1
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Han F, Wang L, Shen L, Liu W, Li Y, Ma H, Wu X. A20 ameliorates Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis by promoting autophagy and inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127640. [PMID: 37879579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious, potentially sight-threatening corneal infection, which is associated with poor prognosis. A20, also called TNFAIP3, plays significant roles in the negative regulation of inflammation and immunity. However, the function of A20 in Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis remains obscure. Herein, we found that the level of A20 is increased in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and in mouse corneas with A. fumigatus infection, and that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling is required for A20 upregulation. A20 overexpression inhibits A. fumigatus-mediated inflammatory responses, while A20 knockdown results in opposite effect. Mechanically, we showed that A20 inhibits NF-κB signaling and activates autophagy in infected HCECs. We also showed that inhibition of NF-κB signaling reverses the increased inflammatory responses in infected HCECs with A20 knockdown. Furthermore, autophagy blockage impedes the anti-inflammatory effect of A20 in A. fumigatus infected HCECs. Moreover, A20 ameliorates the corneal damage and inflammation in A. fumigatus infected mouse corneas. In conclusion, this study reveals that A20 alleviates A. fumigatus keratitis by activating autophagy and inhibiting NF-κB signaling. This suggests that exogenous use of A20 protein may be a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for FK treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Leyi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Lin Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hanlin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Xinyi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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2
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Mirjalili Mohanna SZ, Korecki AJ, Simpson EM. rAAV-PHP.B escapes the mouse eye and causes lethality whereas rAAV9 can transduce aniridic corneal limbal stem cells without lethality. Gene Ther 2023; 30:670-684. [PMID: 37072572 PMCID: PMC10506911 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Recently safety concerns have been raised in connection with high doses of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV). Therefore, we undertook a series of experiments to test viral capsid (rAAV9 and rAAV-PHP.B), dose, and route of administration (intrastromal, intravitreal, and intravenous) focused on aniridia, a congenital blindness that currently has no cure. The success of gene therapy for aniridia may depend on the presence of functional limbal stem cells (LSCs) in the damaged aniridic corneas and whether rAAV can transduce them. Both these concerns were unknown, and thus were also addressed by our studies. For the first time, we report ataxia and lethality after intravitreal or intrastromal rAAV-PHP.B virus injections. We demonstrated virus escape from the eye and transduction of non-ocular tissues by rAAV9 and rAAV-PHP.B capsids. We have also shown that intrastromal and intravitreal delivery of rAAV9 can transduce functional LSCs, as well as all four PAX6-expressing retinal cell types in aniridic eye, respectively. Overall, lack of adverse events and successful transduction of LSCs and retinal cells makes it clear that rAAV9 is the capsid of choice for future aniridia gene therapy. Our finding of rAAV lethality after intraocular injections will be impactful for other researchers developing rAAV-based gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zeinab Mirjalili Mohanna
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea J Korecki
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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3
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In situ transduction of cells in human corneal limbus using adeno-associated viruses: an ex vivo study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22481. [PMID: 36577775 PMCID: PMC9797548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of in situ adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery into the human corneal limbal region via targeted sub-limbal injection technique. Human cadaveric corneal tissues were fixed on an artificial anterior chamber. Feasibility of sub-limbal injection technique was tested using trypan blue and black India ink. An enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) encoding AAV DJ was injected into sub-limbal region. After AAV injection, corneal tissues were incubated in air-lift culture and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. Cell survivial and expression of eGFP, stem cell markers (p63α and cytokeratin 19 (KRT19)), and differentiation marker cytokeratin 3 (KRT3) were evaluated using confocal microscopy. Both trypan blue and black India ink stained and were retained sub-limbally establishing specificity of the injection technique. Immunohistochemical analysis of corneas injected with AAV DJ-eGFP indicated that AAV-transduced cells in the limbal region co-express eGFP, p63α, and KRT19 and that these transduced cells were capable of differentiating to KRT3 postitive corneal epithelial cells. Our sub-limbal injection technique can target cells in the human limbus in a reproducible and efficient manner. Thus, we demonstrate that in situ injection of corneal limbus may provide a feasible mode of genetic therapy for corneal disorders with an epithelial etiology.
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4
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Mirjalili Mohanna SZ, Djaksigulova D, Hill AM, Wagner PK, Simpson EM, Leavitt BR. LNP-mediated delivery of CRISPR RNP for wide-spread in vivo genome editing in mouse cornea. J Control Release 2022; 350:401-413. [PMID: 36029893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-editing therapies are poised to change the clinical outcome for many diseases with validated therapeutic targets awaiting an appropriate delivery system. Recent advances in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology make them an attractive platform for the delivery of various forms of CRISPR/Cas9, including the efficient and transient Cas9/gRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. In this study, we initially tested our novel LNP platform by delivering pre-complexed RNPs and template DNA to cultured mouse cortical neurons, and obtained successful ex vivo genome editing. We then directly injected LNP-packaged RNPs and DNA template into the mouse cornea to evaluate in vivo delivery. For the first time, we demonstrated wide-spread genome editing in the cornea using our LNP-RNPs. The ability of our LNPs to transfect the cornea highlights the potential of our novel delivery platform to be used in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing therapies of corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zeinab Mirjalili Mohanna
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Diana Djaksigulova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Incisive Genetics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Keng CT, Guo K, Liu YC, Shen KY, Lim DS, Lovatt M, Ang HP, Mehta JS, Chew WL. Multiplex viral tropism assay in complex cell populations with single-cell resolution. Gene Ther 2022; 29:555-565. [PMID: 35999303 PMCID: PMC9482877 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy constitutes one of the most promising mode of disease treatments. Two key properties for therapeutic delivery vectors are its transduction efficiency (how well the vector delivers therapeutic cargo to desired target cells) and specificity (how well it avoids off-target delivery into unintended cells within the body). Here we developed an integrated bioinformatics and experimental pipeline that enables multiplex measurement of transduction efficiency and specificity, particularly by measuring how libraries of delivery vectors transduce libraries of diverse cell types. We demonstrated that pairing high-throughput measurement of AAV identity with high-resolution single-cell RNA transcriptomic sequencing maps how natural and engineered AAV variants transduce individual cells within human cerebral and ocular organoids. We further demonstrate that efficient AAV transduction observed in organoids is recapitulated in vivo in non-human primates. This library-on-library technology will be important for determining the safety and efficacy of therapeutic delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong Tat Keng
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Ke Guo
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Yu-Chi Liu
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Cornea and Refractive Surgery Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Cornea and External Eye Diseases, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kimberle Yanyin Shen
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Daryl Shern Lim
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Matthew Lovatt
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heng Pei Ang
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Cornea and Refractive Surgery Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Cornea and External Eye Diseases, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.,Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Leong Chew
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore. .,Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore.
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6
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Peng M, Margetts TJ, Rayana NP, Sugali CK, Dai J, Mao W. The application of lentiviral vectors for the establishment of TGFβ2-induced ocular hypertension in C57BL/6J mice. Exp Eye Res 2022; 221:109137. [PMID: 35691374 PMCID: PMC10953626 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Elevated levels of TGFβ2 in the aqueous humor is associated with the pathological changes in the trabecular meshwork (TM). These changes lead to ocular hypertension (OHT), the most important risk factor for the development and progression of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Therefore, TGFβ2 is frequently used to develop OHT models including in perfusion cultured eyes and in mouse eyes. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of human mutant TGFβ2 has demonstrated great success in increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) in mouse eyes. However, adenoviruses have limited capacity for a foreign gene, induce transient expression, and may cause ocular inflammation. Here, we explored the potential of using lentiviral vectors carrying the mutant human TGFβ2C226S/C228S (ΔhTGFβ2C226S/C228S) gene expression cassette for the induction of OHT in C57BL/6J mice. Lentiviral vectors using CMV or EF1α promoter to drive the expression of ΔhTGFβ2C226S/C228S were injected into one of the mouse eyes and the fellow eye was injected with the same vector but expressing GFP/mCherry as controls. Both intravitreal and intracameral injection routes were tested in male and female mice. We did not observe significant IOP changes using either promoter or injection route at the dose of 8 × 105 PFU/eye. Immunostaining showed normal anterior chamber angle structures and a slight increase in TGFβ2 expression in the TM of the eyes receiving intracameral viral injection but not in those receiving intravitreal viral injection. At the dose of 2 × 106 PFU/eye, intracameral injection of the lentiviral vector with the CMV-ΔhTGFβ2C226S/C228S cassette induced significant IOP elevation and increased the expression of TGFβ2 and fibronectin isoform EDA in the TM. Our data suggest that lentiviral doses are important for establishing the TGFβ2-induced OHT model in the C57BL/6J strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peng
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Tyler J Margetts
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Naga Pradeep Rayana
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Chenna Kesavulu Sugali
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Jiannong Dai
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Weiming Mao
- Eugene & Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA.
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7
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Bower JJ, Song L, Bastola P, Hirsch ML. Harnessing the Natural Biology of Adeno-Associated Virus to Enhance the Efficacy of Cancer Gene Therapy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071205. [PMID: 34201599 PMCID: PMC8309980 DOI: 10.3390/v13071205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was first characterized as small “defective” contaminant particles in a simian adenovirus preparation in 1965. Since then, a recombinant platform of AAV (rAAV) has become one of the leading candidates for gene therapy applications resulting in two FDA-approved treatments for rare monogenic diseases and many more currently in various phases of the pharmaceutical development pipeline. Herein, we summarize rAAV approaches for the treatment of diverse types of cancers and highlight the natural anti-oncogenic effects of wild-type AAV (wtAAV), including interactions with the cellular host machinery, that are of relevance to enhance current treatment strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn J. Bower
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Liujiang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Prabhakar Bastola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
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8
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Korecki AJ, Cueva-Vargas JL, Fornes O, Agostinone J, Farkas RA, Hickmott JW, Lam SL, Mathelier A, Zhou M, Wasserman WW, Di Polo A, Simpson EM. Human MiniPromoters for ocular-rAAV expression in ON bipolar, cone, corneal, endothelial, Müller glial, and PAX6 cells. Gene Ther 2021; 28:351-372. [PMID: 33531684 PMCID: PMC8222000 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small and cell-type restricted promoters are important tools for basic and preclinical research, and clinical delivery of gene therapies. In clinical gene therapy, ophthalmic trials have been leading the field, with over 50% of ocular clinical trials using promoters that restrict expression based on cell type. Here, 19 human DNA MiniPromoters were bioinformatically designed for rAAV, tested by neonatal intravenous delivery in mouse, and successful MiniPromoters went on to be tested by intravitreal, subretinal, intrastromal, and/or intravenous delivery in adult mouse. We present promoter development as an overview for each cell type, but only show results in detail for the recommended MiniPromoters: Ple265 and Ple341 (PCP2) ON bipolar, Ple349 (PDE6H) cone, Ple253 (PITX3) corneal stroma, Ple32 (CLDN5) endothelial cells of the blood-retina barrier, Ple316 (NR2E1) Müller glia, and Ple331 (PAX6) PAX6 positive. Overall, we present a resource of new, redesigned, and improved MiniPromoters for ocular gene therapy that range in size from 784 to 2484 bp, and from weaker, equal, or stronger in strength relative to the ubiquitous control promoter smCBA. All MiniPromoters will be useful for therapies involving small regulatory RNA and DNA, and proteins ranging from 517 to 1084 amino acids, representing 62.9-90.2% of human proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. Korecki
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jorge L. Cueva-Vargas
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Oriol Fornes
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jessica Agostinone
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Rachelle A. Farkas
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Jack W. Hickmott
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Siu Ling Lam
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Anthony Mathelier
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Michelle Zhou
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Wyeth W. Wasserman
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. Simpson
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
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9
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Bastola P, Song L, Gilger BC, Hirsch ML. Adeno-Associated Virus Mediated Gene Therapy for Corneal Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12080767. [PMID: 32823625 PMCID: PMC7464341 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12080767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, corneal diseases are the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide accounting for 5.1% of all ocular deficiencies. Current therapies for corneal diseases, which include eye drops, oral medications, corrective surgeries, and corneal transplantation are largely inadequate, have undesirable side effects including blindness, and can require life-long applications. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated gene therapy is an optimistic strategy that involves the delivery of genetic material to target human diseases through gene augmentation, gene deletion, and/or gene editing. With two therapies already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and 200 ongoing clinical trials, recombinant AAV (rAAV) has emerged as the in vivo viral vector-of-choice to deliver genetic material to target human diseases. Likewise, the relative ease of applications through targeted delivery and its compartmental nature makes the cornea an enticing tissue for AAV mediated gene therapy applications. This current review seeks to summarize the development of AAV gene therapy, highlight preclinical efficacy studies, and discuss potential applications and challenges of this technology for targeting corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Bastola
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Liujiang Song
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Brian C. Gilger
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-966-0696
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10
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Song L, Song Z, Fry NJ, Conatser L, Llanga T, Mei H, Kafri T, Hirsch ML. Gene Delivery to Human Limbal Stem Cells Using Viral Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1336-1348. [PMID: 31392914 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation is a promising treatment for ocular surface diseases especially LSC deficiency. Genetic engineering represents an attractive strategy to increase the potential for success in LSC transplantations either by correcting autologous diseased LSCs or by decreasing the immunogenicity of allogeneic LSCs. Therefore, two popular viral vectors, adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and lentiviral (LV) vector, were compared for gene delivery in human LSCs. Transduction efficiency was evaluated by flow cytometry, quantitation of viral genomes, and fluorescence microscopy after introducing eight self-complementary AAV serotypes or LV carrying a green fluorescent protein (GFP) cassette to fresh limbal epithelial cells, cultivated LSC colonies, or after corneal intrastromal injection into human explant tissue. For fresh limbal epithelial cells, AAV6 showed the highest transduction efficiency, followed by LV and AAV4 at 24 h after vector incubation, which did not directly correlate with internalized genome copy number. The colony formation efficiency, as well as colony size over time, showed no significant differences among AAV serotypes, LV, and nontreated controls. The percentage of GFP+ colonies at 14 days post-seeding was significantly higher in the LV group, which plateaued at 50% GFP+ upon serial passages. Interestingly, AAV6-treated colonies initially showed a variegated transduction phenotype with no GFP+ colonies in serial passages. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and AAV6 capsid staining revealed that transduction was restricted to differentiated cells of LSC colonies at a post-entry step. Following central intrastromal injection of human corneas, both LV and AAV6 transduced the stroma and endothelial cells, and AAV6 also transduced cells of the epithelia. However, no transduction was observed in derived LSC colonies. The collective results demonstrate the effectiveness of LV for stable human LSC genetic engineering and an unreported phenomenon of AAV6 transduction restriction in multipotent cells derived from the human limbus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Zhenwei Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Nathaniel J Fry
- Department of Microbiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Laura Conatser
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Telmo Llanga
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Hua Mei
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Tal Kafri
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Matthew L Hirsch
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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11
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The future of keratoplasty: cell-based therapy, regenerative medicine, bioengineering keratoplasty, gene therapy. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2019; 30:286-291. [PMID: 31045881 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an update on the state of development of novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of corneal diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Novel corneal therapeutics may be broadly classified as cell therapy, regenerative medicine, bioengineered corneal grafts and gene therapy. Cell therapy encompasses cultivation of cells, such as corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and keratocytes to replenish the depleted native cell population. Regenerative medicine is mainly applicable to the corneal endothelium, and is dependent on the ability of native, healthy CECs to restore the corneal endothelium following trauma or descemetorhexis; this approach may be effective for the treatment of Peter's anomaly and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Bioengineered corneal grafts are synthetic constructs designed to replace cadaveric corneal grafts; tissue-engineered endothelial-keratoplasty grafts and bioengineered stromal grafts have been experimented in animal models with favourable results. Gene therapy with antisense oligonucleotide and CRISPR endonucleases, including deactivated Cas9, may potentially be used to treat FECD and TGFBI-related corneal dystrophies. SUMMARY These novel therapeutic modalities may potentially supersede keratoplasty as the standard of care in the future.
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Mukwaya A, Jensen L, Peebo B, Lagali N. MicroRNAs in the cornea: Role and implications for treatment of corneal neovascularization. Ocul Surf 2019; 17:400-411. [PMID: 30959113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With no safe and efficient approved therapy available for treating corneal neovascularization, the search for alternative and effective treatments is of great importance. Since the discovery of miRNAs as key regulators of gene expression, knowledge of their function in the eye has expanded continuously, facilitated by high throughput genomic tools such as microarrays and RNA sequencing. Recently, reports have emerged implicating miRNAs in pathological and developmental angiogenesis. This has led to the idea of targeting these regulatory molecules as a therapeutic approach for treating corneal neovascularization. With the growing volume of data generated from high throughput tools applied to study corneal neovascularization, we provide here a focused review of the known miRNAs related to corneal neovascularization, while presenting new experimental data and insights for future research and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Mukwaya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lasse Jensen
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Beatrice Peebo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Neil Lagali
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Ophthalmology, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway.
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Dillinger AE, Guter M, Froemel F, Weber GR, Perkumas K, Stamer WD, Ohlmann A, Fuchshofer R, Breunig M. Intracameral Delivery of Layer-by-Layer Coated siRNA Nanoparticles for Glaucoma Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1803239. [PMID: 30353713 PMCID: PMC6599181 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201803239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a mediator of pathological effects in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm's canal (SC). A novel, causative therapeutic concept which involves the intracameral delivery of small interfering RNA against CTGF is proposed. Layer-by-layer coated nanoparticles of 200-260 nm with a final layer of hyaluronan (HA) are developed. The HA-coating should provide the nanoparticles sufficient mobility in the extracellular matrix and allow for binding to TM and SC cells via CD44. By screening primary TM and SC cells in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo, the validity of the concept is confirmed. CD44 expression is elevated in glaucomatous versus healthy cells by about two- to sixfold. CD44 is significantly involved in the cellular uptake of HA-coated nanoparticles. Ex vivo organ culture of porcine, murine, and human eyes demonstrates up to threefold higher accumulation of HA compared to control nanoparticles and much better penetration into the target tissue. Gene silencing in primary human TM cells results in a significant reduction of CTGF expression. Thus, HA-coated nanoparticles combined with RNA interference may provide a potential strategy for glaucoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea E Dillinger
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Guter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Froemel
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gregor R Weber
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Perkumas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, 2351 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, 2351 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Andreas Ohlmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Rudolf Fuchshofer
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Breunig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93040, Regensburg, Germany
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