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Peluffo H, Unzueta U, Negro-Demontel ML, Xu Z, Váquez E, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A. BBB-targeting, protein-based nanomedicines for drug and nucleic acid delivery to the CNS. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:277-87. [PMID: 25698504 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) demands the urgent development of efficient drugs. While many of these medicines are already available, the Blood Brain Barrier and to a lesser extent, the Blood Spinal Cord Barrier pose physical and biological limitations to their diffusion to reach target tissues. Therefore, efforts are needed not only to address drug development but specially to design suitable vehicles for delivery into the CNS through systemic administration. In the context of the functional and structural versatility of proteins, recent advances in their biological fabrication and a better comprehension of the physiology of the CNS offer a plethora of opportunities for the construction and tailoring of plain nanoconjugates and of more complex nanosized vehicles able to cross these barriers. We revise here how the engineering of functional proteins offers drug delivery tools for specific CNS diseases and more transversally, how proteins can be engineered into smart nanoparticles or 'artificial viruses' to afford therapeutic requirements through alternative administration routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Peluffo
- Neuroinflammation Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Luciana Negro-Demontel
- Neuroinflammation Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Zhikun Xu
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Váquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Negro-Demontel ML, Saccardo P, Giacomini C, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Ferrer-Miralles N, Vazquez E, Villaverde A, Peluffo H. Comparative analysis of lentiviral vectors and modular protein nanovectors for traumatic brain injury gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14047. [PMID: 26015985 PMCID: PMC4362363 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide and there are no effective treatments currently available. Gene therapy applications have emerged as important alternatives for the treatment of diverse nervous system injuries. New strategies are evolving with the notion that each particular pathological condition may require a specific vector. Moreover, the lack of detailed comparative studies between different vectors under similar conditions hampers the selection of an ideal vector for a given pathological condition. The potential use of lentiviral vectors versus several modular protein-based nanovectors was compared using a controlled cortical impact model of TBI under the same gene therapy conditions. We show that variables such as protein/DNA ratio, incubation volume, and presence of serum or chloroquine in the transfection medium impact on both nanovector formation and transfection efficiency in vitro. While lentiviral vectors showed GFP protein 1 day after TBI and increased expression at 14 days, nanovectors showed stable and lower GFP transgene expression from 1 to 14 days. No toxicity after TBI by any of the vectors was observed as determined by resulting levels of IL-1β or using neurological sticky tape test. In fact, both vector types induced functional improvement per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luciana Negro-Demontel
- Neuroinflammation and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay ; Departmento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paolo Saccardo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Giacomini
- Cátedra de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Vazquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; Department de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain ; CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Peluffo
- Neuroinflammation and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo , Montevideo, Uruguay ; Departmento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, UDELAR , Montevideo, Uruguay
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Ferrer-Miralles N, Rodríguez-Carmona E, Corchero JL, García-Fruitós E, Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Engineering protein self-assembling in protein-based nanomedicines for drug delivery and gene therapy. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2013; 35:209-21. [DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2013.833163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Hu Y, Haynes MT, Wang Y, Liu F, Huang L. A highly efficient synthetic vector: nonhydrodynamic delivery of DNA to hepatocyte nuclei in vivo. ACS NANO 2013; 7:5376-84. [PMID: 23647441 PMCID: PMC3718078 DOI: 10.1021/nn4012384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional membrane-core nanoparticles, composed of calcium phosphate cores, arginine-rich peptides, cationic and PEGylated lipid membranes, and galactose targeting ligands, have been developed as synthetic vectors for efficient nuclear delivery of plasmid DNA and subsequent gene expression in hepatocytes in vivo. Targeted particles exhibited rapid and extensive hepatic accumulation and were predominantly internalized by hepatocytes, while the inclusion of such peptides in LCP was sufficient to elicit high degrees of nuclear translocation of plasmid DNA. Monocyclic CR8C significantly enhanced in vivo gene expression over 10-fold more than linear CR8C, likely due to a release-favoring mechanism of the DNA/peptide complex. Though 100-fold lower in activity than that achieved via hydrodynamic injection, this formulation presents as a much less invasive alternative. To our knowledge, this is the most effective synthetic vector for liver gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Hu
- The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: Yunxia Hu,
| | - Matthew T. Haynes
- The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599, USA
| | - Yuhua Wang
- The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599, USA
| | - Feng Liu
- The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599, USA
| | - Leaf Huang
- The Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: Leaf Huang,
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Peluffo H, Gonzalez P, Acarin L, Arís A, Beyaert R, Villaverde A, Gonzalez B. Overexpression of the nuclear factor kappaB inhibitor A20 is neurotoxic after an excitotoxic injury to the immature rat brain. Neurol Res 2012; 35:308-19. [PMID: 23336395 DOI: 10.1179/1743132812y.0000000139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zinc finger protein A20 is an ubiquitinating/deubiquitinating enzyme essential for the termination of inflammatory reactions through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. Moreover, it also shows anti-apoptotic activities in some cell types and proapoptotic/pronecrotic effects in others. Although it is known that the regulation of inflammatory and cell death processes are critical in proper brain functioning and that A20 mRNA is expressed in the CNS, its role in the brain under physiological and pathological conditions is still unknown. METHODS In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of A20 overexpression in mixed cortical cultures in basal conditions: the in vivo pattern of endogenous A20 expression in the control and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) excitotoxically damaged postnatal day 9 immature rat brain, and the post-injury effects of A20 overexpression in the same lesion model. RESULTS Our results show that overexpression of A20 in mixed cortical cultures induced significant neuronal death by decreasing neuronal cell counts by 45 ± 9%. in vivo analysis of endogenous A20 expression showed widespread expression in gray matter, mainly in neuronal cells. However, after NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, neuronal A20 was downregulated in the neurodegenerating cortex and striatum at 10-24 hours post-lesion, and it was re-expressed at longer survival times in reactive astrocytes located mainly in the lesion border. When A20 was overexpressed in vivo 2 hours after the excitotoxic damage, the lesion volume at 3 days post-lesion showed a significant increase (20.8 ± 7.0%). No A20-induced changes were observed in the astroglial response to injury. CONCLUSIONS A20 is found in neuronal cells in normal conditions and is also expressed in astrocytes after brain damage, and its overexpression is neurotoxic for cortical neurons in basal mixed neuron-glia culture conditions and exacerbates postnatal brain excitotoxic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Peluffo
- Insitut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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Peluffo H, Alí-Ruiz D, Ejarque-Ortíz A, Heras-Alvarez V, Comas-Casellas E, Martínez-Barriocanal A, Kamaid A, Alvarez-Errico D, Negro ML, Lago N, Schwartz S, Villaverde A, Sayós J. Overexpression of the immunoreceptor CD300f has a neuroprotective role in a model of acute brain injury. Brain Pathol 2011; 22:318-28. [PMID: 21951326 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2011.00537.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that cell surface immune receptors play a critical role in regulating immune and inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (CNS). We have analyzed the function of cluster of differentiation (CD)300f immunoreceptor in a model of excitotoxic rat brain damage. First, to explore the presence of endogenous ligand(s) for this receptor we used a human CD300f-Ig soluble protein and confocal microscopy, showing specific staining mainly in CNS white matter and on the surface of oligodendrocytes and certain astrocytes. Next, we demonstrated in a model of in vivo rat brain excitotoxic damage that the overexpression of human CD300f induced a significant reduction in the lesion volume. To validate these results, we cloned the rat ortholog of CD300f protein (rCD300f). The overexpression of rCD300f receptor had a comparable neuroprotective effect after the acute brain injury and a similar CNS staining pattern when stained with the rCD300f-Ig soluble protein. Interestingly, when we analyzed the expression pattern of rCD300f in brain cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, we detected the expression of CD300f as expected in microglial cells, but also in oligodendrocytes and neurons. These data suggest that the neuroprotective role of CD300f would be the result of a complex network of cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Peluffo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Gonzalez P, Peluffo H, Acarin L, Villaverde A, Gonzalez B, Castellano B. Interleukin-10 overexpression does not synergize with the neuroprotective action of RGD-containing vectors after postnatal brain excitotoxicity but modulates the main inflammatory cell responses. J Neurosci Res 2011; 90:143-59. [PMID: 21922521 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 06/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Antiinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) have been used to modulate and terminate inflammation and provide neuroprotection. Recently, we reported that the modular recombinant transfection vector NLSCt is an efficient tool for transgene overexpression in vivo, which induces neuroprotection as a result of its RGD-mediated integrin-interacting capacity. We here sought to evaluate the putative synergic neuroprotective action exerted by IL-10 overexpression using NLSCt as a transfection vector after an excitotoxic injury to the postnatal rat brain. For this purpose, lesion volume, neurodegeneration, astroglial and microglial responses, neutrophil infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine production were analyzed at several survival times after intracortical NMDA injection in postnatal day 9 rats, followed by injection of NLSCt combined with the IL-10 gene, a control transgene, or saline vehicle solution. Our results show no combined neuroprotective effect between RGD-interacting vectors and IL-10 gene therapy; instead, IL-10 overexpression using NLSCt as transfection vector increased lesion volume and neuronal degeneration at 12 hr and 3 days postlesion. In parallel, NLSCt/IL-10 treated animals displayed increased density of neutrophils and microglia/macrophages, and a reduced astroglial content of GFAP and vimentin. Moreover, NLSCt/IL-10 treated animals did not show any variation in interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor-α expression but a slight increase in interleukin-6 content at 7 days postlesion. In conclusion, overexpression of IL-10 by using NLSCt transfection vector did not synergistically neuroprotect the excitotoxically damaged postnatal rat brain but induced changes in the astroglial and microglial and inflammatory cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Gonzalez
- Unit of Medical Histology, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology and Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Domingo-Espín J, Vazquez E, Ganz J, Conchillo O, García-Fruitós E, Cedano J, Unzueta U, Petegnief V, Gonzalez-Montalbán N, Planas AM, Daura X, Peluffo H, Ferrer-Miralles N, Villaverde A. Nanoparticulate architecture of protein-based artificial viruses is supported by protein-DNA interactions. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2011; 6:1047-61. [PMID: 21651444 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.11.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED AIM & METHODS: We have produced two chimerical peptides of 10.2 kDa, each contain four biologically active domains, which act as building blocks of protein-based nonviral vehicles for gene therapy. In solution, these peptides tend to aggregate as amorphous clusters of more than 1000 nm, while the presence of DNA promotes their architectonic reorganization as mechanically stable nanometric spherical entities of approximately 80 nm that penetrate mammalian cells through arginine-glycine-aspartic acid cell-binding domains and promote significant transgene expression levels. RESULTS & CONCLUSION The structural analysis of the protein in these hybrid nanoparticles indicates a molecular conformation with predominance of α-helix and the absence of cross-molecular, β-sheet-supported protein interactions. The nanoscale organizing forces generated by DNA-protein interactions can then be observed as a potentially tunable, critical factor in the design of protein-only based artificial viruses for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Domingo-Espín
- Institute for Biotechnology & Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Vázquez E, Villaverde A. Engineering building blocks for self-assembling protein nanoparticles. Microb Cell Fact 2010; 9:101. [PMID: 21192790 PMCID: PMC3022712 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-9-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Like natural viruses, manmade protein cages for drug delivery are to be ideally formed by repetitive subunits with self-assembling properties, mimicking viral functions and molecular organization. Naturally formed nanostructures (such as viruses, flagella or simpler protein oligomers) can be engineered to acquire specific traits of interest in biomedicine, for instance through the addition of cell targeting agents for desired biodistribution and specific delivery of associated drugs. However, fully artificial constructs would be highly desirable regarding finest tuning and adaptation to precise therapeutic purposes. Although engineering of protein assembling is still in its infancy, arising principles and promising strategies of protein manipulation point out the rational construction of nanoscale protein cages as a feasible concept, reachable through conventional recombinant DNA technologies and microbial protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Vázquez
- Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Hu T, Wang Z, Zeng F, Chen X, Gu Z, Zheng L, Tong Q. Expression pattern of testis-specific expressed gene 2 in cryptorchidism model and its role in apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 30:193-7. [PMID: 20407872 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-010-0212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In our previous study, we identified a novel testis-specific expressed gene 2 (TSEG-2) from mouse testis. To further investigate its functions, 35 male Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were divided into cryptorchidism group (n=20), sham group (n=10), and control group (n=5). In cryptorchidism group, the right testes were anchored to the inner lateral abdominal wall. In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied to measure the localization of TSEG-2 in mouse testis. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of TSEG-2 gene. Meanwhile, under the mediation of polyethylenimine (PEI), the recombinant vector pEGFP-TSEG-2 (n=5) or empty vector (mock, n=5) was transfected into the testis of male mice. The transfection efficiencies were measured under a fluorescence microscope. The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidyl-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that TSEG-2 was expressed in convoluted seminiferous tubules, more precisely, in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. As compared with sham and control groups, the TSEG-2 transcription was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) and was correlated with apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in cryptorchid testes (P<0.05). PEI was efficient in mediating transfection of TSEG-2 into seminiferous tubules of testis. One week post-transfection, intratesticular injection of TSEG-2 resulted in increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo (P<0.05). These results indicate that TSEG-2 may participate in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Hu
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Saccardo P, Villaverde A, González-Montalbán N. Peptide-mediated DNA condensation for non-viral gene therapy. Biotechnol Adv 2009; 27:432-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2008] [Revised: 03/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Maguire-Zeiss KA, Mhyre TR, Federoff HJ. Gazing into the future: Parkinson's disease gene therapeutics to modify natural history. Exp Neurol 2007; 209:101-13. [PMID: 18035353 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2007] [Revised: 09/19/2007] [Accepted: 09/24/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PD gene therapy clinical trials have primarily focused on increasing the production of dopamine (DA) through supplemental amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) expression, neurotrophic support for surviving dopaminergic neurons (DAN) or altering brain circuitry to compensate for DA neuron loss. The future of PD gene therapy will depend upon resolving a number of important issues that are discussed in this special issue. Of particular importance is the identification of novel targets that are amenable to early intervention prior to the substantial loss of DAN. However, for the most part the etiopathogenesis of PD is unknown making early intervention a challenge and the development of early biomarker diagnostics imperative.
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Peluffo H, González P, Arís A, Acarin L, Saura J, Villaverde A, Castellano B, González B. RGD domains neuroprotect the immature brain by a glial-dependent mechanism. Ann Neurol 2007; 62:251-61. [PMID: 17721926 DOI: 10.1002/ana.21170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Integrin binding to extracellular matrix ligands, including those presenting RGD motifs, modulate diverse cellular processes. In the brain, many endogenous RGD-containing molecules are induced after damage. Previously, the gene therapy vector termed NLSCt, which displays an RGD motif, was shown to neuroprotect after immature brain excitotoxicity. We analyze whether neuroprotection is mediated by the RGD motif. METHODS RGD-containing synthetic peptide GPenGRGDSPCA (GPen) was injected 2 hours after N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated excitotoxicity to the postnatal day 9 rat brain. Damage and glial/inflammatory response were evaluated 3 days later. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of GPen and NLSCt after N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced cell death was also analyzed in vitro using neuron-purified and mixed neuron-glia primary cultures. To further characterize whether the neuroprotective effect was mediated by glial-derived soluble factors, we also tested the protective ability of conditioned media from RGD-treated microglia, astrocyte, or mixed glia cultures. RESULTS Animals treated with GPen peptide showed functional improvement, a significant reduction in lesion volume up to 28%, and a decrease in the number of degenerating neurons. In addition, N-methyl-D-aspartate-injected animals treated with both RGD-containing molecules at the neuroprotective doses showed a significant increase in microglial reactivity and microglia/macrophage cell number, but no differences in neutrophil infiltration and the astroglial response. Finally, in vitro studies showed that the neuroprotective effect was observed in mixed neuron-glia, but not in neuron-purified cultures. Conditioned media from RGD-treated microglial, astroglial, and mixed-glial cultures were not protective. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that RGD-containing molecules neuroprotect by a glial-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Peluffo
- Medical Histology, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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Peluffo H, Acarin L, Arís A, González P, Villaverde A, Castellano B, González B. Neuroprotection from NMDA excitotoxic lesion by Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene delivery to the postnatal rat brain by a modular protein vector. BMC Neurosci 2006; 7:35. [PMID: 16638118 PMCID: PMC1462999 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-7-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2005] [Accepted: 04/25/2006] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Superoxide mediated oxidative stress is a key neuropathologic mechanism in acute central nervous system injuries. We have analyzed the neuroprotective efficacy of the transient overexpression of antioxidant enzyme Cu/Zn Superoxide dismutase (SOD) after excitotoxic injury to the immature rat brain by using a recently constructed modular protein vector for non-viral gene delivery termed NLSCt. For this purpose, animals were injected with the NLSCt vector carrying the Cu/Zn SOD or the control GFP transgenes 2 hours after intracortical N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) administration, and daily functional evaluation was performed. Moreover, 3 days after, lesion volume, neuronal degeneration and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity were evaluated. RESULTS Overexpression of Cu/Zn SOD transgene after NMDA administration showed improved functional outcome and a reduced lesion volume at 3 days post lesion. In secondary degenerative areas, increased neuronal survival as well as decreased numbers of degenerating neurons and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was seen. Interestingly, injection of the NLSCt vector carrying the control GFP transgene also displayed a significant neuroprotective effect but less pronounced. CONCLUSION When the appropriate levels of Cu/Zn SOD are expressed transiently after injury using the non-viral modular protein vector NLSCt a neuroprotective effect is seen. Thus recombinant modular protein vectors may be suitable for in vivo gene therapy, and Cu/Zn SOD should be considered as an interesting therapeutic transgene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Peluffo
- Unitat d'Histologia, Torre M5, Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Laia Acarin
- Unitat d'Histologia, Torre M5, Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Anna Arís
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Pau González
- Unitat d'Histologia, Torre M5, Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Antoni Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Bernardo Castellano
- Unitat d'Histologia, Torre M5, Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Berta González
- Unitat d'Histologia, Torre M5, Facultat de Medicina, Departament de Biologia Cel.lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, and Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Spain
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15
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Mastrobattista E, van der Aa MAEM, Hennink WE, Crommelin DJA. Artificial viruses: a nanotechnological approach to gene delivery. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2006; 5:115-21. [PMID: 16521330 DOI: 10.1038/nrd1960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding multidisciplinary field in which highly sophisticated nanoscale devices are constructed from atoms, molecules or (macro)molecular assemblies. In the field of gene medicine, systems for delivering nucleic acids are being developed that incorporate virus-like functions in a single nanoparticle. Although their development is still in its infancy, it is expected that such artificial viruses will have a great impact on the advancements of gene therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Mastrobattista
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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16
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Zeng J, Wang S. Enhanced gene delivery to PC12 cells by a cationic polypeptide. Biomaterials 2005; 26:679-86. [PMID: 15282146 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2003] [Accepted: 03/13/2004] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Targeted gene delivery to diseased subtypes of neurons will be beneficial to the success of gene therapy of neurological disorders. We designed a recombinant cationic polypeptide to facilitate gene delivery to neuronal-like PC12 cells that express the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors. The recombinant polypeptide was composed of a targeting moiety derived from loop 4-containing hairpin motif of NGF and a DNA-binding moiety of 10-lysine sequence and expressed in Escherichia coli. It activated NGF receptor, TrkA and its downstream signaling pathways in PC12 and promoted the survival of neuronally differentiated PC12 cells deprived of serum. The polypeptide could also bind plasmid DNA and enhance polycation-mediated gene delivery in NGF receptor-expressing PC12 cells, but not in COS7 cells lacking NGF receptors. The enhancement of gene transfer in PC12 was inhibited by pretreatment of free, unbound polypeptides, suggesting a NGF-receptor-specific effect of the polypeptide. These observations demonstrated the concept of using receptor-mediated mechanism for targeted gene delivery to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieming Zeng
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, IMRE Building, 3 Research Link, Singapore 117602, Singapore
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17
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Mastrobattista E, Bravo SA, van der Aa M, Crommelin DJA. Nonviral gene delivery systems: From simple transfection agents to artificial viruses. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2005; 2:103-109. [PMID: 24981762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2005.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of nucleic acids into cells for therapeutic intervention is greatly impeded by the size and charge of these molecules and therefore requires sophisticated vectors that facilitate cellular uptake. Both viral and nonviral vectors have been developed for this purpose, each with their own advantages and shortcomings. The engineering of artificial viruses by dismantling virus particles or incorporating viral features into nonviral vectors represents a novel strategy to combine "the best of both worlds".:
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Mastrobattista
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Silvina A Bravo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke van der Aa
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daan J A Crommelin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Abstract
Despite the recognized potential of viral vectors for gene therapy, growing biological concerns are prompting the exploration of safer, non-viral vectors to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids. In this context, recombinant proteins can be bioproduced on a large scale, without the need for further in vitro modifications, being free of known or suspected biohazards. For these vehicles to act as efficient gene-delivery devices, they must perform relevant functions that mimic those of viruses; namely, nucleic acid condensation, targeted cell attachment and internalization, endosomal escape and nuclear transfer. Modular engineering enables the construction of chimeric polypeptides in which selected domains, potentially from different origins, provide the required activities. An equilibrate combination and spatial distribution of such partner elements has generated promising prototypes, able to deliver expressible DNA to tissue culture but also to specific cell-types in whole organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Arís
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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