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Gaál Z. Role of microRNAs in Immune Regulation with Translational and Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1942. [PMID: 38339220 PMCID: PMC10856342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 19-23 nucleotide long, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this review, involvement of miRNAs is summarized in the differentiation and function of immune cells, in anti-infective immune responses, immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Roles of miRNAs in anticancer immunity and in the transplantation of solid organs and hematopoietic stem cells are also discussed. Major focus is put on the translational clinical applications of miRNAs, including the establishment of noninvasive biomarkers for differential diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. Patient selection and response prediction to biological therapy is one of the most promising fields of application. Replacement or inhibition of miRNAs has enormous therapeutic potential, with constantly expanding possibilities. Although important challenges still await solutions, evaluation of miRNA fingerprints may contribute to an increasingly personalized management of immune dysregulation with a remarkable reduction in toxicity and treatment side effects. More detailed knowledge of the molecular effects of physical exercise and nutrition on the immune system may facilitate self-tailored lifestyle recommendations and advances in prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Gaál
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 98 Nagyerdei krt, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Rossi M, Steklov M, Huberty F, Nguyen T, Marijsse J, Jacques-Hespel C, Najm P, Lonez C, Breman E. Efficient shRNA-based knockdown of multiple target genes for cell therapy using a chimeric miRNA cluster platform. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102038. [PMID: 37799328 PMCID: PMC10548280 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome engineering technologies are powerful tools in cell-based immunotherapy to optimize or fine-tune cell functionalities. However, their use for multiple gene edits poses relevant biological and technical challenges. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-based cell engineering bypasses these criticalities and represents a valid alternative to CRISPR-based gene editing. Here, we describe a microRNA (miRNA)-based multiplex shRNA platform obtained by combining highly efficient miRNA scaffolds into a chimeric cluster, to deliver up to four shRNA-like sequences. Thanks to its limited size, our cassette could be deployed in a one-step process along with all the CAR components, streamlining the generation of engineered CAR T cells. The plug-and-play design of the shRNA platform allowed us to swap each shRNA-derived guide sequence without affecting the system performance. Appropriately choosing the target sequences, we were able to either achieve a functional KO, or fine-tune the expression levels of the target genes, all without the need for gene editing. Through our strategy we achieved easy, safe, efficient, and tunable modulation of multiple target genes simultaneously. This approach allows for the effective introduction of multiple functionally relevant tweaks in the transcriptome of the engineered cells, which may lead to increased performance in challenging environments, e.g., solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Rossi
- Celyad Oncology, 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | | | | | - Thuy Nguyen
- Celyad Oncology, 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | | | | | - Paul Najm
- Celyad Oncology, 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
| | | | - Eytan Breman
- Celyad Oncology, 1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium
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Noraldeen SAM, Rasulova I, Lalitha R, Hussin F, Alsaab HO, Alawadi AH, Alsaalamy A, Sayyid NH, Alkhafaji AT, Mustafa YF, Shayan SK. Involving stemness factors to improve CAR T-cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Med Oncol 2023; 40:313. [PMID: 37779152 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02191-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells indicated remarkable clinical responses with liquid cancers such as hematological malignancies; however, their therapeutic efficacy faced with many challenges in solid tumors due to severe toxicities, antigen evasion, restricted and limited tumor tissue trafficking and infiltration, and, more importantly, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) factors that impair the CAR T-cell function adds support survival of cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for tumor recurrence and resistance to current cancer therapies. Therefore, in-depth identification of TME and development of more potent CAR platform targeting CSCs may overcome the raised challenges, as presented in this review. We also discuss recent stemness-based innovations in CAR T-cell production and engineering to improve their efficacy in vivo, and finally, we propose solutions and strategies such as oncolytic virus-based therapy and combination therapy to revive the function of CAR T-cell therapy, especially in TME of solid tumors in future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irodakhon Rasulova
- School of Humanities, Natural & Social Sciences, New Uzbekistan University, 54 Mustaqillik Ave., 100007, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Repudi Lalitha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Chaitanya Deemed to be University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
| | - Farah Hussin
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Hashem O Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif University, 21944, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Hussien Alawadi
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Ali Alsaalamy
- College of Technical Engineering, Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, Al-Muthanna, 66002, Iraq
| | - Nidhal Hassan Sayyid
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | | | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, 41001, Iraq
| | - Sepideh Karkon Shayan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
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Tserunyan V, Finley SD. A systems and computational biology perspective on advancing CAR therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 94:34-49. [PMID: 37263529 PMCID: PMC10529846 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the recent decades, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy signaled a new revolutionary approach to cancer treatment. This method seeks to engineer immune cells expressing an artificially designed receptor, which would endue those cells with the ability to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. While some CAR therapies received FDA approval and others are subject to clinical trials, many aspects of their workings remain elusive. Techniques of systems and computational biology have been frequently employed to explain the operating principles of CAR therapy and suggest further design improvements. In this review, we sought to provide a comprehensive account of those efforts. Specifically, we discuss various computational models of CAR therapy ranging in scale from organismal to molecular. Then, we describe the molecular and functional properties of costimulatory domains frequently incorporated in CAR structure. Finally, we describe the signaling cascades by which those costimulatory domains elicit cellular response against the target. We hope that this comprehensive summary of computational and experimental studies will further motivate the use of systems approaches in advancing CAR therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardges Tserunyan
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stacey D Finley
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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