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Kaltak M, de Bruijn P, van Leeuwen W, Platenburg G, Cremers FPM, Collin RWJ, Swildens J. QR-1011 restores defective ABCA4 splicing caused by multiple severe ABCA4 variants underlying Stargardt disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:684. [PMID: 38182646 PMCID: PMC10770117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51203-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1), the most common form of hereditary macular dystrophy, can be caused by biallelic combinations of over 2200 variants in the ABCA4 gene. This leads to reduced or absent ABCA4 protein activity, resulting in toxic metabolite accumulation in the retina and damage of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. Approximately 21% of all ABCA4 variants that contribute to disease influence ABCA4 pre-mRNA splicing. This emphasizes the need for therapies to restore disrupted ABCA4 splicing and halt STGD1 progression. Previously, QR-1011, an antisense oligonucleotide (AON), successfully corrected splicing abnormalities and restored normal ABCA4 protein translation in human retinal organoids carrying the prevalent disease-causing variant c.5461-10T>C in ABCA4. Here, we investigated whether QR-1011 could also correct splicing in four less common non-canonical splice site (NCSS) variants flanking ABCA4 exon 39: c.5461-8T>G, c.5461-6T>C, c.5584+5G>A and c.5584+6T>C. We administered QR-1011 and three other AONs to midigene-transfected cells and demonstrate that QR-1011 had the most pronounced effect on splicing compared to the others. Moreover, QR-1011 significantly increased full-length ABCA4 transcript levels for c.5461-8T>G and c.5584+6T>C. Splicing restoration could not be achieved in the other two variants, suggesting their more severe effect on splicing. Overall, QR-1011, initially developed for a single ABCA4 variant, exhibited potent splice correction capabilities for two additional severe NCSS variants nearby. This suggests the possibility of a broader therapeutic impact of QR-1011 extending beyond its original target and highlights the potential for treating a larger population of STGD1 patients affected by multiple severe ABCA4 variants with a single AON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melita Kaltak
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Petra de Bruijn
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn van Leeuwen
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Platenburg
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans P M Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Swildens
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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2
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Abstract
Many diseases are caused by insufficient expression of mutated genes and would benefit from increased expression of the corresponding protein. However, in drug development, it has been historically easier to develop drugs with inhibitory or antagonistic effects. Protein replacement and gene therapy can achieve the goal of increased protein expression but have limitations. Recent discoveries of the extensive regulatory networks formed by non-coding RNAs offer alternative targets and strategies to amplify the production of a specific protein. In addition to RNA-targeting small molecules, new nucleic acid-based therapeutic modalities that allow highly specific modulation of RNA-based regulatory networks are being developed. Such approaches can directly target the stability of mRNAs or modulate non-coding RNA-mediated regulation of transcription and translation. This Review highlights emerging RNA-targeted therapeutics for gene activation, focusing on opportunities and challenges for translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Khorkova
- OPKO Health, Miami, FL, USA
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jack Stahl
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Aswathy Joji
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
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3
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Hedlund H, Du Rietz H, Johansson JM, Eriksson HC, Zedan W, Huang L, Wallin J, Wittrup A. Single-cell quantification and dose-response of cytosolic siRNA delivery. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1075. [PMID: 36841822 PMCID: PMC9968291 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36752-1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Endosomal escape and subsequent cytosolic delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics is believed to be highly inefficient. Since it has not been possible to quantify cytosolic amounts of delivered siRNA at therapeutic doses, determining delivery bottlenecks and total efficiency has been difficult. Here, we present a confocal microscopy-based method to quantify cytosolic delivery of fluorescently labeled siRNA during lipid-mediated delivery. This method enables detection and quantification of sub-nanomolar cytosolic siRNA release amounts from individual release events with measures of quantitation confidence for each event. Single-cell kinetics of siRNA-mediated knockdown in cells expressing destabilized eGFP unveiled a dose-response relationship with respect to knockdown induction, depth and duration in the range from several hundred to thousands of cytosolic siRNA molecules. Accurate quantification of cytosolic siRNA, and the establishment of the intracellular dose-response relationships, will aid the development and characterization of novel delivery strategies for nucleic acid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hampus Hedlund
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hampus Du Rietz
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johanna M Johansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hanna C Eriksson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Wahed Zedan
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Linfeng Huang
- Wang-Cai Biochemistry Lab, Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jonas Wallin
- Department of Mathematical Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Wittrup
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. .,Skane University Hospital, Oncology, Lund, Sweden. .,Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund, Sweden.
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4
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Zuo W, Wakimoto M, Kozaiwa N, Shirasaka Y, Oh SW, Fujiwara S, Miyachi H, Kogure A, Kato H, Fujita T. Correction: PKR and TLR3 trigger distinct signals that coordinate the induction of antiviral apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:798. [PMID: 36123340 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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5
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Cohen SA, Bar-Am O, Fuoco C, Saar G, Gargioli C, Seliktar D. In vivo restoration of dystrophin expression in mdx mice using intra-muscular and intra-arterial injections of hydrogel microsphere carriers of exon skipping antisense oligonucleotides. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:779. [PMID: 36085138 PMCID: PMC9463190 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05166-0] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the X-linked Dytrophin gene preventing the expression of the functional protein. Exon skipping therapy using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for DMD. While benefits of AON therapy have been demonstrated, some challenges remain before this strategy can be applied more comprehensively to DMD patients. These include instability of AONs due to low nuclease resistance and poor tissue uptake. Delivery systems have been examined to improve the availability and stability of oligonucleotide drugs, including polymeric carriers. Previously, we showed the potential of a hydrogel-based polymeric carrier in the form of injectable PEG-fibrinogen (PF) microspheres for delivery of chemically modified 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate (2OMePs) AONs. The PF microspheres proved to be cytocompatible and provided sustained release of the AONs for several weeks, causing increased cellular uptake in mdx dystrophic mouse cells. Here, we further investigated this delivery strategy by examining in vivo efficacy of this approach. The 2OMePS/PEI polyplexes loaded in PF microspheres were delivered by intramuscular (IM) or intra-femoral (IF) injections. We examined the carrier biodegradation profiles, AON uptake efficiency, dystrophin restoration, and muscle histopathology. Both administration routes enhanced dystrophin restoration and improved the histopathology of the mdx mice muscles. The IF administration of the microspheres improved the efficacy of the 2OMePS AONs over the IM administration. This was demonstrated by a higher exon skipping percentage and a smaller percentage of centered nucleus fibers (CNF) found in H&E-stained muscles. The restoration of dystrophin expression found for both IM and IF treatments revealed a reduced dystrophic phenotype of the treated muscles. The study concludes that injectable PF microspheres can be used as a carrier system to improve the overall therapeutic outcomes of exon skipping-based therapy for treating DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Attias Cohen
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Orit Bar-Am
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Claudia Fuoco
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Galit Saar
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Biomedical Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Cesare Gargioli
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Dror Seliktar
- grid.6451.60000000121102151Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Zuo W, Wakimoto M, Kozaiwa N, Shirasaka Y, Oh SW, Fujiwara S, Miyachi H, Kogure A, Kato H, Fujita T. PKR and TLR3 trigger distinct signals that coordinate the induction of antiviral apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:707. [PMID: 35970851 PMCID: PMC9378677 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05101-3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), protein kinase R (PKR), and endosomal Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) sense viral non-self RNA and are involved in cell fate determination. However, the mechanisms by which intracellular RNA induces apoptosis, particularly the role of each RNA sensor, remain unclear. We performed cytoplasmic injections of different types of RNA and elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA-induced apoptosis. The results obtained revealed that short 5'-triphosphate dsRNA, the sole ligand of RIG-I, induced slow apoptosis in a fraction of cells depending on IRF-3 transcriptional activity and IFN-I production. However, intracellular long dsRNA was sensed by PKR and TLR3, which activate distinct signals, and synergistically induced rapid apoptosis. PKR essentially induced translational arrest, resulting in reduced levels of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein and functioned in the TLR3/TRIF-dependent activation of caspase 8. The present results demonstrated that PKR and TLR3 were both essential for inducing the viral RNA-mediated apoptosis of infected cells and the arrest of viral production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Zuo
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Mai Wakimoto
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Noriyasu Kozaiwa
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Yutaro Shirasaka
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Seong-Wook Oh
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Shiori Fujiwara
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Hitoshi Miyachi
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Amane Kogure
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XInstitute for Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127 Germany
| | - Takashi Fujita
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Laboratory of Regulatory Information, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507 Japan ,grid.15090.3d0000 0000 8786 803XInstitute for Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127 Germany
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7
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Huang Y, Zheng S, Guo Z, de Mollerat du Jeu X, Liang XJ, Yang Z, Zhang HY, Gao S, Liang Z. Ionizable liposomal siRNA therapeutics enables potent and persistent treatment of Hepatitis B. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:38. [PMID: 35145057 PMCID: PMC8831581 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00859-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) constitutes a promising therapeutic modality supporting the potential functional cure of hepatitis B. A novel ionizable lipidoid nanoparticle (RBP131) and a state-of-the-art lyophilization technology were developed in this study, enabling to deliver siRNA targeting apolipoprotein B (APOB) into the hepatocytes with an ED50 of 0.05 mg/kg after intravenous injection. In addition, according to the requirements of Investigational New Drug (IND) application, a potent siRNA targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) was selected and encapsulated with RBP131 to fabricate a therapeutic formulation termed RB-HBV008. Efficacy investigations in transient and transgenic mouse models revealed that the expressions of viral RNAs and antigens (HBsAg and HBeAg), as well as viral DNA, were repressed, dose-dependently and time-dependently at multilog decreasing amplitude, in both circulation and liver tissue. In contrast, entecavir (ETV), the first-line clinically-employed nucleoside analog drug, barely recused the antigen expression, although it triggered as high as 3.50 log reduction of viral DNA, in line with clinical observations. Moreover, the toxicity profiles suggested satisfactory safety outcomes with ten times the therapeutic window. Therefore, this study provides an effective nucleic acid delivery system and a promising RNAi agent for the treatment of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyu Huang
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300, China. .,Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, School of Life Science, School of Medical Technology (Institute of Engineering Medicine), Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Shuquan Zheng
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300 China
| | - Zhaoxu Guo
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300 China
| | | | - Xing-Jie Liang
- grid.419265.d0000 0004 1806 6075Center for Excellence in Nanoscience and CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Zhiwei Yang
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300 China
| | - Hong-Yan Zhang
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300 China
| | - Shan Gao
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300 China
| | - Zicai Liang
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co. Ltd., Jiangsu, 215300, China.
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8
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Hu B, Zhong L, Weng Y, Peng L, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Liang XJ. Therapeutic siRNA: state of the art. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:101. [PMID: 32561705 PMCID: PMC7305320 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0207-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 568] [Impact Index Per Article: 142.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is an ancient biological mechanism used to defend against external invasion. It theoretically can silence any disease-related genes in a sequence-specific manner, making small interfering RNA (siRNA) a promising therapeutic modality. After a two-decade journey from its discovery, two approvals of siRNA therapeutics, ONPATTRO® (patisiran) and GIVLAARI™ (givosiran), have been achieved by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Reviewing the long-term pharmaceutical history of human beings, siRNA therapy currently has set up an extraordinary milestone, as it has already changed and will continue to change the treatment and management of human diseases. It can be administered quarterly, even twice-yearly, to achieve therapeutic effects, which is not the case for small molecules and antibodies. The drug development process was extremely hard, aiming to surmount complex obstacles, such as how to efficiently and safely deliver siRNAs to desired tissues and cells and how to enhance the performance of siRNAs with respect to their activity, stability, specificity and potential off-target effects. In this review, the evolution of siRNA chemical modifications and their biomedical performance are comprehensively reviewed. All clinically explored and commercialized siRNA delivery platforms, including the GalNAc (N-acetylgalactosamine)-siRNA conjugate, and their fundamental design principles are thoroughly discussed. The latest progress in siRNA therapeutic development is also summarized. This review provides a comprehensive view and roadmap for general readers working in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hu
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Zhong
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Weng
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Peng
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Yuanyu Huang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Institute of Engineering Medicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, 100190, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Patel S, Ashwanikumar N, Robinson E, Xia Y, Mihai C, Griffith JP, Hou S, Esposito AA, Ketova T, Welsher K, Joyal JL, Almarsson Ö, Sahay G. Naturally-occurring cholesterol analogues in lipid nanoparticles induce polymorphic shape and enhance intracellular delivery of mRNA. Nat Commun 2020; 11:983. [PMID: 32080183 PMCID: PMC7033178 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14527-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endosomal sequestration of lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) remains a formidable barrier to delivery. Herein, structure-activity analysis of cholesterol analogues reveals that incorporation of C-24 alkyl phytosterols into LNPs (eLNPs) enhances gene transfection and the length of alkyl tail, flexibility of sterol ring and polarity due to -OH group is required to maintain high transfection. Cryo-TEM displays a polyhedral shape for eLNPs compared to spherical LNPs, while x-ray scattering shows little disparity in internal structure. eLNPs exhibit higher cellular uptake and retention, potentially leading to a steady release from the endosomes over time. 3D single-particle tracking shows enhanced intracellular diffusivity of eLNPs relative to LNPs, suggesting eLNP traffic to productive pathways for escape. Our findings show the importance of cholesterol in subcellular transport of LNPs carrying mRNA and emphasize the need for greater insights into surface composition and structural properties of nanoparticles, and their subcellular interactions which enable designs to improve endosomal escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Sciences Building, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - N Ashwanikumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Sciences Building, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Ema Robinson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Sciences Building, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Yan Xia
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Cosmin Mihai
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Joseph P Griffith
- French Family Science Center, Department of Chemistry, 124 Science Drive, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Shangguo Hou
- French Family Science Center, Department of Chemistry, 124 Science Drive, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Adam A Esposito
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tatiana Ketova
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Kevin Welsher
- French Family Science Center, Department of Chemistry, 124 Science Drive, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - John L Joyal
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Örn Almarsson
- Moderna Therapeutics, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Robertson Life Sciences Building, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Robertson Life Science Building, 2730 Southwest Moody Avenue, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
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10
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Carvalho J, Paiva A, Cabral Campello MP, Paulo A, Mergny JL, Salgado GF, Queiroz JA, Cruz C. Aptamer-based Targeted Delivery of a G-quadruplex Ligand in Cervical Cancer Cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7945. [PMID: 31138870 PMCID: PMC6538641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AS1411 is a G-rich DNA oligonucleotide that functions as an aptamer of the protein nucleolin, found at high levels on the surface of cancer cells but not on the surface of normal cells. Herein, we have studied AS1411 as a supramolecular carrier for the delivery of an acridine-based G-quadruplex ligand, C8, to HeLa cancer cells. Two AS1411 derivatives, LNA-AS1411 and U-AS1411, were also tested, in an attempt to compare AS1411 pharmacological properties. The results showed that AS1411-C8 complexation was made with great binding strength and that it lowered the ligand's cytotoxicity towards non-malignant cells. This effect was suggested to be due to a decreased internalization of the complexed versus free C8 as shown by flow cytometry. The AS1411 derivatives, despite forming a stable complex with C8, lacked the necessary tumour-selective behaviour. The binding of C8 to AS1411 G-quadruplex structure did not negatively affect the recognition of nucleolin by the aptamer. The AS1411-C8 repressed c-MYC expression at the transcriptional level, possibly due to C8 ability to stabilize the c-MYC promoter G-quadruplexes. Overall, this study demonstrates the usefulness of AS1411 as a supramolecular carrier of the G-quadruplex binder C8 and the potential of using its tumour-selective properties for the delivery of ligands for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Carvalho
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Artur Paiva
- Unidade de Gestão Operacional em Citometria, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- CIMAGO/iCBR/CIBB, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Paula Cabral Campello
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066, Bobadela, LRS, Portugal
| | - António Paulo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7), 2695-066, Bobadela, LRS, Portugal
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Univ. Bordeaux, ARNA laboratory, INSERM, U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, F-33600, Pessac, France
- Institute of Biophysics, AS CR, v.v.i. Kralovopolska 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gilmar F Salgado
- Univ. Bordeaux, ARNA laboratory, INSERM, U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, IECB, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - João A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
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11
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Watanabe S, Hayashi K, Toh K, Kim HJ, Liu X, Chaya H, Fukushima S, Katsushima K, Kondo Y, Uchida S, Ogura S, Nomoto T, Takemoto H, Cabral H, Kinoh H, Tanaka HY, Kano MR, Matsumoto Y, Fukuhara H, Uchida S, Nangaku M, Osada K, Nishiyama N, Miyata K, Kataoka K. In vivo rendezvous of small nucleic acid drugs with charge-matched block catiomers to target cancers. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1894. [PMID: 31019193 PMCID: PMC6482185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09856-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [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: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stabilisation of fragile oligonucleotides, typically small interfering RNA (siRNA), is one of the most critical issues for oligonucleotide therapeutics. Many previous studies encapsulated oligonucleotides into ~100-nm nanoparticles. However, such nanoparticles inevitably accumulate in liver and spleen. Further, some intractable cancers, e.g., tumours in pancreas and brain, have inherent barrier characteristics preventing the penetration of such nanoparticles into tumour microenvironments. Herein, we report an alternative approach to cancer-targeted oligonucleotide delivery using a Y-shaped block catiomer (YBC) with precisely regulated chain length. Notably, the number of positive charges in YBC is adjusted to match that of negative charges in each oligonucleotide strand (i.e., 20). The YBC rendezvouses with a single oligonucleotide in the bloodstream to generate a dynamic ion-pair, termed unit polyion complex (uPIC). Owing to both significant longevity in the bloodstream and appreciably small size (~18 nm), the uPIC efficiently delivers oligonucleotides into pancreatic tumour and brain tumour models, exerting significant antitumour activity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics
- Brain Neoplasms/genetics
- Brain Neoplasms/metabolism
- Brain Neoplasms/mortality
- Brain Neoplasms/therapy
- Carbocyanines/chemistry
- Cell Cycle Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drug Carriers/chemical synthesis
- Drug Carriers/pharmacokinetics
- Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Injections, Intravenous
- Male
- Mice
- Nanostructures/administration & dosage
- Nanostructures/chemistry
- Oligonucleotides/chemical synthesis
- Oligonucleotides/genetics
- Oligonucleotides/metabolism
- Oligonucleotides/pharmacokinetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/mortality
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy
- Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry
- Polylysine/chemistry
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- RNA, Long Noncoding/antagonists & inhibitors
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/chemical synthesis
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacokinetics
- Static Electricity
- Survival Analysis
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Polo-Like Kinase 1
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiyo Watanabe
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8544, Japan
| | - Kotaro Hayashi
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuko Toh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hyun Jin Kim
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Xueying Liu
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Chaya
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shigeto Fukushima
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Keisuke Katsushima
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satomi Ogura
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nomoto
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1-11, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Takemoto
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1-11, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Y Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama Prefecture, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Mitsunobu R Kano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama Prefecture, 700-8530, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama Prefecture, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Yu Matsumoto
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Fukuhara
- Department of Urology, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan
| | - Shunya Uchida
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Masaomi Nangaku
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8544, Japan
| | - Kensuke Osada
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nishiyama
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1-11, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Kanjiro Miyata
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan.
- Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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