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van der Veen I, Heredero Berzal A, Koster C, ten Asbroek ALMA, Bergen AA, Boon CJF. The Road towards Gene Therapy for X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Gene Therapy in Cell-Based and Rodent Models of XLRS. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1267. [PMID: 38279267 PMCID: PMC10816913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021267] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is an early-onset progressive inherited retinopathy affecting males. It is characterized by abnormalities in the macula, with formation of cystoid retinal cavities, frequently accompanied by splitting of the retinal layers, impaired synaptic transmission of visual signals, and associated loss of visual acuity. XLRS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the retinoschisin gene located on the X chromosome (RS1, MIM 30083). While proof-of-concept studies for gene augmentation therapy have been promising in in vitro and rodent models, clinical trials in XLRS patients have not been successful thus far. We performed a systematic literature investigation using search strings related to XLRS and gene therapy in in vivo and in vitro models. Three rounds of screening (title/abstract, full text and qualitative) were performed by two independent reviewers until consensus was reached. Characteristics related to study design and intervention were extracted from all studies. Results were divided into studies using (1) viral and (2) non-viral therapies. All in vivo rodent studies that used viral vectors were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the SYRCLE's risk-of-bias tool. Studies using alternative and non-viral delivery techniques, either in vivo or in vitro, were extracted and reviewed qualitatively, given the diverse and dispersed nature of the information. For in-depth analysis of in vivo studies using viral vectors, outcome data for optical coherence tomography (OCT), immunohistopathology and electroretinography (ERG) were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed on the effect of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated gene augmentation therapies on a- and b-wave amplitude as well as the ratio between b- and a-wave amplitudes (b/a-ratio) extracted from ERG data. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed for model, dose, age at injection, follow-up time point and delivery method. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with a Chi-square test of homogeneity (I2). We identified 25 studies that target RS1 and met our search string. A total of 19 of these studies reported rodent viral methods in vivo. Six of the 25 studies used non-viral or alternative delivery methods, either in vitro or in vivo. Of these, five studies described non-viral methods and one study described an alternative delivery method. The 19 aforementioned in vivo studies were assessed for risk of bias and quality assessments and showed inconsistency in reporting. This resulted in an unclear risk of bias in most included studies. All 19 studies used AAVs to deliver intact human or murine RS1 in rodent models for XLRS. Meta-analyses of a-wave amplitude, b-wave amplitude, and b/a-ratio showed that, overall, AAV-mediated gene augmentation therapy significantly ameliorated the disease phenotype on these parameters. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression showed significant correlations between b-wave amplitude effect size and dose, although between-study heterogeneity was high. This systematic review reiterates the high potential for gene therapy in XLRS, while highlighting the importance of careful preclinical study design and reporting. The establishment of a systematic approach in these studies is essential to effectively translate this knowledge into novel and improved treatment alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa van der Veen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.v.d.V.); (A.H.B.); (C.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Andrea Heredero Berzal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.v.d.V.); (A.H.B.); (C.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Céline Koster
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.v.d.V.); (A.H.B.); (C.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Anneloor L. M. A. ten Asbroek
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.v.d.V.); (A.H.B.); (C.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Camiel J. F. Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.v.d.V.); (A.H.B.); (C.K.); (A.A.B.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Yoshida K, Tsunekawa Y, Kurihara K, Watanabe K, Makino-Manabe Y, Wada M, Tanaka T, Ide T, Okada T. Engineering a highly durable adeno-associated virus receptor for analytical applications. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101157. [PMID: 38152699 PMCID: PMC10751509 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101157] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a major viral vector used in gene therapy. There are multiple AAV serotypes, and many engineered AAV serotypes are developed to alter their tissue tropisms with capsid modification. The universal AAV receptor (AAVR) is an essential receptor for multiple AAV serotypes. Since most AAV serotypes used in gene therapy infect cells via interaction with AAVR, the quantification of the vector-binding ability of AAV to AAVR could be an important quality check for therapeutic AAV vectors. To enable a steady evaluation of the AAV-AAVR interaction, we created an engineered AAVR through mutagenesis. Engineered AAVR showed high durability against acid while retaining its AAV-binding activity. An affinity chromatography column with the engineered AAVR was also developed. This column enabled repeated binding and acid dissociation measurements of AAVR with various AAV serotypes. Our data showed that the binding affinities of AAV2 to AAVR were diverse among serotypes, providing insight into the relationship with the infection efficiency of AAV vectors. Thus, this affinity column can be used in process development for quality checks, quantitating capsid titers, and affinity purification of AAV vectors. Furthermore, this column may serve as a useful tool in novel AAV vector capsid engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouhei Yoshida
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Yuji Tsunekawa
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kento Kurihara
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Kazuya Watanabe
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Yuriko Makino-Manabe
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Mikako Wada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Toru Tanaka
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Ide
- Tosoh Corporation, Life Science Research Laboratory, 2743-1, Hayakawa, Ayase, Kanagawa 252-1123, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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3
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Khanal O, Kumar V, Jin M. Adeno-associated viral capsid stability on anion exchange chromatography column and its impact on empty and full capsid separation. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101112. [PMID: 37868210 PMCID: PMC10585339 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101112] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) mediated gene therapy is gaining traction in treating genetic disorders. Current rAAV production systems yield a mixture of capsids largely devoid of the transgene (empty capsid) compared with the desired therapeutic product (full capsid). Anion exchange chromatography (AEX) is an attractive method for separating empty and full AAV capsids because of its scalability. Resin types and buffer composition are key considerations for AEX and must support capsid stability to be suitable for downstream processing. We examined the impact of binding durations (0-8 h) using various binding ionic strengths (15-75 mM), pH (7.5-9.0), resin chemistry (POROS XQ, POROS HQ, POROS I, and BIA QA monolith), and proprietary Q resins with different ligand densities for effects on capsid stability. Empty capsids were altered upon extended binding, leading to retention time shifts and loss of resolution between empty and full capsids. Viral capsid protein analysis reveals that full capsids have more viral capsid protein 3 (VP3) proteins than empty capsids. Analytical hydrophilic liquid chromatography showed that empty capsid retention time shift is accompanied by changes to the empty capsid's native VP3 protein. Among the potential stabilizing additives considered, magnesium chloride was the most effective at reducing negative impacts caused by extended binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohnmar Khanal
- Technology Development, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vijesh Kumar
- Technology Development, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mi Jin
- Technology Development, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Hosseini K, Fallahi J, Tabei SMB, Razban V. Gene therapy approaches for GM1 gangliosidosis: Focus on animal and cellular studies. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:1093-1105. [PMID: 38018878 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3887] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important inherited metabolic disorders is GM1 gangliosidosis, which is a progressive neurological disorder. The main cause of this disease is a genetic defect in the enzyme β-galactosidase due to a mutation in the glb1 gene. Lack of this enzyme in cells (especially neurons) leads to the accumulation of ganglioside substrate in nerve tissues, followed by three clinical forms of GM1 disease (neonatal, juvenile, and adult variants). Genetically, many mutations occur in the exons of the glb1 gene, such as exons 2, 6, 15, and 16, so the most common ones reported in scientific studies include missense/nonsense mutations. Therefore, many studies have examined the genotype-phenotype relationships of this disease and subsequently using gene therapy techniques have been able to reduce the complications of the disease and alleviate the signs and symptoms of the disease. In this regard, the present article reviews the general features of GM1 gangliosidosis and its mutations, as well as gene therapy studies and animal and human models of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Hosseini
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jafar Fallahi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed M B Tabei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Comprehensive Medical Genetic Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Ponomarev AS, Chulpanova DS, Yanygina LM, Solovyeva VV, Rizvanov AA. Emerging Gene Therapy Approaches in the Management of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): An Overview of Clinical Trials and Patent Landscape. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13743. [PMID: 37762045 PMCID: PMC10530942 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813743] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease that is characterized by progressive muscle atrophy (degeneration), including skeletal muscles in charge of the ability to move. SMA is caused by defects in the SMN1 gene (Survival of Motor Neuron 1) which encodes a protein crucial for the survival and functionality of neuron cells called motor neurons. Decreased level of functioning SMN protein leads to progressive degeneration of alpha-motor neurons performing muscular motility. Over the past decade, many strategies directed for SMN-level-restoration emerged, such as gene replacement therapy (GRT), CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, usage of antisense oligonucleotides and small-molecule modulators, and all have been showing their perspectives in SMA therapy. In this review, modern SMA therapy strategies are described, making it a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians and everyone interested in the progress of therapy of this serious disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.S.P.); (D.S.C.); (L.M.Y.); (V.V.S.)
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Ashraf SS, Hosseinpour Sarmadi V, Larijani G, Naderi Garahgheshlagh S, Ramezani S, Moghadamifar S, Mohebi SL, Brouki Milan P, Haramshahi SMA, Ahmadirad N, Amini N. Regenerative medicine improve neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Tissue Bank 2023; 24:639-650. [PMID: 36527565 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-022-10062-0] [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: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine is a subdivision of medicine that improves methods to regrow, repair or replace unhealthy cells and tissues to return to normal function. Cell therapy, gene therapy, nanomedicine as choices used to cure neurodegenerative disease. Recently, studies related to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders have been focused on stem cell therapy and Nano-drugs beyond other than regenerative medicine. Hence, by data from experimental models and clinical trials, we review the impact of stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and nanomedicine on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Indeed, improved knowledge and continued research on gene therapy and nanomedicine in treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis lead to advancements in effective and practical treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sara Ashraf
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institutes of Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Hosseinpour Sarmadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institutes of Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Larijani
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Naderi Garahgheshlagh
- Burn Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Ramezani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Guilan, Iran
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Soraya Moghadamifar
- Department of Textile Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Lena Mohebi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Institutes of Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peiman Brouki Milan
- Institutes of Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Amin Haramshahi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooshin Ahmadirad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Naser Amini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Institutes of Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Casy W, Garza IT, Chen X, Dong T, Hu Y, Kanchwala M, Trygg CB, Shyng C, Xing C, Bunnell BA, Braun SE, Gray SJ. SMRT Sequencing Enables High-Throughput Identification of Novel AAVs from Capsid Shuffling and Directed Evolution. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1660. [PMID: 37628711 PMCID: PMC10454592 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081660] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of AAV capsid libraries coupled with various selection strategies has proven to be a remarkable approach for generating novel AAVs with enhanced and desired features. The inability to reliably sequence the complete capsid gene in a high-throughput manner has been the bottleneck of capsid engineering. As a result, many library strategies are confined to localized and modest alterations in the capsid, such as peptide insertions or single variable region (VR) alterations. The caveat of short reads by means of next-generation sequencing (NGS) hinders the diversity of capsid library construction, shifting the field away from whole-capsid modifications. We generated AAV capsid shuffled libraries of naturally occurring AAVs and applied directed evolution in both mice and non-human primates (NHPs), with the goal of yielding AAVs that are compatible across both species for translational applications. We recovered DNA from the tissues of injected animal and used single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to identify variants enriched in the central nervous system (CNS). We provide insights and considerations for variant identification by comparing bulk tissue sequencing to that of isolated nuclei. Our work highlights the potential advantages of whole-capsid engineering, as well as indispensable methodological improvements for the analysis of recovered capsids, including the nuclei-enrichment step and SMRT sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Widler Casy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Irvin T. Garza
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
- Graduate School of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Thomas Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yuhui Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (M.K.)
| | - Cynthia B. Trygg
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, Covington, LA 70433, USA (B.A.B.); (S.E.B.)
| | - Charles Shyng
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; (M.K.)
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Bruce A. Bunnell
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, Covington, LA 70433, USA (B.A.B.); (S.E.B.)
| | - Stephen E. Braun
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, Covington, LA 70433, USA (B.A.B.); (S.E.B.)
| | - Steven J. Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA (I.T.G.); (X.C.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Nowak I, Madej M, Secemska J, Sarna R, Strzalka-Mrozik B. Virus-Based Biological Systems as Next-Generation Carriers for the Therapy of Central Nervous System Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1931. [PMID: 37514117 PMCID: PMC10384784 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are currently a major challenge in medicine. One reason is the presence of the blood-brain barrier, which is a significant limitation for currently used medicinal substances that are characterized by a high molecular weight and a short half-life. Despite the application of nanotechnology, there is still the problem of targeting and the occurrence of systemic toxicity. Viral vectors and virus-like particles (VLPs) may provide a promising solution to these challenges. Their small size, biocompatibility, ability to carry medicinal substances, and specific targeting of neural cells make them useful in research when formulating a new generation of biological carriers. Additionally, the possibility of genetic modification has the potential for gene therapy. Among the most promising viral vectors are adeno-associated viruses, adenoviruses, and retroviruses. This is due to their natural tropism to neural cells, as well as the possibility of genetic and surface modification. Moreover, VLPs that are devoid of infectious genetic material in favor of increasing capacity are also leading the way for research on new drug delivery systems. The aim of this study is to review the most recent reports on the use of viral vectors and VLPs in the treatment of selected CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Nowak
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Marcel Madej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Secemska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Robert Sarna
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Barbara Strzalka-Mrozik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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9
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Wu KY, Kulbay M, Toameh D, Xu AQ, Kalevar A, Tran SD. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Novel Therapeutic Targets and Drug Development. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:685. [PMID: 36840007 PMCID: PMC9963330 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors leading to progressive visual decline. It is the most common type of inherited retinal dystrophy and has a high burden on both patients and society. This condition causes gradual loss of vision, with its typical manifestations including nyctalopia, concentric visual field loss, and ultimately bilateral central vision loss. It is one of the leading causes of visual disability and blindness in people under 60 years old and affects over 1.5 million people worldwide. There is currently no curative treatment for people with RP, and only a small group of patients with confirmed RPE65 mutations are eligible to receive the only gene therapy on the market: voretigene neparvovec. The current therapeutic armamentarium is limited to retinoids, vitamin A supplements, protection from sunlight, visual aids, and medical and surgical interventions to treat ophthalmic comorbidities, which only aim to slow down the progression of the disease. Considering such a limited therapeutic landscape, there is an urgent need for developing new and individualized therapeutic modalities targeting retinal degeneration. Although the heterogeneity of gene mutations involved in RP makes its target treatment development difficult, recent fundamental studies showed promising progress in elucidation of the photoreceptor degeneration mechanism. The discovery of novel molecule therapeutics that can selectively target specific receptors or specific pathways will serve as a solid foundation for advanced drug development. This article is a review of recent progress in novel treatment of RP focusing on preclinical stage fundamental research on molecular targets, which will serve as a starting point for advanced drug development. We will review the alterations in the molecular pathways involved in the development of RP, mainly those regarding endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptotic pathways, maintenance of the redox balance, and genomic stability. We will then discuss the therapeutic approaches under development, such as gene and cell therapy, as well as the recent literature identifying novel potential drug targets for RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. Wu
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Merve Kulbay
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Dana Toameh
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - An Qi Xu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ananda Kalevar
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Simon D. Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
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Lejman J, Panuciak K, Nowicka E, Mastalerczyk A, Wojciechowska K, Lejman M. Gene Therapy in ALS and SMA: Advances, Challenges and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021130. [PMID: 36674643 PMCID: PMC9860634 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is defined as the administration of genetic material to modify, manipulate gene expression or alter the properties of living cells for therapeutic purposes. Recent advances and improvements in this field have led to many breakthroughs in the treatment of various diseases. As a result, there has been an increasing interest in the use of these therapies to treat motor neuron diseases (MNDs), for which many potential molecular targets have been discovered. MNDs are neurodegenerative disorders that, in their most severe forms, can lead to respiratory failure and death, for instance, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite the fact that SMA has been known for many years, it is still one of the most common genetic diseases causing infant mortality. The introduction of drugs based on ASOs-nusinersen; small molecules-risdiplam; and replacement therapy (GRT)-Zolgensma has shown a significant improvement in both event-free survival and the quality of life of patients after using these therapies in the available trial results. Although there is still no drug that would effectively alleviate the course of the disease in ALS, the experience gained from SMA gene therapy gives hope for a positive outcome of the efforts to produce an effective and safe drug. The aim of this review is to present current progress and prospects for the use of gene therapy in the treatment of both SMA and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lejman
- Student Scientific Society, Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Kinga Panuciak
- Student Scientific Society, Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Emilia Nowicka
- Student Scientific Society, Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelika Mastalerczyk
- Student Scientific Society, Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Wojciechowska
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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11
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Wilton-Clark H, Yokota T. Biological and genetic therapies for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:49-59. [PMID: 36409820 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2150543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal genetic disease which currently has no cure, and poor standard treatment options largely focused on symptom relief. The development of multiple biological and genetic therapies is underway across various stages of clinical progress which could markedly affect how DMD patients are treated in the future. AREAS COVERED The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to the different therapeutic modalities currently being studied, as well as a brief description of their progress to date and relative advantages and disadvantages for the treatment of DMD. This review discusses exon skipping therapy, microdystrophin therapy, stop codon readthrough therapy, CRISPR-based gene editing, cell-based therapy, and utrophin upregulation. Secondary therapies addressing nonspecific symptoms of DMD were excluded. EXPERT OPINION Despite the vast potential held by gene replacement therapy options such as microdystrophin production and utrophin upregulation, safety risks inherent to the adeno-associated virus delivery vector might hamper the clinical viability of these approaches until further improvements can be made. Of the mutation-specific therapies, exon skipping therapy remains the most extensively validated and explored option, and the cell-based CAP-1002 therapy may prove to be a suitable adjunct therapy filling the urgent need for cardiac-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Wilton-Clark
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Shahcheraghi SH, Ayatollahi J, Lotfi M, Aljabali AAA, Al-Zoubi MS, Panda PK, Mishra V, Satija S, Charbe NB, Serrano-Aroca Á, Bahar B, Takayama K, Goyal R, Bhatia A, Almutary AG, Alnuqaydan AM, Mishra Y, Negi P, Courtney A, McCarron PA, Bakshi HA, Tambuwala MM. Gene Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Potential Targets and Tools. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2023; 22:51-65. [PMID: 35249508 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220304153719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders that affect the central nervous system cause considerable pressures on the health care system and have a substantial economic burden on modern societies. The present treatments based on available drugs are mostly ineffective and often costly. The molecular process of neuropsychiatric disorders is closely connected to modifying the genetic structures inherited or caused by damage, toxic chemicals, and some current diseases. Gene therapy is presently an experimental concept for neurological disorders. Clinical applications endeavor to alleviate the symptoms, reduce disease progression, and repair defective genes. Implementing gene therapy in inherited and acquired neurological illnesses entails the integration of several scientific disciplines, including virology, neurology, neurosurgery, molecular genetics, and immunology. Genetic manipulation has the power to minimize or cure illness by inducing genetic alterations at endogenous loci. Gene therapy that involves treating the disease by deleting, silencing, or editing defective genes and delivering genetic material to produce therapeutic molecules has excellent potential as a novel approach for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. With the recent advances in gene selection and vector design quality in targeted treatments, gene therapy could be an effective approach. This review article will investigate and report the newest and the most critical molecules and factors in neuropsychiatric disorder gene therapy. Different genome editing techniques available will be evaluated, and the review will highlight preclinical research of genome editing for neuropsychiatric disorders while also evaluating current limitations and potential strategies to overcome genome editing advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed H Shahcheraghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Jamshid Ayatollahi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lotfi
- Abortion Research Center, Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mazhar S Al-Zoubi
- Yarmouk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Pritam K Panda
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Saurabh Satija
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Nitin B Charbe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Ángel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Lab, Translational Research Centre San Alberto Magno, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, C/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Bojlul Bahar
- Nutrition Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies, Research Centre for Global Development, School of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- Center for IPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8397, Japan
| | - Rohit Goyal
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Post Box No. 9, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173212, India
| | - Amit Bhatia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Alnuqaydan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yachana Mishra
- Shri Shakti Degree College, Sankhahari, Ghatampur 209206, India
| | - Poonam Negi
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173 212, India
| | - Aaron Courtney
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A McCarron
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Hamid A Bakshi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Li H, Sun B, Huang Y, Zhang J, Xu X, Shen Y, Chen Z, Yang J, Shen L, Hu Y, Gu H. Gene therapy of yeast NDI1 on mitochondrial complex I dysfunction in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease models in vitro and vivo. Mol Med 2022; 28:29. [PMID: 35255803 PMCID: PMC8900322 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00456-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease without cure or effective treatment. This study explores whether the yeast internal NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDI1) can functionally replace the defective mammalian mitochondrial complex I, which may provide a gene therapy strategy for treating sporadic PD caused by mitochondrial complex I dysfunction.
Method
Recombinant lentivirus expressing NDI1 was transduced into SH-SY5Y cells, or recombinant adeno-associated virus type 5 expressing NDI1 was transduced into the right substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of mouse. PD cell and mouse models were established by rotenone treatment. The therapeutic effects of NDI1 on rotenone-induced PD models in vitro and vivo were assessed in neurobehavior, neuropathology, and mitochondrial functions, by using the apomorphine-induced rotation test, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot, complex I enzyme activity determination, oxygen consumption detection, ATP content determination and ROS measurement.
Results
NDI1 was expressed and localized in mitochondria in SH-SY5Y cells. NDI1 resisted rotenone-induced changes in cell morphology, loss of cell viability, accumulation of α-synuclein and pS129 α-synuclein, mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The basal and maximal oxygen consumption, mitochondrial coupling efficiency, basal and oligomycin-sensitive ATP and complex I activity in cell model were significantly increased in rotenone + NDI1 group compared to rotenone + vector group. NDI1 was efficiently expressed in dopaminergic neurons in the right SNpc without obvious adverse effects. The rotation number to the right side (NDI1-treated side) was significantly increased compared to that to the left side (untreated side) in mouse model. The number of viable dopaminergic neurons, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, total and maximal oxygen consumption, mitochondrial coupling efficiency and complex I enzyme activity in right substantia nigra, and the content of dopamine in right striatum were significantly increased in rotenone + NDI1 group compared to rotenone + vector group.
Conclusion
Yeast NDI1 can rescue the defect of oxidative phosphorylation in rotenone-induced PD cell and mouse models, and ameliorate neurobehavioral and neuropathological damages. The results may provide a basis for the yeast NDI1 gene therapy of sporadic PD caused by mitochondrial complex I dysfunction.
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Synthesis and Characterization of Fatty Acid Grafted Chitosan Polymeric Micelles for Improved Gene Delivery of VGF to the Brain through Intranasal Route. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020493. [PMID: 35203704 PMCID: PMC8962415 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Multifunctional fatty acid grafted polymeric micelles are an effective and promising approach for drug and gene delivery to the brain. An alternative approach to bypass the blood-brain barrier is administration through intranasal route. Multifunctional fatty acid grafted polymeric micelles were prepared and characterized for pVGF delivery to the brain. In vitro pVGF expression was analyzed in bEnd.3 cells, primary astrocytes, and neurons. Comparative in-vivo pVGF expression was analyzed to evaluate the effective route of administration between intranasal and intravenous. Biocompatible, multifunctional polymeric micelles were prepared, having an average size of 200 nm, and cationic zeta potential. Modified polymers were found to be hemo- and cyto-compatible. When transfected with the different modified chitosan formulations, significantly (p < 0.05) higher VGF expression was observed in primary astrocytes and neurons using the mannose, Tat peptide, and oleic acid grafted chitosan polymer. Compared to intravenous administration, intranasal administration of pVGF in polyplex formulation led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher pVGF expression. Developed multifunctional polymeric micelles were an effective pVGF delivery platform to the brain. Mannose and Tat ligand tagging improved the pVGF delivery to the brain.
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15
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Antisense and Gene Therapy Options for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Arising from Mutations in the N-Terminal Hotspot. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020257. [PMID: 35205302 PMCID: PMC8872079 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic disease affecting children that is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding for dystrophin. In the absence of functional dystrophin, patients experience progressive muscle deterioration, leaving them wheelchair-bound by age 12 and with few patients surviving beyond their third decade of life as the disease advances and causes cardiac and respiratory difficulties. In recent years, an increasing number of antisense and gene therapies have been studied for the treatment of muscular dystrophy; however, few of these therapies focus on treating mutations arising in the N-terminal encoding region of the dystrophin gene. This review summarizes the current state of development of N-terminal antisense and gene therapies for DMD, mainly focusing on exon-skipping therapy for duplications and deletions, as well as microdystrophin therapy.
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16
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Islam J, So KH, Kc E, Moon HC, Kim A, Hyun SH, Kim S, Park YS. Transplantation of human embryonic stem cells alleviates motor dysfunction in AAV2-Htt171-82Q transfected rat model of Huntington's disease. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:585. [PMID: 34809707 PMCID: PMC8607638 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02653-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) transplantation had shown to provide a potential source of cells in neurodegenerative disease studies and lead to behavioral recovery in lentivirus transfected or, toxin-induced Huntington's disease (HD) rodent model. Here, we aimed to observe if transplantation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-labeled hESCs could migrate in the neural degenerated area and improve motor dysfunction in an AAV2-Htt171-82Q transfected Huntington rat model. METHODS All animals were randomly allocated into three groups at first: HD group, sham group, and control group. After six weeks, the animals of the HD group and sham group were again divided into two subgroups depending on animals receiving either ipsilateral or contralateral hESCs transplantation. We performed cylinder test and stepping test every two weeks after AAV2-Htt171-82Q injection and hESCs transplantation. Stem cell tracking was performed once per two weeks using T2 and T2*-weighted images at 4.7 Tesla MRI. We also performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining to detect the presence of hESCs markers, huntingtin protein aggregations, and iron in the striatum. RESULTS After hESCs transplantation, the Htt virus-injected rats exhibited significant behavioral improvement in behavioral tests. SPION labeled hESCs showed migration with hypointense signal in MRI. The cells were positive with βIII-tubulin, GABA, and DARPP32. CONCLUSION Collectively, our results suggested that hESCs transplantation can be a potential treatment for motor dysfunction of Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaisan Islam
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ha So
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Elina Kc
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Cheol Moon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gammaknife Icon Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Aryun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hwan Hyun
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Soochong Kim
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seok Park
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gammaknife Icon Center, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 776, 1 Sunhwanro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea.
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Gene Therapy Approach with an Emphasis on Growth Factors: Theoretical and Clinical Outcomes in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:191-233. [PMID: 34655056 PMCID: PMC8518903 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02555-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of many neurological diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) is unknown and still needs more effective and specific therapeutic approaches. Gene therapy has a promising future in treating neurodegenerative disorders by correcting the genetic defects or by therapeutic protein delivery and is now an attraction for neurologists to treat brain disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia, epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Gene therapy allows the transgene induction, with a unique expression in cells’ substrate. This article mainly focuses on the delivering modes of genetic materials in the CNS, which includes viral and non-viral vectors and their application in gene therapy. Despite the many clinical trials conducted so far, data have shown disappointing outcomes. The efforts done to improve outcomes, efficacy, and safety in the identification of targets in various neurological disorders are also discussed here. Adapting gene therapy as a new therapeutic approach for treating neurological disorders seems to be promising, with early detection and delivery of therapy before the neuron is lost, helping a lot the development of new therapeutic options to translate to the clinic.
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Janowski M, Milewska M, Zare P, Pękowska A. Chromatin Alterations in Neurological Disorders and Strategies of (Epi)Genome Rescue. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:765. [PMID: 34451862 PMCID: PMC8399958 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders (NDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions that affect the function of the nervous system. Often incurable, NDs have profound and detrimental consequences on the affected individuals' lives. NDs have complex etiologies but commonly feature altered gene expression and dysfunctions of the essential chromatin-modifying factors. Hence, compounds that target DNA and histone modification pathways, the so-called epidrugs, constitute promising tools to treat NDs. Yet, targeting the entire epigenome might reveal insufficient to modify a chosen gene expression or even unnecessary and detrimental to the patients' health. New technologies hold a promise to expand the clinical toolkit in the fight against NDs. (Epi)genome engineering using designer nucleases, including CRISPR-Cas9 and TALENs, can potentially help restore the correct gene expression patterns by targeting a defined gene or pathway, both genetically and epigenetically, with minimal off-target activity. Here, we review the implication of epigenetic machinery in NDs. We outline syndromes caused by mutations in chromatin-modifying enzymes and discuss the functional consequences of mutations in regulatory DNA in NDs. We review the approaches that allow modifying the (epi)genome, including tools based on TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, and we highlight how these new strategies could potentially change clinical practices in the treatment of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aleksandra Pękowska
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.); (M.M.); (P.Z.)
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Martinez-Fernandez de la Camara C, McClements ME, MacLaren RE. Accurate Quantification of AAV Vector Genomes by Quantitative PCR. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040601. [PMID: 33921790 PMCID: PMC8074223 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to accurately determine the dose of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) therapeutic vector is critical to the gene therapy process. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is one of the common methods to quantify the AAV vector titre, but different variables can lead to inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the conformation of the DNA used as the standard control, and the enzymatic digestion was performed to release the viral genome from the protein capsid on the physical genome titration of a clinically relevant AAV8.RPGR vector, made to good laboratory practice standards in an academic setting. The results of this study showed that the conformation of the DNA used as standard has a significant impact on the accuracy of absolute quantification by qPCR. The use of supercoiled undigested plasmid DNA template generated a higher apparent titer, as compared to the use of linearized plasmid as the standard. In contrast to previous studies, the pre-treatment of the samples with Proteinase K, in addition to the high temperature step used after DNase I digestion, resulted in a reduction on AAV titers. Ideally, all AAV documentation should state which form of reference plasmid and which pre-treatment of the samples have been used to calculate titers, so that appropriate comparisons relating to dose toxicity and transduction efficacy can be made in the clinical scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martinez-Fernandez de la Camara
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Level 5&6, West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (M.E.M.); (R.E.M.)
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-1865-223-701
| | - Michelle E. McClements
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Level 5&6, West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (M.E.M.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Robert E. MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Level 5&6, West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (M.E.M.); (R.E.M.)
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Puranik N, Yadav D, Chauhan PS, Kwak M, Jin JO. Exploring the Role of Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 21:11-22. [PMID: 32940177 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220999200917114101] [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: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is one of the frontier fields of medical breakthroughs that poses as an effective solution to previously incurable diseases. The delivery of the corrective genetic material or a therapeutic gene into the cell restores the missing gene function and cures a plethora of diseases, incurable by the conventional medical approaches. This discovery holds the potential to treat many neurodegenerative disorders such as muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), among others. Gene therapy proves as a humane, cost-effective alternative to the exhaustive often arduous and timely impossible process of finding matched donors and extensive surgery. It also overcomes the shortcoming of conventional methods to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, the use of gene therapy is only possible after procuring the in-depth knowledge of the immuno-pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of the disease. The process of gene therapy can be broadly categorized into three main steps: elucidating the target gene, culling the appropriate vector, and determining the best mode of transfer; each step mandating pervasive research. This review aims to dissertate and summarize the role, various vectors and methods of delivery employed in gene therapy with special emphasis on therapy directed at the central nervous system (CNS) associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Puranik
- Biological Science Department, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641046, India
| | - Dhananjay Yadav
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Pallavi Singh Chauhan
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474005, India
| | - Minseok Kwak
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jun-O Jin
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
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21
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Islamov RR, Bashirov FV, Sokolov ME, Izmailov AA, Fadeev FO, Markosyan VA, Davleeva MA, Zubkova OV, Smarov MM, Logunov DY, Naroditskyi BS, Salafutdinov II, Rizvanov AA, Turaev RG. Gene-modified leucoconcentrate for personalized ex vivo gene therapy in a mini pig model of moderate spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:357-361. [PMID: 32859798 PMCID: PMC7896207 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.290902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that gene-modified umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells overexpressing a combination of recombinant neurotrophic factors are a promising therapeutic approach for cell-mediated gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, neurotrauma, and stroke. In this study, using a mini pig model of spinal cord injury, we proposed for the first time the use of gene-modified leucoconcentrate prepared from peripheral blood in the plastic blood bag for personalized ex vivo gene therapy. Leucoconcentrate obtained from mini pig peripheral blood was transduced with a chimeric adenoviral vector (Ad5/35F) that carried an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene in the plastic blood bag. The day after blood donation, the mini pigs were subjected to moderate SCI and four hours post-surgery they were intravenously autoinfused with gene-modified leucoconcentrate. A week after gene-modified leucoconcentrate therapy, fluorescent microscopy revealed EGFP-expressing leucocytes in spinal cord at the site of contusion injury. In the spleen the groups of EGFP-positive cells located in the lymphoid follicles were observed. In vitro flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy studies of the gene-modified leucoconcentrate samples also confirmed the production of EGFP by leucocytes. Thus, the efficacy of leucocytes transduction in the plastic blood bag and their migratory potential suggest their use for temporary production of recombinant biologically active molecules to correct certain pathological conditions. This paper presents a proof-of-concept of simple, safe and effective approach for personalized ex vivo gene therapy based on gene-modified leucoconcentrate autoinfusion. The animal protocols were approved by the Kazan State Medical University Animal Care and Use Committee (approval No. 5) on May 27, 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Olga V Zubkova
- Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim M Smarov
- Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis Yu Logunov
- Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris S Naroditskyi
- Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Ramil G Turaev
- The Republican Blood Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Russia
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22
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Wang Q, Zhang X, Wang K, Zhu L, Qiu B, Chen X, Lin X, Nie Y. An In Vitro Model of Diabetic Retinal Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction and Neuroretinal Degeneration. J Diabetes Res 2021; 2021:9765119. [PMID: 34805414 PMCID: PMC8598328 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9765119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in working-age populations. Proper in vitro DR models are crucial for exploring pathophysiology and identifying novel therapeutic targets. This study establishes a rational in vitro diabetic retinal neuronal-endothelial dysfunction model and a comprehensive downstream validation system. METHODS Human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were treated with different glucose concentrations with mannitol as matched osmotic controls. Cell proliferation and viability were evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8. Cell migration was measured using a transwell migration assay. Cell sprouting was assessed by a tube formation assay. The VEGF expression was assessed by ELISA. RGCs were labeled by neurons and RGC markers TUJ1 and BRN3A for quantitative and morphological analysis. Apoptosis was detected using PI/Hoechst staining and TUNEL assay and quantified by ImageJ. RESULTS Cell proliferation and migration in HRMECs were significantly higher in the 25 mM glucose-treated group (p < 0.001) but lower in the 50 mM and 100 mM groups (p < 0.001). The permeability and the apoptotic index in HRMECs were statistically higher in the 25 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM groups (p < 0.05). The tube formation assay found that all the parameters were significantly higher in the 25 mM and 50 mM groups (p < 0.001) concomitant with the elevated VEGFA expression in HRMECs (p = 0.016). Cell viability was significantly lower in the 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM groups in RGCs (p 50mM = 0.013, p 100mM = 0.019, and p 150mM = 0.002). Apoptosis was significantly elevated, but the proportion of RGCs with neurite extension was significantly lower in the 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM groups (p 50mM < 0.001, p 100mM < 0.001, and p 150mM < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We have optimized glucose concentrations to model diabetic retinal endothelial (25-50 mM) or neuronal (50-100 mM) dysfunction in vitro, which have a wide range of downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyun Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
- Beijing Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases Study Group, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
- Beijing Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases Study Group, China
| | - Kaiyue Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Save Sight Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bingjie Qiu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
- Beijing Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases Study Group, China
| | - Xiaosi Chen
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
- Beijing Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases Study Group, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Nie
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical Univeristy, Beijing, China
- Beijing Retinal and Choroidal Vascular Diseases Study Group, China
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23
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Flores-Cuadra JA, Madrid A, Fernández PL, Pérez-Lao AR, Oviedo DC, Britton GB, Carreira MB. Critical Review of the Alzheimer's Disease Non-Transgenic Models: Can They Contribute to Disease Treatment? J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 82:S227-S250. [PMID: 33216029 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing neurodegenerative disease without effective treatments or therapies. Despite the use of different approaches and an extensive variety of genetic amyloid based models, therapeutic strategies remain elusive. AD is characterized by three main pathological hallmarks that include amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammatory processes; however, many other pathological mechanisms have been described in the literature. Nonetheless, the study of the disease and the screening of potential therapies is heavily weighted toward the study of amyloid-β transgenic models. Non-transgenic models may aid in the study of complex pathological states and provide a suitable complementary alternative to evaluating therapeutic biomedical and intervention strategies. In this review, we evaluate the literature on non-transgenic alternatives, focusing on the use of these models for testing therapeutic strategies, and assess their contribution to understanding AD. This review aims to underscore the need for a shift in preclinical research on intervention strategies for AD from amyloid-based to alternative, complementary non-amyloid approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Flores-Cuadra
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Alanna Madrid
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Patricia L Fernández
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular de Enfermedades, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Ambar R Pérez-Lao
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Diana C Oviedo
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá.,Escuela de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (USMA), Panamá
| | - Gabrielle B Britton
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Maria B Carreira
- Centro de Neurociencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Panamá, República de Panamá
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Iqubal A, Iqubal MK, Khan A, Ali J, Baboota S, Haque SE. Gene Therapy, A Novel Therapeutic Tool for Neurological Disorders: Current Progress, Challenges and Future Prospective. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 20:184-194. [DOI: 10.2174/1566523220999200716111502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
:
Neurological disorders are one of the major threat for health care system as they put enormous
socioeconomic burden. All aged populations are susceptible to one or other neurological problems
with symptoms of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. At present,
available pharmacotherapeutics are insufficient to treat these diseased conditions and in most cases,
they provide only palliative effect. It was also found that the molecular etiology of neurological disorders
is directly linked with the alteration in genetic makeup, which can be inherited or triggered by the
injury, environmental toxins and by some existing disease. Therefore, to take care of this situation,
gene therapy has emerged as an advanced modality that claims to permanently cure the disease by deletion,
silencing or edition of faulty genes and by insertion of healthier genes. In this modality, vectors
(viral and non-viral) are used to deliver targeted gene into a specific region of the brain via various
routes. At present, gene therapy has shown positive outcomes in complex neurological disorders, such
as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington disease, Multiple sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis and in lysosomal storage disease. However, there are some limitations such as immunogenic
reactions non-specificity of viral vectors and a lack of effective biomarkers to understand the efficacy
of therapy. Considerable progress has been made to improve vector design, gene selection and
targeted delivery. This review article deals with the current status of gene therapy in neurological disorders
along with its clinical relevance, challenges and future prospective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
| | - Aamir Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
| | - Javed Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
| | - Sanjula Baboota
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
| | - Syed Ehtaishamul Haque
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi- 110062, India
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Ebrahimi Z, Talaei S, Aghamiri S, Goradel NH, Jafarpour A, Negahdari B. Overcoming the blood-brain barrier in neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumours. IET Nanobiotechnol 2020; 14:441-448. [PMID: 32755952 PMCID: PMC8676526 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2019.0351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery is one of the major challenges in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. The brain needs to be protected from harmful agents, which are done by the capillary network, the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB). This protective guard also prevents the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain and limits the effectiveness of treatment. For this reason, various strategies have been explored by scientists for overcoming the BBB from disruption of the BBB to targeted delivery of nanoparticles (NPs) and cells and immunotherapy. In this review, different promising brain drug delivery strategies including disruption of tight junctions in the BBB, enhanced transcellular transport by peptide-based delivery, local delivery strategies, NP delivery, and cell-based delivery have been fully discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ebrahimi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sam Talaei
- School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nasser Hashemi Goradel
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Jafarpour
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Virology Division, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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26
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Zakharova M. Modern approaches in gene therapy of motor neuron diseases. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:2634-2655. [PMID: 32638429 DOI: 10.1002/med.21705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Motor neuron disorders are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by muscle weakness, loss of ambulation, respiratory insufficiency, leading to an early death. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are the most common and fatal motor neuron diseases. The last 3 years became very successful for novel gene therapy approaches in SMA in infants. Two innovative drugs-nusinersen (Spinraza) and onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma) have been approved by health authorities. The numerous molecular and genetic overlaps between different neurodegenerative diseases are of great importance in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies, including viral vector therapy and RNA modulating approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zakharova
- Sixth Neurology Department (Department of Neuroinfectious Diseases), Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
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27
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Zhang Z, Wen K, Zhang C, Laroche F, Wang Z, Zhou Q, Liu Z, Abrahams JP, Zhou X. Extracellular Nanovesicle Enhanced Gene Transfection Using Polyethyleneimine in HEK293T Cells and Zebrafish Embryos. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:448. [PMID: 32596214 PMCID: PMC7300290 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
It is a hot topic to improve efficiency and decrease toxicity of gene transfection reagents. The extracellular nanovesicles (EVs) that are released by cells play an important role in intercellular communication and are naturally designed for genetic exchange between cells. Here, we show that the EVs have a large beneficial effect in polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated transfection of a GFP-encoding plasmid into HEK293T cells. An improvement of transfection efficiency of ~500% and a decrease in toxicity were observed in a specific concentration range of PEI. The EVs also greatly improved the transfection of the same plasmid into zebrafish embryos. To verify the generality of this gene transfection approach, we also tested the cell viability and gene transfection efficiency using two other plasmids (EpTEN and ELuc) and in another cell line (A549). The measured increase in transfection efficiency makes EV a promising candidate for enhancement of the quality of current PEI-based transfection technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Zhang
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai Wen
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fabrice Laroche
- Centre for Carbohydrate Recognition and Signalling, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zhenglong Wang
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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28
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Wang GY, Wang TZ, Zhang YY, Li F, Yu BY, Kou JP. NMMHC IIA Inhibition Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemic/Reperfusion-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis Through Caspase-3/ROCK1/MLC Pathway. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:13-25. [PMID: 32021088 PMCID: PMC6954088 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s230882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Our previous studies have indicated that non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMMHC IIA) is involved in H2O2-induced neuronal apoptosis, which is associated with the positive feedback loop of caspase-3/ROCK1/MLC pathway. However, the neuroprotective effect of NMMHC IIA inhibition with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and its role in caspases-3/ROCK1/MLC pathway remain blurred. Methods Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a small hairpin RNA targeting Myh9 (encoding NMMHC IIA) were cloned and packaged into the AAV9 vector. AAV-shMyh9 or control vector were injected into C57BL/6J mice four weeks prior to 60 min MCAO. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, functional and histological analyses of the mice were performed. Results In this study, AAV-shMyh9 was used to down-regulate NMMHC IIA expression in mice. We found that down-regulation of NMMHC IIA could improve neurological scores and histological injury in ischemic mice. Ischemic attack also activated neuronal apoptosis, and this effect was partially attenuated when NMMHC IIA was inhibited by AAV-shMyh9. In addition, AAV-shMyh9 significantly reduced cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R)-induced NMMHC IIA-actin interaction, caspase-3 cleavage, Rho-associated kinase1 (ROCK1) activation and myosin light-chains (MLC) phosphorylation. Conclusion Consequently, we showed that AAV-shMyh9 inhibits I/R-induced neuronal apoptosis linked with caspase-3/ROCK1/MLC/NMMHC IIA-actin cascade, which has also been confirmed to be a positive feedback loop. These findings put some insights into the neuroprotective effect of AAV-shMyh9 associated with the regulation of NMMHC IIA-related pathway under ischemic attack and provide a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Tie-Zheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Yang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Resource and Development of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Ping Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Products, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
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29
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Shaimardanova AA, Solovyeva VV, Chulpanova DS, James V, Kitaeva KV, Rizvanov AA. Extracellular vesicles in the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:586-596. [PMID: 31638080 PMCID: PMC6975137 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.266908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, play a fundamental role in the activity of the nervous system, participating in signal transmission between neurons and providing the interaction of central nervous system with all body systems. In many neurodegenerative diseases, neurons pack toxic substances into vesicles and release them into the extracellular space, which leads to the spread of misfolded neurotoxic proteins. The contents of neuron-derived extracellular vesicles may indicate pathological changes in the central nervous system, and the analysis of extracellular vesicle molecular content contributes to the development of non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of many central nervous system diseases. Extracellular vesicles of neuronal origin can be isolated from various biological fluids due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Today, the diagnostic potential of almost all toxic proteins involved in nervous system disease pathogenesis, specifically α-synuclein, tau protein, superoxide dismutase 1, FUS, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2, as well as some synaptic proteins, has been well evidenced. Special attention is paid to extracellular RNAs mostly associated with extracellular vesicles, which are important in the onset and development of many neurodegenerative diseases. Depending on parental cell type, extracellular vesicles may have different therapeutic properties, including neuroprotective, regenerative, and anti-inflammatory. Due to nano size, biosafety, ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, possibility of targeted delivery and the lack of an immune response, extracellular vesicles are a promising vehicle for the delivery of therapeutic substances for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and drug delivery to the brain. This review describes modern approaches of diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases using extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa A Shaimardanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria S Chulpanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria James
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Kristina V Kitaeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert A Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
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30
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Schlüter A, Aksan B, Diem R, Fairless R, Mauceri D. VEGFD Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells and, consequently, Capillaries against Excitotoxic Injury. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 17:281-299. [PMID: 32055648 PMCID: PMC7005343 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, neurons and the vasculature influence each other. While it is well described that a functional vascular system is trophic to neurons and that vascular damage contributes to neurodegeneration, the opposite scenario in which neural damage might impact the microvasculature is less defined. In this study, using an in vivo excitotoxic approach in adult mice as a tool to cause specific damage to retinal ganglion cells, we detected subsequent damage to endothelial cells in retinal capillaries. Furthermore, we detected decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD) in retinal ganglion cells. In vivo VEGFD supplementation via neuronal-specific viral-mediated expression or acute intravitreal delivery of the mature protein preserved the structural and functional integrity of retinal ganglion cells against excitotoxicity and, additionally, spared endothelial cells from degeneration. Viral-mediated suppression of expression of the VEGFD-binding receptor VEGFR3 in retinal ganglion cells revealed that VEGFD exerts its protective capacity directly on retinal ganglion cells, while protection of endothelial cells is the result of upheld neuronal integrity. These findings suggest that VEGFD supplementation might be a novel, clinically applicable approach for neuronal and vascular protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Schlüter
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bahar Aksan
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Diem
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,CCU Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Fairless
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,CCU Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Mauceri
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Wang S, Huang R. Non-viral nucleic acid delivery to the central nervous system and brain tumors. J Gene Med 2019; 21:e3091. [PMID: 30980444 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a rapidly emerging remedial route for many serious incurable diseases, such as central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Currently, nucleic acid medicines, including DNAs encoding therapeutic or destructive proteins, small interfering RNAs or microRNAs, have been successfully delivered to the CNS with gene delivery vectors using various routes of administration and have subsequently exhibited remarkable therapeutic efficiency. Among these vectors, non-viral vectors are favorable for delivering genes into the CNS as a result of their many special characteristics, such as low toxicity and pre-existing immunogenicity, high gene loading efficiency and easy surface modification. In this review, we highlight the main types of therapeutic genes that have been applied in the therapy of CNS diseases and then outline non-viral gene delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongshan Hospital, and School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongqin Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongshan Hospital, and School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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