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Radloff K, Gutbier B, Dunne CM, Moradian H, Schwestka M, Gossen M, Ahrens K, Kneller L, Wang Y, Moga A, Gkionis L, Keil O, Fehring V, Tondera D, Giese K, Santel A, Kaufmann J, Witzenrath M. Cationic LNP-formulated mRNA expressing Tie2-agonist in the lung endothelium prevents pulmonary vascular leakage. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 34:102068. [PMID: 38034031 PMCID: PMC10682670 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102068] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner surface of blood vessels are causative for a number of diseases. Hence, the ability to therapeutically modulate gene expression within ECs is of high therapeutic value in treating diseases such as those associated with lung edema. mRNAs formulated with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a new drug modality to induce transient protein expression for modulating disease-relevant signal transduction pathways. In the study presented here, we tested the effect of a novel synthetic, nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding COMP-Ang1 (mRNA-76) formulated into a cationic LNP on attenuating inflammation-induced vascular leakage. After intravenous injection, the respective mRNA was found to be delivered almost exclusively to the ECs of the lung, while sparing other vascular beds and bypassing the liver. The mode of action of mRNA-76, such as its activation of the Tie2 signal transduction pathway, was tested by pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo in respective mouse models. mRNA-76 was found to prevent lung vascular leakage/lung edema as well as neutrophil infiltration in a lipopolysaccharide-challenging model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgitt Gutbier
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Hanieh Moradian
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513 Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marko Schwestka
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513 Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Gossen
- Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 14513 Teltow, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Ahrens
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Kneller
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yadong Wang
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Akanksha Moga
- Pantherna Therapeutics GmbH, 16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Keil
- Pantherna Therapeutics GmbH, 16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Klaus Giese
- Pantherna Therapeutics GmbH, 16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany
| | - Ansgar Santel
- Pantherna Therapeutics GmbH, 16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany
| | - Jörg Kaufmann
- Pantherna Therapeutics GmbH, 16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany
| | - Martin Witzenrath
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, and Critical Care, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Kairuz D, Samudh N, Ely A, Arbuthnot P, Bloom K. Production, Characterization, and Assessment of Permanently Cationic and Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles for Use in the Delivery of Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccines. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041173. [PMID: 37111658 PMCID: PMC10143526 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Africa bears the highest burden of infectious diseases, yet the continent is heavily reliant on First World countries for the development and supply of life-saving vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of Africa's vaccine dependence and since then great interest has been generated in establishing mRNA vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the African continent. Herein, we explore alphavirus-based self-amplifying RNAs (saRNAs) delivered by lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as an alternative to the conventional mRNA vaccine platform. The approach is intended to produce dose-sparing vaccines which could assist resource-constrained countries to achieve vaccine independence. Protocols to synthesize high-quality saRNAs were optimized and in vitro expression of reporter proteins encoded by saRNAs was achieved at low doses and observed for an extended period. Permanently cationic or ionizable LNPs (cLNPs and iLNPs, respectively) were successfully produced, incorporating saRNAs either exteriorly (saRNA-Ext-LNPs) or interiorly (saRNA-Int-LNPs). DOTAP and DOTMA saRNA-Ext-cLNPs performed best and were generally below 200 nm with good PDIs (<0.3). DOTAP and DDA saRNA-Int-cLNPs performed optimally, allowing for saRNA amplification. These were slightly larger, with higher PDIs as a result of the method used, which will require further optimization. In both cases, the N:P ratio and lipid molar ratio had a distinct effect on saRNA expression kinetics, and RNA was encapsulated at high percentages of >90%. These LNPs allow the delivery of saRNA with no significant toxicity. The optimization of saRNA production and identification of potential LNP candidates will facilitate saRNA vaccine and therapeutic development. The dose-sparing properties, versatility, and manufacturing simplicity of the saRNA platform will facilitate a rapid response to future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Kairuz
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Nazia Samudh
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Abdullah Ely
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
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Zhuang X, Qi Y, Wang M, Yu N, Nan F, Zhang H, Tian M, Li C, Lu H, Jin N. mRNA Vaccines Encoding the HA Protein of Influenza A H1N1 Virus Delivered by Cationic Lipid Nanoparticles Induce Protective Immune Responses in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010123. [PMID: 32164372 PMCID: PMC7157730 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The design of the mRNA vaccine involves the selection of in vitro transcription (IVT) systems and nonviral delivery vectors. This study aimed to verify the effect of 5' and 3' untranslated region (UTR) sequences on the translation efficiency of mRNA. Three modes of IVT-mRNA systems (IVT-mRNA-n1/n2/n3) with diverse UTRs were constructed, and EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) and HA (hemagglutinin) gene of H3N2 influenza virus were introduced into each of them. The results showed that the mode of 5' and 3' UTRs originating from human β-globulin was better than the mode of UTRs from human α-globulin, and the n3 mode was the best. mEGFP-n3, mH3HA-n3, and mLuciferease-n3 were prepared to compare the effect of cationic lipid nanoparticle (LNP) with that of mannose-conjugated LNP (LNP-Man) on the efficiency of gene delivery. The results showed that the effect of LNP-Man was better than that of LNP both in vitro and in vivo. Choosing appropriate ligands might help in vaccine design. After selecting the IVT-mRNA-n3 system and delivery vectors, mRNA vaccines were constructed against the H1N1 influenza virus, and C57BL/6 mice were immunized through intranasal administration. The results showed that mRNA vaccines could elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses and completely protect mice from the tenfold LD50 H1N1 influenza virus challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Yanxin Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchu 130022, China;
| | - Maopeng Wang
- Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China;
| | - Ning Yu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China;
| | - Fulong Nan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China;
| | - He Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Mingyao Tian
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Huijun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China; (X.Z.); (H.Z.); (M.T.); (C.L.); (H.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-431-86985929
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