1
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Baylot V, Le TK, Taïeb D, Rocchi P, Colleaux L. Between hope and reality: treatment of genetic diseases through nucleic acid-based drugs. Commun Biol 2024; 7:489. [PMID: 38653753 PMCID: PMC11039704 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06121-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases (RD) affect a small number of people compared to the general population and are mostly genetic in origin. The first clinical signs often appear at birth or in childhood, and patients endure high levels of pain and progressive loss of autonomy frequently associated with short life expectancy. Until recently, the low prevalence of RD and the gatekeeping delay in their diagnosis have long hampered research. The era of nucleic acid (NA)-based therapies has revolutionized the landscape of RD treatment and new hopes arise with the perspectives of disease-modifying drugs development as some NA-based therapies are now entering the clinical stage. Herein, we review NA-based drugs that were approved and are currently under investigation for the treatment of RD. We also discuss the recent structural improvements of NA-based therapeutics and delivery system, which overcome the main limitations in their market expansion and the current approaches that are developed to address the endosomal escape issue. We finally open the discussion on the ethical and societal issues that raise this new technology in terms of regulatory approval and sustainability of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Baylot
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, ERL INSERM U 1326, CERIMED, Marseille, France.
| | - Thi Khanh Le
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, ERL INSERM U 1326, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | - David Taïeb
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, ERL INSERM U 1326, CERIMED, Marseille, France
| | - Palma Rocchi
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, ERL INSERM U 1326, CERIMED, Marseille, France.
| | - Laurence Colleaux
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, ERL INSERM U 1326, CERIMED, Marseille, France
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2
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Roberts TC, Wood MJA, Davies KE. Therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:917-934. [PMID: 37652974 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00775-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a monogenic muscle-wasting disorder and a priority candidate for molecular and cellular therapeutics. Although rare, it is the most common inherited myopathy affecting children and so has been the focus of intense research activity. It is caused by mutations that disrupt production of the dystrophin protein, and a plethora of drug development approaches are under way that aim to restore dystrophin function, including exon skipping, stop codon readthrough, gene replacement, cell therapy and gene editing. These efforts have led to the clinical approval of four exon skipping antisense oligonucleotides, one stop codon readthrough drug and one gene therapy product, with other approvals likely soon. Here, we discuss the latest therapeutic strategies that are under development and being deployed to treat DMD. Lessons from these drug development programmes are likely to have a major impact on the DMD field, but also on molecular and cellular medicine more generally. Thus, DMD is a pioneer disease at the forefront of future drug discovery efforts, with these experimental treatments paving the way for therapies using similar mechanisms of action being developed for other genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Roberts
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Oxford, UK.
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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3
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Mangla P, Vicentini Q, Biscans A. Therapeutic Oligonucleotides: An Outlook on Chemical Strategies to Improve Endosomal Trafficking. Cells 2023; 12:2253. [PMID: 37759475 PMCID: PMC10527716 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182253] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential of oligonucleotide therapeutics is undeniable as more than 15 drugs have been approved to treat various diseases in the liver, central nervous system (CNS), and muscles. However, achieving effective delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics to specific tissues still remains a major challenge, limiting their widespread use. Chemical modifications play a crucial role to overcome biological barriers to enable efficient oligonucleotide delivery to the tissues/cells of interest. They provide oligonucleotide metabolic stability and confer favourable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. This review focuses on the various chemical approaches implicated in mitigating the delivery problem of oligonucleotides and their limitations. It highlights the importance of linkers in designing oligonucleotide conjugates and discusses their potential role in escaping the endosomal barrier, a bottleneck in the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Mangla
- Oligonucleotide Discovery, Discovery Sciences Research and Development, AstraZeneca, 431 38 Gothenburg, Sweden; (P.M.); (Q.V.)
| | - Quentin Vicentini
- Oligonucleotide Discovery, Discovery Sciences Research and Development, AstraZeneca, 431 38 Gothenburg, Sweden; (P.M.); (Q.V.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Karolinska Institute, 141 57 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- Oligonucleotide Discovery, Discovery Sciences Research and Development, AstraZeneca, 431 38 Gothenburg, Sweden; (P.M.); (Q.V.)
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4
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Ulm JW, Barthélémy F, Nelson SF. Elucidation of bioinformatic-guided high-prospect drug repositioning candidates for DMD via Swanson linking of target-focused latent knowledge from text-mined categorical metadata. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1226707. [PMID: 37664462 PMCID: PMC10469615 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1226707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)'s complex multi-system pathophysiology, coupled with the cost-prohibitive logistics of multi-year drug screening and follow-up, has hampered the pursuit of new therapeutic approaches. Here we conducted a systematic historical and text mining-based pilot feasibility study to explore the potential of established or previously tested drugs as prospective DMD therapeutic agents. Our approach utilized a Swanson linking-inspired method to uncover meaningful yet largely hidden deep semantic connections between pharmacologically significant DMD targets and drugs developed for unrelated diseases. Specifically, we focused on molecular target-based MeSH terms and categories as high-yield bioinformatic proxies, effectively tagging relevant literature with categorical metadata. To identify promising leads, we comprehensively assembled published reports from 2011 and sampling from subsequent years. We then determined the earliest year when distinct MeSH terms or category labels of the relevant cellular target were referenced in conjunction with the drug, as well as when the pertinent target itself was first conclusively identified as holding therapeutic value for DMD. By comparing the earliest year when the drug was identifiable as a DMD treatment candidate with that of the first actual report confirming this, we computed an Index of Delayed Discovery (IDD), which serves as a metric of Swanson-linked latent knowledge. Using these findings, we identified data from previously unlinked articles subsetted via MeSH-derived Swanson linking or from target classes within the DrugBank repository. This enabled us to identify new but untested high-prospect small-molecule candidates that are of particular interest in repurposing for DMD and warrant further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Wes Ulm
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Florian Barthélémy
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stanley F. Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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5
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Sylvester CB, Amirkhosravi F, Bortoletto AS, West WJ, Connell JP, Grande-Allen KJ. Dantrolene inhibits lysophosphatidylcholine-induced valve interstitial cell calcific nodule formation via blockade of the ryanodine receptor. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1112965. [PMID: 37063962 PMCID: PMC10100588 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1112965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a fibrocalcific thickening of the aortic valve leaflets causing obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract, affects nearly 10 million people worldwide. For those who reach end-stage CAVD, the only treatment is highly invasive valve replacement. The development of pharmaceutical treatments that can slow or reverse the progression in those affected by CAVD would greatly advance the treatment of this disease. The principal cell type responsible for the fibrocalcific thickening of the valve leaflets in CAVD is valvular interstitial cells (VICs). The cellular processes mediating this calcification are complex, but calcium second messenger signaling, regulated in part by the ryanodine receptor (RyR), has been shown to play a role in a number of other fibrocalcific diseases. We sought to determine if the blockade of calcium signaling in VICs could ameliorate calcification in an in vitro model. We previously found that VICs express RyR isotype 3 and that its modulation could prevent VIC calcific nodule formation in vitro. We sought to expand upon these results by further investigating the effects of calcium signaling blockade on VIC gene expression and behavior using dantrolene, an FDA-approved pan-RyR inhibitor. We found that dantrolene also prevented calcific nodule formation in VICs due to cholesterol-derived lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). This protective effect corresponded with decreases in intracellular calcium flux, apoptosis, and ACTA2 expression but not reactive oxygen species formation caused by LPC. Interestingly, dantrolene increased the expression of the regulator genes RUNX2 and SOX9, indicating complex gene regulation changes. Further investigation via RNA sequencing revealed that dantrolene induced several cytoprotective genes that are likely also responsible for its attenuation of LPC-induced calcification. These results suggest that RyR3 is a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of CAVD. Further studies of the effects of RyR3 inhibition on CAVD are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B. Sylvester
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Farshad Amirkhosravi
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Angelina S. Bortoletto
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Cell and Gene, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine Center, Translational and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - William J. West
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | | | - K. Jane Grande-Allen
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Correspondence: K. Jane Grande-Allen
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6
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Finicle B, Eckenstein K, Revenko A, Anderson B, Wan W, McCracken A, Gil D, Fruman D, Hanessian S, Seth P, Edinger A. Simultaneous inhibition of endocytic recycling and lysosomal fusion sensitizes cells and tissues to oligonucleotide therapeutics. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1583-1599. [PMID: 36727438 PMCID: PMC9976930 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Inefficient endosomal escape remains the primary barrier to the broad application of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Liver uptake after systemic administration is sufficiently robust that a therapeutic effect can be achieved but targeting extrahepatic tissues remains challenging. Prior attempts to improve oligonucleotide activity using small molecules that increase the leakiness of endosomes have failed due to unacceptable toxicity. Here, we show that the well-tolerated and orally bioavailable synthetic sphingolipid analog, SH-BC-893, increases the activity of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) up to 200-fold in vitro without permeabilizing endosomes. SH-BC-893 treatment trapped endocytosed oligonucleotides within extra-lysosomal compartments thought to be more permeable due to frequent membrane fission and fusion events. Simultaneous disruption of ARF6-dependent endocytic recycling and PIKfyve-dependent lysosomal fusion was necessary and sufficient for SH-BC-893 to increase non-lysosomal oligonucleotide levels and enhance their activity. In mice, oral administration of SH-BC-893 increased ASO potency in the liver by 15-fold without toxicity. More importantly, SH-BC-893 enabled target RNA knockdown in the CNS and lungs of mice treated subcutaneously with cholesterol-functionalized duplexed oligonucleotides or unmodified ASOs, respectively. Together, these results establish the feasibility of using a small molecule that disrupts endolysosomal trafficking to improve the activity of oligonucleotides in extrahepatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kazumi H Eckenstein
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | | | - W Brad Wan
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Hanessian
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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7
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Lin C, Han G, Jia L, Zhao Y, Song J, Ran N, Yokota T, Seow Y, Yin H. Cardio-respiratory and phenotypic rescue of dystrophin/utrophin-deficient mice by combination therapy. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53955. [PMID: 35393769 PMCID: PMC9171417 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a systemic progressive muscular disease caused by frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. Although exon-skipping antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) are clinically approved and can correct DMD, insufficient muscle delivery limits efficacy. If AO activity can be enhanced by safe dietary supplements, clinical trials for efficacy can be undertaken rapidly to benefit patients. We showed previously that intravenous glycine enhanced phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) delivery to peripheral muscles in mdx mice. Here, we demonstrate that the combination of oral glycine and metformin with intravenous PMO enhances PMO activity, dystrophin restoration, extends lifespan, and improves body-wide function and phenotypic rescue of dystrophin /utrophin double knock-out (DKO) mice without any overt adverse effects. The DKO mice treated with the combination without altering the approved administration protocol of PMO show improved cardio-respiratory and behavioral functions. Metformin and glycine individually are ineffective in DMD patients, but the combination of PMO with clinically-approved oral glycine and metformin might improve the efficacy of the treatment also in DMD patients. Our data suggest that this combination therapy might be an attractive therapy for DMD and potentially other muscle diseases requiring systemic treatment with AOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caorui Lin
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Gang Han
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Lulu Jia
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yiwen Zhao
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Jun Song
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Ning Ran
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical GeneticsFaculty of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Yiqi Seow
- Institute of Bioengineering and BioimagingSingapore CitySingapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell BiologySingapore CitySingapore
| | - HaiFang Yin
- The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical EpigeneticsSchool of Medical Technology & School of Basic Medical SciencesTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
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8
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Barthélémy F, Santoso JW, Rabichow L, Jin R, Little I, Nelson SF, McCain ML, Miceli MC. Modeling Patient-Specific Muscular Dystrophy Phenotypes and Therapeutic Responses in Reprogrammed Myotubes Engineered on Micromolded Gelatin Hydrogels. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:830415. [PMID: 35465312 PMCID: PMC9020228 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.830415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of patient-derived muscle allow for more efficient development of genetic medicines for the muscular dystrophies, which often present mutation-specific pathologies. One popular strategy to generate patient-specific myotubes involves reprogramming dermal fibroblasts to a muscle lineage through MyoD induction. However, creating physiologically relevant, reproducible tissues exhibiting multinucleated, aligned myotubes with organized striations is dependent on the introduction of physicochemical cues that mimic the native muscle microenvironment. Here, we engineered patient-specific control and dystrophic muscle tissues in vitro by culturing and differentiating MyoD–directly reprogrammed fibroblasts isolated from one healthy control subject, three patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and two Limb Girdle 2A/R1 (LGMD2A/R1) patients on micromolded gelatin hydrogels. Engineered DMD and LGMD2A/R1 tissues demonstrated varying levels of defects in α-actinin expression and organization relative to control, depending on the mutation. In genetically relevant DMD tissues amenable to mRNA reframing by targeting exon 44 or 45 exclusion, exposure to exon skipping antisense oligonucleotides modestly increased myotube coverage and alignment and rescued dystrophin protein expression. These findings highlight the value of engineered culture substrates in guiding the organization of reprogrammed patient fibroblasts into aligned muscle tissues, thereby extending their value as tools for exploration and dissection of the cellular and molecular basis of genetic muscle defects, rescue, and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey W. Santoso
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Laura Rabichow
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rongcheng Jin
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Isaiah Little
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stanley F. Nelson
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Megan L. McCain
- Laboratory for Living Systems Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: M. Carrie Miceli, ; Megan L. McCain,
| | - M. Carrie Miceli
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: M. Carrie Miceli, ; Megan L. McCain,
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9
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Van de Vyver T, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. Modulating intracellular pathways to improve non-viral delivery of RNA therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114041. [PMID: 34763002 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA therapeutics (e.g. siRNA, oligonucleotides, mRNA, etc.) show great potential for the treatment of a myriad of diseases. However, to reach their site of action in the cytosol or nucleus of target cells, multiple intra- and extracellular barriers have to be surmounted. Several non-viral delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and conjugates, have been successfully developed to meet this requirement. Unfortunately, despite these clear advances, state-of-the-art delivery agents still suffer from relatively low intracellular delivery efficiencies. Notably, our current understanding of the intracellular delivery process is largely oversimplified. Gaining mechanistic insight into how RNA formulations are processed by cells will fuel rational design of the next generation of delivery carriers. In addition, identifying which intracellular pathways contribute to productive RNA delivery could provide opportunities to boost the delivery performance of existing nanoformulations. In this review, we discuss both established as well as emerging techniques that can be used to assess the impact of different intracellular barriers on RNA transfection performance. Next, we highlight how several modulators, including small molecules but also genetic perturbation technologies, can boost RNA delivery by intervening at differing stages of the intracellular delivery process, such as cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, endosomal escape, autophagy and exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs Van de Vyver
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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10
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Meyer P, Notarnicola C, Meli AC, Matecki S, Hugon G, Salvador J, Khalil M, Féasson L, Cances C, Cottalorda J, Desguerre I, Cuisset JM, Sabouraud P, Lacampagne A, Chevassus H, Rivier F, Carnac G. Skeletal Ryanodine Receptors Are Involved in Impaired Myogenic Differentiation in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12985. [PMID: 34884796 PMCID: PMC8657486 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle wasting following repeated muscle damage and inadequate regeneration. Impaired myogenesis and differentiation play a major role in DMD as well as intracellular calcium (Ca2+) mishandling. Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is mostly mediated by the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RYR1) that is required for skeletal muscle differentiation in animals. The study objective was to determine whether altered RYR1-mediated Ca2+ release contributes to myogenic differentiation impairment in DMD patients. The comparison of primary cultured myoblasts from six boys with DMD and five healthy controls highlighted delayed myoblast differentiation in DMD. Silencing RYR1 expression using specific si-RNA in a healthy control induced a similar delayed differentiation. In DMD myotubes, resting intracellular Ca2+ concentration was increased, but RYR1-mediated Ca2+ release was not changed compared with control myotubes. Incubation with the RYR-calstabin interaction stabilizer S107 decreased resting Ca2+ concentration in DMD myotubes to control values and improved calstabin1 binding to the RYR1 complex. S107 also improved myogenic differentiation in DMD. Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was correlated with endomysial fibrosis, which is the only myopathologic parameter associated with poor motor outcome in patients with DMD. This suggested a potential relationship between RYR1 dysfunction and motor impairment. Our study highlights RYR1-mediated Ca2+ leakage in human DMD myotubes and its key role in myogenic differentiation impairment. RYR1 stabilization may be an interesting adjunctive therapeutic strategy in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Meyer
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
- Reference Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases AOC, Clinical Investigation Centre, Pediatric Neurology Department, Montpellier University Hospital, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Notarnicola
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Albano C. Meli
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefan Matecki
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Gérald Hugon
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Jérémy Salvador
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Mirna Khalil
- Clinical Investigation Center, Montpellier University Hospital, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Léonard Féasson
- Myology Unit, Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases Euro-NmD, Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Sciences—EA7424, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne, France;
| | - Claude Cances
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases AOC, Pediatric Neurology Department, Toulouse University Hospital, 3100 Toulouse, France;
- Pediatric Clinical Research Unit, Pediatric Multi-thematic Module CIC 1436, Toulouse Children’s Hospital, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Cottalorda
- Pediatric Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery Department, Montpellier University Hospital, 34295 Montpellier, France;
| | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases Paris Nord-Ile-de-France-Est, Pediatric Neurology Department, Necker Enfant Malades University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris Centre, Paris University, 75019 Paris, France;
| | - Jean-Marie Cuisset
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases Nord-Ile-de-France-Est, Pediatric Neurology Department, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Pascal Sabouraud
- Reference Center for Neuromuscular Diseases Nord-Ile-de-France-Est, Pediatric Neurology Department, Reims University Hospital, 51100 Reims, France;
| | - Alain Lacampagne
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Hugues Chevassus
- Clinical Investigation Center, Montpellier University Hospital, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.K.); (H.C.)
| | - François Rivier
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
- Reference Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases AOC, Clinical Investigation Centre, Pediatric Neurology Department, Montpellier University Hospital, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Gilles Carnac
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, 34295 Montpellier, France; (C.N.); (A.C.M.); (S.M.); (G.H.); (J.S.); (A.L.); (F.R.); (G.C.)
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11
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Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are a heterogeneous group of motor unit disorders. Common to all is the main clinical symptom of muscle weakness. Depending on entity and phenotype, a broad range of disorders of neuronal, junctional or myocytic structures occurs. In addition to a weakness of the skeletal musculature, NMD can also affect throat musculature, respiratory and heart muscles. The possible consequences are immobility, deformities, tendency to aspiration as well as respiratory and cardiac insufficiency. In the context of surgery and anesthesia, complications that can result from the underlying disease and its interaction with anesthesia must be anticipated and averted. This article describes along the treatment pathway how preoperative evaluation, choice of the anesthetic procedure and postoperative care can be effectively and safely tailored to the needs of patients with NMD. Concise and practical recommendations for carrying out anesthesia for the most important NMDs are presented as well as relevant external sources of practice recommendations.
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12
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Chemical Manipulation of the Endosome Trafficking Machinery: Implications for Oligonucleotide Delivery. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050512. [PMID: 34063104 PMCID: PMC8148136 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNA and splice switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) all have immense potential as therapeutic agents, potential that is now being validated as oligonucleotides enter the clinic. However, progress in oligonucleotide-based therapeutics has been limited by the difficulty in delivering these complex molecules to their sites of action in the cytosol or nucleus of cells within specific tissues. There are two aspects to the delivery problem. The first is that most types of oligonucleotides have poor uptake into non-hepatic tissues. The second is that much of the oligonucleotide that is taken up by cells is entrapped in endosomes where it is pharmacologically inert. It has become increasingly recognized that endosomal trapping is a key constraint on oligonucleotide therapeutics. Thus, many approaches have been devised to address this problem, primarily ones based on various nanoparticle technologies. However, recently an alternative approach has emerged that employs small molecules to manipulate intracellular trafficking processes so as to enhance oligonucleotide actions. This review presents the current status of this chemical biology approach to oligonucleotide delivery and seeks to point out possible paths for future development.
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14
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Ran N, Lin C, Leng L, Han G, Geng M, Wu Y, Bittner S, Moulton HM, Yin H. MOTS-c promotes phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer uptake and efficacy in dystrophic mice. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e12993. [PMID: 33337582 PMCID: PMC7863382 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapies show promise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating muscular disease caused by frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. However, insufficient systemic delivery remains a hurdle to clinical deployment. Here, we demonstrate that MOTS-c, a mitochondria-derived bioactive peptide, with an intrinsic muscle-targeting property, augmented glycolytic flux and energy production capacity of dystrophic muscles in vitro and in vivo, resulting in enhanced phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) uptake and activity in mdx mice. Long-term repeated administration of MOTS-c (500 μg) and PMO at the dose of 12.5 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks followed by 12.5 mg/kg/month for 3 months (PMO-M) induced therapeutic levels of dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles, with up to 25-fold increase in diaphragm of mdx mice over PMO alone. PMO-M improved muscle function and pathologies in mdx mice without detectable toxicity. Our results demonstrate that MOTS-c enables enhanced PMO uptake and activity in dystrophic muscles by providing energy and may have therapeutic implications for exon-skipping therapeutics in DMD and other energy-deficient disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ran
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Caorui Lin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Ling Leng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Gang Han
- School of Medical LaboratoryTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Mengyuan Geng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Scott Bittner
- Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Biomedical SciencesCollege of Veterinary MedicineOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics &Department of Cell BiologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- School of Medical LaboratoryTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of NeurologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
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15
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Elcheva IA, Spiegelman VS. The Role of cis- and trans-Acting RNA Regulatory Elements in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3854. [PMID: 33419342 PMCID: PMC7766907 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA molecules are a source of phenotypic diversity and an operating system that connects multiple genetic and metabolic processes in the cell. A dysregulated RNA network is a common feature of cancer. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), micro RNA (miRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) in tumors compared to their normal counterparts, as well as the recurrent mutations in functional regulatory cis-acting RNA motifs have emerged as biomarkers of disease development and progression, opening avenues for the design of novel therapeutic approaches. This review looks at the progress, challenges and future prospects of targeting cis-acting and trans-acting RNA elements for leukemia diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A. Elcheva
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, P.O. Box 850, MC H085, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA
| | - Vladimir S. Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, P.O. Box 850, MC H085, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA
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16
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Fukushima S, Farea M, Maeta K, Rani AQM, Fujioka K, Nishio H, Matsuo M. Dual Fluorescence Splicing Reporter Minigene Identifies an Antisense Oligonucleotide to Skip Exon v8 of the CD44 Gene. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239136. [PMID: 33266296 PMCID: PMC7729581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing reporter minigenes are used in cell-based in vitro splicing studies. Exon skippable antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been identified using minigene splicing assays, but these assays include a time- and cost-consuming step of reverse transcription PCR amplification. To make in vitro splicing assay easier, a ready-made minigene (FMv2) amenable to quantitative splicing analysis by fluorescence microscopy was constructed. FMv2 was designed to encode two fluorescence proteins namely, mCherry, a transfection marker and split eGFP, a marker of splicing reaction. The split eGFP was intervened by an artificial intron containing a multicloning site sequence. Expectedly, FMv2 transfected HeLa cells produced not only red mCherry but also green eGFP signals. Transfection of FMv2CD44v8, a modified clone of FMv2 carrying an insertion of CD44 exon v8 in the multicloning site, that was applied to screen exon v8 skippable ASO, produced only red signals. Among seven different ASOs tested against exon v8, ASO#14 produced the highest index of green signal positive cells. Hence, ASO#14 was the most efficient exon v8 skippable ASO. Notably, the well containing ASO#14 was clearly identified among the 96 wells containing randomly added ASOs, enabling high throughput screening. A ready-made FMv2 is expected to contribute to identify exon skippable ASOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiyo Fukushima
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (S.F.); (K.F.)
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
| | - Manal Farea
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
| | - Kazuhiro Maeta
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
- KNC Department of Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan
| | - Abdul Qawee Mahyoob Rani
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
- KNC Department of Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Fujioka
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (S.F.); (K.F.)
| | - Hisahide Nishio
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan
| | - Masafumi Matsuo
- Research Center for Locomotion Biology, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan; (M.F.); (K.M.); (A.Q.M.R.); (H.N.)
- KNC Department of Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-78-974-6194
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17
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Lin C, Han G, Ning H, Song J, Ran N, Yi X, Seow Y, Yin H. Glycine Enhances Satellite Cell Proliferation, Cell Transplantation, and Oligonucleotide Efficacy in Dystrophic Muscle. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1339-1358. [PMID: 32209436 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The need to distribute therapy evenly systemically throughout the large muscle volume within the body makes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapy a challenge. Cell and exon-skipping therapies are promising but have limited effects, and thus enhancing their therapeutic potency is of paramount importance to increase the accessibility of these therapies to DMD patients. In this study, we demonstrate that co-administered glycine improves phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) potency in mdx mice with marked functional improvement and an up to 50-fold increase of dystrophin in abdominal muscles compared to PMO in saline. Glycine boosts satellite cell proliferation and muscle regeneration by increasing activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and replenishing the one-carbon unit pool. The expanded regenerating myofiber population then results in increased PMO uptake. Glycine also augments the transplantation efficiency of exogenous satellite cells and primary myoblasts in mdx mice. Our data provide evidence that glycine enhances satellite cell proliferation, cell transplantation, and oligonucleotide efficacy in mdx mice, and thus it has therapeutic utility for cell therapy and drug delivery in muscle-wasting diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caorui Lin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Gang Han
- School of Medical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin 300203, China
| | - Hanhan Ning
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Song
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Ning Ran
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xianfu Yi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiqi Seow
- Molecular Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institutes, Agency for Science Technology and Research, 61 Biopolis Way, Singapore 138668, Singapore
| | - HaiFang Yin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300070, China.
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18
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Gibbs EM, Barthélémy F, Douine ED, Hardiman NC, Shieh PB, Khanlou N, Crosbie RH, Nelson SF, Miceli MC. Large in-frame 5' deletions in DMD associated with mild Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Two case reports and a review of the literature. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:863-873. [PMID: 31672265 PMCID: PMC7092699 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the dystrophin-encoding DMD gene. While Duchenne is most commonly caused by large intragenic deletions that cause frameshift and complete loss of dystrophin expression, in-frame deletions in DMD can result in the expression of internally truncated dystrophin proteins and may be associated with a milder phenotype. In this study, we describe two individuals with large in-frame 5' deletions (exon 3-23 and exon 3-28) that remove the majority of the N-terminal region, including part of the actin binding and central rod domains. Both patients had progressive muscle weakness during childhood but are observed to have a relatively mild disease course compared to typical Duchenne. We show that in muscle biopsies from both patients, truncated dystrophin is expressed at the sarcolemma. We have additionally developed a patient-specific fibroblast-derived cell model, which can be inducibly reprogrammed to form myotubes that largely recapitulate biopsy findings for the patient with the exon 3-23 deletion, providing a culture model for future investigation of this unusual case. We discuss these mutations in the context of previously reported 5' in-frame DMD deletions and relevant animal models, and review the spectrum of phenotypes associated with these deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Gibbs
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Florian Barthélémy
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Emilie D Douine
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Natalie C Hardiman
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Perry B Shieh
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, USA
| | - Negar Khanlou
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095, USA
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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19
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Barthélémy F, Wang RT, Hsu C, Douine ED, Marcantonio EE, Nelson SF, Miceli MC. Targeting RyR Activity Boosts Antisense Exon 44 and 45 Skipping in Human DMD Skeletal or Cardiac Muscle Culture Models. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:580-589. [PMID: 31678734 PMCID: PMC6838898 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Systemic delivery of antisense oligonucleotides (AO) for DMD exon skipping has proven effective for reframing DMD mRNA, rescuing dystrophin expression, and slowing disease progression in animal models. In humans with Duchenne muscular dystrophy treated with AOs, low levels of dystrophin have been induced, and modest slowing of disease progression has been observed, highlighting the need for improved efficiency of human skipping drugs. Here, we demonstrate that dantrolene and Rycals S107 and ARM210 potentiate AO-mediated exon skipping of exon 44 or exon 45 in patient-derived myotube cultures with appropriate mutations. Further, dantrolene is shown to boost AO-mediated exon skipping in patient-derived, induced cardiomyocyte cultures. Our findings further validate the ryanodine receptors (RyR) as the likely target responsible for exon skip boosting and demonstrate potential applicability beyond exon 51 skipping. These data provide preclinical support of dantrolene trial as an adjuvant to AO-mediated exon-skipping therapy in humans and identify a novel Rycal, ARM210, for development as a potential exon-skipping booster. Further, they highlight the value of mutation-specific DMD culture models for basic discovery, preclinical drug screening and translation of personalized genetic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard T Wang
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Hsu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emilie D Douine
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Stanley F Nelson
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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20
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Han G, Gu B, Lin C, Ning H, Song J, Gao X, Moulton HM, Yin H. Hexose Potentiates Peptide-Conjugated Morpholino Oligomer Efficacy in Cardiac Muscles of Dystrophic Mice in an Age-Dependent Manner. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:341-350. [PMID: 31629961 PMCID: PMC6807288 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient delivery of oligonucleotides to muscle and heart remains a barrier for clinical implementation of antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon-skipping therapeutics in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal monogenic disorder caused by frame-disrupting mutations in the DMD gene. We previously demonstrated that hexose, particularly an equal mix of glucose:fructose (GF), significantly enhanced oligonucleotide delivery and exon-skipping activity in peripheral muscles of mdx mice; however, its efficacy in the heart remains limited. Here we show that co-administration of GF with peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PPMO, namely, BMSP-PMO) induced an approximately 2-fold higher level of dystrophin expression in cardiac muscles of adult mdx mice compared to BMSP-PMO in saline at a single injection of 20 mg/kg, resulting in evident phenotypic improvement in dystrophic mdx hearts without any detectable toxicity. Dystrophin expression in peripheral muscles also increased. However, GF failed to potentiate BMSP-PMO efficiency in aged mdx mice. These findings demonstrate that GF is applicable to both PMO and PPMO. Furthermore, GF potentiates oligonucleotide activity in mdx mice in an age-dependent manner, and, thus, it has important implications for its clinical deployment for the treatment of DMD and other muscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Han
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Ben Gu
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Caorui Lin
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hanhan Ning
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jun Song
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xianjun Gao
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Hong M Moulton
- Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - HaiFang Yin
- School of Medical Laboratory and Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
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21
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Sudevan S, Takiura M, Kubota Y, Higashitani N, Cooke M, Ellwood RA, Etheridge T, Szewczyk NJ, Higashitani A. Mitochondrial dysfunction causes Ca 2+ overload and ECM degradation-mediated muscle damage in C. elegans. FASEB J 2019; 33:9540-9550. [PMID: 31162948 PMCID: PMC6662967 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802298r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs muscle health and causes subsequent muscle wasting. This study explores the role of mitochondrial dysfunction as an intramuscular signal for the extracellular matrix (ECM)-based proteolysis and, consequentially, muscle cell dystrophy. We found that inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain causes paralysis as well as muscle structural damage in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This was associated with a significant decline in collagen content. Both paralysis and muscle damage could be rescued with collagen IV overexpression, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and Furin inhibitors in Antimycin A-treated animal as well as in the C. elegans Duchenne muscular dystrophy model. Additionally, muscle cytosolic calcium increased in the Antimycin A-treated worms, and its down-regulation rescued the muscle damage, suggesting that calcium overload acts as one of the early triggers and activates Furin and MMPs for collagen degradation. In conclusion, we have established ECM degradation as an important pathway of muscle damage.-Sudevan, S., Takiura, M., Kubota, Y., Higashitani, N., Cooke, M., Ellwood, R. A., Etheridge, T., Szewczyk, N. J., Higashitani, A. Mitochondrial dysfunction causes Ca2+ overload and ECM degradation-mediated muscle damage in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Sudevan
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mai Takiura
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Kubota
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Michael Cooke
- College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council (MRC) and Arthritis Research United Kingdom (ARUK) Centre of Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca A. Ellwood
- Medical Research Council (MRC) and Arthritis Research United Kingdom (ARUK) Centre of Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Etheridge
- College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- Medical Research Council (MRC) and Arthritis Research United Kingdom (ARUK) Centre of Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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22
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Zhang X, Castanotto D, Liu X, Shemi A, Stein CA. Ammonium and arsenic trioxide are potent facilitators of oligonucleotide function when delivered by gymnosis. Nucleic Acids Res 2019. [PMID: 29522198 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide (ON) concentrations employed for therapeutic applications vary widely, but in general are high enough to raise significant concerns for off target effects and cellular toxicity. However, lowering ON concentrations reduces the chances of a therapeutic response, since typically relatively small amounts of ON are taken up by targeted cells in tissue culture. It is therefore imperative to identify new strategies to improve the concentration dependence of ON function. In this work, we have identified ammonium ion (NH4+) as a non-toxic potent enhancer of ON activity in the nucleus and cytoplasm following delivery by gymnosis. NH4+ is a metabolite that has been extensively employed as diuretic, expectorant, for the treatment of renal calculi and in a variety of other diseases. Enhancement of function can be found in attached and suspension cells, including in difficult-to-transfect Jurkat T and CEM T cells. We have also demonstrated that NH4+ can synergistically interact with arsenic trioxide (arsenite) to further promote ON function without producing any apparent increased cellular toxicity. These small, inexpensive, widely distributed molecules could be useful not only in laboratory experiments but potentially in therapeutic ON-based combinatorial strategy for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Daniela Castanotto
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xueli Liu
- Department of Information Science, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Amotz Shemi
- Silenseed, 2 HaMa'ayan Street, Modi'in Technology Park, Modi'in 7177871, Israel
| | - Cy A Stein
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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23
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Young CS, Mokhonova E, Quinonez M, Pyle AD, Spencer MJ. Creation of a Novel Humanized Dystrophic Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Application of a CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Therapy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2019; 4:139-145. [PMID: 28505980 PMCID: PMC5565771 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-170218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in DMD which disrupt the reading frame. Therapeutic strategies that restore DMD's reading frame, such as exon skipping and CRISPR/Cas9, need to be tested in the context of the human DMD sequence in vivo. We have developed a novel dystrophic mouse model by using CRISPR/Cas9 to delete exon 45 in the human DMD gene in hDMD mice, which places DMD out-of-frame. We have utilized this model to demonstrate that our clinically-relevant CRISPR/Cas9 platform, which targets deletion of human DMD exons 45-55, can be directly applied in vivo to restore dystrophin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney S. Young
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ekaterina Mokhonova
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marbella Quinonez
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - April D. Pyle
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melissa J. Spencer
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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24
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Wang M, Wu B, Shah SN, Lu P, Lu Q. Aminoglycoside Enhances the Delivery of Antisense Morpholino Oligonucleotides In Vitro and in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 16:663-674. [PMID: 31121478 PMCID: PMC6529765 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AO) therapy has been the specific treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with ongoing clinical trials. However, therapeutic applications of AOs remain limited, particularly because of the lack of efficient cellular delivery methods imperative for achieving efficacy. In this study, we investigated a few aminoglycosides (AGs) for their potential to improve the delivery of antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) both in vitro and in vivo. AGs had lower cytotoxicity compared with Endoporter, the currently most effective delivery reagent for PMO in vitro, and improved efficiency in PMO delivery 9- to 15-fold over PMO alone. Significant enhancement in systemic PMO-targeted dystrophin exon 23 skipping was observed in mdx mice, up to a 6-fold increase with AG3 (kanamycin) and AG7 (sisomicin) compared with PMO only. No muscle damage could be detected clearly with the test dosages. These results establish AGs as PMO delivery-enhancing agents for treating muscular dystrophy or other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
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25
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Hinkle ER, Wiedner HJ, Black AJ, Giudice J. RNA processing in skeletal muscle biology and disease. Transcription 2019; 10:1-20. [PMID: 30556762 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2018.1558677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA processing encompasses the capping, cleavage, polyadenylation and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. Proper muscle development relies on precise RNA processing, driven by the coordination between RNA-binding proteins. Recently, skeletal muscle biology has been intensely investigated in terms of RNA processing. High throughput studies paired with deletion of RNA-binding proteins have provided a high-level understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the regulation of RNA-processing in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, misregulation of RNA processing is implicated in muscle diseases. In this review, we comprehensively summarize recent studies in skeletal muscle that demonstrated: (i) the importance of RNA processing, (ii) the RNA-binding proteins that are involved, and (iii) diseases associated with defects in RNA processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Hinkle
- a Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA.,b Department of Cell Biology & Physiology , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA
| | - Hannah J Wiedner
- a Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA.,b Department of Cell Biology & Physiology , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA
| | - Adam J Black
- b Department of Cell Biology & Physiology , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA
| | - Jimena Giudice
- a Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA.,b Department of Cell Biology & Physiology , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA.,c McAllister Heart Institute , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA
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26
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current knowledge of pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms responsible for the genesis and development of heart failure (HF) is absolutely vast. Nonetheless, the hiatus between experimental findings and therapeutic options remains too deep, while the available pharmacological treatments are mostly seasoned and display limited efficacy. The necessity to identify new, non-pharmacological strategies to target molecular alterations led investigators, already many years ago, to propose gene therapy for HF. Here, we will review some of the strategies proposed over the past years to target major pathogenic mechanisms/factors responsible for severe cardiac injury developing into HF and will provide arguments in favor of the necessity to keep alive research on this topic. RECENT FINDINGS After decades of preclinical research and phases of enthusiasm and disappointment, clinical trials were finally launched in recent years. The first one to reach phase II and testing gene delivery of sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase did not yield encouraging results; however, other trials are ongoing, more efficient viral vectors are being developed, and promising new potential targets have been identified. For instance, recent research is focused on gene repair, in vivo, to treat heritable forms of HF, while strong experimental evidence indicates that specific microRNAs can be delivered to post-ischemic hearts to induce regeneration, a result that was previously thought possible only by using stem cell therapy. Gene therapy for HF is aging, but exciting perspectives are still very open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khatia Gabisonia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Liberta` 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio A Recchia
- Institute of Life Sciences, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Liberta` 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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27
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Wang M, Wu B, Shah SN, Lu P, Lu Q. Saponins enhance exon skipping of 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate oligonucleotide in vitro and in vivo. Drug Des Devel Ther 2018; 12:3705-3715. [PMID: 30464402 PMCID: PMC6217006 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s179008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping has been feasible and promising approach for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in preclinical and clinical trials, but its therapeutic applications remain challenges due to inefficient delivery. METHODS We investigated a few Saponins for their potential to improve delivery performance of an antisense 2'-Omethyl phosphorothioate RNA (2'-OMePS) in muscle cells and in dystrophic mdx mice. This study was carried out by evaluating these Saponins' toxicity, cellular uptake, transduction efficiency in vitro, and local delivery in vivo for 2'-OMePS, as well as affinity study between Saponin and 2'-OMePS. RESULTS The results showed that these Saponins, especially Digitonin and Tomatine, enhance the delivery of 2'-OMePS with comparable efficiency to Lipofectamine 2k (LF-2k) -mediated delivery in vitro. Significant performance was further observed in mdx mice, up to 10-fold with the Digitonin as compared to 2'-OMePS alone. Cytotoxicity of the Digitonin and Glycyrrhizin was much lower than LF-2k in vitro and not clearly detected in vivo under the tested concentrations. CONCLUSION This study potentiates Saponins as delivery vehicle for 2'-OMePS in vivo for treating DMD or other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA,
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA,
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA,
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA,
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA,
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28
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Personalized gene and cell therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:803-824. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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29
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Li D, Mastaglia FL, Fletcher S, Wilton SD. Precision Medicine through Antisense Oligonucleotide-Mediated Exon Skipping. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:982-994. [PMID: 30282590 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical implementation of two recently approved antisense RNA therapeutics - Exondys51® to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne MD) and Spinraza® as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) - highlights the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). As shown in the Duchenne and Becker cases, the identification and specific removal of 'dispensable' exons by exon-skipping ASOs could potentially bypass lethal mutations in other genes and bring clinical benefits to affected individuals carrying amenable mutations. In this review, we discuss the potential of therapeutic alternative splicing, with a particular focus on targeted exon skipping using Duchenne MD as an example, and speculate on new applications for other inherited rare diseases where redundant or dispensable exons may be amenable to exon-skipping ASO intervention as precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunhui Li
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Frank L Mastaglia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Steve D Wilton
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia.
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30
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Alvelos MI, Juan-Mateu J, Colli ML, Turatsinze JV, Eizirik DL. When one becomes many-Alternative splicing in β-cell function and failure. Diabetes Obes Metab 2018; 20 Suppl 2:77-87. [PMID: 30230174 PMCID: PMC6148369 DOI: 10.1111/dom.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and death are determinant events in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the molecular mechanisms behind β-cell fate remain poorly understood. Alternative splicing is a post-transcriptional mechanism by which a single gene generates different mRNA and protein isoforms, expanding the transcriptome complexity and enhancing protein diversity. Neuron-specific and certain serine/arginine-rich RNA binding proteins (RBP) are enriched in β-cells, playing crucial roles in the regulation of insulin secretion and β-cell survival. Moreover, alternative exon networks, regulated by inflammation or diabetes susceptibility genes, control key pathways and processes for the correct function and survival of β-cells. The challenge ahead of us is to understand the precise role of alternative splicing regulators and splice variants on β-cell function, dysfunction and death and develop tools to modulate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Inês Alvelos
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik, 808 – CP618, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jonàs Juan-Mateu
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik, 808 – CP618, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maikel Luis Colli
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik, 808 – CP618, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Valéry Turatsinze
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik, 808 – CP618, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Décio L. Eizirik
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik, 808 – CP618, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
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31
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GsMTx4-D provides protection to the D2.mdx mouse. Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:868-877. [PMID: 30174173 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a life-limiting muscle disease that has no current effective therapy. Despite mounting evidence that dysregulation of mechanosensitive ion channels is a significant contributor to dystrophy pathogenesis, effective pharmacologic strategies targeting these channels are lacking. GsMTx4, and its enantiomer GsMTx4-D, are peptide inhibitors of mechanosensitive channels with identical activity. In previous studies, acute in vitro application of GsMTx4 to dystrophic murine muscle effectively reduced the excess MSC dependent calcium influx linked to contraction-induced muscle damage. Here we sought to determine if in vivo treatment with GsMTx4-D proffered benefit in the D2.mdx mouse. GsMTx4-D showed a 1-week half-life when administered by subcutaneous injection over four weeks. Informed by these results, D2.mdx mice were then treated by a subcutaneous injection regimen of GsMTx4-D for six weeks followed by determination of muscle mass, muscle susceptibility to eccentric contraction injury and multiple histological indicators of disease progression. The mice showed a reduction in the loss of muscle mass and a decrease in susceptibility to contraction induced injury. These protective effects were realized without reduction in fibrosis, supporting a model where GsMTx4-D acts directly on muscle cells. We propose GsMTx4-D represents a promising new therapy to slow disease progression and may complement other therapies such as anti-inflammatory agents and gene-replacement strategies.
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32
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Wang RT, Barthelemy F, Martin AS, Douine ED, Eskin A, Lucas A, Lavigne J, Peay H, Khanlou N, Sweeney L, Cantor RM, Miceli MC, Nelson SF. DMD genotype correlations from the Duchenne Registry: Endogenous exon skipping is a factor in prolonged ambulation for individuals with a defined mutation subtype. Hum Mutat 2018; 39:1193-1202. [PMID: 29907980 PMCID: PMC6175390 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)‐mediated exon skipping is an emerging therapeutic for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Skipping of exons adjacent to common exon deletions in DMD using AONs can produce in‐frame transcripts and functional protein. Targeted skipping of DMD exons 8, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 55 is predicted to benefit 47% of affected individuals. We observed a correlation between mutation subgroups and age at loss of ambulation in the Duchenne Registry, a large database of phenotypic and genetic data for DMD (N = 765). Males amenable to exon 44 (N = 74) and exon 8 skipping (N = 18) showed prolonged ambulation compared to other exon skip groups and nonsense mutations (P = 0.035 and P < 0.01, respectively). In particular, exon 45 deletions were associated with prolonged age at loss of ambulation relative to the rest of the exon 44 skip amenable cohort and other DMD mutations. Exon 3–7 deletions also showed prolonged ambulation relative to all other exon 8 skippable mutations. Cultured myotubes from DMD patients with deletions of exons 3–7 or exon 45 showed higher endogenous skipping than other mutations, providing a potential biological rationale for our observations. These results highlight the utility of aggregating phenotypic and genotypic data for rare pediatric diseases to reveal progression differences, identify potentially confounding factors, and probe molecular mechanisms that may affect disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California ,Los Angeles, California.,Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California
| | - Florian Barthelemy
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ann S Martin
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Hackensack, New Jersey
| | - Emilie D Douine
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California ,Los Angeles, California.,Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California
| | - Ascia Eskin
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California ,Los Angeles, California.,Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California
| | - Ann Lucas
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Hackensack, New Jersey
| | | | - Holly Peay
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Hackensack, New Jersey.,RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Negar Khanlou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lee Sweeney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Rita M Cantor
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California ,Los Angeles, California
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California ,Los Angeles, California.,Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles,Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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33
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Kendall GC, Watson S, Xu L, LaVigne CA, Murchison W, Rakheja D, Skapek SX, Tirode F, Delattre O, Amatruda JF. PAX3-FOXO1 transgenic zebrafish models identify HES3 as a mediator of rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis. eLife 2018; 7:33800. [PMID: 29869612 PMCID: PMC5988421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.33800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma caused by PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion oncogenes and is characterized by impaired skeletal muscle development. We developed human PAX3-FOXO1 -driven zebrafish models of tumorigenesis and found that PAX3-FOXO1 exhibits discrete cell lineage susceptibility and transformation. Tumors developed by 1.6–19 months and were primitive neuroectodermal tumors or rhabdomyosarcoma. We applied this PAX3-FOXO1 transgenic zebrafish model to study how PAX3-FOXO1 leverages early developmental pathways for oncogenesis and found that her3 is a unique target. Ectopic expression of the her3 human ortholog, HES3, inhibits myogenesis in zebrafish and mammalian cells, recapitulating the arrested muscle development characteristic of rhabdomyosarcoma. In patients, HES3 is overexpressed in fusion-positive versus fusion-negative tumors. Finally, HES3 overexpression is associated with reduced survival in patients in the context of the fusion. Our novel zebrafish rhabdomyosarcoma model identifies a new PAX3-FOXO1 target, her3/HES3, that contributes to impaired myogenic differentiation and has prognostic significance in human disease. One of the most common cancers in children and adolescents is rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of soft tissue such as muscle, tendon or cartilage. The fusion of DNA on two different chromosomes causes the most aggressive form of rhabdomyosarcoma. The fused DNA produces an abnormal protein called PAX3-FOXO1. During normal muscle development, a subset of rapidly growing cells eventually slow down and form mature, working muscle cells. It is still unclear how exactly rhabdomyosarcoma develops, but it is thought that PAX3-FOXO1 stops muscle cells from maturing and the cells that grow out of control result in a tumor. Learning how PAX3-FOXO1 hijacks normal muscle development could lead to new treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma. One treatment approach is to slow the growth of a tumor and force the cells to mature. Then, young patients might avoid chemotherapy or radiation treatments and their side effects. Efforts to improve treatment for this type of cancer face several obstacles. Currently, only one vertebrate animal model of the disease is available to test drugs, and it is still not known how PAX3-FOXO1 causes healthy cells to become cancerous. It is also hard to turn off PAX3-FOXO1 itself, so scientists must find additional proteins that collaborate with it to target with drugs. Now, Kendall et al. show that genetically engineered zebrafish with human PAX3-FOXO1 develop rhabdomyosarcoma-like tumors. Experiments on these zebrafish showed that the protein turns on a gene called her3. Humans have a similar gene called HES3. In zebrafish or mouse cells, human HES3 interferes with muscle-cell maturation and allows cells that acquire PAX3-FOXO1 to persist during development instead of dying. It also increases the cell growth and cancerous behavior in human tumor cells. Kendall et al. further looked at HES3 levels in tumors collected from patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and found that having higher levels of HES3 increased the risk of death from the cancer. Human rhabdomyosarcoma tumors with high HES3 levels were also more likely to have certain cell-growth and cell-differentiation related proteins. Drugs that turn off or modify the activity of these proteins already exist. Testing these drugs that target processes such as cell growth in the zebrafish with rhabdomyosarcoma-like tumors may help scientists determine if they reduce tumor growth. If they do, additional trials could determine if they would help patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve C Kendall
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Sarah Watson
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Inserm U830, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Paris, France
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Collette A LaVigne
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Whitney Murchison
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Dinesh Rakheja
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Stephen X Skapek
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Franck Tirode
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre LéonBérard, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Inserm U830, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Paris, France.,INSERM U80, Institute Curie Research Center, Paris, France.,Institut Curie Hospital Group, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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34
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Wang M, Wu B, Shah SN, Lu P, Lu Q. Saponins as Natural Adjuvant for Antisense Morpholino Oligonucleotides Delivery In Vitro and in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 11:192-202. [PMID: 29858054 PMCID: PMC5992344 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AON) therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has drawn great attention in preclinical and clinical trials, but its therapeutic applications are still limited due to inefficient delivery. In this study, we investigated a few saponins for their potential to improve delivery performance of an antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that these saponins, especially digitonin and tomatine, improve the delivery efficiency of PMO comparable to Endo-Porter-mediated PMO delivery in vitro. The significant enhancement of PMO targeting to dystrophin exon 23 delivery was further observed in mdx mice up to 7-fold with the digitonin as compared to PMO alone. Cytotoxicity of the digitonin and glycyrrhizin was lower than Endo-Porter in vitro and not clearly detected in vivo under the tested concentrations. These results demonstrate that optimization of saponins in molecular size and composition are key factors to achieve enhanced PMO exon-skipping efficiency. The higher efficiency and lower toxicity endow saponins as gene/AON delivery enhancing agents for treating muscular dystrophy or other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Department of Neurology, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
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35
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Olender D, Żwawiak J, Zaprutko L. Multidirectional Efficacy of Biologically Active Nitro Compounds Included in Medicines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:E54. [PMID: 29844300 PMCID: PMC6027522 DOI: 10.3390/ph11020054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The current concept in searching for new bioactive products, including mainly original active substances with potential application in pharmacy and medicine, is based on compounds with a previously determined structure, well-known properties, and biological activity profile. Nowadays, many commonly used drugs originated from natural sources. Moreover, some natural materials have become the source of leading structures for processing further chemical modifications. Many organic compounds with great therapeutic significance have the nitro group in their structure. Very often, nitro compounds are active substances in many well-known preparations belonging to different groups of medicines that are classified according to their pharmacological potencies. Moreover, the nitro group is part of the chemical structure of veterinary drugs. In this review, we describe many bioactive substances with the nitro group, divided into ten categories, including substances with exciting activity and that are currently undergoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Olender
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Justyna Żwawiak
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Lucjusz Zaprutko
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland.
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36
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Markossian S, Ang KK, Wilson CG, Arkin MR. Small-Molecule Screening for Genetic Diseases. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2018; 19:263-288. [PMID: 29799800 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-083117-021452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The genetic determinants of many diseases, including monogenic diseases and cancers, have been identified; nevertheless, targeted therapy remains elusive for most. High-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecules, including high-content analysis (HCA), has been an important technology for the discovery of molecular tools and new therapeutics. HTS can be based on modulation of a known disease target (called reverse chemical genetics) or modulation of a disease-associated mechanism or phenotype (forward chemical genetics). Prominent target-based successes include modulators of transthyretin, used to treat transthyretin amyloidoses, and the BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor Gleevec, used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia. Phenotypic screening successes include modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, splicing correctors for spinal muscular atrophy, and histone deacetylase inhibitors for cancer. Synthetic lethal screening, in which chemotherapeutics are screened for efficacy against specific genetic backgrounds, is a promising approach that merges phenotype and target. In this article, we introduce HTS technology and highlight its contributions to the discovery of drugs and probes for monogenic diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarine Markossian
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Kenny K Ang
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Christopher G Wilson
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Michelle R Arkin
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
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37
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Cordova G, Negroni E, Cabello-Verrugio C, Mouly V, Trollet C. Combined Therapies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to Optimize Treatment Efficacy. Front Genet 2018; 9:114. [PMID: 29692797 PMCID: PMC5902687 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent muscular dystrophy and one of the most severe due to the absence of the dystrophin protein. Typical pathological features include muscle weakness, muscle wasting, degeneration, and inflammation. At advanced stages DMD muscles present exacerbated extracellular matrix and fat accumulation. Recent progress in therapeutic approaches has allowed new strategies to be investigated, including pharmacological, gene-based and cell-based therapies. Gene and cell-based therapies are still limited by poor targeting and low efficiency in fibrotic dystrophic muscle, therefore it is increasingly evident that future treatments will have to include “combined therapies” to reach maximal efficiency. The scope of this mini-review is to provide an overview of the current literature on such combined therapies for DMD. By “combined therapies” we mean those that include both a therapy to correct the genetic defect and an additional one to address one of the secondary pathological features of the disease. In this mini-review, we will not provide a comprehensive view of the literature on therapies for DMD, since many such reviews already exist, but we will focus on the characteristics, efficiency, and potential of such combined therapeutic strategies that have been described so far for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Cordova
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, UMRS974, Paris, France
| | - Elisa Negroni
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, UMRS974, Paris, France
| | - Claudio Cabello-Verrugio
- Laboratorio de Patologías Musculares, Fragilidad y Envejecimiento, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.,Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, UMRS974, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Trollet
- Sorbonne Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, UMRS974, Paris, France
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38
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Dowling JJ, D. Gonorazky H, Cohn RD, Campbell C. Treating pediatric neuromuscular disorders: The future is now. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 176:804-841. [PMID: 28889642 PMCID: PMC5900978 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric neuromuscular diseases encompass all disorders with onset in childhood and where the primary area of pathology is in the peripheral nervous system. These conditions are largely genetic in etiology, and only those with a genetic underpinning will be presented in this review. This includes disorders of the anterior horn cell (e.g., spinal muscular atrophy), peripheral nerve (e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), the neuromuscular junction (e.g., congenital myasthenic syndrome), and the muscle (myopathies and muscular dystrophies). Historically, pediatric neuromuscular disorders have uniformly been considered to be without treatment possibilities and to have dire prognoses. This perception has gradually changed, starting in part with the discovery and widespread application of corticosteroids for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. At present, several exciting therapeutic avenues are under investigation for a range of conditions, offering the potential for significant improvements in patient morbidities and mortality and, in some cases, curative intervention. In this review, we will present the current state of treatment for the most common pediatric neuromuscular conditions, and detail the treatment strategies with the greatest potential for helping with these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J. Dowling
- Division of NeurologyHospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Program for Genetics and Genome BiologyHospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | | | - Ronald D. Cohn
- Program for Genetics and Genome BiologyHospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
- Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Craig Campbell
- Department of PediatricsClinical Neurological SciencesEpidemiologyWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
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39
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Wang DW, Mokhonova EI, Kendall GC, Becerra D, Naeini YB, Cantor RM, Spencer MJ, Nelson SF, Miceli MC. Repurposing Dantrolene for Long-Term Combination Therapy to Potentiate Antisense-Mediated DMD Exon Skipping in the mdx Mouse. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 11:180-191. [PMID: 29858053 PMCID: PMC5992346 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in DMD, resulting in loss of dystrophin, which is essential to muscle health. DMD “exon skipping” uses anti-sense oligo-nucleotides (AONs) to force specific exon exclusion during mRNA processing to restore reading frame and rescue of partially functional dystrophin protein. Although exon-skipping drugs in humans show promise, levels of rescued dystrophin protein remain suboptimal. We previously identified dantrolene as a skip booster when combined with AON in human DMD cultures and short-term mdx dystrophic mouse studies. Here, we assess the effect of dantrolene/AON combination on DMD exon-23 skipping over long-term mdx treatment under conditions that better approximate potential human dosing. To evaluate the dantrolene/AON combination treatment effect on dystrophin induction, we assayed three AON doses, with and without oral dantrolene, to assess multiple outcomes across different muscles. Meta-analyses of the results of statistical tests from both the quadriceps and diaphragm assessing contributions of dantrolene beyond AON, across all AON treatment groups, provide strong evidence that dantrolene modestly boosts exon skipping and dystrophin rescue while reducing muscle pathology in mdx mice (p < 0.0087). These findings support a trial of combination dantrolene/AON to increase exon-skipping efficacy and highlight the value of combinatorial approaches and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug re-purposing for discovery of unsuspected therapeutic application and rapid translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek W Wang
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ekaterina I Mokhonova
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Genevieve C Kendall
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Diana Becerra
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yalda B Naeini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rita M Cantor
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melissa J Spencer
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Carrie Miceli
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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40
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Abstract
Since its discovery in 1977, much has been known about RNA splicing and how it plays a central role in human development, function, and, notably, disease. Defects in RNA splicing account for at least 10% of all genetic disorders, with the number expected to increase as more information is uncovered on the contribution of noncoding genomic regions to disease. Splice modulation through the use of antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) has emerged as a promising avenue for the treatment of these disorders. In fact, two splice-switching AOs have recently obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration: eteplirsen (Exondys 51) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and nusinersen (Spinraza) for spinal muscular atrophy. These work by exon skipping and exon inclusion, respectively. In this chapter, we discuss the early development of AO-based splice modulation therapy-its invention, first applications, and its evolution into the approach we are now familiar with. We give a more extensive history of exon skipping in particular, as it is the splice modulation approach given the most focus in this book.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Rowel Q Lim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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41
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Wang M, Wu B, Tucker JD, Shah SN, Lu P, Bollinger LE, Lu Q. Tween 85-Modified Low Molecular Weight PEI Enhances Exon-Skipping of Antisense Morpholino Oligomer In Vitro and in mdx Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 9:120-131. [PMID: 29246291 PMCID: PMC5633364 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We investigated a series of Tween 85 modified low molecular weight polyethylenimine (LPEI, 0.8k/1.2k/2.0k)-copolymers (Zs) through simple formulation and covalent conjugation with phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) for their potential to enhance delivery in vitro and in dystrophic mdx mice. Z polymers significantly enhanced PMO-induced exon-skipping in a GFP reporter-based cell culture system. Application of optimized formulations of Zs with PMO targeted to dystrophin exon 23 demonstrated a significant increase in exon-skipping efficiency in mdx mice. Consistent with our observations in vitro, optimization of molecular size and hydropholic-lipopholic balance (HLB) of polymers are important factors to achieve enhanced PMO delivery in vivo. The best formulation of Zs enhanced PMO delivery with 20- and 6-fold over PMO alone in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Further, chemical conjugation of the polymer and PMO exhibits greater benefit than polymer/PMO simple formulation in PMO delivery efficiency. Observed cytotoxicity of the Zs was lower than Endo-porter and PEI 25k in vitro, and no tissue toxicity was clearly detected with the Zs at the dosage tested. These results indicate the potential of the Zs as effective and safe PMO delivery carriers for treating diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA.
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
| | - Jason D Tucker
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
| | - Lauren E Bollinger
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28231, USA
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42
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Wang M, Wu B, Shah SN, Lu P, Lu Q. Polyquaternium-mediated delivery of morpholino oligonucleotides for exon-skipping in vitro and in mdx mice. Drug Deliv 2017; 24:952-961. [PMID: 28633548 PMCID: PMC8241187 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2017.1337827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has shown great potential in preclinical and clinical trials, but its therapeutic applications are still limited due to inefficient delivery. In this study, we investigated a few polyquaterniums (PQs) with different size and composition for their potential to improve delivery performance of an antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that LuviquatTM series, especially PQ-1 and PQ-3, promoted the exon-skipping efficiency comparable to Endoporter-mediated PMO delivery in vitro. Significant enhancement in skipping dystrophin exon 23 has also been achieved with PQ-3 up to seven-fold when compared to PMO alone in mdx mice. Cytotoxicity of the PQs was lower than Endoporter and PEI 25 K in vitro and muscle damage not clearly detected in vivo under the tested concentrations. These results together demonstrate that the optimization of PQ in molecular size, composition and distribution of positive charges is the key factor to achieve enhanced PMO exon-skipping efficiency. The higher efficiency and lower toxicity endow polyquaternium series as AO delivery enhancing agents for treating muscular dystrophy and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Wang
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Bo Wu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Sapana N Shah
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Peijuan Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Qilong Lu
- McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Cannon Research Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, United States
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43
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Kataoka N. Modulation of aberrant splicing in human RNA diseases by chemical compounds. Hum Genet 2017; 136:1237-1245. [PMID: 28364159 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-017-1789-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step for gene expression in higher eukaryotes. Alternative splicing contributes to diversity of the expressed proteins from the limited number of genes. Disruption of splicing regulation often results in hereditary and sporadic diseases called as 'RNA diseases'. Modulation of splicing by small chemical compounds and nucleic acids has been tried to target aberrant splicing in those diseases. Several RNA diseases and splicing-target therapeutic approaches will be briefly introduced in this review. Accumulating knowledge about molecular mechanism of aberrant splicing and their correction by chemical compounds is important not only for RNA biologists, but also for clinicians who desire therapies for those diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Kataoka
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Departments of Applied Animal Sciences and Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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44
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Lee T, Awano H, Yagi M, Matsumoto M, Watanabe N, Goda R, Koizumi M, Takeshima Y, Matsuo M. 2'-O-Methyl RNA/Ethylene-Bridged Nucleic Acid Chimera Antisense Oligonucleotides to Induce Dystrophin Exon 45 Skipping. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8020067. [PMID: 28208626 PMCID: PMC5333056 DOI: 10.3390/genes8020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease characterized by dystrophin deficiency from mutations in the dystrophin gene. Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon skipping targets restoration of the dystrophin reading frame to allow production of an internally deleted dystrophin protein with functional benefit for DMD patients who have out-of-frame deletions. After accelerated US approval of eteplirsen (Exondys 51), which targets dystrophin exon 51 for skipping, efforts are now focused on targeting other exons. For improved clinical benefits, this strategy requires more studies of the delivery method and modification of nucleic acids. We studied a nucleotide with a 2′-O,4′-C-ethylene-bridged nucleic acid (ENA), which shows high nuclease resistance and high affinity for complementary RNA strands. Here, we describe the process of developing a 2′-O-methyl RNA(2′-OMeRNA)/ENA chimera AO to induce dystrophin exon 45 skipping. One 18-mer 2′-OMeRNA/ENA chimera (AO85) had the most potent activity for inducing exon 45 skipping in cultured myotubes. AO85 was administered to mdx mice without significant side effects. AO85 transfection into cultured myotubes from 13 DMD patients induced exon 45 skipping in all samples at different levels and dystrophin expression in 11 patients. These results suggest the possible efficacy of AO-mediated exon skipping changes in individual patients and highlight the 2′-OMeRNA/ENA chimera AO as a potential fundamental treatment for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya 6638501, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Awano
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 6500017, Japan.
| | - Mariko Yagi
- Nikoniko House Medical and Welfare Center, Kobe 6511102, Japan.
| | - Masaaki Matsumoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 6500017, Japan.
| | - Nobuaki Watanabe
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 1408710, Japan.
| | - Ryoya Goda
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 1408710, Japan.
| | - Makoto Koizumi
- Modality Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 1408710, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Takeshima
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya 6638501, Japan.
| | - Masafumi Matsuo
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 6512180, Japan.
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45
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Fletcher S, Bellgard MI, Price L, Akkari AP, Wilton SD. Translational development of splice-modifying antisense oligomers. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 17:15-30. [PMID: 27805416 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2017.1250880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antisense nucleic acid analogues can interact with pre-mRNA motifs and influence exon or splice site selection and thereby alter gene expression. Design of antisense molecules to target specific motifs can result in either exon exclusion or exon inclusion during splicing. Novel drugs exploiting the antisense concept are targeting rare, life-limiting diseases; however, the potential exists to treat a wide range of conditions by antisense-mediated splice intervention. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the clinical translation of novel molecular therapeutics to address the fatal neuromuscular disorders Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. The review also highlights difficulties posed by issues pertaining to restricted participant numbers, variable phenotype and disease progression, and the identification and validation of study endpoints. Expert opinion: Translation of novel therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy has been greatly advanced by multidisciplinary research, academic-industry partnerships and in particular, the engagement and support of the patient community. Sponsors, supporters and regulators are cooperating to deliver new drugs and identify and define meaningful outcome measures. Non-conventional and adaptive trial design could be particularly suited to clinical evaluation of novel therapeutics and strategies to treat serious, rare diseases that may be problematic to study using more conventional clinical trial structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fletcher
- a Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,b Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,c Centre for Comparative Genomics , Murdoch University , Western Australia , Australia
| | - M I Bellgard
- b Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,c Centre for Comparative Genomics , Murdoch University , Western Australia , Australia
| | - L Price
- a Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,b Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,c Centre for Comparative Genomics , Murdoch University , Western Australia , Australia
| | - A P Akkari
- b Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,c Centre for Comparative Genomics , Murdoch University , Western Australia , Australia.,d Shiraz Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - S D Wilton
- a Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders , University of Western Australia , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,b Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute , Nedlands , Western Australia , Australia.,c Centre for Comparative Genomics , Murdoch University , Western Australia , Australia
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Kim EY, Page P, Dellefave-Castillo LM, McNally EM, Wyatt EJ. Direct reprogramming of urine-derived cells with inducible MyoD for modeling human muscle disease. Skelet Muscle 2016; 6:32. [PMID: 27651888 PMCID: PMC5025576 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-016-0103-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular models of muscle disease are taking on increasing importance with the large number of genes and mutations implicated in causing myopathies and the concomitant need to test personalized therapies. Developing cell models relies on having an easily obtained source of cells, and if the cells are not derived from muscle itself, a robust reprogramming process is needed. Fibroblasts are a human cell source that works well for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells, which can then be differentiated into cardiomyocyte lineages, and with less efficiency, skeletal muscle-like lineages. Alternatively, direct reprogramming with the transcription factor MyoD has been used to generate myotubes from cultured human fibroblasts. Although useful, fibroblasts require a skin biopsy to obtain and this can limit their access, especially from pediatric populations. RESULTS We now demonstrate that direct reprogramming of urine-derived cells is a highly efficient and reproducible process that can be used to establish human myogenic cells. We show that this method can be applied to urine cells derived from normal individuals as well as those with muscle diseases. Furthermore, we show that urine-derived cells can be edited using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. CONCLUSIONS With progress in understanding the molecular etiology of human muscle diseases, having a readily available, noninvasive source of cells from which to generate muscle-like cells is highly useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Y Kim
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Patrick Page
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Lisa M Dellefave-Castillo
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Elizabeth M McNally
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Eugene J Wyatt
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 USA
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Juliano RL. The delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:6518-48. [PMID: 27084936 PMCID: PMC5001581 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 569] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The oligonucleotide therapeutics field has seen remarkable progress over the last few years with the approval of the first antisense drug and with promising developments in late stage clinical trials using siRNA or splice switching oligonucleotides. However, effective delivery of oligonucleotides to their intracellular sites of action remains a major issue. This review will describe the biological basis of oligonucleotide delivery including the nature of various tissue barriers and the mechanisms of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of oligonucleotides. It will then examine a variety of current approaches for enhancing the delivery of oligonucleotides. This includes molecular scale targeted ligand-oligonucleotide conjugates, lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles, antibody conjugates and small molecules that improve oligonucleotide delivery. The merits and liabilities of these approaches will be discussed in the context of the underlying basic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolph L Juliano
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Hexose enhances oligonucleotide delivery and exon skipping in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10981. [PMID: 26964641 PMCID: PMC4793046 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrate-based infusion solutions are widely used in the clinic. Here we show that co-administration of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) with glucose enhances exon-skipping activity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mdx mice. We identify a glucose-fructose (GF) formulation that potentiates PMO activity, completely corrects aberrant Dmd transcripts, restores dystrophin levels in skeletal muscles and achieves functional rescue without detectable toxicity. This activity is attributed to enhancement of GF-mediated PMO uptake in the muscle. We demonstrate that PMO cellular uptake is energy dependent, and that ATP from GF metabolism contributes to enhanced cellular uptake of PMO in the muscle. Collectively, we show that GF potentiates PMO activity by replenishing cellular energy stores under energy-deficient conditions in mdx mice. Our findings provide mechanistic insight into hexose-mediated oligonucleotide delivery and have important implications for the development of DMD exon-skipping therapy.
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Matsuo M, Takeshima Y, Nishio H. Contributions of Japanese patients to development of antisense therapy for DMD. Brain Dev 2016; 38:4-9. [PMID: 26094594 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2015.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal progressive muscle wasting disease considered untreatable since its first description in 1868. In 1987, the dystrophin gene responsible for DMD was cloned. This paved the way for the development of therapies. Antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon skipping therapy is now reaching the stage of marketing authorization. On the 20th anniversary of the proposal of AO-mediated exon skipping therapy for DMD, this review explores the contributions of Japanese patients. RESULTS In 1990, a Japanese DMD patient was reported as having a small deletion within dystrophin exon 19 and complicating exon 19 skipping in the absence of any mutation at the consensus splice sites. This led to identification of a splicing enhancer sequence within exon 19. Remarkably, AOs against this sequence were shown to induce exon skipping. This encouraged us to propose AO-mediated exon skipping therapy for DMD in 1995. The therapy's effectiveness was verified in a Japanese patient with a nonsense dystrophin mutation manifesting as Becker muscular dystrophy. The patient showed skipping of the nonsense mutation-encoding exon. Finally, a DMD patient carrying a deletion of exon 20 volunteered to undergo intravenous AO infusion, enabling us to obtain proof of concept. The findings from these three patients greatly facilitated studies on exon skipping therapy. As a result, more than 300 reports on AO-mediated exon skipping therapy for DMD have been published, including at least two a month during the last few years. CONCLUSION We greatly appreciate the important contributions of Japanese patients to development of the exon skipping therapy for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Matsuo
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, Japan.
| | | | - Hisahide Nishio
- Department of Community Medicine and Social Healthcare Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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Abstract
The human transcriptome is composed of a vast RNA population that undergoes further diversification by splicing. Detecting specific splice sites in this large sequence pool is the responsibility of the major and minor spliceosomes in collaboration with numerous splicing factors. This complexity makes splicing susceptible to sequence polymorphisms and deleterious mutations. Indeed, RNA mis-splicing underlies a growing number of human diseases with substantial societal consequences. Here, we provide an overview of RNA splicing mechanisms followed by a discussion of disease-associated errors, with an emphasis on recently described mutations that have provided new insights into splicing regulation. We also discuss emerging strategies for splicing-modulating therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina M Scotti
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-3610 USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-3610 USA
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