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Mulia GE, Picanço-Castro V, Stavrou EF, Athanassiadou A, Figueiredo ML. Advances in the Development and the Applications of Non-viral, Episomal Vectors for Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1076-1095. [PMID: 34348480 PMCID: PMC8819515 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonviral and nonintegrating episomal vectors are reemerging as a valid, alternative technology to integrating viral vectors for gene therapy, due to their more favorable safety profile, significantly lower risk for insertional mutagenesis, and a lesser potential for innate immune reactions, in addition to their low production cost. Over the past few years, attempts have been made to generate highly functional nonviral vectors that display long-term maintenance within cells and promote more sustained gene expression relative to conventional plasmids. Extensive research into the parameters that stabilize the episomal DNA within dividing and nondividing cells has shed light into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern replication and transcription of episomal DNA within a mammalian nucleus in long-term cell culture. Episomal vectors based on scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) do not integrate into the genomic DNA and address the serious problem of plasmid loss during mitosis by providing mitotic stability to established plasmids, which results in long-term transfection and transgene expression. The inclusion, in such vectors, of an origin of replication—initiation region—from the human genome has greatly enhanced their performance in primary cell culture. A number of vectors that function as episomes have arisen, which are either devoid or depleted of harmful CpG sequences and bacterial genes, and their effectiveness, as well as that of nonintegrating viral episomes, is enhanced when combined with S/MAR elements. As a result of these advances, an “S/MAR technology” has emerged for the production of efficient episomal vectors. Significant research continues in this field and innovations, in combination with promising systems based on nanoparticles and potentially combined with physical delivery methods, will enable the generation of optimized systems with scale-up and clinical application suitability utilizing episomal vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Mulia
- Purdue University, Basic Medical Sciences, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States;
| | - Virginia Picanço-Castro
- University of Sao Paulo Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, 54539, Center for Cell-based Therapy, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Eleana F Stavrou
- University of Patras, Department of General Biology, Patras, Greece;
| | - Aglaia- Athanassiadou
- University of Patras Medical School, General Biology, Asklepiou str, University Campus, Rion Patras, Greece, 26504;
| | - Marxa L Figueiredo
- Purdue University, Basic Medical Sciences, 625 Harrison St., LYNN 2177, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, 47907;
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Decker RE, Lamantia ZE, Emrick TS, Figueiredo ML. Sonodelivery in Skeletal Muscle: Current Approaches and Future Potential. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E107. [PMID: 32916815 PMCID: PMC7552685 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently multiple approaches to facilitate gene therapy via intramuscular gene delivery, such as electroporation, viral delivery, or direct DNA injection with or without polymeric carriers. Each of these methods has benefits, but each method also has shortcomings preventing it from being established as the ideal technique. A promising method, ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (or sonodelivery) is inexpensive, widely available, reusable, minimally invasive, and safe. Hurdles to utilizing sonodelivery include choosing from a large variety of conditions, which are often dependent on the equipment and/or research group, and moderate transfection efficiencies when compared to some other gene delivery methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive look at the breadth of sonodelivery techniques for intramuscular gene delivery and suggest future directions for this continuously evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Decker
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
| | - Zachary E. Lamantia
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
| | - Todd S. Emrick
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.E.D.); (Z.E.L.)
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Piotrowski-Daspit AS, Kauffman AC, Bracaglia LG, Saltzman WM. Polymeric vehicles for nucleic acid delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 156:119-132. [PMID: 32585159 PMCID: PMC7736472 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric vehicles are versatile tools for therapeutic gene delivery. Many polymers-when assembled with nucleic acids into vehicles-can protect the cargo from degradation and clearance in vivo, and facilitate its transport into intracellular compartments. Design options in polymer synthesis yield a comprehensive range of molecules and resulting vehicle formulations. These properties can be manipulated to achieve stronger association with nucleic acid cargo and cells, improved endosomal escape, or sustained delivery depending on the application. Here, we describe current approaches for polymer use and related strategies for gene delivery in preclinical and clinical applications. Polymer vehicles delivering genetic material have already achieved significant therapeutic endpoints in vitro and in animal models. From our perspective, with preclincal assays that better mimic the in vivo environment, improved strategies for target specificity, and scalable techniques for polymer synthesis, the impact of this therapeutic approach will continue to expand.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy C Kauffman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America; Corning Life Sciences, Kennebunk, ME 04043, United States of America
| | - Laura G Bracaglia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America; Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America; Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States of America; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States of America.
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Salameh JW, Zhou L, Ward SM, Santa Chalarca CF, Emrick T, Figueiredo ML. Polymer-mediated gene therapy: Recent advances and merging of delivery techniques. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 12:e1598. [PMID: 31793237 PMCID: PMC7676468 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The ability to safely and precisely deliver genetic materials to target sites in complex biological environments is vital to the success of gene therapy. Numerous viral and nonviral vectors have been developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy. This study will feature progress in synthetic polymers as nonviral vectors, which benefit from their chemical versatility, biocompatibility, and ability to carry both therapeutic cargo and targeting moieties. The combination of synthetic gene carrying constructs with advanced delivery techniques promises new therapeutic options for treating and curing genetic disorders. This article is characterized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle W. Salameh
- The Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Indiana
| | - Le Zhou
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah M. Ward
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | | | - Todd Emrick
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Marxa L. Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and the
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Indiana
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Figueiredo Neto M, Figueiredo ML. Skeletal muscle signal peptide optimization for enhancing propeptide or cytokine secretion. J Theor Biol 2016; 409:11-17. [PMID: 27576355 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have utilized hidden Markov models using HMMER software to predict and generate putative strong secretory signal peptide sequences for directing efficient secretion of cytokines from skeletal muscle for therapeutic applications. The results show that this approach can analyze signal sequences of a skeletal muscle secretome dataset and classify them, emitting new sequences that are strong candidate skeletal muscle-enriched signal peptides. The emitted signal peptides also were analyzed for their hydropathy and secondary structure profiles as compared to native signal peptides. The emitted signal peptides had a higher degree of hydropathy and helical composition relative to native sequences, which may suggest that these new sequences may hold promize for promoting enhanced secretion of proteins including cytokines or propeptides from skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoel Figueiredo Neto
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St, West Lafayette, IN 47904, United States
| | - Marxa L Figueiredo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St, West Lafayette, IN 47904, United States.
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