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Kaiser RA, Weber ND, Trigueros‐Motos L, Allen KL, Martinez M, Cao W, VanLith CJ, Hillin LG, Douar A, González‐Aseguinolaza G, Aldabe R, Lillegard JB. Use of an adeno-associated virus serotype Anc80 to provide durable cure of phenylketonuria in a mouse model. J Inherit Metab Dis 2021; 44:1369-1381. [PMID: 33896013 PMCID: PMC9291745 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inborn error of metabolism of the liver, and results from mutations of both alleles of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH). As such, it is a suitable target for gene therapy via gene delivery with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Here we use the synthetic AAV vector Anc80 via systemic administration to deliver a functional copy of a codon-optimized human PAH gene, with or without an intron spacer, to the Pahenu2 mouse model of PKU. Dose-dependent transduction of the liver and expression of PAH mRNA were present with both vectors, resulting in significant and durable reduction of circulating phenylalanine, reaching near control levels in males. Coat color of treated Pahenu2 mice reflected an increase in pigmentation from brown to the black color of control animals, further indicating functional restoration of phenylalanine metabolism and its byproduct melanin. There were no adverse effects associated with administration of AAV up to 5 × 1012 VG/kg, the highest dose tested. Only minor and/or transient variations in some liver enzymes were observed in some of the AAV-dosed animals which were not associated with pathology findings in the liver. Finally, there was no impact on cell turnover or apoptosis as evaluated by Ki-67 and TUNEL staining, further supporting the safety of this approach. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of AAV Anc80 to safely and durably cure PKU in a mouse model, supporting development for clinical consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Kaiser
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | | | | | - Kari L. Allen
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Michael Martinez
- Department of Molecular and Medical GeneticsOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregonUSA
| | - William Cao
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Gloria González‐Aseguinolaza
- Vivet Therapeutics S.L.PamplonaSpain
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene ExpressionCIMA Universidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA)PamplonaSpain
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene ExpressionCIMA Universidad de NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Joseph B. Lillegard
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of SurgeryMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Pediatric Surgical AssociatesMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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2
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Zulliger R, Watson JN, Al-Ubaidi MR, Padegimas L, Sesenoglu-Laird O, Cooper MJ, Naash MI. Optimizing Non-viral Gene Therapy Vectors for Delivery to Photoreceptors and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 2018; 1074:109-115. [PMID: 29721934 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75402-4_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in the design and delivery of non-viral gene therapy vectors, but, like their viral counterparts, therapeutic levels of transgenes have not met the requirements for successful clinical applications so far. The biggest advantage of polymer-based nanoparticle vectors is the ease with which they can be modified to increase their ability to penetrate the cell membrane and target specific cells by simply changing the formulation of the nanoparticle compaction. We took advantage of this characteristic to improve transfection rates of our particles to meet the transgene levels which will be needed for future treatment of patients. For this study, we successfully investigated the possibility of our established pegylated polylysine particles to be administered via intravitreal rather than subretinal route to ease the damage during injection. We also demonstrated that our particles are flexible enough to sustain changes in the formulation to accommodate additional targeting sequences without losing their efficiency in transfecting neuronal cells in the retina. Together, these results give us the opportunity to even further improve our particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Zulliger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jamie N Watson
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Zheng XY, Lv YF, Li S, Li Q, Zhang QN, Zhang XT, Hao ZM. Recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying thymosin β 4 suppresses experimental colitis in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:242-255. [PMID: 28127198 PMCID: PMC5236504 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i2.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the protective effect of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying thymosin β4 (AAV-Tβ4) on murine colitis via intracolonic administration.
METHODS AAV-Tβ4 was prepared and intracolonically used to mediate the secretory expression of Tβ4 in mouse colons. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was applied to induce the murine ulcerative colitis, and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to establish a mouse colitis model resembling Crohn’s disease. The disease severity and colon injuries were observed and graded to reveal the effects of AAV-Tβ4 on colitis. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using biochemical assays. Colonic levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured using ELISA, and mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis and proliferation were detected by TUNEL assay and immunochemistry, respectively.
RESULTS Recombinant AAVs efficiently delivered LacZ and Tβ4 into the colonic tissues of the mice, and AAV-Tβ4 led to a strong expression of Tβ4 in mouse colons. In both the DSS and TNBS colitis models, AAV-Tβ4-treated mice displayed distinctly attenuated colon injuries and reduced apoptosis rate of colonic mucosal epithelia. AAV-Tβ4 significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrations and relieved oxidative stress in the inflamed colons of the mice, as evidenced by decreases in MPO activity and MDA content and increases in SOD activity. AAV-Tβ4 also modulated colonic TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 levels and suppressed the compensatory proliferation of colonic epithelial cells in DSS- and TNBS-treated mice.
CONCLUSION Tβ4 exerts a protective effect on murine colitis, indicating that AAV-Tβ4 could potentially be developed into a promising agent for the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Patients with unresectable, multiple or advanced locally/regionally metastatic stage IIIB/C or stage IV M1a melanoma have a high risk for recurrence, progression and metastasis. The article reviews treatment advances for this population. RECENT FINDINGS After promising phase 2 results with Allovectin-7 (velimogene aliplasmid), overall survival in a phase 3 study was shorter for Allovectin-7 than for dacarbazine/temozolomide (median 18.8 versus 24.1 months).In a phase 2 trial of intratumoral electroporation of plasmid interleukin-12 among 28 patients with advanced melanoma, the primary endpoint of best overall response rate within 24 weeks of first treatment was 32.2% for objective response and 10.7% for complete response.In the phase 3 OPTiM trial of talimogene laherparepvec, the intralesional agent that is furthest along in clinical testing, the primary endpoint of durable response rate was 16% for talimogene laherparepvec and 2% for granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor.In the PV-10 phase 2 trial among 80 patients with stage III-IV melanoma, the overall response rate was 51%, with a 26% complete response rate. SUMMARY Despite advances, many patients will need several lines of therapy. Some will not be eligible for systemic therapy. Their low toxicity, easy administration and likely systemic immune effects make intralesional therapies an attractive option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjiv S Agarwala
- St. Luke's Cancer Center and Temple University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
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Brown WC, DelProposto J, Rubin JR, Lamiman K, Carless J, Smith JL. New ligation-independent cloning vectors compatible with a high-throughput platform for parallel construct expression evaluation using baculovirus-infected insect cells. Protein Expr Purif 2011; 77:34-45. [PMID: 21262364 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/07/2010] [Revised: 01/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Biomedical research has undergone a major shift in emphasis over the past decade from characterizing the genomes of organisms to characterizing their proteomes. The high-throughput approaches that were successfully applied to sequencing of genomes, such as miniaturization and automation, have been adapted for high-throughput cloning and protein production. High-throughput platforms allow for a multi-construct, multi-parallel approach to expression optimization and construct evaluation. We describe here a series of baculovirus transfer and expression vectors that contain ligation-independent cloning regions originally designed for use in high-throughput Escherichia coli expression evaluation. These new vectors allow for parallel cloning of the same gene construct into a variety of baculovirus or E. coli expression vectors. A high-throughput platform for construct expression evaluation in baculovirus-infected insect cells was developed to utilize these vectors. Data from baculovirus infection expression trials for multiple constructs of two target protein systems relevant to the study of human diseases are presented. The target proteins exhibit a wide variation in behavior and illustrate the benefit of investigating multiple cell types, fusion partners and secretion signals in optimization of constructs and conditions for eukaryotic protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Clay Brown
- High-throughput Protein Lab, Center for Structural Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Abstract
Transient expression in plants is a valuable tool for many aspects of functional genomics and promoter testing. It can be used both to over-express and to silence candidate genes. It is also scaleable and provides a viable alternative to microbial fermentation and animal cell culture for the production of recombinant proteins. It does not depend on chromosomal integration of heterologous DNA so is a relatively facile procedure and can lead to high levels of transgene expression. Recombinant DNA can be introduced into plant cells via physical methods, via Agrobacterium or via viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huw D Jones
- CPI Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
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7
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Abstract
High-efficiency transformation is a major limitation in the study of mycobacteria. The genus Mycobacterium can be difficult to transform; this is mainly caused by the thick and waxy cell wall but is compounded by the fact that most molecular techniques have been developed for distantly related species such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In spite of these obstacles, mycobacterial plasmids have been identified, and DNA transformation of many mycobacterial species has now been described. The most successful method for introducing DNA into mycobacteria is electroporation. Many parameters contribute to successful transformation; these include the species/strain, the nature of the transforming DNA, the selectable marker used, the growth medium, and the conditions for the electroporation pulse. Optimized methods for the transformation of both slow-grower and fast-grower are detailed here. Transformation efficiencies for different mycobacterial species and with various selectable markers are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Goude
- Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, UK.
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8
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the main steps in the process to produce stably transformed plants. Most transformation methods use tissue culture to recover adult plants from regenerable explants and can be divided into three stages: (1) choice and preparation of explant tissue, (2) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) delivery, (3) callus induction/regeneration and selection. Each of these stages is introduced from a general perspective and a detailed protocol for our exemplar species, wheat, is given. We focus here on DNA delivery by particle bombardment as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods for wheat are reported elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huw D Jones
- CPI Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK
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9
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Abstract
There has been rapid progress in recent years in extending gene transfer capabilities to include plant species that fall outside the normal host range of Agrobacterium. Methods that allow direct DNA delivery into plant cells have contributed significantly to this expanded capability. Whiskers treatment is one means of delivering macromolecules, including DNA, to plant cells. Using relatively simple equipment and inexpensive materials, whiskers-mediated transformation of maize is possible. A critical prerequisite, however, is the establishment and maintenance of embryogenic tissue cultures as a source of totipotent, transformation-competent cells. Within hours of agitation in the presence of silicon carbide whiskers and DNA, embryogenic maize tissue cultures display transient gene expression, providing evidence for DNA uptake. Using appropriate selectable marker genes, following in vitro selection on inhibitory levels of a corresponding selection agent, stably transgenic tissue cultures can be generated from which fertile plants can be recovered. The timeline from whiskers treatment of embryogenic maize tissue cultures to fertile seed recovery is approximately 9 months, which is competitive with other methods of maize transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Petolino
- Discovery Research, Cell Biology, Dow AgroSciences LLC, Indianapolis, IN 46268, USA.
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10
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Choi EW, Koo HC, Shin IS, Chae YJ, Lee JH, Han SM, Lee SJ, Bhang DH, Park YH, Lee CW, Youn HY. Preventive and therapeutic effects of gene therapy using silica nanoparticles-binding of GM-CSF gene on white blood cell production in dogs with leukopenia. Exp Hematol 2008; 36:1091-7. [PMID: 18550260 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2008.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 10/10/2007] [Revised: 02/15/2008] [Accepted: 04/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our previous study has shown that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene/silica nanoparticles have a leukocytosis effect in normal dogs. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether treatment of canine GM-CSF gene/silica nanoparticles has preventive or therapeutic effects in dogs with leukopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS To induce leukopenia, vinblastine was administered intravenously at a dose of 2 mg/m(2) of body surface area on day 0. Then 7.5 microg GM-CSF/nanoparticles (1:100, w/w) were administered intravenously to each of four dogs in the prevention group on day 2 and an equivalent amount of GM-CSF/nanoparticles was administered to the post-nadir group on day 4 (other groups were administered phosphate-buffered saline intravenously). RESULTS Therapeutic GM-CSF gene was expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells for 10 days and both the prevention and post-nadir groups showed significant increases in white blood cell counts when compared with the control group, as confirmed by complete blood count, differential count, and flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS GM-CSF/nanoparticles can be useful for correction of acute leukopenia, such as chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, without developing neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Wha Choi
- KRF Zoonotic Disease Priority Research Institute, Research Institute of Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Abstract
As in vivo electroporation advances from the preclinical phase to clinical studies and eventually to routine medical practice, the design of electroporation devices becomes increasingly important. Achieving safety and efficacy levels that meet regulatory requirements, as well as user and patient friendliness, are major design considerations. In addition, the devices will have to be economical to manufacture. This chapter will focus on the design of applicators and electrodes, the pieces of hardware in direct contact with the user and the patient, and thus key elements responsible for the safety and efficacy of the procedure. The two major foreseeable applications of the technology in the DNA field are for gene therapy and DNA vaccination. Design requirements differ considerably for these applications and for the diseases to be treated or prevented. In addition to the trend of device differentiation, there is also a trend to build devices capable of performing both the step of delivering the DNA to the target tissue and the subsequent step of electroporation. This chapter presents the electrical and biological principles underlying applicator and electrode design, gives an overview of existing devices, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. The chapter also outlines major design considerations, including regulatory pathways, and points out potential future developments.
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12
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Abstract
Electroporation (EP)-assisted intralesional delivery of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plasmid (pDNA) has the potential to increase the local concentration of the expressed cytokine for an extended time in the injected tumors while minimizing its systemic concentration, in comparison with systemic delivery of the recombinant cytokine. Nonclinical Investigational New Drug application-enabling studies were performed in mice to evaluate the effect of intratumoral administration of murine IL-2 pDNA on local expression and systemic distribution of IL-2 transgene as well as the inhibition of established tumor growth. The safety of repeated administrations of a human IL-2 pDNA product candidate with EP was evaluated in rats. Following the nonclinical safety and efficacy studies, a human IL-2 pDNA product candidate intralesionally administered with EP to metastatic melanoma patients is currently being investigated in a phase I clinical trial.
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13
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Abstract
Twenty-five years after the publication of the first report on gene transfer in vitro in cultured cells by the means of electric pulse delivery, reversible cell electroporation for gene transfer and gene therapy (DNA electrotransfer) is at a crossroad in its development. Present knowledge on the effects of cell exposure to appropriate electric field pulses, particularly at the level of the cell membrane, is reported here as an introduction to the large range of applications described in this book. The importance of the models of electric field distribution in tissues and of the correct choice of electrodes and applied voltages is highlighted. The mechanisms involved in DNA electrotransfer, which include cell electropermeabilization and DNA electrophoresis, are also surveyed. The feasibility of electric pulse for gene transfer in humans is discussed taking into account that electric pulse delivery is already regularly used for localized drug delivery in the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous solid tumors by electrochemotherapy. Because recent technological developments have made DNA electrotransfer more efficient and safer, this nonviral gene therapy approach is now ready to reach the clinical stage. A good understanding of DNA electrotransfer principles and a respect for safe procedures will be key elements for the successful future transition of DNA electrotransfer to the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluis M Mir
- CNRS UMR 8121, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Univ Paris-Sud, 8121, Villejuif, UMR, France
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14
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Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has mitogenic, motogenic, and morphogenic biological activities as well as helps in regenerating various tissues. In cardiovascular organs, HGF was reported to have anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and vasodilating effects. HGF has close relationships with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure. HGF enhances renal regeneration and suppresses the progression of hypertension. Intramuscular electroporation of the therapeutic gene is a simple, economic, and low toxic method compared with systemic administration of the purified proteins or peptides. We outline the technique of intramuscular electroporation of HGF gene as a remedy for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Komamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Dynamics, Research Institute, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
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15
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Abstract
Increased transgene expression after plasmid transfer to the skeletal muscle is obtained with electroporation in many species, but optimal conditions for individual species and muscle group are not well defined. Using a muscle-specific plasmid driving the expression of a secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene, we have optimized the electroporation conditions in a large mammal model, i.e. pig. The parameters optimized include electric field intensity, number of pulses, lag time between plasmid injection and electroporation, and plasmid delivery volume. Constant current pulses, between 0.4 and 0.6 A, applied 80 s after the injection of 0.5 mg SEAP-expressing plasmid in a total formulation volume of 2 mL produced the highest expression in semimembranosus muscle in pigs. These results could be extrapolated for a different muscle group in pigs, the biceps femoris, and may be an evaluation starting point for large muscle in veterinary species or humans (see Note 1 ).
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Abstract
Electroporation is a unique system for drug and gene delivery, as it is possible to very specifically target certain tissues within the body with whatever drug, gene, isotope, or other product is desired in a specific situation. An increasing number of clinical trials are being launched, and sophistication of equipment and protocols continues. This chapter reviews present knowledge from clinical trials, describes important issues in the patient management when using electroporation, and outlines future perspectives of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gehl
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital at Herlev, Herlev Ringvej, Denmark
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17
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Abstract
The possibility of in vivo gene transfer into the rat bladder by electroporation (EP) was evaluated. The bladder was exposed through an abdominal midline incision in 8-week-old male rats. Plasmid DNA of marker genes, green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase, and the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene were then injected into the subserosal space of the bladder and EP was applied. At 72 h after gene transfer, GFP and luciferase were assayed in the isolated bladder, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect nNOS. NOx released from isolated bladder strips was also assessed using microdialysis procedure. From the luciferase assay, 45 V, 1 Hz, 50 ms, and 8 pulses were selected as the optimum conditions for EP. Bladder specimens with GFP genes injected by EP showed numerous bright sites of GFP expression in the smooth-muscle layer. In rats with the nNOS gene injected by EP, there was marked nNOS immunoreactivity, and NOx released from bladder strips was significantly greater than that in the control groups. These results suggest that EP is a useful technique for in vivo gene transfer into rat bladder smooth muscles, and that the nNOS gene transferred by this procedure functionally expresses and contributes to NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Yoshida
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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18
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Abstract
Delivery of plasmid DNA encoding therapeutic genes into tumors is one of the main applications of electroporation. This chapter summarizes various investigators' electroporation parameters for intratumoral gene delivery. In addition to electroporation parameters, injection volume is also critical for achieving a high level of gene expression via electroporation. In this study, we attempt to provide a strategy for determining the optimal injection volume for intratumoral injection via electroporation. Unlike muscle tissues, the optimal volume for gene delivery into tumors via electroporation may vary greatly based on the tumor size and the electroporation parameters. More efforts in defining the optimal injection volume should be made to further advance intratumoral electroporation gene therapy for treating tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulin Li
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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19
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Abstract
We generated transient transgenic zebrafish by applying electrical pulses subsequent to injection of DNA into muscle tissue of 3-6-month old adult zebrafish. Electroporation parameters, such as number of pulses, voltage, and amount of plasmid DNA, were optimized and found that 6 pulses of 40 V/cm at 15 mug/fish increased the luciferase expression by 10-fold compared with those in controls. By measuring the expression of luciferase, in vivo by electroporation in adult zebrafish and in vitro using fish cell line (Xiphophorus xiphidium A2 cells), the strength of three promoters (CMV, human EF-1alpha, and Xenopus EF-1alpha) was compared. Subsequent to electroporation after injecting DNA in the mid region of zebrafish, expression of green fluorescent protein was found far away from the site of injection in the head and the tail sections. Thus, electroporation in adult zebrafish provides a rapid way of testing the behavior of gene sequences in the whole organism.
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20
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Abstract
Cell membranes can be transiently permeabilized under application of electric pulses that allow hydrophilic therapeutic molecules, such as anticancer drugs and DNA, to enter into cells and tissues. This process, called electropermeabilization or electroporation, has been rapidly developed over the last decade to deliver genes to tissues and organs, but there is a general agreement that very little is known about what is really occurring during membrane electropermeabilization. It is well accepted that the entry of small molecules, such as anticancer drugs, occurs through simple diffusion while the entry of macromolecules, such as DNA, occurs through a multistep mechanism involving the electrophoretically driven association of the DNA molecule with the destabilized membrane and then its passage across the membrane. Therefore, successful DNA electrotransfer into cells depends not only on cell permeabilization but also on the way plasmid DNA interacts with the plasma membrane and, once into the cell, migrates toward the nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Toulouse, France
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21
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are highly resistant to transfection by conventional methods such as electroporation and lipofection. Recently, we reported the employment of a novel electroporation-based method, called nucleofection, which for the first time enabled efficient nonviral gene transfer into NK cells. In this study, we aimed at developing optimized conditions for the transfection of different NK cell lines as well as primary NK cells. Using EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) or luciferase as reporter genes, suitable buffer conditions as well as instrument settings were defined. The new transfection methodology represents a useful tool for the immunotherapeutic use of NK cells, with the potential to enhance cytotoxicity as well as retarget the specificity of cytotoxic lymphocytes in clinical therapy of cancer and viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Schoenberg
- University Clinic of Düsseldorf, Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Düsseldorf, Germany
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22
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Abstract
Electroporation has been adapted for the transfer of macromolecules into various cells of tissues in vivo. Although mature adipocytes constitute less than 20% of cells residing in adipose tissue, we have found that fat cells are susceptible to selective electrotransfer of plasmid DNA owing to their large size relative to other cells in the tissue. The procedures detailed here permit electrotransfer of plasmid DNA into mature fat cells with greater than 99% selectivity over other cells in the tissue. This "adiporation" technique can be used to image the subcellular targeting of fluorescent bioreporter molecules and to manipulate the activity of specific pathways within adipocytes in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Granneman
- Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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23
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Abstract
Keratinocyte growth factor-1 (KGF-1) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family FGF7 and is expressed in normal and wounded skin. KGF-1 is massively produced in the early stages of the wound healing process as well as during the later remodeling process (1, 2). We have studied the effects of the electroporation of a KGF-1 plasmid into excisional wounds of different rodent models mimicking diseases known to impair the normal wound healing process. We have used a genetically diabetic mouse model and a septic rat model in our experiments, and we have shown improvement of the healing rate (92% of the wounds are healed at day 12 vs. 40% of the control), the quality of epithelialization (histological score of 3.3 vs. 1.5), and the density of new blood vessels (85% more new blood vessels in the superficial layers than that of the control) (3, 4). Considering these results, we believe we can further explore the treatment modalities for using the electroporation-assisted transfection of DNA plasmid expression vectors of growth factors to enhance cutaneous wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy P Marti
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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24
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Abstract
Electroporation was initially developed for the introduction of DNA into cells which grow in suspension and was performed in a cuvette with two flat electrodes on opposite sides. Different configurations were subsequently developed for the electroporation of adherent cells in situ, while the cells were growing on nonconductive surfaces or a gold-coated, conductive support. We developed an assembly where the cells grow and are electroporated on optically transparent, electrically conductive indium-tin oxide (ITO). This material promotes excellent cell adhesion and growth, is inert and durable, and does not display spontaneous fluorescence, making the examination of the electroporated cells by fluorescence microscopy possible. The molecules to be electroporated are added to the cells and introduced through an electrical pulse delivered by an electrode placed on top of the cells. We describe several electrode and slide configurations which allow the electroporation of large numbers of cells for large-scale biochemical experiments or for the detection of changes in cell morphology and biochemical properties in situ, with control, nonelectroporated cells growing on the same type of ITO-coated surface, side by side with the electroporated ones. In a modified version, this technique can be adapted for the study of intercellular, junctional communication; the pulse is applied in the presence of a fluorescent dye, such as lucifer yellow, causing its penetration into the cells growing on the conductive half of the slide, and the migration of the dye to the nonelectroporated cells growing on the nonconductive area is microscopically observed under fluorescence illumination. An assembly is also described for the electroporation of sensitive cells without the use of an upper electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leda Raptis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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25
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Abstract
Electroporation is a powerful method for gene delivery to dystrophic muscle in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Successful transfer of reporter and therapeutic plasmids and antisense oligonucleotides has been demonstrated. However, the efficiency falls with increasing plasmid size. Although it is unlikely that the electrotransfer approach will be useful clinically, it is an important experimental tool, particularly in testing potential immune responses to gene transfer in the absence of vector proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- DNA, Recombinant/administration & dosage
- DNA, Recombinant/genetics
- Dystrophin/genetics
- Dystrophin/metabolism
- Electrochemotherapy/methods
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Reporter
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Injections, Intramuscular
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred mdx
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophy, Animal/therapy
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/therapy
- Plasmids/administration & dosage
- Plasmids/genetics
- beta-Galactosidase/genetics
- beta-Galactosidase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim E Wells
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Abstract
Delivery of DNA into skin is an attractive method, because skin is the most accessible somatic tissue for gene transfer and can be monitored conveniently. Skin is especially suitable for immunization using plasmid-DNA-based vaccines; however, a low level of transfection is the major limitation to the use of DNA-based therapeutics. Several chemical and physical methods are being investigated to improve the transfection of target cells with plasmid DNA. Electroporation is a physical method of gene transfer by applying electric pulses to the target cells. Most of the electroporation studies involve insertion of electrode needles into the tissues. In this chapter, we discuss that the DNA delivery into skin can be greatly enhanced by topical electroporation of the DNA injection site in rabbits using a tweezer electrode. Furthermore, the immune responses following a DNA vaccine delivery by using electroporation have been explored. Electroporation shows great potential for enhancing the DNA delivery into the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babu M Medi
- DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., Irving, TX, USA
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27
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Fewell JG. Factor IX gene therapy for hemophilia. Methods Mol Biol 2008; 423:375-382. [PMID: 18370215 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-194-9_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Using gene therapy to produce systemic levels of human factor IX for the treatment of hemophilia B has been clinically evaluated using viral-based vectors. The efficacy of this approach has been limited because of immune responses against the viral components. An alternative approach is to use physical methods such as in vivo electroporation to deliver plasmid DNA, thereby avoiding some of the complications associated with viral-based delivery systems. A method describing intramuscular injection of plasmid formulated with an anionic polymer and followed by electroporation, which can produce high transfection efficiency and high levels of systemic factor IX protein following a single administration, is provided here.
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Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have become a promising new tool for the establishment of transgenic animals and the manipulation of the mammalian genome. While conventional microinjection-based methods for transgenesis have been successful in generating small and large transgenic animals, their relatively low transgenic efficiency has opened the door for alternative approaches, including lentiviral vectors. Lentiviral vectors are an appealing tool for transgenesis in part because of their ability to incorporate into genomic DNA with high efficiency, especially in cells that are not actively dividing. Lentiviral vector-mediated transgene expression can also be maintained for long periods of time. Recent studies have documented high efficiencies for lentiviral transgenesis, even in animal species and strains, such as NOD/ scid and C57Bl/6 mouse, that are very difficult to manipulate using the standard transgenic techniques. These advantages of the lentiviral vector system have broadened its use as a gene therapy vector to additional applications that include transgenesis and knockdown functional genetics. This review will address the components of the lentiviral vector system and recent successes in lentiviral transgenesis using both male- and female-derived pluripotent cells. The advantages and disadvantages of lentiviral transgenesis vs. other approaches to produce transgenic animals will be compared with regard to efficiency, the ability to promote persistent transgene expression, and the time necessary to generate a sufficient number of animals for phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Park
- Department of Medicine, Kidney Disease Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226, USA.
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29
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Leong-Poi H, Kuliszewski MA, Lekas M, Sibbald M, Teichert-Kuliszewska K, Klibanov AL, Stewart DJ, Lindner JR. Therapeutic Arteriogenesis by Ultrasound-Mediated VEGF
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Plasmid Gene Delivery to Chronically Ischemic Skeletal Muscle. Circ Res 2007; 101:295-303. [PMID: 17585071 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.107.148676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Current methods of gene delivery for therapeutic angiogenesis are invasive, requiring either intraarterial or intramuscular administration. A noninvasive method of gene delivery has been developed using ultrasound-mediated destruction of intravenously administered DNA-bearing carrier microbubbles during their microcirculatory transit. Here we show that chronic ischemia could be markedly improved by ultrasound-mediated destruction of microbubbles bearing vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF(165)) plasmid DNA. Using a model of severe chronic hindlimb ischemia in rats, we demonstrated that ultrasound mediated VEGF(165)/green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid delivery resulted in a significant improvement in microvascular blood flow by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and an increased vessel density by fluorescent microangiography, with minimal changes in control groups. The improvement in tissue perfusion was attributed predominantly to increases in noncapillary blood volume or arteriogenesis, with perfusion peaking at 14 days after delivery, followed by a partial regression of neovascularization at 6 weeks. Transfection was localized predominantly to the vascular endothelium of arterioles in treated ischemic muscle. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of VEGF(165)/GFP mRNA within treated ischemic muscle, being highest at day 3 postdelivery, and subsequently decreasing, becoming almost undetectable by 6 weeks. We found a modulation of endogenous growth factor expression in VEGF-treated ischemic muscle, consistent with a biologic effect of ultrasound mediated gene delivery. The results of our study demonstrate the utility of ultrasonic destruction of plasmid-bearing microbubbles to induce therapeutic arteriogenesis in the setting of severe chronic ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Leong-Poi
- Division of Cardiology, Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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31
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Huh SH, Do HJ, Lim HY, Kim DK, Choi SJ, Song H, Kim NH, Park JK, Chang WK, Chung HM, Kim JH. Optimization of 25kDa linear polyethylenimine for efficient gene delivery. Biologicals 2007; 35:165-71. [PMID: 17084092 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2006.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 05/01/2006] [Revised: 08/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/21/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A 25-kDa linear polyethylenimine (25 kDa L-PEI) has proven to be efficient and versatile agent for gene delivery. Therefore, we determined the optimal transfection conditions of 25 kDa L-PEI and examined whether it has comparable transfection efficiency with other commercially available reagents, ExGen 500, LipofectAMINE 2000, and Effectene by using EGFP expression vector in different cell lines. Transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity were measured by flow cytometry. First of all, we determined the optimal ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous (N/P) and DNA concentration. With the increase of N/P ratio and DNA amounts, transfection efficiency increased with a slight variation in cell types. The optimal amounts of 25 kDa L-PEI were determined at N/P ratio 40 and DNA concentration varied among the cell types. In addition, 25 kDa L-PEI worked efficiently and was less toxic than other reagents. However, the efficiency and toxicity of all these reagents varied according to cell types as well as the ratio of DNA to reagents and the amounts of DNA. Our finding illustrates the importance of optimal transfection conditions of 25 kDa L-PEI to obtain maximal transgene expression with less cytotoxicity. Importantly, the optimization of those conditions may make possible to perform transfection cost-effectively and efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hyung Huh
- CHA Stem Cell Institute, Graduate School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Pochon CHA University, Kangnam-Gu, Seoul 135-907, South Korea
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Recillas-Targa F. Multiple strategies for gene transfer, expression, knockdown, and chromatin influence in mammalian cell lines and transgenic animals. Mol Biotechnol 2007; 34:337-54. [PMID: 17284781 DOI: 10.1385/mb:34:3:337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Manipulation of the eukaryotic genome has contributed to the progress in our knowledge of multicellular organisms but has also ameliorated our experimental strategies. Biological questions can now be addressed with more efficiency and reproducibility. There are new and varied strategies for gene transfer and sequence manipulation with improved methodologies that facilitate the acquisition of results. Cellular systems and transgenic animals have demonstrated their invaluable benefits. In this review, I present an overview of the methods of gene transfer with particular attention to cultured cell lines and large-scale sequence vectors, like artificial chromosomes, with the possibility of their manipulation based on homologous recombination strategies. Alternative strategies of gene transfer, including retroviral vectors, are also described and the applications of such methods are discussed. Finally, several comments are made about the influence of chromatin structure on gene expression. Recent experimental data have shown that for convenient stable transgene expression, the influence of chromatin structure should be seriously taken into account. Novel chromatin regulatory and structural elements are proposed as an alternative for proper and sustained gene expression. These chromatin elements are facing a new era in transgenesis and we are probably beginning a new generation of gene and cancer therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Recillas-Targa
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Apartado Postal 70-242, México D.F. 04510.
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Lian WN, Chang CH, Chen YJ, Dao RL, Luo YC, Chien JY, Hsieh SL, Lin CH. Intracellular delivery can be achieved by bombarding cells or tissues with accelerated molecules or bacteria without the need for carrier particles. Exp Cell Res 2007; 313:53-64. [PMID: 17069797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 08/02/2006] [Revised: 09/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To deliver non-permeable molecules into cells, one can utilize protocols such as microinjection, electroporation, liposome-mediated transfection or virus-mediated transfection. However, each method has its own limitations. Here we have developed a new molecular delivery technique where live cells or tissues are bombarded with highly accelerated molecules directly and without the need to conjugate the molecules onto carrier particles, which is essential in conventional "gene gun" experiments. Gene bombardments can be applied to well-differentiated cells, primary cultured cells/neurons or tissue explants, all of which are notoriously difficult to transfect. Exogenously made proteins and even bacteria can be effectively introduced into cells where they can execute their function or replicate. Our experimental results and physical model support the notion that accelerated chemicals, proteins, or microorganisms carry enough momentum to penetrate the plasma membrane. The bombardment process is associated with a transient (approximately 10 min) increase in cell permeability, but such membrane leakage has a minimal adverse effect on cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Nan Lian
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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34
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Martien R, Loretz B, Thaler M, Majzoob S, Bernkop-Schnürch A. Chitosan–thioglycolic acid conjugate: An alternative carrier for oral nonviral gene delivery? J Biomed Mater Res A 2007; 82:1-9. [PMID: 17265441 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.31135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Regarding safety concerns, nonviral gene delivery vehicles that have the required efficiency and safety for use in human gene therapy are being widely investigated. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate a thiolated chitosan to improve the efficacy of oral gene delivery systems. Thiolated chitosan was synthesized by introducing thioglycolic acid (TGA) to chitosan via amide bond formation mediated by a carbodiimide. Based on this conjugate, nanoparticles with pDNA were generated at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Cytotoxicity of the thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells was evaluated. The diameter of thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles was in the range of 100-200 nm. The zeta potential was determined to be 5-6 mV. Due to stability toward nucleases, the transfection rate of thiolated chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles was fivefold higher than that of unmodified chitosan/pDNA nanoparticles. Lactate dehydrogenase tests for thiolated chitosan/pDNA (pH 4.0 and 5.0) showed that (3.79 +/- 0.23)% and (2.9 +/- 0.13)% cell damage. According to these results, thiolated chitosan represents promising excipients for preparation DNA nanoparticles in nonviral gene delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Martien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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35
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You ZQ, Yu L, Zhang CZ, Li L, Lu MJ, Mao ZJ, Liu Y, Chu WY. Distribution and expression of recombinant plasmid encoding chicken interleukin-2. Vet Res Commun 2006; 31:273-85. [PMID: 17186403 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-006-3441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2005] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A plasmid DNA that encodes chicken interleukin-2 (pCI-ChIL-2-EGFP) was investigated for its distribution and expression after intramuscular (i.m.) injection in chickens. After the i.m. injection, serum distribution was detectable from 2 h post inoculation (p.i.), peaked at 8 h p.i., and disappeared at 7 days p.i. The plasmid DNA was also observed in several organs including heart, liver, lung, spleen, bursa and inoculated muscle at different time points, but at 19 days p.i. the plasmid DNA was not found in any organ except inoculated muscle. Fluorescence of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was found in cytoplasm and nucleus of cultured Vero cells, chicken embryo fibroblasts and peripheral blood lymphocytes, which were transfected in vitro with the plasmid DNA or in vivo with Lipofectamine. The expression profile of the fusion gene (ChIL-2-EGFP) in vivo was measured by RT-PCR, ELISA and fluorescence microscopy. The EGFP expression was detected from 8 h p.i. to 14 days p.i. and peaked at 5 days p.i., when the number of EGFP-expression myocytes was about 5% in the injected site. These results demonstrate that intramuscular administration of plasmid DNA leads to widespread distribution and long-term expression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Q You
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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36
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Abstract
Background The eye is an excellent candidate for gene therapy as it is immune privileged and much of the disease-causing genetics are well understood. Towards this goal, we evaluated the efficiency of compacted DNA nanoparticles as a system for non-viral gene transfer to ocular tissues. The compacted DNA nanoparticles examined here have been shown to be safe and effective in a human clinical trial, have no theoretical limitation on plasmid size, do not provoke immune responses, and can be highly concentrated. Methods and Findings Here we show that these nanoparticles can be targeted to different tissues within the eye by varying the site of injection. Almost all cell types of the eye were capable of transfection by the nanoparticle and produced robust levels of gene expression that were dose-dependent. Most impressively, subretinal delivery of these nanoparticles transfected nearly all of the photoreceptor population and produced expression levels almost equal to that of rod opsin, the highest expressed gene in the retina. Conclusions As no deleterious effects on retinal function were observed, this treatment strategy appears to be clinically viable and provides a highly efficient non-viral technology to safely deliver and express nucleic acids in the retina and other ocular tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Farjo
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Jeff Skaggs
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Alexander B. Quiambao
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Cooper
- Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc.Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Muna I. Naash
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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37
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Gonzalez AM, Berry M, Greenlees L, Logan A, Baird A. Matrix-mediated gene transfer to brain cortex and dorsal root ganglion neurones by retrograde axonal transport after dorsal column lesion. J Gene Med 2006; 8:901-9. [PMID: 16718733 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In previous studies, we showed that the immobilisation of DNAs encoding basic fibroblast growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a gene-activated matrix (GAM) promotes sustained survival of axotomised retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury. Here, we evaluated if the immobilisation of DNAs in a GAM could be an effective approach to deliver genes to axotomised dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones after spinal cord injury and if the matrix component of the GAM would modulate the deposition of a dense scar at the injury site. METHODS We evaluated the expression of the thymidine kinase (TK) reporter gene in brain cortex and DRG after a bilateral T8 dorsal column (DC) lesion using PCR, RT-PCR and in situ hybridisation analyses. Collagen-based GAMs were implanted at the lesion site and the cellular response to the GAM was assessed using cell-specific markers. RESULTS At 1 week post-injury, PCR analyses confirmed that DNATK was retrogradely transported from the DC lesion where the GAM was implanted to the brain cortex and to caudal DRG neurones, and RT-PCR analyses showed expression of mRNATK. At 7 weeks post-injury, DNATK was still be detected in the GAM and DRG. In situ hybridisation localised DNATK and mRNATK within fibroblasts, glia, endothelial and inflammatory cells invading the GAM and in DRG neurones. Interestingly, the presence of a GAM also reduced secondary cavitation and scar deposition at the lesion site. CONCLUSIONS These results establish that GAMs act as bridging scaffolds in DC lesions limiting cavitation and scarring and delivering genes both locally to injury-reactive cells and distally to the cerebral cortex and to DRG neuronal somata through retrograde axonal transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Gonzalez
- Molecular Neuroscience Group, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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Grosse S, Thévenot G, Monsigny M, Fajac I. Which mechanism for nuclear import of plasmid DNA complexed with polyethylenimine derivatives? J Gene Med 2006; 8:845-51. [PMID: 16685744 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the nuclear import mechanism of plasmid/polyethylenimine (PEI) derivative complexes and the putative nuclear targeting of therapeutic genes by the use of oligosaccharides, we have studied the nuclear import of plasmid DNA complexed either with PEI or with lactosylated PEI (Lac-PEI) in cystic fibrosis human airway epithelial cells ( summation operatorCFTE29o- cells). METHODS AND RESULTS Cells were synchronized by a double-thymidine block protocol and gene transfer efficiency was evaluated: Lac-PEI- and PEI-mediated gene transfer was greatly increased when cells have undergone mitosis during the course of transfection. However, both types of complexes were able to transfect some growth-arrested cells. When the nuclear import of plasmid/Lac-PEI or plasmid/unsubstituted PEI complexes was studied in digitonin-permeabilized cells, the nuclear uptake of both types of complexes did not follow the classic pathway of nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-containing proteins and lactose residues did not act as a nuclear localization signal. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that for complexes made with PEI derivatives, the major route for plasmid DNA nuclear entry is a passive nuclear importation during mitosis when the nuclear membrane temporarily breaks down. However, albeit to a lesser extent as that observed in dividing cells, a plasmid DNA importation also occurs in nondividing cells by a yet unknown mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Grosse
- Université Paris-Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, EA 2511, Paris, France
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Simeone TA, Otto JF, Wilcox KS, White HS. Felbamate is a subunit selective modulator of recombinant gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Eur J Pharmacol 2006; 552:31-5. [PMID: 17056029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 03/02/2006] [Revised: 07/24/2006] [Accepted: 09/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate) is clinically available for the treatment of refractory epileptic seizures, and is known to modulate several ion channels including gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors. To determine felbamate subunit selectivity for GABA(A) receptors we expressed 15 different GABA(A) receptor combinations in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Felbamate positively modulated GABA-currents of alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2S), alpha(1)beta(3)gamma(2S), alpha(2)beta(2)gamma(2S) and alpha(2)beta(3)gamma(2S), whereas felbamate was either ineffective or negatively modulated the other 11 receptor combinations. Regional distributions of GABA(A) receptor subunits suggest that felbamate may differentially modulate distinct inhibitory circuits, a possibility that may have relevance to felbamate efficacy in refractory epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Simeone
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9057, USA
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40
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Ding Z, Georgiev P, Thöny B. Administration-route and gender-independent long-term therapeutic correction of phenylketonuria (PKU) in a mouse model by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 pseudotyped vector-mediated gene transfer. Gene Ther 2006; 13:587-93. [PMID: 16319947 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by deficiency of the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) which leads to high blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels and consequent damage of the developing brain with severe mental retardation if left untreated in early infancy. The current dietary Phe restriction treatment has certain clinical limitations. To explore a long-term nondietary restriction treatment, a somatic gene transfer approach in a PKU mouse model (C57Bl/6-Pahenu2) was employed to examine its preclinical feasibility. A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector containing the murine Pah-cDNA was generated, pseudotyped with capsids from AAV serotype 8, and delivered into the liver of PKU mice via single intraportal or tail vein injections. The blood Phe concentrations decreased to normal levels (< or =100 microM or 1.7 mg/dl) 2 weeks after vector application, independent of the sex of the PKU animals and the route of application. In particular, the therapeutic long-term correction in females was also dramatic, which had previously been shown to be difficult to achieve. Therapeutic ranges of Phe were accompanied by the phenotypic reversion from brown to black hair. In treated mice, PAH enzyme activity in whole liver extracts reversed to normal and neither hepatic toxicity nor immunogenicity was observed. In contrast, a lentiviral vector expressing the murine Pah-cDNA, delivered via intraportal vein injection into PKU mice, did not result in therapeutic levels of blood Phe. This study demonstrates the complete correction of hyperphenylalaninemia in both males and females with a rAAV serotype 8 vector. More importantly, the feasibility of a single intravenous injection may pave the way to develop a clinical gene therapy procedure for PKU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Ding
- Division of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Komai S, Licznerski P, Cetin A, Waters J, Denk W, Brecht M, Osten P. Postsynaptic excitability is necessary for strengthening of cortical sensory responses during experience-dependent development. Nat Neurosci 2006; 9:1125-33. [PMID: 16921372 DOI: 10.1038/nn1752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 04/03/2006] [Accepted: 07/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sensory experience is necessary for normal cortical development. This has been shown by sensory deprivation and pharmacological perturbation of the cortex. Because these manipulations affect the cortical network as a whole, the role of postsynaptic cellular properties during experience-dependent development is unclear. Here we addressed the developmental role of somatodendritic excitability, which enables postsynaptic spike timing-dependent forms of plasticity, in rat somatosensory cortex. We used short interfering RNA (siRNA)-based knockdown of Na+ channels to suppress the somatodendritic excitability of small numbers of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the barrel cortex, without altering the ascending sensory pathway. In vivo recordings from siRNA-expressing cells revealed that this manipulation interfered with the normal developmental strengthening of sensory responses. The sensory responsiveness of neighboring cortical neurons was unchanged, indicating that the cortical network was unchanged. We conclude that somatodendritic excitability of the postsynaptic neuron is needed for the regulation of synaptic strength in the developing sensory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Komai
- Department of Biomedical Optics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Zhong L, Li W, Li Y, Zhao W, Wu J, Li B, Maina N, Bischof D, Qing K, Weigel-Kelley KA, Zolotukhin I, Warrington KH, Li X, Slayton WB, Yoder MC, Srivastava A. Evaluation of primitive murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell transduction in vitro and in vivo by recombinant adeno-associated virus vector serotypes 1 through 5. Hum Gene Ther 2006; 17:321-33. [PMID: 16544981 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2006.17.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicting data exist on hematopoietic cell transduction by AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) vectors, and additional AAV serotype vectors have not been evaluated for their efficacy in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell transduction. We evaluated the efficacy of conventional, single-stranded AAV serotype vectors 1 through 5 in primitive murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro as well as in vivo. In progenitor cell assays using Sca1+ c-kit+ Lin- hematopoietic cells, 9% of the colonies in cultures infected with AAV1 expressed the transgene. Coinfection of AAV1 with self-complementary AAV vectors carrying the gene for T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (scAAV-TC-PTP) increased the transduction efficiency to 24%, indicating that viral secondstrand DNA synthesis is a rate-limiting step. This was further corroborated by the use of scAAV vectors, which bypass this requirement. In bone marrow transplantation studies involving lethally irradiated syngeneic mice, Sca1+ c-kit+ Lin- cells coinfected with AAV1 +/- scAAV-TC-PTP vectors led to transgene expression in 2 and 7.5% of peripheral blood (PB) cells, respectively, 6 months posttransplantation. In secondary transplantation experiments, 7% of PB cells and 3% of bone marrow (BM) cells expressed the transgene 6 months posttransplantation. Approximately 21% of BM-derived colonies harbored the proviral DNA sequences in integrated forms. These results document that AAV1 is thus far the most efficient vector in transducing primitive murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Further studies involving scAAV genomes and hematopoietic cell-specific promoters should further augment the transduction efficiency of AAV1 vectors, which should have implications in the optimal use of these vectors in hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhong
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Chung YS, Miyatake SI, Miyamoto A, Miyamoto Y, Dohi T, Tanigawa N. Oncolytic recombinant herpes simplex virus for treatment of orthotopic liver tumors in nude mice. Int J Oncol 2006; 28:793-8. [PMID: 16525626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-specific, replicating viruses are being developed as a new class of oncolytic agents. A novel approach to viral gene therapy with the use of replication-competent herpes simplex virus has been described; G92A is a replication-competent, multimutant oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) that has been evaluated for anticancer effects and selectivity in the treatment of subcutaneous tumors. G92A replicates efficiently in albumin-producing tumor cell lines but not in non-albumin-producing tumor cell lines, whereas both types are equally susceptible to a non-tissue-specific recombinant HSV, hrR3. In this study, we analyzed the antitumoral efficacy of a single intrasplenic G92A or hrR3 injection in nude mice. In vivo, G92A replicated well in liver xenografts of human albumin-producing hepatoma cells (Hep3B) but not in liver xenografts of a non-albumin-producing malignant colon tumor cell line (HT29), whereas hrR3 replicated well in both tumor types. G92A effectively and selectively replicated throughout liver tumors without apparent hepatotoxicity and inhibited tumor growth, leading to a significantly increased survival time. By monitoring lacZ histochemical staining, we determined the oncolytic potential of recombinant HSV against liver tumors. Our results indicate that G92A warrants further investigation as a clinical therapy against malignant liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sik Chung
- Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan
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Goldberg SM, Bartido SM, Gardner JP, Guevara-Patiño JA, Montgomery SC, Perales MA, Maughan MF, Dempsey J, Donovan GP, Olson WC, Houghton AN, Wolchok JD. Comparison of two cancer vaccines targeting tyrosinase: plasmid DNA and recombinant alphavirus replicon particles. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 11:8114-21. [PMID: 16299244 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-1410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunization of mice with xenogeneic DNA encoding human tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 breaks tolerance to these self-antigens and leads to tumor rejection. Viral vectors used alone or in heterologous DNA prime/viral boost combinations have shown improved responses to certain infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to compare viral and plasmid DNA in combination vaccination strategies in the context of a tumor antigen. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using tyrosinase as a prototypical differentiation antigen, we determined the optimal regimen for immunization with plasmid DNA. Then, using propagation-incompetent alphavirus vectors (virus-like replicon particles, VRP) encoding tyrosinase, we tested different combinations of priming with DNA or VRP followed by boosting with VRP. We subsequently followed antibody production, T-cell response, and tumor rejection. RESULTS T-cell responses to newly identified mouse tyrosinase epitopes were generated in mice immunized with plasmid DNA encoding human (xenogeneic) tyrosinase. In contrast, when VRP encoding either mouse or human tyrosinase were used as single agents, antibody and T-cell responses and a significant delay in tumor growth in vivo were observed. Similarly, a heterologous vaccine regimen using DNA prime and VRP boost showed a markedly stronger response than DNA vaccination alone. CONCLUSIONS Alphavirus replicon particle vectors encoding the melanoma antigen tyrosinase (self or xenogeneic) induce immune responses and tumor protection when administered either alone or in the heterologous DNA prime/VRP boost approaches that are superior to the use of plasmid DNA alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie M Goldberg
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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Blankinship MJ, Gregorevic P, Chamberlain JS. Gene Therapy Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Utilizing Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Vectors. Mol Ther 2006; 13:241-9. [PMID: 16361117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 10/14/2005] [Revised: 11/04/2005] [Accepted: 11/04/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are now widely used in the field of gene therapy. These vectors have been studied for their potential use in treating many diseases, among them the muscular dystrophies, the most common of which is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Several recent advances in the areas of AAV serotype analysis, transgene engineering, and vector delivery to muscle, together with novel means of rescuing mutant mRNA transcripts, have yielded impressive results in animal models of DMD. This minireview focuses on these recent advances and their implications for potential treatments for DMD and other neuromuscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Blankinship
- Department of Neurology, Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195-7720, USA
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Tesson L, Cozzi J, Ménoret S, Rémy S, Usal C, Fraichard A, Anegon I. Transgenic modifications of the rat genome. Transgenic Res 2006; 14:531-46. [PMID: 16245144 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-005-5077-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 01/31/2005] [Accepted: 03/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The laboratory rat (R. norvegicus) is a very important experimental animal in several fields of biomedical research. This review describes the various techniques that have been used to generate transgenic rats: classical DNA microinjection and more recently described techniques such as lentiviral vector-mediated DNA transfer into early embryos, sperm-mediated transgenesis, embryo cloning by nuclear transfer and germline mutagenesis. It will also cover techniques associated to transgenesis such as sperm cryopreservation, embryo freezing and determination of zygosity. The availability of several technologies allowing genetic manipulation in the rat coupled to genomic data will allow biomedical research to fully benefit from the rat as an experimental animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Tesson
- Institut de Transplantation et de Recherche en Transplantation (ITERT), F-44093, Nantes, France
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Abstract
A rapid method for efficient gene delivery into primary rodent lymphocytes would greatly facilitate the study of signaling and metabolic pathways in untransformed hematopoietic cells as well as the validation of gene expression and targeting strategies before the generation of knockout or knock-down animals. Here, we report that species-adapted nucleofection procedures combined with optimized cultivation conditions render proliferating primary T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells from widely used rat and mouse strains susceptible to high-level gene delivery. As a result, transgene expression levels were enhanced approximately 10- to 370-fold over established protocols. The effectiveness of the nucleofection approach for functional analyses was demonstrated by specific down-regulation of CD4 cell surface molecules by either transient expression of the endocytosis-inducing Nef protein from human immunodeficiency virus or by specific gene silencing mediated by small interfering RNA. In conclusion, this species-adapted procedure for nonviral gene delivery renders primary rodent lymphocytes accessible to rapid functional ex vivo studies, which until now have not been feasible. Furthermore, nucleofection may aid the advancement of therapeutic nonviral gene delivery approaches.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoviridae/genetics
- Animals
- Animals, Genetically Modified
- CD4 Antigens/biosynthesis
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA, Recombinant/administration & dosage
- DNA, Recombinant/genetics
- Endocytosis
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Gene Silencing
- Genes, nef
- Genetic Vectors/administration & dosage
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Lymphocyte Subsets
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Spleen/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes
- Transduction, Genetic
- Transfection
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Abstract
Biomaterials capable of efficient gene delivery provide a fundamental tool for basic and applied research models, such as promoting neural regeneration. We developed a system for the encapsulation and sustained release of plasmid DNA complexed with a cationic lipid and investigated their efficacy using in vitro models of neurite outgrowth. Sustained lipoplex release was obtained for up to 50 days, with rates controlled by the fabrication conditions. Released lipoplexes retained their activity, transfecting 48.2+/-8.3% of NIH3T3 cells with luciferase activity of 3.97x10(7)RLU/mg. Expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) was employed in two models of neurite outgrowth: PC12 and primary dorsal root ganglia (DRG) co-culture. Polymer-mediated lipofection of PC12 produced bioactive NGF, eliciting robust neurite outgrowth. An EGFP/NGF dual-expression vector identified transfected cells (GFP-positive) while neurite outgrowth verified NGF secretion. A co-culture model examined the ability of NGF secretion by an accessory cell population to stimulate DRG neurite outgrowth. Polymer-mediated transfection of HEK293T with an NGF-encoding plasmid induced outgrowth by DRG neurons. This system could be fabricated as implants or nerve guidance conduits to support cellular and tissue regeneration. Combining this physical support with the ability to locally express neurotrophic factors will potentiate regeneration in nerve injury and disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Whittlesey
- Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University; Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Lonnie D. Shea
- Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University; Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Room E136, Evanston IL 60208, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Room E136, Evanston IL 60208, USA. Tel.: +1847 491 7043; fax: +1847 491 3728. E-mail address: (L.D. Shea)
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Heng BC, Cao T. Making cell-permeable antibodies (Transbody) through fusion of protein transduction domains (PTD) with single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies: potential advantages over antibodies expressed within the intracellular environment (Intrabody). Med Hypotheses 2005; 64:1105-8. [PMID: 15823695 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2005.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 01/07/2005] [Accepted: 01/12/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the use of antibodies against intracellular targets. This is currently achieved through recombinant expression of the single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody format within the cell, which is commonly referred to as an intrabody. This possesses a number of inherent advantages over RNA interference (iRNA). Firstly, the high specificity and affinity of intrabodies to target antigens is well-established, whereas iRNA has been frequently shown to exert multiple non-specific effects. Secondly, intrabodies being proteins possess a much longer active half-life compared to iRNA. Thirdly, when the active half-life of the intracellular target molecule is long, gene silencing through iRNA would be slow to yield any effect, whereas the effects of intrabody expression would be almost instantaneous. Lastly, it is possible to design intrabodies to block certain binding interactions of a particular target molecule, while sparing others. There is, however, various technical challenges faced with intrabody expression through the application of recombinant DNA technology. In particular, protein conformational folding and structural stability of the newly-synthesized intrabody within the cell is affected by reducing conditions of the intracellular environment. Also, there are overwhelming safety concerns surrounding the application of transfected recombinant DNA in human clinical therapy, which is required to achieve intrabody expression within the cell. Of particular concern are the various viral-based vectors that are commonly-used in genetic manipulation. A novel approach around these problems would be to look at the possibility of fusing protein transduction domains (PTD) to scFv antibodies, to create a 'cell-permeable' antibody or 'Transbody'. PTD are short peptide sequences that enable proteins to translocate across the cell membrane and be internalized within the cytosol, through atypical secretory and internalization pathways. There are a number of distinct advantages that a 'Transbody' would possess over conventional intrabodies expressed within the cell. For a start, 'correct' conformational folding and disulfide bond formation can take place prior to introduction into the target cell. More importantly, the use of cell-permeable antibodies or 'Transbodies' would avoid the overwhelming safety and ethical concerns surrounding the direct application of recombinant DNA technology in human clinical therapy, which is required for intrabody expression within the cell. 'Transbodies' introduced into the cell would possess only a limited active half-life, without resulting in any permanent genetic alteration. This would allay any safety concerns with regards to their application in human clinical therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacokinetics
- Cell Membrane Permeability
- DNA, Recombinant/administration & dosage
- DNA, Recombinant/adverse effects
- DNA, Recombinant/genetics
- DNA, Recombinant/therapeutic use
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Drug Design
- Genes, Immunoglobulin
- Genes, Synthetic
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Fragments/immunology
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics
- Immunoglobulin Variable Region/immunology
- Protein Conformation
- Protein Folding
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Boon Chin Heng
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074 Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract
Given both the accessibility and the genetic basis of several pulmonary diseases, the lungs and airways initially seemed ideal candidates for gene therapy. Several routes of access are available, many of which have been refined and optimized for nongene drug delivery. Two respiratory diseases, cystic fibrosis (CF) and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) deficiency, are relatively common; the single gene responsible has been identified and current treatment strategies are not curative. This type of inherited disease was the obvious initial target for gene therapy, but it has become clear that nongenetic and acquired diseases, including cancer, may also be amenable to this approach. The majority of preclinical and clinical studies in the airway have involved viral vectors, although for diseases such as CF, likely to require repeated application, non-viral delivery systems have clear advantages. However, with both approaches a range of barriers to gene expression have been identified that are limiting success in the airway and alveolar region. This chapter reviews these issues, strategies aimed at overcoming them, and progress into clinical trials with non-viral vectors in a variety of pulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane C Davies
- Department of Gene Therapy, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LR, United Kingdom
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