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Figueiredo ML, Utturkar S, Kumar S, Fonseca-Alves CE. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse TRAMP cell lines and tumors provide insights into shared pathways and therapeutic targets. CELL INSIGHT 2024; 3:100184. [PMID: 39175940 PMCID: PMC11339039 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2024.100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The present study focused on comparing the gene expression profiles of different mouse models of prostate cancer, focusing on the TRAMP transgenic model and its derived cell lines and extending the comparisons to relevant genetically engineered mouse models and human prostate cancer datasets. Employing RNA sequencing, we examined different levels of prostate cancer aggressiveness from the original TRAMP cells to the TRAMP-C2 (TC2) derived cell line and extending to the aggressive TC2-Ras (TC2R) cells and tumors. TC2R acquire the ability to grow in bone tissue upon implantation, unlike the parental TC2 cells. Analysis identified upregulated genes in cell cycle regulation, immune response, and mitotic processes in TRAMP compared to wild-type tissues. TC2 cells exhibited unique gene profiles enriched in ECM organization and tissue development pathways, while TC2R cells showed increased cytokine signaling and motility genes, with decreased ECM and immune response pathways. In vivo TC2R models demonstrated enhanced ECM organization and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in tumors, notably enriching immune processes and collagen degradation pathways in intratibial tumors. Comparative analysis among mouse and human datasets showed overlaps, particularly in pathways relating to mitotic cycle regulation, ECM organization, and immune interactions. A gene signature identified in TC2R tumors correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor survival in human datasets. Further immune cell landscape analysis of TC2R tumors revealed altered T cell subsets and macrophages, confirmed in single-cell RNA-seq from human samples. TC2R models thus hold significant promise in helping advance preclinical therapeutics, potentially contributing to improved prostate cancer patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Sagar Utturkar
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research Computational Genomics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Shreya Kumar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Carlos Eduardo Fonseca-Alves
- Institute of Health Sciences, Paulista University-UNIP, Bauru, 17048-290, Brazil
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University – UNESP, Botucatu, 18610160, Brazil
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2
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Rivera-Cruz CM, Kumar S, Figueiredo ML. Poly I:C-priming of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells promotes a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in an immunocompetent mouse model of prostate cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1145421. [PMID: 38078010 PMCID: PMC10703370 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1145421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are envisioned as a potential cellular vehicle for targeted cancer therapies due to their tumor tropism and immune permissiveness. An obstacle in their use is the duality in their interactions within tumors, rendering them pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic, in a context dependent manner. MSC preconditioning, or priming, has been proposed as a strategy for directing the effector properties of MSC at tumor sites. Methods: We primed human MSC derived from adipose tissues (ASC), a clinically advantageous MSC source, utilizing toll-like receptor agonists. Subsequently, we explored the consequences in tumor progression and transcriptome upon the interaction of tumor cells with primed or unprimed ASC in an in vivo model of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer related death in men in the USA. Results and discussion: In the studied model, poly I:C-primed ASC were found to significantly accelerate tumor growth progression. And while unprimed and LPS-primed ASC did not exert a significant effect on tumor growth at the macroscopic level, gene expression analyses suggested that all treatments promoted distinct modulatory effects in the tumor microenvironment, including altered modulation of angiogenesis, and immune response processes. However, the effects resulting from the collective interaction across these processes must be sufficiently skewed in a pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic direction for evidence of tumor progression modulation to be detectable at the macroscopic level. Our study highlights potential MSC-tumor microenvironment interactions that may be leveraged and should be considered in the development of cancer therapeutics utilizing MSC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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3
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Kumar S, Mulia GE, Figueiredo ML. Cabozantinib and IL-27 combinatorial therapy for bone-metastatic prostate cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1259336. [PMID: 37842640 PMCID: PMC10568464 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1259336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American men. Prostate tumor cells exhibit significant tropism for the bone and once metastasis occurs, survival rates fall significantly. Current treatment options are not curative and focus on symptom management. Immunotherapies are rapidly emerging as a possible therapeutic option for a variety of cancers including prostate cancer, however, variable patient response remains a concern. Chemotherapies, like cabozantinib, can have immune-priming effects which sensitize tumors to immunotherapies. Additionally, lower doses of chemotherapy can be used in this context which can reduce patient side effects. We hypothesized that a combination of chemotherapy (cabozantinib) and immunotherapy [Interleukin-27 (IL-27)] could be used to treat bone-metastatic prostate cancer and exert pro-osteogenic effects. IL-27 is a multi-functional cytokine, which promotes immune cell recruitment to tumors, while also promoting bone repair. Methods: To test this hypothesis, in vivo experiments were performed where syngeneic C57BL/6J mice were implanted intratibially with TRAMP-C2ras-Luc cells that are able to form tumors in bone. Immunotherapy was administered in the form of intramuscular gene therapy, delivering plasmid DNA encoding a reporter gene (Lucia), and/or a therapeutic gene (IL-27). Sonoporation was used to aid gene delivery. Following immunotherapy, the animals received either cabozantinib or a vehicle control by oral gavage. Bioluminescence imaging was used to monitor tumor size over time. Results: Combinatorial therapy inhibited tumor growth and improved survival. Further, RNA sequencing was used to investigate the mechanisms involved. Microcomputed tomography and differentiation assays indicated that the combination therapy improved bone quality by enhancing osteoblast differentiation and inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. Discussion: Our conclusion is that a chemo-immunotherapy approach such as the one examined in this work has potential to emerge as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating bone-metastatic prostate cancer. This approach will enable a significant reduction in chemotherapy-associated toxicity, enhance sensitivity to immunotherapy, and improve bone quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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4
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Zhou L, Emenuga M, Kumar S, Lamantia Z, Figueiredo M, Emrick T. Designing Synthetic Polymers for Nucleic Acid Complexation and Delivery: From Polyplexes to Micelleplexes to Triggered Degradation. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:4029-4040. [PMID: 36125365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gene delivery as a therapeutic tool continues to advance toward impacting human health, with several gene therapy products receiving FDA approval over the past 5 years. Despite this important progress, the safety and efficacy of gene therapy methodology requires further improvement to ensure that nucleic acid therapeutics reach the desired targets while minimizing adverse effects. Synthetic polymers offer several enticing features as nucleic acid delivery vectors due to their versatile functionalities and architectures and the ability of synthetic chemists to rapidly build large libraries of polymeric candidates equipped for DNA/RNA complexation and transport. Current synthetic designs are pursuing challenging objectives that seek to improve transfection efficiency and, at the same time, mitigate cytotoxicity. This Perspective will describe recent work in polymer-based gene complexation and delivery vectors in which cationic polyelectrolytes are modified synthetically by introduction of additional components─including hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and fluorinated units─as well as embedding of degradable linkages within the macromolecular structure. As will be seen, recent advances employing these emerging design strategies are promising with respect to their excellent biocompatibility and transfection capability, suggesting continued promise of synthetic polymer gene delivery vectors going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhou
- Polymer Science & Engineering Department, Conte Center for Polymer Research, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Miracle Emenuga
- Polymer Science & Engineering Department, Conte Center for Polymer Research, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Shreya Kumar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Zachary Lamantia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Marxa Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Todd Emrick
- Polymer Science & Engineering Department, Conte Center for Polymer Research, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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5
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Mulia GE, Picanço-Castro V, Stavrou EF, Athanassiadou A, Figueiredo ML. Advances in the Development and the Applications of Non-viral, Episomal Vectors for Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1076-1095. [PMID: 34348480 PMCID: PMC8819515 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonviral and nonintegrating episomal vectors are reemerging as a valid, alternative technology to integrating viral vectors for gene therapy, due to their more favorable safety profile, significantly lower risk for insertional mutagenesis, and a lesser potential for innate immune reactions, in addition to their low production cost. Over the past few years, attempts have been made to generate highly functional nonviral vectors that display long-term maintenance within cells and promote more sustained gene expression relative to conventional plasmids. Extensive research into the parameters that stabilize the episomal DNA within dividing and nondividing cells has shed light into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern replication and transcription of episomal DNA within a mammalian nucleus in long-term cell culture. Episomal vectors based on scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) do not integrate into the genomic DNA and address the serious problem of plasmid loss during mitosis by providing mitotic stability to established plasmids, which results in long-term transfection and transgene expression. The inclusion, in such vectors, of an origin of replication—initiation region—from the human genome has greatly enhanced their performance in primary cell culture. A number of vectors that function as episomes have arisen, which are either devoid or depleted of harmful CpG sequences and bacterial genes, and their effectiveness, as well as that of nonintegrating viral episomes, is enhanced when combined with S/MAR elements. As a result of these advances, an “S/MAR technology” has emerged for the production of efficient episomal vectors. Significant research continues in this field and innovations, in combination with promising systems based on nanoparticles and potentially combined with physical delivery methods, will enable the generation of optimized systems with scale-up and clinical application suitability utilizing episomal vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Mulia
- Purdue University, Basic Medical Sciences, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States;
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- University of Sao Paulo Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, 54539, Center for Cell-based Therapy, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Eleana F Stavrou
- University of Patras, Department of General Biology, Patras, Greece;
| | - Aglaia- Athanassiadou
- University of Patras Medical School, General Biology, Asklepiou str, University Campus, Rion Patras, Greece, 26504;
| | - Marxa L Figueiredo
- Purdue University, Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison St., LYNN 2177, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, 47907;
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6
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Figueiredo ML, Letteri R, Chan-Seng D, Kumar S, Rivera-Cruz CM, Emrick TS. Reengineering Tumor Microenvironment with Sequential Interleukin Delivery. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8070090. [PMID: 34209203 PMCID: PMC8301035 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8070090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some cytokines can reengineer anti-tumor immunity to modify the tumor micro-environment. Interleukin-27 (IL-27) can partially reduce tumor growth in several animal models, including prostate cancer. We hypothesized that addition of IL-18, which can induce the proliferation of several immune effector cells through inducing IFNγ could synergize with IL-27 to enhance tumor growth control. We describe our findings on the effects of IL-27 gene delivery on prostate cancer cells and how sequential therapy with IL-18 enhanced the efficacy of IL-27. The combination of IL-27 followed by IL-18 (27→18) successfully reduced cancer cell viability, with significant effects in cell culture and in an immunocompetent mouse model. We also examined a novel chimeric cytokine, comprising an IL-27 targeted at the C-terminus with a short peptide, LSLITRL (27pepL). This novel cytokine targets a receptor upregulated in tumor cells (IL-6Rα) via the pepL ligand. Interestingly, when we compared the 27→18 combination with the single 27pepL therapy, we observed a similar efficacy for both. This efficacy was further enhanced when 27pepL was sequenced with IL-18 (27pepL→18). The observed reduction in tumor growth and significantly enriched canonical pathways and upstream regulators, as well as specific immune effector signatures (as determined by bioinformatics analyses in the tumor microenvironment) supported the therapeutic design, whereby IL-27 or 27pepL can be more effective when delivered with IL-18. This cytokine sequencing approach allows flexible incorporation of both gene delivery and recombinant cytokines as tools to augment IL-27's bioactivity and reengineer efficacy against prostate tumors and may prove applicable in other therapeutic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (S.K.); (C.M.R.-C.)
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-765-494-5790
| | - Rachel Letteri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA;
| | - Delphine Chan-Seng
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut Charles Sadron UPR22, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Shreya Kumar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (S.K.); (C.M.R.-C.)
| | - Cosette M. Rivera-Cruz
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (S.K.); (C.M.R.-C.)
| | - Todd S. Emrick
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
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7
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Mohammadinejad R, Dehshahri A, Sagar Madamsetty V, Zahmatkeshan M, Tavakol S, Makvandi P, Khorsandi D, Pardakhty A, Ashrafizadeh M, Ghasemipour Afshar E, Zarrabi A. In vivo gene delivery mediated by non-viral vectors for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2020; 325:249-275. [PMID: 32634464 PMCID: PMC7334939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy by expression constructs or down-regulation of certain genes has shown great potential for the treatment of various diseases. The wide clinical application of nucleic acid materials dependents on the development of biocompatible gene carriers. There are enormous various compounds widely investigated to be used as non-viral gene carriers including lipids, polymers, carbon materials, and inorganic structures. In this review, we will discuss the recent discoveries on non-viral gene delivery systems. We will also highlight the in vivo gene delivery mediated by non-viral vectors to treat cancer in different tissue and organs including brain, breast, lung, liver, stomach, and prostate. Finally, we will delineate the state-of-the-art and promising perspective of in vivo gene editing using non-viral nano-vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Mohammadinejad
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Dehshahri
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Vijay Sagar Madamsetty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Masoumeh Zahmatkeshan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Tavakol
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples, Italy; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6153753843, Iran
| | - Danial Khorsandi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced, Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; Department of Biotechnology-Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Abbas Pardakhty
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Ghasemipour Afshar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey; Center of Excellence for Functional Surfaces and Interfaces (EFSUN), Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey.
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8
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Decker RE, Lamantia ZE, Emrick TS, Figueiredo ML. Sonodelivery in Skeletal Muscle: Current Approaches and Future Potential. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E107. [PMID: 32916815 PMCID: PMC7552685 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently multiple approaches to facilitate gene therapy via intramuscular gene delivery, such as electroporation, viral delivery, or direct DNA injection with or without polymeric carriers. Each of these methods has benefits, but each method also has shortcomings preventing it from being established as the ideal technique. A promising method, ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (or sonodelivery) is inexpensive, widely available, reusable, minimally invasive, and safe. Hurdles to utilizing sonodelivery include choosing from a large variety of conditions, which are often dependent on the equipment and/or research group, and moderate transfection efficiencies when compared to some other gene delivery methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive look at the breadth of sonodelivery techniques for intramuscular gene delivery and suggest future directions for this continuously evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Decker
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
| | - Zachary E. Lamantia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
| | - Todd S. Emrick
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
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9
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Ligand-Mediated Targeting of Cytokine Interleukin-27 Enhances Its Bioactivity In Vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:739-751. [PMID: 32346551 PMCID: PMC7177159 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have examined the role of a novel targeted cytokine, interleukin-27 (IL-27), modified at the C terminus with a dual targeting and therapeutic heptapeptide, in treating prostate cancer. IL-27 has shown promise in halting tumor growth and mediating tumor regression in several cancer models, including prostate cancer. We describe our findings on the effects of targeted IL-27 gene delivery on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and how the targeting enhances bioactivity of the IL-27 cytokine. We applied the IL-27 gene delivery protocol utilizing sonoporation (sonodelivery) with the goal of reducing prostate tumor growth in an immunocompetent TC2R C57/BL6 model. The reduction in tumor growth and effector cellular profiles implicate targeted IL-27 as more effective than an untargeted version of IL-27 in promoting bioactivity, as assessed by STAT1 and IFN-γ reporter genes. Moreover, enhanced antitumor effects and significantly higher accumulation of natural killer T (NKT) and CD8 effector cells in the tumors were observed. These results support a novel IL-27-based targeting strategy that is promising since it shows improved therapeutic efficacy while utilizing simple and effective sonodelivery methods.
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10
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Salameh JW, Zhou L, Ward SM, Santa Chalarca CF, Emrick T, Figueiredo ML. Polymer-mediated gene therapy: Recent advances and merging of delivery techniques. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 12:e1598. [PMID: 31793237 PMCID: PMC7676468 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability to safely and precisely deliver genetic materials to target sites in complex biological environments is vital to the success of gene therapy. Numerous viral and nonviral vectors have been developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy. This study will feature progress in synthetic polymers as nonviral vectors, which benefit from their chemical versatility, biocompatibility, and ability to carry both therapeutic cargo and targeting moieties. The combination of synthetic gene carrying constructs with advanced delivery techniques promises new therapeutic options for treating and curing genetic disorders. This article is characterized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle W. Salameh
- The Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Indiana
| | - Le Zhou
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah M. Ward
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | | | - Todd Emrick
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and the
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Indiana
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11
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Figueiredo Neto M, Liu S, Salameh JW, Yokota H, Figueiredo ML. Interleukin-27 Gene Delivery Targeting IL-6Rα-Expressing Cells as a Stress Response Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1108. [PMID: 32046108 PMCID: PMC7038084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has shown promise in halting tumor growth and mediating tumor regression in several models, including prostate cancer. We describe our findings on the effects of IL-27 on the gene expression changes of TC2R prostate adenocarcinoma cells. We utilized RNAseq to assess profile differences between empty vector control, vector delivering IL-27 modified at its C-terminus with a non-specific peptide, and IL-27 modified at the C-terminus with a peptide targeting the IL-6-Rα. The targeted IL-27 had higher bioactivity and activity in vivo in a recent study by our group, but the mechanisms underlying this effect had not been characterized in detail at the gene expression level on tumor cells. In the present work, we sought to examine potential mechanisms for targeted IL-27 enhanced activity directly on tumor cells. The targeted IL-27 appeared to modulate several changes that would be consistent with an anti-tumor effect, including upregulation in the Interferon (IFN) and Interferon regulatory factor (IRF), oxidative phosphorylation, Janus kinase/Signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (EIF2) signaling. Of these signaling changes predicted by ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA), the novel form also with the highest significance (-log(Benjamini-Hochberg (B-H)) p-value) was the EIF2 signaling upregulation. We validated this predicted change by assaying for eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), or phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), and caspase-3 levels. We detected an increase in the phosphorylated form of eIF2α and in the cleaved caspase-3 fraction, indicating that the EIF2 signaling pathway was upregulated in these prostate tumor cells following targeted IL-27 gene delivery. This approach of targeting cytokines to enhance their activity against cancer cells is a novel approach to help augment IL-27's bioactivity and efficacy against prostate tumors and could be extended to other conditions where it could help interfere with the EIF2α pathway and promote caspase-3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoel Figueiredo Neto
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, LYNN 2177, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (M.F.N.); (J.W.S.)
| | - Shengzhi Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (S.L.); (H.Y.)
| | - Janelle Wes Salameh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, LYNN 2177, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (M.F.N.); (J.W.S.)
| | - Hiroki Yokota
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (S.L.); (H.Y.)
| | - Marxa Leão Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, LYNN 2177, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (M.F.N.); (J.W.S.)
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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12
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Umbaugh CS, Diaz-Quiñones A, Neto MF, Shearer JJ, Figueiredo ML. A dock derived compound against laminin receptor (37 LR) exhibits anti-cancer properties in a prostate cancer cell line model. Oncotarget 2017; 9:5958-5978. [PMID: 29464047 PMCID: PMC5814187 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminin receptor (67 LR) is a 67 kDa protein derived from a 37 kDa precursor (37 LR). 37/67 LR is a strong clinical correlate for progression, aggression, and chemotherapeutic relapse of several cancers including breast, prostate, and colon. The ability of 37/67 LR to promote cancer cell aggressiveness is further increased by its ability to transduce physiochemical and mechanosensing signals in endothelial cells and modulate angiogenesis. Recently, it was demonstrated that 37/67 LR modulates the anti-angiogenic potential of the secreted glycoprotein pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Restoration of PEDF balance is a desirable therapeutic outcome, and we sought to identify a small molecule that could recapitulate known signaling properties of PEDF but without the additional complications of peptide formulation or gene delivery safety validation. We used an in silico drug discovery approach to target the interaction interface between PEDF and 37 LR. Following cell based counter screening and binding validation, we characterized a hit compound's anti-viability, activation of PEDF signaling-related genes, anti-wound healing, and anti-cancer signaling properties. This hit compound has potential for future development as a lead compound for treating tumor growth and inhibiting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Samuel Umbaugh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Adriana Diaz-Quiñones
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Manoel Figueiredo Neto
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Joseph J Shearer
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Marxa L Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Combination of Interleukin-27 and MicroRNA for Enhancing Expression of Anti-Inflammatory and Proosteogenic Genes. ARTHRITIS 2017; 2017:6365857. [PMID: 28265470 PMCID: PMC5318630 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6365857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Remission of inflammation has become an achievable goal in inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, bone erosion continues in many patients. Interleukin- (IL-) 27 regulates immune and bone cell balance and also suppresses activities of several inflammatory cell types in RA. Despite its promise, challenges to clinical translation of IL-27 have been its partial effects in vivo. Due to their ability to modulate plasticity of bone and immune cell differentiation, we examined the potential for several microRNA (miR) candidates in enhancing the effects of IL-27. Using differentiation, luciferase, and real time quantitative PCR assays, we show that IL-27 promotes osteoblast differentiation, reduces expression of osteoblast inhibitory genes, and reduces osteoclast differentiation, and results suggest a potential coordination with TGFβ/BMP/SMAD and JAK/STAT pathways. We selected miRNA regulators of these and related pathways to examine whether the effects of IL-27 could be augmented for therapeutic applications. miR-29b and miR-21 augmented IL-27 proosteogenic while downregulating osteoclastogenic signals and also worked to reduce inflammatory signaling in activated macrophages, while miR-21 and miR-20b worked with IL-27 to reduce inflammatory gene expression in fibroblasts and T cells. It appears that several miRNAs can be utilized to enhance IL-27's impact on modulating osteogenesis and reducing proinflammatory signaling.
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14
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Li MS, Liu Z, Liu JQ, Zhu X, Liu Z, Bai XF. The Yin and Yang aspects of IL-27 in induction of cancer-specific T-cell responses and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:191-200. [PMID: 25713993 DOI: 10.2217/imt.14.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidences from animal studies have indicated that both endogenous and exogenous IL-27, an IL-12 family of cytokine, can increase antitumor T-cell activities and inhibit tumor growth. IL-27 can modulate Treg responses, and program effector T cells into a unique T-effector stem cell (TSEC) phenotype, which enhances T-cell survival in the tumor microenvironment. However, animal studies also suggest that IL-27 induces molecular pathways such as IL-10, PD-L1 and CD39, which may downregulate tumor-specific T-cell responses. In this review paper, we will discuss the Yin and Yang aspects of IL-27 in the induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses, and the potential impacts of these functions of IL-27 in the design of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Song Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Jhaveri A, Torchilin V. Intracellular delivery of nanocarriers and targeting to subcellular organelles. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2015; 13:49-70. [DOI: 10.1517/17425247.2015.1086745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Ellis J, Falzon M, Emrick T, Figueiredo ML. Imaging cytokine targeting to the tumor/bone microenvironment in vivo. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2015; 25:200-1. [PMID: 25495534 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2014.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Ellis
- 1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, TX 77555
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17
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Zhou B, Zhang P, Tang T, Liao H, Zhang K, Pu Y, Chen P, Song Y, Zhang L. Polymorphisms and plasma levels of IL-27: impact on genetic susceptibility and clinical outcome of bladder cancer. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:433. [PMID: 26014498 PMCID: PMC4445811 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1459-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has been recognized as a pleiotropic cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties. Few studies have investigated polymorphisms and serum/plasma levels of IL-27 in diseases including cancers. This study has analyzed the associations of IL-27 gene polymorphisms, as well as plasma levels of IL-27, with susceptibility to bladder cancer and clinical outcome. Methods Three hundred and thirty-two patients (nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)/muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): 176/156) included in a 60-month follow-up program and 499 controls were enrolled. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs153109 and rs17855750, were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Plasma concentration of IL-27 was determined by ELISA in 124 patients (NMIBC/MIBC: 50/74) and 151 controls. Results Significantly increased risk for bladder cancer was associated with AG/GG genotypes of rs153109 (P = 0.029). No GG genotype of rs17855750 was observed in controls, while 4 patients were found to be GG homozygotes, suggesting GG genotype may be associated with bladder cancer risk (P = 0.006). For bladder cancer patients, SNP rs17855750 was also associated with increased risk for MIBC. For MIBC patients, but not NMIBC, TG/GG genotypes of rs17855750 turned out to be a protective factor for overall survival (P = 0.035). Significantly reduced plasma levels of IL-27 were observed in both NMIBC and MIBC patients compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Our data suggest that polymorphisms and reduced plasma levels of IL-27 may predict the susceptibility to bladder cancer, and rs17855750 may be a useful marker to distinguish patients with high risk of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Tielong Tang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Hong Liao
- Department of Urology, Institute of oncology, the Second People's Hospital of Sichuan, Chengdu, P R China.
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Yan Pu
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Yaping Song
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P R China.
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Parelkar SS, Letteri R, Chan-Seng D, Zolochevska O, Ellis J, Figueiredo M, Emrick T. Polymer-peptide delivery platforms: effect of oligopeptide orientation on polymer-based DNA delivery. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:1328-36. [PMID: 24606402 DOI: 10.1021/bm401878p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The success of nonviral transfection using polymers hinges on efficient nuclear uptake of nucleic acid cargo and overcoming intra- and extracellular barriers. By incorporating PKKKRKV heptapeptide pendent groups as nuclear localization signals (NLS) on a polymer backbone, we demonstrate protein expression levels higher than those obtained from JetPEI and Lipofectamine 2000, the latter being notorious for coupling high transfection efficiency with cytotoxicity. The orientation of the NLS peptide grafts markedly affected transfection performance. Polymers with the sequence attached to the backbone from the valine residue achieved a level of nuclear translocation higher than the levels of those having the NLS groups attached in the opposite orientation. The differences in nuclear localization and DNA complexation strength between the two orientations correlated with a striking difference in protein expression, both in cell culture and in vivo. Polyplexes formed from these comb polymer structures exhibited transfection efficiencies superior to those of Lipofectamine 2000 but with greatly reduced toxicity. Moreover, these novel polymers, when administered by intramuscular ultrasound-mediated delivery, allowed a high level of reporter gene expression in mice, demonstrating their therapeutic promise in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangram S Parelkar
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts , 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cell pigment epithelium-derived factor cytotherapy modifies genetic and epigenetic profiles of prostate cancer cells. Cytotherapy 2014; 16:346-56. [PMID: 24424267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are promising tools for delivery of cytotherapy against cancer. However, ASCs can exert profound effects on biological behavior of tumor cells. Our study aimed to examine the influence of ASCs on gene expression and epigenetic methylation profiles of prostate cancer cells as well as the impact of expressing a therapeutic gene on modifying the interaction between ASCs and prostate cancer cells. METHODS ASCs were modified by lentiviral transduction to express either green fluorescent protein as a control or pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) as a therapeutic molecule. PC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured in the presence of ASC culture-conditioned media (CCM), and effects on PC3 or DU145. Ras cells were examined by means of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, EpiTect methyl prostate cancer-focused real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays, and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS ASCs transduced with lentiviral vectors were able to mediate expression of several tumor-inhibitory genes, some of which correlated with epigenetic methylation changes on cocultured PC3 prostate cancer cells. When PC3 cells were cultured with ASC-PEDF CCM, we observed a shift in the balance of gene expression toward tumor inhibition, which suggests that PEDF reduces the potential tumor-promoting activity of unmodified ASCs. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that ASC-PEDF CCM can promote reprogramming of tumor cells in a paracrine manner. An improved understanding of genetic and epigenetic events in prostate cancer growth in response to PEDF paracrine therapy would enable a more effective use of ASC-PEDF, with the goal of achieving safer yet more potent anti-tumor effects.
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