivo gene and cell therapy is advancing rapidly with VSV used in many ways. Comparison of VSV's use as a versatile therapeutic reagent unveils further prospects and problems for each application. Overcoming immunological challenges to aid repeated administration of viral vectors and minimizing harmful host-vector interactions remains one of the major challenges. In the future, exploitation of reverse genetic tools may assist the creation of recombinant viral variants that have improved onco-selectivity and more efficient vaccine vector activity. This will add to the preferential features of VSV as an excellent advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altar M Munis
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford , Oxford, UK.,Division of Advanced Therapies, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control , South Mimms, UK
| | - Emma M Bentley
- Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control , South Mimms, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Takeuchi
- Division of Advanced Therapies, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control , South Mimms, UK.,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London , London, UK
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26
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Mahdinloo S, Kiaie SH, Amiri A, Hemmati S, Valizadeh H, Zakeri-Milani P. Efficient drug and gene delivery to liver fibrosis: rationale, recent advances, and perspectives. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:1279-1293. [PMID: 32874828 PMCID: PMC7451940 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis results from chronic damages together with an accumulation of extracellular matrix, and no specific medical therapy is approved for that until now. Due to liver metabolic capacity for drugs, the fragility of drugs, and the presence of insurmountable physiological obstacles in the way of targeting, the development of efficient drug delivery systems for anti-fibrotics seems vital. We have explored articles with a different perspective on liver fibrosis over the two decades, then collected and summarized the information by providing corresponding in vitro and in vivo cases. We have discussed the mechanism of hepatic fibrogenesis with different ways of fibrosis induction in animals. Furthermore, the critical chemical and herbal anti-fibrotics, biological molecules such as micro-RNAs, siRNAs, and growth factors, which can affect cell division and differentiation, are mentioned. Likewise, drug and gene delivery and therapeutic systems on in vitro and in vivo models are summarized in the data tables. This review article enlightens recent advances in emerging drugs and nanocarriers and represents perspectives on targeting strategies employed in liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Mahdinloo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Kiaie
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran
| | - Ala Amiri
- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran 1477893855, Iran
| | - Salar Hemmati
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Hadi Valizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
| | - Parvin Zakeri-Milani
- Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran
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A New Gorilla Adenoviral Vector with Natural Lung Tropism Avoids Liver Toxicity and Is Amenable to Capsid Engineering and Vector Retargeting. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00265-20. [PMID: 32102889 PMCID: PMC7199421 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00265-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the aggregate, our mouse studies suggest that GAd is a promising gene therapy vector that utilizes lung ECs as a source of therapeutic payload production and a highly desirable toxicity profile. Further genetic engineering of the GAd capsid holds the promise of in vivo vector tropism modification and targeting. Human adenoviruses have many attractive features for gene therapy applications. However, the high prevalence of preexisting immunity against these viruses in general populations worldwide has greatly limited their clinical utility. In addition, the most commonly used human adenovirus, human adenovirus subgroup C serotype 5 (HAd5), when systemically administered, triggers systemic inflammation and toxicity, with the liver being the most severely affected organ. Here, we evaluated the utility and safety of a new low-seroprevalence gorilla adenovirus (GAd; GC46) as a gene transfer vector in mice. Biodistribution studies revealed that systemically administered GAd had a selective and robust lung endothelial cell (EC) tropism with minimal vector expression throughout many other organs and tissues. Administration of a high dose of GAd accomplished extensive transgene expression in the lung yet elicited no detectable inflammatory histopathology in this organ. Furthermore, GAd, unlike HAd5, did not exhibit hepatotropism or induce liver inflammatory toxicity in mice, demonstrating the exceptional safety profile of the vector vis-à-vis systemic utility. We further demonstrated that the GAd capsid fiber shared the flexibility of the HAd5 equivalent for permitting genetic modification; GAd with the pan-EC-targeting ligand myeloid cell-binding peptide (MBP) incorporated in the capsid displayed a reduced lung tropism and efficiently retargeted gene expression to vascular beds in other organs. IMPORTANCE In the aggregate, our mouse studies suggest that GAd is a promising gene therapy vector that utilizes lung ECs as a source of therapeutic payload production and a highly desirable toxicity profile. Further genetic engineering of the GAd capsid holds the promise of in vivo vector tropism modification and targeting.
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28
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Roma-Rodrigues C, Rivas-García L, Baptista PV, Fernandes AR. Gene Therapy in Cancer Treatment: Why Go Nano? Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E233. [PMID: 32151052 PMCID: PMC7150812 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The proposal of gene therapy to tackle cancer development has been instrumental for the development of novel approaches and strategies to fight this disease, but the efficacy of the proposed strategies has still fallen short of delivering the full potential of gene therapy in the clinic. Despite the plethora of gene modulation approaches, e.g., gene silencing, antisense therapy, RNA interference, gene and genome editing, finding a way to efficiently deliver these effectors to the desired cell and tissue has been a challenge. Nanomedicine has put forward several innovative platforms to overcome this obstacle. Most of these platforms rely on the application of nanoscale structures, with particular focus on nanoparticles. Herein, we review the current trends on the use of nanoparticles designed for cancer gene therapy, including inorganic, organic, or biological (e.g., exosomes) variants, in clinical development and their progress towards clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Roma-Rodrigues
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (C.R.-R.); (L.R.-G.)
| | - Lorenzo Rivas-García
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (C.R.-R.); (L.R.-G.)
- Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento s/n. 18071 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro V. Baptista
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (C.R.-R.); (L.R.-G.)
| | - Alexandra R. Fernandes
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (C.R.-R.); (L.R.-G.)
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Tosco A, Villella VR, Raia V, Kroemer G, Maiuri L. Cystic Fibrosis: New Insights into Therapeutic Approaches. CURRENT RESPIRATORY MEDICINE REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1573398x15666190702151613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the identification of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) as a disease in 1938 until 2012, only
therapies to treat symptoms rather than etiological therapies have been used to treat the disease. Over
the last few years, new technologies have been developed, and gene editing strategies are now
moving toward a one-time cure. This review will summarize recent advances in etiological therapies
that target the basic defect in the CF Transmembrane Receptor (CFTR), the protein that is mutated in
CF. We will discuss how newly identified compounds can directly target mutated CFTR to improve
its function. Moreover, we will discuss how proteostasis regulators can modify the environment in
which the mutant CFTR protein is synthesized and decayed, thus restoring CFTR function. The
future of CF therapies lies in combinatory therapies that may be personalized for each CF patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Tosco
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Unit, Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Valeria R. Villella
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Valeria Raia
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Pediatric Unit, Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe11 labellisee Ligue Nationale Contrele Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Luigi Maiuri
- Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, European Institute for Research in Cystic Fibrosis, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
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Anti-ageing gene therapy: Not so far away? Ageing Res Rev 2019; 56:100977. [PMID: 31669577 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Improving healthspan is the main objective of anti-ageing research. Currently, innovative gene therapy-based approaches seem to be among the most promising for preventing and treating chronic polygenic pathologies, including age-related ones. The gene-based therapy allows to modulate the genome architecture using both direct (e.g., by gene editing) and indirect (e.g., by viral or non-viral vectors) approaches. Nevertheless, considering the extraordinary complexity of processes involved in ageing and ageing-related diseases, the effectiveness of these therapeutic options is often unsatisfactory and limited by their side-effects. Thus, clinical implementation of such applications is certainly a long-time process that will require many translation phases for addressing challenges. However, after overcoming these issues, their implementation in clinical practice may obviously provide new possibilities in anti-ageing medicine. Here, we review and discuss recent advances in this rapidly developing research field.
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Wilbie D, Walther J, Mastrobattista E. Delivery Aspects of CRISPR/Cas for in Vivo Genome Editing. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:1555-1564. [PMID: 31099553 PMCID: PMC6584901 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized the field of genome editing. CRIPSR/Cas components are part of the bacterial immune system and are able to induce double-strand DNA breaks in the genome, which are resolved by endogenous DNA repair mechanisms. The most relevant of these are the error-prone nonhomologous end joining and homology directed repair pathways. The former can lead to gene knockout by introduction of insertions and deletions at the cut site, while the latter can be used for gene correction based on a provided repair template. In this Account, we focus on the delivery aspects of CRISPR/Cas for therapeutic applications in vivo. Safe and effective delivery of the CRISPR/Cas components into the nucleus of affected cells is essential for therapeutic gene editing. These components can be delivered in several formats, such as pDNA, viral vectors, or ribonuclear complexes. In the ideal case, the delivery system should address the current limitations of CRISPR gene editing, which are (1) lack of targeting specific tissues or cells, (2) the inability to enter cells, (3) activation of the immune system, and (4) off-target events. To circumvent most of these problems, initial therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas were performed on cells ex vivo via classical methods (e.g., microinjection or electroporation) and novel methods (e.g., TRIAMF and iTOP). Ideal candidates for such methods are, for example, hematopoietic cells, but not all tissue types are suited for ex vivo manipulation. For direct in vivo application, however, delivery systems are needed that can target the CRISPR/Cas components to specific tissues or cells in the human body, without causing immune activation or causing high frequencies of off-target effects. Viral systems have been used as a first resort to transduce cells in vivo. These systems suffer from problems related to packaging constraints, immunogenicity, and longevity of Cas expression, which favors off-target events. Viral vectors are as such not the best choice for direct in vivo delivery of CRISPR/Cas. Synthetic vectors can deliver nucleic acids as well, without the innate disadvantages of viral vectors. They can be classed into lipid, polymeric, and inorganic particles, all of which have been reported in the literature. The advantage of synthetic systems is that they can deliver the CRISPR/Cas system also as a preformed ribonucleoprotein complex. The transient nature of this approach favors low frequencies of off-target events and minimizes the window of immune activation. Moreover, from a pharmaceutical perspective, synthetic delivery systems are much easier to scale up for clinical use compared to viral vectors and can be chemically functionalized with ligands to obtain target cell specificity. The first preclinical results with lipid nanoparticles delivering CRISPR/Cas either as mRNA or ribonucleoproteins are very promising. The goal is translating these CRISPR/Cas therapeutics to a clinical setting as well. Taken together, these current trends seem to favor the use of sgRNA/Cas ribonucleoprotein complexes delivered in vivo by synthetic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Wilbie
- Department of Pharmaceutics,
Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna Walther
- Department of Pharmaceutics,
Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Enrico Mastrobattista
- Department of Pharmaceutics,
Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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32
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Riddell P, Gilbert JL, Molloy EL, Finnegan S, Egan JJ, O'Dea S. Delivery of nucleic acids to ex vivo porcine airways using electrospray. Exp Lung Res 2019; 44:405-416. [PMID: 30675820 DOI: 10.1080/01902148.2018.1563924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to provide clinically meaningful benefit across a wide spectrum of lung disease. However, in vivo delivery remains a challenge. Here we examined the feasibility of using electrospray to deliver nucleic acids to both porcine tracheal tissue sections and whole lung ex vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of electrospray solution, emitter gauge, flow rate and voltage on plasmid DNA integrity was examined by analyzing supercoiled:open circle structure ratio by gel electrophoresis. Optimal parameters were used to deliver luciferase DNA and mRNA and siRNA-FITC to tracheal tissue sections. Luciferase mRNA was delivered to whole porcine lungs ex vivo using a catheter and bronchoscope system. Luciferase activity and fluorescence were analyzed by luminometry and microscopy respectively. RESULTS The incidence of DNA plasmid nicking was greatest in a low salt solution without ethanol compared with 1% and 20% ethanol with salt. From a range of emitters tested, a 32 gauge emitter produced the best supercoiled:open circle structure ratio, likely because less voltage was required to produce a stable electrospray with this emitter. Lower flow rates also showed a trend towards reduced DNA nicking. GFP DNA electrosprayed at 5 kV and 6 kV resulted in lower levels of GFP expression in A549 lung cells following lipofection compared with 3 kV and 4 kV. Optimised parameters of 20% ethanol solution, 32 gauge emitter, low flow rates and voltages of 3-5 kV, nucleic acid molecules were successful for delivery of luciferase DNA and mRNA as well as siRNA-FITC to porcine tracheal tissue sections and for delivery of luciferase mRNA to whole porcine lungs via bronchoscope. CONCLUSIONS We report ex vivo delivery of nucleic acids to porcine lung tissue via electrospray and bronchoscopic electrospray delivery of nucleic acid to an ex vivo porcine lung model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Riddell
- a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Jim J Egan
- a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
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