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Xu K, Zhang Q, Zhu D, Jiang Z. Hydrogels in Gene Delivery Techniques for Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300577. [PMID: 38265144 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300577] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels are 3D networks swollen with water. They are biocompatible, strong, and moldable and are emerging as a promising biomedical material for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to deliver therapeutic genes. The excellent natural extracellular matrix simulation properties of hydrogels enable them to be co-cultured with cells or enhance the expression of viral or non-viral vectors. Its biocompatibility, high strength, and degradation performance also make the action process of carriers in tissues more ideal, making it an ideal biomedical material. It has been shown that hydrogel-based gene delivery technologies have the potential to play therapy-relevant roles in organs such as bone, cartilage, nerve, skin, reproductive organs, and liver in animal experiments and preclinical trials. This paper reviews recent articles on hydrogels in gene delivery and explains the manufacture, applications, developmental timeline, limitations, and future directions of hydrogel-based gene delivery techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexing Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinmeng Zhang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Danji Zhu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Zhiwei Jiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310000, China
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Wang R, Xue W, Kan F, Zhang H, Wang D, Wang L, Wang J. NSUN2 affects diabetic retinopathy progression by regulating MUC1 expression through RNA m 5C methylation. J Transl Med 2024; 22:476. [PMID: 38764010 PMCID: PMC11103891 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blinding eye disease among working adults and is primarily attributed to the excessive proliferation of microvessels, which leads to vitreous hemorrhage and retinal traction, thereby significantly impairing patient vision. NSUN2-mediated RNA m5C methylation is implicated in various diseases, and in this investigation, we focused on elucidating the impact of NSUN2 on the regulation of the expression of the downstream gene MUC1, specifically through RNA m5C methylation, on the progression of DR. METHOD Utilizing Microarray analysis, we examined patient vitreous fluid to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets for DR. Differential expression of NSUN2 was validated through qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence in human tissue, animal tissue, and cell model of DR. The relationship between NSUN2 and DR was explored in vitro and in vivo through gene knockdown and overexpression. Various techniques, such as MeRIP-qPCR and dot blot, were applied to reveal the downstream targets and mechanism of action of NSUN2. RESULTS The levels of both NSUN2 and RNA m5C methylation were significantly elevated in the DR model. Knockdown of NSUN2 mitigated DR lesion formation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NSUN2 promoted MUC1 expression by binding to the RNA m5C reader ALYREF. Knockdown of ALYREF resulted in DR lesion alterations similar to those observed with NSUN2 knockdown. Moreover, MUC1 overexpression successfully reversed a series of DR alterations induced by NSUN2 silencing. CONCLUSIONS NSUN2 regulates the expression of MUC1 through ALYREF-mediated RNA m5C methylation, thereby regulating the progression of DR and providing a new option for the treatment of DR in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Feifei Kan
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Di Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
| | - Jianwen Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
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Guarnacci M, Preiss T. The je ne sais quoi of 5-methylcytosine in messenger RNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:560-569. [PMID: 38531644 PMCID: PMC11019750 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079982.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The potential presence of 5-methylcytosine as a sparse internal modification of mRNA was first raised in 1975, and a first map of the modification was also part of the epitranscriptomics "big bang" in 2012. Since then, the evidence for its presence in mRNA has firmed up, and initial insights have been gained into the molecular function and broader biological relevance of 5-methylcytosine when present in mRNA. Here, we summarize the status quo of the field, outline some of its current challenges, and suggest how to address them in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Guarnacci
- Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, Division of Genome Science and Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Thomas Preiss
- Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, Division of Genome Science and Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
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Xia Y, Chen K, Yang Q, Chen Z, Jin L, Zhang L, Yu X, Wang L, Xie C, Zhao Y, Shen Y, Tong J. Methylation in cornea and corneal diseases: a systematic review. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:169. [PMID: 38589350 PMCID: PMC11002037 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01935-2] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Corneal diseases are among the primary causes of blindness and vision loss worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of corneal diseases remains elusive, and diagnostic and therapeutic tools are limited. Thus, identifying new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases has gained great interest. Methylation, a type of epigenetic modification, modulates various cellular processes at both nucleic acid and protein levels. Growing evidence shows that methylation is a key regulator in the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, including inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization, making it an attractive potential therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the major alterations of methylation and demethylation at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels in corneal diseases and how these dynamics contribute to the pathogenesis of corneal diseases. Also, we provide insights into identifying potential biomarkers of methylation that may improve the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Kuangqi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qianjie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhitong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Le Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Jianping Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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Levra Levron C, Elettrico L, Duval C, Piacenti G, Proserpio V, Donati G. Bridging tissue repair and epithelial carcinogenesis: epigenetic memory and field cancerization. Cell Death Differ 2024:10.1038/s41418-023-01254-6. [PMID: 38228801 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01254-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The epigenome coordinates spatial-temporal specific gene expression during development and in adulthood, for the maintenance of homeostasis and upon tissue repair. The upheaval of the epigenetic landscape is a key event in the onset of many pathologies including tumours, where epigenetic changes cooperate with genetic aberrations to establish the neoplastic phenotype and to drive cell plasticity during its evolution. DNA methylation, histone modifiers and readers or other chromatin components are indeed often altered in cancers, such as carcinomas that develop in epithelia. Lining the surfaces and the cavities of our body and acting as a barrier from the environment, epithelia are frequently subjected to acute or chronic tissue damages, such as mechanical injuries or inflammatory episodes. These events can activate plasticity mechanisms, with a deep impact on cells' epigenome. Despite being very effective, tissue repair mechanisms are closely associated with tumour onset. Here we review the similarities between tissue repair and carcinogenesis, with a special focus on the epigenetic mechanisms activated by cells during repair and opted by carcinoma cells in multiple epithelia. Moreover, we discuss the recent findings on inflammatory and wound memory in epithelia and describe the epigenetic modifications that characterise them. Finally, as wound memory in epithelial cells promotes carcinogenesis, we highlight how it represents an early step for the establishment of field cancerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Levra Levron
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Elettrico
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlotta Duval
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Gabriele Piacenti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Proserpio
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Giacomo Donati
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
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