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Colombani T, Haudebourg T, Pitard B. 704/DNA vaccines leverage cytoplasmic DNA stimulation to promote anti-HIV neutralizing antibody production in mice and strong immune response against alpha-fetoprotein in non-human primates. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:743-757. [PMID: 37251693 PMCID: PMC10213191 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Genetic immunization is an attractive approach for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination using synthetic vectors to deliver antigen-encoding nucleic acids. Recently, DNA delivered by a physical means or RNA by liposomes consisting of four different lipids demonstrated good protection in human phase III clinical trials and received Drugs Controller General of India and US FDA approval to protect against COVID-19, respectively. However, the development of a system allowing for efficient and simple delivery of nucleic acids while improving immune response priming has the potential to unleash the full therapeutic potential of genetic immunization. DNA-based gene therapies and vaccines have the potential for rapid development, as exemplified by the recent approval of Collategene, a gene therapy to treat human critical limb ischemia, and ZyCoV, a DNA vaccine delivered by spring-powered jet injector to protect against SARS-CoV2 infection. Recently, we reported amphiphilic block copolymer 704 as a promising synthetic vector for DNA vaccination in various models of human diseases. This vector allows dose sparing of antigen-encoding plasmid DNA. Here, we report the capacity of 704-mediated HIV and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma DNA vaccines to induce the production of specific antibodies against gp120 HIV envelope proteins in mice and against alpha-fetoprotein antigen in non-human primates, respectively. An investigation of the underlying mechanisms showed that 704-mediated vaccination did trigger a strong immune response by (1) allowing a direct DNA delivery into the cytosol, (2) promoting an intracytoplasmic DNA sensing leading to both interferon and NF-κB cascade stimulation, and (3) inducing antigen expression by muscle cells and presentation by antigen-presenting cells, leading to the induction of a robust adaptive response. Overall, our findings suggest that the 704-mediated DNA vaccination platform is an attractive method to develop both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Colombani
- Nantes Université, University of Angers, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in Immunotherapy, INSERM UMR1302, CNRS EMR6001, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Thomas Haudebourg
- Nantes Université, University of Angers, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in Immunotherapy, INSERM UMR1302, CNRS EMR6001, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Pitard
- Nantes Université, University of Angers, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in Immunotherapy, INSERM UMR1302, CNRS EMR6001, 44000 Nantes, France
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Skourti E, Volpe A, Lang C, Johnson P, Panagaki F, Fruhwirth GO. Spatiotemporal quantitative microRNA-155 imaging reports immune-mediated changes in a triple-negative breast cancer model. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1180233. [PMID: 37359535 PMCID: PMC10285160 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1180233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs and represent key players in physiology and disease. Aberrant microRNA expression is central to the development and progression of cancer, with various microRNAs proposed as potential cancer biomarkers and drug targets. There is a need to better understand dynamic microRNA expression changes as cancers progress and their tumor microenvironments evolve. Therefore, spatiotemporal and non-invasive in vivo microRNA quantification in tumor models would be highly beneficial. Methods We developed an in vivo microRNA detector platform in which the obtained signals are positively correlated to microRNA presence, and which permitted stable expression in cancer cells as needed for long-term experimentation in tumor biology. It exploits a radionuclide-fluorescence dual-reporter for quantitative in vivo imaging of a microRNA of choice by radionuclide tomography and fluorescence-based downstream ex vivo tissue analyses. We generated and characterized breast cancer cells stably expressing various microRNA detectors and validated them in vitro. Results We found the microRNA detector platform to report on microRNA presence in cells specifically and accurately, which was independently confirmed by real-time PCR and through microRNA modulation. Moreover, we established various breast tumor models in animals with different levels of residual immune systems and observed microRNA detector read-outs by imaging. Applying the detector platform to the progression of a triple-negative breast cancer model, we found that miR-155 upregulation in corresponding tumors was dependent on macrophage presence in tumors, revealing immune-mediated phenotypic changes in these tumors as they progressed. Conclusion While applied to immunooncology in this work, this multimodal in vivo microRNA detector platform will be useful whenever non-invasive quantification of spatiotemporal microRNA changes in living animals is of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Skourti
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessia Volpe
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cameron Lang
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Preeth Johnson
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fani Panagaki
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Shu WJ, Lee K, Ma Z, Tian X, Kim JS, Wang F. A dual-regulation inducible switch system for microRNA detection and cell type-specific gene activation. Theranostics 2023; 13:2552-2561. [PMID: 37215565 PMCID: PMC10196832 DOI: 10.7150/thno.84111] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in multiple biological processes, many of which exhibit distinct cell type-specific expression patterns. A miRNA-inducible expression system can be adapted as a signal-on reporter for detecting miRNA activity or as a cell type-specific gene activation tool. However, due to the inhibitory properties of miRNAs on gene expression, few miRNA-inducible expression systems are available, and the available systems are only transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulatory system with obvious leaky expression. Methods: To address this limitation, a miRNA-inducible expression system that can tightly control target gene expression is desirable. Here, by taking advantage of an enhanced LacI repression system and the translational repressor L7Ae, a miRNA-inducible dual transcriptional-translational switch system was designed called the miR-ON-D system. Luciferase activity assay, western blotting, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to characterize and validate this system. Results: The results demonstrated that leakage expression was strongly suppressed in the miR-ON-D system. It was also validated that the miR-ON-D system could be used to detect exogenous and endogenous miRNAs in mammalian cells. Moreover, it was shown that the miR-ON-D system could be triggered by cell type-specific miRNAs to regulate the expression of biologically relevant proteins (e.g., p21 and Bax) to achieve cell type-specific reprogramming. Conclusion: This study established a tight miRNA-inducible expression switch system for miRNA detection and cell type-specific gene activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jie Shu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Kyungwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Zhe Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaojie Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Fu Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
- Xianyang Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Drug Synthesis, School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Institute of International Trade & Commerce, Xianyang 712046, Shaanxi, China
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Intrahippocampal Inoculation of Aβ 1-42 Peptide in Rat as a Model of Alzheimer's Disease Identified MicroRNA-146a-5p as Blood Marker with Anti-Inflammatory Function in Astrocyte Cells. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050694. [PMID: 36899831 PMCID: PMC10000752 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have aroused a lot of interest as reliable blood diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we investigated the panel of expressed blood miRNAs in response to aggregated Aβ1-42 peptides infused in the hippocampus of adult rats to mimic events of the early onset of non-familial AD disorder. Aβ1-42 peptides in the hippocampus led to cognitive impairments associated with an astrogliosis and downregulation of circulating miRNA-146a-5p, -29a-3p, -29c-3p, -125b-5p, and-191-5p. We established the kinetics of expression of selected miRNAs and found differences with those detected in the APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mouse model. Of note, miRNA-146a-5p was exclusively dysregulated in the Aβ-induced AD model. The treatment of primary astrocytes with Aβ1-42 peptides led to miRNA-146a-5p upregulation though the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which in turn downregulated IRAK-1 but not TRAF-6 expression. As a consequence, no induction of IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α was detected. Astrocytes treated with a miRNA-146-5p inhibitor rescued IRAK-1 and changed TRAF-6 steady-state levels that correlated with the induction of IL-6, IL-1β, and CXCL1 production, indicating that miRNA-146a-5p operates anti-inflammatory functions through a NF-κB pathway negative feedback loop. Overall, we report a panel of circulating miRNAs that correlated with Aβ1-42 peptides' presence in the hippocampus and provide mechanistic insights into miRNA-146a-5p biological function in the development of the early stage of sporadic AD.
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Henriet E, Abdallah F, Laurent Y, Guimpied C, Clement E, Simon M, Pichon C, Baril P. Targeting TGF-β1/miR-21 pathway in keratinocytes reveals protective effects of silymarin on imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model. JID INNOVATIONS 2022; 3:100175. [PMID: 36968096 PMCID: PMC10034514 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2022.100175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal cells integrate multiple signals that activate the signaling pathways involved in skin homeostasis. TGF-β1 signaling pathway upregulates microRNA (miR)-21-5p in keratinocytes and is often deregulated in skin diseases. To identify the bioactive compounds that enable to modulate the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p signaling pathway, we screened a library of medicinal plant extracts using our miR-ON RILES luciferase reporter system placed under the control of the miR-21-5p in keratinocytes treated with TGF-β1. We identified silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans extracted from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., as the most potent regulator of miR-21-5p expression. Using Argonaute 2 immunoprecipitation and RT-qPCR, we showed that silymarin regulates the expression of miR-21-5p through a noncanonical TGF-β1 signaling pathway, whereas RNA-sequencing analysis revealed three unexpected transcriptomic signatures associated with keratinocyte differentiation, cell cycle, and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that SM blocks cell cycle progression, inhibits keratinocyte differentiation through repression of Notch3 expression, stimulates lipid synthesis via activation of PPARγ signaling and inhibits inflammatory responses by suppressing the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. We finally showed that topical application of silymarin alleviates the development of imiquimod-induced psoriasiform lesions in mice by abrogating the altered expression levels of markers involved in inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, and lipid metabolism.
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6
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Recent advance of RNA aptamers and DNAzymes for MicroRNA detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 212:114423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Sano M, Morishita K, Oikawa S, Akimoto T, Sumaru K, Kato Y. Live-cell imaging of microRNA expression with post-transcriptional feedback control. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:547-556. [PMID: 34631284 PMCID: PMC8479275 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate complex gene expression networks in eukaryotic cells. Because of their unique expression patterns, miRNAs are potential molecular markers for specific cell states. Although a system capable of imaging miRNA in living cells is needed to visually detect miRNA expression, very few fluorescence signal-on sensors that respond to expression of target miRNA (miR-ON sensors) are available. Here we report an miR-ON sensor containing a bidirectional promoter-driven Csy4 endoribonuclease and green fluorescent protein, ZsGreen1, for live-cell imaging of miRNAs with post-transcriptional feedback control. Csy4-assisted miR-ON (Csy4-miR-ON) sensors generate negligible background but respond sensitively to target miRNAs, allowing high-contrast fluorescence detection of miRNAs in various human cells. We show that Csy4-miR-ON sensors enabled imaging of various miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-302a, and miR-133, in vitro as well as in vivo. This robust tool can be used to evaluate miRNA expression in diverse biological and medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Sano
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Kana Morishita
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Satoshi Oikawa
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan
| | - Takayuki Akimoto
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan
| | - Kimio Sumaru
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8565, Japan
| | - Yoshio Kato
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
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miRNA Delivery by Nanosystems: State of the Art and Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111901. [PMID: 34834316 PMCID: PMC8619868 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (~21-23 nucleotides), non-coding endogenous RNA molecules that modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level via the endogenous RNA interference machinery of the cell. They have emerged as potential biopharmaceuticals candidates for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, in order to advance miRNAs therapeutics into clinical settings, their delivery remains a major challenge. Different types of vectors have been investigated to allow the delivery of miRNA in the diseased tissue. In particular, non-viral delivery systems have shown important advantages such as versatility, low cost, easy fabrication and low immunogenicity. Here, we present a general overview of the main types of non-viral vectors developed for miRNA delivery, with their advantages, limitations and future perspectives.
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Simion V, Loussouarn C, Laurent Y, Roncali L, Gosset D, Reverchon F, Rousseau A, Martin F, Midoux P, Pichon C, Garcion E, Baril P. LentiRILES, a miRNA-ON sensor system for monitoring the functionality of miRNA in cancer biology and therapy. RNA Biol 2021; 18:198-214. [PMID: 34570661 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1978202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major unresolved challenge in miRNA biology is the capacity to monitor the spatiotemporal activity of miRNAs expressed in animal disease models. We recently reported that the miRNA-ON monitoring system called RILES (RNAi-inducible expression Luciferase system) implanted in lentivirus expression system (LentiRILES) offers unique opportunity to decipher the kinetics of miRNA activity in vitro, in relation with their intracellular trafficking in glioblastoma cells. In this study, we describe in detail the method for the production of LentiRILES stable cell lines and employed it in several applications in the field of miRNA biology and therapy. We show that LentiRILES is a robust, highly specific and sensitive miRNA sensor system that can be used in vitro as a single-cell miRNA monitoring method, cell-based screening platform for miRNA therapeutics and as a tool to analyse the structure-function relationship of the miRNA duplex. Furthermore, we report the kinetics of miRNA activity upon the intracranial delivery of miRNA mimics in an orthotopic animal model of glioblastoma. This information is exploited to evaluate the tumour suppressive function of miRNA-200c as locoregional therapeutic modality to treat glioblastoma. Our data provide evidence that LentiRILES is a robust system, well suited to resolve the activity of endogenous and exogenously expressed miRNAs from basic research to gene and cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Claire Loussouarn
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Yoan Laurent
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Loris Roncali
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - David Gosset
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Flora Reverchon
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Audrey Rousseau
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Francisco Martin
- GENYO, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Emmanuel Garcion
- Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Inserm, CRCINA, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre De Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
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Abdallah F, Henriet E, Suet A, Arar A, Clemençon R, Malinge JM, Lecellier G, Baril P, Pichon C. miR-21-3p/IL-22 Axes Are Major Drivers of Psoriasis Pathogenesis by Modulating Keratinocytes Proliferation-Survival Balance and Inflammatory Response. Cells 2021; 10:2547. [PMID: 34685526 PMCID: PMC8534095 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is mediated by complex crosstalk between immune cells and keratinocytes (KCs). Emerging studies have showed a specific psoriatic microRNAs signature, in which miR-21 is one of the most upregulated and dynamic miRNAs. In this study, we focused our investigations on the passenger miR-21-3p strand, which is poorly studied in skin and in psoriasis pathogenesis. Here, we showed the upregulation of miR-21-3p in an IMQ-induced psoriasiform mouse model. This upregulation was correlated with IL-22 expression and functionality, both in vitro and in vivo, and it occurred via STAT3 and NF-κB signaling. We identified a network of differentially expressed genes involved in abnormal proliferation control and immune regulatory genes implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of psoriasis in response to miR-21-3p overexpression in KCs. These results were confirmed by functional assays that validated the proliferative potential of miR-21-3p. All these findings highlight the importance of miR-21-3p, an underestimated miRNA, in psoriasis and provide novel molecular targets for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Abdallah
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Elodie Henriet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Amandine Suet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Ali Arar
- Centre Hospitalier d’Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France;
| | - Rudy Clemençon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Jean-Marc Malinge
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
| | - Gaël Lecellier
- ENTROPIE, UMR250/9220, CEDEX, 98800 Noumea, New Caledonia, France;
- Laboratoire D’excellence “CORAIL”, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE, Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement, Papetoai, Moorea, Polynésie Française, Université de Paris-Saclay UVSQ, 55 Avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
- Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Orléans, Colléguim Sciences et Techniques, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS-UPR4301, 45071 Orléans, France; (E.H.); (A.S.); (R.C.); (J.-M.M.); (P.B.)
- Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Orléans, Colléguim Sciences et Techniques, 45071 Orléans, France
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Song Y, Xu Z, Wang F. Genetically Encoded Reporter Genes for MicroRNA Imaging in Living Cells and Animals. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:555-567. [PMID: 32721876 PMCID: PMC7390858 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by base paring with the complementary sequences of the target mRNAs, and then exert their function through degrading mRNA or inhibiting protein translation. They play a significant role as a regulatory factor in biological processes of organism development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Some of the traditional methods for studying miRNAs, such as northern blot, real-time PCR, or microarray, have been extensively used to investigate the biological properties and expression patterns of miRNAs. However, these methods often require considerable time, cell samples, and the design of effective primers or specific probes. Therefore, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of miRNAs in biological processes and accelerate the clinical application of miRNAs in the field of disease treatment, non-invasive, sensitive, and efficient imaging methods are needed to visualize the dynamic expression of miRNAs in living cells and animals. In this study, we reviewed the recent progress in the genetically encoded reporter genes for miRNA imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhuang Song
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhijing Xu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Fu Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China.
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12
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Simion V, Henriet E, Juric V, Aquino R, Loussouarn C, Laurent Y, Martin F, Midoux P, Garcion E, Pichon C, Baril P. Intracellular trafficking and functional monitoring of miRNA delivery in glioblastoma using lipopolyplexes and the miRNA-ON RILES reporter system. J Control Release 2020; 327:429-443. [PMID: 32853728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) oligonucleotides therapeutics are potent and attractive drugs for cancer treatment, but the kinetics of their intracellular trafficking, RISC processing and interaction with their mRNA targets in the cells are still not well understood. Moreover, the absence of efficient carriers impairs their translation into the clinic. Here, we compare the kinetics of miRNA-133a activity after transfection of U87MG glioblastoma cells with either a home-made lipopolyplexes (LPRi) or with the RNAiMax transfection reagent. For this purpose, we combined miRNA intracellular trafficking studies by confocal microscopy with our previously described RILES miRNA-ON reporter system subcloned here in a lentivirus expression vector (LentiRILES) for longitudinal analysis of miRNA activity in transfected cells. Using the LentiRILES system, we report significant differences in terms of miRNA delivery kinetics performed by these two transfection regents. We decipher the mechanisms of miRNA delivery by LPRi and investigate the main steps of miRNA internalization and cytosolic processing. We demonstrate that LPRi preferentially uses caveolae-mediated endocytosis as the main internalization pathway, releases miRNA into the cytosol after the first 3 h of incubation, and addresses the cytosolic miRNAs to P-bodies, while a fraction of miRNAs are exported to the extracellular space through exosomes which were found fully capable to re-transfect the cells. We implanted the LentiRILES cells in the brain of mice and infused the tumours with LPRi.miRNA using the convection-enhanced delivery method. Bioluminescence imaging of the live mice revealed efficient delivery of miRNAs in glioblastoma tumours, attesting successful miRNA uptake, internalization and RISC activation in vivo. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive overview of miRNA intracellular trafficking and processing in a glioblastoma context and highlights the potential use of LPRi for miRNA-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France.
| | - Elodie Henriet
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Viktorija Juric
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Ruth Aquino
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Claire Loussouarn
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Yoan Laurent
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Francisco Martin
- GENYO, Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Emmanuel Garcion
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, France.
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13
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Domenger C, Grimm D. Next-generation AAV vectors—do not judge a virus (only) by its cover. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R3-R14. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRecombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are under intensive investigation in numerous clinical trials after they have emerged as a highly promising vector for human gene therapy. Best exemplifying their power and potential is the authorization of three gene therapy products based on wild-type AAV serotypes, comprising Glybera (AAV1), Luxturna (AAV2) and, most recently, Zolgensma (AAV9). Nonetheless, it has also become evident that the current AAV vector generation will require improvements in transduction potency, antibody evasion and cell/tissue specificity to allow the use of lower and safer vector doses. To this end, others and we devoted substantial previous research to the implementation and application of key technologies for engineering of next-generation viral capsids in a high-throughput ‘top-down’ or (semi-)rational ‘bottom-up’ approach. Here, we describe a set of recent complementary strategies to enhance features of AAV vectors that act on the level of the recombinant cargo. As examples that illustrate the innovative and synergistic concepts that have been reported lately, we highlight (i) novel synthetic enhancers/promoters that provide an unprecedented degree of AAV tissue specificity, (ii) pioneering genetic circuit designs that harness biological (microRNAs) or physical (light) triggers as regulators of AAV gene expression and (iii) new insights into the role of AAV DNA structures on vector genome stability, integrity and functionality. Combined with ongoing capsid engineering and selection efforts, these and other state-of-the-art innovations and investigations promise to accelerate the arrival of the next generation of AAV vectors and to solidify the unique role of this exciting virus in human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Domenger
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Caballero I, Riou M, Hacquin O, Chevaleyre C, Barc C, Pezant J, Pinard A, Fassy J, Rezzonico R, Mari B, Heuzé-Vourc'h N, Pitard B, Vassaux G. Tetrafunctional Block Copolymers Promote Lung Gene Transfer in Newborn Piglets. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 16:186-193. [PMID: 30897407 PMCID: PMC6426709 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tetrafunctional block copolymers are molecules capable of complexing DNA. Although ineffective in vitro, studies in mice have shown that the tetrafunctional block copolymer 704 is a more efficient lung gene transfer agent than the cationic liposome GL67A, previously used in a phase II clinical trial in cystic fibrosis patients. In the present study, we compared the gene transfer capacity of the 704-DNA formulation and a cationic liposome-DNA formulation equivalent to GL67A in a larger-animal model, the newborn piglet. Our results indicate an efficacy of the 704-DNA formulation well above one order of magnitude higher than that of the cationic liposome-DNA formulation, with no elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), taken as a marker of inflammation. Transgene expression was heterogeneous within lung lobes, with expression levels that were below the detection threshold in some samples, while high in other samples. This heterogeneity is likely to be due to the bolus injection procedure as well as to the small volume of injection. The present study highlights the potential of tetrafunctional block copolymers as non-viral vectors for lung gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Caballero
- INRA Centre Val de Loire - Université de Tours, UMR-1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique (ISP), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Mickaël Riou
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Océane Hacquin
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France; FHU-OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Claire Chevaleyre
- INRA Centre Val de Loire - Université de Tours, UMR-1282 Infectiologie et Santé Publique (ISP), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Céline Barc
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Jérémy Pezant
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Anne Pinard
- INRA Centre Val de Loire, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Julien Fassy
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France; FHU-OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Roger Rezzonico
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France; FHU-OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Bernard Mari
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France; FHU-OncoAge, Nice, France
| | | | - Bruno Pitard
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Georges Vassaux
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, IPMC, Valbonne, France; FHU-OncoAge, Nice, France.
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15
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Hoye ML, Regan MR, Jensen LA, Lake AM, Reddy LV, Vidensky S, Richard JP, Maragakis NJ, Rothstein JD, Dougherty JD, Miller TM. Motor neuron-derived microRNAs cause astrocyte dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2018; 141:2561-2575. [PMID: 30007309 PMCID: PMC6113638 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that microRNA-218 (miR-218) is greatly enriched in motor neurons and is released extracellularly in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model rats. To determine if the released, motor neuron-derived miR-218 may have a functional role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we examined the effect of miR-218 on neighbouring astrocytes. Surprisingly, we found that extracellular, motor neuron-derived miR-218 can be taken up by astrocytes and is sufficient to downregulate an important glutamate transporter in astrocytes [excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2)]. The effect of miR-218 on astrocytes extends beyond EAAT2 since miR-218 binding sites are enriched in mRNAs translationally downregulated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis astrocytes. Inhibiting miR-218 with antisense oligonucleotides in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model mice mitigates the loss of EAAT2 and other miR-218-mediated changes, providing an important in vivo demonstration of the relevance of microRNA-mediated communication between neurons and astrocytes. These data define a novel mechanism in neurodegeneration whereby microRNAs derived from dying neurons can directly modify the glial phenotype and cause astrocyte dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah L Hoye
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melissa R Regan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leah A Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Allison M Lake
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Linga V Reddy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Svetlana Vidensky
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Richard
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas J Maragakis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Timothy M Miller
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, MO, USA
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16
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MicroRNA-Based Drugs for Brain Tumors. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:222-238. [PMID: 29506672 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulatory elements encoded by the genome. A single miRNA can downregulate the expression of multiple genes involved in diverse functions. Because cancer is a disease with multiple gene aberrations, developing novel approaches to identify and modulate miRNA pathways may result in a breakthrough for cancer treatment. With a special focus on glioblastoma (GBM), this review provides an up-to-date summary of miRNA biogenesis, the role of miRNA in cancer resistance, and essential tools for modulating miRNA expression, as well as of clinically promising RNAi delivery systems and how they can be adapted for therapy.
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17
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Ando H, Hirose M, Kurosawa G, Impey S, Mikoshiba K. Time-lapse imaging of microRNA activity reveals the kinetics of microRNA activation in single living cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12642. [PMID: 28974737 PMCID: PMC5626736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12879-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play critical roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Although the molecular mechanisms of the biogenesis and activation of miRNA have been extensively studied, the details of their kinetics within individual living cells remain largely unknown. We developed a novel method for time-lapse imaging of the rapid dynamics of miRNA activity in living cells using destabilized fluorescent proteins (dsFPs). Real-time monitoring of dsFP-based miRNA sensors revealed the duration necessary for miRNA biogenesis to occur, from primary miRNA transcription to mature miRNA activation, at single-cell resolution. Mathematical modeling, which included the decay kinetics of the fluorescence of the miRNA sensors, demonstrated that miRNAs induce translational repression depending on their complementarity with targets. We also developed a dual-color imaging system, and demonstrated that miR-9-5p and miR-9-3p were produced and activated from a common hairpin precursor with similar kinetics, in single cells. Furthermore, a dsFP-based miR-132 sensor revealed the rapid kinetics of miR-132 activation in cortical neurons under physiological conditions. The timescale of miRNA biogenesis and activation is much shorter than the median half-lives of the proteome, suggesting that the degradation rates of miRNA target proteins are the dominant rate-limiting factors for miRNA-mediated gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Ando
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Matsumi Hirose
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Gen Kurosawa
- Theoretical Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Soren Impey
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
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18
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Rossetti S, Anauo MJ, Sacchi N. MiR-221-regulated KIT level by wild type or leukemia mutant RUNX1: a determinant of single myeloblast fate decisions that - collectively - drives or hinders granulopoiesis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:85783-85793. [PMID: 29156756 PMCID: PMC5689646 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RUNX1, a master transcription factor of hematopoiesis, was shown to orchestrate both cell proliferation and differentiation during granulopoiesis by regulating microRNAs (miRs). In this study, taking advantage of the miR-ON reporter system, we monitored first, how the granulocyte colony stimulation factor (GCSF) temporally modulates the concomitant level variation of miR-221 and one of its prototypic targets, the stem cell factor receptor KIT, in single 32DmiR-ON-221 myeloblasts expressing wild type RUNX1. Second, with the same reporter system we assessed how these temporal dynamics are affected by the t(8;21)(q22;q22) acute myelogenous leukemia mutant RUNX1-MTG8 (RM8) in single 32D-RM8miR-ON-221 myeloblasts. Depending on either wild type, or mutant, RUNX1 transcriptional regulation, the cell-context specific miR-221-regulated KIT level translates into differential single cell fate decisions. Collectively, single cell fate choices translate into either initial expansion of undifferentiated myeloblasts followed by terminal granulocyte differentiation, as it happens in normal granulopoiesis, or aggressive growth of undifferentiated myeloblasts, as it happens in RUNX1-MTG8-positive acute myelogenous leukemia. Increasing knowledge of biological changes, due to altered miRNA dynamics, is expected to have relevant translational implications for leukemia detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rossetti
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Michael J Anauo
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - Nicoletta Sacchi
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
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19
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Simion V, Sobilo J, Clemoncon R, Natkunarajah S, Ezzine S, Abdallah F, Lerondel S, Pichon C, Baril P. Positive radionuclide imaging of miRNA expression using RILES and the human sodium iodide symporter as reporter gene is feasible and supports a protective role of miRNA-23a in response to muscular atrophy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177492. [PMID: 28493972 PMCID: PMC5426778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in many biological processes and are considered as an emerging class of pharmacology drugs for diagnosis and therapy. However to fully exploit the therapeutic potential of miRNAs, it is becoming crucial to monitor their expression pattern using medical imaging modalities. Recently, we developed a method called RILES, for RNAi-Inducible Luciferase Expression System that relies on an engineered regulatable expression system to switch-ON the expression of the luciferase gene when a miRNA of interest is expressed in cells. Here we investigated whether replacing the luciferase reporter gene with the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) reporter gene will be also suited to monitor the expression of miRNAs in a clinical setting context. We provide evidence that radionuclide imaging of miRNA expression using hNIS is feasible although it is not as robust as when the luciferase reporter gene is used. However, under appropriate conditions, we monitored the expression of several miRNAs in cells, in the liver and in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice undergoing muscular atrophy. We demonstrated that radiotracer accumulation in transfected cells correlated with the induction of hNIS and with the expression of miRNAs detected by real time PCR. We established the kinetic of miRNA-23a expression in mice and demonstrated that this miRNA follows a biphasic expression pattern characterized by a loss of expression at a late time point of muscular atrophy. At autopsy, we found an opposite expression pattern between miRNA-23a and one of the main transcriptional target of this miRNA, APAF-1, and as downstream target, Caspase 9. Our results report the first positive monitoring of endogenously expressed miRNAs in a nuclear medicine imaging context and support the development of additional work to establish the potential therapeutic value of miRNA-23 to prevent the damaging effects of muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | - Julien Sobilo
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Rudy Clemoncon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | - Sharuja Natkunarajah
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Safia Ezzine
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France
| | | | - Stephanie Lerondel
- PHENOMIN-TAAM-UPS44, CIPA (Centre d'Imagerie du Petit Animal), CNRS Orléans, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France.,Université d'Orléans, Collégium Sciences et Techniques, Orléans, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Orléans, France.,Université d'Orléans, Collégium Sciences et Techniques, Orléans, France
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20
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Simion V, Nadim WD, Benedetti H, Pichon C, Morisset-Lopez S, Baril P. Pharmacomodulation of microRNA Expression in Neurocognitive Diseases: Obstacles and Future Opportunities. Curr Neuropharmacol 2017; 15:276-290. [PMID: 27397479 PMCID: PMC5412696 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160630210422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating brain functions and their implications in neurocognitive disorders there are currently significant efforts devoted in the field of miRNA-based therapeutics to correct and/or to treat these brain diseases. The observation that miRNA 29a/b-1 cluster, miRNA 10b and miRNA 7, for instance, are frequently deregulated in the brains of patients with neurocognitive diseases and in animal models of Alzheimer, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases, suggest that correction of miRNA expression using agonist or antagonist miRNA oligonucleotides might be a promising approach to correct or even to cure such diseases. The encouraging results from recent clinical trials allow envisioning that pharmacological approaches based on miRNAs might, in a near future, reach the requirements for successful therapeutic outcomes and will improve the healthcare of patients with brain injuries or disorders. This review will focus on the current strategies used to modulate pharmacological function of miRNA using chemically modified oligonucleotides. We will then review the recent literature on strategies to improve nucleic acid delivery across the blood-brain barrier which remains a severe obstacle to the widespread application of miRNA therapeutics to treat brain diseases. Finally, we provide a state-of-art of current preclinical research performed in animal models for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders using miRNA as therapeutic agents and discuss future developments of miRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorel Simion
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
| | - Wissem Deraredj Nadim
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
| | - Hélène Benedetti
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
| | - Severine Morisset-Lopez
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
| | - Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d’Orléans France, 45071 Orléans Cedex, France
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21
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Vassaux G, Angelova A, Baril P, Midoux P, Rommelaere J, Cordelier P. The Promise of Gene Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 27:127-33. [PMID: 26603492 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike for other digestive cancer entities, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies have, so far, largely failed to improve patient survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe and the United States. In this context, gene therapy may offer a new avenue for patients with PDAC. In this review, we explore the research currently ongoing in French laboratories aimed at defeating PDAC using nonviral therapeutic gene delivery, targeted transgene expression, or oncolytic virotherapy that recently or will soon bridge the gap between experimental models of cancer and clinical trials. These studies are likely to change clinical practice or thinking about PDAC management, as they represent a major advance not only for PDAC but may also significantly influence the field of gene-based molecular treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Vassaux
- 1 Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis , Nice, France .,2 Laboratoire TIRO , UMRE 4320, CEA, Nice, France
| | - Assia Angelova
- 3 German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Tumor Virology/F010, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Baril
- 4 Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301 and University of Orléans , Orléans, France
| | - Patrick Midoux
- 4 Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301 and University of Orléans , Orléans, France
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- 3 German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Tumor Virology/F010, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierre Cordelier
- 5 INSERM , UMR1037 CRCT, F-31000 Toulouse, France .,6 Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier , F-31000 Toulouse, France
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22
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Chaveroux C, Bruhat A, Carraro V, Jousse C, Averous J, Maurin AC, Parry L, Mesclon F, Muranishi Y, Cordelier P, Meulle A, Baril P, Do Thi A, Ravassard P, Mallet J, Fafournoux P. Regulating the expression of therapeutic transgenes by controlled intake of dietary essential amino acids. Nat Biotechnol 2016; 34:746-51. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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23
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Baril P, Pichon C. Positive Bioluminescence Imaging of MicroRNA Expression in Small Animal Models Using an Engineered Genetic-Switch Expression System, RILES. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1372:193-208. [PMID: 26530925 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3148-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNAs which regulate gene expression by directing their target mRNA for degradation or translational repression. Since their discovery in the early 1990s, miRNAs have emerged as key components in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene networks, shaping many biological processes from development, morphogenesis, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Although understanding of the molecular basis of miRNA biology is improving, methods to monitor the dynamic and the spatiotemporal aspects of miRNA expression under physiopathological conditions are required. However, monitoring of miRNAs is difficult due to their small size, low abundance, high degree of sequence similarity, and their dynamic expression pattern which is subjected to tight transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls. Recently, we developed a miRNA monitoring system called RILES, standing for RNAi-inducible expression system, which relies on an engineered regulatable expression system, to switch on the expression of the luciferase gene when the targeted miRNA is expressed in cells. We demonstrated that RILES is a specific, sensitive, and robust method to determine the fine-tuning of miRNA expression during the development of an experimental pathological process in mice. Because RILES offers the possibility for longitudinal studies on individual subjects, sharper insights into miRNA regulation can be generated, with applications in physiology, pathophysiology and development of RNAi-based therapies. This chapter describes methods and protocols to monitor the expression of myomiR-206, -1, and -133 in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice. These protocols can be used and adapted to monitor the expression of other miRNAs in other biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans France, Rue Charles Sadron CS 80054, Orléans Cedex 2, 45071, France.
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans France, Rue Charles Sadron CS 80054, Orléans Cedex 2, 45071, France
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24
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A Novel Transgenic Mouse Line for Tracing MicroRNA-155-5p Activity In Vivo. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128198. [PMID: 26030404 PMCID: PMC4452368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) plays significant role in various physiological processes involving both innate and adaptive immunity. miR-155 expression level changes dynamically during various immune responses. However, current approaches for miR-155 detection at the RNA level do not precisely reflect the real-time activity. Herein, we generated a transgenic mouse line (R26-DTR-155T) for determination of miR-155-5p activity in vivo by inserting miR-155-5p target sequence downstream of a reporter transgene comprising Diphtheria Toxin Receptor and TagBlue fluorescence protein. Using this approach, R26-DTR-155T mice were able to measure variation in levels of miR-155-5p activity in specific cell types of interest. The DTR expression levels were inversely correlated with the endogenous miR-155 expression pattern as detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Our data demonstrate a novel transgenic mouse line which could be useful for tracing miR-155-5p activity in specific cell types through measurement of miR-155-5p activity at single cell level.
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25
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Baril P, Ezzine S, Pichon C. Monitoring the spatiotemporal activities of miRNAs in small animal models using molecular imaging modalities. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:4947-72. [PMID: 25749473 PMCID: PMC4394458 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16034947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding mRNA targets via sequence complementary inducing translational repression and/or mRNA degradation. A current challenge in the field of miRNA biology is to understand the functionality of miRNAs under physiopathological conditions. Recent evidence indicates that miRNA expression is more complex than simple regulation at the transcriptional level. MiRNAs undergo complex post-transcriptional regulations such miRNA processing, editing, accumulation and re-cycling within P-bodies. They are dynamically regulated and have a well-orchestrated spatiotemporal localization pattern. Real-time and spatio-temporal analyses of miRNA expression are difficult to evaluate and often underestimated. Therefore, important information connecting miRNA expression and function can be lost. Conventional miRNA profiling methods such as Northern blot, real-time PCR, microarray, in situ hybridization and deep sequencing continue to contribute to our knowledge of miRNA biology. However, these methods can seldom shed light on the spatiotemporal organization and function of miRNAs in real-time. Non-invasive molecular imaging methods have the potential to address these issues and are thus attracting increasing attention. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of methods used to detect miRNAs and discusses their contribution in the emerging field of miRNA biology and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Baril
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Safia Ezzine
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, 45071 Orléans, France.
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Patra CR, Chaudhuri A. Chemical Biologists Meet at ICCB-2014, the First Annual Conference of the Newly Born Chemical Biology Society of India, at the City of Pearls. ACS Chem Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/cb5003653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chitta Ranjan Patra
- Biomaterials Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, India
| | - Arabinda Chaudhuri
- Biomaterials Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad-500 007, India
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