Normalization of growth in hypophysectomized mice using hydrodynamic transfer of the human growth hormone gene

Hydrodynamic Delivery: Characteristics, Applications, and Technological Advances

The principle of hydrodynamic delivery was initially used to develop a method for the delivery of plasmids into mouse hepatocytes through tail vein injection and has been expanded for use in the delivery of various biologically active materials to cells in various organs in a variety of animal species through systemic or local injection, resulting in significant advances in new applications and technological development. The development of regional hydrodynamic delivery directly supports successful gene delivery in large animals, including humans. This review summarizes the fundamentals of hydrodynamic delivery and the progress that has been made in its application. Recent progress in this field offers tantalizing prospects for the development of a new generation of technologies for broader application of hydrodynamic delivery.

Translational Advances of Hydrofection by Hydrodynamic Injection

Hydrodynamic gene delivery has proven to be a safe and efficient procedure for gene transfer, able to mediate, in murine model, therapeutic levels of proteins encoded by the transfected gene. In different disease models and targeting distinct organs, it has been demonstrated to revert the pathologic symptoms and signs. The therapeutic potential of hydrofection led different groups to work on the clinical translation of the procedure. In order to prevent the hemodynamic side effects derived from the rapid injection of a large volume, the conditions had to be moderated to make them compatible with its use in mid-size animal models such as rat, hamster and rabbit and large animals as dog, pig and primates. Despite the different approaches performed to adapt the conditions of gene delivery, the results obtained in any of these mid-size and large animals have been poorer than those obtained in murine model. Among these different strategies to reduce the volume employed, the most effective one has been to exclude the vasculature of the target organ and inject the solution directly. This procedure has permitted, by catheterization and surgical procedures in large animals, achieving protein expression levels in tissue close to those achieved in gold standard models. These promising results and the possibility of employing these strategies to transfer gene constructs able to edit genes, such as CRISPR, have renewed the clinical interest of this procedure of gene transfer. In order to translate the hydrodynamic gene delivery to human use, it is demanding the standardization of the procedure conditions and the molecular parameters of evaluation in order to be able to compare the results and establish a homogeneous manner of expressing the data obtained, as ‘classic’ drugs.

Technical Improvement and Application of Hydrodynamic Gene Delivery in Study of Liver Diseases

Development of an safe and efficient in vivo gene delivery method is indispensable for molecular biology research and the progress in the following gene therapy. Over the past few years, hydrodynamic gene delivery (HGD) with naked DNA has drawn increasing interest in both research and potential clinic applications due to its high efficiency and low risk in triggering immune responses and carcinogenesis in comparison to viral vectors. This method, involving intravenous injection (i.v.) of massive DNA in a short duration, gives a transient but high in vivo gene expression especially in the liver of small animals. In addition to DNA, it has also been shown to deliver other substance such as RNA, proteins, synthetic small compounds and even viruses in vivo. Given its ability to robustly mimic in vivo hepatitis B virus (HBV) production in liver, HGD has become a fundamental and important technology on HBV studies in our group and many other groups. Recently, there have been interesting reports about the applications and further improvement of this technology in other liver research. Here, we review the principle, safety, current application and development of hydrodynamic delivery in liver disease studies, and discuss its future prospects, clinical potential and challenges.

Partial correction of the dwarf phenotype by non-viral transfer of the growth hormone gene in mice: Treatment age is critical

Non-viral transfer of the growth hormone gene to different muscles of immunodeficient dwarf (lit/scid) mice is under study with the objective of improving phenotypic correction via this particular gene therapy approach. Plasmid DNA was administered into the exposed quadriceps or non-exposed tibialis cranialis muscle of lit/scid mice followed by electroporation, monitoring several growth parameters. In a 6-month bioassay, 50μg DNA were injected three times into the quadriceps muscle of 80-day old mice. A 50% weight increase, with a catch-up growth of 21%, together with a 16% increase for nose-to-tail and tail lengths (catch-up=19-21%) and a 24-28% increase for femur length (catch-up=53-60%), were obtained. mIGF1 serum levels were ~7-fold higher than the basal levels for untreated mice, but still ~2-fold lower than in non-dwarf scid mice. Since treatment age was found to be particularly important in a second bioassay utilizing 40-day old mice, these pubertal mice were compared in a third bioassay with adult (80-day old) mice, all treated twice with 50μg DNA injected into each tibialis cranialis muscle, via a less invasive approach. mIGF1 concentrations at the same level as co-aged scid mice were obtained 15days after administration in pubertal mice. Catch-up growth, based on femur length (77%), nose-to-tail (36%) and tail length (39%) increases was 40 to 95% higher than those obtained upon treating adult mice. These data pave the way for the development of more effective pre-clinical assays in pubertal dwarf mice for the treatment of GH deficiency via plasmid-DNA muscular administration.

Restoration of Haemoglobin Level Using Hydrodynamic Gene Therapy with Erythropoietin Does Not Alleviate the Disease Progression in an Anaemic Mouse Model for TGFβ1-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease

Erythropoietin, Epo, is a 30.4 kDa glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the fetal liver and the adult kidney. Epo exerts its haematopoietic effects by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of erythrocytes with subsequent improved tissue oxygenation. Epo receptors are furthermore expressed in non-haematopoietic tissue and today, Epo is recognised as a cytokine with many pleiotropic effects. We hypothesize that hydrodynamic gene therapy with Epo can restore haemoglobin levels in anaemic transgenic mice and that this will attenuate the extracellular matrix accumulation in the kidneys. The experiment is conducted by hydrodynamic gene transfer of a plasmid encoding murine Epo in a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses TGF-β1 locally in the kidneys. This model develops anaemia due to chronic kidney disease characterised by thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, deposition of mesangial matrix and mild interstitial fibrosis. A group of age matched wildtype littermates are treated accordingly. After a single hydrodynamic administration of plasmid DNA containing murine EPO gene, sustained high haemoglobin levels are observed in both transgenic and wildtype mice from 7.5 ± 0.6 mmol/L to 9.4 ± 1.2 mmol/L and 10.7 ± 0.3 mmol/L to 15.5 ± 0.5 mmol/L, respectively. We did not observe any effects in the thickness of glomerular or tubular basement membrane, on the expression of different collagen types in the kidneys or in kidney function after prolonged treatment with Epo. Thus, Epo treatment in this model of chronic kidney disease normalises haemoglobin levels but has no effect on kidney fibrosis or function.

Hydrodynamic delivery

Hydrodynamic delivery (HD) is a broadly used procedure for DNA and RNA delivery in rodents, serving as a powerful tool for gene/protein drug discovery, gene function analysis, target validation, and identification of elements in regulating gene expression in vivo. HD involves a pressurized injection of a large volume of solution into a vasculature. New procedures are being developed to satisfy the need for a safe and efficient gene delivery in clinic. Here, we summarize the fundamentals of HD, its applications, and future perspectives for clinical use.

Evaluation of growth patterns and body composition in C57Bl/6J mice using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

The normal growth pattern of female C57BL/6J mice, from 5 to 30 weeks of age, has been investigated in a longitudinal study. Weight, body surface area (BS), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in forty mice. Lean mass and fat mass, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) were monitored by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Weight and BS increased linearly (16.15 ± 0.64-27.64 ± 1.42 g; 51.13 ± 0.74-79.57 ± 2.15 cm(2), P < 0.01), more markedly from 5 to 9 weeks of age (P < 0.001). BMD showed a peak at 17 weeks (0.0548 ± 0.0011 g/cm(2) ∗ m, P < 0.01). Lean mass showed an evident gain at 9 (15.8 ± 0.8 g, P < 0.001) and 25 weeks (20.5 ± 0.3 g, P < 0.01), like fat mass from 13 to 17 weeks (2.0 ± 0.4-3.6 ± 0.7 g, P < 0.01). BMI and lean mass index (LMI) reached the highest value at 21 weeks (3.57 ± 0.02-0.284 ± 0.010 g/cm(2), resp.), like fat mass index (FMI) at 17 weeks (0.057 ± 0.009 g/cm(2)) (P < 0.01). BMI, weight, and BS showed a moderate positive correlation (0.45-0.85) with lean mass from 5 to 21 weeks. Mixed linear models provided a good prediction for lean mass, fat mass, and BMD. This study may represent a baseline reference for a future comparison of wild-type C57BL/6J mice with models of altered growth.

The P2Y13 receptor regulates phosphate metabolism and FGF-23 secretion with effects on skeletal development

Purinergic signaling mediates many cellular processes, including embryonic development and regulation of endocrine signaling. The ADP P2Y13 receptor is known to regulate bone and stem cells activities, although relatively little is known about its role in bone development. In this study we demonstrate, using contemporary techniques, that deletion of the P2Y13 receptor results in an age-dependent skeletal phenotype that is governed by changes in phosphate metabolism and hormone levels. Neonatal and postnatal (2 wk) P2Y13 receptor-knockout (KO) mice were indistinguishable from their wild-type (WT) littermate controls. A clear bone phenotype was observed in young (4-wk-old) KO mice compared WT controls, with 14% more trabecular bone, 35% more osteoblasts, 73% fewer osteoclasts, and a 17% thicker growth plate. Mature (>10 wk of age) KO mice showed the opposite bone phenotype, with 14% less trabecular bone, 22% fewer osteoblasts, and 10% thinner growth plate. This age-dependent phenotype correlated with serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and phosphorus levels that were 65 and 16% higher, respectively, in young KO mice but remained unchanged in mature mice. These findings provide novel insights for the role of the P2Y13 receptor in skeletal development via coordination with hormonal regulators of phosphate homeostasis.

SIRT1 regulates adaptive response of the growth hormone--insulin-like growth factor-I axis under fasting conditions in liver

Adaptation under fasting conditions is critical for survival in animals. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a protein deacetylase, plays an essential role in adaptive metabolic and endocrine responses under fasting conditions by modifying the acetylation status of various proteins. Fasting induces growth hormone (GH) resistance in the liver, leading to decreased serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels as an endocrine adaptation for malnutrition; however, the underlying mechanisms of this action remain to be fully elucidated. Here we report that in vivo knockdown of SIRT1 in the liver restored the fasting-induced decrease in serum IGF-I levels and enhanced the GH-dependent increase in IGF-I levels, indicating that SIRT1 negatively regulates GH-dependent IGF-I production in the liver. In vitro analysis using hepatocytes demonstrated that SIRT1 suppresses GH-dependent IGF-I expression, accompanied by decreased tyrosine phosphorylation on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 5. GST pull-down assays revealed that SIRT1 interacts directly with STAT5. When the lysine residues adjacent to the SH2 domain of STAT5 were mutated, STAT5 acetylation decreased concomitant with a decrease in its transcriptional activity. Knockdown of SIRT1 enhanced the acetylation and GH-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5, as well as the GH-induced interaction of the GH receptor with STAT5. These data indicate that SIRT1 negatively regulates GH-induced STAT5 phosphorylation and IGF-I production via deacetylation of STAT5 in the liver. In addition, our findings explain the underlying mechanisms of GH resistance under fasting conditions, which is a known element of endocrine adaptation during fasting.

Hydrodynamic gene delivery and its applications in pharmaceutical research

Hydrodynamic delivery has emerged as the simplest and most effective method for intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable substances in rodents. The system employs a physical force generated by a rapid injection of large volume of solution into a blood vessel to enhance the permeability of endothelium and the plasma membrane of the parenchyma cells to allow delivery of substance into cells. The procedure was initially established for gene delivery in mice, and its applications have been extended to the delivery of proteins, oligo nucleotides, genomic DNA and RNA sequences, and small molecules. The focus of this review is on applications of hydrodynamic delivery in pharmaceutical research. Examples are provided to highlight the use of hydrodynamic delivery for study of transcriptional regulation of CYP enzymes, for establishment of animal model for viral infections, and for gene drug discovery and gene function analysis.

Progress toward liver-based gene therapy

The liver is involved in the synthesis of serum proteins, regulation of metabolism and maintenance of homeostasis and provides a variety of opportunities for gene therapy. The enriched vasculature and blood circulation, fenestrated endothelium, abundant receptors on the plasma membranes of the liver cells, and effective transcription and translation machineries in the hepatocytes are some unique features that have been explored for delivery, and functional analysis, of genetic sequences in the liver. Both viral and non-viral methods have been developed for effective gene delivery and liver-based gene therapy. This review describes the fundamentals of gene delivery, and the preclinical and clinical progress that has been made toward gene therapy using the liver as a target.

Hydrodynamic gene delivery: its principles and applications

Efficient and safe methods for delivering genetic materials into cells must be developed before the clinical potential of gene therapy can be fully realized. Recently, hydrodynamic gene delivery using a rapid injection of a relatively large volume of DNA solution has opened up a new avenue for gene therapy studies in vivo. This method is superior to the existing delivery systems because of its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility. Wide success in applying hydrodynamic principles to delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins, and synthetic compounds, into the cells in various tissues of small animals, has inspired the recent attempts at establishing a hydrodynamic procedure for clinical use. In this review, we provide an overview of the theory and practice of hydrodynamic gene delivery so as to aid researchers for the use of this method in their pre-clinical and translational gene therapy studies.

Differential effects on kidney and liver growth of a non-viral hGH-expression vector in hypophysectomized mice

Non-viral gene transfer was investigated as a potential modality for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using hypophysectomized (Hx) mice as a model. Hx mice were injected with a control plasmid or a plasmid containing the human (h) GH gene driven by a ubiquitin promoter, or left untreated. Treatment with the hGH gene has previously been shown to normalize longitudinal growth and serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The present study was conducted to examine the renal/hepatic changes and gene/peptide expression of the GH/IGF-I axis in animals chronically expressing hGH. Following a single hydrodynamic administration of a plasmid DNA containing the hGH gene, a sustained elevation of the circulating hGH level was observed throughout the entire observation period, with a concomitant normalization of circulating IGF-I and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). In addition, longitudinal growth was corrected by normalizing tibia length, tail length, and body weight gain. Interestingly, kidney weights were only partly normalized, whereas kidney glomerular volume and liver weights were fully normalized. Kidney and liver IGF-I protein content was reduced in the Hx mice, but was normalized by hGH treatment. Kidney and liver GH receptor (GHR) mRNA levels were unchanged in the Hx mice, whereas the liver IGF-I mRNA level was reduced in the Hx mice, but was normalized by hGH treatment. We conclude that non-viral hGH gene transfer in Hx mice, which normalizes longitudinal growth and serum IGF-I levels, has differential effects on renal growth and glomerular volume. The potential effects of such excess glomerular growth induced by this intervention require further investigation.

Dlk1/FA1 is a novel endocrine regulator of bone and fat mass and its serum level is modulated by growth hormone

Fat and bone metabolism are two linked processes regulated by several hormonal factors. Fetal antigen 1 (FA1) is the soluble form of dlk1 (delta-like 1), which is a member of the Notch-Delta family. We previously identified FA1 as a negative regulator of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Here, we studied the effects of circulating FA1 on fat and bone mass in vivo by generating mice expressing high serum levels of FA1 (FA1 mice) using the hydrodynamic-based gene transfer procedure. We found that increased serum FA1 levels led to a significant reduction in total body weight, fat mass, and bone mass in a dose-dependent manner. Reduced bone mass in FA1 mice was associated with the inhibition of mineral apposition rate and bone formation rates by 58 and 72%, respectively. Because FA1 is colocalized with GH in the pituitary gland, we explored the possible modulation of serum FA1 by GH. Serum levels of IGF-I and IGF binding proteins did not change in FA1 mice, whereas increasing serum GH in normal mice using hydrodynamic-based gene transfer procedure dramatically reduced serum FA1 levels by 60%. Conversely, serum FA1 was increased 450% in hypophysectomized mice, and this high level was reduced by 40% during GH treatment. In conclusion, our data identify the FA1 as a novel endocrine factor regulating bone mass and fat mass in vivo, and its serum levels are regulated by GH. FA1 thus provides a novel class of developmental molecules that regulate physiological functions of the postnatal organisms.

Acute growth hormone administration induces antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects and increases phosphorylation of NKCC2

Growth hormone (GH) has antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects in rats and humans, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms behind the acute renal effects of GH in rats. Female rats received rat (r)GH (2.8 mg/kg sc) or saline and were placed in metabolic cages for 5 h. Urinary excretion of electrolytes and urinary volume were reduced after rGH injection, while urine osmolality was increased. Creatinine and lithium clearance remained unchanged, suggesting that rGH increases reabsorption in segments distal to the proximal tubule. Total plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels did not change, while cortical IGF-I mRNA abundance was increased. The relative abundance of total and Ser(256)-phosphorylated aquaporin 2 was found to be unchanged by immunoblotting, whereas a significant increase of Thr(96) and Thr(101)-phosphorylated NKCC2 (renal Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) cotransporter) was found in the inner stripe of outer medulla thick ascending limbs (mTAL). Additionally, an increased NKCC2 expression was observed in the cortical region. Immunohistochemistry confirmed these findings. The density of NKCC2 molecules in the apical membrane of mTAL cells appeared to be unchanged after rGH injection evaluated by immunoelectron microscopy. Basolateral addition of rGH or IGF-I to microperfused rat mTAL segments did not change transepithelial voltage. In conclusion, GH appears to exert its acute antinatriuretic and antidiuretic effects through indirect activation of NKCC2 in the mTAL.

Growth hormone expression in the perinatal and postnatal rat lung

It is now established that the lung is a target site for pituitary growth hormone (GH) action, because pathophysiological states of pituitary GH excess and deficiency are associated with impaired pulmonary function. The onset of lung development and differentiation is, however, before the ontogenic differentiation of pituitary somatotrophs. GH may be involved, nevertheless, in lung development, because it is present in extrapituitary tissues of preimplantation mouse embryos and in the lung buds of embryonic chickens. The possibility that GH may be expressed in the rat lung during fetal and neonatal development, therefore, has been assessed. GH mRNA was detected in the lung, and its 693-bp sequence was identical to that in the pituitary gland. By in situ hybridization, this transcript was found to be abundantly expressed in the lungs of embryonic day (ED) 17 rats in mesenchymal, mucosal epithelial, and smooth muscle cells. This transcript was expressed in neonates until at least day 14 postnatally and was localized to type I and II epithelial cells and to pulmonary tissue macrophages and alveolar macrophages. GH immunoreactivity paralleled GH mRNA cellular localization throughout the time course studied. This immunoreactivity was specific and was lost after antibody preabsorption. The perinatal and postnatal lung is, therefore, an extrapituitary site of GH gene expression during development. Given that the GH receptor is present in the lung from early development, lung GH may have autocrine and/or paracrine roles in lung growth or differentiation or in pulmonary function.

Hydrodynamic Delivery

Hydrodynamic delivery has emerged as a near-perfect method for intracellular DNA delivery in vivo. For gene delivery to parenchymal cells, only essential DNA sequences need to be injected via a selected blood vessel, eliminating safety concerns associated with current viral and synthetic vectors. When injected into the bloodstream, DNA is capable of reaching cells in the different tissues accessible to the blood. Hydrodynamic delivery employs the force generated by the rapid injection of a large volume of solution into the incompressible blood in the circulation to overcome the physical barriers of endothelium and cell membranes that prevent large and membrane-impermeable compounds from entering parenchymal cells. In addition to the delivery of DNA, this method is useful for the efficient intracellular delivery of RNA, proteins, and other small compounds in vivo. This review discusses the development, current application, and clinical potential of hydrodynamic delivery.