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Ausserhofer P, Kiss I, Witte A, Klein R. Anti-Adenoviral Effect of Human Argonaute 2 Alone and in Combination with Artificial microRNAs. Cells 2024; 13:1117. [PMID: 38994969 PMCID: PMC11240694 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131117] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
During infection, adenoviruses inhibit the cellular RNA interference (RNAi) machinery by saturating the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) of the host cells with large amounts of virus-derived microRNAs (mivaRNAs) that bind to the key component of the complex, Argonaute 2 (AGO2). In the present study, we investigated AGO2 as a prominent player at the intersection between human adenovirus 5 (HAdV-5) and host cells because of its ability to interfere with the HAdV-5 life cycle. First, the ectopic expression of AGO2 had a detrimental effect on the ability of the virus to replicate. In addition, in silico and in vitro analyses suggested that endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs), particularly hsa-miR-7-5p, have similar effects. This miRNA was found to be able to target the HAdV-5 DNA polymerase mRNA. The inhibitory effect became more pronounced upon overexpression of AGO2, likely due to elevated AGO2 levels, which abolished the competition between cellular miRNAs and mivaRNAs for RISC incorporation. Collectively, our data suggest that endogenous miRNAs would be capable of significantly inhibiting viral replication if adenoviruses had not developed a mechanism to counteract this function. Eventually, AGO2 overexpression-mediated relief of the RISC-saturating action of mivaRNAs strongly enhanced the effectiveness of artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) directed against the HAdV-5 preterminal protein (pTP) mRNA, suggesting a substantial benefit of co-expressing amiRNAs and AGO2 in RNAi-based strategies for the therapeutic inhibition of adenoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Ausserhofer
- Institute of Biotechnology, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria; (P.A.)
| | - Izabella Kiss
- Institute of Biotechnology, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria; (P.A.)
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela Witte
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Klein
- Institute of Biotechnology, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Piaristengasse 1, 3500 Krems, Austria; (P.A.)
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Kotowska-Zimmer A, Pewinska M, Olejniczak M. Artificial miRNAs as therapeutic tools: Challenges and opportunities. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2021; 12:e1640. [PMID: 33386705 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been used for almost two decades to study gene functions and in therapeutic approaches. It uses cellular machinery and small, designed RNAs in the form of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or vector-based short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), and artificial miRNAs (amiRNAs) to inhibit a gene of interest. Artificial miRNAs, known also as miRNA mimics, shRNA-miRs, or pri-miRNA-like shRNAs have the most complex structures and undergo two-step processing in cells to form mature siRNAs, which are RNAi effectors. AmiRNAs are composed of a target-specific siRNA insert and scaffold based on a natural primary miRNA (pri-miRNA). siRNAs serve as a guide to search for complementary sequences in transcripts, whereas pri-miRNA scaffolds ensure proper processing and transport. The dynamics of siRNA maturation and siRNA levels in the cell resemble those of endogenous miRNAs; therefore amiRNAs are safer than other RNAi triggers. Delivered as viral vectors and expressed under tissue-specific polymerase II (Pol II) promoters, amiRNAs provide long-lasting silencing and expression in selected tissues. Therefore, amiRNAs are useful therapeutic tools for a broad spectrum of human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and viral infections. Recent reports on the role of sequence and structure in pri-miRNA processing may contribute to the improvement of the amiRNA tools. In addition, the success of a recently initiated clinical trial for Huntington's disease could pave the way for other amiRNA-based therapies, if proven effective and safe. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kotowska-Zimmer
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marianna Pewinska
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Olejniczak
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAS, Poznan, Poland
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Lion T. Adenovirus persistence, reactivation, and clinical management. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:3571-3582. [PMID: 31411731 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviral infections continue posing a major threat in severely immunocompromised patients including particularly allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. Although exogenous infections occur in some instances, the majority of invasive events appear to arise from viral reactivation. In the pediatric setting, adenoviruses were demonstrated to persist in the gastrointestinal tract, and the intestinal epithelium serves as the main site of viral replication preceding invasive infection. Regular monitoring of serial stool samples for the presence and load of adenoviruses has therefore become a routine diagnostic tool for post-transplant patient surveillance, and can serve as a trigger for early initiation of treatment. In the adult setting, the source of infection or reactivation is less clear, and monitoring of peripheral blood specimens is the predominant approach for patient surveillance. Timely initiation of antiviral treatment is reportedly required for prevention or successful control of disseminated disease mediated by adenoviruses, and appropriate diagnostic monitoring is therefore of paramount importance. Currently available antiviral agents and immune therapeutic approaches have not been able to entirely overcome the life-threatening courses of invasive adenoviral infections in the immunocompromised clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lion
- St.Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Wold WSM, Tollefson AE, Ying B, Spencer JF, Toth K. Drug development against human adenoviruses and its advancement by Syrian hamster models. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2019; 43:380-388. [PMID: 30916746 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The symptoms of human adenovirus infections are generally mild and self-limiting. However, these infections have been gaining importance in recent years because of a growing number of immunocompromised patients. Solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients are subjected to severe immunosuppressive regimes and cannot efficaciously eliminate virus infections. In these patients, adenovirus infections can develop into deadly multi-organ disseminated disease. Presently, in the absence of approved therapies, physicians rely on drugs developed for other purposes to treat adenovirus infections. As there is a need for anti-adenoviral therapies, researchers have been developing new agents and repurposing existing ones to treat adenovirus infections. There are several small molecule drugs that are being tested for their efficacy against human adenoviruses; some of these have reached clinical trials, while others are still in the preclinical phase. Besides these compounds, research on immunotherapy against adenoviral infection has made significant progress, promising another modality for treatment. The availability of an animal model confirmed the activity of some drugs already in clinical use while proving that others are inactive. This led to the identification of several lead compounds that await further development. In the present article, we review the current status of anti-adenoviral therapies and their advancement by in vivo studies in the Syrian hamster model.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S M Wold
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1100 S. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ann E Tollefson
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1100 S. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Baoling Ying
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1100 S. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacqueline F Spencer
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1100 S. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Karoly Toth
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, 1100 S. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Kong H, Liu X, Yang L, Qi K, Zhang H, Zhang J, Huang Z, Wang H. All-trans retinoic acid enhances bystander effect of suicide gene therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Oncol Rep 2015; 35:1868-74. [PMID: 26717879 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to enhance the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and the bystander effect (BSE) in suicide gene therapy. These in turn improve effects of suicide gene therapies for several tumor types. However, whether ATRA can improve BSE remains unclear in suicide gene therapy for breast cancer. In the present study, MCF-7, human breast cancer cells were treated with ATRA in combination with a VEGFP-TK/CD gene suicide system developed by our group. We found that this combination enhances the efficiency of cell killing and apoptosis of breast cancer by strengthening the BSE in vitro. ATRA also promotes gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in MCF-7 cells by upregulation of the connexin 43 mRNA and protein in MCF-7 cells. These results indicate that enhancement of GJIC by ATRA in suicide gene system might serve as an attractive and cost-effective strategy of therapy for breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Kong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital (The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Human Resource, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Liucheng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Ke Qi
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital (The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Haoyun Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital (The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Zonghai Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Hongxian Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Endogenous Infection, Shenzhen Nanshan District People's Hospital (The Sixth People's Hospital of Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
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Matthes-Martin S, Boztug H, Lion T. Diagnosis and treatment of adenovirus infection in immunocompromised patients. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2013; 11:1017-28. [PMID: 24073835 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2013.836964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In immunocompromised patients, human adenovirus (HAdV) infections can cause life-threatening multiorgan disease. This review summarizes the incidence and risk factors of invasive human adenovirus infections in immunocompromised patients as well as the recently developed standards for diagnostic methods and strategies according to the predominant risk factors in adults and children. Recommendations for preemptive and therapeutic treatment strategies and the outcome in different risk groups are presented. Novel therapeutic approaches including CMX001, a new orally bioavailable lipid conjugate of cidofovir and the transfer of adenovirus-specific donor T cells in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Matthes-Martin
- St Anna Children's Hospital, Stem cell transplantation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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