1
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Cui H, Zhang L, Shi Y. Biomaterials-mediated ligation of immune cell surface receptors for immunoengineering. IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY TECHNOLOGY 2024; 21:100695. [PMID: 38405432 PMCID: PMC10891334 DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2023.100695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
A wide variety of cell surface receptors found on immune cells are essential to the body's immunological defense mechanisms. Cell surface receptors enable immune cells to sense extracellular stimuli and identify pathogens, transmitting activating or inhibitory signals that regulate the immune cell state and coordinate immunological responses. These receptors can dynamically aggregate or disperse due to the fluidity of the cell membrane, particularly during interactions between cells or between cells and pathogens. At the contact surface, cell surface receptors form microclusters, facilitating the recruitment and amplification of downstream signals. The strength of the immune signal is influenced by both the quantity and the specific types of participating receptors. Generally, receptor cross-linking, meaning multivalent ligation of receptors on one cell, leads to greater interface connectivity and more robust signaling. However, intercellular interactions are often spatially restricted by other cellular structures. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend these receptors' features for developing effective immunoengineering approaches. Biomaterials can stimulate and simulate interactions between immune cells and their targets. Biomaterials can activate immune cells to act against pathogenic organisms or cancer cells, thereby offering a valuable immunoengineering toolset for vaccination and immunotherapy. In this review, we systematically summarize biomaterial-based immunoengineering strategies that consider the biology of diverse immune cell surface receptors and the structural attributes of pathogens. By combining this knowledge, we aim to advance the development of rational and effective approaches for immune modulation and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Cui
- Department of Polymer Therapeutics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - L. Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Y. Shi
- Department of Polymer Therapeutics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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2
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Rebolledo LP, Ke W, Cedrone E, Wang J, Majithia K, Johnson MB, Dokholyan NV, Dobrovolskaia MA, Afonin KA. Immunostimulation of Fibrous Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles Can be Modulated through Aptamer-Based Functional Moieties: Unveiling the Structure-Activity Relationship and Mechanistic Insights. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:8430-8441. [PMID: 38344840 PMCID: PMC10895590 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Fibrous nanomaterials containing silica, titanium oxide, and carbon nanotubes are notoriously known for their undesirable inflammatory responses and associated toxicities that have been extensively studied in the environmental and occupational toxicology fields. Biopersistance and inflammation of "hard" nanofibers prevent their broader biomedical applications. To utilize the structural benefits of fibrous nanomaterials for functionalization with moieties of therapeutic significance while preventing undesirable immune responses, researchers employ natural biopolymers─RNA and DNA─to design "soft" and biodegradable nanomaterials with controlled immunorecognition. Nucleic acid nanofibers have been shown to be safe and efficacious in applications that do not require their delivery into the cells such as the regulation of blood coagulation. Previous studies demonstrated that unlike traditional therapeutic nucleic acids (e.g., CpG DNA oligonucleotides) nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs), when used without a carrier, are not internalized by the immune cells and, as such, do not induce undesirable cytokine responses. In contrast, intracellular delivery of NANPs results in cytokine responses that are dependent on the physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials. However, the structure-activity relationship of innate immune responses to intracellularly delivered fibrous NANPs is poorly understood. Herein, we employ the intracellular delivery of model RNA/DNA nanofibers functionalized with G-quadruplex-based DNA aptamers to investigate how their structural properties influence cytokine responses. We demonstrate that nanofibers' scaffolds delivered to the immune cells using lipofectamine induce interferon response via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway activation and that DNA aptamers incorporation shields the fibers from recognition by cGAS and results in a lower interferon response. This structure-activity relationship study expands the current knowledge base to inform future practical applications of intracellularly delivered NANPs as vaccine adjuvants and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura P Rebolledo
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Weina Ke
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Edward Cedrone
- Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21701, United States
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Krishna Majithia
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - M Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Nikolay V Dokholyan
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Marina A Dobrovolskaia
- Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21701, United States
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
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3
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Hauser B, Sangesland M, Lam EC, St Denis KJ, Sheehan ML, Vu ML, Cheng AH, Sordilla S, Lamson DT, Almawi AW, Balazs AB, Lingwood D, Schmidt AG. Heterologous Sarbecovirus Receptor Binding Domains as Scaffolds for SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Motif Presentation. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:553-561. [PMID: 38281136 PMCID: PMC10862550 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00483] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Structure-guided rational immunogen design can generate optimized immunogens that elicit a desired humoral response. Design strategies often center on targeting conserved sites on viral glycoproteins that will ultimately confer potent neutralization. For SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2), the surface-exposed spike glycoprotein includes a broadly conserved portion, the receptor binding motif (RBM), that is required to engage the host cellular receptor, ACE2. Expanding humoral responses to this site may result in a more potent neutralizing antibody response against diverse sarbecoviruses. Here, we used a "resurfacing" approach and iterative design cycles to graft the SARS-2 RBM onto heterologous sarbecovirus scaffolds. The scaffolds were selected to vary the antigenic distance relative to SARS-2 to potentially focus responses to RBM. Multimerized versions of these immunogens elicited broad neutralization against sarbecoviruses in the context of preexisting SARS-2 immunity. These validated engineering approaches can help inform future immunogen design efforts for sarbecoviruses and are generally applicable to other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake
M. Hauser
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Maya Sangesland
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Evan C. Lam
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kerri J. St Denis
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Maegan L. Sheehan
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mya L. Vu
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Agnes H. Cheng
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sophia Sordilla
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Dana Thornlow Lamson
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ahmad W. Almawi
- Center
for Molecular Interactions, Department of Biological Chemistry and
Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical
School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Alejandro B. Balazs
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Daniel Lingwood
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Aaron G. Schmidt
- Ragon
Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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4
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Shen F, Wang H, Liu Z, Sun L. DNA Nanostructures: Self-Adjuvant Carriers for Highly Efficient Subunit Vaccines. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202312624. [PMID: 37737971 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines based on antigen proteins or epitopes of pathogens or tumors show advantages in immunological precision and high safety, but are often limited by their low immunogenicity. Adjuvants can boost immune responses by stimulating immune cells or promoting antigen uptake by antigen presenting cells (APCs), yet existing clinical adjuvants struggle in simultaneously achieving these dual functions. Additionally, the spatial organization of antigens might be crucial to their immunogenicity. Hence, superior adjuvants should potently stimulate the immune system, precisely arrange antigens, and effectively deliver antigens to APCs. Recently, precisely organizing and delivering antigens with the unique editability of DNA nanostructures has been proposed, presenting unique abilities in significantly improving the immunogenicity of antigens. In this minireview, we will discuss the principles behind using DNA nanostructures as self-adjuvant carriers and review the latest advancements in this field. The potential and challenges associated with self-adjuvant DNA nanostructures will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Shen
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201240, China
| | - Haihan Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Lab Carbon Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Lab Carbon Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lele Sun
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
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5
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Chen K, Jiang M, Liu J, Huang D, Yang YR. DNA nanostructures as biomolecular scaffolds for antigen display. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1921. [PMID: 37562787 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based vaccines offer a multivalent approach for antigen display, efficiently activating T and B cells in the lymph nodes. Among various nanoparticle design strategies, DNA nanotechnology offers an innovative alternative platform, featuring high modularity, spatial addressing, nanoscale regulation, high functional group density, and lower self-antigenicity. This review delves into the potential of DNA nanostructures as biomolecular scaffolds for antigen display, addressing: (1) immunological mechanisms behind nanovaccines and commonly used nanoparticles in their design, (2) techniques for characterizing protein NP-antigen complexes, (3) advancements in DNA nanotechnology and DNA-protein assembly approach, (4) strategies for precise antigen presentation on DNA scaffolds, and (5) current applications and future possibilities of DNA scaffolds in antigen display. This analysis aims to highlight the transformative potential of DNA nanoscaffolds in immunology and vaccinology. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid-Based Structures Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Deli Huang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuhe R Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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6
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Hauser BM, Sangesland M, Lam EC, Denis KJS, Sheehan ML, Vu ML, Cheng AH, Balazs AB, Lingwood D, Schmidt AG. Heterologous sarbecovirus receptor binding domains as scaffolds for SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding motif presentation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.21.554179. [PMID: 37662405 PMCID: PMC10473630 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.21.554179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Structure-guided rational immunogen design can generate optimized immunogens that elicit a desired humoral response. Design strategies often center upon targeting conserved sites on viral glycoproteins that will ultimately confer potent neutralization. For SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2), the surface-exposed spike glycoprotein includes a broadly conserved portion, the receptor binding motif (RBM), that is required to engage the host cellular receptor, ACE2. Expanding humoral responses to this site may result in a more potently neutralizing antibody response against diverse sarbecoviruses. Here, we used a "resurfacing" approach and iterative design cycles to graft the SARS-2 RBM onto heterologous sarbecovirus scaffolds. The scaffolds were selected to vary the antigenic distance relative to SARS-2 to potentially focus responses to RBM. Multimerized versions of these immunogens elicited broad neutralization against sarbecoviruses in the context of preexisting SARS-2 immunity. These validated engineering approaches can help inform future immunogen design efforts for sarbecoviruses and are generally applicable to other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M. Hauser
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Maya Sangesland
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Evan C. Lam
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Mya L. Vu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Agnes H. Cheng
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Daniel Lingwood
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Aaron G. Schmidt
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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7
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Sun L, Shen F, Qu Y, Liu Z. Functional DNA as a Molecular Tool in Regulating Immunoreceptor-Ligand Interactions. JACS AU 2023; 3:1820-1834. [PMID: 37502159 PMCID: PMC10369416 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
During immune responses, activating ligands would trigger dynamic spatiotemporal organization of immunoreceptors at the cell interface, governing the fate and effector functions of immune cells. To understand the biophysical mechanisms of immunoreceptor signaling, diverse tools, including DNA technologies, have been developed to manipulate receptor-ligand interactions during the immune activation process. With great capability in the controllable assembly of biomolecules, functional DNA-based precise arrangement of immune molecules at cell interfaces has provided a powerful means in revealing the principles of immunoreceptor triggering, even at the single-molecule level. In addition, precisely regulating immunoreceptor-ligand interactions with functional DNA has been applied in immunotherapies of major diseases. This Perspective will focus on the recent advances in exploring immunoreceptor signaling with functional DNA as the molecular tool as well as the applications of functional DNA mediated regulation of immunoreceptor activation. We also outline the challenges and opportunities of applying functional DNA in immune modulation and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Sun
- Institute
of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Fengyun Shen
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai
Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201240, China
| | - Yanfei Qu
- Institute
of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Institute
of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Lab
Carbon Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
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8
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Wamhoff EC, Knappe GA, Burds AA, Du RR, Neun BW, Difilippantonio S, Sanders C, Edmondson EF, Matta JL, Dobrovolskaia MA, Bathe M. Evaluation of Nonmodified Wireframe DNA Origami for Acute Toxicity and Biodistribution in Mice. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:1960-1969. [PMID: 37040258 PMCID: PMC10189729 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00155] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Wireframe DNA origami can be used to fabricate virus-like particles for a range of biomedical applications, including the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. However, the acute toxicity and biodistribution of these wireframe nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) have not been previously characterized in animal models. In the present study, we observed no indications of toxicity in BALB/c mice following a therapeutically relevant dosage of nonmodified DNA-based NANPs via intravenous administration, based on liver and kidney histology, liver and kidney biochemistry, and body weight. Further, the immunotoxicity of these NANPs was minimal, as indicated by blood cell counts and type-I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In an SJL/J model of autoimmunity, we observed no indications of NANP-mediated DNA-specific antibody response or immune-mediated kidney pathology following the intraperitoneal administration of NANPs. Finally, biodistribution studies revealed that these NANPs accumulate in the liver within one hour, concomitant with substantial renal clearance. Our observations support the continued development of wireframe DNA-based NANPs as next-generation nucleic acid therapeutic delivery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike-Christian Wamhoff
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Grant A. Knappe
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Aurora A. Burds
- Koch
Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Rebecca R. Du
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
| | - Barry W. Neun
- Nanotechnology
Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Simone Difilippantonio
- Laboratory
of Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Chelsea Sanders
- Laboratory
of Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Elijah F. Edmondson
- Molecular
Histology and Pathology Laboratory, Frederick
National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Matta
- Molecular
Histology and Pathology Laboratory, Frederick
National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Marina A. Dobrovolskaia
- Nanotechnology
Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States of America
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States of America
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9
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Wamhoff EC, Knappe GA, Burds AA, Du RR, Neun BW, Difilippantonio S, Sanders C, Edmondson EF, Matta JL, Dobrovolskaia MA, Bathe M. Evaluation of non-modified wireframe DNA origami for acute toxicity and biodistribution in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530026. [PMID: 36909507 PMCID: PMC10002694 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Wireframe DNA origami can be used to fabricate virus-like particles for a range of biomedical applications, including the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. However, the acute toxicity and biodistribution of these wireframe nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) have not previously been characterized in animal models. In the present study, we observed no indications of toxicity in BALB/c mice following therapeutically relevant dosage of unmodified DNA-based NANPs via intravenous administration, based on liver and kidney histology, liver biochemistry, and body weight. Further, the immunotoxicity of these NANPs was minimal, as indicated by blood cell counts and type-I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In an SJL/J model of autoimmunity, we observed no indications of NANP-mediated DNA-specific antibody response or immune-mediated kidney pathology following the intraperitoneal administration of NANPs. Finally, biodistribution studies revealed that these NANPs accumulate in the liver within one hour, concomitant with substantial renal clearance. Our observations support the continued development of wireframe DNA-based NANPs as next-generation nucleic acid therapeutic delivery platforms.
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10
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Chen J, Li Y, Liu Z. Functional nucleic acids as potent therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2023; 4:101249. [PMID: 36714073 PMCID: PMC9869493 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a severe threat to human life and the global economy. Although conventional treatments, including vaccines, antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, have been broadly developed, they usually fall behind the constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2, due to the long screening process and high production cost. Functional nucleic acid (FNA)-based therapeutics are a newly emerging promising means against COVID-19, considering their timely adaption to different mutants and easy design for broad-spectrum virus inhibition. In this review, we survey typical FNA-related therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including aptamers, aptamer-integrated DNA frameworks, functional RNA, and CRISPR-Cas technology. We first introduce the pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, then analyze the existing therapeutic and prophylactic strategies, including their pros and cons. Subsequently, the FNAs are recommended as potent alternative therapeutics from their screening process and controllable engineering to effective neutralization. Finally, we put forward the remaining challenges of the existing field and sketch out the future development directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingran Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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11
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Li Y, Arce A, Lucci T, Rasmussen RA, Lucks JB. Dynamic RNA synthetic biology: new principles, practices and potential. RNA Biol 2023; 20:817-829. [PMID: 38044595 PMCID: PMC10730207 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2269508] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An increased appreciation of the role of RNA dynamics in governing RNA function is ushering in a new wave of dynamic RNA synthetic biology. Here, we review recent advances in engineering dynamic RNA systems across the molecular, circuit and cellular scales for important societal-scale applications in environmental and human health, and bioproduction. For each scale, we introduce the core concepts of dynamic RNA folding and function at that scale, and then discuss technologies incorporating these concepts, covering new approaches to engineering riboswitches, ribozymes, RNA origami, RNA strand displacement circuits, biomaterials, biomolecular condensates, extracellular vesicles and synthetic cells. Considering the dynamic nature of RNA within the engineering design process promises to spark the next wave of innovation that will expand the scope and impact of RNA biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyi Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Anibal Arce
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tyler Lucci
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Rasmussen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Julius B. Lucks
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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