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Dong Y, Wang J, Chen L, Chen H, Dang S, Li F. Aptamer-based assembly systems for SARS-CoV-2 detection and therapeutics. Chem Soc Rev 2024. [PMID: 38829187 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00774j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are oligonucleotide chains with molecular recognition properties. Compared with antibodies, aptamers show advantages given that they are readily produced via chemical synthesis and elicit minimal immunogenicity in biomedicine applications. Notably, aptamer-encoded nucleic acid assemblies further improve the binding affinity of aptamers with the targets due to their multivalent synergistic interactions. Specially, aptamers can be engineered with special topological arrangements in nucleic acid assemblies, which demonstrate spatial and valence matching towards antigens on viruses, thus showing potential in the detection and therapeutic applications of viruses. This review presents the recent progress on the aptamers explored for SARS-CoV-2 detection and infection treatment, wherein applications of aptamer-based assembly systems are introduced in detail. Screening methods and chemical modification strategies for aptamers are comprehensively summarized, and the types of aptamers employed against different target domains of SARS-CoV-2 are illustrated. The evolution of aptamer-based assembly systems for the detection and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the construction principle and characteristics of aptamer-based DNA assemblies are demonstrated. The typically representative works are presented to demonstrate how to assemble aptamers rationally and elaborately for specific applications in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and neutralization. Finally, we provide deep insights into the current challenges and future perspectives towards aptamer-based nucleic acid assemblies for virus detection and neutralization in nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
| | - Jingping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
| | - Haonan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
| | - Shuangbo Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China.
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2
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Alpuche-Lazcano SP, Scarborough RJ, Gatignol A. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs during transcriptional regulation and latency of HIV and HTLV. Retrovirology 2024; 21:5. [PMID: 38424561 PMCID: PMC10905857 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-024-00637-y] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) have replicative and latent stages of infection. The status of the viruses is dependent on the cells that harbour them and on different events that change the transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Non-coding (nc)RNAs are key factors in the regulation of retrovirus replication cycles. Notably, micro (mi)RNAs and long non-coding (lnc)RNAs are important regulators that can induce switches between active transcription-replication and latency of retroviruses and have important impacts on their pathogenesis. Here, we review the functions of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the context of HIV and HTLV. We describe how specific miRNAs and lncRNAs are involved in the regulation of the viruses' transcription, post-transcriptional regulation and latency. We further discuss treatment strategies using ncRNAs for HIV and HTLV long remission, reactivation or possible cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio P Alpuche-Lazcano
- Virus-Cell Interactions Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, 3999, Côte Ste Catherine St., Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- National Research Council Canada, Montréal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Robert J Scarborough
- Virus-Cell Interactions Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, 3999, Côte Ste Catherine St., Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Anne Gatignol
- Virus-Cell Interactions Laboratory, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, 3999, Côte Ste Catherine St., Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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3
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Chernikov IV, Ponomareva UA, Meschaninova MI, Bachkova IK, Vlassov VV, Zenkova MA, Chernolovskaya EL. Cholesterol Conjugates of Small Interfering RNA: Linkers and Patterns of Modification. Molecules 2024; 29:786. [PMID: 38398538 PMCID: PMC10892548 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040786] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol siRNA conjugates attract attention because they allow the delivery of siRNA into cells without the use of transfection agents. In this study, we compared the efficacy and duration of silencing induced by cholesterol conjugates of selectively and totally modified siRNAs and their heteroduplexes of the same sequence and explored the impact of linker length between the 3' end of the sense strand of siRNA and cholesterol on the silencing activity of "light" and "heavy" modified siRNAs. All 3'-cholesterol conjugates were equally active under transfection, but the conjugate with a C3 linker was less active than those with longer linkers (C8 and C15) in a carrier-free mode. At the same time, they were significantly inferior in activity to the 5'-cholesterol conjugate. Shortening the sense strand carrying cholesterol by two nucleotides from the 3'-end did not have a significant effect on the activity of the conjugate. Replacing the antisense strand or both strands with fully modified ones had a significant effect on silencing as well as improving the duration in transfection-mediated and carrier-free modes. A significant 78% suppression of MDR1 gene expression in KB-8-5 xenograft tumors developed in mice promises an advantage from the use of fully modified siRNA cholesterol conjugates in combination chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan V Chernikov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ul'yana A Ponomareva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Mariya I Meschaninova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Irina K Bachkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Str. 1, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valentin V Vlassov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena L Chernolovskaya
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academic Lavrentiev Avenue 8, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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4
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Kola NS, Patel D, Thakur A. RNA-Based Vaccines and Therapeutics Against Intracellular Pathogens. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2813:321-370. [PMID: 38888787 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3890-3_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based vaccines have sparked a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of diseases by nucleic acid medicines. There has been a notable surge in the development of nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines following the global approval of the two messenger RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. This growth is fueled by the exploration of numerous RNA products in preclinical stages, offering several advantages over conventional methods, i.e., safety, efficacy, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. In this chapter, we provide an overview of various types of RNA and their mechanisms of action for stimulating immune responses and inducing therapeutic effects. Furthermore, this chapter delves into the varying delivery systems, particularly emphasizing the use of nanoparticles to deliver RNA. The choice of delivery system is an intricate process involved in developing nucleic acid medicines that significantly enhances their stability, biocompatibility, and site-specificity. Additionally, this chapter sheds light on the current landscape of clinical trials of RNA therapeutics and vaccines against intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Suresh Kola
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Dhruv Patel
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Aneesh Thakur
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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5
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Lin M, Qi X. Advances and Challenges of Stimuli-Responsive Nucleic Acids Delivery System in Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051450. [PMID: 37242692 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has emerged as a powerful tool to treat various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, ocular diseases and cancer diseases. In 2018, the FDA approved Patisiran (the siRNA therapeutic) for treating amyloidosis. Compared with traditional drugs, gene therapy can directly correct the disease-related genes at the genetic level, which guarantees a sustained effect. However, nucleic acids are unstable in circulation and have short half-lives. They cannot pass through biological membranes due to their high molecular weight and massive negative charges. To facilitate the delivery of nucleic acids, it is crucial to develop a suitable delivery strategy. The rapid development of delivery systems has brought light to the gene delivery field, which can overcome multiple extracellular and intracellular barriers that prevent the efficient delivery of nucleic acids. Moreover, the emergence of stimuli-responsive delivery systems has made it possible to control the release of nucleic acids in an intelligent manner and to precisely guide the therapeutic nucleic acids to the target site. Considering the unique properties of stimuli-responsive delivery systems, various stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have been developed. For example, taking advantage of the physiological variations of a tumor (pH, redox and enzymes), various biostimuli- or endogenous stimuli-responsive delivery systems have been fabricated to control the gene delivery processes in an intelligent manner. In addition, other external stimuli, such as light, magnetic fields and ultrasound, have also been employed to construct stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Nevertheless, most stimuli-responsive delivery systems are in the preclinical stage, and some critical issues remain to be solved for advancing the clinical translation of these nanocarriers, such as the unsatisfactory transfection efficiency, safety issues, complexity of manufacturing and off-target effects. The purpose of this review is to elaborate the principles of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and to emphasize the most influential advances of stimuli-responsive gene delivery systems. Current challenges of their clinical translation and corresponding solutions will also be highlighted, which will accelerate the translation of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and advance the development of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610044, China
| | - Xianrong Qi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
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6
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Schaible P, Bethge W, Lengerke C, Haraszti RA. RNA Therapeutics for Improving CAR T-cell Safety and Efficacy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:354-362. [PMID: 36512627 PMCID: PMC7614194 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have recently emerged as potent tools in the fight against cancer, with promising therapeutic efficacy against hematological malignancies. However, several limitations hamper their widespread clinical use, including availability of target antigen, severe toxic effects, primary and secondary resistance, heterogeneous quality of autologous T cells, variable persistence, and low activity against solid tumors. Development of allogeneic off-the-shelf CAR T cells could help address some of these limitations but is impeded by alloimmunity with either rejection and limited expansion of allo-CAR T cells or CAR T cells versus host reactions. RNA therapeutics, such as small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides, are able to silence transcripts in a sequence-specific and proliferation-sensitive way, which may offer a way to overcome some of the challenges facing CAR T-cell development and clinical utility. Here, we review how different RNA therapeutics or a combination of RNA therapeutics and genetic engineering could be harnessed to improve the safety and efficacy of autologous and allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schaible
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Bethge
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Lengerke
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Reka Agnes Haraszti
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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7
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Li Y, Arce A, Lucci T, Rasmussen RA, Lucks JB. Dynamic RNA synthetic biology: new principles, practices and potential. RNA Biol 2023; 20:817-829. [PMID: 38044595 PMCID: PMC10730207 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2269508] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An increased appreciation of the role of RNA dynamics in governing RNA function is ushering in a new wave of dynamic RNA synthetic biology. Here, we review recent advances in engineering dynamic RNA systems across the molecular, circuit and cellular scales for important societal-scale applications in environmental and human health, and bioproduction. For each scale, we introduce the core concepts of dynamic RNA folding and function at that scale, and then discuss technologies incorporating these concepts, covering new approaches to engineering riboswitches, ribozymes, RNA origami, RNA strand displacement circuits, biomaterials, biomolecular condensates, extracellular vesicles and synthetic cells. Considering the dynamic nature of RNA within the engineering design process promises to spark the next wave of innovation that will expand the scope and impact of RNA biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyi Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Anibal Arce
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tyler Lucci
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Rasmussen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Julius B. Lucks
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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8
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Ning L, Liu M, Gou Y, Yang Y, He B, Huang J. Development and application of ribonucleic acid therapy strategies against COVID-19. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:5070-5085. [PMID: 35982905 PMCID: PMC9379410 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), remaining a global health crisis since its outbreak until now. Advanced biotechnology and research findings have revealed many suitable viral and host targets for a wide range of therapeutic strategies. The emerging ribonucleic acid therapy can modulate gene expression by post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) based on Watson-Crick base pairing. RNA therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), ribozymes, RNA interference (RNAi), aptamers, etc., were used to treat SARS-CoV whose genome is similar to SARV-CoV-2, and the past experience also applies for the treatment of COVID-19. Several studies against SARS-CoV-2 based on RNA therapeutic strategy have been reported, and a dozen of relevant preclinical or clinical trials are in process globally. RNA therapy has been a very active and important part of COVID-19 treatment. In this review, we focus on the progress of ribonucleic acid therapeutic strategies development and application, discuss corresponding problems and challenges, and suggest new strategies and solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ning
- School of Healthcare Technology, Chengdu Neusoft University, Sichuan, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Mujiexin Liu
- Ineye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China
| | - Yushu Gou
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Bifang He
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
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9
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Tarab-Ravski D, Stotsky-Oterin L, Peer D. Delivery strategies of RNA therapeutics to leukocytes. J Control Release 2022; 342:362-371. [PMID: 35041904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing RNA-based therapeutics for cancer, inflammation, and viral diseases is hindered by poor delivery of therapeutic RNA molecules. Targeting leukocytes to treat these conditions holds great promise, as they are key participants in their initiation, drug response, and treatment. The various extra- and intra-cellular obstacles that impediment the clinical implementation of therapeutic RNA can be overcome by utilizing drug delivery systems. However, delivery of therapeutic RNA to leukocytes poses an even greater challenge as these cells are difficult to reach and transfect upon systemic administration. This review briefly describes the existing successful delivery strategies that efficiently target leukocytes in vivo and discuss their potential clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Tarab-Ravski
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences & Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lior Stotsky-Oterin
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences & Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences & Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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10
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Xun J, Zhang X, Guo S, Lu H, Chen J. Editing out HIV: application of gene editing technology to achieve functional cure. Retrovirology 2021; 18:39. [PMID: 34922576 PMCID: PMC8684261 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-021-00581-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) successfully suppresses human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and improves the quality of life of patients living with HIV. However, current HAART does not eradicate HIV infection because an HIV reservoir is established in latently infected cells and is not recognized by the immune system. The successful curative treatment of the Berlin and London patients following bone marrow transplantation inspired researchers to identify an approach for the functional cure of HIV. As a promising technology, gene editing-based strategies have attracted considerable attention and sparked much debate. Herein, we discuss the development of different gene editing strategies in the functional cure of HIV and highlight the potential for clinical applications prospects. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingna Xun
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Shuyan Guo
- Shanghai Foreign Language School, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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11
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Khanali J, Azangou-Khyavy M, Asaadi Y, Jamalkhah M, Kiani J. Nucleic Acid-Based Treatments Against COVID-19: Potential Efficacy of Aptamers and siRNAs. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:758948. [PMID: 34858370 PMCID: PMC8630580 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.758948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant efforts, there are currently no approved treatments for COVID-19. However, biotechnological approaches appear to be promising in the treatment of the disease. Accordingly, nucleic acid-based treatments including aptamers and siRNAs are candidates that might be effective in COVID-19 treatment. Aptamers can hamper entry and replication stages of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, while siRNAs can cleave the viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs to inhibit the viral life cycle and reduce viral loads. As a conjugated molecule, aptamer–siRNA chimeras have proven to be dual-functioning antiviral therapy, acting both as virus-neutralizing and replication-interfering agents as well as being a siRNA targeted delivery approach. Previous successful applications of these compounds against various stages of the pathogenesis of diseases and viral infections, besides their advantages over other alternatives, might provide sufficient rationale for the application of these nucleic acid-based drugs against the SARS-CoV-2. However, none of them are devoid of limitations. Here, the literature was reviewed to assess the plausibility of using aptamers, siRNAs, and aptamer–siRNA chimeras against the SARS-CoV-2 based on their previously established effectiveness, and discussing challenges lie in applying these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Khanali
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Yasaman Asaadi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monire Jamalkhah
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jafar Kiani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Miele D, Xia X, Catenacci L, Sorrenti M, Rossi S, Sandri G, Ferrari F, Rossi JJ, Bonferoni MC. Chitosan Oleate Coated PLGA Nanoparticles as siRNA Drug Delivery System. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1716. [PMID: 34684009 PMCID: PMC8539707 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide therapeutics such as miRNAs and siRNAs represent a class of molecules developed to modulate gene expression by interfering with ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and protein synthesis. These molecules are characterized by strong instability and easy degradation due to nuclease enzymes. To avoid these drawbacks and ensure efficient delivery to target cells, viral and non-viral vectors are the two main approaches currently employed. Viral vectors are one of the major vehicles in gene therapy; however, the potent immunogenicity and the insertional mutagenesis is a potential issue for the patient. Non-viral vectors, such as polymeric nanocarriers, provide a safer and more efficient delivery of RNA-interfering molecules. The aim of this work is to employ PLGA core nanoparticles shell-coated with chitosan oleate as siRNA carriers. An siRNA targeted on HIV-1, directed against the viral Tat/Rev transcripts was employed as a model. The ionic interaction between the oligonucleotide's moieties, negatively charged, and the positive surface charges of the chitosan shell was exploited to associate siRNA and nanoparticles. Non-covalent bonds can protect siRNA from nuclease degradation and guarantee a good cell internalization and a fast release of the siRNA into the cytosolic portion, allowing its easy activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Miele
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Xin Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1218 Fifth Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Laura Catenacci
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Milena Sorrenti
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Sandri
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Franca Ferrari
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - John J. Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1218 Fifth Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Maria Cristina Bonferoni
- Department Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Vle Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (D.M.); (L.C.); (M.S.); (S.R.); (G.S.); (F.F.)
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13
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Pandey M, Ojha D, Bansal S, Rode AB, Chawla G. From bench side to clinic: Potential and challenges of RNA vaccines and therapeutics in infectious diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101003. [PMID: 34332771 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The functional and structural versatility of Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) makes them ideal candidates for overcoming the limitations imposed by small molecule-based drugs. Hence, RNA-based biopharmaceuticals such as messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNA mimics, anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs), aptamers, riboswitches, and CRISPR-Cas9 are emerging as vital tools for the treatment and prophylaxis of many infectious diseases. Some of the major challenges to overcome in the area of RNA-based therapeutics have been the instability of single-stranded RNAs, delivery to the diseased cell, and immunogenicity. However, recent advancements in the delivery systems of in vitro transcribed mRNA and chemical modifications for protection against nucleases and reducing the toxicity of RNA have facilitated the entry of several exogenous RNAs into clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, their production, delivery, current advancements, and future translational potential in treating infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Pandey
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Divya Ojha
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sakshi Bansal
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Ambadas B Rode
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
| | - Geetanjali Chawla
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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14
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Aptamer-mediated transcriptional gene silencing of Fox p 3 inhibits regulatory T cells and potentiates antitumor response. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 25:143-151. [PMID: 34457999 PMCID: PMC8365334 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of immunosuppressive mechanisms may switch the balance between tolerance and surveillance, leading to an increase in antitumor activity. Regulatory T cells play an important role in the control of immunosuppression, exhibiting the unique property of inhibiting T cell proliferation. These cells migrate to tumor sites or may be generated at the tumor site itself from the conversion of lymphocytes exposed to tumor microenvironment signaling. Because of the high similarity between regulatory T cells and other lymphocytes, the available approaches to inhibit this population are nonspecific and may antagonize antitumor response. In this work we explore a new strategy for inhibition of regulatory T cells based on the use of a chimeric aptamer targeting a marker of immune activation harboring a small antisense RNA molecule for transcriptional gene silencing of Foxp3, which is essential for the control of the immunosuppressive phenotype. The silencing of Foxp3 inhibits the immunosuppressive phenotype of regulatory T cells and potentiates the effect of the GVAX antitumor vaccine in immunocompetent animals challenged with syngeneic tumors. This novel approach highlights an alternative method to antagonize regulatory T cell function to augment antitumor immune responses.
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15
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Wan Q, Liu X, Zu Y. Oligonucleotide aptamers for pathogen detection and infectious disease control. Theranostics 2021; 11:9133-9161. [PMID: 34522231 PMCID: PMC8419047 DOI: 10.7150/thno.61804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During an epidemic or pandemic, the primary task is to rapidly develop precise diagnostic approaches and effective therapeutics. Oligonucleotide aptamer-based pathogen detection assays and control therapeutics are promising, as aptamers that specifically recognize and block pathogens can be quickly developed and produced through simple chemical synthesis. This work reviews common aptamer-based diagnostic techniques for communicable diseases and summarizes currently available aptamers that target various pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moreover, this review discusses how oligonucleotide aptamers might be leveraged to control pathogen propagation and improve host immune system responses. This review offers a comprehensive data source to the further develop aptamer-based diagnostics and therapeutics specific for infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Youli Zu
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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16
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Bolhassani A, Milani A. Small Interfering RNAs and their Delivery Systems: A Novel Powerful Tool for the Potential Treatment of HIV Infections. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 13:173-181. [PMID: 31760929 DOI: 10.2174/1874467212666191023120954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have rapidly developed into biomedical research as a novel tool for the potential treatment of various human diseases. They are based on altered gene expression. In spite of the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there is a specific interest in developing siRNAs as a therapeutic agent for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to several problems including toxicity and drug resistance along with long term treatment. The successful use of siRNAs for therapeutic goals needs safe and effective delivery to specific cells and tissues. Indeed, the efficiency of gene silencing depends on the potency of the carrier used for siRNA delivery. The combination of siRNA and nano-carriers is a potent method to prevent the limitations of siRNA formulation. Three steps were involved in non-viral siRNA carriers such as the complex formation of siRNA with a cationic carrier, conjugation of siRNA with small molecules, and encapsulation of siRNA within nanoparticles. In this mini-review, the designed siRNAs and their carriers are described against HIV-1 infections both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Berber B, Aydin C, Kocabas F, Guney-Esken G, Yilancioglu K, Karadag-Alpaslan M, Caliseki M, Yuce M, Demir S, Tastan C. Gene editing and RNAi approaches for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. Gene Ther 2021; 28:290-305. [PMID: 33318646 PMCID: PMC7734466 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-00209-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is a highly infectious acute respiratory disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (Prec Clin Med 2020;3:9-13, Lancet 2020;395:497-506, N. Engl J Med 2020a;382:1199-207, Nature 2020;579:270-3). SARS-CoV-2 surveillance is essential to controlling widespread transmission. However, there are several challenges associated with the diagnostic of the COVID-19 during the current outbreak (Liu and Li (2019), Nature 2020;579:265-9, N. Engl J Med 2020;382:727-33). Firstly, the high number of cases overwhelms diagnostic test capacity and proposes the need for a rapid solution for sample processing (Science 2018;360:444-8). Secondly, SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to other important coronavirus species and subspecies, so detection assays can give false-positive results if they are not efficiently specific to SARS-CoV-2. Thirdly, patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection sometimes have a different respiratory viral infection or co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses (MedRxiv 2020a;1-18). Confirmation of the COVID-19 is performed mainly by virus isolation followed by RT-PCR and sequencing (N. Engl J Med 2020;382:727-33, MedRxiv 2020a, Turkish J Biol 2020;44:192-202). The emergence and outbreak of the novel coronavirus highlighted the urgent need for new therapeutic technologies that are fast, precise, stable, easy to manufacture, and target-specific for surveillance and treatment. Molecular biology tools that include gene-editing approaches such as CRISPR-Cas12/13-based SHERLOCK, DETECTR, CARVER and PAC-MAN, antisense oligonucleotides, antisense peptide nucleic acids, ribozymes, aptamers, and RNAi silencing approaches produced with cutting-edge scientific advances compared to conventional diagnostic or treatment methods could be vital in COVID-19 and other future outbreaks. Thus, in this review, we will discuss potent the molecular biology approaches that can revolutionize diagnostic of viral infections and therapies to fight COVID-19 in a highly specific, stable, and efficient way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Berber
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Cihan Aydin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatih Kocabas
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gulen Guney-Esken
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kaan Yilancioglu
- Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetics Application and Research Center (TRGENMER), Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Medine Karadag-Alpaslan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Caliseki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melek Yuce
- Center for Stem Cell Research, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sevda Demir
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cihan Tastan
- Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetics Application and Research Center (TRGENMER), Uskudar University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Acibadem Labcell Cellular Therapy Laboratory, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Kultur University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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18
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Meganck RM, Baric RS. Developing therapeutic approaches for twenty-first-century emerging infectious viral diseases. Nat Med 2021; 27:401-410. [PMID: 33723456 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01282-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The twenty-first century has already recorded more than ten major epidemic or pandemic virus emergence events, including the ongoing and devastating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As viral disease emergence is expected to accelerate, these data dictate a need for proactive approaches to develop broadly active family-specific and cross-family therapeutics for use in future disease outbreaks. Emphasis should focus not only on the development of broad-spectrum small-molecule and antibody direct-acting antivirals, but also on host-factor therapeutics, including repurposing previously approved or in-pipeline drugs. Another new class of therapeutics with great antiviral therapeutic potential is RNA-based therapeutics. Rather than only focusing on known risks, dedicated efforts must be made toward pre-emptive research focused on outbreak-prone virus families, ultimately offering a strategy to shorten the gap between outbreak and response. Emphasis should also focus on orally available drugs for outpatient use, if possible, and on identifying combination therapies that combat viral and immune-mediated pathologies, extend the effectiveness of therapeutic windows and reduce drug resistance. While such an undertaking will require new vision, dedicated funding and private, federal and academic partnerships, this approach offers hope that global populations need never experience future pandemics such as COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita M Meganck
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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19
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Wang Q, Fan X, Jing N, Zhao H, Yu L, Tang X. Photoregulation of Gene Expression with Ligand-Modified Caged siRNAs through Host/Guest Interaction. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1901-1907. [PMID: 33432703 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can effectively silence target genes through Argonate 2 (Ago2)-induced RNA interference (RNAi). It is very important to control siRNA activity in both spatial and temporal modes. Among different masking strategies, photocaging can be used to regulate gene expression through light irradiation with spatiotemporal and dose-dependent resolution. Many different caging strategies and caging groups have been reported for light-activated siRNA gene silencing. Herein, we describe a novel caging strategy that increases the blocking effect of RISC complex formation/process through host/guest (including ligand/receptor) interactions, thereby enhancing the inhibition of caged siRNA activity until light activation. This strategy can be used as a general approach to design caged siRNAs for the photomodulation of gene silencing of exogenous and endogenous genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xinli Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Nannan Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Han Zhao
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, NHC, No. 27 Shilong Road, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lijia Yu
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, NHC, No. 27 Shilong Road, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xinjing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, P. R. China
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20
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Kelleher AD, Cortez-Jugo C, Cavalieri F, Qu Y, Glanville AR, Caruso F, Symonds G, Ahlenstiel CL. RNAi therapeutics: an antiviral strategy for human infections. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 54:121-129. [PMID: 33171339 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene silencing induced by RNAi represents a promising antiviral development strategy. This review will summarise the current state of RNAi therapeutics for treating acute and chronic human virus infections. The gene silencing pathways exploited by RNAi therapeutics will be described and include both classic RNAi, inducing cytoplasmic mRNA degradation post-transcription and novel RNAi, mediating epigenetic modifications at the transcription level in the nucleus. Finally, the challenge of delivering gene modifications via RNAi will be discussed, along with the unique characteristics of respiratory versus systemic administration routes to highlight recent advances and future potential of RNAi antiviral treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Cortez-Jugo
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Yijiao Qu
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Frank Caruso
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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21
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Shrivastava G, Bakshi HA, Aljabali AA, Mishra V, Hakkim FL, Charbe NB, Kesharwani P, Chellappan DK, Dua K, Tambuwala MM. Nucleic Acid Aptamers as a Potential Nucleus Targeted Drug Delivery System. Curr Drug Deliv 2020; 17:101-111. [PMID: 31906837 DOI: 10.2174/1567201817666200106104332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleus targeted drug delivery provides several opportunities for the treatment of fatal diseases such as cancer. However, the complex nucleocytoplasmic barriers pose significant challenges for delivering a drug directly and efficiently into the nucleus. Aptamers representing singlestranded DNA and RNA qualify as next-generation highly advanced and personalized medicinal agents that successfully inhibit the expression of certain proteins; possess extraordinary gene-expression for manoeuvring the diseased cell's fate with negligible toxicity. In addition, the precisely directed aptamers to the site of action present a tremendous potential to reach the nucleus by escaping the ensuing barriers to exhibit a better drug activity and gene expression. OBJECTIVE This review epigrammatically highlights the significance of targeted drug delivery and presents a comprehensive description of the principal barriers faced by the nucleus targeted drug delivery paradigm and ensuing complexities thereof. Eventually, the progress of nucleus targeting with nucleic acid aptamers and success achieved so far have also been reviewed. METHODS Systematic literature search was conducted of research published to date in the field of nucleic acid aptamers. CONCLUSION The review specifically points out the contribution of individual aptamers as the nucleustargeting agent rather than aptamers in conjugated form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Shrivastava
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
| | - Hamid A Bakshi
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry BT52 1SA Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Alaa A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab), India
| | - Faruck L Hakkim
- Department of Mathematics and Sciences, College of Arts and Applied Sciences, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman
| | - Nitin B Charbe
- Departamento de Quimica Organica, Facultad de Quimicay de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Av. Vicuña McKenna 4860, Macul, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Dinesh K Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Ulster University, Coleraine, County Londonderry BT52 1SA Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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22
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Dammes N, Peer D. Paving the Road for RNA Therapeutics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:755-775. [PMID: 32893005 PMCID: PMC7470715 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic RNA molecules possess high potential for treating medical conditions if they can successfully reach the target cell upon administration. However, unmodified RNA molecules are rapidly degraded and cleared from the circulation. In addition, their large size and negative charge complicates their passing through the cell membrane. The difficulty of RNA therapy, therefore, lies in the efficient intracellular delivery of intact RNA molecules to the tissue of interest without inducing adverse effects. Here, we outline the recent developments in therapeutic RNA delivery and discuss the wide potential in manipulating the function of cells with RNAs. The focus is not only on the variety of delivery strategies but also on the versatile nature of RNA and its wide applicability. This wide applicability is especially interesting when considering the modular nature of nucleic acids. An optimal delivery vehicle, therefore, can facilitate numerous clinical applications of RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Dammes
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel,School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel,Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel,Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel,Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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23
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Perdigão PR, Cunha-Santos C, Barbas CF, Santa-Marta M, Goncalves J. Protein Delivery of Cell-Penetrating Zinc-Finger Activators Stimulates Latent HIV-1-Infected Cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:145-158. [PMID: 32637446 PMCID: PMC7317221 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite efforts to develop effective treatments for eradicating HIV-1, a cure has not yet been achieved. Whereas antiretroviral drugs target an actively replicating virus, latent, nonreplicative forms persist during treatment. Pharmacological strategies that reactivate latent HIV-1 and expose cellular reservoirs to antiretroviral therapy and the host immune system have, so far, been unsuccessful, often triggering severe side effects, mainly due to systemic immune activation. Here, we present an alternative approach for stimulating latent HIV-1 expression via direct protein delivery of cell-penetrating zinc-finger activators (ZFAs). Cys2-His2 zinc-fingers, fused to a transcription activation domain, were engineered to recognize the HIV-1 promoter and induce targeted viral transcription. Following conjugation with multiple positively charged nuclear localization signal (NLS) repeats, protein delivery of a single ZFA (3NLS-PBS1-VP64) efficiently internalized HIV-1 latently infected T-lymphocytes and specifically stimulated viral expression. We show that short-term treatment with this ZFA protein induces higher levels of viral reactivation in cell line models of HIV-1 latency than those observed with gene delivery. Our work establishes protein delivery of ZFA as a novel and safe approach toward eradication of HIV-1 reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro R.L. Perdigão
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Catarina Cunha-Santos
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos F. Barbas
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mariana Santa-Marta
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joao Goncalves
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Department, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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24
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Ahlenstiel CL, Symonds G, Kent SJ, Kelleher AD. Block and Lock HIV Cure Strategies to Control the Latent Reservoir. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:424. [PMID: 32923412 PMCID: PMC7457024 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV latent reservoir represents the major challenge to cure development. Residing in resting CD4+ T cells and myeloid cells at multiple locations in the body, including sanctuary sites such as the brain, the latent reservoir is not eliminated by ART and has the ability to reactivate virus replication to pre-therapy levels when ART is ceased. There are four broad areas of HIV cure research. The only successful cure strategy, thus far, is stem cell transplantation using naturally HIV resistant CCR5Δ32 stem cells. A second potential cure approach uses gene editing technology, such as zinc-finger nucleases and CRISPR/Cas9. Another two cure strategies aim to control the HIV reservoir, with polar opposite concepts; The "shock and kill" approach, which aims to "shock" or reactivate the latent virus and then "kill" infected cells via targeted immune responses. Lastly, the "block and lock" approach, which aims to enhance the latent virus state by "blocking" HIV transcription and "locking" the HIV promoter in a deep latent state via epigenetic modifications. "Shock and kill" approaches are a major focus of cure studies, however we predict that the increased specificity of "block and lock" approaches will be required for the successful development of a sustained HIV clinical remission in the absence of ART. This review focuses on the current research of novel "block and lock" approaches being explored to generate an HIV cure via induction of epigenetic silencing. We will also discuss potential future therapeutic delivery and the challenges associated with progressing "block and lock" cure approaches as these move toward clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen J Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,ARC Centre for Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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25
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Zhang M, Weng Y, Cao Z, Guo S, Hu B, Lu M, Guo W, Yang T, Li C, Yang X, Huang Y. ROS-Activatable siRNA-Engineered Polyplex for NIR-Triggered Synergistic Cancer Treatment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:32289-32300. [PMID: 32584027 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c06614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) shows excellent pharmaceutical prospects in treating diverse life-threatening diseases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically employed noninvasive treatment method that can trigger selective damage toward targeted tissue and cells. However, insufficient delivery of siRNA and photosensitizer to cancer cells remarkably hindered the application of siRNA and PDT in the treatment of cancer. In this study, a unique reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activatable polyplex, which consists of the PEGylated cationic polymer, ROS-cleavable linker, photosensitizer Ce6, and RRM2-against siRNA, termed PPTC/siRNA, was engineered. Upon irradiation of near-infrared (NIR) light, the polyplex efficiently generated ROS, which triggered degradation of the ROS-sensitive linker, disassembling the complex, destabilization of the cell membrane, and significantly accelerated cellular entry and endosomal escape of siRNA. Besides achieving effective siRNA internalization and gene silence in cancer cells in vitro, PPTC/siRNA synergistically inhibited tumor growth in both cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma murine models by repressing the RRM2 expression (reducing cell proliferation) and triggering photodynamic killing (enhancing cell apoptosis). The proposed polyplex also showed ideal safety profiles both in cell line and in animal. It provides a novel strategy for NIR-triggered RNAi and PDT combinational cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Zhang
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yuhua Weng
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Ziyang Cao
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Shuai Guo
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Bo Hu
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Mei Lu
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Weisheng Guo
- Translational Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, P. R. China
| | - Tongren Yang
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Chunhui Li
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xianzhu Yang
- Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyu Huang
- School of Life Science; Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science; Institute of Engineering Medicine; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, P. R. China
- School of Materials and the Environment, Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai 519085, P. R. China
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26
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Fu Z, Xiang J. Aptamers, the Nucleic Acid Antibodies, in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082793. [PMID: 32316469 PMCID: PMC7215806 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The arrival of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology in the 1970s brought with it the hope of conquering cancers to the medical community. However, mAbs, on the whole, did not achieve the expected wonder in cancer therapy although they do have demonstrated successfulness in the treatment of a few types of cancers. In 1990, another technology of making biomolecules capable of specific binding appeared. This technique, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), can make aptamers, single-stranded DNAs or RNAs that bind targets with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers have some advantages over mAbs in therapeutic uses particularly because they have little or no immunogenicity, which means the feasibility of repeated use and fewer side effects. In this review, the general properties of the aptamer, the advantages and limitations of aptamers, the principle and procedure of aptamer production with SELEX, particularly the undergoing studies in aptamers for cancer therapy, and selected anticancer aptamers that have entered clinical trials or are under active investigations are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoying Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Yanan University, Yanan 716000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.F.); (J.X.)
| | - Jim Xiang
- Division of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SA S7N 4H4, Canada
- Correspondence: (Z.F.); (J.X.)
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Xia X, Pollock N, Zhou J, Rossi J. Tissue-Specific Delivery of Oligonucleotides. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2036:17-50. [PMID: 31410789 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9670-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
From the initial discovery of short-interfering RNA (siRNA) and antisense oligonucleotides for specific gene knockdown at the posttranscriptional level to the current CRISPR-Cas9 system offering gene editing at the genomic level, oligonucleotides, in addition to their biological functions in storing and conveying genetic information, provide the most prominent solutions to targeted gene therapies. Nonetheless, looking into the future of curing cancer and acute diseases, researchers are only cautiously optimistic as the cellular delivery of these polyanionic biomacromolecules is still the biggest hurdle for their therapeutic realization. To overcome the delivery obstacle, oligonucleotides have been encapsulated within or conjugated with delivery vehicles for enhanced membrane penetration, improved payload, and tissue-specific delivery. Such delivery systems include but not limited to virus-based vehicles, gold-nanoparticle vehicles, formulated liposomes, and synthetic polymers. In this chapter, delivery challenges imposed by biological barriers are briefly discussed; followed by recent advances in tissue-specific oligonucleotide delivery utilizing both viral and nonviral delivery vectors, discussing their advantages, and how judicious design and formulation could improve and expand their potential as delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Nicolette Pollock
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jiehua Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - John Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The utilization of genetically modified T cells to therapeutically target to various previously incurable diseases such, as cancer, has expanded exponentially in recent years. This success now provides the motivating force in applying the same technology for incurable infectious diseases including HIV. The common bottleneck in gene therapy continues to be at the level of gene delivery. Although present approaches adapt the cell to the delivery technology, emerging techniques now focus on leaving cells in their phenotypically resting state. In doing so, engraftment and proliferation potential are retained and in turn increase the efficacy of this approach at a lowered cost. This review will outline the main efforts of gene delivery using viral vectors or nonviral vectors and challenges moving forward not only in resting T cells, but also in other resting immune cells including hematopoietic stem cells. RECENT FINDINGS In focusing on HIV cure efforts using gene therapy, progress on solving the challenges of gene delivery will be described for both viral and nonviral vectors. Advances in the basic virology of lentiviruses have led to the proposal of many next generation lentiviral vector platforms for resting immune cells. Moreover, we will also highlight the progress made in nonviral approaches using nanotechnology as alternatives and/or synergistic technologies to be used alongside lentiviral platforms. SUMMARY The innovative approaches described in these recent studies, particularly those using the natural mechanisms employed by HIV to enhance for example virus entry or virus latency, will enable future optimization of gene delivery platforms and therapeutics, which will importantly, provide a pathway toward translation into clinical practice.
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Tran PHL, Xiang D, Nguyen TNG, Tran TTD, Chen Q, Yin W, Zhang Y, Kong L, Duan A, Chen K, Sun M, Li Y, Hou Y, Zhu Y, Ma Y, Jiang G, Duan W. Aptamer-guided extracellular vesicle theranostics in oncology. Theranostics 2020; 10:3849-3866. [PMID: 32226524 PMCID: PMC7086349 DOI: 10.7150/thno.39706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the study of exosomes, nanosized vesicles (50-150 nm) released into the extracellular space via the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane, has burgeoned with impressive achievements in theranostics applications. These nanosized vesicles have emerged as key players in homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diseases owing to the variety of the cargos they can carry, the nature of the molecules packaged inside the vesicles, and the robust interactions between exosomes and target cells or tissues. Accordingly, the development of exosome-based liquid biopsy techniques for early disease detection and for monitoring disease progression marks a new era of precision medicine in the 21st century. Moreover, exosomes possess intrinsic properties - a nanosized structure and unique "homing effects" - that make them outstanding drug delivery vehicles. In addition, targeted exosome-based drug delivery systems can be further optimized using active targeting ligands such as nucleic acid aptamers. Indeed, the aptamers themselves can function as therapeutic and/or diagnostic tools based on their attributes of unique target-binding and non-immunogenicity. This review aims to provide readers with a current picture of the research on exosomes and aptamers and their applications in cancer theranostics, highlighting recent advances in their transition from the bench to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H-L Tran
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dongxi Xiang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louise Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tuong N-G Nguyen
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thao T-D Tran
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Qian Chen
- Translational Medical Center, The Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China, 100853
| | - Wang Yin
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yumei Zhang
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Andrew Duan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 27 Rainforest Walk, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kuisheng Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, He'nan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Miomio Sun
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, He'nan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yong Li
- Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, Kogarah, and St George and Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Yingchun Hou
- Laboratory of Tumor Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang'an Avenue, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- Clinical School, Luohe Medical College, 148, Daxue Road, Luohe City, Henan Province, 462000, China
| | - Guoqin Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, P.R. China, 215004
| | - Wei Duan
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
- GenePharma-Deakin Joint Laboratory of Aptamer Medicine, Suzhou 215123, China and Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
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Afrasiabi S, Pourhajibagher M, Raoofian R, Tabarzad M, Bahador A. Therapeutic applications of nucleic acid aptamers in microbial infections. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:6. [PMID: 31900238 PMCID: PMC6941257 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0611-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, the treatment of bacterial infections is a major challenge, due to growing rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria, complication of treatment and increased healthcare costs. Moreover, new treatments for bacterial infections are limited. Oligonucleotide aptamers are single stranded DNAs or RNAs with target-selective high-affinity feature, which considered as nucleic acid-based affinity ligands, replacing monoclonal antibodies. The aptamer-based systems have been found to be talented tools in the treatment of microbial infections, regarding their promising anti-biofilm and antimicrobial activities; they can reduce or inhibit the effects of bacterial toxins, and inhibit pathogen invasion to immune cell, as well as they can be used in drug delivery systems. The focus of this review is on the therapeutic applications of aptamers in infections. In this regard, an introduction of infections and related challenges were presented, first. Then, aptamer definition and selection, with a brief history of aptamers development against various pathogens and toxins were reviewed. Diverse strategies of aptamer application in drug delivery, as well as, the effect of aptamers on the immune system, as the main natural agents of human defense against pathogens, were also discussed. Finally, the future trends in clinical applications of this technology were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Afrasiabi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Pourhajibagher
- Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Raoofian
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Bahador
- Oral Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway regulates mRNA stability and translation in nearly all human cells. Small double-stranded RNA molecules can efficiently trigger RNAi silencing of specific genes, but their therapeutic use has faced numerous challenges involving safety and potency. However, August 2018 marked a new era for the field, with the US Food and Drug Administration approving patisiran, the first RNAi-based drug. In this Review, we discuss key advances in the design and development of RNAi drugs leading up to this landmark achievement, the state of the current clinical pipeline and prospects for future advances, including novel RNAi pathway agents utilizing mechanisms beyond post-translational RNAi silencing.
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Lages MA, Balado M, Lemos ML. The Expression of Virulence Factors in Vibrio anguillarum Is Dually Regulated by Iron Levels and Temperature. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2335. [PMID: 31681201 PMCID: PMC6803810 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vibrio anguillarum causes a hemorrhagic septicemia that affects cold- and warm-water adapted fish species. The main goal of this work was to determine the temperature-dependent changes in the virulence factors that could explain the virulence properties of V. anguillarum for fish cultivated at different temperatures. We have found that although the optimal growth temperature is around 25°C, the degree of virulence of V. anguillarum RV22 is higher at 15°C. To explain this result, an RNA-Seq analysis was performed to compare the whole transcriptome profile of V. anguillarum RV22 cultured under low-iron availability at either 25 or 15°C, which would mimic the conditions that V. anguillarum finds during colonization of fish cultivated at warm- or cold-water temperatures. The comparative analysis of transcriptomes at high- and low-iron conditions showed profound metabolic adaptations to grow under low iron. These changes were characterized by a down-regulation of the energetic metabolism and the induction of virulence-related factors like biosynthesis of LPS, production of hemolysins and lysozyme, membrane transport, heme uptake, or production of siderophores. However, the expression pattern of virulence factors under iron limitation showed interesting differences at warm and cold temperatures. Chemotaxis, motility, as well as the T6SS1 genes are expressed at higher levels at 25°C than at 15°C. By contrast, hemolysin RTX pore-forming toxin, T6SS2, and the genes associated with exopolysaccharides synthesis were preferentially expressed at 15°C. Notably, at this temperature, the siderophore piscibactin system was strongly up-regulated. In contrast, at 25°C, piscibactin genes were down-regulated and the vanchrobactin siderophore system seems to supply all the necessary iron to the cell. The results showed that V. anguillarum adjusts the expression of virulence factors responding to two environmental signals, iron levels and temperature. Thus, the relative relevance of each virulence factor for each fish species could vary depending on the water temperature. The results give clues about the physiological adaptations that allow V. anguillarum to cause infections in different fishes and could be relevant for vaccine development against fish vibriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Lages
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Aquaculture, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Miguel Balado
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Aquaculture, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel L Lemos
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Aquaculture, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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33
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Citartan M, Kaur H, Presela R, Tang TH. Aptamers as the chaperones (Aptachaperones) of drugs-from siRNAs to DNA nanorobots. Int J Pharm 2019; 567:118483. [PMID: 31260780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers, nucleic acid ligands that are specific against their corresponding targets are increasingly employed in a variety of applications including diagnostics and therapeutics. The specificity of the aptamers against their targets is also used as the basis for the formulation of the aptamer-based drug delivery system. In this review, we aim to provide an overview on the chaperoning roles of aptamers in acting as the cargo or load carriers, delivering contents to the targeted sites via cell surface receptors. Internalization of the aptamer-biomolecule conjugates via receptor-mediated endocytosis and the strategies to augment the rate of endocytosis are underscored. The cargos chaperoned by aptamers, ranging from siRNAs to DNA origami are illuminated. Possible impediments to the aptamer-based drug deliveries such as susceptibility to nuclease resistance, potentiality for immunogenicity activation, tumor heterogeneity are speculated and the corresponding amendment strategies to address these shortcomings are discussed. We prophesy that the future of the aptamer-based drug delivery will take a trajectory towards DNA nanorobot-based assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Harleen Kaur
- Aurobindo Biologics, Biologics R&D Center, Unit-17, Industrial Area, Survey No: 77 & 78, Indrakaran Village, Kandi(Mandal), Sangareddy (District), Hyderabad 502329, India
| | - Ravinderan Presela
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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34
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Moreno A, Pitoc GA, Ganson NJ, Layzer JM, Hershfield MS, Tarantal AF, Sullenger BA. Anti-PEG Antibodies Inhibit the Anticoagulant Activity of PEGylated Aptamers. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:634-644.e3. [PMID: 30827937 PMCID: PMC6707742 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biopharmaceuticals have become increasingly attractive therapeutic agents and are often PEGylated to enhance their pharmacokinetics and reduce their immunogenicity. However, recent human clinical trials have demonstrated that administration of PEGylated compounds can evoke anti-PEG antibodies. Considering the ubiquity of PEG in commercial products and the presence of pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies in patients in large clinical trials evaluating a PEG-modified aptamer, we investigated how anti-PEG antibodies effect the therapeutic activities of PEGylated RNA aptamers. We demonstrate that anti-PEG antibodies can directly bind to and inhibit anticoagulant aptamer function in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in parallel studies we detected the presence of anti-PEG antibodies in nonhuman primates after a single administration of a PEGylated aptamer. Our results suggest that anti-PEG antibodies can limit the activity of PEGylated drugs and potentially compromise the activity of otherwise effective therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Moreno
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology graduate program, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Nancy J. Ganson
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Juliana M. Layzer
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Alice F. Tarantal
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, NHLBI Center for Gene Transfer for Heart, Lung, and Blood Disease, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Bruce A. Sullenger
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology graduate program, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,Contact Info: Corresponding Author and Lead Contact:
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35
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Dong Y, Siegwart DJ, Anderson DG. Strategies, design, and chemistry in siRNA delivery systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 144:133-147. [PMID: 31102606 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emerging therapeutics that utilize RNA interference (RNAi) have the potential to treat broad classes of diseases due to their ability to reversibly silence target genes. In August 2018, the FDA approved the first siRNA therapeutic, called ONPATTRO™ (Patisiran), for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis. This was an important milestone for the field of siRNA delivery that opens the door for additional siRNA drugs. Currently, >20 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapies are in clinical trials for a wide variety of diseases including cancers, genetic disorders, and viral infections. To maximize therapeutic benefits of siRNA-based drugs, a number of chemical strategies have been applied to address issues associated with efficacy, specificity, and safety. This review focuses on the chemical perspectives behind non-viral siRNA delivery systems, including siRNA synthesis, siRNA conjugates, and nanoparticle delivery using nucleotides, lipids, and polymers. Tracing and understanding the chemical development of strategies to make siRNAs into drugs is important to guide development of additional clinical candidates and enable prolonged success of siRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Dong
- Division of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
| | - Daniel J Siegwart
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States.
| | - Daniel G Anderson
- Deparment of Chemical Engineering, David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Department of Chemistry, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, and Harvard and MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.
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36
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Yang Y, Zhao L, Zhang S, Xu Z, Hao L, Cui Z, Bi K, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Structural optimization and anti-allergic activity of nucleotide aptamers target to Cε3-Cε4. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 161:121-135. [PMID: 30653949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers have shown a broad application prospect in basic research, clinical diagnosis and treatment, new drug development and various other fields. We have screened the DNA aptamer A1 and A2 target at Cε3-Cε4 with high affinity and specificity, another aptamer A8, no affinity with Cε3-Cε4 protein, was as a negative control in this study. The structures of aptamer A1 and A2 were optimized using the deletion method, complementary sequence method, and point mutation method, to make them perform biological functions better, improve the pertinence of the subsequent modification and study the mechanism of action of aptamers coupled Cε3-Cε4. Additionally, the affinity was detected using competitive ELISA, then the most optimal and minimalist aptamer G39-A1-29C was obtained. The results indicated that the G39-A1-29C can significantly inhibit the IgE-dependent cell degranulation, but no effect in IgE-independent manner, and have a notable therapeutic effect with dose-dependent on PCA experiments in vivo. Moreover, it is found that the aptamer maintains the secondary structure through the fixed sequence, consecutive four GC pairings can significantly increase the binding affinity, and the G base on the loop region of A1 may be the key sites for binding to the domain of the target protein Cε3-Cε4. Therefore, the stem-loop structure of A1 is the structural basis of its binding, too short sequence cannot maintain the secondary structure, so that its affinity is significantly reduced. The results facilitated the modification and chemical synthesis of aptamers in next work, which provided the foundation for the development of new drugs for the treatment of allergy diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlei Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lijian Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Su Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhenzhen Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lifang Hao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhe Cui
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Kewei Bi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yanfen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China; Offices of Science and Technology, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| | - Zhongcheng Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Baoding 071002, China.
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37
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Xia X, Li H, Satheesan S, Zhou J, Rossi JJ. Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (hu-NSG) Mouse Model for HIV Replication and Latency Studies. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 30663638 DOI: 10.3791/58255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethical regulations and technical challenges for research in human pathology, immunology, and therapeutic development have placed small animal models in high demand. With a close genetic and behavioral resemblance to humans, small animals such as the mouse are good candidates for human disease models, through which human-like symptoms and responses can be recapitulated. Further, the mouse genetic background can be altered to accommodate diverse demands. The NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (NSG) mouse is one of the most widely used immunocompromised mouse strains; it allows engraftment with human hematopoietic stem cells and/or human tissues and the subsequent development of a functional human immune system. This is a critical milestone in understanding the prognosis and pathophysiology of human-specific diseases such as HIV/AIDS and aiding the search for a cure. Herein, we report a detailed protocol for generating a humanized NSG mouse model (hu-NSG) by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation into a radiation-conditioned neonatal NSG mouse. The hu-NSG mouse model shows multi-lineage development of transplanted human stem cells and susceptibility to HIV-1 viral infection. It also recapitulates key biological characteristics in response to combinatorial antiretroviral therapy (cART).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope;
| | - Haitang Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
| | - Sangeetha Satheesan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope; Irell and Manela Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
| | - Jiehua Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
| | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
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Aptamer Chimeras for Therapeutic Delivery: The Challenging Perspectives. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9110529. [PMID: 30384431 PMCID: PMC6266988 DOI: 10.3390/genes9110529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based aptamers have emerged as efficient delivery carriers of therapeutics. Thanks to their unique features, they can be, to date, considered one of the best targeting moieties, allowing the specific recognition of diseased cells and avoiding unwanted off-target effects on healthy tissues. In this review, we revise the most recent contributes on bispecific and multifunctional aptamer therapeutic chimeras. We will discuss key examples of aptamer-mediated delivery of nucleic acid and peptide-based therapeutics underlying their great potentiality and versatility. Achieved objectives and challenges will be highlighted as well.
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Xue L, Maihle NJ, Yu X, Tang SC, Liu HY. Synergistic Targeting HER2 and EGFR with Bivalent Aptamer-siRNA Chimera Efficiently Inhibits HER2-Positive Tumor Growth. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:4801-4813. [PMID: 30222359 PMCID: PMC6220360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
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HER2 overexpression
is identified on 20–30% breast cancer
and other cancers at different levels. Although HER2 targeted monoclonal
antibody combined with chemical drugs has shown improved outcomes
in HER2 expressing patients, drug resistance and toxicity have limited
their efficacy. To overcome drug resistance, cotargeting multiple
HER receptors was proven to be effective. EGFR/HER2 dimerization can
active PI3K/AKT pathway, and resistance to HER2-targeted drugs is
associated with upregulation of EGFR. Here, we developed a novel HER2/EGFR
targeted nucleic acid therapeutic to address current drug limits.
The new therapeutic is constructed by fusing HER2 aptamer-EGFR siRNA
sense strand with HER2 aptamer-EGFR siRNA antisense strand into one
molecule: a bivalent HER2 aptamer-EGFR siRNA aptamer chimera (HEH).
In breast cancer cell lines, HEH can be selectively taken up into
HER2 expressing cells and successfully silence EGFR gene and down
regulate HER2 expression. In breast cancer xenograft models, HEH is
capable of triggering cell apoptosis, decreasing HER2 and EGFR expression,
and suppressing tumor growth. The therapeutic efficacy of HEH is superior
to HER2 aptamer only, which suggests that HEH has synergistic effect
by targeting HER2 and EGFR. This study demonstrated that HEH has great
potential as a new HER2 targeted drug to address toxicity and resistance
of current drugs and may provide a cure for many HER2 positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xue
- Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , Georgia 30912 , United States.,Department of Pediatrics Hematology , The First Hospital of Jilin University , Changchun 130021 , China
| | - Nita J Maihle
- Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , Georgia 30912 , United States
| | - Xiaolin Yu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , Georgia 30912 , United States
| | - Shou-Ching Tang
- University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute , Jackson , Mississippi 39216 , United States
| | - Hong Yan Liu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , Georgia 30912 , United States
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Cen B, Wei Y, Huang W, Teng M, He S, Li J, Wang W, He G, Bai X, Liu X, Yuan Y, Pan X, Ji A. An Efficient Bivalent Cyclic RGD-PIK3CB siRNA Conjugate for Specific Targeted Therapy against Glioblastoma In Vitro and In Vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:220-232. [PMID: 30312846 PMCID: PMC6178240 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The PI3K-AKT-mTOR-signaling pathway is frequently activated in glioblastoma (GBM). Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit beta (PIK3CB)/p110β (a PI3K catalytic isoform) by RNAi substantially suppresses GBM growth with less toxicity to normal astrocytes. However, insufficient and non-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery may limit the efficacy of RNAi-based therapies against GBM. Here we prepared a novel methoxy-modified PIK3CB siRNA molecule (siPIK3CB) that was covalently conjugated to a [cyclo(Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys)-Ahx]2-Glu-PEG-MAL (biRGD) peptide, which selectively binds to integrin αvβ3 receptors. The αvβ3-positive U87MG cell line was selected as a representative for GBM. An orthotopic GBM xenograft model based on luciferase-expressing U87MG was established and validated in vivo to investigate bio-distribution and anti-tumor efficacy of biRGD-siPIK3CB. In vitro, biRGD-siPIK3CB specifically entered and silenced PIK3CB expression in GBM cells in an αvβ3 receptor-dependent manner, thus inhibiting cell cycle progression and migration and enhancing apoptosis. In vivo, intravenously injected biRGD-siPIK3CB substantially slowed GBM growth and prolonged survival by reducing tumor viability with silencing PIK3CB expression. Furthermore, biRGD-siPIK3CB led to mild tubulointerstitial injury in the treatment of GBM without obvious hepatotoxicity, whereas co-infusion of Gelofusine obviously alleviated this injury without compromising anti-tumor efficacy. These findings revealed a great translational potential of biRGD-siPIK3CB conjugate as a novel molecule for GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohong Cen
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanyi Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Muzhou Teng
- Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuai He
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianlong Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Guangzhou RiboBio Co., Guangzhou 510663, Guangdong, China
| | - Guolin He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China; Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China
| | - Yawei Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xinghua Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Aimin Ji
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China.
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Jin W, Jain A, Liu H, Zhao Z, Cheng K. Noncovalent Attachment of Chemical Moieties to siRNAs Using Peptide Nucleic Acid as a Complementary Linker. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:643-651. [PMID: 31179438 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bioconjugation of siRNAs with chemical moieties is an effective strategy to improve the stability and cellular uptake of siRNAs. However, chemical conjugations of siRNAs are always challenging because of siRNAs' extremely poor stability. Therefore, a new strategy to attach a chemical moiety to siRNA without chemical reaction is highly needed. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA analogues in which the phosphate ribose ring in the backbone is replaced with a polyamide. Compared to DNA, PNA has a higher affinity for complementary DNA and better chemical stability. We, therefore, employed PNAs as a complementary linker to attach chemical moieties to siRNAs by annealing. The objective of this study is to develop an easy but efficient strategy to noncovalently attach chemical moieties to siRNAs without chemical modification of the siRNAs. We identified a PNA complementary sequence for hybridizing with siRNAs. Also, we compared the stability and silencing effects of different siRNA-PNA chimeras, which were annealed at different termini of the siRNA. siRNAs with a PNA annealed to the 3' end of the sense strand exhibited enhanced stability in the serum and maintained a good silencing effect. The siRNA-PNA chimera was then employed in two delivery systems to deliver the PCBP2 siRNA, a potential antifibrotic siRNA, to hepatic stellate cells. In both systems, the chimera demonstrated high cellular uptake and silencing activity. The results suggested that the siRNA-PNA chimera is an easy and efficient approach to attach targeting ligands or chemical moieties to siRNAs without chemical modification of the siRNA. This new technology will greatly reduce the difficulty and cost in conjugating chemical moieties to siRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jin
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
| | - Akshay Jain
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
| | - Hao Liu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
| | - Kun Cheng
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
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