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Khawajakhail R, Khan RU, Gondal MUR, Toru HK, Malik M, Iqbal A, Malik J, Faraz M, Awais M. Advancements in gene therapy approaches for atrial fibrillation: Targeted delivery, mechanistic insights and future prospects. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102431. [PMID: 38309546 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a complex and challenging arrhythmia to treat, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This review explores the evolving landscape of gene therapy for AF, focusing on targeted delivery methods, mechanistic insights, and future prospects. Direct myocardial injection, reversible electroporation, and gene painting techniques are discussed as effective means of delivering therapeutic genes, emphasizing their potential to modulate both structural and electrical aspects of the AF substrate. The importance of identifying precise targets for gene therapy, particularly in the context of AF-associated genetic, structural, and electrical abnormalities, is highlighted. Current studies employing animal models, such as mice and large animals, provide valuable insights into the efficacy and limitations of gene therapy approaches. The significance of imaging methods for detecting atrial fibrosis and guiding targeted gene delivery is underscored. Activation mapping techniques offer a nuanced understanding of AF-specific mechanisms, enabling tailored gene therapy interventions. Future prospects include the integration of advanced imaging, activation mapping, and percutaneous catheter-based techniques to refine transendocardial gene delivery, with potential applications in both ventricular and atrial contexts. As gene therapy for AF progresses, bridging the translational gap between preclinical models and clinical applications is imperative for the successful implementation of these promising approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hamza Khan Toru
- Department of Medicine, King's Mill Hospital, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Malik
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arham Iqbal
- Department of Medicine, Dow International Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jahanzeb Malik
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Maria Faraz
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Awais
- Department of Cardiology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Yoo S, Geist GE, Pfenniger A, Rottmann M, Arora R. Recent advances in gene therapy for atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2021; 32:2854-2864. [PMID: 34053133 PMCID: PMC9281901 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in adults and a major cause of stroke. Unfortunately, current treatments for AF are suboptimal as they are not targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying AF. In this regard, gene therapy is emerging as a promising approach for mechanism-based treatment of AF. In this review, we summarize recent advances and challenges in gene therapy for this important cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Yoo
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gail Elizabeth Geist
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anna Pfenniger
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Markus Rottmann
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rishi Arora
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Yoo S, Pfenniger A, Hoffman J, Zhang W, Ng J, Burrell A, Johnson DA, Gussak G, Waugh T, Bull S, Benefield B, Knight BP, Passman R, Wasserstrom JA, Aistrup GL, Arora R. Attenuation of Oxidative Injury With Targeted Expression of NADPH Oxidase 2 Short Hairpin RNA Prevents Onset and Maintenance of Electrical Remodeling in the Canine Atrium: A Novel Gene Therapy Approach to Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation 2020; 142:1261-1278. [PMID: 32686471 PMCID: PMC9277750 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.044127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in adults and a major cause of stroke. Unfortunately, current treatments of AF are suboptimal because they are not targeted to the molecular mechanisms underlying AF. Using a highly novel gene therapy approach in a canine, rapid atrial pacing model of AF, we demonstrate that NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) generated oxidative injury causes upregulation of a constitutively active form of acetylcholine-dependent K+ current (IKACh), called IKH; this is an important mechanism underlying not only the genesis, but also the perpetuation of electric remodeling in the intact, fibrillating atrium. METHODS To understand the mechanism by which oxidative injury promotes the genesis and maintenance of AF, we performed targeted injection of NOX2 short hairpin RNA (followed by electroporation to facilitate gene delivery) in atria of healthy dogs followed by rapid atrial pacing. We used in vivo high-density electric mapping, isolation of atrial myocytes, whole-cell patch clamping, in vitro tachypacing of atrial myocytes, lucigenin chemiluminescence assay, immunoblotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Masson trichrome staining. RESULTS First, we demonstrate that generation of oxidative injury in atrial myocytes is a frequency-dependent process, with rapid pacing in canine atrial myocytes inducing oxidative injury through the induction of NOX2 and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. We show that oxidative injury likely contributes to electric remodeling in AF by upregulating IKACh by a mechanism involving frequency-dependent activation of PKCε (protein kinase C epsilon). The time to onset of nonsustained AF increased by >5-fold in NOX2 short hairpin RNA-treated dogs. Furthermore, animals treated with NOX2 short hairpin RNA did not develop sustained AF for up to 12 weeks. The electrophysiological mechanism underlying AF prevention was prolongation of atrial effective refractory periods, at least in part attributable to the attenuation of IKACh. Attenuated membrane translocation of PKCε appeared to be a likely molecular mechanism underlying this beneficial electrophysiological remodeling. CONCLUSIONS NOX2 oxidative injury (1) underlies the onset, and the maintenance of electric remodeling in AF, as well, and (2) can be successfully prevented with a novel, gene-based approach. Future optimization of this approach may lead to a novel, mechanism-guided therapy for AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Yoo
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Anna Pfenniger
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Jacob Hoffman
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Wenwei Zhang
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Jason Ng
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Amy Burrell
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - David A. Johnson
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Georg Gussak
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Trent Waugh
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Suzanne Bull
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Brandon Benefield
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Bradley P. Knight
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Rod Passman
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - J. Andrew Wasserstrom
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Rishi Arora
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Liu J, Wang R, Ma D, Li Y, Wei C, Xi Z. Branch-PCR Constructed Stable shRNA Transcription Nanoparticles Have Long-Lasting RNAi Effect. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1038-42. [PMID: 26972444 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular process for gene silencing. Because of poor serum stability, transferring dsRNA directly into the target cells is a challenge. We report a facile and universal strategy to construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transcription nanoparticles with multiple shRNA transcription templates by PCR with flexible branched primers (branch-PCR). Compared with conventional linear shRNA transcription templates, these shRNA transcription nanoparticles show excellent stability against digestion by exonuclease III. Importantly, we found that our highly stable shRNA transcription nanoparticles can also be transcribed and thus induce efficient and long-lasting RNAi with picomolar activity in living mammalian cells. These chemically well-defined branch-PCR-generated stable shRNA transcription nanoparticles might facilitate RNAi delivery with a long-lasting RNAi effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbing Liu
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Runyu Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dejun Ma
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chao Wei
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Zhen Xi
- Department of Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, National Engineering Research Center of Pesticide (Tianjin), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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siRNA delivery via electropulsation: a review of the basic processes. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1121:81-98. [PMID: 24510814 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9632-8_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Due to their capacity for inducing strong and sequence specific gene silencing in cells, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are now recognized not only as powerful experimental tools for basic research in Molecular biology but with promising potentials in therapeutic development. Delivery is a bottleneck in many studies. There is a common opinion that full potential of siRNA as therapeutic agent will not be attained until better methodologies for its targeted intracellular delivery to cells and tissues are developed. Electropulsation (EP) is one of the physical methods successfully used to transfer siRNA into living cells in vitro and in vivo. This review will describe how siRNA electrotransfer obeys characterized biophysical processes (cell-size-dependent electropermeabilization, electrophoretic drag) with a strong control of a low loss of viability. Protocols can be easily adjusted by a proper setting of the electrical parameters and pulsing buffers. EP can be easily directly applied on animals. Preclinical studies showed that electropermeabilization brings a direct cytoplasmic distribution of siRNA and an efficient silencing of the targeted protein expression. EP appears as a promising tool for clinical applications of gene silencing. A panel of successful trials will be given.
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Charerntantanakul W, Kasinrerk W. Plasmids expressing interleukin-10 short hairpin RNA mediate IL-10 knockdown and enhance tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma expressions in response to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2012; 146:159-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
RNA interference appears as a promising tool for therapeutic gene silencing to block protein expression. A long-lived silencing is obtained through the in situ expression of shRNA. A safe approach is to use a physical method such as in vivo electropulsation with plate electrodes. This is presently validated in muscles by the in vivo coelectrotransfer of plasmids specifically coding for expression and silencing of a fluorescent protein. No long-lived tissue damage is observed by the proper choice of the electric pulsing parameters and the amount of injected plasmids. Using a noninvasive fluorescence imaging assay, electrodelivery in mouse muscles is observed to induce complete silencing over more than 2 months in a specific way. The proper choices of the plasmids (sequence, promoter, and relative amounts) appear as key parameters in the successful long-term silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Golzio
- CNRS, IPBS (Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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Gene Transfer: How Can the Biological Barriers Be Overcome? J Membr Biol 2010; 236:61-74. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-010-9275-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Gene electrotransfer: from biophysical mechanisms to in vivo applications : Part 2 - In vivo developments and present clinical applications. Biophys Rev 2009; 1:185. [PMID: 28510026 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-009-0019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene electrotransfer can be obtained not just on single cells in diluted suspension. For more than 10 years, this is a quasi routine strategy in tissue on the living animal and a few clinical trials have now been approved. New problems have been brought by the close contacts of cells in tissue both on the local field distribution and on the access of DNA to target cells. They need to be solved to provide a further improvement in the efficacy and safety of protein expression. There is a competition between gene transfer and cell destruction. Nevertheless, present results are indicative that electrotransfer is a promising approach for gene therapy. High level and long-lived expression of proteins can be obtained in muscles. This is used for a successful method of electrovaccination.
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Nonviral vector-mediated RNA interference: its gene silencing characteristics and important factors to achieve RNAi-based gene therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2009; 61:760-6. [PMID: 19386274 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2009.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 04/05/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent and specific gene silencing event in which small interfering RNA (siRNA) degrades target mRNA. Therefore, RNAi is of potential use as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of a variety of diseases in which aberrant expression of mRNA causes a problem. RNAi can be achieved by delivering siRNA or vectors that transcribe siRNA or short-hairpin RNA (shRNA). The aim of this review is to examine the potential of nonviral vector-mediated RNAi technology in treating diseases. The characteristics of plasmid DNA expressing shRNA were compared with those of siRNA, focusing on the duration of gene silencing, delivery to target cells and target specificity. Recent progresses in prolonging the RNAi effect, improving the delivery to target cells and increasing the specificity of RNAi in vivo are also reviewed.
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Pushparaj P, Aarthi J, Manikandan J, Kumar S. siRNA, miRNA, and shRNA: in vivo Applications. J Dent Res 2008; 87:992-1003. [DOI: 10.1177/154405910808701109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), an accurate and potent gene-silencing method, was first experimentally documented in 1998 in Caenorhabditis elegans by Fire et al., who subsequently were awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine. Subsequent RNAi studies have demonstrated the clinical potential of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) in dental diseases, eye diseases, cancer, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and other illnesses. siRNAs are generally from 21 to 25 base-pairs (bp) in length and have sequence-homology-driven gene-knockdown capability. RNAi offers researchers an effortless tool for investigating biological systems by selectively silencing genes. Key technical aspects—such as optimization of selectivity, stability, in vivo delivery, efficacy, and safety—need to be investigated before RNAi can become a successful therapeutic strategy. Nevertheless, this area shows a huge potential for the pharmaceutical industry around the globe. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that the small RNA molecules, either indigenously produced as microRNAs (miRNAs) or exogenously administered synthetic dsRNAs, could effectively activate a particular gene in a sequence-specific manner instead of silencing it. This novel, but still uncharacterized, phenomenon has been termed ‘RNA activation’ (RNAa). In this review, we analyze these research findings and discussed the in vivo applications of siRNAs, miRNAs, and shRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- P.N. Pushparaj
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; and
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9 #01-05, Singapore 117597
| | - J.J. Aarthi
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; and
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9 #01-05, Singapore 117597
| | - J. Manikandan
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; and
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9 #01-05, Singapore 117597
| | - S.D. Kumar
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; and
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, MD9 #01-05, Singapore 117597
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