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Al-Saadi J, Waldén M, Sandell M, Sohlmér J, Grankvist R, Friberger I, Andersson A, Carlsten M, Chien K, Lundberg J, Witman N, Holmin S. Endovascular transplantation of mRNA-enhanced mesenchymal stromal cells results in superior therapeutic protein expression in swine heart. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101225. [PMID: 38516693 PMCID: PMC10950887 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101225] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Heart failure has a poor prognosis and no curative treatment exists. Clinical trials are investigating gene- and cell-based therapies to improve cardiac function. The safe and efficient delivery of these therapies to solid organs is challenging. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of using an endovascular intramyocardial delivery approach to safely administer mRNA drug products and perform cell transplantation procedures in swine. Using a trans-vessel wall (TW) device, we delivered chemically modified mRNAs (modRNA) and mRNA-enhanced mesenchymal stromal cells expressing vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) directly to the heart. We monitored and mapped the cellular distribution, protein expression, and safety tolerability of such an approach. The delivery of modRNA-enhanced cells via the TW device with different flow rates and cell concentrations marginally affect cell viability and protein expression in situ. Implanted cells were found within the myocardium for at least 3 days following administration, without the use of immunomodulation and minimal impact on tissue integrity. Finally, we could increase the protein expression of VEGF-A over 500-fold in the heart using a cell-mediated modRNA delivery system compared with modRNA delivered in saline solution. Ultimately, this method paves the way for future research to pioneer new treatments for cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Al-Saadi
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- MedTechLabs, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathias Waldén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sandell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- MedTechLabs, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas väg 10, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Sohlmér
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rikard Grankvist
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ida Friberger
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Andersson
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Carlsten
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenneth Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen 9, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Lundberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- MedTechLabs, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nevin Witman
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Staffan Holmin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- MedTechLabs, Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Ma T, Xu G, Gao T, Zhao G, Huang G, Shi J, Chen J, Song J, Xia J, Ma X. Engineered Exosomes with ATF5-Modified mRNA Loaded in Injectable Thermogels Alleviate Osteoarthritis by Targeting the Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:21383-21399. [PMID: 38626424 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) progression is highly associated with chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and disorders of catabolism and anabolism of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the articular cartilage. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which is an integral component of the mitochondrial quality control (MQC) system, is essential for maintaining chondrocyte homeostasis. We successfully validated the pivotal role of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) in upregulating the UPRmt, mitigating IL-1β-induced inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and promoting balanced metabolism in articular cartilage ECM, proving its potential as a promising therapeutic target for OA. Modified mRNAs (modRNAs) have emerged as novel and efficient gene delivery vectors for nucleic acid therapeutic approaches. In this study, we combined Atf5-modRNA (modAtf5) with engineered exosomes derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (ExmodAtf5) to exert cytoprotective effects on chondrocytes in articular cartilage via Atf5. However, the rapid localized metabolization of ExmodAtf5 limits its application. PLGA-PEG-PLGA (Gel), an injectable thermosensitive hydrogel, was used as a carrier of ExmodAtf5 (Gel@ExmodAtf5) to achieve a sustained release of ExmodAtf5. In vitro and in vivo, the use of Gel@ExmodAtf5 was shown to be a highly effective strategy for OA treatment. The in vivo therapeutic effect of Gel@ExmodAtf5 was evidenced by the preservation of the intact cartilage surface, low OARSI scores, fewer osteophytes, and mild subchondral bone sclerosis and cystic degeneration. Consequently, the combination of ExmodAtf5 and PLGA-PEG-PLGA could significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy and prolong the exosome release. In addition, the mitochondrial protease ClpP enhanced chondrocyte autophagy by modulating the mTOR/Ulk1 pathway. As a result of our research, Gel@ExmodAtf5 can be considered to be effective at alleviating the progression of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancong Ma
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Guangyu Xu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Tian Gao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Guanglei Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Gangyong Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jingsheng Shi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jian Song
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Xiaosheng Ma
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, 12th Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200040, China
- Fudan University, 220th Handan Road, Yang'pu District, Shanghai 200082, China
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3
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Keshri R, Detraux D, Phal A, McCurdy C, Jhajharia S, Chan TC, Mathieu J, Ruohola-Baker H. Next-generation direct reprogramming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1343106. [PMID: 38371924 PMCID: PMC10869521 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1343106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue repair is significantly compromised in the aging human body resulting in critical disease conditions (such as myocardial infarction or Alzheimer's disease) and imposing a tremendous burden on global health. Reprogramming approaches (partial or direct reprogramming) are considered fruitful in addressing this unmet medical need. However, the efficacy, cellular maturity and specific targeting are still major challenges of direct reprogramming. Here we describe novel approaches in direct reprogramming that address these challenges. Extracellular signaling pathways (Receptor tyrosine kinases, RTK and Receptor Serine/Theronine Kinase, RSTK) and epigenetic marks remain central in rewiring the cellular program to determine the cell fate. We propose that modern protein design technologies (AI-designed minibinders regulating RTKs/RSTK, epigenetic enzymes, or pioneer factors) have potential to solve the aforementioned challenges. An efficient transdifferentiation/direct reprogramming may in the future provide molecular strategies to collectively reduce aging, fibrosis, and degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Keshri
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Damien Detraux
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ashish Phal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Clara McCurdy
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Samriddhi Jhajharia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Tung Ching Chan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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4
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Witman N, Zhou C, Häneke T, Xiao Y, Huang X, Rohner E, Sohlmér J, Grote Beverborg N, Lehtinen ML, Chien KR, Sahara M. Placental growth factor exerts a dual function for cardiomyogenesis and vasculogenesis during heart development. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5435. [PMID: 37669989 PMCID: PMC10480216 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41305-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiogenic growth factors play important roles in heart development. Placental growth factor (PLGF) has previously been reported to have angiogenic effects; however, its potential role in cardiogenesis has not yet been determined. We analyze single-cell RNA-sequencing data derived from human and primate embryonic hearts and find PLGF shows a biphasic expression pattern, as it is expressed specifically on ISL1+ second heart field progenitors at an earlier stage and on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) at later stages. Using chemically modified mRNAs (modRNAs), we generate a panel of cardiogenic growth factors and test their effects on enhancing cardiomyocyte (CM) and EC induction during different stages of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiations. We discover that only the application of PLGF modRNA at early time points of hESC-CM differentiation can increase both CM and EC production. Conversely, genetic deletion of PLGF reduces generation of CMs, SMCs and ECs in vitro. We also confirm in vivo beneficial effects of PLGF modRNA for development of human heart progenitor-derived cardiac muscle grafts on murine kidney capsules. Further, we identify the previously unrecognized PLGF-related transcriptional networks driven by EOMES and SOX17. These results shed light on the dual cardiomyogenic and vasculogenic effects of PLGF during heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevin Witman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chikai Zhou
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timm Häneke
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaoting Huang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eduarde Rohner
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Sohlmér
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niels Grote Beverborg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miia L Lehtinen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Makoto Sahara
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, A6 Biomedicum, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CN, 06510, USA.
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5
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Kang DD, Li H, Dong Y. Advancements of in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT mRNA) to enable translation into the clinics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114961. [PMID: 37321375 PMCID: PMC10264168 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The accelerated progress and approval of two mRNA-based vaccines to address the SARS-CoV-2 virus were unprecedented. This record-setting feat was made possible through the solid foundation of research on in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT mRNA) which could be utilized as a therapeutic modality. Through decades of thorough research to overcome barriers to implementation, mRNA-based vaccines or therapeutics offer many advantages to rapidly address a broad range of applications including infectious diseases, cancers, and gene editing. Here, we describe the advances that have supported the adoption of IVT mRNA in the clinics, including optimization of the IVT mRNA structural components, synthesis, and lastly concluding with different classes of IVT RNA. Continuing interest in driving IVT mRNA technology will enable a safer and more efficacious therapeutic modality to address emerging and existing diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana D Kang
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Genomics Institute, Precision Immunology Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Haoyuan Li
- Genomics Institute, Precision Immunology Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Yizhou Dong
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Genomics Institute, Precision Immunology Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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6
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Rando HM, Lordan R, Kolla L, Sell E, Lee AJ, Wellhausen N, Naik A, Kamil JP, Gitter A, Greene CS. The Coming of Age of Nucleic Acid Vaccines during COVID-19. mSystems 2023; 8:e0092822. [PMID: 36861992 PMCID: PMC10134841 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00928-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 21st century, several emergent viruses have posed a global threat. Each pathogen has emphasized the value of rapid and scalable vaccine development programs. The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has made the importance of such efforts especially clear. New biotechnological advances in vaccinology allow for recent advances that provide only the nucleic acid building blocks of an antigen, eliminating many safety concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these DNA and RNA vaccines have facilitated the development and deployment of vaccines at an unprecedented pace. This success was attributable at least in part to broader shifts in scientific research relative to prior epidemics: the genome of SARS-CoV-2 was available as early as January 2020, facilitating global efforts in the development of DNA and RNA vaccines within 2 weeks of the international community becoming aware of the new viral threat. Additionally, these technologies that were previously only theoretical are not only safe but also highly efficacious. Although historically a slow process, the rapid development of vaccines during the COVID-19 crisis reveals a major shift in vaccine technologies. Here, we provide historical context for the emergence of these paradigm-shifting vaccines. We describe several DNA and RNA vaccines in terms of their efficacy, safety, and approval status. We also discuss patterns in worldwide distribution. The advances made since early 2020 provide an exceptional illustration of how rapidly vaccine development technology has advanced in the last 2 decades in particular and suggest a new era in vaccines against emerging pathogens. IMPORTANCE The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused untold damage globally, presenting unusual demands on but also unique opportunities for vaccine development. The development, production, and distribution of vaccines are imperative to saving lives, preventing severe illness, and reducing the economic and social burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although vaccine technologies that provide the DNA or RNA sequence of an antigen had never previously been approved for use in humans, they have played a major role in the management of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss the history of these vaccines and how they have been applied to SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, given that the evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants continues to present a significant challenge in 2022, these vaccines remain an important and evolving tool in the biomedical response to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halie M. Rando
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ronan Lordan
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Likhitha Kolla
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sell
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexandra J. Lee
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amruta Naik
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeremy P. Kamil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - COVID-19 Review Consortium
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anthony Gitter
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Casey S. Greene
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Itkin T, Houghton S, Schreiner R, Lin Y, Badwe CR, Voisin V, Murison A, Seyedhassantehrani N, Kaufmann KB, Garcia-Prat L, Booth GT, Geng F, Liu Y, Gomez-Salinero JM, Shieh JH, Redmond D, Xiang JZ, Josefowicz SZ, Trapnell C, Spencer JA, Zangi L, Hadland B, Dick JE, Xie SZ, Rafii S. Transcriptional Activation of Regenerative Hematopoiesis via Vascular Niche Sensing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.27.534417. [PMID: 37034724 PMCID: PMC10081204 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Transition between activation and quiescence programs in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC/HSPCs) is perceived to be governed intrinsically and by microenvironmental co-adaptation. However, HSC programs dictating both transition and adaptability, remain poorly defined. Single cell multiome analysis divulging differential transcriptional activity between distinct HSPC states, indicated for the exclusive absence of Fli-1 motif from quiescent HSCs. We reveal that Fli-1 activity is essential for HSCs during regenerative hematopoiesis. Fli-1 directs activation programs while manipulating cellular sensory and output machineries, enabling HSPCs co-adoptability with a stimulated vascular niche. During regenerative conditions, Fli-1 presets and enables propagation of niche-derived Notch1 signaling. Constitutively induced Notch1 signaling is sufficient to recuperate functional HSC impairments in the absence of Fli-1. Applying FLI-1 modified-mRNA transduction into lethargic adult human mobilized HSPCs, enables their vigorous niche-mediated expansion along with superior engraftment capacities. Thus, decryption of stem cell activation programs offers valuable insights for immune regenerative medicine.
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8
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Anttila V, Saraste A, Knuuti J, Hedman M, Jaakkola P, Laugwitz KL, Krane M, Jeppsson A, Sillanmäki S, Rosenmeier J, Zingmark P, Rudvik A, Garkaviy P, Watson C, Pangalos MN, Chien KR, Fritsche-Danielson R, Collén A, Gan LM. Direct intramyocardial injection of VEGF mRNA in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Mol Ther 2023; 31:866-874. [PMID: 36528793 PMCID: PMC10014220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) has therapeutic cardiovascular effects, but delivery challenges have impeded clinical development. We report the first clinical study of naked mRNA encoding VEGF-A (AZD8601) injected into the human heart. EPICCURE (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03370887) was a randomized, double-blind study of AZD8601 in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 30%-50% who were undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Thirty epicardial injections of AZD8601 (total 3 mg) or placebo in citrate-buffered saline were targeted to ischemic but viable myocardial regions mapped using quantitative [15O]-water positron emission tomography. Seven patients received AZD8601 and four received placebo and were followed for 6 months. There were no deaths or treatment-related serious adverse events and no AZD8601-associated infections, immune reactions, or arrhythmias. Exploratory outcomes indicated potential improvement in LVEF, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, but the study is limited in size, and significant efficacy conclusions are not possible from the dataset. Naked mRNA without lipid encapsulation may provide a safe delivery platform for introducing genetic material to cardiac muscle, but further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in a larger patient pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesa Anttila
- Heart Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Saraste
- Heart Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juhani Knuuti
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marja Hedman
- Heart Centre, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pekka Jaakkola
- Heart Centre, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Karl-Ludwig Laugwitz
- First Medical Department (Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Krane
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, German Heart Centre Munich, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Division of Cardiac Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anders Jeppsson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Saara Sillanmäki
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jaya Rosenmeier
- Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Zingmark
- Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Rudvik
- Early Biometrics & Statistical Innovation, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pavlo Garkaviy
- Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christina Watson
- Study Management Early, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Regina Fritsche-Danielson
- Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Collén
- Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Li-Ming Gan
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Research and Early Clinical Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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9
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Rando HM, Lordan R, Kolla L, Sell E, Lee AJ, Wellhausen N, Naik A, Kamil JP. The Coming of Age of Nucleic Acid Vaccines during COVID-19. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2210.07247v2. [PMID: 36263086 PMCID: PMC9580386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In the 21st century, several emergent viruses have posed a global threat. Each pathogen has emphasized the value of rapid and scalable vaccine development programs. The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has made the importance of such efforts especially clear. New biotechnological advances in vaccinology allow for recent advances that provide only the nucleic acid building blocks of an antigen, eliminating many safety concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these DNA and RNA vaccines have facilitated the development and deployment of vaccines at an unprecedented pace. This success was attributable at least in part to broader shifts in scientific research relative to prior epidemics; the genome of SARS-CoV-2 was available as early as January 2020, facilitating global efforts in the development of DNA and RNA vaccines within two weeks of the international community becoming aware of the new viral threat. Additionally, these technologies that were previously only theoretical are not only safe but also highly efficacious. Although historically a slow process, the rapid development of vaccines during the COVID-19 crisis reveals a major shift in vaccine technologies. Here, we provide historical context for the emergence of these paradigm-shifting vaccines. We describe several DNA and RNA vaccines and in terms of their efficacy, safety, and approval status. We also discuss patterns in worldwide distribution. The advances made since early 2020 provide an exceptional illustration of how rapidly vaccine development technology has advanced in the last two decades in particular and suggest a new era in vaccines against emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halie M Rando
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America; Center for Health AI, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ronan Lordan
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5158, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Likhitha Kolla
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Sell
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alexandra J Lee
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Amruta Naik
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Jeremy P Kamil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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10
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Kim B, Hosn RR, Remba T, Yun D, Li N, Abraham W, Melo MB, Cortes M, Li B, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Irvine DJ. Optimization of storage conditions for lipid nanoparticle-formulated self-replicating RNA vaccines. J Control Release 2023; 353:241-253. [PMID: 36414195 PMCID: PMC9708520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The recent clinical success of multiple mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has proven the potential of RNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in humans, and products based on base-modified RNA, sequence-optimized RNA, and self-replicating RNAs formulated in LNPs are all in various stages of clinical development. However, much remains to be learned about critical parameters governing the manufacturing and use of LNP-RNA formulations. One important issue that has received limited attention in the literature to date is the identification of optimal storage conditions for LNP-RNA that preserve long-term activity of the formulations. Here, we analyzed the physical structure, in vivo expression characteristics, and functional activity of alphavirus-derived self-replicating RNA (repRNA)-loaded LNPs encoding HIV vaccine antigens following storage in varying temperatures, buffers, and in the presence or absence of cryoprotectants. We found that for lipid nanoparticles with compositions similar to clinically-used LNPs, storage in RNAse-free PBS containing 10% (w/v) sucrose at -20 °C was able to maintain vaccine stability and in vivo potency at a level equivalent to freshly prepared vaccines following 30 days of storage. LNPs loaded with repRNA could also be lyophilized with retention of bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byungji Kim
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ryan R Hosn
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tanaka Remba
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- Nanotechnology Materials Core, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Na Li
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mariane B Melo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Manuel Cortes
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Bridget Li
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yuebao Zhang
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Yizhou Dong
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Cancer Engineering, Center for Cancer Metabolism, Pelotonia Institute for Immune-Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Departments of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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11
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Magadum A. Modified mRNA Therapeutics for Heart Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415514. [PMID: 36555159 PMCID: PMC9779737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a substantial global health problem and the leading cause of death worldwide. Although many conventional small-molecule treatments are available to support the cardiac function of the patient with CVD, they are not effective as a cure. Among potential targets for gene therapy are severe cardiac and peripheral ischemia, heart failure, vein graft failure, and some forms of dyslipidemias. In the last three decades, multiple gene therapy tools have been used for heart diseases caused by proteins, plasmids, adenovirus, and adeno-associated viruses (AAV), but these remain as unmet clinical needs. These gene therapy methods are ineffective due to poor and uncontrolled gene expression, low stability, immunogenicity, and transfection efficiency. The synthetic modified mRNA (modRNA) presents a novel gene therapy approach which provides a transient, stable, safe, non-immunogenic, controlled mRNA delivery to the heart tissue without any risk of genomic integration, and achieves a therapeutic effect in different organs, including the heart. The mRNA translation starts in minutes, and remains stable for 8-10 days (pulse-like kinetics). The pulse-like expression of modRNA in the heart induces cardiac repair, cardiomyocyte proliferation and survival, and inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis post-myocardial infarction (MI). Cell-specific (cardiomyocyte) modRNA translation developments established cell-specific modRNA therapeutics for heart diseases. With these laudable characteristics, combined with its expression kinetics in the heart, modRNA has become an attractive therapeutic for the treatment of CVD. This review discusses new developments in modRNA therapy for heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Magadum
- Center for Translational Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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12
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Unlocking the promise of mRNA therapeutics. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1586-1600. [PMID: 36329321 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01491-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The extraordinary success of mRNA vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has renewed interest in mRNA as a means of delivering therapeutic proteins. Early clinical trials of mRNA therapeutics include studies of paracrine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA for heart failure and of CRISPR-Cas9 mRNA for a congenital liver-specific storage disease. However, a series of challenges remains to be addressed before mRNA can be established as a general therapeutic modality with broad relevance to both rare and common diseases. An array of new technologies is being developed to surmount these challenges, including approaches to optimize mRNA cargos, lipid carriers with inherent tissue tropism and in vivo percutaneous delivery systems. The judicious integration of these advances may unlock the promise of biologically targeted mRNA therapeutics, beyond vaccines and other immunostimulatory agents, for the treatment of diverse clinical indications.
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13
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Hetherington I, Totary-Jain H. Anti-atherosclerotic therapies: Milestones, challenges, and emerging innovations. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3106-3117. [PMID: 36065464 PMCID: PMC9552812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the main underlying pathology for many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are the leading cause of death globally and represent a serious health crisis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition that can lead to myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Elevated plasma lipids, hypertension, and high glucose are the major risk factors for developing atherosclerotic plaques. To date, most pharmacological therapies aim to control these risk factors, but they do not target the plaque-causing cells themselves. In patients with acute coronary syndromes, surgical revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention has greatly reduced mortality rates. However, stent thrombosis and neo-atherosclerosis have emerged as major safety concerns of drug eluting stents due to delayed re-endothelialization. This review summarizes the major milestones, strengths, and limitations of current anti-atherosclerotic therapies. It provides an overview of the recent discoveries and emerging game-changing technologies in the fields of nanomedicine, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing that have the potential to revolutionize CVD clinical practice by steering it toward precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Hetherington
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC08, 2170, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Hana Totary-Jain
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC08, 2170, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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14
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Nucleic acid therapy in pediatric cancer. Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106441. [PMID: 36096420 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The overall survival, progress free survival, and life quality of cancer patients have improved due to the advance in minimally invasive surgery, precision radiotherapy, and various combined chemotherapy in the last decade. Furthermore, the discovery of new types of therapeutics, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and immune cell therapies have facilitated both patients and doctors to fight with cancers. Moreover, in the context of the development in biocompatible and cell type targeting nano-carriers as well as nucleic acid-based drugs for initiating and enhancing the anti-tumor response have come to the age. The treatment paradigms utilization of nucleic acids, including short interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), and messenger RNA (mRNA), can target specific protein expression to achieve the therapeutic effects. Over ten nucleic acid therapeutics have been approved by the FDA and EMA in rare diseases and genetic diseases as well as dozens of registered clinical trails for varies cancers. Though generally less dangerous of pediatric cancers than adult cancers was observed during the past decades, yet pediatric cancers accounted for a significant proportion of child deaths which hurt those family very deeply. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention for improving the treatment of pediatric cancer and discovering new nucleic acid therapeutics which may help to improve the therapeutic effect and prognoses in turns to ameliorate the survival period and quality of life for children patient. In this review, we focus on the nucleic acid therapy in pediatric cancers.
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15
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Progress in Bioengineering Strategies for Heart Regenerative Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073482. [PMID: 35408844 PMCID: PMC8998628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The human heart has the least regenerative capabilities among tissues and organs, and heart disease continues to be a leading cause of mortality in the industrialized world with insufficient therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Therefore, developing new therapeutic strategies for heart regeneration is a major goal in modern cardiac biology and medicine. Recent advances in stem cell biology and biotechnologies such as human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and cardiac tissue engineering hold great promise for opening novel paths to heart regeneration and repair for heart disease, although these areas are still in their infancy. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent progress in cardiac tissue engineering strategies, highlighting stem cell engineering and cardiomyocyte maturation, development of novel functional biomaterials and biofabrication tools, and their therapeutic applications involving drug discovery, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine for heart disease.
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16
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Wu H, Peng Z, Xu Y, Sheng Z, Liu Y, Liao Y, Wang Y, Wen Y, Yi J, Xie C, Chen X, Hu J, Yan B, Wang H, Yao X, Fu W, Ouyang H. Engineered adipose-derived stem cells with IGF-1-modified mRNA ameliorates osteoarthritis development. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:19. [PMID: 35033199 PMCID: PMC8760691 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02695-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent degenerative disease characterized by degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), still lacks effective disease-modifying therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been regarded as the most promising approach for OA treatment while engrafting cells alone might not be adequate for effective regeneration. Genetic modification has been used to optimize MSC-based therapy; however, there are still significant limitations that prevent the clinical translation of this therapy including low efficacy and safety concerns. Recently, chemically modified mRNA (modRNA) represents a promising alternative for the gene-enhanced MSC therapy. In this regard, we hypothesized that adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) engineered with modRNA encoding insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were superior to native ADSCs on ameliorating OA development. METHODS Mouse ADSCs were acquired from adipose tissue and transfected with modRNAs. First, the kinetics and efficacy of modRNA-mediated gene transfer in mouse ADSCs were analyzed in vitro. Next, we applied an indirect co-culture system to analyze the pro-anabolic potential of IGF-1 modRNA engineered ADSCs (named as IGF-1-ADSCs) on chondrocytes. Finally, we evaluated the cell retention and chondroprotective effect of IGF-1-ADSCs in vivo using fluorescent labeling, histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS modRNA transfected mouse ADSCs with high efficiency (85 ± 5%) and the IGF-1 modRNA-transfected ADSCs facilitated burst-like production of bio-functional IGF-1 protein. In vitro, IGF-1-ADSCs induced increased anabolic markers expression of chondrocytes in inflammation environment compared to untreated ADSCs. In a murine OA model, histological and immunohistochemical analysis of knee joints harvested at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after OA induction suggested IGF-1-ADSCs had superior therapeutic effect over native ADSCs demonstrated by lower histological OARSI score and decreased loss of cartilage ECM. CONCLUSIONS These findings collectively supported the therapeutic potential of IGF-1-ADSCs for clinical OA management and cartilage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Wu
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Peng
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zixuan Sheng
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanshan Liu
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youguo Liao
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ya Wen
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junzhi Yi
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chang Xie
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuri Chen
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingqian Yan
- Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 310003, China
| | - Huijing Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 310003, China
| | - Xudong Yao
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 310003, China.
| | - Hongwei Ouyang
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China. .,Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, China.
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17
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Collén A, Bergenhem N, Carlsson L, Chien KR, Hoge S, Gan LM, Fritsche-Danielson R. VEGFA mRNA for regenerative treatment of heart failure. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 21:79-80. [PMID: 34873303 PMCID: PMC8646349 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Collén
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Nils Bergenhem
- Alliance Management, Business Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leif Carlsson
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Li-Ming Gan
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Regina Fritsche-Danielson
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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18
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Tafaleng EN, Mukherjee A, Bell A, Morita K, Guzman-Lepe J, Haep N, Florentino RM, Diaz-Aragon R, Frau C, Ostrowska A, Schultz JR, Martini PGV, Soto-Gutierrez A, Fox IJ. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 alpha 2 Messenger RNA Reprograms Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors and Functional Proteins in End-Stage Cirrhotic Human Hepatocytes. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1911-1926. [PMID: 34558820 PMCID: PMC8557308 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The only definitive therapy for end-stage liver disease is whole-organ transplantation. The success of this intervention is severely limited by the complexity of the surgery, the cost of patient care, the need for long-term immunosuppression, and the shortage of donor organs. In rodents and humans, end-stage degeneration of hepatocyte function is associated with disruption of the liver-specific transcriptional network and a nearly complete loss of promoter P1-driven hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (P1-HNF4α) activity. Re-expression of HNF4α2, the predominant P1-HNF4α, reinstates the transcriptional network, normalizes the genes important for hepatocyte function, and reverses liver failure in rodents. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of supplementary expression of human HNF4α2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary human hepatocytes isolated from explanted livers of patients who underwent transplant for end-stage irreversibly decompensated liver failure (Child-Pugh B, C) resulting from alcohol-mediated cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Re-expression of HNF4α2 in decompensated cirrhotic human hepatocytes corrects the disrupted transcriptional network and normalizes the expression of genes important for hepatocyte function, improving liver-specific protein expression. End-stage liver disease in humans is associated with both loss of P1-HNF4α expression and failure of its localization to the nucleus. We found that while HNF4α2 re-expression increased the amount of P1-HNF4α protein in hepatocytes, it did not alter the ability of hepatocytes to localize P1-HNF4α to their nuclei. Conclusion: Re-expression of HNF4α2 mRNA in livers of patients with end-stage disease may be an effective therapy for terminal liver failure that would circumvent the need for organ transplantation. The efficacy of this strategy may be enhanced by discovering the cause for loss of nuclear P1-HNF4α localization in end-stage cirrhosis, a process not found in rodent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar N Tafaleng
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Amitava Mukherjee
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Kazutoyo Morita
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Jorge Guzman-Lepe
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Nils Haep
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Carla Frau
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | | | | | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
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19
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Rohner E, Witman N, Sohlmer J, De Genst E, Louch WE, Sahara M, Chien KR. An mRNA assay system demonstrates proteasomal-specific degradation contributes to cardiomyopathic phospholamban null mutation. Mol Med 2021; 27:102. [PMID: 34496741 PMCID: PMC8425124 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00362-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The human L39X phospholamban (PLN) cardiomyopathic mutant has previously been reported as a null mutation but the detailed molecular pathways that lead to the complete lack of detectable protein remain to be clarified. Previous studies have shown the implication between an impaired cellular degradation homeostasis and cardiomyopathy development. Therefore, uncovering the underlying mechanism responsible for the lack of PLN protein has important implications in understanding the patient pathology, chronic human calcium dysregulation and aid the development of potential therapeutics. Methods A panel of mutant and wild-type reporter tagged PLN modified mRNA (modRNA) constructs were transfected in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Lysosomal and proteasomal chemical inhibitors were used together with cell imaging and protein analysis tools in order to dissect degradation pathways associated with expressed PLN constructs. Transcriptional profiling of the cardiomyocytes transfected by wild-type or L39X mutant PLN modRNA was analysed with bulk RNA sequencing. Results Our modRNA assay system revealed that transfected L39X mRNA was stable and actively translated in vitro but with only trace amount of protein detectable. Proteasomal inhibition of cardiomyocytes transfected with L39X mutant PLN modRNA showed a fourfold increase in protein expression levels. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis of protein degradational pathways showed a significant distinct transcriptomic signature between wild-type and L39X mutant PLN modRNA transfected cardiomyocytes. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the cardiomyopathic PLN null mutant L39X is rapidly, actively and specifically degraded by proteasomal pathways. Herein, and to the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time the usage of modified mRNAs to screen for and illuminate alternative molecular pathways found in genes associated with inherited cardiomyopathies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00362-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarde Rohner
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nevin Witman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Sohlmer
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Erwin De Genst
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - William E Louch
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,K. G. Jebsen Cardiac Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Makoto Sahara
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CN, USA.
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
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20
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Maldonado-Velez G, Firulli AB. Mechanisms Underlying Cardiomyocyte Development: Can We Exploit Them to Regenerate the Heart? Curr Cardiol Rep 2021; 23:81. [PMID: 34081213 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-021-01510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW It is well established that the adult mammalian cardiomyocytes retain a low capacity for cell cycle activity; however, it is insufficient to effectively respond to myocardial injury and facilitate cardiac regenerative repair. Lessons learned from species in which cardiomyocytes do allow for proliferative regeneration/repair have shed light into the mechanisms underlying cardiac regeneration post-injury. Importantly, many of these mechanisms are conserved across species, including mammals, and efforts to tap into these mechanisms effectively within the adult heart are currently of great interest. RECENT FINDINGS Targeting the endogenous gene regulatory networks (GRNs) shown to play roles in the cardiac regeneration of conducive species is seen as a strong approach, as delivery of a single or combination of genes has promise to effectively enhance cell cycle activity and CM proliferation in adult hearts post-myocardial infarction (MI). In situ re-induction of proliferative gene regulatory programs within existing, local, non-damaged cardiomyocytes helps overcome significant technical hurdles, such as successful engraftment of implanted cells or achieving complete cardiomyocyte differentiation from cell-based approaches. Although many obstacles currently exist and need to be overcome to successfully translate these approaches to clinical settings, the current efforts presented here show great promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Maldonado-Velez
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research Department of Pediatrics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5225, USA
| | - Anthony B Firulli
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research Department of Pediatrics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5225, USA.
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21
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Borrelli MA, Turnquist HR, Little SR. Biologics and their delivery systems: Trends in myocardial infarction. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:181-215. [PMID: 33775706 PMCID: PMC8178247 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death around the world, in which myocardial infarction (MI) is a precipitating event. However, current therapies do not adequately address the multiple dysregulated systems following MI. Consequently, recent studies have developed novel biologic delivery systems to more effectively address these maladies. This review utilizes a scientometric summary of the recent literature to identify trends among biologic delivery systems designed to treat MI. Emphasis is placed on sustained or targeted release of biologics (e.g. growth factors, nucleic acids, stem cells, chemokines) from common delivery systems (e.g. microparticles, nanocarriers, injectable hydrogels, implantable patches). We also evaluate biologic delivery system trends in the entire regenerative medicine field to identify emerging approaches that may translate to the treatment of MI. Future developments include immune system targeting through soluble factor or chemokine delivery, and the development of advanced delivery systems that facilitate the synergistic delivery of biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Borrelli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 940 Benedum Hall, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Heth R Turnquist
- Starzl Transplantation Institute, 200 Darragh St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Steven R Little
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 940 Benedum Hall, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 302 Benedum Hall, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh, Forbes Tower, Suite 7057, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, 203 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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22
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Liu Y, Zhou Y, Xu J, Luo H, Zhu Y, Zeng X, Dong F, Wei Z, Yan F, Zheng H. Ultrasound molecular imaging-guided tumor gene therapy through dual-targeted cationic microbubbles. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2454-2466. [PMID: 33594996 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01857k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The success of gene therapy depends largely on the development of gene vectors and effective gene delivery systems. It has been demonstrated that cationic microbubbles can be loaded with negatively charged plasmid DNA and thus improve gene transfection efficiency. In this study, we developed dual-targeting cationic microbubbles conjugated with iRGD peptides(Cyclo(Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Lys-Gly-Pro-Asp-Cys)) and CCR2 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2) antibodies (MBiRGD/CCR2) for ultrasound molecular imaging and targeted tumor gene therapy. The ultrasound molecular imaging experiments showed that there were significantly enhanced ultrasound molecular imaging signals in the tumor that received MBiRGD/CCR2, compared with those that received MBiRGD, MBCCR2, or MBcontrol. As a therapy plasmid, pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shAKT2, carrying an expression cassette for the human AKT2 RNA interference sequence, was used. Our results demonstrated that MBiRGD/CCR2 had a significantly higher gene transfection efficiency than MBiRGD, MBCCR2, or MBcontrol under ultrasound irradiation, resulting in much lower AKT2 protein expression and stronger tumor growth inhibition effects in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, our study demonstrated a novel gene delivery system via MBiRGD/CCR2 for ultrasound molecular-imaging-guided gene therapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Liu
- Shenzhen Medical Ultrasound Engineering Center, Department of Ultrasonography, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, First Clinical Medical College of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518020, China.
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23
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BMP-2 and VEGF-A modRNAs in collagen scaffold synergistically drive bone repair through osteogenic and angiogenic pathways. Commun Biol 2021; 4:82. [PMID: 33469143 PMCID: PMC7815925 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01606-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone has a remarkable potential for self-healing and repair, yet several injury types are non-healing even after surgical or non-surgical treatment. Regenerative therapies that induce bone repair or improve the rate of recovery are being intensely investigated. Here, we probed the potential of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) engineered with chemically modified mRNAs (modRNA) encoding the hBMP-2 and VEGF-A gene to therapeutically heal bone. Induction of osteogenesis from modRNA-treated BMSCs was confirmed by expression profiles of osteogenic related markers and the presence of mineralization deposits. To test for therapeutic efficacy, a collagen scaffold inoculated with modRNA-treated BMSCs was explored in an in vivo skull defect model. We show that hBMP-2 and VEGF-A modRNAs synergistically drive osteogenic and angiogenic programs resulting in superior healing properties. This study exploits chemically modified mRNAs, together with biomaterials, as a potential approach for the clinical treatment of bone injury and defects.
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24
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Yu F, Witman N, Yan D, Zhang S, Zhou M, Yan Y, Yao Q, Ding F, Yan B, Wang H, Fu W, Lu Y, Fu Y. Human adipose-derived stem cells enriched with VEGF-modified mRNA promote angiogenesis and long-term graft survival in a fat graft transplantation model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:490. [PMID: 33213517 PMCID: PMC7678328 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-02008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fat grafting, as a standard treatment for numerous soft tissue defects, remains unpredictable and technique-dependent. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are promising candidates for cell-assisted therapy to improve graft survival. As free-living fat requires nutritional and respiratory sources to thrive, insufficient and unstable vascularization still impedes hADSC-assisted therapy. Recently, cytotherapy combined with modified mRNA (modRNA) encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been applied for the treatment of ischemia-related diseases. Herein, we hypothesized that VEGF modRNA (modVEGF)-engineered hADSCs could robustly enhance fat survival in a fat graft transplantation model. Methods hADSCs were acquired from lipoaspiration and transfected with modRNAs. Transfection efficiency and expression kinetics of modRNAs in hADSCs were first evaluated in vitro. Next, we applied an in vivo Matrigel plug assay to assess the viability and angiogenic potential of modVEGF-engineered hADSCs at 1 week post-implantation. Finally, modVEGF-engineered hADSCs were co-transplanted with human fat in a murine model to analyze the survival rate, re-vascularization, proliferation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and necrosis of fat grafts over long-term follow-up. Results Transfections of modVEGF in hADSCs were highly tolerable as the modVEGF-engineered hADSCs facilitated burst-like protein production of VEGF in both our in vitro and in vivo models. modVEGF-engineered hADSCs induced increased levels of cellular proliferation and proangiogenesis when compared to untreated hADSCs in both ex vivo and in vivo assays. In a fat graft transplantation model, we provided evidence that modVEGF-engineered hADSCs promote the optimal potency to preserve adipocytes, especially in the long-term post-transplantation phase. Detailed histological analysis of fat grafts harvested at 15, 30, and 90 days following in vivo grafting suggested the release of VEGF protein from modVEGF-engineered hADSCs significantly improved neo-angiogenesis, vascular maturity, and cell proliferation. The modVEGF-engineered hADSCs also significantly mitigated the presence of fibrosis, apoptosis, and necrosis of grafts when compared to the control groups. Moreover, modVEGF-engineered hADSCs promoted graft survival and cell differentiation abilities, which also induced an increase in vessel formation and the number of surviving adipocytes after transplantation. Conclusion This current study demonstrates the employment of modVEGF-engineered hADSCs as an advanced alternative to the clinical treatment involving soft-tissue reconstruction and rejuvenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Nevin Witman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dan Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Siyi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Meng Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qinke Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Feixue Ding
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Bingqian Yan
- Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.,Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Huijing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.,Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China. .,Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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25
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He L, Nguyen NB, Ardehali R, Zhou B. Heart Regeneration by Endogenous Stem Cells and Cardiomyocyte Proliferation: Controversy, Fallacy, and Progress. Circulation 2020; 142:275-291. [PMID: 32687441 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.045566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Myocardial infarction results in an irreversible loss of cardiomyocytes with subsequent adverse remodeling and heart failure. Identifying new sources for cardiomyocytes and promoting their formation represents a goal of cardiac biology and regenerative medicine. Within the past decade, many types of putative cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to regenerate the injured myocardium by differentiating into new cardiomyocytes. Some of these CSCs have been translated from bench to bed with reported therapeutic effectiveness. However, recent basic research studies on stem cell tracing have begun to question their fundamental biology and mechanisms of action, raising serious concerns over the myogenic potential of CSCs. We review the history of different types of CSCs within the past decade and provide an update of recent cell tracing studies that have challenged the origin and existence of CSCs. In addition to the potential role of CSCs in heart regeneration, proliferation of preexisting cardiomyocytes has recently gained more attention. This review will also evaluate the methodologic and technical aspects of past and current studies on CSCs and cardiomyocyte proliferation, with emphasis on technical strengths, advantages, and potential limitations of research approaches. While our understanding of cardiomyocyte generation and regeneration continues to evolve, it is important to address the shortcomings and inaccuracies in this field. This is best achieved by embracing technological advancements and improved methods to label single cardiomyocytes/progenitors and accurately investigate their developmental potential and fate/lineage commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China (L.H., B.Z.)
| | - Ngoc B Nguyen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine (N.B.N., R.A.), University of California, Los Angeles.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (N.B.N., R.A.), University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Reza Ardehali
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine (N.B.N., R.A.), University of California, Los Angeles.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (N.B.N., R.A.), University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China (L.H., B.Z.).,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (B.Z.).,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China (B.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (B.Z.)
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26
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Wang K, Lin RZ, Hong X, Ng AH, Lee CN, Neumeyer J, Wang G, Wang X, Ma M, Pu WT, Church GM, Melero-Martin JM. Robust differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endothelial cells via temporal modulation of ETV2 with modified mRNA. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba7606. [PMID: 32832668 DOI: 10.1101/2020.03.02.973289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (h-iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (h-iECs) have become a valuable tool in regenerative medicine. However, current differentiation protocols remain inefficient and lack reliability. Here, we describe a method for rapid, consistent, and highly efficient generation of h-iECs. The protocol entails the delivery of modified mRNA encoding the transcription factor ETV2 at the intermediate mesodermal stage of differentiation. This approach reproducibly differentiated 13 diverse h-iPSC lines into h-iECs with exceedingly high efficiency. In contrast, standard differentiation methods that relied on endogenous ETV2 were inefficient and notably inconsistent. Our h-iECs were functionally competent in many respects, including the ability to form perfused vascular networks in vivo. Timely activation of ETV2 was critical, and bypassing the mesodermal stage produced putative h-iECs with reduced expansion potential and inability to form functional vessels. Our protocol has broad applications and could reliably provide an unlimited number of h-iECs for vascular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ruei-Zeng Lin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xuechong Hong
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alex H Ng
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chin Nien Lee
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joseph Neumeyer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Minglin Ma
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - William T Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Juan M Melero-Martin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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27
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Wang K, Lin RZ, Hong X, Ng AH, Lee CN, Neumeyer J, Wang G, Wang X, Ma M, Pu WT, Church GM, Melero-Martin JM. Robust differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into endothelial cells via temporal modulation of ETV2 with modified mRNA. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba7606. [PMID: 32832668 PMCID: PMC7439318 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba7606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (h-iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (h-iECs) have become a valuable tool in regenerative medicine. However, current differentiation protocols remain inefficient and lack reliability. Here, we describe a method for rapid, consistent, and highly efficient generation of h-iECs. The protocol entails the delivery of modified mRNA encoding the transcription factor ETV2 at the intermediate mesodermal stage of differentiation. This approach reproducibly differentiated 13 diverse h-iPSC lines into h-iECs with exceedingly high efficiency. In contrast, standard differentiation methods that relied on endogenous ETV2 were inefficient and notably inconsistent. Our h-iECs were functionally competent in many respects, including the ability to form perfused vascular networks in vivo. Timely activation of ETV2 was critical, and bypassing the mesodermal stage produced putative h-iECs with reduced expansion potential and inability to form functional vessels. Our protocol has broad applications and could reliably provide an unlimited number of h-iECs for vascular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ruei-Zeng Lin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xuechong Hong
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alex H. Ng
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chin Nien Lee
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joseph Neumeyer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Minglin Ma
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - William T. Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - George M. Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Juan M. Melero-Martin
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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28
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Anttila V, Saraste A, Knuuti J, Jaakkola P, Hedman M, Svedlund S, Lagerström-Fermér M, Kjaer M, Jeppsson A, Gan LM. Synthetic mRNA Encoding VEGF-A in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Design of a Phase 2a Clinical Trial. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:464-472. [PMID: 32728595 PMCID: PMC7369517 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic angiogenesis may improve outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing surgical revascularization. Angiogenic factors may promote blood vessel growth and regenerate regions of ischemic but viable myocardium. Previous clinical trials of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) gene therapy with DNA or viral vectors demonstrated safety but not efficacy. AZD8601 is VEGF-A165 mRNA formulated in biocompatible citrate-buffered saline and optimized for high-efficiency VEGF-A expression with minimal innate immune response. EPICCURE is an ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety of AZD8601 in patients with moderately decreased left ventricular function (ejection fraction 30%–50%) undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. AZD8601 3 mg, 30 mg, or placebo is administered as 30 epicardial injections in a 10-min extension of cardioplegia. Injections are targeted to ischemic but viable myocardial regions in each patient using quantitative 15O-water positron emission tomography (PET) imaging (stress myocardial blood flow < 2.3 mL/g/min; resting myocardial blood flow > 0.6 mL/g/min). Improvement in regional and global myocardial blood flow quantified with 15O-water PET is an exploratory efficacy outcome, together with echocardiographic, clinical, functional, and biomarker measures. EPICCURE combines high-efficiency delivery with quantitative targeting and follow-up for robust assessment of the safety and exploratory efficacy of VEGF-A mRNA angiogenesis (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03370887).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesa Anttila
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Saraste
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku PET Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juhani Knuuti
- Turku PET Center, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Jaakkola
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marja Hedman
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sara Svedlund
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Lagerström-Fermér
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Kjaer
- Early Biometrics and Statistical Innovation, Data Science & AI, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Jeppsson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Li-Ming Gan
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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29
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Lu D, Thum T. RNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2019; 16:661-674. [PMID: 31186539 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-019-0218-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and are associated with increasing financial expenditure. With the availability of next-generation sequencing technologies since the early 2000s, non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs have been assessed as potential therapeutic targets for numerous diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. In this Review, we summarize current approaches employed to screen for novel coding and non-coding RNA candidates with diagnostic and therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease, including next-generation sequencing, functional high-throughput RNA screening and single-cell sequencing technologies. Furthermore, we highlight viral-based delivery tools that have been widely used to evaluate the therapeutic utility of both coding and non-coding RNAs in the context of cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the potential of using oligonucleotide-based molecular products such as modified RNA, small interfering RNA and RNA mimics/inhibitors for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Given that many non-coding RNAs have not yet been functionally annotated, the number of potential RNA diagnostic and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases will continue to expand for years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchao Lu
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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30
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Gan LM, Lagerström-Fermér M, Carlsson LG, Arfvidsson C, Egnell AC, Rudvik A, Kjaer M, Collén A, Thompson JD, Joyal J, Chialda L, Koernicke T, Fuhr R, Chien KR, Fritsche-Danielson R. Intradermal delivery of modified mRNA encoding VEGF-A in patients with type 2 diabetes. Nat Commun 2019; 10:871. [PMID: 30787295 PMCID: PMC6382754 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08852-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemically modified mRNA is an efficient, biocompatible modality for therapeutic protein expression. We report a first-time-in-human study of this modality, aiming to evaluate safety and potential therapeutic effects. Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) received intradermal injections of modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) or buffered saline placebo (ethical obligations precluded use of a non-translatable mRNA control) at randomized sites on the forearm. The only causally treatment-related adverse events were mild injection-site reactions. Skin microdialysis revealed elevated VEGF-A protein levels at mRNA-treated sites versus placebo-treated sites from about 4–24 hours post-administration. Enhancements in basal skin blood flow at 4 hours and 7 days post-administration were detected using laser Doppler fluximetry and imaging. Intradermal VEGF-A mRNA was well tolerated and led to local functional VEGF-A protein expression and transient skin blood flow enhancement in men with T2DM. VEGF-A mRNA may have therapeutic potential for regenerative angiogenesis. Chemically modified mRNA is a new approach for therapeutic protein expression that could be applied to angiogenesis. Here the authors show in a phase 1 clinical trial that a modified mRNA encoding VEGF-A is well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ming Gan
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden. .,Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Arvid Wallgrens backe 1, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden. .,Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Blå stråket 5, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Maria Lagerström-Fermér
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Leif G Carlsson
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Arfvidsson
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Ann-Charlotte Egnell
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna Rudvik
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Magnus Kjaer
- Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anna Collén
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
| | | | - John Joyal
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ligia Chialda
- PAREXEL Early Phase Clinical Unit, Westend Clinic, House 31, 14050, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Koernicke
- PAREXEL Early Phase Clinical Unit, Westend Clinic, House 31, 14050, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainard Fuhr
- PAREXEL Early Phase Clinical Unit, Westend Clinic, House 31, 14050, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.,Integrated Cardio Metabolic Center, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 6, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Regina Fritsche-Danielson
- Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 50, Mölndal, Sweden
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31
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Nuclear localized Akt limits skeletal muscle derived fibrotic signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 508:838-843. [PMID: 30528731 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.11.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle regeneration following injury is a complex multi-stage process involving the recruitment of inflammatory cells, the activation of muscle resident fibroblasts, and the differentiation of activated myoblasts into myocytes. Dysregulation of these cellular processes is associated with ineffective myofiber repair and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins leading to fibrosis. PI3K/Akt signaling is a critical integrator of intra- and intercellular signals connecting nutrient availability to cell survival and growth. Activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in skeletal muscle leads to hypertrophic growth and a reversal of the changes in body composition associated with obesity and advanced age. Though the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects are incompletely understood, changes in paracrine signaling are thought to play a key role. Here, we utilized modified RNA to study the biological role of the transient translocation of Akt to the myonuclei of maturing myotubes. Using a conditioned medium model system, we show that ectopic myonuclear Akt suppresses fibrogenic paracrine signaling in response to oxidative stress, and that interventions that increase or restore myonuclear Akt may impair fibrosis.
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32
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Pehrsson S, Hölttä M, Linhardt G, Danielson RF, Carlsson L. Rapid Production of Human VEGF-A following Intradermal Injection of Modified VEGF-A mRNA Demonstrated by Cutaneous Microdialysis in the Rabbit and Pig In Vivo. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:3915851. [PMID: 30766883 PMCID: PMC6350593 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3915851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chemically modified mRNA is a novel, highly efficient, biocompatible modality for therapeutic protein expression that may overcome the challenges and safety concerns with current gene therapy strategies. We explored the efficiency of intradermally injected modified VEGF-A165 mRNA (VEGF-A mRNA) formulated in a biocompatible citrate/saline buffer to locally produce human VEGF-A165 protein. Rabbits (n=4) and minipigs (n=3) were implanted with subcutaneous microdialysis probes close to the injection sites and interstitial-fluid samples and skin biopsies were analysed for production of VEGF-A protein over time for up to 8 hours. Three to 4 hours after the intradermal injection of VEGF-A mRNA, detectable levels of human VEGF-A protein were seen in the microdialysis eluates in both species. In the pig, the VEGF-A concentrations increased dose-dependently reaching a maximum 6 hours after dosing (62.7±28.4, 357.6±240.6, and 746.3±210.2 pg/mL following injection of 24, 120, and 600 μg VEGF-A mRNA, respectively). Likewise, in tissue biopsies harvested at study end (8 hours after VEGF-A mRNA injection), the content of VEGF-A protein increased dose-dependently. In contrast, VEGF-A protein was not detected in eluates originating from sites injected with citrate/saline vehicle. It is concluded that intradermal injection of VEGF-A mRNA is associated with a rapid and local production of VEGF-A protein. Considering the pro-angiogenic effect of VEGF-A, VEGF-A mRNA may hold promise for regenerative treatment of patients with diabetic wounds and ischemic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Pehrsson
- Bioscience Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mikko Hölttä
- IMED Biotech Unit, Drug Safety and Metabolism, Mechanistic Safety and ADME Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Linhardt
- Bioscience Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Leif Carlsson
- Bioscience Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Renal and Metabolism, IMED Biotech Unit AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
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33
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Xu Y, Huang L, Kirschman JL, Vanover DA, Tiwari PM, Santangelo PJ, Shen X, Russell DG. Exploitation of Synthetic mRNA To Drive Immune Effector Cell Recruitment and Functional Reprogramming In Vivo. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 202:608-617. [PMID: 30541883 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies based on in vitro-transcribed mRNA (IVT) are attractive because they avoid the permanent signature of genomic integration that is associated with DNA-based therapy and result in the transient production of proteins of interest. To date, IVT has mainly been used in vaccination protocols to generate immune responses to foreign Ags. In this "proof-of-principle" study, we explore a strategy of combinatorial IVT to recruit and reprogram immune effector cells to acquire divergent biological functions in mice in vivo. First, we demonstrate that synthetic mRNA encoding CCL3 is able to recruit murine monocytes in a nonprogrammed state, exhibiting neither bactericidal nor tissue-repairing properties. However, upon addition of either Ifn-γ mRNA or Il-4 mRNA, we successfully polarized these cells to adopt either M1 or M2 macrophage activation phenotypes. This cellular reprogramming was demonstrated through increased expression of known surface markers and through the differential modulation of NADPH oxidase activity, or the superoxide burst. Our study demonstrates how IVT strategies can be combined to recruit and reprogram immune effector cells that have the capacity to fulfill complex biological tasks in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Xu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Jonathan L Kirschman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Daryll A Vanover
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Pooja M Tiwari
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Philip J Santangelo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Xiling Shen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.,School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; and.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - David G Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853;
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger J Hajjar
- From the Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.
| | - Kiyotake Ishikawa
- From the Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
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35
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Modified VEGF-A mRNA induces sustained multifaceted microvascular response and accelerates diabetic wound healing. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17509. [PMID: 30504800 PMCID: PMC6269526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35570-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Capable of mediating efficient transfection and protein production without eliciting innate immune responses, chemically modified mRNA holds great potential to produce paracrine factors at a physiologically beneficial level, in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, and with low toxicity. Although highly promising in cardiovascular medicine and wound healing, effects of this emerging therapeutic on the microvasculature and its bioactivity in disease settings remain poorly understood. Here, we longitudinally and comprehensively characterize microvascular responses to AZD8601, a modified mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), in vivo. Using multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy, we show that intradermal injection of AZD8601 formulated in a biocompatible vehicle results in pronounced, sustained and dose-dependent vasodilation, blood flow upregulation, and neovessel formation, in striking contrast to those induced by recombinant human VEGF-A protein, a non-translatable variant of AZD8601, and citrate/saline vehicle. Moreover, we evaluate the bioactivity of AZD8601 in a mouse model of diabetic wound healing in vivo. Using a boron nanoparticle-based tissue oxygen sensor, we show that sequential dosing of AZD8601 improves vascularization and tissue oxygenation of the wound bed, leading to accelerated re-epithelialization during the early phase of diabetic wound healing.
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36
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Magadum A, Singh N, Kurian AA, Sharkar MTK, Chepurko E, Zangi L. Ablation of a Single N-Glycosylation Site in Human FSTL 1 Induces Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Cardiac Regeneration. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:133-143. [PMID: 30290305 PMCID: PMC6171324 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Adult mammalian hearts have a very limited regeneration capacity, due largely to a lack of cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation. It was recently reported that epicardial, but not myocardial, follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1) activates CM proliferation and cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI). Furthermore, bacterially synthesized human FSTL 1 (hFSTL1) was found to induce CM proliferation, whereas hFSTL1 synthesized in mammals did not, suggesting that post-translational modifications (e.g., glycosylation) of the hFSTL1 protein affect its regenerative activity. We used modified mRNA (modRNA) technology to investigate the possible role of specific hFSTL1 N-glycosylation sites in the induction, by hFSTL1, of CM proliferation and cardiac regeneration. We found that the mutation of a single site (N180Q) was sufficient and necessary to increase the proliferation of rat neonatal and mouse adult CMs in vitro and after MI in vivo, respectively. A single administration of the modRNA construct encoding the N180Q mutant significantly increased cardiac function, decreased scar size, and increased capillary density 28 days post-MI. Overall, our data suggest that the delivery of N180Q hFSTL1 modRNA to the myocardium can mimic the beneficial effect of epicardial hFSTL1, triggering marked CM proliferation and cardiac regeneration in a mouse MI model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Magadum
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Neha Singh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ann Anu Kurian
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mohammad Tofael Kabir Sharkar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Elena Chepurko
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lior Zangi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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37
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Kim BE, Choi SW, Shin JH, Kim JJ, Kang I, Lee BC, Lee JY, Kook MG, Kang KS. Single-Factor SOX2 Mediates Direct Neural Reprogramming of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Transfection of In Vitro Transcribed mRNA. Cell Transplant 2018; 27:1154-1167. [PMID: 29909688 PMCID: PMC6158546 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718771885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a prominent cell source for understanding neural pathogenesis and for developing therapeutic applications to treat neurodegenerative disease because of their regenerative capacity and multipotency. Recently, a variety of cellular reprogramming technologies have been developed to facilitate in vitro generation of NSCs, called induced NSCs (iNSCs). However, the genetic safety aspects of established virus-based reprogramming methods have been considered, and non-integrating reprogramming methods have been developed. Reprogramming with in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA is one of the genetically safe reprogramming methods because exogenous mRNA temporally exists in the cell and is not integrated into the chromosome. Here, we successfully generated expandable iNSCs from human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) via transfection with IVT mRNA encoding SOX2 (SOX2 mRNA) with properly optimized conditions. We confirmed that generated human UCB-MSC-derived iNSCs (UM-iNSCs) possess characteristics of NSCs, including multipotency and self-renewal capacity. Additionally, we transfected human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) with SOX2 mRNA. Compared with human embryonic stem cell-derived NSCs, HDFs transfected with SOX2 mRNA exhibited neural reprogramming with similar morphologies and NSC-enriched mRNA levels, but they showed limited proliferation ability. Our results demonstrated that human UCB-MSCs can be used for direct reprogramming into NSCs through transfection with IVT mRNA encoding a single factor, which provides an integration-free reprogramming tool for future therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Eun Kim
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Won Choi
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hee Shin
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Kim
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Insung Kang
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Chul Lee
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Lee
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung Geun Kook
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Kang
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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38
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Oh S, Kessler JA. Design, Assembly, Production, and Transfection of Synthetic Modified mRNA. Methods 2017; 133:29-43. [PMID: 29080741 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins are drivers of cell functions and are targets of many therapies. Exogenous protein expression techniques, therefore, have been essential for research and medicine. The most common method for exogenous protein expression relies on DNA-based viral or non-viral vectors. However, DNA-based vectors have the potential to integrate into the host genome and cause permanent mutations. RNA-based vectors solve this shortcoming. In particular, synthetic modified mRNA provides non-viral, integration-free, zero-footprint method for expressing proteins. Modified mRNA can direct cell fate specification and cellular reprogramming faster and more efficiently than other methods. Furthermore, when simultaneously express multiple different proteins, mRNA vectors allow for greater flexibility and control over stoichiometric ratios, dose titrations, and complete silencing of expressions. Additionally, modified mRNAs have been shown to be viable and safe as therapeutic agents for gene therapy and vaccine, providing an alternative approach to address diseases. Despite these advantages, technical challenge, mRNA instability, and host immunogenicity have caused significant barriers to widespread use of this technology. The comprehensive method presented here addresses all of these shortcomings. This stepwise protocol describes every step necessary for the synthesis of modified mRNA from any coding DNA sequence of interest. The meticulously detailed protocol enables the users to make alterations to each component of modified mRNA for even more significant customization, allowing the researchers to apply this technology to a wide range of uses. This non-cytotoxic synthetic modified mRNA can be used for protein expression, regulation of cell reprogramming or differentiation, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanders Oh
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - John A Kessler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Optimizing Cardiac Delivery of Modified mRNA. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1306-1315. [PMID: 28389322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified mRNA (modRNA) is a new technology in the field of somatic gene transfer that has been used for the delivery of genes into different tissues, including the heart. Our group and others have shown that modRNAs injected into the heart are robustly translated into the encoded protein and can potentially improve outcome in heart injury models. However, the optimal compositions of the modRNA and the reagents necessary to achieve optimal expression in the heart have not been characterized yet. In this study, our aim was to elucidate those parameters by testing different nucleotide modifications, modRNA doses, and transfection reagents both in vitro and in vivo in cardiac cells and tissue. Our results indicate that optimal cardiac delivery of modRNA is with N1-Methylpseudouridine-5'-Triphosphate nucleotide modification and achieved using 0.013 μg modRNA/mm2/500 cardiomyocytes (CMs) transfected with positively charged transfection reagent in vitro and 100 μg/mouse heart (1.6 μg modRNA/μL in 60 μL total) sucrose-citrate buffer in vivo. We have optimized the conditions for cardiac delivery of modRNA in vitro and in vivo. Using the described methods and conditions may allow for successful gene delivery using modRNA in various models of cardiovascular disease.
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Lehto T, Ezzat K, Wood MJA, El Andaloussi S. Peptides for nucleic acid delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 106:172-182. [PMID: 27349594 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2016.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids and their synthetic oligonucleotide (ON) analogs are a group of gene therapeutic compounds which hold enormous clinical potential. Despite their undoubted potential, clinical translation of these molecules, however, has been largely held back by their limited bioavailability in the target tissues/cells. To overcome this, many different drug delivery systems have been devised. Among others, short delivery peptides, called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have been demonstrated to allow for efficient delivery of nucleic acids and their ON analogs, in both cell culture and animal models. In this review, we provide brief overview of the latest advances in nucleic acid delivery with CPPs, covering the two main vectorization strategies, covalent conjugation and nanoparticle formation-based approach. In conclusion, CPP-based drug delivery systems have the capacity to overcome the hurdle of delivery and thus have the potential to facilitate the clinical translation of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taavi Lehto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden; Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Kariem Ezzat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, OX13QX Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samir El Andaloussi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden; Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, OX13QX Oxford, United Kingdom
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Raftery RM, Walsh DP, Castaño IM, Heise A, Duffy GP, Cryan SA, O'Brien FJ. Delivering Nucleic-Acid Based Nanomedicines on Biomaterial Scaffolds for Orthopedic Tissue Repair: Challenges, Progress and Future Perspectives. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:5447-5469. [PMID: 26840618 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201505088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
As well as acting to fill defects and allow for cell infiltration and proliferation in regenerative medicine, biomaterial scaffolds can also act as carriers for therapeutics, further enhancing their efficacy. Drug and protein delivery on scaffolds have shown potential, however, supraphysiological quantities of therapeutic are often released at the defect site, causing off-target side effects and cytotoxicity. Gene therapy involves the introduction of foreign genes into a cell in order to exert an effect; either replacing a missing gene or modulating expression of a protein. State of the art gene therapy also encompasses manipulation of the transcriptome by harnessing RNA interference (RNAi) therapy. The delivery of nucleic acid nanomedicines on biomaterial scaffolds - gene-activated scaffolds -has shown potential for use in a variety of tissue engineering applications, but as of yet, have not reached clinical use. The current state of the art in terms of biomaterial scaffolds and delivery vector materials for gene therapy is reviewed, and the limitations of current procedures discussed. Future directions in the clinical translation of gene-activated scaffolds are also considered, with a particular focus on bone and cartilage tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne M Raftery
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
- Drug Delivery and Advanced Materials Research Team, School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - David P Walsh
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
- Drug Delivery and Advanced Materials Research Team, School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Irene Mencía Castaño
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andreas Heise
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Garry P Duffy
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sally-Ann Cryan
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Drug Delivery and Advanced Materials Research Team, School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Fergal J O'Brien
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Dept. of Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER), RCSI and TCD, Dublin, Ireland
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Vascular Development and Regeneration in the Mammalian Heart. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2016; 3:jcdd3020023. [PMID: 29367569 PMCID: PMC5715682 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd3020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease are the leading cause of death worldwide. Unraveling the developmental origin of coronary vessels could offer important therapeutic implications for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The recent identification of the endocardial source of coronary vessels reveals a heterogeneous origin of coronary arteries in the adult heart. In this review, we will highlight recent advances in finding the sources of coronary vessels in the mammalian heart from lineage-tracing models as well as differentiation studies using pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, we will also discuss how we induce neovascularization in the damaged heart through transient yet highly efficient expression of VEGF-modified mRNAs as a potentially therapeutic delivery platform.
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Lu S, Chow CC, Zhou J, Leung PS, Tsui SK, Lui KO. Genetic Modification of Human Pancreatic Progenitor Cells Through Modified mRNA. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1428:307-17. [PMID: 27236809 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we describe a highly efficient genetic modification strategy for human pancreatic progenitor cells using modified mRNA-encoding GFP and Neurogenin-3. The properties of modified mRNA offer an invaluable platform to drive protein expression, which has broad applicability in pathway regulation, directed differentiation, and lineage specification. This approach can also be used to regulate expression of other pivotal transcription factors during pancreas development and might have potential therapeutic values in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Christie C Chow
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Junwei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Po Sing Leung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Stephen K Tsui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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Tham YK, Bernardo BC, Ooi JYY, Weeks KL, McMullen JR. Pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure: signaling pathways and novel therapeutic targets. Arch Toxicol 2015; 89:1401-38. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-015-1477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 371] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
The latest discoveries and advanced knowledge in the fields of stem cell biology and developmental cardiology hold great promise for cardiac regenerative medicine, enabling researchers to design novel therapeutic tools and approaches to regenerate cardiac muscle for diseased hearts. However, progress in this arena has been hampered by a lack of reproducible and convincing evidence, which at best has yielded modest outcomes and is still far from clinical practice. To address current controversies and move cardiac regenerative therapeutics forward, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the key cellular and molecular programs involved in human cardiogenesis and cardiac regeneration. In this review, we consider the fundamental principles that govern the "programming" and "reprogramming" of a human heart cell and discuss updated therapeutic strategies to regenerate a damaged heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Sahara
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Medicine-Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Federica Santoro
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Medicine-Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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