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Zhao M, Sun YD, Yin M, Zhao JJ, Li SA, Li G, Zhang F, Xu J, Meng FY, Zhang B, Sun XY, Zhang JP, Cheng T, Zhang XB. Modulation of Immune Reaction in Hydrodynamic Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 33:404-420. [PMID: 34555961 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A (HA) is a monogenic disease characterized by plasma clotting factor 8 (F8) deficiency due to F8 mutation. We have been attempting to cure HA permanently using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing strategy. Here, we induced targeted integration of BDDF8 (B-domain-deleted F8) gene into the albumin locus of HA mice by hydrodynamic tail vein injection of editing plasmid vectors. One week after treatment, a high F8 activity ranging from 70% to 280% of normal serum levels was observed in all treated HA mice but dropped to background levels 3-5 weeks later. We found that the humoral immune reaction targeting F8 is the predominant cause of the decreased F8 activity. We hypothesized that hydrodynamic injection-induced liver damage triggered the release of large quantities of inflammatory cytokines. However, co-injection of plasmids expressing a dozen immunomodulatory factors failed to curtail the immune reaction and stabilize F8 activity. The spCas9 plasmid carrying a miR-142-3p target sequence alleviated the cellular immune response but was unable to deliver therapeutic efficacy. Strikingly, immunosuppressant cyclo-phosphamide virtually abolished the immune response, leading to a year-long stable F8 level. Our findings should have important implications in developing therapies in mouse models using the hydrodynamic gene delivery approach, highlighting the ne-cessity of modulating the innate immune response triggered by liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Yi-Dan Sun
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Mengdi Yin
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Juan-Juan Zhao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Si-Ang Li
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Guohua Li
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Feng Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Jing Xu
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Fei-Ying Meng
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Beldon Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Xin-Yu Sun
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Jian-Ping Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Tao Cheng
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, 70585, Tianjin, Tianjin, China;
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Suzuki T, Wakao Y, Goda T, Kamiya H. Conventional plasmid DNAs with a CpG-containing backbone achieve durable transgene expression in mouse liver. J Gene Med 2020; 22:e3138. [PMID: 31696985 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Durable transgene expression from plasmid DNAs is the key to gene therapy with non-viral vectors. A comparison of the durability of transgene expression from plasmid DNAs with the CpG-free and -containing backbones is important. METHODS We constructed plasmid DNAs with the CpG-containing backbone, various transcription regulatory sequences with and without CpG, and the gene encoding Gaussia princeps luciferase, which is apparently non-immunogenic. The tail vein hydrodynamics-based method was used for plasmid injection into mice, and the luciferase activity in serum was tracked for 28 days. RESULTS The plasmid DNAs containing the albumin promoter [with or without the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer] and the elongation factor (EF)1α promoter plus the CMV enhancer exhibited long-term luciferase expression. The expression from the plasmid DNA containing the albumin promoter without the CMV enhancer was maintained for at least 24 weeks and was similar to that from the corresponding CpG-free plasmid DNA. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained in the present study suggest that special sequences/systems are unnecessary for durable transgene expression from plasmid DNAs when the proper transcription regulatory sequences are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Suzuki
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yusuke Wakao
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takuya Goda
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamiya
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Wang T, Zhang J, Tian J, Hu S, Wei R, Cui L. Low expression levels of plasma miR-141 are associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:629-636. [PMID: 31289535 PMCID: PMC6546987 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) offer great potential as biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis of cancer, and the discovery of miRNAs associated with gastric cancer is required. In the present study, the differences in the plasma expression levels of miR-141 between patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls, and the role of miR-141 in gastric cancer cell oncogenesis were investigated. A follow-up study of 164 patients with gastric cancer who underwent tumor resection was conducted, and comparisons with healthy control subjects were drawn. To investigate the biological functions of miR-141, a series of in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted, including proliferation, wound-healing and Transwell assays, and a xenograft tumor model. The results demonstrated that miR-141 expression was significantly decreased in tumor tissues compared with in healthy tissues (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed improved survival benefits with increased miR-141 expression (as determined using the log-rank test, P<0.001), and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with decreased expression levels of miR-141 carried a greater risk of death (hazard ratio=2.352; 95% CI=1.379-4.012; P=0.002). The downregulation of miR-141 was also associated with WHO staging, particularly for lymph node and distant metastasis. Exogenous overexpression of miR-141 significantly inhibited the proliferative and migratory abilities of the gastric cancer cell line BGC-823. In vivo studies also demonstrated that exogenous overexpression of miR-141 in BGC-823 cells markedly reduced tumor growth in nude mice. The present study revealed that increased miR-141 expression may be a positive prognostic factor, which may be clinically beneficial in patients with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of General Medicine, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, 300401, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| | - Shasha Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| | - Rongna Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
| | - Lihong Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Nankai, Tianjin 300100, P.R. China
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Intravenous Delivery of piggyBac Transposons as a Useful Tool for Liver-Specific Gene-Switching. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113452. [PMID: 30400245 PMCID: PMC6274756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamics-based gene delivery (HGD) is an efficient method for transfecting plasmid DNA into hepatocytes in vivo. However, the resulting gene expression is transient, and occurs in a non-tissue specific manner. The piggyBac (PB) transposon system allows chromosomal integration of a transgene in vitro. This study aimed to achieve long-term in vivo expression of a transgene by performing hepatocyte-specific chromosomal integration of the transgene using PB and HGD. Using this approach, we generated a novel mouse model for a hepatic disorder. A distinct signal from the reporter plasmid DNA was discernible in the murine liver approximately two months after the administration of PB transposons carrying a reporter gene. Then, to induce the hepatic disorder, we first administered mice with a PB transposon carrying a CETD unit (loxP-flanked stop cassette, diphtheria toxin-A chain gene, and poly(A) sites), and then with a plasmid expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of a liver-specific promoter. We showed that this system can be used for in situ manipulation and analysis of hepatocyte function in vivo in non-transgenic (Tg) animals.
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Suzuki T, Goda T, Kamiya H. Durable Transgene Expression Driven by CpG-Free and -Containing Promoters in Plasmid DNA with CpG-Free Backbone. Biol Pharm Bull 2018; 41:1489-1493. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b18-00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Suzuki
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University
| | - Takuya Goda
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University
| | - Hiroyuki Kamiya
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University
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6
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Yin Y, Takahashi Y, Hamana A, Nishikawa M, Takakura Y. Effects of transgene expression level per cell in mice livers on induction of transgene-specific immune responses after hydrodynamic gene transfer. Gene Ther 2016; 23:565-71. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2016.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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7
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Abe H, Kamimura K, Kobayashi Y, Ohtsuka M, Miura H, Ohashi R, Yokoo T, Kanefuji T, Suda T, Tsuchida M, Aoyagi Y, Zhang G, Liu D, Terai S. Effective Prevention of Liver Fibrosis by Liver-targeted Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery of Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 in a Rat Liver Fibrosis Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e276. [PMID: 26730813 PMCID: PMC5012547 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the final stage of liver diseases that lead to liver failure and cancer. While various diagnostic methods, including the use of serum marker, have been established, no standard therapy has been developed. The objective of this study was to assess the approach of overexpressing matrix metalloproteinase-13 gene (MMP13) in rat liver to prevent liver fibrosis progression. A rat liver fibrosis model was established by ligating the bile duct, followed by liver-targeted hydrodynamic gene delivery of a MMP13 expression vector, containing a CAG promoter-MMP13-IRES-tdTomato-polyA cassette. After 14 days, the serum level of MMP13 peaked at 71.7 pg/ml in MMP13-treated group, whereas the nontreated group only showed a level of ~5 pg/ml (P < 0.001). These levels were sustained for the next 60 days. The statistically lower level of the hyaluronic acids in treated group versus the nontreated group (P < 0.05) reveals the therapeutic effect of MMP13 overexpression. Quantitative analysis of tissue stained with sirius red showed a statistically larger volume of fibrotic tissue in the nontreated group compared to that of MMP13-treated rats (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the liver-targeted hydrodynamic delivery of MMP13 gene could be effective in the prevention of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1–757 Asahimachi–dori, Chuo–ku, Niigata, Niigata 9518510, Japan. E-mail:
| | - Yuji Kobayashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromi Miura
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Riuko Ohashi
- Department of Pathology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kanefuji
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masanori Tsuchida
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yutaka Aoyagi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Guisheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
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8
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Subang MC, Fatah R, Wu Y, Hannaman D, Rice J, Evans CF, Chernajovsky Y, Gould D. Effects of APC De-targeting and GAr modification on the duration of luciferase expression from plasmid DNA delivered to skeletal muscle. Curr Gene Ther 2015; 15:3-14. [PMID: 25545919 PMCID: PMC4443798 DOI: 10.2174/1566523214666141114204943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses to expressed foreign transgenes continue to hamper progress of gene therapy development. Translated foreign proteins with intracellular location are generally less accessible to the immune system, nevertheless they can be presented to the immune system through both MHC Class I and Class II pathways. When the foreign protein luciferase was expressed following intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA in outbred mice, expression rapidly declined over 4 weeks. Through modifications to the expression plasmid and the luciferase transgene we examined the effect of detargeting expression away from antigen-presenting cells (APCs), targeting expression to skeletal muscle and fusion with glycine-alanine repeats (GAr) that block MHC-Class I presentation on the duration of luciferase expression. De-targeting expression from APCs with miR142-3p target sequences incorporated into the luciferase 3'UTR reduced the humoral immune response to both native and luciferase modified with a short GAr sequence but did not prolong the duration of expression. When a skeletal muscle specific promoter was combined with the miR target sequences the humoral immune response was dampened and luciferase expression persisted at higher levels for longer. Interestingly, fusion of luciferase with a longer GAr sequence promoted the decline in luciferase expression and increased the humoral immune response to luciferase. These studies demonstrate that expression elements and transgene modifications can alter the duration of transgene expression but other factors will need to overcome before foreign transgenes expressed in skeletal muscle are immunologically silent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Gould
- Bone & Joint Research Unit, Queen Mary University of London, William Harvey Research Institute, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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Abstract
Hydrodynamic delivery (HD) is a broadly used procedure for DNA and RNA delivery in rodents, serving as a powerful tool for gene/protein drug discovery, gene function analysis, target validation, and identification of elements in regulating gene expression in vivo. HD involves a pressurized injection of a large volume of solution into a vasculature. New procedures are being developed to satisfy the need for a safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. Here, we summarize the fundamentals of HD, its applications, and future perspectives for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Dexi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, School of Pharmacy, Athens, GA, USA
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10
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Oprea II, Viola JR, Moreno PMD, Simonson OE, Rodin S, Teller N, Tryggvason K, Lundin KE, Girnita L, Smith CIE. Repeatable, Inducible Micro-RNA-Based Technology Tightly Controls Liver Transgene Expression. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e172. [PMID: 24983837 PMCID: PMC4121515 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2014.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Inducible systems for gene expression emerge as a new class of artificial vectors offering temporal and spatial exogenous control of gene expression. However, most inducible systems are less efficient in vivo and lack the target-organ specificity. In the present study, we have developed and optimized an oligonucleotide-based inducible system for the in vivo control of transgenes in the liver. We generated a set of simple, inducible plasmid-vectors based on the addition of four units of liver-specific miR-122 target sites to the 3′untranslated region of the gene of interest. Once the vector was delivered into hepatocytes this modification induced a dramatic reduction of gene expression that could be restored by the infusion of an antagomir for miR-122. The efficiency of the system was tested in vivo, and displayed low background and strong increase in gene expression upon induction. Moreover, gene expression was repeatedly induced even several months after the first induction showing no toxic effect in vivo. By combining tissue-specific control elements with antagomir treatment we generated, optimized and validated a robust inducible system that could be used successfully for in vivo experimental models requiring tight and cyclic control of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulian I Oprea
- 1] Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden [2] Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania [3] Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joana R Viola
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Pedro M D Moreno
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Oscar E Simonson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sergey Rodin
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Karl Tryggvason
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin E Lundin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Leonard Girnita
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl Inge Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
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11
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Yin Y, Takahashi Y, Ebisuura N, Nishikawa M, Takakura Y. Removal of transgene-expressing cells by a specific immune response induced by sustained transgene expression. J Gene Med 2014; 16:97-106. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yalei Yin
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Norifumi Ebisuura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Makiya Nishikawa
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Takakura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
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12
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Anatomy of plasmid DNAs with anti-silencing elements. Int J Pharm 2014; 464:27-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Boisgerault F, Gross DA, Ferrand M, Poupiot J, Darocha S, Richard I, Galy A. Prolonged gene expression in muscle is achieved without active immune tolerance using microrRNA 142.3p-regulated rAAV gene transfer. Hum Gene Ther 2014; 24:393-405. [PMID: 23427817 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer efficacy is limited by unwanted immunization against transgene products. In some models, immunization may be avoided by regulating transgene expression with mir142.3p target sequences. Yet, it is unclear if such a strategy controls T-cell responses following recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV)-mediated gene transfer, particularly in muscle. In mice, intramuscular rAAV1 gene delivery of a tagged human sarcoglycan muscle protein is robustly immunogenic and leads to muscle destruction. In this model, the simple insertion of mir142.3p-target sequences in the transgene expression cassette modifies the outcome of gene transfer, providing high and persistent levels of muscle transduction in C57Bl/6 mice. Such regulated vector fails to prime specific CD4 and CD8 T cells; although, transgene tolerance seems to result from ignorance and could be broken by a robust antigenic challenge. While effective in normal mice, the mir142.3p-regulated transgene remains immunogenic in sarcoglycan-deficient dystrophic mice. In these mice, transgene expression is only prolonged but does not persist as effector CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses develop. Thus, using a mir142.3p-regulated transgene can improve rAAV muscle gene transfer results, but the level of efficacy depends on the context of application. In normal muscle, this strategy is sufficient to prevent immunization and functions even more effectively than tissue-specific promoters. In dystrophic models, additional strategies are required to fully control T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Boisgerault
- Genethon, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies Group, Evry F91002 France
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14
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Togashi R, Harashima H, Kamiya H. Correlation between transgen expression and plasmid DNA loss in mouse liver. J Gene Med 2013; 15:242-8. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Togashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Hokkaido University; Sapporo; Japan
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Hackett PB, Aronovich EL, Hunter D, Urness M, Bell JB, Kass SJ, Cooper LJN, McIvor S. Efficacy and safety of Sleeping Beauty transposon-mediated gene transfer in preclinical animal studies. Curr Gene Ther 2011; 11:341-9. [PMID: 21888621 PMCID: PMC3728161 DOI: 10.2174/156652311797415827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 06/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposons have been effective in delivering therapeutic genes to treat certain diseases in mice. Hydrodynamic gene delivery of integrating transposons to 5-20% of the hepatocytes in a mouse results in persistent elevated expression of the therapeutic polypeptides that can be secreted into the blood for activity throughout the animal. An alternative route of delivery is ex vivo transformation with SB transposons of hematopoietic cells, which then can be reintroduced into the animal for treatment of cancer. We discuss issues associated with the scale-up of hydrodynamic delivery to the liver of larger animals as well as ex vivo delivery. Based on our and others' experience with inefficient delivery to larger animals, we hypothesize that impulse, rather than pressure, is a critical determinant of the effectiveness of hydrodynamic delivery. Accordingly, we propose some alterations in delivery strategies that may yield efficacious levels of gene delivery in dogs and swine that will be applicable to humans. To ready hydrodynamic delivery for human application we address a second issue facing transposons used for gene delivery regarding their potential to "re-hop" from one site to another and thereby destabilize the genome. The ability to correct genetic diseases through the infusion of DNA plasmids remains an appealing goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perry B Hackett
- Dept. of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Zhang G, Wang Q, Xu R. Therapeutics Based on microRNA: A New Approach for Liver Cancer. Curr Genomics 2011; 11:311-25. [PMID: 21286309 PMCID: PMC2944997 DOI: 10.2174/138920210791616671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Revised: 04/11/2010] [Accepted: 04/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious public health hazard. Polygenes involvement, accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes and immune response of viral vector during gene therapy have resulted in the high mortality rate without marked change. To provide a safeguard for gene therapy and the feasibility for a clinical application, efforts have been focused predominantly upon constructing liver-targeted vector recently. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short endogenous RNAs, regulate the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through imperfect base pairing with the 3′-untranslated region of target mRNAs. miRNAs, especially the liver-specific miRNA: miR-122, have multiple functions in liver development and abnormal expression of miRNAs could lead to liver diseases. Altered miRNA expressions have been observed in HCCs, viral hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis. The different expression profiles of miRNAs in HCC suggest that miRNAs may serve as either novel potential targets acting directly as oncogenes or therapeutic molecules working as tumor suppressor genes. Moreover, the abundance in general and liver specificity in particular, all together make them attractive to be considered as elements for hepatic specific targeting viral vector. This review describes recent progress in miRNA investigation on liver associated for better understanding the relationship between miRNA and liver cancer in order to raise prospects for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University & Engineering Research Center of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362021, China
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17
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Wang G, Dong X, Hu J, Tian W, Yuchi J, Wang Y, Wu X. Long-term ex vivo monitoring of in vivo microRNA activity in liver using a secreted luciferase sensor. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2011; 54:418-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-011-4171-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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miRNA-mediated silencing in hepatocytes can increase adaptive immune responses to adenovirus vector-delivered transgenic antigens. Mol Ther 2011; 19:1547-57. [PMID: 21556053 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus vectors based on human serotype 5 can induce potent CD8 T cell responses to vector-encoded transgenic antigens. However, the individual contribution of different cell types expressing antigen upon adenovirus vector injection to the generation of antigen-directed adaptive immune responses is poorly understood so far. We investigated the role of hepatocytes, skeletal muscle, and hematopoietic cells for the induction of cellular and humoral immune responses by miRNA-mediated tissue-specific silencing of antigen expression. Using hepatitis B small surface antigen (HBsAg) as the vector-encoded transgene we show that adenovirus vector dissemination from an intramuscular (i.m.) injection site into the liver followed by HBsAg expression in hepatocytes can limit early priming of CD8 T cells and the generation of anti-HBsAg antibody responses. However, hepatocyte-specific miRNA122a-mediated silencing of HBsAg expression overcame these limitations. Early clonal expansion of K(b)/S(190-197)-specific CD8 T cells was significantly enhanced and improved polyfunctionality of CD8 T cells was found. Furthermore, miRNA122a-mediated antigen silencing induced significantly higher anti-HBsAg antibody titers allowing an up to 100-fold vector dose reduction. These results indicate that miRNA-mediated regulation of antigen expression in the context of adenovirus vectors can significantly improve transgene product-directed immune responses. This finding could be of interest for future adenovirus vaccine vector development.
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Osborn MJ, McElmurry RT, Lees CJ, DeFeo AP, Chen ZY, Kay MA, Naldini L, Freeman G, Tolar J, Blazar BR. Minicircle DNA-based gene therapy coupled with immune modulation permits long-term expression of α-L-iduronidase in mice with mucopolysaccharidosis type I. Mol Ther 2011; 19:450-60. [PMID: 21081900 PMCID: PMC3048178 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 10/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by mutations to the α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) gene resulting in inactivation of the IDUA enzyme. The loss of IDUA protein results in the progressive accumulation of glycosaminoglycans within the lysosomes resulting in severe, multi-organ system pathology. Gene replacement strategies have relied on the use of viral or nonviral gene delivery systems. Drawbacks to these include laborious production procedures, poor efficacy due to plasmid-borne gene silencing, and the risk of insertional mutagenesis. This report demonstrates the efficacy of a nonintegrating, minicircle (MC) DNA vector that is resistant to epigenetic gene silencing in vivo. To achieve sustained expression of the immunogenic IDUA protein we investigated the use of a tissue-specific promoter in conjunction with microRNA target sequences. The inclusion of microRNA target sequences resulted in a slight improvement in long-term expression compared to their absence. However, immune modulation by costimulatory blockade was required and permitted for IDUA expression in MPS I mice that resulted in the biochemical correction of pathology in all of the organs analyzed. MC gene delivery combined with costimulatory pathway blockade maximizes safety, efficacy, and sustained gene expression and is a new approach in the treatment of lysosomal storage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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MicroRNA-regulated, systemically delivered rAAV9: a step closer to CNS-restricted transgene expression. Mol Ther 2010; 19:526-35. [PMID: 21179009 PMCID: PMC3048189 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) that can cross the blood-brain-barrier and achieve efficient and stable transvascular gene transfer to the central nervous system (CNS) hold significant promise for treating CNS disorders. However, following intravascular delivery, these vectors also target liver, heart, skeletal muscle, and other tissues, which may cause untoward effects. To circumvent this, we used tissue-specific, endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) to repress rAAV expression outside the CNS, by engineering perfectly complementary miRNA-binding sites into the rAAV9 genome. This approach allowed simultaneous multi-tissue regulation and CNS-directed stable transgene expression without detectably perturbing the endogenous miRNA pathway. Regulation of rAAV expression by miRNA was primarily via site-specific cleavage of the transgene mRNA, generating specific 5' and 3' mRNA fragments. Our findings promise to facilitate the development of miRNA-regulated rAAV for CNS-targeted gene delivery and other applications.
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21
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Vetrini F, Ng P. Gene therapy with helper-dependent adenoviral vectors: current advances and future perspectives. Viruses 2010; 2:1886-1917. [PMID: 21994713 PMCID: PMC3186006 DOI: 10.3390/v2091886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Revised: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant Adenoviral vectors represent one of the best gene transfer platforms due to their ability to efficiently transduce a wide range of quiescent and proliferating cell types from various tissues and species. The activation of an adaptive immune response against the transduced cells is one of the major drawbacks of first generation Adenovirus vectors and has been overcome by the latest generation of recombinant Adenovirus, the Helper-Dependent Adenoviral (HDAd) vectors. HDAds have innovative features including the complete absence of viral coding sequences and the ability to mediate high level transgene expression with negligible chronic toxicity. This review summarizes the many aspects of HDAd biology and structure with a major focus on in vivo gene therapy application and with an emphasis on the unsolved issues that these vectors still presents toward clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Ng
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Tel.: +1 7137984158; E-Mail:
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22
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Atta HM. Gene therapy for liver regeneration: experimental studies and prospects for clinical trials. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16:4019-30. [PMID: 20731015 PMCID: PMC2928455 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i32.4019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Revised: 03/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/10/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is an exceptional organ, not only because of its unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, but also because of its unlimited regenerative capacity. Unfolding of the molecular mechanisms that govern liver regeneration has allowed researchers to exploit them to augment liver regeneration. Dramatic progress in the field, however, was made by the introduction of the powerful tool of gene therapy. Transfer of genetic materials, such as hepatocyte growth factor, using both viral and non-viral vectors has proved to be successful in augmenting liver regeneration in various animal models. For future clinical studies, ongoing research aims at eliminating toxicity of viral vectors and increasing transduction efficiency of non-viral vectors, which are the main drawbacks of these systems. Another goal of current research is to develop gene therapy that targets specific liver cells using receptors that are unique to and highly expressed by different liver cell types. The outcome of such investigations will, undoubtedly, pave the way for future successful clinical trials.
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Ochiai H, Harashima H, Kamiya H. Positive Feedback System Provides Efficient and Persistent Transgene Expression. Mol Pharm 2010; 7:1125-32. [DOI: 10.1021/mp1000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ochiai
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan, and CREST, Japan Science and Technology, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan, and CREST, Japan Science and Technology, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamiya
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan, and CREST, Japan Science and Technology, Japan
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In vivo delivery of a microRNA-regulated transgene induces antigen-specific regulatory T cells and promotes immunologic tolerance. Blood 2010; 114:5152-61. [PMID: 19794140 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-04-214569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that incorporating target sequences for the hematopoietic-specific microRNA miR-142 into an antigen-encoding transgene prevents antigen expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). To determine whether this approach induces immunologic tolerance, we treated mice with a miR-142-regulated lentiviral vector encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP), and subsequently vaccinated the mice against GFP. In contrast to control mice, no anti-GFP response was observed, indicating that robust tolerance to the transgene-encoded antigen was achieved. Furthermore, injection of the miR-142-regulated vector induced a population of GFP-specific regulatory T cells. Interestingly, an anti-GFP response was observed when microRNA miR-122a was inserted into the vector and antigen expression was detargeted from hepatocytes as well as APCs. This demonstrates that, in the context of lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer, detargeting antigen expression from professional APCs, coupled with expression in hepatocytes, can induce antigen-specific immunologic tolerance.
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25
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Kamimura K, Zhang G, Liu D. Image-guided, intravascular hydrodynamic gene delivery to skeletal muscle in pigs. Mol Ther 2009; 18:93-100. [PMID: 19738603 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of an effective, safe, and convenient method for gene delivery to muscle is a critical step toward gene therapy for muscle-associated diseases. Toward this end, we have explored the possibility of combining the image-guided catheter insertion technique with the principle of hydrodynamic delivery to achieve muscle-specific gene transfer in pigs. We demonstrate that gene transfer efficiency of the procedure is directly related to flow rate, injection pressure, and injection volume. The optimal gene delivery was achieved at a flow rate of 15 ml/second with injection pressure of 300 psi and injection volume equal to 1.5% of body weight. Under such a condition, hydrodynamic injection of saline containing pCMV-Luc (100 microg/ml) resulted in luciferase activity of 10(6) to 10(7) relative light units (RLU)/mg of proteins extracted from the targeted muscle 5 days after hydrodynamic gene delivery. Result from immunohistochemical analysis revealed 70-90% transfection efficiency of muscle groups in the hindlimb and persistent reporter gene expression for 2 months in transfected cells. With an exception of transient edema and elevation of creatine phosphokinase, no permanent tissue damage was observed. These results suggest that the image-guided, intravenous hydrodynamic delivery is an effective and safe method for gene delivery to skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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Brown BD, Naldini L. Exploiting and antagonizing microRNA regulation for therapeutic and experimental applications. Nat Rev Genet 2009; 10:578-85. [PMID: 19609263 DOI: 10.1038/nrg2628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
New technologies are emerging that utilize artificial microRNA (miRNA) target sites to exploit or inhibit endogenous miRNA regulation. This approach has been used to improve cell-specific targeting for gene and stem cell therapy studies and for animal transgenics, and also to reduce the toxicity of oncolytic viruses and to attenuate viral vaccines. Artificial targets have also been used to sponge or decoy miRNAs as a way to study their functions. This article considers the benefits of this approach and design considerations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Brown
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1425 Madison Avenue, BOX 1498, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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Abstract
The success of gene therapy strategies to cure disease relies on the control of unwanted immune responses to transgene products, genetically modified cells and/or to the vector. Effective treatment of an established immune response is much harder to achieve than prevention of a response before it has had a chance to develop. However, preventive strategies are not always effective in avoiding immune responses, thus the use of drugs to induce immunosuppression (IS) is required. The growing discovery of novel drugs provides a conceptual shift from using generalized, moderately intensive immunosuppressive regimens towards a refined approach to attain the optimal balance of naive cells, effector cells, memory cells, and regulatory cells, harnessing the natural tolerance mechanisms of the body. We review several strategies based on transient IS coupled with gene therapy for sustained immune tolerance induction to the therapeutic transgene.
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