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Long J, Wang Y, Jiang X, Ge J, Chen M, Zheng B, Wang R, Wang M, Xu M, Ke Q, Wang J. Nanomaterials Boost CAR-T Therapy for Solid Tumors. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2304615. [PMID: 38483400 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
T cell engineering, particularly via chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) modifications for enhancing tumor specificity, has shown efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies. The extension of CAR-T cell therapy to solid tumors, however, is impeded by several challenges: The absence of tumor-specific antigens, antigen heterogeneity, a complex immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and physical barriers to cell infiltration. Additionally, limitations in CAR-T cell manufacturing capacity and the high costs associated with these therapies restrict their widespread application. The integration of nanomaterials into CAR-T cell production and application offers a promising avenue to mitigate these challenges. Utilizing nanomaterials in the production of CAR-T cells can decrease product variability and lower production expenses, positively impacting the targeting and persistence of CAR-T cells in treatment and minimizing adverse effects. This review comprehensively evaluates the use of various nanomaterials in the production of CAR-T cells, genetic modification, and in vivo delivery. It discusses their underlying mechanisms and potential for clinical application, with a focus on improving specificity and safety in CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Long
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, 1001 Xueyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yian Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, The Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Xianjie Jiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Mingfen Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Boshu Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Meifeng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Meifang Xu
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Qi Ke
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences & Diagnostic Pathology Center, Fujian Medical University, No.1 Xuefu North Road University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China
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2
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Gharatape A, Sadeghi-Abandansari H, Seifalian A, Faridi-Majidi R, Basiri M. Nanocarrier-based gene delivery for immune cell engineering. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3356-3375. [PMID: 38505950 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02279j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Clinical advances in genetically modified immune cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, have raised hope for cancer treatment. The majority of these biotechnologies are based on viral methods for ex vivo genetic modification of the immune cells, while the non-viral methods are still in the developmental phase. Nanocarriers have been emerging as materials of choice for gene delivery to immune cells. This is due to their versatile physicochemical properties such as large surface area and size that can be optimized to overcome several practical barriers to successful gene delivery. The in vivo nanocarrier-based gene delivery can revolutionize cell-based cancer immunotherapies by replacing the current expensive autologous cell manufacturing with an off-the-shelf biomaterial-based platform. The aim of this research is to review current advances and strategies to overcome the challenges in nanoparticle-based gene delivery and their impact on the efficiency, safety, and specificity of the process. The main focus is on polymeric and lipid-based nanocarriers, and their recent preclinical applications for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Gharatape
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamid Sadeghi-Abandansari
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alexander Seifalian
- Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine Commercialisation Centre (NanoRegMed Ltd, Nanoloom Ltd, & Liberum Health Ltd), London BioScience Innovation Centre, London, UK
| | - Reza Faridi-Majidi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Basiri
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology and Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
- T Cell Therapeutics Research Labs, Cellular Immunotherapy Center, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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3
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Wang C, He W, Wang F, Yong H, Bo T, Yao D, Zhao Y, Pan C, Cao Q, Zhang S, Li M. Recent progress of non-linear topological structure polymers: synthesis, and gene delivery. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:40. [PMID: 38280987 PMCID: PMC10821314 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02299-6] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, many types of non-linear topological structure polymers, such as brush-shaped, star, branched and dendritic structures, have captured much attention in the field of gene delivery and nanomedicine. Compared with linear polymers, non-linear topological structural polymers offer many advantages, including multiple terminal groups, broad and complicated spatial architecture and multi-functionality sites to enhance gene delivery efficiency and targeting capabilities. Nevertheless, the complexity of their synthesis process severely hampers the development and applications of nonlinear topological polymers. This review aims to highlight various synthetic approaches of non-linear topological architecture polymers, including reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) including atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, click chemistry reactions and Michael addition, and thoroughly discuss their advantages and disadvantages, as well as analyze their further application potential. Finally, we comprehensively discuss and summarize different non-linear topological structure polymers for genetic materials delivering performance both in vitro and in vivo, which indicated that topological effects and nonlinear topologies play a crucial role in enhancing the transfection performance of polymeric vectors. This review offered a promising guideline for the design and development of novel nonlinear polymers and facilitated the development of a new generation of polymer-based gene vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfei Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 201102, China.
| | - Wei He
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haiyang Yong
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tao Bo
- Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dingjin Yao
- Shanghai EditorGene Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yitong Zhao
- School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232000, Anhui, China
| | - Chaolan Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Qiaoyu Cao
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Si Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Glycoconjugate Research Ministry of Public Health, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, 201102, China.
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4
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Pinto IS, Cordeiro RA, Faneca H. Polymer- and lipid-based gene delivery technology for CAR T cell therapy. J Control Release 2023; 353:196-215. [PMID: 36423871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.038] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) therapy is a revolutionary approach approved by the FDA and EMA to treat B cell malignancies and multiple myeloma. The production of these T cells has been done through viral vectors, which come with safety concerns, high cost and production challenges, and more recently also through electroporation, which can be extremely cytotoxic. In this context, nanosystems can constitute an alternative to overcome the challenges associated with current methods, resulting in a safe and cost-effective platform. However, the barriers associated with T cells transfection show that the design and engineering of novel approaches in this field are highly imperative. Here, we present an overview from CAR constitution to transfection technologies used in T cells, highlighting the lipid- and polymer-based nanoparticles as a potential delivery platform. Specifically, we provide examples, strengths and weaknesses of nanosystem formulations, and advances in nanoparticle design to improve transfection of T cells. This review will guide the researchers in the design and development of novel nanosystems for next-generation CAR T therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês S Pinto
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Agra do Castro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rosemeyre A Cordeiro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal.
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5
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Tsai HC, Pietrobon V, Peng M, Wang S, Zhao L, Marincola FM, Cai Q. Current strategies employed in the manipulation of gene expression for clinical purposes. J Transl Med 2022; 20:535. [PMID: 36401279 PMCID: PMC9673226 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03747-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal gene expression level or expression of genes containing deleterious mutations are two of the main determinants which lead to genetic disease. To obtain a therapeutic effect and thus to cure genetic diseases, it is crucial to regulate the host's gene expression and restore it to physiological conditions. With this purpose, several molecular tools have been developed and are currently tested in clinical trials. Genome editing nucleases are a class of molecular tools routinely used in laboratories to rewire host's gene expression. Genome editing nucleases include different categories of enzymes: meganucleses (MNs), zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)- CRISPR associated protein (Cas) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALENs). Transposable elements are also a category of molecular tools which includes different members, for example Sleeping Beauty (SB), PiggyBac (PB), Tol2 and TcBuster. Transposons have been used for genetic studies and can serve as gene delivery tools. Molecular tools to rewire host's gene expression also include episomes, which are divided into different categories depending on their molecular structure. Finally, RNA interference is commonly used to regulate gene expression through the administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and bi-functional shRNA molecules. In this review, we will describe the different molecular tools that can be used to regulate gene expression and discuss their potential for clinical applications. These molecular tools are delivered into the host's cells in the form of DNA, RNA or protein using vectors that can be grouped into physical or biochemical categories. In this review we will also illustrate the different types of payloads that can be used, and we will discuss recent developments in viral and non-viral vector technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maoyu Peng
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Suning Wang
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Lihong Zhao
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | | | - Qi Cai
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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6
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Street STG, Chrenek J, Harniman RL, Letwin K, Mantell JM, Borucu U, Willerth SM, Manners I. Length-Controlled Nanofiber Micelleplexes as Efficient Nucleic Acid Delivery Vehicles. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:19799-19812. [PMID: 36260789 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Micelleplexes show great promise as effective polymeric delivery systems for nucleic acids. Although studies have shown that spherical micelleplexes can exhibit superior cellular transfection to polyplexes, to date there has been no report on the effects of micelleplex morphology on cellular transfection. In this work, we prepared precision, length-tunable poly(fluorenetrimethylenecarbonate)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PFTMC16-b-PDMAEMA131) nanofiber micelleplexes and compared their properties and transfection activity to those of the equivalent nanosphere micelleplexes and polyplexes. We studied the DNA complexation process in detail via a range of techniques including cryo-transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and ζ-potential measurements, thereby examining how nanofiber micelleplexes form, as well the key differences that exist compared to nanosphere micelleplexes and polyplexes in terms of DNA loading and colloidal stability. The effects of particle morphology and nanofiber length on the transfection and cell viability of U-87 MG glioblastoma cells with a luciferase plasmid were explored, revealing that short nanofiber micelleplexes (length < ca. 100 nm) were the most effective delivery vehicle examined, outperforming nanosphere micelleplexes, polyplexes, and longer nanofiber micelleplexes as well as the Lipofectamine 2000 control. This study highlights the potential importance of 1D micelleplex morphologies for achieving optimal transfection activity and provides a fundamental platform for the future development of more effective polymeric nucleic acid delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T G Street
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.,Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3V6, Canada.,Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Josie Chrenek
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | | | - Keiran Letwin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Judith M Mantell
- Wolfson Bioimaging Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K
| | - Ufuk Borucu
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.,GW4 Facility for High-Resolution Electron Cryo-Microscopy, 24 Tyndall Ave, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Stephanie M Willerth
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ian Manners
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3V6, Canada.,Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada
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7
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Le TMD, Yoon AR, Thambi T, Yun CO. Polymeric Systems for Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826876. [PMID: 35273607 PMCID: PMC8902250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy holds enormous promise to create a new outlook of cancer therapy by eliminating tumors via activation of the immune system. In immunotherapy, polymeric systems play a significant role in improving antitumor efficacy and safety profile. Polymeric systems possess many favorable properties, including magnificent biocompatibility and biodegradability, structural and component diversity, easy and controllable fabrication, and high loading capacity for immune-related substances. These properties allow polymeric systems to perform multiple functions in immunotherapy, such as immune stimulants, modifying and activating T cells, delivery system for immune cargos, or as an artificial antigen-presenting cell. Among diverse immunotherapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell, and oncolytic virus recently have been dramatically investigated for their remarkable success in clinical trials. In this report, we review the monotherapy status of immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell, and oncolytic virus, and their current combination strategies with diverse polymeric systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thai Minh Duy Le
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - A-Rum Yoon
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Thavasyappan Thambi
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.,GeneMedicine CO., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
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8
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Diaz IL, Jérôme V, Freitag R, Perez LD. Development of poly(ethyleneimine) grafted amphiphilic copolymers: Evaluation of their cytotoxicity and ability to complex DNA. J BIOACT COMPAT POL 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/08839115211053925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) is one of the most widely used cationic polymers for gene delivery. The high molecular weight polymer, which is commercially available, is highly efficient but also very cytotoxic. The reduction in charge density by using nonlinear architectures based on low molecular weight (LMW) PEI is a promising approach to produce safer DNA-vectors. Herein, a group of cationic graft copolymers with different composition containing a hydrophobic biocompatible backbone and LMW linear PEI (lPEI) grafts obtained by ring opening polymerization and click chemistry was studied. The self-assembly and DNA complexation behavior of these materials was analyzed by the gel retardation assay, zeta potential measurements, and dynamic light scattering. The copolymers formed positively charged particles in water with average sizes between 270 and 377 nm. After they were added to DNA in serum-free medium, these particles acquired negative/near-neutral charges and increased in size depending on the N/P ratio. All copolymers showed reduced cytotoxicity compared to the 25 kDa lPEI used as reference, but the transfection efficiency was reduced. This result suggested that the cationic segments were too small to fully condense the DNA and promote cellular uptake, even with the use of several grafts and the introduction of hydrophobic domains. The trends found in this research showed that a higher degree of hydrophobicity and a higher grafting density can enhance the interaction between the copolymers and DNA. These trends could direct further structural modifications in the search for effective and safe vectors based on this polycation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne L Diaz
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - León D Perez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá DC, Colombia
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9
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Keim D, Gollner K, Gollner U, Jérôme V, Freitag R. Generation of Recombinant Primary Human B Lymphocytes Using Non-Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8239. [PMID: 34361005 PMCID: PMC8347318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the development of gene delivery systems based on non-viral vectors is advancing, it remains a challenge to deliver plasmid DNA into human blood cells. The current "gold standard", namely linear polyethyleneimine (l-PEI 25 kDa), in particular, is unable to produce transgene expression levels >5% in primary human B lymphocytes. Here, it is demonstrated that a well-defined 24-armed poly(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA, 755 kDa) nano-star is able to reproducibly elicit high transgene expression (40%) at sufficient residual viability (69%) in primary human B cells derived from tonsillar tissue. Moreover, our results indicate that the length of the mitogenic stimulation prior to transfection is an important parameter that must be established during the development of the transfection protocol. In our hands, four days of stimulation with rhCD40L post-thawing led to the best transfection results in terms of TE and cell survival. Most importantly, our data argue for an impact of the B cell subsets on the transfection outcomes, underlining that the complexity and heterogeneity of a given B cell population pre- and post-transfection is a critical parameter to consider in the multiparametric approach required for the implementation of the transfection protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Keim
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
| | - Katrin Gollner
- Praxis am Schießgraben, Schießgraben 21, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany; (K.G.); (U.G.)
| | - Ulrich Gollner
- Praxis am Schießgraben, Schießgraben 21, 95326 Kulmbach, Germany; (K.G.); (U.G.)
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (D.K.); (V.J.)
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10
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Raes L, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K, Braeckmans K. Non-viral transfection technologies for next-generation therapeutic T cell engineering. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107760. [PMID: 33932532 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cells have sparked interest in advanced cancer treatment, reaching a milestone in 2017 with two FDA-approvals for CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapeutics. It is becoming clear that the next generation of CAR T cell therapies will demand more complex engineering strategies and combinations thereof, including the use of revolutionary gene editing approaches. To date, manufacturing of CAR T cells mostly relies on γ-retroviral or lentiviral vectors, but their use is associated with several drawbacks, including safety issues, high manufacturing cost and vector capacity constraints. Non-viral approaches, including membrane permeabilization and carrier-based techniques, have therefore gained a lot of interest to replace viral transductions in the manufacturing of T cell therapeutics. This review provides an in-depth discussion on the avid search for alternatives to viral vectors, discusses key considerations for T cell engineering technologies, and provides an overview of the emerging spectrum of non-viral transfection technologies for T cells. Strengths and weaknesses of each technology will be discussed in relation to T cell engineering. Altogether, this work emphasizes the potential of non-viral transfection approaches to advance the next-generation of genetically engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens Raes
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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11
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Diaz Ariza IL, Jérôme V, Pérez Pérez LD, Freitag R. Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers Capable of Mixed-Mode Interaction as Alternative Nonviral Transfection Agents. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:1268-1282. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne L. Diaz Ariza
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C. 11001, Colombia
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
| | - León D. Pérez Pérez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C. 11001, Colombia
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
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12
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Harris E, Zimmerman D, Warga E, Bamezai A, Elmer J. Nonviral gene delivery to T cells with Lipofectamine LTX. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:1693-1706. [PMID: 33480049 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Retroviral gene delivery is widely used in T cell therapies for hematological cancers. However, viral vectors are expensive to manufacture, integrate genes in semirandom patterns, and their transduction efficiency varies between patients. In this study, several nonviral gene delivery vehicles, promoters, and additional variables were compared to optimize nonviral transgene delivery and expression in both Jurkat and primary T cells. Transfection of Jurkat cells was maximized to a high efficiency (63.0% ± 10.9% EGFP+ cells) by transfecting cells with Lipofectamine LTX in X-VIVO 15 media. However, the same method yielded a much lower transfection efficiency in primary T cells (8.1% ± 0.8% EGFP+ ). Subsequent confocal microscopy revealed that a majority of the lipoplexes did not enter the primary T cells, which might be due to relatively low expression levels of heparan sulfate proteoglycans detected via messenger RNA-sequencing. Pyrin and HIN (PYHIN) DNA sensors (e.g., AIM2 and IFI16) that can induce apoptosis or repress transcription after binding cytoplasmic DNA were also detected at high levels in primary T cells. Therefore, transfection of primary T cells appears to be limited at the level of cellular uptake or DNA sensing in the cytoplasm. Both of these factors should be considered in the development of future viral and nonviral T cell gene delivery methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Harris
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Devon Zimmerman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric Warga
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anil Bamezai
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob Elmer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
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Cardle II, Cheng EL, Jensen MC, Pun SH. Biomaterials in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Process Development. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:1724-1738. [PMID: 32786336 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has transformed the cancer treatment landscape, utilizing ex vivo modified autologous T cells to treat relapsed or refractory B-cell leukemias and lymphomas. However, the therapy's broader impact has been limited, in part, by a complicated, lengthy, and expensive production process. Accordingly, as CAR T-cell therapies are further advanced to treat other cancers, continual innovation in cell manufacturing will be critical to their successful clinical implementation. In this Account, we describe our research efforts using biomaterials to improve the three fundamental steps in CAR T-cell manufacturing: (1) isolation, (2) activation, and (3) genetic modification.Recognizing that clinical T-cell isolation reagents have high cost and supply constraints, we developed a synthetic DNA aptamer and complementary reversal agent technology that isolates label-free CD8+ T cells with high purity and yield from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Encouragingly, CAR T cells manufactured from both antibody- and aptamer-isolated T cells were comparable in therapeutic potency. Discovery and design of other T-cell specific aptamers and corresponding reversal reagents could fully realize the potential of this approach, enabling inexpensive isolation of multiple distinct T-cell populations in a single isolation step.Current ex vivo T-cell activation materials do not accurately mimic in situ T-cell activation by antigen presenting cells (APCs). They cause unequal CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell expansion, necessitating separate production of CD4+ and CD8+ CAR T cells for therapies that call for balanced infusion compositions. To address these shortcomings, we designed a panel of biodegradable cell-templated silica microparticles with supported lipid bilayers that display stimulatory ligands for T-cell activation. High membrane fluidity, elongated shape, and rough surface topography, all properties of endogenous APCs, were found to be favorable parameters for activation, promoting unbiased and efficient CD4/CD8 T-cell expansion while not terminally differentiating the cells.Viral and electroporation-based gene delivery systems have various drawbacks. Viral vectors are expensive and have limited cargo sizes, whereas electroporation is highly cytotoxic. Thus, low-cost nonviral platforms that transfect T cells with low cytotoxicity and high efficiency are needed for CAR gene delivery. Our group thus synthesized a panel of cationic polymers with different architectures and evaluated their T-cell transfection ability. We identified a comb-shaped polymer formulation that transfected primary T cells with low cytotoxicity, although transfection efficiency was low compared to conventional methods. Analysis of intracellular and extracellular barriers to transfection revealed low uptake of polyplexes and high endosomal pH in T cells, alluding to biological and polymer properties that could be further improved.These innovations represent just a few recent developments in the biomaterials field for addressing CAR T-cell production needs. Together, these technologies and their future advancement will pave the way for economical and straightforward CAR T-cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian I. Cardle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
- Research and Development, Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington 98101, United States
| | - Emmeline L. Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Michael C. Jensen
- Research and Development, Seattle Children’s Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington 98101, United States
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Suzie H. Pun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
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14
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Harris E, Elmer JJ. Optimization of electroporation and other non-viral gene delivery strategies for T cells. Biotechnol Prog 2020; 37:e3066. [PMID: 32808434 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CAR-T therapy is a particularly effective treatment for some types of cancer that uses retroviruses to deliver the gene for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to a patient's T cells ex vivo. The CAR enables the T cells to bind and eradicate cells with a specific surface marker (e.g., CD19+ B cells) after they are transfused back into the patient. This treatment was proven to be particularly effective in treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but the current CAR-T cell manufacturing process has a few significant drawbacks. For example, while lentiviral and gammaretroviral transduction are both relatively effective, the process of producing viral vectors is time-consuming and costly. Additionally, patients must undergo follow up appointments for several years to monitor them for any unanticipated side effects associated with the virus. Therefore, several studies have endeavored to find alternative non-viral gene delivery methods that are less expensive, more precise, simple, and safe. This review focuses on the current state of the most promising non-viral gene delivery techniques, including electroporation and transfection with cationic polymers or lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Harris
- Villanova University, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob J Elmer
- Villanova University, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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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: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [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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16
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Ayyadevara VSSA, Roh KH. Calcium enhances polyplex-mediated transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA in Jurkat cells. Drug Deliv 2020; 27:805-815. [PMID: 32489110 PMCID: PMC8216448 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2020.1770371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Jurkat, an immortalized cell line derived from human leukemic T lymphocytes, has been employed as an excellent surrogate model of human primary T-cells for the advancement of T-cell biology and their applications in medicine. However, presumably due to its T-cell origin, Jurkat cells are very difficult to transfect. Thus, for the genetic modification of Jurkat cells, expensive and time-consuming viral vectors are normally required. Despite many previous efforts, non-viral vectors have not yet overcome the hurdles of low transfection efficiency and/or high toxicity in transfection of Jurkat cells. Here, we report that a simple addition of calcium ions (Ca2+) into culture media at optimal concentrations can enhance the efficiency of the polyplex-mediated transfection using poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) by up to 12-fold when compared to the polyplex-only control. We show that calcium enhances the association between polyplex and Jurkat, which is at least partially responsible for the increase in transmembrane delivery of polyplex and consequential enhancement in expression of transgene. Other cations, Mg2+ or Na+ did not show similar enhancement. Interestingly, addition of Ca2+ was rather detrimental for the transfection of lipoplex on Jurkat cells. Observation of significant enhancement in the transfection of non-viral vectors with a simple and physiologically relevant reagent like Ca2+ in the engineering of hard-to-transfect cells such as Jurkat warrants further investigation on similar strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyung-Ho Roh
- Biotechnology Science and Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA.,Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
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17
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Abstract
The genetic modification of human T lymphocytes with established non-viral methods is inefficient. Linear polyethylenimine (l-PEI), one of the most popular non-viral transfection agents for mammalian cells in general, only achieves transfection rates in the single digit percentage range for these cells. Here, a well-defined 24-armed poly(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) nanostar (number average of the molecular weight: 755 kDa, polydispersity: <1.21) synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from a silsesquioxane initiator core is proposed as alternative. The agent is used to prepare polyplexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA). Under optimal conditions these polyplexes reproducibly transfect >80% of the cells from a human T-cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat cells) at viabilities close to 90%. The agent also promotes pDNA uptake when simply added to a mixture of cells and pDNA. This constitutes a particular promising approach for efficient transient transfection at large scale. Finally, preliminary experiments were carried out with primary T cells from two different donors. Results were again significantly better than for l-PEI, although further research into the response of individual T cells to the transfection agent will be necessary, before either method can be used to routinely transfect primary T lymphocytes.
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18
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Olden BR, Cheng Y, Yu JL, Pun SH. Cationic polymers for non-viral gene delivery to human T cells. J Control Release 2018; 282:140-147. [PMID: 29518467 PMCID: PMC6008197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The clinical success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy in treating multiple blood cancers has created a need for efficient methods of ex vivo gene delivery to primary human T cells for cell engineering. Here, we synthesize and evaluate a panel of cationic polymers for gene delivery to both cultured and primary human T cells. We show that a subset of comb- and sunflower-shaped pHEMA-g-pDMAEMA polymers can mediate transfection with efficiencies up to 50% in the Jurkat human T cell line with minimal concomitant toxicity (>90% viability). We then optimize primary human T cell transfection conditions including activation time, cell density, DNA dose, culture media, and cytokine treatment. We demonstrate transfection of both CD4+ and CD8+ primary human T cells with messenger RNA and plasmid DNA at efficiencies up to 25 and 18%, respectively, with similarly high viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brynn R Olden
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yilong Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jonathan L Yu
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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19
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Jérôme V, Thoring L, Salzig D, Kubick S, Freitag R. Comparison of cell-based versus cell-free mammalian systems for the production of a recombinant human bone morphogenic growth factor. Eng Life Sci 2017; 17:1097-1107. [PMID: 32624737 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201700005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP2) is a glycoprotein, which induces de novo bone formation. Here, recombinant production in stably transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells is compared to transient expression in Human Embryo Kidney (HEK) cells and cell-free synthesis in CHO cell lysates containing microsomal structures as sites of post-translational processing. In case of the stably transfected cells, growth rates and viabilities were similar to those of the parent cells, while entry into the death phase of the culture was delayed. The maximum achievable rhBMP2 concentration in these cultures was 153 pg/mL. Up to 280 ng/mL could be produced in the transient expression system. In both cases the rhBMP-2 was found to interact with the producer cells, which presumably contributed to the low yields. In the cell-free system, hBMP2 yields could be increased to almost 40 μg/mL, reached within three hours. The cell-free system thus approached productivities for the active (renatured) protein previously only recorded for bacterial hosts, while assuring comprehensive post-translational processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Jérôme
- Chair for Process Biotechnology University of Bayreuth Germany
| | - Lena Thoring
- Department of Cell-free and Cell-based Bioproduction, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam-Golm (IZI-BB) Germany
| | - Denise Salzig
- Chair for Process Biotechnology University of Bayreuth Germany
| | - Stefan Kubick
- Department of Cell-free and Cell-based Bioproduction, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam-Golm (IZI-BB) Germany
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Chair for Process Biotechnology University of Bayreuth Germany
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20
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Stahlschmidt U, Jérôme V, Majewski AP, Müller AHE, Freitag R. Systematic Study of a Library of PDMAEMA-Based, Superparamagnetic Nano-Stars for the Transfection of CHO-K1 Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:E156. [PMID: 30970835 PMCID: PMC6432303 DOI: 10.3390/polym9050156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of the DNA into mammalian cells remains a challenge in gene delivery, particularly in vivo. Viral vectors are unmatched in their efficiency for gene delivery, but may trigger immune responses and cause severe side-reactions. Non-viral vectors are much less efficient. Recently, our group has suggested that a star-shaped structure improves and even transforms the gene delivery capability of synthetic polycations. In this contribution, this effect was systematically studied using a library of highly homogeneous, paramagnetic nano-star polycations with varied arm lengths and grafting densities. Gene delivery was conducted in CHO-K1 cells, using a plasmid encoding a green fluorescent reporter protein. Transfection efficiencies and cytotoxicities varied systematically with the nano-star architecture. The arm density was particularly important, with values of approximately 0.06 arms/nm² yielding the best results. In addition, a certain fraction of the cells became magnetic during transfection. The gene delivery potential of a nano-star and its ability to render the cells magnetic did not have any correlations. End-capping the polycation arms with di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PDEGMA) significantly improved serum compatibility under transfection conditions; such nano-stars are potential candidates for future in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ullrich Stahlschmidt
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Valérie Jérôme
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
| | | | - Axel H E Müller
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ruth Freitag
- Process Biotechnology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
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21
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Raup A, Wang H, Synatschke CV, Jérôme V, Agarwal S, Pergushov DV, Müller AHE, Freitag R. Compaction and Transmembrane Delivery of pDNA: Differences between l-PEI and Two Types of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:808-818. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b01678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Dmitry V. Pergushov
- Department
of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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22
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Brucks SD, Freyer JL, Lambert TH, Campos LM. Influence of Substituent Chain Branching on the Transfection Efficacy of Cyclopropenium-Based Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:E79. [PMID: 30970759 PMCID: PMC6431972 DOI: 10.3390/polym9030079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The realization of gene therapy relies on the development of delivery vectors with high efficiency and biocompatibility. With a multitude of structures accessible, the core challenge is precisely tuning vector structure to probe and optimize structure⁻property relationships. Employing a modular strategy, two pairs of cationic polymers based on the trisaminocyclopropenium (TAC) ion were synthesized where the substituents differ in the degree of alkyl chain branching. All TAC-based polymers exhibited higher transfection efficiencies than the untreated controls, with variable in vitro toxicities. Considering both cytotoxicity and transfection efficacy, an optimal nonviral vector was identified. Our studies highlight the importance of exercising precise control over polymer structure, both in terms of backbone identity and substituent nature, and the necessity of a robust, modular platform from which to study them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer D Brucks
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Jessica L Freyer
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Tristan H Lambert
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Luis M Campos
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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