1
|
Grant M, Ni Lee L, Chinnakannan S, Tong O, Kwok J, Cianci N, Tillman L, Saha A, Pereira Almeida V, Leung C. Unlocking cancer vaccine potential: What are the key factors? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2331486. [PMID: 38564321 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2331486] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a global health challenge, with changing demographics and lifestyle factors producing an increasing burden worldwide. Screening advancements are enabling earlier diagnoses, but current cancer immunotherapies only induce remission in a small proportion of patients and come at a high cost. Cancer vaccines may offer a solution to these challenges, but they have been mired by poor results in past decades. Greater understanding of tumor biology, coupled with the success of vaccine technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, has reinvigorated cancer vaccine development. With the first signs of efficacy being reported, cancer vaccines may be beginning to fulfill their potential. Solid tumors, however, present different hurdles than infectious diseases. Combining insights from previous cancer vaccine clinical development and contemporary knowledge of tumor immunology, we ask: who are the 'right' patients, what are the 'right' targets, and which are the 'right' modalities to maximize the chances of cancer vaccine success?
Collapse
|
2
|
Nelson AL, Mancino C, Gao X, Choe JA, Chubb L, Williams K, Czachor M, Marcucio R, Taraballi F, Cooke JP, Huard J, Bahney C, Ehrhart N. β-catenin mRNA encapsulated in SM-102 lipid nanoparticles enhances bone formation in a murine tibia fracture repair model. Bioact Mater 2024; 39:273-286. [PMID: 38832305 PMCID: PMC11145078 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fractures continue to be a global economic burden as there are currently no osteoanabolic drugs approved to accelerate fracture healing. In this study, we aimed to develop an osteoanabolic therapy which activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a molecular driver of endochondral ossification. We hypothesize that using an mRNA-based therapeutic encoding β-catenin could promote cartilage to bone transformation formation by activating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in chondrocytes. To optimize a delivery platform built on recent advancements in liposomal technologies, two FDA-approved ionizable phospholipids, DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3) and SM-102, were used to fabricate unique ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations and then tested for transfection efficacy both in vitro and in a murine tibia fracture model. Using firefly luciferase mRNA as a reporter gene to track and quantify transfection, SM-102 LNPs showed enhanced transfection efficacy in vitro and prolonged transfection, minimal fracture interference and no localized inflammatory response in vivo over MC3 LNPs. The generated β-cateninGOF mRNA encapsulated in SM-102 LNPs (SM-102-β-cateninGOF mRNA) showed bioactivity in vitro through upregulation of downstream canonical Wnt genes, axin2 and runx2. When testing SM-102-β-cateninGOF mRNA therapeutic in a murine tibia fracture model, histomorphometric analysis showed increased bone and decreased cartilage composition with the 45 μg concentration at 2 weeks post-fracture. μCT testing confirmed that SM-102-β-cateninGOF mRNA promoted bone formation in vivo, revealing significantly more bone volume over total volume in the 45 μg group. Thus, we generated a novel mRNA-based therapeutic encoding a β-catenin mRNA and optimized an SM-102-based LNP to maximize transfection efficacy with a localized delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Laura Nelson
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Vail, CO, USA
- Colorado State University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Fort Collins CO, USA
| | - Chiara Mancino
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston TX, USA
| | - Xueqin Gao
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Vail, CO, USA
| | - Joshua A. Choe
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Scientist Training Program, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Laura Chubb
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, Fort Collins CO, USA
| | - Katherine Williams
- Colorado State University, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Molly Czachor
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Vail, CO, USA
| | - Ralph Marcucio
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston TX, USA
| | - John P. Cooke
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Center for RNA Therapeutics, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Johnny Huard
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Vail, CO, USA
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, Fort Collins CO, USA
| | - Chelsea Bahney
- Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Vail, CO, USA
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, Fort Collins CO, USA
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Ehrhart
- Colorado State University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Fort Collins CO, USA
- Colorado State University, Department of Clinical Sciences, Fort Collins CO, USA
- Colorado State University, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen Y, Petkov JT, Ma K, Li P, R P Webster J, Penfold J, Thomas RK, Allgaier J, Dalgliesh R, Smith G. Manipulating the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance in novel cationic surfactants by ethoxylation: The impact on adsorption and self-assembly. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 674:405-415. [PMID: 38941934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.174] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Cationic surfactants have a wide range of applications, often associated with their affinity for a range of solid surfaces and their anti-microbial properties. Manipulating their adsorption and self-assembly properties is key to most applications, and this is commonly achieved through surfactant mixtures or manipulating their headgroup or alkyl chain structure. Achieving this through adjustments to their headgroup structure is less common in cationic surfactants than in anionic surfactants. Ethoxylation provides the ability to adjust the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance, as extensively demonstrated in a range of anionic surfactants. EXPERIMENTS This same approach has been applied here to a range of ethoxylated cationic surfactants in the form of the quaternary ammonium salts, and their tertiary nonionic equivalents before quaternisation. Their adsorption and self-assembly properties are investigated using predominantly the neutron scattering techniques of neutron reflectivity, NR, and small angle neutron scattering, SANS. FINDINGS The trends in the adsorption at the air-water interface and the self-assembly in aqueous solution demonstrate how the hydrophilic / hydrophobic balance can be adjusted by varying the degree of ethoxylation and the alkyl chain length, and illustrate the degree of interdependence of the different structural changes. The variation in the adsorption and the micelle structure shows how the surfactant conformation / packing changes as the degree of ethoxylation and alkyl chain length increases and how the introduction of charge induces further changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Chen
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK
| | - J T Petkov
- Arxada, Muenchensteinerstrasse 38, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - K Ma
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK
| | - P Li
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK.
| | - J R P Webster
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK
| | - J Penfold
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK; Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OXON, UK.
| | - R K Thomas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OXON, UK
| | - J Allgaier
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-1) and Institute for Biological Information Processing (IBI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - R Dalgliesh
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK
| | - G Smith
- ISIS Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, OXON, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kutikuppala LVS, Kourampi I, Kanagala RSD, Bhattacharjee P, Boppana SH. Prospects and Challenges in Developing mRNA Vaccines for Infectious Diseases and Oncogenic Viruses. Med Sci (Basel) 2024; 12:28. [PMID: 38804384 PMCID: PMC11130901 DOI: 10.3390/medsci12020028] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have emerged as an optimistic technological platform for vaccine innovation in this new scientific era. mRNA vaccines have dramatically altered the domain of vaccinology by offering a versatile and rapid approach to combating infectious diseases and virus-induced cancers. Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy rates of 94-95% in preventing COVID-19, and mRNA vaccines have been increasingly recognized as a powerful vaccine platform. Although mRNA vaccines have played an essential role in the COVID-19 pandemic, they still have several limitations; their instability and degradation affect their storage, delivery, and over-all efficiency. mRNA is typically enclosed in a transport mechanism to facilitate its entry into the target cell because it is an unstable and negatively charged molecule. For instance, mRNA that is given using lipid-nanoparticle-based vaccine delivery systems (LNPs) solely enters cells through endocytosis, establishing an endosome without damaging the cell membrane. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of mRNA vaccine platforms used to treat and prevent several infectious diseases. This technology has the potential to change the future course of the disease by providing a safe and effective way to combat infectious diseases and cancer. A single-stranded genetic sequence found in mRNA vaccines instructs host cells to produce proteins inside ribosomes to elicit immunological responses and prepare the immune system to fight infections or cancer cells. The potential applications of mRNA vaccine technology are vast and can lead to the development of a preferred vaccine pattern. As a result, a new generation of vaccinations has gradually gained popularity and access to the general population. To adapt the design of an antigen, and even combine sequences from different variations in response to new changes in the viral genome, mRNA vaccines may be used. Current mRNA vaccines provide adequate safety and protection, but the duration of that protection can only be determined if further clinical research is conducted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Islam Kourampi
- Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ramya S. D. Kanagala
- Department of Medicine, Dr. KNR University of Health Sciences, Warangal 506007, India;
| | | | - Sri Harsha Boppana
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Taibi T, Cheon S, Perna F, Vu LP. mRNA-based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00299-5. [PMID: 38702886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.04.035] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the rapidly evolving landscape of medical research, the emergence of RNA-based therapeutics is paradigm shifting. It is mainly driven by the molecular adaptability and capacity to provide precision in targeting. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic crisis underscored the effectiveness of the mRNA therapeutic development platform and brought it to the forefront of RNA-based interventions. These RNA-based therapeutic approaches can reshape gene expression, manipulate cellular functions, and correct the aberrant molecular processes underlying various diseases. The new technologies hold the potential to engineer and deliver tailored therapeutic agents to tackle genetic disorders, cancers, and infectious diseases in a highly personalized and precisely tuned manner. The review discusses the most recent advancements in the field of mRNA therapeutics for cancer treatment, with a focus on the features of the most utilized RNA-based therapeutic interventions, current pre-clinical and clinical developments, and the remaining challenges in delivery strategies, effectiveness, and safety considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thilelli Taibi
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sehyun Cheon
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fabiana Perna
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ly P Vu
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Teng M, Xia ZJ, Lo N, Daud K, He HH. Assembling the RNA therapeutics toolbox. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:110-128. [PMID: 38680684 PMCID: PMC11046573 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
From the approval of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to the 2023 Nobel Prize awarded for nucleoside base modifications, RNA therapeutics have entered the spotlight and are transforming drug development. While the term "RNA therapeutics" has been used in various contexts, this review focuses on treatments that utilize RNA as a component or target RNA for therapeutic effects. We summarize the latest advances in RNA-targeting tools and RNA-based technologies, including but not limited to mRNA, antisense oligos, siRNAs, small molecules and RNA editors. We focus on the mechanisms of current FDA-approved therapeutics but also provide a discussion on the upcoming workforces. The clinical utility of RNA-based therapeutics is enabled not only by the advances in RNA technologies but in conjunction with the significant improvements in chemical modifications and delivery platforms, which are also briefly discussed in the review. We summarize the latest RNA therapeutics based on their mechanisms and therapeutic effects, which include expressing proteins for vaccination and protein replacement therapies, degrading deleterious RNA, modulating transcription and translation efficiency, targeting noncoding RNAs, binding and modulating protein activity and editing RNA sequences and modifications. This review emphasizes the concept of an RNA therapeutic toolbox, pinpointing the readers to all the tools available for their desired research and clinical goals. As the field advances, the catalog of RNA therapeutic tools continues to grow, further allowing researchers to combine appropriate RNA technologies with suitable chemical modifications and delivery platforms to develop therapeutics tailored to their specific clinical challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Teng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ziting Judy Xia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas Lo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kashif Daud
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Housheng Hansen He
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tatarūnas V, Čiapienė I, Giedraitienė A. Precise Therapy Using the Selective Endogenous Encapsidation for Cellular Delivery Vector System. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:292. [PMID: 38399346 PMCID: PMC10893373 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020292] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Interindividual variability in drug response is a major problem in the prescription of pharmacological treatments. The therapeutic effect of drugs can be influenced by human genes. Pharmacogenomic guidelines for individualization of treatment have been validated and used for conventional dosage forms. However, drugs can often target non-specific areas and produce both desired and undesired pharmacological effects. The use of nanoparticles, liposomes, or other available forms for drug formulation could help to overcome the latter problem. Virus-like particles based on retroviruses could be a potential envelope for safe and efficient drug formulations. Human endogenous retroviruses would make it possible to overcome the host immune response and deliver drugs to the desired target. PEG10 is a promising candidate that can bind to mRNA because it is secreted like an enveloped virus-like extracellular vesicle. PEG10 is a retrotransposon-derived gene that has been domesticated. Therefore, formulations with PEG10 may have a lower immunogenicity. The use of existing knowledge can lead to the development of suitable drug formulations for the precise treatment of individual diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vacis Tatarūnas
- Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu 15, LT 50103 Kaunas, Lithuania; (V.T.); (I.Č.)
| | - Ieva Čiapienė
- Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu 15, LT 50103 Kaunas, Lithuania; (V.T.); (I.Č.)
| | - Agnė Giedraitienė
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu 4, LT 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yousefi Adlsadabad S, Hanrahan JW, Kakkar A. mRNA Delivery: Challenges and Advances through Polymeric Soft Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1739. [PMID: 38339015 PMCID: PMC10855060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031739] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) plays a pivotal role in transferring genetic information, and tremendous effort has been devoted over the years to utilize its transcription efficacy in therapeutic interventions for a variety of diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Lipid nanocarriers have been extensively investigated for mRNA delivery and enabled the rapid and successful development of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Some constraints of lipid nanocarriers have encouraged the development of alternative delivery systems, such as polymer-based soft nanoparticles, which offer a modular gene delivery platform. Such macromolecule-based nanocarriers can be synthetically articulated for tailored parameters including mRNA protection, loading efficacy, and targeted release. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the development of polymeric architectures for mRNA delivery, their limitations, and the challenges that still exist, with the aim of expediting further research and the clinical translation of such formulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John W. Hanrahan
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada;
| | - Ashok Kakkar
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mahony TJ, Briody TE, Ommeh SC. Can the Revolution in mRNA-Based Vaccine Technologies Solve the Intractable Health Issues of Current Ruminant Production Systems? Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:152. [PMID: 38400135 PMCID: PMC10893269 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020152] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
To achieve the World Health Organization's global Sustainable Development Goals, increased production of high-quality protein for human consumption is required while minimizing, ideally reducing, environmental impacts. One way to achieve these goals is to address losses within current livestock production systems. Infectious diseases are key limiters of edible protein production, affecting both quantity and quality. In addition, some of these diseases are zoonotic threats and potential contributors to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Vaccination has proven to be highly successful in controlling and even eliminating several livestock diseases of economic importance. However, many livestock diseases, both existing and emerging, have proven to be recalcitrant targets for conventional vaccination technologies. The threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented global investment in vaccine technologies to accelerate the development of safe and efficacious vaccines. While several vaccination platforms emerged as front runners to meet this challenge, the clear winner is mRNA-based vaccination. The challenge now is for livestock industries and relevant stakeholders to harness these rapid advances in vaccination to address key diseases affecting livestock production. This review examines the key features of mRNA vaccines, as this technology has the potential to control infectious diseases of importance to livestock production that have proven otherwise difficult to control using conventional approaches. This review focuses on the challenging diseases of ruminants due to their importance in global protein production. Overall, the current literature suggests that, while mRNA vaccines have the potential to address challenges in veterinary medicine, further developments are likely to be required for this promise to be realized for ruminant and other livestock species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Mahony
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (T.E.B.); (S.C.O.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nelson AL, Fontana G, Chubb L, Choe J, Williams K, Regan D, Huard J, Murphy W, Ehrhart N, Bahney C. Mineral coated microparticles doped with fluoride and complexed with mRNA prolong transfection in fracture healing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1295313. [PMID: 38264578 PMCID: PMC10803474 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1295313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Impaired fracture healing, specifically non-union, has been found to occur up to 14% in tibial shaft fractures. The current standard of care to treat non-union often requires additional surgeries which can result in long recovery times. Injectable-based therapies to accelerate fracture healing have the potential to mitigate the need for additional surgeries. Gene therapies have recently undergone significant advancements due to developments in nanotechnology, which improve mRNA stability while reducing immunogenicity. Methods: In this study, we tested the efficacy of mineral coated microparticles (MCM) and fluoride-doped MCM (FMCM) to effectively deliver firefly luciferase (FLuc) mRNA lipoplexes (LPX) to the fracture site. Here, adult mice underwent a tibia fracture and stabilization method and all treatments were locally injected into the fracture. Level of osteogenesis and amount of bone formation were assessed using gene expression and histomorphometry respectively. Localized and systemic inflammation were measured through gene expression, histopathology scoring and measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum. Lastly, daily IVIS images were taken to track and measure transfection over time. Results: MCM-LPX-FLuc and FMCM-LPX-FLuc were not found to cause any cytotoxic effects when tested in vitro. When measuring the osteogenic potential of each mineral composition, FMCM-LPX-FLuc trended higher in osteogenic markers through qRT-PCR than the other groups tested in a murine fracture and stabilization model. Despite FMCM-LPX-FLuc showing slightly elevated il-1β and il-4 levels in the fracture callus, inflammation scoring of the fracture callus did not result in any differences. Additionally, an acute systemic inflammatory response was not observed in any of the samples tested. The concentration of MCM-LPX-FLuc and FMCM-LPX-FLuc that was used in the murine fracture model did not stimulate bone when analyzed through stereological principles. Transfection efficacy and kinetics of delivery platforms revealed that FMCM-LPX-FLuc prolongs the luciferase signal both in vitro and in vivo. Discussion: These data together reveal that FMCM-LPX-FLuc could serve as a promising mRNA delivery platform for fracture healing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Laura Nelson
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Gianluca Fontana
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Laura Chubb
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Josh Choe
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Katherine Williams
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Dan Regan
- Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Johnny Huard
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - William Murphy
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole Ehrhart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Chelsea Bahney
- Center for Regenerative and Personalized Medicine, Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI), Vail, CO, United States
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li X, Qi J, Wang J, Hu W, Zhou W, Wang Y, Li T. Nanoparticle technology for mRNA: Delivery strategy, clinical application and developmental landscape. Theranostics 2024; 14:738-760. [PMID: 38169577 PMCID: PMC10758055 DOI: 10.7150/thno.84291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The mRNA vaccine, a groundbreaking advancement in the field of immunology, has garnered international recognition by being awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize, which has emerged as a promising prophylactic and therapeutic modality for various diseases, especially in cancer, rare disease, and infectious disease such as COVID-19, wherein successful mRNA treatment can be achieved by improving the stability of mRNA and introducing a safe and effective delivery system. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, lipoplexes, polyplexes, lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles and others, have attracted great interest and have been explored for mRNA delivery. Nanoscale platforms can protect mRNA from extracellular degradation while promoting endosome escape after endocytosis, hence improving the efficacy. This review provides an overview of diverse nanoplatforms utilized for mRNA delivery in preclinical and clinical stages, including formulation, preparation process, transfection efficiency, and administration route. Furthermore, the market situation and prospects of mRNA vaccines are discussed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Formulation and Process Development (FPD), WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| | - Jing Qi
- Formulation and Process Development (FPD), WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Formulation and Process Development (FPD), WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| | - Weiwei Hu
- WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| | - Weichang Zhou
- WuXi Biologics, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, 200131, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Formulation and Process Development (FPD), WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| | - Tao Li
- Formulation and Process Development (FPD), WuXi Biologics, 291 Fucheng Road, Hangzhou, 311106, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Iqbal L, Jehan M, Azam S. Advancements in mRNA Vaccines: A Promising Approach for Combating Human Papillomavirus-Related Cancers. Cancer Control 2024; 31:10732748241238629. [PMID: 38462683 DOI: 10.1177/10732748241238629] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a typical sexually transmitted disease that affects different epithelial cells and can cause a number of health problems. HPV is mainly spread through sexual contact and is extremely contagious, even in the absence of obvious symptoms. It is linked to a number of malignancies, such as oropharyngeal, cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and cutaneous as well as anogenital and cutaneous warts. Different vaccines targeting various HPV virus strains have been produced to prevent HPV infections. Vaccines can help prevent HPV-related illnesses, but they cannot cure malignancies that have already been caused by HPV. But new developments in mRNA vaccines have shown potential in combating malignancies linked to HPV. mRNA vaccines stimulate the immune system to identify and attack particular proteins present in viruses or tumour cells. The efficacy of mRNA vaccines in preventing HPV-related malignancies has been shown in preliminary experiments in mice. Additionally, in clinical trials aimed at individuals with HPV-related head and neck malignancies, personalised mRNA vaccines in combination with immune checkpoint drugs have demonstrated encouraging results. Even though mRNA vaccines have drawbacks and restrictions such as immunogenicity and instability, further research and development in this area has a great deal of promise for developing effective therapies for HPV-related malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laraib Iqbal
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Minal Jehan
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sumran Azam
- Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pfeifer BA, Beitelshees M, Hill A, Bassett J, Jones CH. Harnessing synthetic biology for advancing RNA therapeutics and vaccine design. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:60. [PMID: 38036580 PMCID: PMC10689799 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00323-3] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent global events have drawn into focus the diversity of options for combatting disease across a spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The recent success of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines has paved the way for RNA-based treatments to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. However, historical treatment options are continuously updated and reimagined in the context of novel technical developments, such as those facilitated through the application of synthetic biology. When it comes to the development of genetic forms of therapies and vaccines, synthetic biology offers diverse tools and approaches to influence the content, dosage, and breadth of treatment with the prospect of economic advantage provided in time and cost benefits. This can be achieved by utilizing the broad tools within this discipline to enhance the functionality and efficacy of pharmaceutical agent sequences. This review will describe how synthetic biology principles can augment RNA-based treatments through optimizing not only the vaccine antigen, therapeutic construct, therapeutic activity, and delivery vector. The enhancement of RNA vaccine technology through implementing synthetic biology has the potential to shape the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A Pfeifer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew Hill
- Pfizer, 66 Hudson Boulevard, New York, NY, 10001, USA
| | - Justin Bassett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hasan M, Khatun A, Kogure K. Intradermal Delivery of Naked mRNA Vaccines via Iontophoresis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2678. [PMID: 38140019 PMCID: PMC10747697 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122678] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against infectious diseases and for anticancer immunotherapy have garnered considerable attention. Currently, mRNA vaccines encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles are administrated via intramuscular injection using a needle. However, such administration is associated with pain, needle phobia, and lack of patient compliance. Furthermore, side effects such as fever and anaphylaxis associated with the lipid nanoparticle components are also serious problems. Therefore, noninvasive, painless administration of mRNA vaccines that do not contain other problematic components is highly desirable. Antigen-presenting cells reside in the epidermis and dermis, making the skin an attractive vaccination site. Iontophoresis (ItP) uses weak electric current applied to the skin surface and offers a noninvasive permeation technology that enables intradermal delivery of hydrophilic and ionic substances. ItP-mediated intradermal delivery of biological macromolecules has also been studied. Herein, we review the literature on the use of ItP technology for intradermal delivery of naked mRNA vaccines which is expected to overcome the challenges associated with mRNA vaccination. In addition to the physical mechanism, we discuss novel biological mechanisms of iontophoresis, particularly ItP-mediated opening of the skin barriers and the intracellular uptake pathway, and how the combined mechanisms can allow for effective intradermal delivery of mRNA vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahadi Hasan
- Department of Animal Disease Model, Research Center for Experimental Modeling Human Disease, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (M.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Anowara Khatun
- Department of Animal Disease Model, Research Center for Experimental Modeling Human Disease, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan; (M.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Kentaro Kogure
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8505, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Youssef M, Hitti C, Puppin Chaves Fulber J, Kamen AA. Enabling mRNA Therapeutics: Current Landscape and Challenges in Manufacturing. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1497. [PMID: 37892179 PMCID: PMC10604719 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101497] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances and discoveries in the structure and role of mRNA as well as novel lipid-based delivery modalities have enabled the advancement of mRNA therapeutics into the clinical trial space. The manufacturing of these products is relatively simple and eliminates many of the challenges associated with cell culture production of viral delivery systems for gene and cell therapy applications, allowing rapid production of mRNA for personalized treatments, cancer therapies, protein replacement and gene editing. The success of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the immense potential of this technology as a vaccination platform, but there are still particular challenges to establish mRNA as a widespread therapeutic tool. Immunostimulatory byproducts can pose a barrier for chronic treatments and different production scales may need to be considered for these applications. Moreover, long-term storage of mRNA products is notoriously difficult. This review provides a detailed overview of the manufacturing steps for mRNA therapeutics, including sequence design, DNA template preparation, mRNA production and formulation, while identifying the challenges remaining in the dose requirements, long-term storage and immunotolerance of the product.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amine A. Kamen
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada; (M.Y.); (C.H.); (J.P.C.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Perrotta C, Fenizia C, Carnovale C, Pozzi M, Trabattoni D, Cervia D, Clementi E. Updated Considerations for the Immunopharmacological Aspects of the "Talented mRNA Vaccines". Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1481. [PMID: 37766157 PMCID: PMC10534931 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091481] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines belong to a new class of medications, RNA therapeutics, including both coding and non-coding RNAs. The use of mRNA as a therapy is based on the biological role of mRNA itself, namely its translation into a functional protein. The goal of mRNA vaccines is to produce a specific antigen in cells to elicit an immune response that might be prophylactic or therapeutic. The potential of mRNA as vaccine has been envisaged for years but its efficacy has been clearly demonstrated with the approval of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Since then, mRNA vaccines have been in the pipeline for diseases that are still untreatable. There are many advantages of mRNA vaccines over traditional vaccines, including easy and cost-effective production, high safety, and high-level antigen expression. However, the nature of mRNA itself and some technical issues pose challenges associated with the vaccines' development and use. Here we review the immunological and pharmacological features of mRNA vaccines by discussing their pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and safety, with a particular attention on the advantages and challenges related to their administration. Furthermore, we present an overview of the areas of application and the clinical trials that utilize a mRNA vaccine as a treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Claudio Fenizia
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy;
| | - Carla Carnovale
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Marco Pozzi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy;
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Emilio Clementi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Du X, Yada E, Terai Y, Takahashi T, Nakanishi H, Tanaka H, Akita H, Itaka K. Comprehensive Evaluation of Lipid Nanoparticles and Polyplex Nanomicelles for Muscle-Targeted mRNA Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2291. [PMID: 37765260 PMCID: PMC10536695 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing significance of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics in diverse medical applications, such as cancer, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders, highlighted the need for efficient and safe delivery systems. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have shown great promise for mRNA delivery, but challenges such as toxicity and immunogenicity still remain to be addressed. In this study, we aimed to compare the performance of polyplex nanomicelles, our original cationic polymer-based carrier, and LNPs in various aspects, including delivery efficiency, organ toxicity, muscle damage, immune reaction, and pain. Our results showed that nanomicelles (PEG-PAsp(DET)) and LNPs (SM-102) exhibited distinct characteristics, with the former demonstrating relatively sustained protein production and reduced inflammation, making them suitable for therapeutic purposes. On the other hand, LNPs displayed desirable properties for vaccines, such as rapid mRNA expression and potent immune response. Taken together, these results suggest the different potentials of nanomicelles and LNPs, supporting further optimization of mRNA delivery systems tailored for specific purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Du
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Erica Yada
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
- NANO MRNA, Co., Ltd. Tokyo 104-0031, Japan
| | - Yuki Terai
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Takuya Takahashi
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Hiroki Tanaka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Akita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Keiji Itaka
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
- Clinical Biotechnology Team, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Guterres A, Abrahim M, da Costa Neves PC. The role of immune subtyping in glioma mRNA vaccine development. Immunotherapy 2023; 15:1057-1072. [PMID: 37431617 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2023-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the development of mRNA vaccines for central nervous system tumors have used gene expression profiles, clinical data and RNA sequencing from sources such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas to identify effective antigens. These studies revealed several immune subtypes of glioma, each one linked to unique prognoses and genetic/immune-modulatory changes. Potential antigens include ARPC1B, BRCA2, COL6A1, ITGB3, IDH1, LILRB2, TP53 and KDR, among others. Patients with immune-active and immune-suppressive phenotypes were found to respond better to mRNA vaccines. While these findings indicate the potential of mRNA vaccines in cancer therapy, further research is required to optimize administration and adjuvant selection, and precisely identify target antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Mayla Abrahim
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Cristina da Costa Neves
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ko HJ, Kim YJ. Antigen Delivery Systems: Past, Present, and Future. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2023; 31:370-387. [PMID: 37072288 PMCID: PMC10315343 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2023.006] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for safe and effective vaccines. Research to develop vaccines against diseases including Middle East respiratory syndrome, Ebolavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, and various cancers would also contribute to global well-being. For successful vaccine development, the advancement of technologies such as antigen (Ag) screening, Ag delivery systems and adjuvants, and manufacturing processes is essential. Ag delivery systems are required not only to deliver a sufficient amount of Ag for vaccination, but also to enhance immune response. In addition, Ag types and their delivery systems determine the manufacturing processes of the vaccine product. Here, we analyze the characteristics of various Ag delivery systems: plasmids, viral vectors, bacterial vectors, nanoparticles, self-assembled particles, natural and artificial cells, and extracellular vesicles. This review provides insight into the current vaccine landscape and highlights promising avenues of research for the development and improvement of Ag delivery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jeong Ko
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Jeong Kim
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
- Inje Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
- Smart Marine Therapeutic Center, Inje University, Gimhae 50834, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tomazini A, Shifman JM. Targeting Ras with protein engineering. Oncotarget 2023; 14:672-687. [PMID: 37395750 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras proteins are small GTPases that regulate cell growth and division. Mutations in Ras genes are associated with many types of cancer, making them attractive targets for cancer therapy. Despite extensive efforts, targeting Ras proteins with small molecules has been extremely challenging due to Ras's mostly flat surface and lack of small molecule-binding cavities. These challenges were recently overcome by the development of the first covalent small-molecule anti-Ras drug, sotorasib, highlighting the efficacy of Ras inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. However, this drug exclusively inhibits the Ras G12C mutant, which is not a prevalent mutation in most cancer types. Unlike the G12C variant, other Ras oncogenic mutants lack reactive cysteines, rendering them unsuitable for targeting via the same strategy. Protein engineering has emerged as a promising method to target Ras, as engineered proteins have the ability to recognize various surfaces with high affinity and specificity. Over the past few years, scientists have engineered antibodies, natural Ras effectors, and novel binding domains to bind to Ras and counteract its carcinogenic activities via a variety of strategies. These include inhibiting Ras-effector interactions, disrupting Ras dimerization, interrupting Ras nucleotide exchange, stimulating Ras interaction with tumor suppressor genes, and promoting Ras degradation. In parallel, significant advancements have been made in intracellular protein delivery, enabling the delivery of the engineered anti-Ras agents into the cellular cytoplasm. These advances offer a promising path for targeting Ras proteins and other challenging drug targets, opening up new opportunities for drug discovery and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atilio Tomazini
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Julia M Shifman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kana BD, Arbuthnot P, Botwe BK, Choonara YE, Hassan F, Louzir H, Matsoso P, Moore PL, Muhairwe A, Naidoo K, Ndomondo-Sigonda M, Madhi SA. Opportunities and challenges of leveraging COVID-19 vaccine innovation and technologies for developing sustainable vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:S1473-3099(22)00878-7. [PMID: 37290473 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00878-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic heralded unprecedented resource mobilisation and global scientific collaboration to rapidly develop effective vaccines. Regrettably, vaccine distribution has been inequitable, particularly in Africa where manufacturing capacity remains nominal. To address this, several initiatives are underway to develop and manufacture COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. Nevertheless, diminishing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, the cost competitiveness of producing goods locally, intellectual property rights issues, and complex regulatory environments among other challenges can undermine these ventures. We outline how extending COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Africa to include diverse products, multiple vaccine platforms, and advanced delivery systems will ensure sustainability. Possible models, including leveraging public-academic-private partnerships to enhance success of vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa are also discussed. Intensifying research in vaccine discovery on the continent could yield vaccines that further bolster sustainability of local production, ensuring greater pandemic preparedness in resource-constrained environments, and long-term health systems security.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bavesh D Kana
- Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- South African Medical Research Council Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Yahya E Choonara
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation Centre of Excellence in Advanced Drug Delivery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fatima Hassan
- Health Justice Initiative, University of Cape Town School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hechmi Louzir
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LR11IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Precious Matsoso
- Health Regulatory Science Platform, Wits Health Consortium, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Penny L Moore
- South African Medical Research Council Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Kubendran Naidoo
- South African Medical Research Council Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Margareth Ndomondo-Sigonda
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; African Leadership in Vaccinology Expertise, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Loan Young T, Chang Wang K, James Varley A, Li B. Clinical Delivery of Circular RNA: Lessons Learned from RNA Drug Development. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114826. [PMID: 37088404 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNA) represent a distinct class of covalently closed-loop RNA molecules, which play diverse roles in regulating biological processes and disease states. The enhanced stability of synthetic circRNAs compared to their linear counterparts has recently garnered considerable research interest, paving the way for new therapeutic applications. While clinical circRNA technology is still in its early stages, significant advancements in mRNA technology offer valuable insights into its potential future applications. Two primary obstacles that must be addressed are the development of efficient production methods and the optimization of delivery systems. To expedite progress in this area, this review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on circRNA structure and function, outline recent techniques for synthesizing circRNAs, highlight key delivery strategies and applications, and discuss the current challenges and future prospects in the field of circRNA-based therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiana Loan Young
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Kevin Chang Wang
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Andrew James Varley
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Bowen Li
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xekouki K, Lagopati N, Demetzos C, Gazouli M, Pippa N. A mini review for lipid-based nanovaccines: from their design to their applications. J Liposome Res 2023:1-20. [PMID: 36856671 DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2023.2170408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Nanovaccines have shown to be effective, and this is the reason they are preferred than conventional vaccines. The scope of this review is to describe the role, mechanisms, and advantages of nano vaccines based on lipids, and present the most important types, their physicochemical characteristics, as well as their challenges. The most important categories of lipid nano-vaccines are liposomal nano vaccines and (virus-lipid nanoparticles (NPs)/virosomes. Examples of vaccine formulations from each category are presented and analyzed below, focusing on their structure and physicochemical characteristics. In all cases, a nanoscale platform is used, enriched with adjuvants, antigens, and other helping agents to trigger immune response process and achieve cell targeting, and eventually immunity against the desired disease. The exact mechanism of action of each vaccine is not always completely known or understood. Physicochemical characteristics, such as particle size, morphology/shape, and zeta potential are also mentioned as they seem to affect the properties and mechanism of action of the vaccine formulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Xekouki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nefeli Lagopati
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Costas Demetzos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Gazouli
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Natassa Pippa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Musiał K. Update on Innate Immunity in Acute Kidney Injury—Lessons Taken from COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012514. [PMID: 36293370 PMCID: PMC9604105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The serious clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is usually accompanied by acute kidney injury (AKI), worsening prognosis and increasing mortality. AKI in COVID-19 is above all a consequence of systemic dysregulations leading to inflammation, thrombosis, vascular endothelial damage and necrosis. All these processes rely on the interactions between innate immunity elements, including circulating blood cells, resident renal cells, their cytokine products, complement systems, coagulation cascades and contact systems. Numerous simultaneous pathways of innate immunity should secure an effective host defense. Since they all form a network of cross-linked auto-amplification loops, uncontrolled activation is possible. When the actions of selected pathways amplify, cascade activation evades control and the propagation of inflammation and necrosis worsens, accompanied by complement overactivity and immunothrombosis. The systemic activation of innate immunity reaches the kidney, where the damage affecting single tubular cells spreads through tissue collateral damage and triggers AKI. This review is an attempt to synthetize the connections between innate immunity components engaged in COVID-19-related AKI and to summarize the knowledge on the pathophysiological background of processes responsible for renal damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Musiał
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Wrocław Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland
| |
Collapse
|