1
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Haque US, Yokota T. Enhancing Antisense Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutic Delivery with DG9, a Versatile Cell-Penetrating Peptide. Cells 2023; 12:2395. [PMID: 37830609 PMCID: PMC10572411 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192395] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide-based (ASO) therapeutics have emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of human disorders. Charge-neutral PMOs have promising biological and pharmacological properties for antisense applications. Despite their great potential, the efficient delivery of these therapeutic agents to target cells remains a major obstacle to their widespread use. Cellular uptake of naked PMO is poor. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) appear as a possibility to increase the cellular uptake and intracellular delivery of oligonucleotide-based drugs. Among these, the DG9 peptide has been identified as a versatile CPP with remarkable potential for enhancing the delivery of ASO-based therapeutics due to its unique structural features. Notably, in the context of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), DG9 has shown promise in enhancing delivery while maintaining a favorable toxicity profile. A few studies have highlighted the potential of DG9-conjugated PMOs in DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), displaying significant exon skipping/inclusion and functional improvements in animal models. The article provides an overview of a detailed understanding of the challenges that ASOs face prior to reaching their targets and continued advances in methods to improve their delivery to target sites and cellular uptake, focusing on DG9, which aims to harness ASOs' full potential in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umme Sabrina Haque
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
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2
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Holz E, Darwish M, Tesar DB, Shatz-Binder W. A Review of Protein- and Peptide-Based Chemical Conjugates: Past, Present, and Future. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020600. [PMID: 36839922 PMCID: PMC9959917 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the complexity of molecular entities being advanced for therapeutic purposes has continued to evolve. A main propellent fueling innovation is the perpetual mandate within the pharmaceutical industry to meet the needs of novel disease areas and/or delivery challenges. As new mechanisms of action are uncovered, and as our understanding of existing mechanisms grows, the properties that are required and/or leveraged to enable therapeutic development continue to expand. One rapidly evolving area of interest is that of chemically enhanced peptide and protein therapeutics. While a variety of conjugate molecules such as antibody-drug conjugates, peptide/protein-PEG conjugates, and protein conjugate vaccines are already well established, others, such as antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates and peptide/protein conjugates using non-PEG polymers, are newer to clinical development. This review will evaluate the current development landscape of protein-based chemical conjugates with special attention to considerations such as modulation of pharmacokinetics, safety/tolerability, and entry into difficult to access targets, as well as bioavailability. Furthermore, for the purpose of this review, the types of molecules discussed are divided into two categories: (1) therapeutics that are enhanced by protein or peptide bioconjugation, and (2) protein and peptide therapeutics that require chemical modifications. Overall, the breadth of novel peptide- or protein-based therapeutics moving through the pipeline each year supports a path forward for the pursuit of even more complex therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Holz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Martine Darwish
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Devin B. Tesar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Whitney Shatz-Binder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Development, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Department of Protein Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Correspondence:
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3
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Kupihár Z, Ferenc G, Petrovicz VL, Fáy VR, Kovács L, Martinek TA, Hegedüs Z. Improved Metal-Free Approach for the Synthesis of Protected Thiol Containing Thymidine Nucleoside Phosphoramidite and Its Application for the Synthesis of Ligatable Oligonucleotide Conjugates. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010248. [PMID: 36678876 PMCID: PMC9865093 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010248] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide conjugates are versatile scaffolds that can be applied in DNA-based screening platforms and ligand display or as therapeutics. Several different chemical approaches are available for functionalizing oligonucleotides, which are often carried out on the 5' or 3' end. Modifying oligonucleotides in the middle of the sequence opens the possibility to ligate the conjugates and create DNA strands bearing multiple different ligands. Our goal was to establish a complete workflow that can be applied for such purposes from monomer synthesis to templated ligation. To achieve this, a monomer is required with an orthogonal functional group that can be incorporated internally into the oligonucleotide sequence. This is followed by conjugation with different molecules and ligation with the help of a complementary template. Here, we show the synthesis and the application of a thiol-modified thymidine nucleoside phosphoramidite to prepare ligatable oligonucleotide conjugates. The conjugations were performed both in solution and on solid phase, resulting in conjugates that can be assembled into multivalent oligonucleotides decorated with tissue-targeting peptides using templated ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Kupihár
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Györgyi Ferenc
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Lóránd Research Network, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Vencel L. Petrovicz
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Viktória R. Fáy
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lajos Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás A. Martinek
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Biomimetic Systems Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: (T.A.M.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zsófia Hegedüs
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dom ter 8., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: (T.A.M.); (Z.H.)
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4
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Han G, Lin C, Yin H. Use of Glycine to Augment Exon Skipping and Cell Therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2587:165-182. [PMID: 36401030 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2772-3_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-based exon-skipping and cell therapies are the main therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Insufficient systemic delivery leading to low therapeutic efficacy limits the former; low transplantation efficiency hampers the latter. Here we describe how glycine can address these issues by augmenting satellite proliferation and muscle regeneration, resulting in enhanced AO uptake in regenerating myofibers and cell transplantation efficiency in dystrophic mice. The dual functionality of glycine demonstrated in AO-based exon-skipping and cell therapies presents a simple and efficient method to augment AO potency and cell transplantation efficacy in DMD and other muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Han
- School of Medical Laboratory & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Caorui Lin
- School of Medical Laboratory & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - HaiFang Yin
- School of Medical Laboratory & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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5
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Sheikh O, Yokota T. Pharmacology and toxicology of eteplirsen and SRP-5051 for DMD exon 51 skipping: an update. Arch Toxicol 2021; 96:1-9. [PMID: 34797383 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03184-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) afflicts 1 in 5000 newborn males, leading to progressive muscle weakening and the loss of ambulation between the ages of 8 and 12. Typically, DMD patients pass away from heart failure or respiratory failure. Currently, there is no cure, though exon-skipping therapy including eteplirsen (brand name Exondys 51), a synthetic antisense oligonucleotide designed to skip exon 51 of the dystrophin gene, is considered especially promising. Applicable to approximately 14% of DMD patients, a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) antisense oligonucleotide eteplirsen received accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. Throughout clinical trials, eteplirsen has been well tolerated by patients with no serious drug-related adverse events. The most common events observed are balance disorder, vomiting, and skin rash. Despite its safety and promise of functional benefits, eteplirsen remains controversial due to its low production of dystrophin. In addition, unmodified PMOs have limited efficacy in the heart. To address these concerns of efficacy, eteplirsen has been conjugated to a proprietary cell-penetrating peptide; the conjugate is called SRP-5051. Compared to eteplirsen, SRP-5051 aims to better prompt exon-skipping and dystrophin production but may have greater toxicity concerns. This paper reviews and discusses the available information on the efficacy, safety, and tolerability data of eteplirsen and SRP-5051 from preclinical and clinical trials. Issues faced by eteplirsen and SRP-5051, including efficacy and safety, are identified. Lastly, the current state of eteplirsen and exon-skipping therapy in general as a strategy for the treatment of DMD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Sheikh
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, T6G 2R3, Canada.
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6
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Trofimenko E, Grasso G, Heulot M, Chevalier N, Deriu MA, Dubuis G, Arribat Y, Serulla M, Michel S, Vantomme G, Ory F, Dam LC, Puyal J, Amati F, Lüthi A, Danani A, Widmann C. Genetic, cellular, and structural characterization of the membrane potential-dependent cell-penetrating peptide translocation pore. eLife 2021; 10:69832. [PMID: 34713805 PMCID: PMC8639150 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) allow intracellular delivery of bioactive cargo molecules. The mechanisms allowing CPPs to enter cells are ill-defined. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening, we discovered that KCNQ5, KCNN4, and KCNK5 potassium channels positively modulate cationic CPP direct translocation into cells by decreasing the transmembrane potential (Vm). These findings provide the first unbiased genetic validation of the role of Vm in CPP translocation in cells. In silico modeling and live cell experiments indicate that CPPs, by bringing positive charges on the outer surface of the plasma membrane, decrease the Vm to very low values (–150 mV or less), a situation we have coined megapolarization that then triggers formation of water pores used by CPPs to enter cells. Megapolarization lowers the free energy barrier associated with CPP membrane translocation. Using dyes of varying dimensions in CPP co-entry experiments, the diameter of the water pores in living cells was estimated to be 2 (–5) nm, in accordance with the structural characteristics of the pores predicted by in silico modeling. Pharmacological manipulation to lower transmembrane potential boosted CPP cellular internalization in zebrafish and mouse models. Besides identifying the first proteins that regulate CPP translocation, this work characterized key mechanistic steps used by CPPs to cross cellular membranes. This opens the ground for strategies aimed at improving the ability of cells to capture CPP-linked cargos in vitro and in vivo. Before a drug can have its desired effect, it must reach its target tissue or organ, and enter its cells. This is not easy because cells are surrounded by the plasma membrane, a fat-based barrier that separates the cell from its external environment. The plasma membrane contains proteins that act as channels, shuttling specific molecules in and out of the cell, and it also holds charge, with its inside surface being more negatively charged than its outside surface. Cell-penetrating peptides are short sequences of amino acids (the building blocks that form proteins) that carry positive charges. These positive charges allow them to cross the membrane easily, but it is not well understood how. To find out how cell-penetrating peptides cross the membrane, Trofimenko et al. attached them to dyes of different sizes. This revealed that the cell-penetrating peptides enter the cell through temporary holes called water pores, which measure about two nanometres across. The water pores form when the membrane becomes ‘megapolarized’, this is, when the difference in charge between the inside and the outside of the membrane becomes greater than normal. This can happen when the negative charge on the inside surface or the positive charge on the outer surface of the membrane increase. Megapolarization depends on potassium channels, which transport positive potassium ions outside the cell, making the outside of the membrane positive. When cell-penetrating peptides arrive at the outer surface of the cell near potassium channels, they make it even more positive. This increases the charge difference between the inside and the outside of the cell, allowing water pores to form. Once the peptides pass through the pores, the charge difference between the inside and the outside of the cell membrane dissipates, and the pores collapse. Drug developers are experimenting with attaching cell-penetrating peptides to drugs to help them get inside their target cells. Currently there are several experimental medications of this kind in clinical trials. Understanding how these peptides gain entry, and what size of molecule they could carry with them, provides solid ground for further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya Trofimenko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gianvito Grasso
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research, Università della Svizzera italiana, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Heulot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Chevalier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco A Deriu
- PolitoBIOMed Lab Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gilles Dubuis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yoan Arribat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Serulla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sebastien Michel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gil Vantomme
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Florine Ory
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Linh Chi Dam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Puyal
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,CURML (University Center of Legal Medicine), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Amati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anita Lüthi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Danani
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research, Università della Svizzera italiana, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Christian Widmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Borbolla-Jiménez FV, Del Prado-Audelo ML, Cisneros B, Caballero-Florán IH, Leyva-Gómez G, Magaña JJ. New Perspectives of Gene Therapy on Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias: From Molecular Targets to Novel Nanovectors. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1018. [PMID: 34371710 PMCID: PMC8309146 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Seven of the most frequent spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are caused by a pathological expansion of a cytosine, adenine and guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat located in exonic regions of unrelated genes, which in turn leads to the synthesis of polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins. PolyQ proteins are prone to aggregate and form intracellular inclusions, which alter diverse cellular pathways, including transcriptional regulation, protein clearance, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration. At present, treatment for SCAs is limited to symptomatic intervention, and there is no therapeutic approach to prevent or reverse disease progression. This review provides a compilation of the experimental advances obtained in cell-based and animal models toward the development of gene therapy strategies against polyQ SCAs, providing a discussion of their potential application in clinical trials. In the second part, we describe the promising potential of nanotechnology developments to treat polyQ SCA diseases. We describe, in detail, how the design of nanoparticle (NP) systems with different physicochemical and functionalization characteristics has been approached, in order to determine their ability to evade the immune system response and to enhance brain delivery of molecular tools. In the final part of this review, the imminent application of NP-based strategies in clinical trials for the treatment of polyQ SCA diseases is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola V. Borbolla-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Programa de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - María Luisa Del Prado-Audelo
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico;
| | - Isaac H. Caballero-Florán
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
- Departamento de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
| | - Jonathan J. Magaña
- Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación-Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Ciudad de México 14389, Mexico;
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México 14380, Mexico;
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8
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Ran N, Lin C, Leng L, Han G, Geng M, Wu Y, Bittner S, Moulton HM, Yin H. MOTS-c promotes phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer uptake and efficacy in dystrophic mice. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e12993. [PMID: 33337582 PMCID: PMC7863382 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapies show promise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating muscular disease caused by frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. However, insufficient systemic delivery remains a hurdle to clinical deployment. Here, we demonstrate that MOTS-c, a mitochondria-derived bioactive peptide, with an intrinsic muscle-targeting property, augmented glycolytic flux and energy production capacity of dystrophic muscles in vitro and in vivo, resulting in enhanced phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) uptake and activity in mdx mice. Long-term repeated administration of MOTS-c (500 μg) and PMO at the dose of 12.5 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks followed by 12.5 mg/kg/month for 3 months (PMO-M) induced therapeutic levels of dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles, with up to 25-fold increase in diaphragm of mdx mice over PMO alone. PMO-M improved muscle function and pathologies in mdx mice without detectable toxicity. Our results demonstrate that MOTS-c enables enhanced PMO uptake and activity in dystrophic muscles by providing energy and may have therapeutic implications for exon-skipping therapeutics in DMD and other energy-deficient disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ran
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Caorui Lin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Ling Leng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Gang Han
- School of Medical LaboratoryTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Mengyuan Geng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Scott Bittner
- Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- School of Medical LaboratoryTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of NeurologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
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9
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Polymeric nanoparticles functionalized with muscle-homing peptides for targeted delivery of phosphatase and tensin homolog inhibitor to skeletal muscle. Acta Biomater 2020; 118:196-206. [PMID: 33053428 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) antagonizes muscle growth and repair, and inhibition of PTEN has been shown to improve the pathophysiology and dystrophic muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, conventional pharmacological delivery of PTEN inhibitors carries a high risk of off-target side effects in other non-muscle organs due to broad targeting spectrums. Here we report a muscle-targeted nanoparticulate platform for cell-specific delivery of a PTEN inhibitor. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (NPs) are functionalized with a muscle-homing peptide M12 to promote the selective uptake by muscle cells/tissue in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the NPs are formulated to slowly release the PTEN inhibitor, preventing cytotoxicity associated with direct exposure to the drug and facilitating sustained inhibition of PTEN. This advanced delivery approach taking advantages of polymeric nanomaterials and muscle-homing peptides opens a new avenue for the development of long-term therapeutic strategies in DMD treatment.
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10
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Schneider AFE, Aartsma-Rus A. Developments in reading frame restoring therapy approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 21:343-359. [PMID: 33074029 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1832462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exon skipping compounds restoring the dystrophin transcript reading frame have received regulatory approval for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, focus shifted to developing compounds to skip additional exons, improving delivery to skeletal muscle, and to genome editing, to restore the reading frame on DNA level. AREAS COVERED We outline developments for reading frame restoring approaches, challenges of mutation specificity, and optimizing delivery. Also, we highlight ongoing efforts to better detect exon skipping therapeutic effects in clinical trials. Searches on relevant terms were performed, focusing on recent publications (<3 years). EXPERT OPINION Currently, 3 AONS are approved. Whether dystrophin levels are sufficient to slowdown disease progression needs to be confirmed. Enhancing AON uptake by muscles is currently under investigation. Gene editing is an alternative, but one that involves practical and ethical concerns. Given the field's momentum, we believe the efficiency of frame-restoring approaches will improve.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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11
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Abstract
Oligonucleotides can be used to modulate gene expression via a range of processes including RNAi, target degradation by RNase H-mediated cleavage, splicing modulation, non-coding RNA inhibition, gene activation and programmed gene editing. As such, these molecules have potential therapeutic applications for myriad indications, with several oligonucleotide drugs recently gaining approval. However, despite recent technological advances, achieving efficient oligonucleotide delivery, particularly to extrahepatic tissues, remains a major translational limitation. Here, we provide an overview of oligonucleotide-based drug platforms, focusing on key approaches - including chemical modification, bioconjugation and the use of nanocarriers - which aim to address the delivery challenge.
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12
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Han G, Gu B, Lin C, Ning H, Song J, Gao X, Moulton HM, Yin H. Hexose Potentiates Peptide-Conjugated Morpholino Oligomer Efficacy in Cardiac Muscles of Dystrophic Mice in an Age-Dependent Manner. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:341-350. [PMID: 31629961 PMCID: PMC6807288 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient delivery of oligonucleotides to muscle and heart remains a barrier for clinical implementation of antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapeutics in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal monogenic disorder caused by frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. We previously demonstrated that hexose, particularly an equal mix of glucose:fructose (GF), significantly enhanced oligonucleotide delivery and exon-skipping activity in peripheral muscles of mdx mice; however, its efficacy in the heart remains limited. Here we show that co-administration of GF with peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO, namely, BMSP-PMO) induced an approximately 2-fold higher level of dystrophin expression in cardiac muscles of adult mdx mice compared to BMSP-PMO in saline at a single injection of 20 mg/kg, resulting in evident phenotypic improvement in dystrophic mdx hearts without any detectable toxicity. Dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles also increased. However, GF failed to potentiate BMSP-PMO efficiency in aged mdx mice. These findings demonstrate that GF is applicable to both PMO and PPMO. Furthermore, GF potentiates oligonucleotide activity in mdx mice in an age-dependent manner, and, thus, it has important implications for its clinical deployment for the treatment of DMD and other muscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Han
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Ben Gu
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Caorui Lin
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hanhan Ning
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Song
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xianjun Gao
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - HaiFang Yin
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
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13
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Tsoumpra MK, Fukumoto S, Matsumoto T, Takeda S, Wood MJA, Aoki Y. Peptide-conjugate antisense based splice-correction for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. EBioMedicine 2019; 45:630-645. [PMID: 31257147 PMCID: PMC6642283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, caused by the absence of dystrophin. Exon skipping by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has recently gained recognition as therapeutic approach in DMD. Conjugation of a peptide to the phosphorodiamidate morpholino backbone (PMO) of ASOs generated the peptide-conjugated PMOs (PPMOs) that exhibit a dramatically improved pharmacokinetic profile. When tested in animal models, PPMOs demonstrate effective exon skipping in target muscles and prolonged duration of dystrophin restoration after a treatment regime. Herein we summarize the main pathophysiological features of DMD and the emergence of PPMOs as promising exon skipping agents aiming to rescue defective gene expression in DMD and other neuromuscular diseases. The listed PPMO laboratory findings correspond to latest trends in the field and highlight the obstacles that must be overcome prior to translating the animal-based research into clinical trials tailored to the needs of patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases.
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Key Words
- aso, antisense oligonucleotides
- cns, central nervous system
- cpp, cell penetrating peptide
- dgc, dystrophin glyco-protein complex
- dmd, duchenne muscular dystrophy
- fda, us food and drug administration
- pmo, phosphorodiamidate morpholino
- ppmo, peptide-conjugated pmos
- ps, phosphorothioate
- sma, spinal muscular atrophy
- 2ʹ-ome, 2ʹ-o-methyl
- 2ʹ-moe, 2ʹ-o-methoxyethyl
- 6mwt, 6-minute walk test
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Tsoumpra
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiji Fukumoto
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Toshio Matsumoto
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
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14
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Echevarría L, Aupy P, Goyenvalle A. Exon-skipping advances for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:R163-R172. [PMID: 29771317 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting that has currently no cure. Exon-skipping strategy represents one of the most promising therapeutic approaches that aim to restore expression of a shorter but functional dystrophin protein. The antisense field has remarkably progress over the last years with recent accelerated approval of the first antisense oligonucleotide-based therapy for DMD, Exondys 51, though the therapeutic benefit remains to be proved in patients. Despite clinical advances, the poor effective delivery to target all muscle remains the main hurdle for antisense drug therapy. This review describes the antisense-based exon-skipping approach for DMD, from proof-of-concept to first marketed drug. We discuss the main obstacles to achieve a successful exon-skipping therapy and the latest advances of the international community to develop more powerful chemistries and more sophisticated delivery systems in order to increase potency, bioavailability and safety. Finally, we highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and early dialogue between drug developers and regulatory agencies in order to overcome difficulties, find appropriate outcome markers and collect useful data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Echevarría
- U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Montigny le Bretonneux, France.,SQY Therapeutics, Université de Versailles St-Quentin, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Philippine Aupy
- U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- U1179 INSERM, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
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15
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Han G, Gao X, Yin H. Use of Glucose-Fructose to Enhance the Exon Skipping Efficacy. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1828:327-342. [PMID: 30171551 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8651-4_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) are promising treatments for muscle-related genetic ailments including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but clinical translation is unfortunately hampered by insufficient systemic delivery. Here we describe that how one can employ a glucose-fructose injection mixture to improve muscle uptake and functional outcomes of DMD AOs in energy-deficient peripheral muscles of mdx mice. The potentiating effect of glucose-fructose on AOs in energy-deficient muscles offers a simple and economical method for enhancing AO potency, reducing screening costs for researchers and accelerating the translation of nucleic acid-based therapeutics in DMD and other muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Han
- Department of Cell Biology & School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianjun Gao
- Department of Cell Biology & School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haifang Yin
- Department of Cell Biology & School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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16
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van Putten M, Tanganyika-de Winter C, Bosgra S, Aartsma-Rus A. Nonclinical Exon Skipping Studies with 2'-O-Methyl Phosphorothioate Antisense Oligonucleotides in mdx and mdx-utrn-/- Mice Inspired by Clinical Trial Results. Nucleic Acid Ther 2019; 29:92-103. [PMID: 30672725 PMCID: PMC6461150 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2018.0759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, progressive muscle-wasting disease that is caused by mutations that abolish the production of functional dystrophin protein. The exon skipping approach aims to restore the disrupted dystrophin reading frame, to allow the production of partially functional dystrophins, such as found in the less severe Becker muscular dystrophy. Exon skipping is achieved by antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). Several chemical modifications have been tested in nonclinical and clinical trials. The morpholino phosphorodiamidate oligomer eteplirsen has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, whereas clinical development with the 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate (2OMePS) AON drisapersen was recently stopped. In this study, we aimed to study various aspects of 2OMePS AONs in nonclinical animal studies. We show that while efficiency of exon skipping restoration is comparable in young and older C57BL/10ScSn-Dmdmdx/J (mdx/BL10) mice, functional improvement was only observed for younger treated mice. Muscle quality did not affect exon skipping efficiency as exon skip and dystrophin levels were similar between mdx/BL10 and more severely affected, age-matched D2-mdx mice. We further report that treadmill running increases AON uptake and dystrophin levels in mdx/BL10 mice. Finally, we show that even low levels of exon skipping and dystrophin restoration are sufficient to significantly increase the survival of mdx-utrn-/- mice from 70 to 97 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sieto Bosgra
- 2 Biomarin Nederland BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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17
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Dystrophin Cardiomyopathies: Clinical Management, Molecular Pathogenesis and Evolution towards Precision Medicine. J Clin Med 2018; 7:jcm7090291. [PMID: 30235804 PMCID: PMC6162458 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7090291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is an X-linked neuromuscular disease that manifests as muscle atrophy and cardiomyopathy in young boys. However, a considerable percentage of carrier females are often diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at an advanced stage. Existing therapy is not disease-specific and has limited effect, thus many patients and symptomatic carrier females prematurely die due to heart failure. Early detection is one of the major challenges that muscular dystrophy patients, carrier females, family members and, research and medical teams face in the complex course of dystrophic cardiomyopathy management. Despite the widespread adoption of advanced imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance, there is much scope for refining the diagnosis and treatment of dystrophic cardiomyopathy. This comprehensive review will focus on the pertinent clinical aspects of cardiac disease in muscular dystrophy while also providing a detailed consideration of the known and developing concepts in the pathophysiology of muscular dystrophy and forthcoming therapeutic options.
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18
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Synthetic molecular evolution of hybrid cell penetrating peptides. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2568. [PMID: 29967329 PMCID: PMC6028423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04874-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and analogs such as peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are promising tools and therapeutics, but the cell membrane remains a barrier to intracellular targets. Conjugation to classical cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) such as pTat48–60 (tat) and pAntp43–68 (penetratin) facilitates delivery; however, efficiencies are low. Lack of explicit design principles hinders rational improvement. Here, we use synthetic molecular evolution (SME) to identify gain-of-function CPPs with dramatically improved ability to deliver cargoes to cells at low concentration. A CPP library containing 8192 tat/penetratin hybrid peptides coupled to an 18-residue PNA is screened using the HeLa pTRE-LucIVS2 splice correction reporter system. The daughter CPPs identified are one to two orders of magnitude more efficient than the parent sequences at delivery of PNA, and also deliver a dye cargo and an anionic peptide cargo. The significant increase in performance following a single iteration of SME demonstrates the power of this approach to peptide sequence optimization. Therapeutic peptide nucleic acids can be delivered into cells by conjugation to cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), but efficiency is usually low. Here the authors use synthetic molecular evolution and a luciferase-based library screen to generate new CPPs with improved efficiency and lower toxicity.
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19
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Craig K, Abrams M, Amiji M. Recent preclinical and clinical advances in oligonucleotide conjugates. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2018; 15:629-640. [PMID: 29727206 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2018.1473375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oligonucleotide therapeutics have the potential to change the way disease is treated due to their ability to modulate gene expression of any therapeutic target in a highly specific and potent manner. Unfortunately, this drug class is plagued with inherently poor pharmacological characteristics, which need to be overcome. The development of a chemical modification library for oligonucleotides has addressed many of the initial challenges, but delivery of these payloads across plasma membranes remains difficult. The latest technological advances in oligonucleotide therapeutics utilizes direct conjugation to targeting ligands, which has improved bioavailability and target tissue exposure many-fold. The success of this approach has resulted in numerous clinical programs over the past 5 years. AREAS COVERED We review the literature on oligonucleotide conjugate strategies which have proven effective preclinically and clinically. We summarize the chemical modifications which allow parenteral administration as well as evaluate the efficacy of a multitude of conjugate approaches including lipids, peptides, carbohydrates, and antibodies. EXPERT OPINION The success of future conjugate strategies will likely rely on the effective combination of characteristics from earlier technologies. High-affinity ligand-receptor interactions can be critical to achieving meaningful accumulation in target tissues, but pharmacokinetic modulators which increase the circulating half-life may also be necessary. Synthesis of these approaches has the potential to bring the next breakthrough in oligonucleotide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Craig
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University , Boston , MA , USA.,b Department of Preclinical Development , Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Marc Abrams
- b Department of Preclinical Development , Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Mansoor Amiji
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University , Boston , MA , USA
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20
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Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Enhance Delivery of Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutics. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6020051. [PMID: 29734750 PMCID: PMC6027240 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The promise of nucleic acid based oligonucleotides as effective genetic therapies has been held back by their low bioavailability and poor cellular uptake to target tissues upon systemic administration. One such strategy to improve upon delivery is the use of short cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) that can be either directly attached to their cargo through covalent linkages or through the formation of noncovalent nanoparticle complexes that can facilitate cellular uptake. In this review, we will highlight recent proof-of-principle studies that have utilized both of these strategies to improve nucleic acid delivery and discuss the prospects for translation of this approach for clinical application.
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21
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Boutilier J, Moulton HM. Surface Plasmon Resonance-Based Concentration Determination Assay: Label-Free and Antibody-Free Quantification of Morpholinos. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1565:251-263. [PMID: 28364249 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6817-6_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a physical process that allows label-free and real-time detection of biomolecular interactions. SPR provides a rapid and quantitative method for studying interactions of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Antisense Morpholino oligomers are widely used to regulate gene expression and the US FDA has approved a Morpholino drug for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here, we describe an antibody-free, label-free, high-throughput, and walk-away SPR method for quantification of Morpholino compounds extracted from biological specimens. This provides a valuable way for determining pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Morpholino oligomers in biological matrices for research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Boutilier
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 105 Magruder Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 105 Magruder Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
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22
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Godfrey C, Desviat LR, Smedsrød B, Piétri-Rouxel F, Denti MA, Disterer P, Lorain S, Nogales-Gadea G, Sardone V, Anwar R, El Andaloussi S, Lehto T, Khoo B, Brolin C, van Roon-Mom WM, Goyenvalle A, Aartsma-Rus A, Arechavala-Gomeza V. Delivery is key: lessons learnt from developing splice-switching antisense therapies. EMBO Mol Med 2017; 9:545-557. [PMID: 28289078 PMCID: PMC5412803 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201607199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of splice‐switching antisense therapy is highly promising, with a wealth of pre‐clinical data and numerous clinical trials ongoing. Nevertheless, its potential to treat a variety of disorders has yet to be realized. The main obstacle impeding the clinical translation of this approach is the relatively poor delivery of antisense oligonucleotides to target tissues after systemic delivery. We are a group of researchers closely involved in the development of these therapies and would like to communicate our discussions concerning the validity of standard methodologies currently used in their pre‐clinical development, the gaps in current knowledge and the pertinent challenges facing the field. We therefore make recommendations in order to focus future research efforts and facilitate a wider application of therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Godfrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lourdes R Desviat
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, CIBERER, IdiPaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bård Smedsrød
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Michela A Denti
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Petra Disterer
- Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stéphanie Lorain
- UPMC, INSERM, UMRS 974, CNRS FRE 3617, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France
| | - Gisela Nogales-Gadea
- Grup d'Investigació en Malalties Neuromusculars i Neuropediatriques, Institut d' Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valentina Sardone
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre and Developmental Neuroscience Programme, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rayan Anwar
- Drug Discovery Informatics Lab, Qasemi-Research Center, Al-Qasemi Academic College, Baka El-Garbiah, Israel.,Drug Discovery and Development Laboratory, Institute of Applied Research, Galilee Society, Shefa-Amr, Israel
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Taavi Lehto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Bernard Khoo
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Camilla Brolin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- INSERM U1179, UFR des sciences de la santé, Université Versailles Saint Quentin, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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23
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Jirka SMG, 't Hoen PAC, Diaz Parillas V, Tanganyika-de Winter CL, Verheul RC, Aguilera B, de Visser PC, Aartsma-Rus AM. Cyclic Peptides to Improve Delivery and Exon Skipping of Antisense Oligonucleotides in a Mouse Model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Mol Ther 2017; 26:132-147. [PMID: 29103911 PMCID: PMC5763161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive muscle wasting disorder caused by reading frame disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. Exon skipping is a therapeutic approach for DMD. It employs antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to restore the disrupted open reading frame, allowing the production of shorter, but partly functional dystrophin protein as seen in less severely affected Becker muscular dystrophy patients. To be effective, AONs need to be delivered and effectively taken up by the target cells, which can be accomplished by the conjugation of tissue-homing peptides. We performed phage display screens using a cyclic peptide library combined with next generation sequencing analyses to identify candidate muscle-homing peptides. Conjugation of the lead peptide to 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate AONs enabled a significant, 2-fold increase in delivery and exon skipping in all analyzed skeletal and cardiac muscle of mdx mice and appeared well tolerated. While selected as a muscle-homing peptide, uptake was increased in liver and kidney as well. The homing capacity of the peptide may have been overruled by the natural biodistribution of the AON. Nonetheless, our results suggest that the identified peptide has the potential to facilitate delivery of AONs and perhaps other compounds to skeletal and cardiac muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana M G Jirka
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A C 't Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annemieke M Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
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24
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Valeur E, Guéret SM, Adihou H, Gopalakrishnan R, Lemurell M, Waldmann H, Grossmann TN, Plowright AT. New Modalities for Challenging Targets in Drug Discovery. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:10294-10323. [PMID: 28186380 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201611914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our ever-increasing understanding of biological systems is providing a range of exciting novel biological targets, whose modulation may enable novel therapeutic options for many diseases. These targets include protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, which are, however, often refractory to classical small-molecule approaches. Other types of molecules, or modalities, are therefore required to address these targets, which has led several academic research groups and pharmaceutical companies to increasingly use the concept of so-called "new modalities". This Review defines for the first time the scope of this term, which includes novel peptidic scaffolds, oligonucleotides, hybrids, molecular conjugates, as well as new uses of classical small molecules. We provide the most representative examples of these modalities to target large binding surface areas such as those found in protein-protein interactions and for biological processes at the center of cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Valeur
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden
| | - Stéphanie M Guéret
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden.,AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hélène Adihou
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden.,AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ranganath Gopalakrishnan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden.,AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit, Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Malin Lemurell
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Abteilung Chemische Biologie, Max Planck Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany.,Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Chemical Genomics Centre of the Max Planck Society, Dortmund, Germany.,Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alleyn T Plowright
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, 431 83, Sweden
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25
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Valeur E, Guéret SM, Adihou H, Gopalakrishnan R, Lemurell M, Waldmann H, Grossmann TN, Plowright AT. Neue Modalitäten für schwierige Zielstrukturen in der Wirkstoffentwicklung. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201611914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Valeur
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
| | - Stéphanie M. Guéret
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
- AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit; Abteilung Chemische Biologie; Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie; Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Hélène Adihou
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
- AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit; Abteilung Chemische Biologie; Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie; Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Ranganath Gopalakrishnan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
- AstraZeneca MPI Satellite Unit; Abteilung Chemische Biologie; Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie; Dortmund Deutschland
| | - Malin Lemurell
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Abteilung Chemische Biologie; Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie; Dortmund Deutschland
- Fakultät für Chemie and Chemische Biologie; Technische Universität Dortmund; Deutschland
| | - Tom N. Grossmann
- Chemical Genomics Centre der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft; Dortmund Deutschland
- Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences; VU University Amsterdam; Niederlande
| | - Alleyn T. Plowright
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Innovative Medicines and Early Development Biotech Unit; AstraZeneca; Pepparedsleden 1 Mölndal 431 83 Schweden
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26
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Long-term regulation of gene expression in muscle cells by systemically delivered siRNA. J Control Release 2017; 256:101-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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27
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Wang M, Wu B, Lu P, Shah SN, Tucker JD, Bollinger LE, Lu Q. Evaluation of Amphiphilic Peptide Modified Antisense Morpholino Oligonucleotides In Vitro and in Dystrophic mdx Mice. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:E177. [PMID: 30970855 PMCID: PMC6432210 DOI: 10.3390/polym9050177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of amphiphilic peptides modified PMO (Pt-PMO) were prepared, and their antisense effect and toxicity were evaluated both in vitro and in mdx mice. The results showed that the exon-skipping performance of Pt-PMO are relative to the structure of the conjugated peptide: the Pt3/Pt4 composed of six/seven arginines and one myristoylation modified PMO showed more efficacy and with less toxicity as compared to others, confirming that appropriate hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and cationic sequence numbers play a crucial role in improving cell uptake and corresponding exon-skipping efficiency. This was observed particularly in enhanced delivery efficiency of PMO comparable to B-PMO in vitro, while 6-fold improved exon-skipping was achieved against naked PMO in vivo. The multi-PMO modified Pt8-PMO also showed improved exon-skipping both in vitro and in vivo, though there is lower efficiency in systemic delivery as compared to Pt4-PMO. These data suggest that with optimization of peptide in component, charge density has clear potential for exploration towards achieving higher efficiency of antisense oligonucleotide systemic delivery, and thus is more applicable for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Jason D Tucker
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Lauren E Bollinger
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
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28
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Nance ME, Hakim CH, Yang NN, Duan D. Nanotherapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 10. [PMID: 28398005 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X-linked childhood muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Nanobiotechnology-based therapies (such as synthetic nanoparticles and naturally existing viral and nonviral nanoparticles) hold great promise to replace and repair the mutated dystrophin gene and significantly change the disease course. While a majority of DMD nanotherapies are still in early preclinical development, several [such as adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated systemic micro-dystrophin gene therapy] are advancing for phase I clinical trials. Recent regulatory approval of Ataluren (a nonsense mutation read-through chemical) in Europe and Exondys51 (an exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotide drug) in the United States shall offer critical insight in how to move DMD nanotherapy to human patients. Progress in novel, optimized nano-delivery systems may further improve emerging molecular therapeutic modalities for DMD. Despite these progresses, DMD nanotherapy faces a number of unique challenges. Specifically, the dystrophin gene is one of the largest genes in the genome while nanoparticles have an inherent size limitation per definition. Furthermore, muscle is the largest tissue in the body and accounts for 40% of the body mass. How to achieve efficient bodywide muscle targeting in human patients with nanomedication remains a significant translational hurdle. New creative approaches in the design of the miniature micro-dystrophin gene, engineering of muscle-specific synthetic AAV capsids, and novel nanoparticle-mediated exon-skipping are likely to result in major breakthroughs in DMD therapy. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2018, 10:e1472. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1472 This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Nance
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chady H Hakim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.,National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - N Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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29
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Modified forelimb grip strength test detects aging-associated physiological decline in skeletal muscle function in male mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42323. [PMID: 28176863 PMCID: PMC5296723 DOI: 10.1038/srep42323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The conventional forelimb grip strength test is a widely used method to assess skeletal muscle function in rodents; in this study, we modified this method to improve its variability and consistency. The modified test had lower variability among trials and days than the conventional test in young C57BL6 mice, especially by improving the variabilities in male. The modified test was more sensitive than the conventional test to detect a difference in motor function between female and male mice, or between young and old male mice. When the modified test was performed on male mice during the aging process, reduction of grip strength manifested between 18 and 24 months of age at the group level and at the individual level. The modified test was similar to the conventional test in detecting skeletal muscle dysfunction in young male dystrophic mice. Thus, the modified forelimb grip strength test, with its improved validity and reliability may be an ideal substitute for the conventional method.
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30
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Smith LD, Leme de Calais F, Raponi M, Mellone M, Buratti E, Blaydes JP, Baralle D. Novel splice-switching oligonucleotide promotes BRCA1 aberrant splicing and susceptibility to PARP inhibitor action. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:1564-1570. [PMID: 27997688 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumors carrying hereditary mutations in BRCA1, which attenuate the BRCA1 DNA damage repair pathway, are more susceptible to dual treatment with PARP inhibitors and DNA damaging therapeutics. Conversely, breast cancer tumors with nonmutated functional BRCA1 are less sensitive to PARP inhibition. We describe a method that triggers susceptibility to PARP inhibition in BRCA1-functional tumor cells. BRCA1 exon 11 is a key for the function of BRCA1 in DNA damage repair. Analysis of the BRCA1 exon 11 splicing mechanism identified a key region within this exon which, when deleted, induced exon 11 skipping. An RNA splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) developed to target this region was shown to artificially stimulate skipping of exon 11 in endogenous BRCA1 pre-mRNA. SSO transfection rendered wild-type BRCA1 expressing cell lines more susceptible to PARP inhibitor treatment, as demonstrated by a reduction in cell survival at all SSO concentrations tested. Combined SSO and PARP inhibitor treatment increased γH2AX expression indicating that SSO-dependent skipping of BRCA1 exon 11 was able to promote DSBs and therefore synthetic lethality. In conclusion, this SSO provides a new potential therapeutic strategy for targeting BRCA1-functional breast cancer by enhancing the effect of PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay D Smith
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Flávia Leme de Calais
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Michela Raponi
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Massimiliano Mellone
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano, 99 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jeremy P Blaydes
- Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Diana Baralle
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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31
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Shabanpoor F, Hammond SM, Abendroth F, Hazell G, Wood MJA, Gait MJ. Identification of a Peptide for Systemic Brain Delivery of a Morpholino Oligonucleotide in Mouse Models of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Nucleic Acid Ther 2017; 27:130-143. [PMID: 28118087 PMCID: PMC5467147 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2016.0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides are emerging treatments for neuromuscular diseases, with several splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) currently undergoing clinical trials such as for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, the development of systemically delivered antisense therapeutics has been hampered by poor tissue penetration and cellular uptake, including crossing of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to reach targets in the central nervous system (CNS). For SMA application, we have investigated the ability of various BBB-crossing peptides for CNS delivery of a splice-switching phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO) targeting survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) exon 7 inclusion. We identified a branched derivative of the well-known ApoE (141–150) peptide, which as a PMO conjugate was capable of exon inclusion in the CNS following systemic administration, leading to an increase in the level of full-length SMN2 transcript. Treatment of newborn SMA mice with this peptide-PMO (P-PMO) conjugate resulted in a significant increase in the average lifespan and gains in weight, muscle strength, and righting reflexes. Systemic treatment of adult SMA mice with this newly identified P-PMO also resulted in small but significant increases in the levels of SMN2 pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) exon inclusion in the CNS and peripheral tissues. This work provides proof of principle for the ability to select new peptide paradigms to enhance CNS delivery and activity of a PMO SSO through use of a peptide-based delivery platform for the treatment of SMA potentially extending to other neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazel Shabanpoor
- 1 Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Suzan M Hammond
- 2 Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford , Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Abendroth
- 1 Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Hazell
- 2 Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford , Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- 2 Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford , Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Gait
- 1 Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Cambridge, United Kingdom
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32
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Lehto T, Ezzat K, Wood MJA, El Andaloussi S. Peptides for nucleic acid delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 106:172-182. [PMID: 27349594 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids and their synthetic oligonucleotide (ON) analogs are a group of gene therapeutic compounds which hold enormous clinical potential. Despite their undoubted potential, clinical translation of these molecules, however, has been largely held back by their limited bioavailability in the target tissues/cells. To overcome this, many different drug delivery systems have been devised. Among others, short delivery peptides, called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have been demonstrated to allow for efficient delivery of nucleic acids and their ON analogs, in both cell culture and animal models. In this review, we provide brief overview of the latest advances in nucleic acid delivery with CPPs, covering the two main vectorization strategies, covalent conjugation and nanoparticle formation-based approach. In conclusion, CPP-based drug delivery systems have the capacity to overcome the hurdle of delivery and thus have the potential to facilitate the clinical translation of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taavi Lehto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden; Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Kariem Ezzat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, OX13QX Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden; Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, OX13QX Oxford, United Kingdom
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33
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Gooding M, Malhotra M, Evans JC, Darcy R, O'Driscoll CM. Oligonucleotide conjugates - Candidates for gene silencing therapeutics. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2016; 107:321-40. [PMID: 27521696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications of oligonucleotides (ONs) have attracted great attention in recent years. The capability of ONs to selectively inhibit target genes through antisense and RNA interference mechanisms, without causing un-intended sideeffects has led them to be investigated for various biomedical applications, especially for the treatment of viral diseases and cancer. In recent years, many researchers have focused on enhancing the stability and target specificity of ONs by encapsulating/complexing them with polymers or lipid chains to formulate nanoparticles/nanocomplexes/micelles. Also, chemical modification of nucleic acids has emerged as an alternative to impart stability to ONs against nucleases and other degrading enzymes and proteins found in blood. In addition to chemically modifying the nucleic acids directly, another strategy that has emerged, involves conjugating polymers/peptide/aptamers/antibodies/proteins, preferably to the sense strand (3'end) of siRNAs. Conjugation to the siRNA not only enhances the stability and targeting specificity of the siRNA, but also allows for the development of self-administering siRNA formulations, with a much smaller size than what is usually observed for nanoparticle (∼200nm). This review concentrates mainly on approaches and studies involving ON-conjugates for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Gooding
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Meenakshi Malhotra
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - James C Evans
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Raphael Darcy
- Pharmacodelivery Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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34
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Modified Antisense Oligonucleotides and Their Analogs in Therapy of Neuromuscular Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-34175-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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35
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Cao L, Han G, Lin C, Gu B, Gao X, Moulton HM, Seow Y, Yin H. Fructose Promotes Uptake and Activity of Oligonucleotides With Different Chemistries in a Context-dependent Manner in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e329. [PMID: 27351681 PMCID: PMC5022132 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapeutics shows great promise in correcting frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, insufficient systemic delivery limits clinical adoption. Previously, we showed that a glucose/fructose mixture augmented AO delivery to muscle in mdx mice. Here, we evaluated if fructose alone could enhance the activities of AOs with different chemistries in mdx mice. The results demonstrated that fructose improved the potency of AOs tested with the greatest effect on phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO), resulted in a 4.25-fold increase in the number of dystrophin-positive fibres, compared to PMO in saline in mdx mice. Systemic injection of lissamine-labeled PMO with fructose at 25 mg/kg led to increased uptake and elevated dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles, compared to PMO in saline, suggesting that fructose potentiates PMO by enhancing uptake. Repeated intravenous administration of PMO in fructose at 50 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks and 50 mg/kg/month for 5 months restored up to 20% of wild-type dystrophin levels in skeletal muscles with improved functions without detectable toxicity, compared to untreated mdx controls. Collectively, we show that fructose can potentiate AOs of different chemistries in vivo although the effect diminished over repeated administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Han
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Caorui Lin
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ben Gu
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianjun Gao
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Yiqi Seow
- Molecular Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institutes, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Department of Cell Biology and Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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36
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Yue Y, Binalsheikh IM, Leach SB, Domeier TL, Duan D. Prospect of gene therapy for cardiomyopathy in hereditary muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2015; 4:169-183. [PMID: 27340611 DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2016.1124039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiac involvement is a common feature in muscular dystrophies. It presents as heart failure and/or arrhythmia. Traditionally, dystrophic cardiomyopathy is treated with symptom-relieving medications. Identification of disease-causing genes and investigation on pathogenic mechanisms have opened new opportunities to treat dystrophic cardiomyopathy with gene therapy. Replacing/repairing the mutated gene and/or targeting the pathogenic process/mechanisms using alternative genes may attenuate heart disease in muscular dystrophies. AREAS COVERED Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common muscular dystrophy. Duchenne cardiomyopathy has been the primary focus of ongoing dystrophic cardiomyopathy gene therapy studies. Here, we use Duchenne cardiomyopathy gene therapy to showcase recent developments and to outline the path forward. We also discuss gene therapy status for cardiomyopathy associated with limb-girdle and congenital muscular dystrophies, and myotonic dystrophy. EXPERT OPINION Gene therapy for dystrophic cardiomyopathy has taken a slow but steady path forward. Preclinical studies over the last decades have addressed many fundamental questions. Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene therapy has significantly improved the outcomes in rodent models of Duchenne and limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Validation of these encouraging results in large animal models will pave the way to future human trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongping Yue
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri
| | | | - Stacey B Leach
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri
| | - Timothy L Domeier
- Department of Medical Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri
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37
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38
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Roberts TC, Johansson HJ, McClorey G, Godfrey C, Blomberg KEM, Coursindel T, Gait MJ, Smith CIE, Lehtiö J, El Andaloussi S, Wood MJA. Multi-level omics analysis in a murine model of dystrophin loss and therapeutic restoration. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6756-68. [PMID: 26385637 PMCID: PMC4634378 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a classical monogenic disorder, a model disease for genomic studies and a priority candidate for regenerative medicine and gene therapy. Although the genetic cause of DMD is well known, the molecular pathogenesis of disease and the response to therapy are incompletely understood. Here, we describe analyses of protein, mRNA and microRNA expression in the tibialis anterior of the mdx mouse model of DMD. Notably, 3272 proteins were quantifiable and 525 identified as differentially expressed in mdx muscle (P < 0.01). Therapeutic restoration of dystrophin by exon skipping induced widespread shifts in protein and mRNA expression towards wild-type expression levels, whereas the miRNome was largely unaffected. Comparison analyses between datasets showed that protein and mRNA ratios were only weakly correlated (r = 0.405), and identified a multitude of differentially affected cellular pathways, upstream regulators and predicted miRNA-target interactions. This study provides fundamental new insights into gene expression and regulation in dystrophic muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Roberts
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Henrik J Johansson
- Department of Oncology/Pathology, Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, SciLifeLab Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 21, Sweden
| | - Graham McClorey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Caroline Godfrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - K Emelie M Blomberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge SE-141 86, Sweden and
| | - Thibault Coursindel
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Michael J Gait
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - C I Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge SE-141 86, Sweden and
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Department of Oncology/Pathology, Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, SciLifeLab Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 21, Sweden
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge SE-141 86, Sweden and
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK,
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39
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Cerrato CP, Lehto T, Langel Ü. Peptide-based vectors: recent developments. Biomol Concepts 2015; 5:479-88. [PMID: 25429600 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2014-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and peptide-cargo complexes have been used for drug delivery and gene therapy. One of the most used delivery vectors are cell-penetrating peptides, due to their ability to be taken up by a variety of cell types and deliver a large variety of cargoes through the cell membrane with low cytotoxicity. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown their possibility and full effectiveness to deliver oligonucleotides, plasmid DNA, small interfering RNAs, antibodies, and drugs. We report in this review some of the latest strategies for peptide-mediated delivery of nucleic acids. It focuses on peptide-based vectors for therapeutic molecules and on nucleic acid delivery. In addition, we discuss recent applications and clinical trials.
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40
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Lehto T, Wagner E. Sequence-defined polymers for the delivery of oligonucleotides. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2015; 9:2843-59. [PMID: 25535686 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.14.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Short synthetic oligonucleotides (ONs) are a group of therapeutic molecules with enormous clinical potential owing to their high specificity and ability to target the expression of virtually any single or group of genes. Clinical translation of ONs is hampered by the inadequate bioavailability in the target cells due to the substantial extracellular and intracellular barriers exposed to these molecules. Different cationic polymers have been successfully deployed for the delivery of ONs. However, heterogeneous nature of these classical polymers is not suitable for clinical applications and hence vectors with completely defined structure are required. In this review, we discuss recent advances with sequence-defined polymers and their application for the delivery of short ONs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taavi Lehto
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Center for Nanoscience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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Burki U, Keane J, Blain A, O'Donovan L, Gait MJ, Laval SH, Straub V. Development and Application of an Ultrasensitive Hybridization-Based ELISA Method for the Determination of Peptide-Conjugated Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acid Ther 2015; 25:275-84. [PMID: 26176274 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2014.0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-induced exon skipping is one of the most promising strategies for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other rare monogenic conditions. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOs) and 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate (2'OMe) are two of the most advanced AONs in development. The next generation of peptide-conjugated PMO (P-PMO) is also showing great promise, but to advance these therapies it is essential to determine the pharmacokinetic and biodistribution (PK/BD) profile using a suitable method to detect AON levels in blood and tissue samples. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method, which shows greater sensitivity than the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method, is the method of choice for 2'OMe detection in preclinical and clinical studies. However, no such assay has been developed for PMO/P-PMO detection, and we have, therefore, developed an ultrasensitive hybridization-based ELISA for this purpose. The assay has a linear detection range of 5-250 pM (R(2)>0.99) in mouse serum and tissue lysates. The sensitivity was sufficient for determining the 24-h PK/BD profile of PMO and P-PMO injected at standard doses (12.5 mg/kg) in mdx mice, the dystrophin-deficient mouse model for DMD. The assay demonstrated an accuracy approaching 100% with precision values under 12%. This provides a powerful cost-effective assay for the purpose of accelerating the development of these emerging therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar Burki
- 1 The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Keane
- 1 The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Blain
- 1 The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Liz O'Donovan
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Medical Research Council, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael John Gait
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Medical Research Council, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Steven H Laval
- 1 The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Volker Straub
- 1 The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at Newcastle, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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42
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Ming X, Laing B. Bioconjugates for targeted delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 87:81-9. [PMID: 25689735 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Bioconjugates have been used to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to their pharmacological targets in diseased cells. Molecular-scale conjugates can be prepared by directly linking targeting ligands with oligonucleotides and the resultant conjugates can selectively bind to cell surface receptors in target cells in diseased tissues. Besides targeted delivery, additional functionality can be incorporated in the conjugates by utilization of carrier molecules, and these larger conjugates are called carrier-associated conjugates. Both molecular and carrier-associated conjugates have achieved initial successes in clinical trials for treating liver diseases; therefore, currently the greater challenge is to deliver oligonucleotides to extrahepatic tissues such as tumors. This review will provide an update on the application of oligonucleotide conjugates for targeted delivery during the last decade. By identifying key elements for successful delivery, it is suggested that oligonucleotide conjugates with intermediate size, cell targeting ability, and endosomal release functionality are superior systems to advance oligonucleotides to achieve their full therapeutic potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ming
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Brian Laing
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Boisguérin P, Deshayes S, Gait MJ, O'Donovan L, Godfrey C, Betts CA, Wood MJA, Lebleu B. Delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides with cell penetrating peptides. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 87:52-67. [PMID: 25747758 PMCID: PMC7102600 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based drugs have received considerable attention for their capacity to modulate gene expression very specifically and as a consequence they have found applications in the treatment of many human acquired or genetic diseases. Clinical translation has been often hampered by poor biodistribution, however. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) appear as a possibility to increase the cellular delivery of non-permeant biomolecules such as nucleic acids. This review focuses on CPP-delivery of several classes of oligonucleotides (ONs), namely antisense oligonucleotides, splice switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) and siRNAs. Two main strategies have been used to transport ONs with CPPs: covalent conjugation (which is more appropriate for charge-neutral ON analogues) and non-covalent complexation (which has been used for siRNA delivery essentially). Chemical synthesis, mechanisms of cellular internalization and various applications will be reviewed. A comprehensive coverage of the enormous amount of published data was not possible. Instead, emphasis has been put on strategies that have proven to be effective in animal models of important human diseases and on examples taken from the authors' own expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca Boisguérin
- Centre de Recherche de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, UMR 5237 CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France.
| | - Sébastien Deshayes
- Centre de Recherche de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, UMR 5237 CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael J Gait
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Liz O'Donovan
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Caroline Godfrey
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Corinne A Betts
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Bernard Lebleu
- UMR 5235 CNRS, Université Montpellier 2, Place Eugene Bataillon, Montpellier 34095, France
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Scharner J, Figeac N, Ellis JA, Zammit PS. Ameliorating pathogenesis by removing an exon containing a missense mutation: a potential exon-skipping therapy for laminopathies. Gene Ther 2015; 22:503-15. [PMID: 25832542 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Exon skipping, as a therapy to restore a reading frame or switch protein isoforms, is under clinical trial. We hypothesised that removing an in-frame exon containing a mutation could also improve pathogenic phenotypes. Our model is laminopathies: incurable tissue-specific degenerative diseases associated with LMNA mutations. LMNA encodes A-type lamins, that together with B-type lamins, form the nuclear lamina. Lamins contain an alpha-helical central rod domain composed of multiple heptad repeats. Eliminating LMNA exon 3 or 5 removes six heptad repeats, so shortens, but should not otherwise significantly alter, the alpha-helix. Human Lamin A or Lamin C with a deletion corresponding to amino acids encoded by exon 5 (Lamin A/C-Δ5) localised normally in murine lmna-null cells, rescuing both nuclear shape and endogenous Lamin B1/emerin distribution. However, Lamin A carrying pathogenic mutations in exon 3 or 5, or Lamin A/C-Δ3, did not. Furthermore, Lamin A/C-Δ5 was not deleterious to wild-type cells, unlike the other Lamin A mutants including Lamin A/C-Δ3. Thus Lamin A/C-Δ5 function as effectively as wild-type Lamin A/C and better than mutant versions. Antisense oligonucleotides skipped LMNA exon 5 in human cells, demonstrating the possibility of treating certain laminopathies with this approach. This proof-of-concept is the first to report the therapeutic potential of exon skipping for diseases arising from missense mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Scharner
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - N Figeac
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J A Ellis
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - P S Zammit
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
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van Westering TLE, Betts CA, Wood MJA. Current understanding of molecular pathology and treatment of cardiomyopathy in duchenne muscular dystrophy. Molecules 2015; 20:8823-55. [PMID: 25988613 PMCID: PMC6272314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20058823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disorder caused by mutations in the Dmd gene resulting in the loss of the protein dystrophin. Patients do not only experience skeletal muscle degeneration, but also develop severe cardiomyopathy by their second decade, one of the main causes of death. The absence of dystrophin in the heart renders cardiomyocytes more sensitive to stretch-induced damage. Moreover, it pathologically alters intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) localization and mitochondrial function and leads to inflammation and necrosis, all contributing to the development of cardiomyopathy. Current therapies only treat symptoms and therefore the need for targeting the genetic defect is immense. Several preclinical therapies are undergoing development, including utrophin up-regulation, stop codon read-through therapy, viral gene therapy, cell-based therapy and exon skipping. Some of these therapies are undergoing clinical trials, but these have predominantly focused on skeletal muscle correction. However, improving skeletal muscle function without addressing cardiac aspects of the disease may aggravate cardiomyopathy and therefore it is essential that preclinical and clinical focus include improving heart function. This review consolidates what is known regarding molecular pathology of the DMD heart, specifically focusing on intracellular Ca2+, nNOS and mitochondrial dysregulation. It briefly discusses the current treatment options and then elaborates on the preclinical therapeutic approaches currently under development to restore dystrophin thereby improving pathology, with a focus on the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirsa L E van Westering
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Corinne A Betts
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QX, UK.
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Godfrey C, Muses S, McClorey G, Wells KE, Coursindel T, Terry RL, Betts C, Hammond S, O'Donovan L, Hildyard J, El Andaloussi S, Gait MJ, Wood MJ, Wells DJ. How much dystrophin is enough: the physiological consequences of different levels of dystrophin in the mdx mouse. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:4225-37. [PMID: 25935000 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Splice modulation therapy has shown great clinical promise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, resulting in the production of dystrophin protein. Despite this, the relationship between restoring dystrophin to established dystrophic muscle and its ability to induce clinically relevant changes in muscle function is poorly understood. In order to robustly evaluate functional improvement, we used in situ protocols in the mdx mouse to measure muscle strength and resistance to eccentric contraction-induced damage. Here, we modelled the treatment of muscle with pre-existing dystrophic pathology using antisense oligonucleotides conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide. We reveal that 15% homogeneous dystrophin expression is sufficient to protect against eccentric contraction-induced injury. In addition, we demonstrate a >40% increase in specific isometric force following repeated administrations. Strikingly, we show that changes in muscle strength are proportional to dystrophin expression levels. These data define the dystrophin restoration levels required to slow down or prevent disease progression and improve overall muscle function once a dystrophic environment has been established in the mdx mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Godfrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Sofia Muses
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Graham McClorey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Kim E Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Thibault Coursindel
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK, GENEPEP SA, Les Coteaux St Roch, 12 Rue du Fer à Cheval, 34430 St Jean de Védas, France and
| | - Rebecca L Terry
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Corinne Betts
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Suzan Hammond
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Liz O'Donovan
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - John Hildyard
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsov. 7, SE-14186 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Michael J Gait
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Matthew J Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Dominic J Wells
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK,
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Betts CA, Saleh AF, Carr CA, Hammond SM, Coenen-Stass AML, Godfrey C, McClorey G, Varela MA, Roberts TC, Clarke K, Gait MJ, Wood MJA. Prevention of exercised induced cardiomyopathy following Pip-PMO treatment in dystrophic mdx mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8986. [PMID: 25758104 PMCID: PMC4355666 DOI: 10.1038/srep08986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the Dmd gene. In addition to skeletal muscle wasting, DMD patients develop cardiomyopathy, which significantly contributes to mortality. Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) are a promising DMD therapy, restoring functional dystrophin protein by exon skipping. However, a major limitation with current AOs is the absence of dystrophin correction in heart. Pip peptide-AOs demonstrate high activity in cardiac muscle. To determine their therapeutic value, dystrophic mdx mice were subject to forced exercise to model the DMD cardiac phenotype. Repeated peptide-AO treatments resulted in high levels of cardiac dystrophin protein, which prevented the exercised induced progression of cardiomyopathy, normalising heart size as well as stabilising other cardiac parameters. Treated mice also exhibited significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis and improved sarcolemmal integrity. This work demonstrates that high levels of cardiac dystrophin restored by Pip peptide-AOs prevents further deterioration of cardiomyopathy and pathology following exercise in dystrophic DMD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne A Betts
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Amer F Saleh
- 1] Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK [2] AstraZeneca R&D, Discovery Safety, Drug safety and Metabolism, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Carolyn A Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Suzan M Hammond
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Anna M L Coenen-Stass
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Caroline Godfrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Graham McClorey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Miguel A Varela
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Thomas C Roberts
- 1] Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX [2] Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 NTorrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kieran Clarke
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
| | - Michael J Gait
- Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QX
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48
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Cao L, Han G, Gu B, Yin H. Wild-type mouse models to screen antisense oligonucleotides for exon-skipping efficacy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111079. [PMID: 25365558 PMCID: PMC4217760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A readily available animal model is essential for rapidly identifying effective treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating neuromuscular disorder caused by the lack of dystrophin protein, which results from frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. Currently, the mdx mouse is the most commonly used model for antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon skipping pre-clinical studies, with a mild phenotype. However, the accessibility of mdx mouse colonies particularly in developing countries can constrain research. Therefore in this study we explore the feasibility of using wild-type mice as models to establish exon-skipping efficiency of various DMD AO chemistries and their conjugates. Four different strains of wild-type mice and six different AO chemistries were investigated intramuscularly and the results indicated that the same exon-skipping efficiency was achieved for all tested AOs as that from mdx mice. Notably, levels of exon-skipping obtained in C57BL6 and C3H and mdx mice were most closely matched, followed by ICR and BALB/C mice. Systemic validation revealed that wild-type mice are less responsive to AO-mediated exon skipping than mdx mice. Our study provides evidence for the first time that wild-type mice can be appropriate models for assessing DMD AO exon-skipping efficiency with similar sensitivity to that of mdx mice and this finding can further accelerate the development of effective DMD AOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Cao
- Research Centre of Basic Medical Science and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Han
- Research Centre of Basic Medical Science and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, China
| | - Ben Gu
- Research Centre of Basic Medical Science and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, China
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Research Centre of Basic Medical Science and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Heping District, Tianjin, China
- * E-mail:
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49
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Brolin C, Shiraishi T. Antisense mediated exon skipping therapy for duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). ARTIFICIAL DNA, PNA & XNA 2014; 2:6-15. [PMID: 21686247 DOI: 10.4161/adna.2.1.15425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 03/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene (DMD) that result in the absence of essential muscle protein dystrophin. Among many different approaches for DMD treatment, exon skipping, mediated by antisense oligonucleotides, is one of the most promising methods for restoration of dystrophin expression. This approach has been tested extensively targeting different exons in numerous models both in vitro and in vivo. During the past 10 years, there has been a considerable progress by using DMD animal models involving three types of antisense oligonucleotides (2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate (2OME-PS), phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO)) and peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Brolin
- Center for Experimental Drug and Gene Electrotransfer (CEDGE); Department of Oncology 54B1; Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
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50
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Siva K, Covello G, Denti MA. Exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotides to correct missplicing in neurogenetic diseases. Nucleic Acid Ther 2014; 24:69-86. [PMID: 24506781 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2013.0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is an important regulator of the transcriptome. However, mutations may cause alteration of splicing patterns, which in turn leads to disease. During the past 10 years, exon skipping has been looked upon as a powerful tool for correction of missplicing in disease and progress has been made towards clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the use of antisense oligonucleotides to correct splicing defects through exon skipping, with a special focus on diseases affecting the nervous system, and the latest stage achieved in its progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Siva
- 1 Center for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , Trento, Italy
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