1
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) types 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) are caused by autosomal dominant gain-of-function RNA which are, in turn, created by the expansion of repeat sequences in the DMPK and ZNF9 genes, respectively. The expansions are highly unstable and biased for further expansion in somatic cells and across generations. Despite the different genes involved, DM1 and DM2 share several clinical features due to having the similar underlying mechanism of repetitive RNA-mediated toxicity. Both disorders manifest as multisystemic conditions with features including myotonia, cataract development, and abnormalities in cardiac conduction. At present, there is no cure for DM and treatments mostly aim at symptom management. Among the therapeutics being developed, antisense therapy using gapmers is one of the most promising. Compared to other antisense oligonucleotides, gapmers maintain the ability to induce RNase H cleavage while having enhanced target binding affinity and nuclease resistance. This chapter will consolidate the different strategies studied thus far to develop a treatment for DM1 through the targeting of toxic repetitive RNA using gapmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh Nguyen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- The Friends of Garret Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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2
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Abstract
Several neurodegenerative disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) are caused by non-coding nucleotide repeat expansions. Different pathogenic mechanisms may underlie these non-coding repeat expansion disorders. While gain-of-function mechanisms, such as toxicity associated with expression of repeat RNA or toxicity associated with repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) products, are most frequently connected with these disorders, loss-of-function mechanisms have also been implicated. We review the different pathways that have been linked to non-coding repeat expansion disorders such as C9ORF72-linked ALS/frontotemporal dementia (FTD), myotonic dystrophy, fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), SCA, and Huntington's disease-like 2. We discuss modes of RNA toxicity focusing on the identity and the interacting partners of the toxic RNA species. Using the C9ORF72 ALS/FTD paradigm, we further explore the efforts and different methods used to disentangle RNA vs. RAN toxicity. Overall, we conclude that there is ample evidence for a role of RNA toxicity in non-coding repeat expansion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Swinnen
- Department of NeurosciencesExperimental NeurologyLeuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven – University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Wim Robberecht
- Department of NeurosciencesExperimental NeurologyLeuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven – University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of NeurosciencesExperimental NeurologyLeuven Brain Institute (LBI)KU Leuven – University of LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyVIB, Center for Brain & Disease ResearchLeuvenBelgium
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3
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Abstract
RNA nanostructures can be programmed to exhibit defined sizes, shapes and stoichiometries from naturally occurring or de novo designed RNA motifs. These constructs can be used as scaffolds to attach functional moieties, such as ligand binding motifs or gene expression regulators, for nanobiology applications. This review is focused on four areas of importance to RNA nanotechnology: the types of RNAs of particular interest for nanobiology, the assembly of RNA nanoconstructs, the challenges of cellular delivery of RNAs in vivo, and the delivery carriers that aid in the matter. The available strategies for the design of nucleic acid nanostructures, as well as for formulation of their carriers, make RNA nanotechnology an important tool in both basic research and applied biomedical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Parlea
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Anu Puri
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Wojciech Kasprzak
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Paul Zakrevsky
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Emily Satterwhite
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kenya Joseph
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Nanoscale Science Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte North Carolina 28223, United States
- The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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4
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Zhang Q, Tsoi H, Peng S, Li PP, Lau KF, Rudnicki DD, Ngo JCK, Chan HYE. Assessing a peptidylic inhibitor-based therapeutic approach that simultaneously suppresses polyglutamine RNA- and protein-mediated toxicities in patient cells and Drosophila. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:321-34. [PMID: 26839389 PMCID: PMC4833327 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.022350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases represent a group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders that are caused by abnormal expansion of CAG triplet nucleotides in disease genes. Recent evidence indicates that not only mutant polyQ proteins, but also their corresponding mutant RNAs, contribute to the pathogenesis of polyQ diseases. Here, we describe the identification of a 13-amino-acid peptide, P3, which binds directly and preferentially to long-CAG RNA within the pathogenic range. When administered to cell and Drosophila disease models, as well as to patient-derived fibroblasts, P3 inhibited expanded-CAG-RNA-induced nucleolar stress and suppressed neurotoxicity. We further examined the combined therapeutic effect of P3 and polyQ-binding peptide 1 (QBP1), a well-characterized polyQ protein toxicity inhibitor, on neurodegeneration. When P3 and QBP1 were co-administered to disease models, both RNA and protein toxicities were effectively mitigated, resulting in a notable improvement of neurotoxicity suppression compared with the P3 and QBP1 single-treatment controls. Our findings indicate that targeting toxic RNAs and/or simultaneous targeting of toxic RNAs and their corresponding proteins could open up a new therapeutic strategy for treating polyQ degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Tsoi
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shaohong Peng
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pan P Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Program of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kwok-Fai Lau
- Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Cell and Molecular Biology Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Molecular Biotechnology Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dobrila D Rudnicki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Neurobiology, Program of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jacky Chi-Ki Ngo
- Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Cell and Molecular Biology Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- Laboratory of Drosophila Research, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Biochemistry Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Cell and Molecular Biology Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China Molecular Biotechnology Program, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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5
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Evers MM, Toonen LJA, van Roon-Mom WMC. Ataxin-3 protein and RNA toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: current insights and emerging therapeutic strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 49:1513-31. [PMID: 24293103 PMCID: PMC4012159 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ataxin-3 is a ubiquitously expressed deubiqutinating enzyme with important functions in the proteasomal protein degradation pathway and regulation of transcription. The C-terminus of the ataxin-3 protein contains a polyglutamine (PolyQ) region that, when mutationally expanded to over 52 glutamines, causes the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3). In spite of extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular toxicity resulting from mutant ataxin-3 remain elusive and no preventive treatment is currently available. It has become clear over the last decade that the hallmark intracellular ataxin-3 aggregates are likely not the main toxic entity in SCA3. Instead, the soluble PolyQ containing fragments arising from proteolytic cleavage of ataxin-3 by caspases and calpains are now regarded to be of greater influence in pathogenesis. In addition, recent evidence suggests potential involvement of a RNA toxicity component in SCA3 and other PolyQ expansion disorders, increasing the pathogenic complexity. Herein, we review the functioning of ataxin-3 and the involvement of known protein and RNA toxicity mechanisms of mutant ataxin-3 that have been discovered, as well as future opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M. Evers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lodewijk J. A. Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willeke M. C. van Roon-Mom
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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6
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Donnelly CJ, Zhang PW, Pham JT, Heusler AR, Mistry NA, Vidensky S, Daley EL, Poth EM, Hoover B, Fines DM, Maragakis N, Tienari PJ, Petrucelli L, Traynor BJ, Wang J, Rigo F, Bennett CF, Blackshaw S, Sattler R, Rothstein JD. RNA toxicity from the ALS/FTD C9ORF72 expansion is mitigated by antisense intervention. Neuron 2013; 80:415-28. [PMID: 24139042 PMCID: PMC4098943 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 682] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [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] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in the noncoding region of the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic abnormality in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The function of the C9ORF72 protein is unknown, as is the mechanism by which the repeat expansion could cause disease. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-differentiated neurons from C9ORF72 ALS patients revealed disease-specific (1) intranuclear GGGGCCexp RNA foci, (2) dysregulated gene expression, (3) sequestration of GGGGCCexp RNA binding protein ADARB2, and (4) susceptibility to excitotoxicity. These pathological and pathogenic characteristics were confirmed in ALS brain and were mitigated with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics to the C9ORF72 transcript or repeat expansion despite the presence of repeat-associated non-ATG translation (RAN) products. These data indicate a toxic RNA gain-of-function mechanism as a cause of C9ORF72 ALS and provide candidate antisense therapeutics and candidate human pharmacodynamic markers for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Donnelly
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ping-Wu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jacqueline T. Pham
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Aaron R. Heusler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nipun A. Mistry
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Svetlana Vidensky
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Daley
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Erin M. Poth
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin Hoover
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel M. Fines
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nicholas Maragakis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pentti J. Tienari
- Biomedicum, Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki; Helsinki University Central Hospital, Department of Neurology, Haartmaninkatu 8, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Bryan J. Traynor
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health, 35 Convent Drive, Room 1A-1000, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - C. Frank Bennett
- Isis Pharmaceuticals, 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Rothstein
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N Wolfe Street, Rangos 2–270, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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7
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Merienne
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), UMR 7104-CNRS/INSERM/UdS, BP10142, Illkirch, CU de Strasbourg, France
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), UMR 7104-CNRS/INSERM/UdS, BP10142, Illkirch, CU de Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail:
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8
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Abstract
Nearly 30 hereditary disorders in humans result from an increase in the number of copies of simple repeats in genomic DNA. These DNA repeats seem to be predisposed to such expansion because they have unusual structural features, which disrupt the cellular replication, repair and recombination machineries. The presence of expanded DNA repeats alters gene expression in human cells, leading to disease. Surprisingly, many of these debilitating diseases are caused by repeat expansions in the non-coding regions of their resident genes. It is becoming clear that the peculiar structures of repeat-containing transcripts are at the heart of the pathogenesis of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei M Mirkin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
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9
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Hamm S, Heit A, Koffler M, Huster KM, Akira S, Busch DH, Wagner H, Bauer S. Immunostimulatory RNA is a potent inducer of antigen-specific cytotoxic and humoral immune response in vivo. Int Immunol 2007; 19:297-304. [PMID: 17289655 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxl146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded RNA stimulates immune cells and induces the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I IFN. As adjuvant RNA can induce a T(h)2 type of humoral response, however, its potency in the induction of cytotoxic T cells in vivo has not been analyzed. Here we show that immunization with the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) and the adjuvant phosphodiester RNA complexed to the cationic lipid N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium methylsulfate (DOTAP) induced a Toll-like receptor-7-dependent cytotoxic T cell and humoral response. Staining with SIINFEKL-K(b) tetramers demonstrated the induction of antigen-specific T cells that were functional in in vivo cytotoxic T cell assays against SIINFEKL-loaded target cells. In infection experiments with OVA-secreting Listeria monocytogenes, the cytotoxic T cell response strongly reduced the bacterial load in liver and spleen. The RNA-driven humoral response was characterized by OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG1 isotype whereas CpG-DNA induced antigen-specific antibodies of the IgG2a (BALB/c) or IgG2c (C57BL/6) isotype. Furthermore, stimulation with RNA did not induce splenomegaly, a common feature of CpG-DNA-driven immune activation in mice. Taken together, our data confirm that RNA can be used as a safe adjuvant and induces a strong antibody response of the IgG1 isotype. Additionally, we demonstrate that RNA induces an antigen-specific immunity characterized by a potent cytotoxic T cell response to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Hamm
- Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Trogerstrasse 30, 81675 München, Germany
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10
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Mahadevan MS, Yadava RS, Yu Q, Balijepalli S, Frenzel-McCardell CD, Bourne TD, Phillips LH. Reversible model of RNA toxicity and cardiac conduction defects in myotonic dystrophy. Nat Genet 2006; 38:1066-70. [PMID: 16878132 PMCID: PMC2909745 DOI: 10.1038/ng1857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [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: 11/11/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2006] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM1), the most common muscular dystrophy in adults, is caused by an expanded (CTG)n tract in the 3' UTR of the gene encoding myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK), which results in nuclear entrapment of the 'toxic' mutant RNA and interacting RNA-binding proteins (such as MBNL1) in ribonuclear inclusions. It is unclear if therapy aimed at eliminating the toxin would be beneficial. To address this, we generated transgenic mice expressing the DMPK 3' UTR as part of an inducible RNA transcript encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). We were surprised to find that mice overexpressing a normal DMPK 3' UTR mRNA reproduced cardinal features of myotonic dystrophy, including myotonia, cardiac conduction abnormalities, histopathology and RNA splicing defects in the absence of detectable nuclear inclusions. However, we observed increased levels of CUG-binding protein (CUG-BP1) in skeletal muscle, as seen in individuals with DM1. Notably, these effects were reversible in both mature skeletal and cardiac muscles by silencing transgene expression. These results represent the first in vivo proof of principle for a therapeutic strategy for treatment of myotonic dystrophy by ablating or silencing expression of the toxic RNA molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani S Mahadevan
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800904, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0904, USA.
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11
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Grimm D, Streetz KL, Jopling CL, Storm TA, Pandey K, Davis CR, Marion P, Salazar F, Kay MA. Fatality in mice due to oversaturation of cellular microRNA/short hairpin RNA pathways. Nature 2006; 441:537-41. [PMID: 16724069 DOI: 10.1038/nature04791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1305] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2005] [Accepted: 04/07/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a universal and evolutionarily conserved phenomenon of post-transcriptional gene silencing by means of sequence-specific mRNA degradation, triggered by small double-stranded RNAs. Because this mechanism can be efficiently induced in vivo by expressing target-complementary short hairpin RNA (shRNA) from non-viral and viral vectors, RNAi is attractive for functional genomics and human therapeutics. Here we systematically investigate the long-term effects of sustained high-level shRNA expression in livers of adult mice. Robust shRNA expression in all the hepatocytes after intravenous infusion was achieved with an optimized shRNA delivery vector based on duplex-DNA-containing adeno-associated virus type 8 (AAV8). An evaluation of 49 distinct AAV/shRNA vectors, unique in length and sequence and directed against six targets, showed that 36 resulted in dose-dependent liver injury, with 23 ultimately causing death. Morbidity was associated with the downregulation of liver-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), indicating possible competition of the latter with shRNAs for limiting cellular factors required for the processing of various small RNAs. In vitro and in vivo shRNA transfection studies implied that one such factor, shared by the shRNA/miRNA pathways and readily saturated, is the nuclear karyopherin exportin-5. Our findings have fundamental consequences for future RNAi-based strategies in animals and humans, because controlling intracellular shRNA expression levels will be imperative. However, the risk of oversaturating endogenous small RNA pathways can be minimized by optimizing shRNA dose and sequence, as exemplified here by our report of persistent and therapeutic RNAi against human hepatitis B virus in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Grimm
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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12
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Gasior SL, Palmisano M, Deininger PL. Alu-linked hairpins efficiently mediate RNA interference with less toxicity than do H1-expressed short hairpin RNAs. Anal Biochem 2005; 349:41-8. [PMID: 16359634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2005.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/25/2005] [Revised: 10/18/2005] [Accepted: 11/01/2005] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference has become a powerful tool for specific inhibition of gene expression in mammalian cells. Expression constructs allow for the long-term delivery of short interfering RNAs, usually through the expression of Pol III-transcribed hairpins. In some instances, these expression systems have been shown to have side effects, including induction of the interferon response and cytotoxicity. Here we demonstrate that H1-expressed hairpins, as well as the cloning vector, reduce the plating efficiency of HeLa cells. This toxicity is abrogated by coexpression of the hairpin in the same transcript as a human Alu repetitive element. These Alu-linked hairpins retain the ability to knock down expression of target mRNAs. This modification, which we term SINE (short interspersed repetitive element)-enhanced short hairpin RNA, provides an alternative expression system for hairpins with reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Gasior
- Tulane Cancer Center and Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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13
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deKernion JB, Ramming KP. Treatment of hypernephroma with xenogeneic immune RNA. Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 1978:347-9. [PMID: 748792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of patients with hypernephroma with xenogeneic immune RNA was discussed. The toxicity from xenogeneic immune RNA therapy was minimal in patients receiving simple doses from 4 to 64 mg intracutaneously and with cumulative doses of 450 mg during a 30-month period.
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14
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Carter WA, O'Malley J. An integrated and comparative study of the antiviral effects and other biological properties of the polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid duplex and its mismatched analogues. III. Chronic effects and immunological features. Mol Pharmacol 1976; 12:440-53. [PMID: 180397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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15
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Heyes J, Catherall EJ, Harnden MR. Antitumour evaluation of a ribonuclease resistant double-stranded RNA-polyquaternary ammonium complex (BRL 10739). Eur J Cancer 1974; 10:431-5. [PMID: 4457346 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2964(74)90026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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