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Strebinger D, Frangieh CJ, Friedrich MJ, Faure G, Macrae RK, Zhang F. Cell type-specific delivery by modular envelope design. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5141. [PMID: 37612276 PMCID: PMC10447438 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40788-8] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The delivery of genetic cargo remains one of the largest obstacles to the successful translation of experimental therapies, in large part due to the absence of targetable delivery vectors. Enveloped delivery modalities use viral envelope proteins, which determine tropism and induce membrane fusion. Here we develop DIRECTED (Delivery to Intended REcipient Cells Through Envelope Design), a modular platform that consists of separate fusion and targeting components. To achieve high modularity and programmable cell type specificity, we develop multiple strategies to recruit or immobilize antibodies on the viral envelope, including a chimeric antibody binding protein and a SNAP-tag enabling the use of antibodies or other proteins as targeting molecules. Moreover, we show that fusogens from multiple viral families are compatible with DIRECTED and that DIRECTED components can target multiple delivery chassis (e.g., lentivirus and MMLV gag) to specific cell types, including primary human T cells in PBMCs and whole blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Strebinger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Chris J Frangieh
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mirco J Friedrich
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Guilhem Faure
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Rhiannon K Macrae
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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Datta J, Majumder S, Chaudhuri D, Giri K. In silico investigation of binding propensity of hematoxylin derivative and damnacanthal for their potential inhibitory effect on HIV-1 Vpr from different subtypes. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:14977-14988. [PMID: 36858595 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2184634] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS leads to many deaths worldwide though few options are available as therapeutics. To deal with the continuous mutation in the virus genome, requirement of new drugs is always there. Subtype variation plays a crucial role in case of HIV-1 therapeutics development. In this study, we want to investigate some pre examined molecules that can be effective for HIV-1 VPR. Inhibition of several protein-protein interactions with the small molecules will lead to identify some molecules as therapeutics other than the conventional drugs. We retrieved the sequences of different subtypes from the database and representative sequences were identified. Representative structures were modelled and validated using MD simulations. Forty molecules, showing anti Vpr activity in vitro were identified from literature survey and those were docked with each subtype representative structures. Two molecules a stable Hematoxylin Derivative (SHD) and Damnacanthal (D3), these were shown to be bind more effectively for all the subtypes. The stability of the protein and those two small molecule complexes were identified again with MD simulation followed by the binding energy calculation. Thus, these molecules can be thought as any option other than the conventional drug targeting HIV-1 Vpr.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyeeta Datta
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | | | | | - Kalyan Giri
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
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Zhen S, Chen H, Lu J, Yang X, Tuo X, Chang S, Tian Y, Li X. Intravaginal delivery for CRISPR-Cas9 technology: For example, the treatment of HPV infection. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28552. [PMID: 36734062 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28552] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in women, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, has led to the need to develop user-friendly potential prevention methods. At present, although there are several therapeutic parts, none of them has a preventive effect, but they are only limited to providing patients with symptom relief. Researchers have now recognized the need to find effective local preventive agents. One of the potential undiscovered local fungicides is the vaginal delivery of CRISPR/Cas9. CRISPR/Cas9 delivery involves silencing gene expression in a sequence-specific manner in the pathogenic agent, thus showing microbicidal activity. However, vaginal mucosal barrier and physiological changes (such as pH value and variable epithelial thickness in the menstrual cycle) are the main obstacles to effective delivery and cell uptake of CRISPR/Cas9. To enhance the vaginal delivery of CRISPR/Cas9, so far, nano-carrier systems such as lipid delivery systems, macromolecular systems, polymer nanoparticles, aptamers, and cell-penetrating peptides have been extensively studied. In this paper, various nano-carriers and their prospects in the preclinical stage are described, as well as the future significance of CRISPR/Cas9 vaginal delivery based on nano-carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhen
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Genetic Disease Diagnosis Center of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Medical Genetics Centre, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaojiao Lu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiling Yang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoqian Tuo
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shixue Chang
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhan Tian
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xu Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Maslennikova A, Mazurov D. Application of CRISPR/Cas Genomic Editing Tools for HIV Therapy: Toward Precise Modifications and Multilevel Protection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:880030. [PMID: 35694537 PMCID: PMC9177041 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.880030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can robustly control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, the existence of latent HIV in a form of proviral DNA integrated into the host genome makes the virus insensitive to HAART. This requires patients to adhere to HAART for a lifetime, often leading to drug toxicity or viral resistance to therapy. Current genome-editing technologies offer different strategies to reduce the latent HIV reservoir in the body. In this review, we systematize the research on CRISPR/Cas-based anti-HIV therapeutic methods, discuss problems related to viral escape and gene editing, and try to focus on the technologies that effectively and precisely introduce genetic modifications and confer strong resistance to HIV infection. Particularly, knock-in (KI) approaches, such as mature B cells engineered to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies, T cells expressing fusion inhibitory peptides in the context of inactivated viral coreceptors, or provirus excision using base editors, look very promising. Current and future advancements in the precision of CRISPR/Cas editing and its delivery will help extend its applicability to clinical HIV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maslennikova
- Cell and Gene Technology Group, Institute of Gene Biology of Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Mazurov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology of Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
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Engineering T-Cell Resistance to HIV-1 Infection via Knock-In of Peptides from the Heptad Repeat 2 Domain of gp41. mBio 2022; 13:e0358921. [PMID: 35073736 PMCID: PMC8787484 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03589-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that short peptides from the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domain of gp41 expressed on the cell surface are more potent inhibitors of HIV-1 entry than soluble analogs. However, their therapeutic potential has only been examined using lentiviral vectors. Here, we aimed to develop CRISPR/Cas9-based fusion inhibitory peptide knock-in (KI) technology for the generation and selection of HIV-1-resistant T cells. First, we embedded a series of HIV-1 fusion inhibitory peptides in CD52, the shortest glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, which efficiently delivers epitope tags to the cell surface and maintains a sufficient level of KI. Among the seven peptides tested, MT-C34, HP-23L, and 2P23 exhibited significant activity against both cell-free and cell-to-cell HIV-1 infection. The shed variant of MT-C34 provided insufficient protection against HIV-1 due to its low concentration in the culture medium. Using Cas9 plasmids or ribonucleoprotein electroporation and peptide-specific antibodies, we sorted CEM/R5 cells with biallelic KI of MT-C34 and 2P23 peptides at the CXCR4 locus. In combination, these peptides provided a higher level of protection than individual KI. By extending homology arms and cloning donor DNA into a plasmid containing signals for nuclear localization, we achieved KI of MT-C34 into the CXCR4 locus and HIV-1 proviral DNA at levels of up to 35% in the T-cell line and up to 4 to 5% in primary CD4 lymphocytes. Compared to lentiviral delivery, KI resulted in the higher MT-C34 surface expression and stronger protection of lymphocytes from HIV-1. Thus, we demonstrate that KI is a viable strategy for peptide-based therapy of HIV infection. IMPORTANCE HIV is a human lentivirus that infects CD4-positive immune cells and, when left untreated, manifests in the fatal disease known as AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) does not lead to viral clearance, and HIV persists in the organism as a latent provirus. One way to control infection is to increase the population of HIV-resistant CD4 lymphocytes via entry molecule knockout or expression of different antiviral genes. Peptides from the heptad repeat (HR) domain of gp41 are potent inhibitors of HIV-1 fusion, especially when designed to express on the cell surface. Individual gp41 peptides encoded by therapeutic lentiviral vectors have been evaluated and some have entered clinical trials. However, a CRISPR/Cas9-based gp41 peptide delivery platform that operates through concomitant target gene modification has not yet been developed due to low knock-in (KI) rates in primary cells. Here, we systematically evaluated the antiviral activity of different HR2 peptides cloned into the shortest carrier molecule, CD52. The resulting small-size transgene constructs encoding selected peptides, in combination with improvements to enhance donor vector nuclear import, helped to overcome precise editing restrictions in CD4 lymphocytes. Using KI into CXCR4, we demonstrated different options for target gene modification, effectively protecting edited cells against HIV-1.
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