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Hao L, Boehnke N, Elledge SK, Harzallah NS, Zhao RT, Cai E, Feng YX, Neaher S, Fleming HE, Gupta PB, Hammond PT, Bhatia SN. Targeting and monitoring ovarian cancer invasion with an RNAi and peptide delivery system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307802121. [PMID: 38437557 PMCID: PMC10945808 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307802121] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics are an emerging class of medicines that selectively target mRNA transcripts to silence protein production and combat disease. Despite the recent progress, a generalizable approach for monitoring the efficacy of RNAi therapeutics without invasive biopsy remains a challenge. Here, we describe the development of a self-reporting, theranostic nanoparticle that delivers siRNA to silence a protein that drives cancer progression while also monitoring the functional activity of its downstream targets. Our therapeutic target is the transcription factor SMARCE1, which was previously identified as a key driver of invasion in early-stage breast cancer. Using a doxycycline-inducible shRNA knockdown in OVCAR8 ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, we demonstrate that SMARCE1 is a master regulator of genes encoding proinvasive proteases in a model of human ovarian cancer. We additionally map the peptide cleavage profiles of SMARCE1-regulated proteases so as to design a readout for downstream enzymatic activity. To demonstrate the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of our approach, we engineered self-assembled layer-by-layer nanoparticles that can encapsulate nucleic acid cargo and be decorated with peptide substrates that release a urinary reporter upon exposure to SMARCE1-related proteases. In an orthotopic ovarian cancer xenograft model, theranostic nanoparticles were able to knockdown SMARCE1 which was in turn reported through a reduction in protease-activated urinary reporters. These LBL nanoparticles both silence gene products by delivering siRNA and noninvasively report on downstream target activity by delivering synthetic biomarkers to sites of disease, enabling dose-finding studies as well as longitudinal assessments of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Hao
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Natalie Boehnke
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN55455
| | - Susanna K. Elledge
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Nour-Saïda Harzallah
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Renee T. Zhao
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Eva Cai
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Harvard University–Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Yu-Xiong Feng
- Department of Biology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Sofia Neaher
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Heather E. Fleming
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Harvard University–Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | | | - Paula T. Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Sangeeta N. Bhatia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Harvard University–Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA02115
- HHMI, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
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Abstract
Introduction: Blood coagulation factor XII (FXII) is an emerging and potentially safe drug target, which dysregulation is associated with thrombosis, hereditary angioedema, and (neuro)inflammation. At the same time, FXII-deficiency is practically asymptomatic. Industrial and academic institutions have developed a number of potential therapeutic agents targeting either FXII zymogen or its active form FXIIa for the treatment of thrombotic and inflammatory conditions associated with the activity of this enzyme.Areas covered: A short overview of the FXII(a) structure and function, underlining its suitability as a drug target, is given. The article reviews patents reported over the last three decades on FXII(a)-targeting therapeutic agents. These agents include small molecules, proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, siRNAs, and monoclonal antibodies.Expert opinion: The performed analysis of patents revealed that many FXII(a) inhibitors are in the early preclinical stage, while several already showed efficacy in vivo animal models of thrombosis, sepsis, hereditary angioedema, and multiple sclerosis. Two anti-FXIIa agents namely tick protein Ir-CPI and monoclonal antibody CSL312 are currently in human clinical trials. The results of these trials and further studies of FXII(a) pathophysiological functions will encourage the development of new FXII(a) inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii V Kalinin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Al-Horani RA, Afosah DK. Recent advances in the discovery and development of factor XI/XIa inhibitors. Med Res Rev 2018; 38:1974-2023. [PMID: 29727017 PMCID: PMC6173998 DOI: 10.1002/med.21503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Factor XIa (FXIa) is a serine protease homodimer that belongs to the intrinsic coagulation pathway. FXIa primarily catalyzes factor IX activation to factor IXa, which subsequently activates factor X to factor Xa in the common coagulation pathway. Growing evidence suggests that FXIa plays an important role in thrombosis with a relatively limited contribution to hemostasis. Therefore, inhibitors targeting factor XI (FXI)/FXIa system have emerged as a paradigm-shifting strategy so as to develop a new generation of anticoagulants to effectively prevent and/or treat thromboembolic diseases without the life-threatening risk of internal bleeding. Several inhibitors of FXI/FXIa proteins have been discovered or designed over the last decade including polypeptides, active site peptidomimetic inhibitors, allosteric inhibitors, antibodies, and aptamers. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which ultimately reduce the hepatic biosynthesis of FXI, have also been introduced. A phase II study, which included patients undergoing elective primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty, revealed that a specific FXI ASO effectively protects patients against venous thrombosis with a relatively limited risk of bleeding. Initial findings have also demonstrated the potential of FXI/FXIa inhibitors in sepsis, listeriosis, and arterial hypertension. This review highlights various chemical, biochemical, and pharmacological aspects of FXI/FXIa inhibitors with the goal of advancing their development toward clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami A. Al-Horani
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125
| | - Daniel K. Afosah
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219
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de Jong A, Dirven RJ, Oud JA, Tio D, van Vlijmen BJM, Eikenboom J. Correction of a dominant-negative von Willebrand factor multimerization defect by small interfering RNA-mediated allele-specific inhibition of mutant von Willebrand factor. J Thromb Haemost 2018; 16:1357-1368. [PMID: 29734512 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Essentials Substitution therapy for von Willebrand (VW) disease leaves mutant VW factor (VWF) unhindered. Presence of mutant VWF may negatively affect phenotypes despite treatment. Inhibition of VWF by allele-specific siRNAs targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms is effective. Allele-specific inhibition of VWF p.Cys2773Ser improves multimerization. SUMMARY Background Treatment of the bleeding disorder von Willebrand disease (VWD) focuses on increasing von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels by administration of desmopressin or VWF-containing concentrates. Both therapies leave the production of mutant VWF unhindered, which may have additional consequences, such as thrombocytopenia in patients with VWD type 2B, competition between mutant and normal VWF for platelet receptors, and the potential development of intestinal angiodysplasia. Most cases of VWD are caused by dominant-negative mutations in VWF, and we hypothesize that diminishing expression of mutant VWF positively affects VWD phenotypes. Objectives To investigate allele-specific inhibition of VWF by applying small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VWF. This approach allows allele-specific knockdown irrespective of the mutations causing VWD. Methods Four SNPs with a high predicted heterozygosity within VWF were selected, and siRNAs were designed against both alleles of the four SNPs. siRNA efficiency, allele specificity and siRNA-mediated phenotypic improvements were determined in VWF-expressing HEK293 cells. Results Twelve siRNAs were able to efficiently inhibit single VWF alleles in HEK293 cells that stably produce VWF. Transient cotransfections of these siRNAs with two VWF alleles resulted in a clear preference for the targeted allele over the untargeted allele for 11 siRNAs. We also demonstrated siRNA-mediated phenotypic improvement of the VWF multimerization pattern of the VWD type 2A mutation VWF p.Cys2773Ser. Conclusions Allele-specific siRNAs are able to distinguish VWF alleles on the basis of one nucleotide variation, and are able to improve a severe multimerization defect caused by VWF p.Cys2773Ser. This holds promise for the therapeutic application of allele-specific siRNAs in dominant-negative VWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A de Jong
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - R J Dirven
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J A Oud
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - D Tio
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - B J M van Vlijmen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J Eikenboom
- Department of Internal Medicine (Thrombosis and Hemostasis), Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Challenges and opportunities in bioanalytical support for gene therapy medicinal product development. Bioanalysis 2017; 9:1423-1430. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2017-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene and nucleic acid therapies have demonstrated patient benefits to address unmet medical needs. Beside considerations regarding the biological nature of the gene therapy, the quality of bioanalytical methods plays an important role in ensuring the success of these novel therapies. Inconsistent approaches among bioanalytical labs during preclinical and clinical phases have been observed. There are many underlying reasons for this inconsistency. Various platforms and reagents used in quantitative methods, lacking of detailed regulatory guidance on method validation and uncertainty of immunogenicity strategy in supporting gene therapy may all be influential. This review summarizes recent practices and considerations in bioanalytical support of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity evaluations in gene therapy development with insight into method design, development and validations.
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