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Binder J, Winkeljann J, Steinegger K, Trnovec L, Orekhova D, Zähringer J, Hörner A, Fell V, Tinnefeld P, Winkeljann B, Frieß W, Merkel OM. Closing the Gap between Experiment and Simulation─A Holistic Study on the Complexation of Small Interfering RNAs with Polyethylenimine. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2163-2175. [PMID: 38373164 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00747] [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: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Rational design is pivotal in the modern development of nucleic acid nanocarrier systems. With the rising prominence of polymeric materials as alternatives to lipid-based carriers, understanding their structure-function relationships becomes paramount. Here, we introduce a newly developed coarse-grained model of polyethylenimine (PEI) based on the Martini 3 force field. This model facilitates molecular dynamics simulations of true-sized PEI molecules, exemplified by molecules with molecular weights of 1.3, 5, 10, and 25 kDa, with degrees of branching between 50.0 and 61.5%. We employed this model to investigate the thermodynamics of small interfering RNA (siRNA) complexation with PEI. Our simulations underscore the pivotal role of electrostatic interactions in the complexation process. Thermodynamic analyses revealed a stronger binding affinity with increased protonation, notably in acidic (endosomal) pH, compared to neutral conditions. Furthermore, the molecular weight of PEI was found to be a critical determinant of binding dynamics: smaller PEI molecules closely enveloped the siRNA, whereas larger ones extended outward, facilitating the formation of complexes with multiple RNA molecules. Experimental validations, encompassing isothermal titration calorimetry and single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, aligned well with our computational predictions. Our findings not only validate the fidelity of our PEI model but also accentuate the importance of in silico data in the rational design of polymeric drug carriers. The synergy between computational predictions and experimental validations, as showcased here, signals a refined and precise approach to drug carrier design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Binder
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Joshua Winkeljann
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Physics I, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86519 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Steinegger
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Lara Trnovec
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Daria Orekhova
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Jonas Zähringer
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Andreas Hörner
- Chair of Experimental Physics I, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstraße 1, 86519 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Valentin Fell
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Philip Tinnefeld
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Benjamin Winkeljann
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Frieß
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5-13, Haus B, 81377 München, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80799 München, Germany
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Rodriguez M, Owens F, Perry M, Stone N, Soler Y, Almohtadi R, Zhao Y, Batrakova EV, El-Hage N. Implication of the Autophagy-Related Protein Beclin1 in the Regulation of EcoHIV Replication and Inflammatory Responses. Viruses 2023; 15:1923. [PMID: 37766329 PMCID: PMC10537636 DOI: 10.3390/v15091923] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein Beclin1 (BECN1, a mammalian homologue of ATG6 in yeast) plays an important role in the initiation and the normal process of autophagy in cells. Moreover, we and others have shown that Beclin1 plays an important role in viral replication and the innate immune signaling pathways. We previously used the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) conjugated to mannose (Man) as a non-viral tool for the delivery of a small interfering (si) Beclin1-PEI-Man nanoplex, which specifically targets mannose receptor-expressing glia (microglia and astrocytes) in the brain when administered intranasally to conventional mice. To expand our previous reports, first we used C57BL/6J mice infected with EcoHIV and exposed them to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). We show that EcoHIV enters the mouse brain, while intranasal delivery of the nanocomplex significantly reduces the secretion of HIV-induced inflammatory molecules and downregulates the expression of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-kB. Since a spectrum of neurocognitive and motor problems can develop in people living with HIV (PLWH) despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy, we subsequently measured the role of Beclin1 in locomotor activities using EcoHIV-infected BECN1 knockout mice exposed to cART. Viral replication and cytokine secretion were reduced in the postmortem brains recovered from EcoHIV-infected Becn1+/- mice when compared to EcoHIV-infected Becn1+/+ mice, although the impairment in locomotor activities based on muscle strength were comparable. This further highlights the importance of Beclin1 in the regulation of HIV replication and in viral-induced cytokine secretion but not in HIV-induced locomotor impairments. Moreover, the cause of HIV-induced locomotor impairments remains speculative, as we show that this may not be entirely due to viral load and/or HIV-induced inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myosotys Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Florida Owens
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Marissa Perry
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Nicole Stone
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Yemmy Soler
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Rianna Almohtadi
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
| | - Yuling Zhao
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (E.V.B.)
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elena V. Batrakova
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (E.V.B.)
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Nazira El-Hage
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (M.R.); (F.O.); (M.P.); (N.S.); (Y.S.); (R.A.)
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da Silva TN, de Lima EV, Barradas TN, Testa CG, Picciani PH, Figueiredo CP, do Carmo FA, Clarke JR. Nanosystems for gene therapy targeting brain damage caused by viral infections. Mater Today Bio 2023; 18:100525. [PMID: 36619201 PMCID: PMC9816812 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several human pathogens can cause long-lasting neurological damage. Despite the increasing clinical knowledge about these conditions, most still lack efficient therapeutic interventions. Gene therapy (GT) approaches comprise strategies to modify or adjust the expression or function of a gene, thus providing therapy for human diseases. Since recombinant nucleic acids used in GT have physicochemical limitations and can fail to reach the desired tissue, viral and non-viral vectors are applied to mediate gene delivery. Although viral vectors are associated to high levels of transfection, non-viral vectors are safer and have been further explored. Different types of nanosystems consisting of lipids, polymeric and inorganic materials are applied as non-viral vectors. In this review, we discuss potential targets for GT intervention in order to prevent neurological damage associated to infectious diseases as well as the role of nanosized non-viral vectors as agents to help the selective delivery of these gene-modifying molecules. Application of non-viral vectors for delivery of GT effectors comprise a promising alternative to treat brain inflammation induced by viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuelle V. de Lima
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Thaís Nogueira Barradas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Carla G. Testa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Paulo H.S. Picciani
- Instituto de Macromoléculas Professora Eloisa Mano, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IMA/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-598, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Flavia A. do Carmo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Corresponding author.
| | - Julia R. Clarke
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
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Wahl A, Al-Harthi L. HIV infection of non-classical cells in the brain. Retrovirology 2023; 20:1. [PMID: 36639783 PMCID: PMC9840342 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-023-00616-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND) affect up to 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH), even in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). HIV-DNA can be detected in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of approximately half of aviremic ART-suppressed PLWH and its presence is associated with poorer neurocognitive performance. HIV DNA + and HIV RNA + cells have also been observed in postmortem brain tissue of individuals with sustained cART suppression. In this review, we provide an overview of how HIV invades the brain and HIV infection of resident brain glial cells (astrocytes and microglia). We also discuss the role of resident glial cells in persistent neuroinflammation and HAND in PLWH and their potential contribution to the HIV reservoir. HIV eradication strategies that target persistently infected glia cells will likely be needed to achieve HIV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Wahl
- grid.10698.360000000122483208International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
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Balança B, Desmurs L, Grelier J, Perret-Liaudet A, Lukaszewicz AC. DAMPs and RAGE Pathophysiology at the Acute Phase of Brain Injury: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052439. [PMID: 33670976 PMCID: PMC7957733 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early or primary injury due to brain aggression, such as mechanical trauma, hemorrhage or is-chemia, triggers the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the extracellular space. Some DAMPs, such as S100B, participate in the regulation of cell growth and survival but may also trigger cellular damage as their concentration increases in the extracellular space. When DAMPs bind to pattern-recognition receptors, such as the receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), they lead to non-infectious inflammation that will contribute to necrotic cell clearance but may also worsen brain injury. In this narrative review, we describe the role and ki-netics of DAMPs and RAGE at the acute phase of brain injury. We searched the MEDLINE database for “DAMPs” or “RAGE” or “S100B” and “traumatic brain injury” or “subarachnoid hemorrhage” or “stroke”. We selected original articles reporting data on acute brain injury pathophysiology, from which we describe DAMPs release and clearance upon acute brain injury, and the implication of RAGE in the development of brain injury. We will also discuss the clinical strategies that emerge from this overview in terms of biomarkers and therapeutic perspectives
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Balança
- Department of Neurological Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France;
- Team TIGER, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, Inserm U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69500 Bron, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-6-2391-0594
| | - Laurent Desmurs
- Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France; (L.D.); (A.P.-L.)
| | - Jérémy Grelier
- Department of Neurological Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France;
| | - Armand Perret-Liaudet
- Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France; (L.D.); (A.P.-L.)
- Team BIORAN, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, Inserm U1028, CNRS UMR 5292, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Anne-Claire Lukaszewicz
- Department of Neurological Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 69003 Lyon, France;
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