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Torrecilla J, Gómez-Aguado I, Vicente-Pascual M, Del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Solinís MÁ, Rodríguez-Gascón A. MMP-9 Downregulation with Lipid Nanoparticles for Inhibiting Corneal Neovascularization by Gene Silencing. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2019; 9:nano9040631. [PMID: 31003493 PMCID: PMC6523231 DOI: 10.3390/nano9040631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gene silencing targeting proangiogenic factors have been shown to be a useful strategy in the treatment of corneal neovascularization (CNV). Among interference RNA (RNAi) molecules, short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) is a plasmid-coded RNA able to down-regulate the expression of the desired gene. It is continuously produced in the host cell, inducing a durable gene silencing effect. The aim of this work was to develop a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)-based shRNA delivery system to downregulate metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), a proangiogenic factor, in corneal cells for the treatment of CNV associated with inflammation. The nanovectors were prepared using a solvent emulsification-evaporation technique, and after physicochemical evaluation, they were evaluated in different culture cell models. Transfection efficacy, cell internalization, cell viability, the effect on MMP-9 expression, and cell migration were evaluated in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2). The inhibition of tube formation using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was also assayed. The non-viral vectors based on SLN were able to downregulate the MMP-9 expression in HCE-2 cells via gene silencing, and, consequently, to inhibit cell migration and tube formation. These results demonstrate the potential of lipid nanoparticles as gene delivery systems for the treatment of CNV-associated inflammation by RNAi technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josune Torrecilla
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Itziar Gómez-Aguado
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Mónica Vicente-Pascual
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Ana Del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - María Ángeles Solinís
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Gascón
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01015 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Torrecilla J, Del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Vicente-Pascual M, Solinís MÁ, Rodríguez-Gascón A. Targeting corneal inflammation by gene therapy: Emerging strategies for keratitis. Exp Eye Res 2018; 176:130-140. [PMID: 29981344 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is the underlying process of several diseases within the eye, specifically in the cornea. Current treatment options for corneal inflammation or keratitis, and related neovascularization, are restricted by limited efficacy, adverse effects, and short duration of action. Gene therapy has shown great potential for the treatment of diseases affecting the ocular surface, and major efforts are being targeted to inflammatory mediators and neovascularization, in order to develop potential treatments for corneal inflammation. Gene therapy to treat ocular disorders is still starting, and current therapies are primarily experimental, with most human clinical trials still in research state, although some of them have already shown encouraging results. In this review, we focus on the progress and challenges of gene therapy to treat corneal inflammation. After introducing the inflammation process, we present the main nucleic acid delivery systems, including viral and non-viral vectors, and the most studied strategies to address the therapy: control of neovascularization and regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josune Torrecilla
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Ana Del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Mónica Vicente-Pascual
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Solinís
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Gascón
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Vicente-Pascual M, Albano A, Solinís MÁ, Serpe L, Rodríguez-Gascón A, Foglietta F, Muntoni E, Torrecilla J, Pozo-Rodríguez AD, Battaglia L. Gene delivery in the cornea: in vitro & ex vivo evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticle-based vectors. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018; 13:1847-1854. [PMID: 29792369 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Inflammation is a process that underlies sight-threatening ocular surface diseases, and gene supplementation with the plasmid that encodes for p-IL10 will allow the sustained de novo synthesis of the cytokine to occur in corneal cells, and provide a long-term anti-inflammatory effect. This work describes the development of solid lipid nanoparticle systems for the delivery of p-IL10 to transfect the cornea. RESULTS In vitro, vectors showed suitable features as nonviral vectors (size, ζ-potential, DNA binding, protection and release), and they were able to enter and transfect human corneal epithelial cells. Ex vivo, the vectors were found to transfect the epithelium, the stroma and the endothelium in rabbit corneal explants. Distribution of gene expression within the cell layers of the cornea depended on the composition of the four vectors evaluated. CONCLUSION Solid lipid nanoparticle-based vectors are promising gene delivery systems for corneal diseases, including inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Vicente-Pascual
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Andrea Albano
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.,Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, Turin, Italy
| | - María Á Solinís
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Loredana Serpe
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, Turin, Italy
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Gascón
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Federica Foglietta
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Muntoni
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, Turin, Italy
| | - Josune Torrecilla
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Ana Del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology & Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad 7, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Luigi Battaglia
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, via Pietro Giuria 9, Turin, Italy
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Torrecilla J, Del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Solinís MÁ, Apaolaza PS, Berzal-Herranz B, Romero-López C, Berzal-Herranz A, Rodríguez-Gascón A. Silencing of hepatitis C virus replication by a non-viral vector based on solid lipid nanoparticles containing a shRNA targeted to the internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 146:808-17. [PMID: 27451369 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gene silencing mediated by RNAi has gained increasing interest as an alternative for the treatment of infectious diseases such as refractory hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this work we have designed and evaluated a non-viral vector based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) bearing hyaluronic acid, protamine and a short hairpin RNA (shRNA74) targeted to the Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) of the HCV. The vector was able to inhibit the expression of the HCV IRES in Huh-7 cells, with the inhibition level dependent on the shRNA74 to SLN ratio and on the shRNA74 dose added to the culture cells. The nanocarrier was also able to inhibit the replication in human hepatoma cells supporting a subgenomic HCV replicon (Huh-7 NS3-3'). The vector was quickly and efficiently internalized by the cells, and endocytosis was the most productive uptake mechanism for silencing. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis and to a lesser extent caveolae/lipid raft-mediated endocytosis were identified as endocytic mechanisms involved in the cell uptake. Internalization via the CD44 receptor was also involved, although this entry route seems to be less productive for silencing than endocytosis. The vector did not induce either hemolysis or agglutination of red cells in vitro, which was indicative of good biocompatibility. In summary, we have shown for the first time the ability of a non-viral SLN-based vector to silence a HCV replicon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josune Torrecilla
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7. 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Ana Del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7. 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - María Ángeles Solinís
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7. 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Paola S Apaolaza
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7. 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Berzal-Herranz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Av del conocimiento s/n, Armilla, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Cristina Romero-López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Av del conocimiento s/n, Armilla, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Av del conocimiento s/n, Armilla, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Alicia Rodríguez-Gascón
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7. 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Apaolaza PS, Del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Solinís MA, Rodríguez JM, Friedrich U, Torrecilla J, Weber BHF, Rodríguez-Gascón A. Structural recovery of the retina in a retinoschisin-deficient mouse after gene replacement therapy by solid lipid nanoparticles. Biomaterials 2016; 90:40-9. [PMID: 26986855 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a retinal degenerative disorder caused by mutations in the RS1 gene encoding a protein termed retinoschisin. The disease is an excellent candidate for gene replacement therapy as the majority of mutations have been shown to lead to a complete deficiency of the secreted protein in the retinal structures. In this work, we have studied the ability of non-viral vectors based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to induce the expression of retinoschisin in photoreceptors (PR) after intravitreal administration to Rs1h-deficient mice. We designed two vectors prepared with SLN, protamine, and dextran (DX) or hyaluronic acid (HA), bearing a plasmid containing the human RS1 gene under the control of the murin opsin promoter (mOPS). In vitro, the nanocarriers were able to induce the expression of retinoschisin in a PR cell line. After injection into the murine vitreous, the formulation prepared with HA induced a higher transfection level in PR than the formulation prepared with DX. Moreover, the level of retinoschisin in the inner nuclear layer (INL), where bipolar cells are located, was also higher. Two weeks after vitreal administration into Rs1h-deficient mice, both formulations showed significant improvement of the retinal structure by inducing a decrease of cavities and PR loss, and an increase of retinal and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. HA-SLN resulted in a significant higher increase in the thickness of both retina and ONL, which can be explained by the higher transfection level of PR. In conclusion, we have shown the structural improvement of the retina of Rs1h-deficient mice with PR specific expression of the RS1 gene driven by the specific promoter mOPS, after successful delivery via SLN-based non-viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Apaolaza
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - A Del Pozo-Rodríguez
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - M A Solinís
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - J M Rodríguez
- Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - U Friedrich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - J Torrecilla
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - B H F Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Rodríguez-Gascón
- Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group (PharmaNanoGene), Faculty of Pharmacy, Centro de investigación Lascaray ikergunea, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo de la Universidad, 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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Apaolaza P, del Pozo-Rodríguez A, Torrecilla J, Rodríguez-Gascón A, Rodríguez J, Friedrich U, Weber B, Solinís M. Solid lipid nanoparticle-based vectors intended for the treatment of X-linked juvenile retinoschisis by gene therapy: In vivo approaches in Rs1h-deficient mouse model. J Control Release 2015; 217:273-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Urruchi V, Marcos C, Torrecilla J, Sánchez-Pena JM, Garbat K. Note: tunable notch filter based on liquid crystal technology for microwave applications. Rev Sci Instrum 2013; 84:026102. [PMID: 23464264 DOI: 10.1063/1.4790555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a compact design of an electrically tunable notch filter, based on liquid crystal (LC) technology, has been designed, manufactured, and characterized. The proposal has been achieved through particular configuration schemes with low cost inverted-microstrip structures and conventional spurlines structures due to its ease of integration. Central frequency tunability has been induced by applying low ac voltages, thus involving low power consumption. For these devices, filter responses have been approached specifically at microwave C-band frequency allocated for many satellite communications applications. Also, it has taken advantage of new highly anisotropic nematic LC mixtures at those frequency ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Urruchi
- Departamento de Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad Carlos III, Butarque 15, E28911 Leganés, Madrid, Spain.
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