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Parhiz H, Shuvaev VV, Li Q, Papp TE, Akyianu AA, Shi R, Yadegari A, Shahnawaz H, Semple SC, Mui BL, Weissman D, Muzykantov VR, Glassman PM. Physiologically based modeling of LNP-mediated delivery of mRNA in the vascular system. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2024; 35:102175. [PMID: 38576454 PMCID: PMC10992703 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
RNA therapeutics are an emerging, powerful class of drugs with potential applications in a wide range of disorders. A central challenge in their development is the lack of clear pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic relationship, in part due to the significant delay between the kinetics of RNA delivery and the onset of pharmacologic response. To bridge this gap, we have developed a physiologically based PK/pharmacodynamic model for systemically administered mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in mice. This model accounts for the physiologic determinants of mRNA delivery, active targeting in the vasculature, and differential transgene expression based on nanoparticle coating. The model was able to well-characterize the blood and tissue PKs of LNPs, as well as the kinetics of tissue luciferase expression measured by ex vivo activity in organ homogenates and bioluminescence imaging in intact organs. The predictive capabilities of the model were validated using a formulation targeted to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the model predicted nanoparticle delivery and luciferase expression within a 2-fold error for all organs. This modeling platform represents an initial strategy that can be expanded upon and utilized to predict the in vivo behavior of RNA-containing LNPs developed for an array of conditions and across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vladimir V. Shuvaev
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 191004, USA
| | - Qin Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E. Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Awurama A. Akyianu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruiqi Shi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hamna Shahnawaz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vladimir R. Muzykantov
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 191004, USA
| | - Patrick M. Glassman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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Omo-Lamai S, Wang Y, Patel MN, Essien EO, Shen M, Majumdar A, Espy C, Wu J, Channer B, Tobin M, Murali S, Papp TE, Maheshwari R, Wang L, Chase LS, Zamora ME, Arral ML, Marcos-Contreras OA, Myerson JW, Hunter CA, Tsourkas A, Muzykantov V, Brodsky I, Shin S, Whitehead KA, Gaskill P, Discher D, Parhiz H, Brenner JS. Lipid Nanoparticle-Associated Inflammation is Triggered by Sensing of Endosomal Damage: Engineering Endosomal Escape Without Side Effects. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.16.589801. [PMID: 38659905 PMCID: PMC11042321 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.16.589801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as the dominant platform for RNA delivery, based on their success in the COVID-19 vaccines and late-stage clinical studies in other indications. However, we and others have shown that LNPs induce severe inflammation, and massively aggravate pre-existing inflammation. Here, using structure-function screening of lipids and analyses of signaling pathways, we elucidate the mechanisms of LNP-associated inflammation and demonstrate solutions. We show that LNPs' hallmark feature, endosomal escape, which is necessary for RNA expression, also directly triggers inflammation by causing endosomal membrane damage. Large, irreparable, endosomal holes are recognized by cytosolic proteins called galectins, which bind to sugars on the inner endosomal membrane and then regulate downstream inflammation. We find that inhibition of galectins abrogates LNP-associated inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo . We show that rapidly biodegradable ionizable lipids can preferentially create endosomal holes that are smaller in size and reparable by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) pathway. Ionizable lipids producing such ESCRT-recruiting endosomal holes can produce high expression from cargo mRNA with minimal inflammation. Finally, we show that both routes to non-inflammatory LNPs, either galectin inhibition or ESCRT-recruiting ionizable lipids, are compatible with therapeutic mRNAs that ameliorate inflammation in disease models. LNPs without galectin inhibition or biodegradable ionizable lipids lead to severe exacerbation of inflammation in these models. In summary, endosomal escape induces endosomal membrane damage that can lead to inflammation. However, the inflammation can be controlled by inhibiting galectins (large hole detectors) or by using biodegradable lipids, which create smaller holes that are reparable by the ESCRT pathway. These strategies should lead to generally safer LNPs that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases.
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3
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Tilsed CM, Sadiq BA, Papp TE, Areesawangkit P, Kimura K, Noguera-Ortega E, Scholler J, Cerda N, Aghajanian H, Bot A, Mui B, Tam Y, Weissman D, June CH, Albelda SM, Parhiz H. IL7 increases targeted lipid nanoparticle-mediated mRNA expression in T cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing T cell protein translation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319856121. [PMID: 38513098 PMCID: PMC10990120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319856121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to encapsulate and deliver mRNA has become an important therapeutic advance. In addition to vaccines, LNP-mRNA can be used in many other applications. For example, targeting the LNP with anti-CD5 antibodies (CD5/tLNP) can allow for efficient delivery of mRNA payloads to T cells to express protein. As the percentage of protein expressing T cells induced by an intravenous injection of CD5/tLNP is relatively low (4-20%), our goal was to find ways to increase mRNA-induced translation efficiency. We showed that T cell activation using an anti-CD3 antibody improved protein expression after CD5/tLNP transfection in vitro but not in vivo. T cell health and activation can be increased with cytokines, therefore, using mCherry mRNA as a reporter, we found that culturing either mouse or human T cells with the cytokine IL7 significantly improved protein expression of delivered mRNA in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vitro. By pre-treating mice with systemic IL7 followed by tLNP administration, we observed significantly increased mCherry protein expression by T cells in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse T cells treated with IL7 in vitro revealed enhanced genomic pathways associated with protein translation. Improved translational ability was demonstrated by showing increased levels of protein expression after electroporation with mCherry mRNA in T cells cultured in the presence of IL7, but not with IL2 or IL15. These data show that IL7 selectively increases protein translation in T cells, and this property can be used to improve expression of tLNP-delivered mRNA in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Tilsed
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | | - Tyler E. Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Phurin Areesawangkit
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok10700, Thailand
| | - Kenji Kimura
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Estela Noguera-Ortega
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Nicholas Cerda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Adrian Bot
- Capstan Therapeutics, San Diego, CA92121
| | - Barbara Mui
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Steven M. Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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4
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Nong J, Glassman PM, Shuvaev VV, Reyes-Esteves S, Descamps HC, Kiseleva RY, Papp TE, Alameh MG, Tam YK, Mui BL, Omo-Lamai S, Zamora ME, Shuvaeva T, Arguiri E, Gong X, Brysgel TV, Tan AW, Woolfork AG, Weljie A, Thaiss CA, Myerson JW, Weissman D, Kasner SE, Parhiz H, Muzykantov VR, Brenner JS, Marcos-Contreras OA. Targeting lipid nanoparticles to the blood-brain barrier to ameliorate acute ischemic stroke. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00145-X. [PMID: 38454606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective delivery of mRNA or small molecule drugs to the brain is a significant challenge in developing treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). To address the problem, we have developed targeted nanomedicine to increase drug concentrations in endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the injured brain. Inflammation during ischemic stroke causes continuous neuronal death and an increase in the infarct volume. To enable targeted delivery to the inflamed BBB, we conjugated lipid nanocarriers (NCs) with antibodies that bind cell adhesion molecules expressed at the BBB. In the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse model, NCs targeted to vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM) achieved the highest level of brain delivery, nearly two orders of magnitude higher than untargeted ones. VCAM-targeted lipid nanoparticles with luciferase-encoding mRNA and Cre-recombinase showed selective expression in the ischemic brain. Anti-inflammatory drugs administered intravenously after ischemic stroke reduced cerebral infarct volume by 62% (interleukin-10 mRNA) or 35% (dexamethasone) only when they were encapsulated in VCAM-targeted NCs. Thus, VCAM-targeted lipid NCs represent a new platform for strongly concentrating drugs within the compromised BBB of penumbra, thereby ameliorating AIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Nong
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Patrick M Glassman
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vladimir V Shuvaev
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sahily Reyes-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Helene C Descamps
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raisa Y Kiseleva
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Barbara L Mui
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Serena Omo-Lamai
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marco E Zamora
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tea Shuvaeva
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Evguenia Arguiri
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xijing Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Taylor V Brysgel
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ai Wen Tan
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashley G Woolfork
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aalim Weljie
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christoph A Thaiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacob W Myerson
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott E Kasner
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Vladimir R Muzykantov
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Jacob S Brenner
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Pulmonary Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Oscar A Marcos-Contreras
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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5
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Billingsley MM, Gong N, Mukalel AJ, Thatte AS, El-Mayta R, Patel SK, Metzloff AE, Swingle KL, Han X, Xue L, Hamilton AG, Safford HC, Alameh MG, Papp TE, Parhiz H, Weissman D, Mitchell MJ. In Vivo mRNA CAR T Cell Engineering via Targeted Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles with Extrahepatic Tropism. Small 2024; 20:e2304378. [PMID: 38072809 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
With six therapies approved by the Food and Drug Association, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have reshaped cancer immunotherapy. However, these therapies rely on ex vivo viral transduction to induce permanent CAR expression in T cells, which contributes to high production costs and long-term side effects. Thus, this work aims to develop an in vivo CAR T cell engineering platform to streamline production while using mRNA to induce transient, tunable CAR expression. Specifically, an ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) is utilized as these platforms have demonstrated clinical success in nucleic acid delivery. Though LNPs often accumulate in the liver, the LNP platform used here achieves extrahepatic transfection with enhanced delivery to the spleen, and it is further modified via antibody conjugation (Ab-LNPs) to target pan-T cell markers. The in vivo evaluation of these Ab-LNPs confirms that targeting is necessary for potent T cell transfection. When using these Ab-LNPs for the delivery of CAR mRNA, antibody and dose-dependent CAR expression and cytokine release are observed along with B cell depletion of up to 90%. In all, this work conjugates antibodies to LNPs with extrahepatic tropism, evaluates pan-T cell markers, and develops Ab-LNPs capable of generating functional CAR T cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ningqiang Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alvin J Mukalel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ajay S Thatte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rakan El-Mayta
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Savan K Patel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ann E Metzloff
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kelsey L Swingle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Xuexiang Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lulu Xue
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alex G Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hannah C Safford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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6
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Breda L, Papp TE, Triebwasser MP, Yadegari A, Fedorky MT, Tanaka N, Abdulmalik O, Pavani G, Wang Y, Grupp SA, Chou ST, Ni H, Mui BL, Tam YK, Weissman D, Rivella S, Parhiz H. In vivo hematopoietic stem cell modification by mRNA delivery. Science 2023; 381:436-443. [PMID: 37499029 PMCID: PMC10567133 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade6967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the source of all blood cells over an individual's lifetime. Diseased HSCs can be replaced with gene-engineered or healthy HSCs through HSC transplantation (HSCT). However, current protocols carry major side effects and have limited access. We developed CD117/LNP-messenger RNA (mRNA), a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) that encapsulates mRNA and is targeted to the stem cell factor receptor (CD117) on HSCs. Delivery of the anti-human CD117/LNP-based editing system yielded near-complete correction of hematopoietic sickle cells. Furthermore, in vivo delivery of pro-apoptotic PUMA (p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis) mRNA with CD117/LNP affected HSC function and permitted nongenotoxic conditioning for HSCT. The ability to target HSCs in vivo offers a nongenotoxic conditioning regimen for HSCT, and this platform could be the basis of in vivo genome editing to cure genetic disorders, which would abrogate the need for HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breda
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael P Triebwasser
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Megan T Fedorky
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naoto Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Osheiza Abdulmalik
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Giulia Pavani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yongping Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Transfusion Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephan A Grupp
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stella T Chou
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Transfusion Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Houping Ni
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology affinity group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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7
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Nong J, Glassman PM, Reyes-Esteves S, Descamps HC, Shuvaev VV, Kiseleva RY, Papp TE, Alameh MG, Tam YK, Mui BL, Omo-Lamai S, Zamora ME, Shuvaeva T, Arguiri E, Thaiss CA, Myerson JW, Weissman D, Kasner SE, Parhiz H, Muzykantov VR, Brenner JS, Marcos-Contreras OA. Targeting lipid nanoparticles to the blood brain barrier to ameliorate acute ischemic stroke. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.12.544645. [PMID: 37398465 PMCID: PMC10312645 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
After more than 100 failed drug trials for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), one of the most commonly cited reasons for the failure has been that drugs achieve very low concentrations in the at-risk penumbra. To address this problem, here we employ nanotechnology to significantly enhance drug concentration in the penumbra's blood-brain barrier (BBB), whose increased permeability in AIS has long been hypothesized to kill neurons by exposing them to toxic plasma proteins. To devise drug-loaded nanocarriers targeted to the BBB, we conjugated them with antibodies that bind to various cell adhesion molecules on the BBB endothelium. In the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model, nanocarriers targeted with VCAM antibodies achieved the highest level of brain delivery, nearly 2 orders of magnitude higher than untargeted ones. VCAM-targeted lipid nanoparticles loaded with either a small molecule drug (dexamethasone) or mRNA (encoding IL-10) reduced cerebral infarct volume by 35% or 73%, respectively, and both significantly lowered mortality rates. In contrast, the drugs delivered without the nanocarriers had no effect on AIS outcomes. Thus, VCAM-targeted lipid nanoparticles represent a new platform for strongly concentrating drugs within the compromised BBB of penumbra, thereby ameliorating AIS. Graphical abstract Acute ischemic stroke induces upregulation of VCAM. We specifically targeted upregulated VCAM in the injured region of the brain with drug- or mRNA-loaded targeted nanocarriers. Nanocarriers targeted with VCAM antibodies achieved the highest brain delivery, nearly orders of magnitude higher than untargeted ones. VCAM-targeted nanocarriers loaded with dexamethasone and mRNA encoding IL-10 reduced infarct volume by 35% and 73%, respectively, and improved survival rates.
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8
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Rurik JG, Tombácz I, Yadegari A, Méndez Fernández PO, Shewale SV, Li L, Kimura T, Soliman OY, Papp TE, Tam YK, Mui BL, Albelda SM, Puré E, June CH, Aghajanian H, Weissman D, Parhiz H, Epstein JA. CAR T cells produced in vivo to treat cardiac injury. Science 2022; 375:91-96. [PMID: 34990237 PMCID: PMC9983611 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 194.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis affects millions of people with cardiac disease. We developed a therapeutic approach to generate transient antifibrotic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in vivo by delivering modified messenger RNA (mRNA) in T cell–targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The efficacy of these in vivo–reprogrammed CAR T cells was evaluated by injecting CD5-targeted LNPs into a mouse model of heart failure. Efficient delivery of modified mRNA encoding the CAR to T lymphocytes was observed, which produced transient, effective CAR T cells in vivo. Antifibrotic CAR T cells exhibited trogocytosis and retained the target antigen as they accumulated in the spleen. Treatment with modified mRNA-targeted LNPs reduced fibrosis and restored cardiac function after injury. In vivo generation of CAR T cells may hold promise as a therapeutic platform to treat various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel G. Rurik
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - István Tombácz
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pedro O. Méndez Fernández
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Swapnil V. Shewale
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Toru Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ousamah Younoss Soliman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tyler E. Papp
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ying K. Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | - Steven M. Albelda
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haig Aghajanian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Haig Aghajanian: , Drew Weissman: , Hamideh Parhiz: , Jonathan A. Epstein:
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Haig Aghajanian: , Drew Weissman: , Hamideh Parhiz: , Jonathan A. Epstein:
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Haig Aghajanian: , Drew Weissman: , Hamideh Parhiz: , Jonathan A. Epstein:
| | - Jonathan A. Epstein
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Haig Aghajanian: , Drew Weissman: , Hamideh Parhiz: , Jonathan A. Epstein:
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9
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Rurik JG, Tombácz I, Yadegari A, Méndez Fernández PO, Shewale SV, Li L, Kimura T, Soliman OY, Papp TE, Tam YK, Mui BL, Albelda SM, Puré E, June CH, Aghajanian H, Weissman D, Parhiz H, Epstein JA. CAR T cells produced in vivo to treat cardiac injury. Science 2022. [DOI: doi/10.1126/science.abm0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Making CAR T cells in vivo
Cardiac fibrosis is the stiffening and scarring of heart tissue and can be fatal. Rurik
et al
. designed an immunotherapy strategy to generate transient chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that can recognize the fibrotic cells in the heart (see the Perspective by Gao and Chen). By injecting CD5-targeted lipid nanoparticles containing the messenger RNA (mRNA) instructions needed to reprogram T lymphocytes, the researchers were able to generate therapeutic CAR T cells entirely inside the body. Analysis of a mouse model of heart disease revealed that the approach was successful in reducing fibrosis and restoring cardiac function. The ability to produce CAR T cells in vivo using modified mRNA may have a number of therapeutic applications. —PNK
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel G. Rurik
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - István Tombácz
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pedro O. Méndez Fernández
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Swapnil V. Shewale
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Toru Kimura
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ousamah Younoss Soliman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tyler E. Papp
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ying K. Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Barbara L. Mui
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Steven M. Albelda
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haig Aghajanian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Epstein
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Parhiz H, Brenner JS, Patel P, Papp TE, Shahnawaz H, Li Q, Shi R, Zamora M, Yadegari A, Marcos-Contreras OA, Natesan A, Pardi N, Shuvaev VV, Kiseleva R, Myerson J, Uhler T, Riley RS, Han X, Mitchell MJ, Lam K, Heyes J, Weissman D, Muzykantov V. Added to pre-existing inflammation, mRNA-lipid nanoparticles induce inflammation exacerbation (IE). J Control Release 2021; 344:50-61. [PMID: 34953981 PMCID: PMC8695324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Current nucleoside-modified RNA lipid nanoparticle (modmRNA-LNP) technology has successfully paved the way for the highest clinical efficacy data from next-generation vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, such modmRNA-LNP technology has not been characterized in common pre-existing inflammatory or immune-challenged conditions, raising the risk of adverse clinical effects when administering modmRNA-LNPs in such cases. Herein, we induce an acute-inflammation model in mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intratracheally (IT), 1 mg kg−1, or intravenously (IV), 2 mg kg−1, and then IV administer modmRNA-LNP, 0.32 mg kg−1, after 4 h, and screen for inflammatory markers, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines. ModmRNA-LNP at this dose caused no significant elevation of cytokine levels in naive mice. In contrast, shortly after LPS immune stimulation, modmRNA-LNP enhanced inflammatory cytokine responses, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 2 (MIP-2) in liver significantly. Our report identifies this phenomenon as inflammation exacerbation (IE), which was proven to be specific to the LNP, acting independent of mRNA cargo, and was demonstrated to be time- and dose-dependent. Macrophage depletion as well as TLR3 −/− and TLR4−/− knockout mouse studies revealed macrophages were the immune cells involved or responsible for IE. Finally, we show that pretreatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, can partially alleviate IE response in mice. Our findings characterize the importance of LNP-mediated IE phenomena in gram negative bacterial inflammation, however, the generalizability of modmRNA-LNP in other forms of chronic or acute inflammatory and immune contexts needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jacob S Brenner
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Priyal Patel
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hamna Shahnawaz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruiqi Shi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marco Zamora
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oscar A Marcos-Contreras
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ambika Natesan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vladimir V Shuvaev
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raisa Kiseleva
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacob Myerson
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Uhler
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel S Riley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xuexiang Han
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kieu Lam
- Genevant Sciences Corporation, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5, Canada
| | - James Heyes
- Genevant Sciences Corporation, Vancouver, BC V5T 4T5, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Vladimir Muzykantov
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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Tombácz I, Laczkó D, Shahnawaz H, Muramatsu H, Natesan A, Yadegari A, Papp TE, Alameh MG, Shuvaev V, Mui BL, Tam YK, Muzykantov V, Pardi N, Weissman D, Parhiz H. Highly efficient CD4+ T cell targeting and genetic recombination using engineered CD4+ cell-homing mRNA-LNP. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3293-3304. [PMID: 34091054 PMCID: PMC8571164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the basis for the first two EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) COVID-19 vaccines. The use of nucleoside-modified mRNA as a pharmacological agent opens immense opportunities for therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic molecular interventions. In particular, mRNA-based drugs may specifically modulate immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, for immunotherapy of oncologic, infectious and other conditions. The key challenge, however, is that T cells are notoriously resistant to transfection by exogenous mRNA. Here, we report that conjugating CD4 antibody to LNPs enables specific targeting and mRNA interventions to CD4+ cells, including T cells. After systemic injection in mice, CD4-targeted radiolabeled mRNA-LNPs accumulated in spleen, providing ∼30-fold higher signal of reporter mRNA in T cells isolated from spleen as compared with non-targeted mRNA-LNPs. Intravenous injection of CD4-targeted LNPs loaded with Cre recombinase-encoding mRNA provided specific dose-dependent loxP-mediated genetic recombination, resulting in reporter gene expression in about 60% and 40% of CD4+ T cells in spleen and lymph nodes, respectively. T cell phenotyping showed uniform transfection of T cell subpopulations, with no variability in uptake of CD4-targeted mRNA-LNPs in naive, central memory, and effector cells. The specific and efficient targeting and transfection of mRNA to T cells established in this study provides a platform technology for immunotherapy of devastating conditions and HIV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Tombácz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dorottya Laczkó
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hamna Shahnawaz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ambika Natesan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amir Yadegari
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Vladimir Shuvaev
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Vladimir Muzykantov
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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12
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McDougald DS, Papp TE, Zezulin AU, Zhou S, Bennett J. AKT3 Gene Transfer Promotes Anabolic Reprogramming and Photoreceptor Neuroprotection in a Pre-clinical Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Mol Ther 2019; 27:1313-1326. [PMID: 31043342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations within over 250 known genes are associated with inherited retinal degeneration. Clinical success following gene-replacement therapy for congenital blindness due to RPE65 mutations establishes a platform for the development of downstream treatments targeting other forms of inherited ocular disease. Unfortunately, several challenges relevant to complex disease pathology and limitations of current gene-transfer technologies impede the development of related strategies for each specific form of inherited retinal degeneration. Here, we describe a gene-augmentation strategy that delays retinal degeneration by stimulating features of anabolic metabolism necessary for survival and structural maintenance of photoreceptors. We targeted two critical points of regulation in the canonical insulin/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway with AAV-mediated gene augmentation in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. AAV vectors expressing the serine/threonine kinase, AKT3, promote dramatic preservation of photoreceptor numbers, structure, and partial visual function. This protective effect was associated with successful reprogramming of photoreceptor metabolism toward pathways associated with cell growth and survival. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of AKT activity and downstream pathways associated with anabolic metabolism in photoreceptor survival and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin S McDougald
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexandra U Zezulin
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shangzhen Zhou
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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13
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McDougald DS, Duong TT, Palozola KC, Marsh A, Papp TE, Mills JA, Zhou S, Bennett J. CRISPR Activation Enhances In Vitro Potency of AAV Vectors Driven by Tissue-Specific Promoters. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2019; 13:380-389. [PMID: 31024980 PMCID: PMC6477656 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Validation of gene transfer vectors containing tissue-specific promoters in cell-based functional assays poses a formidable challenge for gene therapy product development. Here, we describe a novel approach based on CRISPR/dCas9 transcriptional activation to achieve robust transgene expression from transgene cassettes containing tissue or cell type-specific promoters after infection with AAV vectors in cell-based systems. Guide RNA sequences targeting two promoters that are highly active within mammalian photoreceptors were screened in a novel promoter activation assay. Using this screen, we generated and characterized stable cell lines that co-express dCas9.VPR and top-performing guide RNA candidates. These cells exhibit potent activation of proviral plasmids after transfection or after infection with AAV vectors delivering transgene cassettes carrying photoreceptor-specific promoters. In addition, we interrogated mechanisms to optimize this platform through the addition of multiple guide RNA sequences and co-expression of the universal adeno-associated virus receptor (AAVR). Collectively, this investigation identifies a rapid and broadly applicable strategy to enhance in vitro expression and to evaluate potency of AAV vectors that rely upon cell or tissue-specific regulatory elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin S McDougald
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thu T Duong
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katherine C Palozola
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anson Marsh
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jason A Mills
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shangzhen Zhou
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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14
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Bryant L, Lozynska O, Marsh A, Papp TE, van Gorder L, Serrano LW, Gai X, Maguire AM, Aleman TS, Bennett J. Identification of a novel pathogenic missense mutation in PRPF31 using whole exome sequencing: a case report. Br J Ophthalmol 2018; 103:761-767. [PMID: 30030392 PMCID: PMC6582727 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-311405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variants in PRPF31, which encodes pre-mRNA processing factor 31 homolog, are known to cause autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) with incomplete penetrance. However, the majority of mutations cause null alleles, with only two proven pathogenic missense mutations. We identified a novel missense mutation in PRPF31 in a family with adRP. METHODS We performed whole exome sequencing to identify possible pathogenic mutations in the proband of a family with adRP. Available affected family members had a full ophthalmological evaluation including kinetic and two-colour dark adapted static perimetry, electroretinography and multimodal imaging of the retina. Two patients had evaluations covering nearly 20 years. We carried out segregation analysis of the probable mutation, PRPF31 c.590T>C. We evaluated the cellular localisation of the PRPF31 variant (p.Leu197Pro) compared with the wildtype PRPF31 protein. RESULTS PRPF31 c.590T>C segregated with the disease in this four-generation autosomal dominant pedigree. There was intrafamilial variability in disease severity. Nyctalopia and mid-peripheral scotomas presented from the second to the fourth decade of life. There was severe rod >cone dysfunction. Visual acuity (VA) was relatively intact and was maintained until later in life, although with marked interocular asymmetries. Laboratory studies showed that the mutant PRPF31 protein (p.Leu197Pro) does not localise to the nucleus, unlike the wildtype PRPF31 protein. Instead, mutant protein resulted in punctate localisation to the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS c.590T>C is a novel pathogenic variant in PRPF31 causing adRP with incomplete penetrance. Disease may be due to protein misfolding and associated abnormal protein trafficking to the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bryant
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Olga Lozynska
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anson Marsh
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tyler E Papp
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucas van Gorder
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leona W Serrano
- Department of Ophthalmology and CAROT, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaowu Gai
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Albert M Maguire
- Department of Ophthalmology and CAROT, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tomas S Aleman
- Department of Ophthalmology and CAROT, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jean Bennett
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT) and F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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