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Sonntag T, Rapp M, Didier P, Lebeau L, Pons F, Casset A. Mucus-producing epithelial models for investigating the activity of gene delivery systems in the lung. Int J Pharm 2021; 614:121423. [PMID: 34958896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Inhaled transfection particles have to penetrate the mucus layer lining the airways to successfully deliver their therapeutic nucleic acid payload to target cells in the underlying epithelium. However, the in vitro models used for evaluating gene carrier efficiency often disregard this viscous defensive barrier. In this study, the two mucus-secreting cell lines NCI-H292 and Calu-3 were selected to develop a series of epithelial models displaying gradual mucus production. In NCI-H292 models, a gradual increase in the MUC5AC mucin was obtained after cell exposure to inducers. In Calu-3 models, MUC5AC production increased as a function of culture duration (3, 7, 14 days) at the air-liquid interface (ALI). Six DOPC-derived cationic lipids were designed and their pDNA delivery activity was evaluated to validate these cellular models. The strongest impairment of the lipid delivery activity was observed in the Calu-3 14-d ALI model. The MUC5AC production in this model was the greatest and the mucus layer was 20 µm thick. The mucus exhibited a solid viscoelastic behaviour, and represented a major hindrance to lipoplex diffusion. The Calu-3 14-d ALI model will be highly useful for accurate evaluation of gene carriers intended for airway administration and characterization of their interactions with the mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Sonntag
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Mickael Rapp
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Pascal Didier
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Luc Lebeau
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Françoise Pons
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France
| | - Anne Casset
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, Illkirch, France.
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Aerosol-Mediated Non-Viral Lung Gene Therapy: The Potential of Aminoglycoside-Based Cationic Liposomes. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:pharmaceutics14010025. [PMID: 35056921 PMCID: PMC8778791 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aerosol lung gene therapy using non-viral delivery systems represents a credible therapeutic strategy for chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Progress in CF clinical setting using the lipidic formulation GL67A has demonstrated the relevance of such a strategy while emphasizing the need for more potent gene transfer agents. In recent years, many novel non-viral gene delivery vehicles were proposed as potential alternatives to GL67 cationic lipid. However, they were usually evaluated using procedures difficult or even impossible to implement in clinical practice. In this study, a clinically-relevant administration protocol via aerosol in murine lungs was used to conduct a comparative study with GL67A. Diverse lipidic compounds were used to prepare a series of formulations inspired by the composition of GL67A. While some of these formulations were ineffective at transfecting murine lungs, others demonstrated modest-to-very-efficient activities and a series of structure-activity relationships were unveiled. Lipidic aminoglycoside derivative-based formulations were found to be at least as efficient as GL67A following aerosol delivery of a luciferase-encoding plasmid DNA. A single aerosol treatment with one such formulation was found to mediate long-term lung transgene expression, exceeding half the animal's lifetime. This study clearly supports the potential of aminoglycoside-based cationic lipids as potent GL67-alternative scaffolds for further enhanced aerosol non-viral lung gene therapy for diseases such as CF.
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Tang Y, Yan Z, Lin S, Huntemann ED, Feng Z, Park SY, Sun X, Yuen E, Engelhardt JF. Repeat Dosing of AAV2.5T to Ferret Lungs Elicits an Antibody Response That Diminishes Transduction in an Age-Dependent Manner. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 19:186-200. [PMID: 33209961 PMCID: PMC7648090 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Readministration of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) may be necessary to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease using gene therapy. However, little is known about rAAV-mediated immune responses in the lung. Here, we demonstrate the suitability of the ferret for testing AAV2.5T-mediated CFTR delivery to the lung and characterization of neutralizing-antibody (NAb) responses. AAV2.5T-SP183-hCFTRΔR efficiently transduced both human and ferret airway epithelial cultures and complemented CFTR Cl– currents in CF airway cultures. Delivery of AAV2.5T-hCFTRΔR to neonatal and juvenile ferret lungs produced hCFTR mRNA at 200%–300% greater levels than endogenous fCFTR. Single-dose (AAV2.5T-SP183-gLuc) or repeat dosing (AAV2.5T-SP183-fCFTRΔR followed by AAV2.5T-SP183-gLuc) of AAV2.5T was performed in neonatal and juvenile ferrets. Repeat dosing significantly reduced transgene expression (11-fold) and increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) NAbs only in juvenile, but not neonatal, ferrets, despite near-equivalent plasma NAb responses in both age groups. Notably, both age groups demonstrated a reduction in BALF anti-capsid binding immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, and IgA antibodies after repeat dosing. Unique to juvenile ferrets was a suppression of plasma anti-capsid-binding IgM after the second vector administration. Thus, age-dependent immune system maturation and isotype switching may affect the development of high-affinity lung NAbs after repeat dosing of AAV2.5T and may provide a path to blunt AAV-neutralizing responses in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Tang
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shen Lin
- Spirovant Science Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric D Huntemann
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Zehua Feng
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Soo-Yeun Park
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Xingshen Sun
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Eric Yuen
- Spirovant Science Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John F Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Methods for Establishing and Using a Stable Cell Line Expressing Both Gaussia Luciferase and Firefly Luciferase to Screen for Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2102:531-555. [PMID: 31989575 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0223-2_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the major mechanisms underlying the etiology of multiple diseases and drug-induced toxicity. Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) is a naturally secreted protein that has been used as a reporter for the secretory pathway of ER to enable efficient and real-time monitoring of the ER function. The Gluc assay has been widely used and optimized in various labs. In this chapter, we provide an example of the application of the Gluc assay by establishing a stable cell line expressing both Gluc and firefly luciferase (Fluc) to study ER stress in liver cells. We describe the detailed procedures used in our laboratory for Gluc- and Fluc-containing lentivirus production and titration, for establishing a HepG2-based stable cell line through lentivirus transduction and the validation process. In addition, we provide an example of using the established stable cell line to investigate ER stress.
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Riddell P, Gilbert JL, Molloy EL, Finnegan S, Egan JJ, O'Dea S. Delivery of nucleic acids to ex vivo porcine airways using electrospray. Exp Lung Res 2019; 44:405-416. [PMID: 30675820 DOI: 10.1080/01902148.2018.1563924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to provide clinically meaningful benefit across a wide spectrum of lung disease. However, in vivo delivery remains a challenge. Here we examined the feasibility of using electrospray to deliver nucleic acids to both porcine tracheal tissue sections and whole lung ex vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of electrospray solution, emitter gauge, flow rate and voltage on plasmid DNA integrity was examined by analyzing supercoiled:open circle structure ratio by gel electrophoresis. Optimal parameters were used to deliver luciferase DNA and mRNA and siRNA-FITC to tracheal tissue sections. Luciferase mRNA was delivered to whole porcine lungs ex vivo using a catheter and bronchoscope system. Luciferase activity and fluorescence were analyzed by luminometry and microscopy respectively. RESULTS The incidence of DNA plasmid nicking was greatest in a low salt solution without ethanol compared with 1% and 20% ethanol with salt. From a range of emitters tested, a 32 gauge emitter produced the best supercoiled:open circle structure ratio, likely because less voltage was required to produce a stable electrospray with this emitter. Lower flow rates also showed a trend towards reduced DNA nicking. GFP DNA electrosprayed at 5 kV and 6 kV resulted in lower levels of GFP expression in A549 lung cells following lipofection compared with 3 kV and 4 kV. Optimised parameters of 20% ethanol solution, 32 gauge emitter, low flow rates and voltages of 3-5 kV, nucleic acid molecules were successful for delivery of luciferase DNA and mRNA as well as siRNA-FITC to porcine tracheal tissue sections and for delivery of luciferase mRNA to whole porcine lungs via bronchoscope. CONCLUSIONS We report ex vivo delivery of nucleic acids to porcine lung tissue via electrospray and bronchoscopic electrospray delivery of nucleic acid to an ex vivo porcine lung model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Riddell
- a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Jim J Egan
- a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland
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The murine lung as a factory to produce secreted intrapulmonary and circulatory proteins. Gene Ther 2018; 25:345-358. [PMID: 30022127 PMCID: PMC6119181 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-018-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We have shown that a lentiviral vector (rSIV.F/HN) pseudotyped with the F and HN proteins from Sendai virus generates high levels of intracellular proteins after lung transduction. Here, we evaluate the use of rSIV.F/HN for production of secreted proteins. We assessed whether rSIV.F/HN transduction of the lung generates therapeutically relevant levels of secreted proteins in the lung and systemic circulation using human α1-anti-trypsin (hAAT) and factor VIII (hFVIII) as exemplars. Sedated mice were transduced with rSIV.F/HN carrying either the secreted reporter gene Gaussia luciferase or the hAAT or hFVIII cDNAs by nasal sniffing. rSIV.F/HN-hAAT transduction lead to therapeutically relevant hAAT levels (70 μg/ml) in epithelial lining fluid, with stable expression persisting for at least 19 months from a single application. Secreted proteins produced in the lung were released into the circulation and stable expression was detectable in blood. The levels of hFVIII in murine blood approached therapeutically relevant targets. rSIV.F/HN was also able to produce secreted hAAT and hFVIII in transduced human primary airway cells. rSIV.F/HN transduction of the murine lungs leads to long-lasting and therapeutically relevant levels of secreted proteins in the lung and systemic circulation. These data broaden the use of this vector platform for a large range of disease indications.
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Singleton A, Khong D, Chin LY, Mukundan S, Li M, Parekkadan B. An engineered biomarker system to monitor and modulate immune clearance of cell therapies. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:1537-1545. [PMID: 28917628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Cell transplants offer a new opportunity to deliver therapies with novel and complex mechanisms of action. Understanding the pharmacology of cell transplants is important to deliver this new therapy effectively. Currently, however, there are limited techniques to easily track cells after intravenous administration due to the dispersion of the graft throughout the entire body. METHODS We herein developed an engineered cell system that secretes a luciferase enzyme to sensitively detect cell transplants independent of their locale by a simple blood test. We specifically studied a unique feature of cell transplant pharmacology-namely, immune clearance-using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a proof-of-concept cell therapy. MSCs are a clinically relevant cell therapy that has been explored in several disease indications due to their innate properties of altering an immune response. RESULTS Using this engineered reporter, we observed specific sensitivity of cell therapy exposure to the preparation of cells, cytolysis of MSCs in an allogeneic setting and a NK cell-mediated destruction of MSCs in an autologous setting. CONCLUSIONS Our cellular tracking method has broader implications at large for assessing in vivo kinetics of various other cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Singleton
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Danika Khong
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ling-Yee Chin
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shilpaa Mukundan
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Li
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Biju Parekkadan
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgical Services, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
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8
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Puckette M, Burrage T, Neilan JG, Rasmussen M. Evaluation of Gaussia luciferase and foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A translational interrupter chimeras as polycistronic reporters for transgene expression. BMC Biotechnol 2017; 17:52. [PMID: 28606077 PMCID: PMC5469038 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-017-0367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Gaussia princeps luciferase is used as a stand-alone reporter of transgene expression for in vitro and in vivo expression systems due to the rapid and easy monitoring of luciferase activity. We sought to simultaneously quantitate production of other recombinant proteins by transcriptionally linking the Gaussia princeps luciferase gene to other genes of interest through the foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A translational interrupter sequence. Results We produced six plasmids, each encoding a single open reading frame, with the foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A sequence placed either N-terminal or C-terminal to the Gaussia princeps luciferase gene. Two plasmids included novel Gaussia princeps luciferase variants with the position 1 methionine deleted. Placing a foot-and-mouth disease virus 2A translational interrupter sequence on either the N- or C-terminus of the Gaussia princeps luciferase gene did not prevent the secretion or luminescence of resulting chimeric luciferase proteins. We also measured the ability of another polycistronic plasmid vector with a 2A-luciferase sequence placed downstream of the foot-and-mouth disease virus P1 and 3C protease genes to produce of foot-and-mouth disease virus-like particles and luciferase activity from transfected cells. Incorporation of the 2A-luciferase sequence into a transgene encoding foot-and-mouth disease virus structural proteins retained luciferase activity and the ability to form virus-like particles. Conclusions We demonstrated a mechanism for the near real-time, sequential, non-destructive quantitative monitoring of transcriptionally-linked recombinant proteins and a valuable method for monitoring transgene expression in recombinant vaccine constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Puckette
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, NY, 11944, USA. .,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Plum Island Animal Disease Center Research Participation Program (PIADC), P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, 37831, TN, USA.
| | - Thomas Burrage
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, NY, 11944, USA
| | - John G Neilan
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, NY, 11944, USA
| | - Max Rasmussen
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, NY, 11944, USA
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Abstract
Secreted reporter proteins are reliable modalities for monitoring of different biological processes, which can be measured longitudinally in conditioned medium of cultured cells or body fluids such as blood and urine, ex vivo. In this chapter, we will explore established secreted reporters and their applications and limitations for monitoring of promoter function. We will also describe both cell-based and blood-based assays for detecting three commonly used reporters: secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP ), Gaussia luciferase (Gluc), and Vargula luciferase (Vluc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazal Lashgari
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rami S Kantar
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bakhos A Tannous
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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Enhanced gene delivery to the lung using biodegradable polyunsaturated cationic phosphatidylcholine-detergent conjugates. Int J Pharm 2016; 511:205-218. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Pierrat P, Casset A, Didier P, Kereselidze D, Lux M, Pons F, Lebeau L. Cationic DOPC-Detergent Conjugates for Safe and Efficient in Vitro and in Vivo Nucleic Acid Delivery. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1771-83. [PMID: 27380144 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The ability of a nonviral nucleic acid carrier to deliver its cargo to cells with low associated toxicity is a critical issue for clinical applications of gene therapy. We describe biodegradable cationic DOPC-C12 E4 conjugates in which transfection efficiency is based on a Trojan horse strategy. In situ production of the detergent compound C12 E4 through conjugate hydrolysis within the acidic endosome compartment was expected to promote endosome membrane destabilization and subsequent release of the lipoplexes into cytosol. The transfection efficiency of the conjugates has been assessed in vitro, and associated cytotoxicity was determined. Cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of the lipoplexes have been investigated. The results show that direct conjugation of DOPC with C12 E4 produces a versatile carrier that can deliver both DNA and siRNA to cells in vitro with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity. SAR studies suggest that this compound might represent a reasonable compromise between the membrane activity of the released detergent and susceptibility of the conjugate to degradation enzymes in vitro. Although biodegradability of the conjugates had low impact on carrier efficiency in vitro, it proved critical in vivo. Significant improvement of transgene expression was obtained in the mouse lung tuning biodegradability of the carrier. Importantly, this also allowed reduction of the inflammatory response that invariably characterizes cationic-lipid-mediated gene transfer in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Pierrat
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Anne Casset
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Pascal Didier
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Dimitri Kereselidze
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie Lux
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Françoise Pons
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Luc Lebeau
- Laboratoire de Conception et Application de Molécules Bioactives, UMR 7199 CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74 route du Rhin, B. P. 60024, 67401, Illkirch, France.
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Mastorakos P, da Silva AL, Chisholm J, Song E, Choi WK, Boyle MP, Morales MM, Hanes J, Suk JS. Highly compacted biodegradable DNA nanoparticles capable of overcoming the mucus barrier for inhaled lung gene therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:8720-5. [PMID: 26124127 PMCID: PMC4507234 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1502281112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has emerged as an alternative for the treatment of diseases refractory to conventional therapeutics. Synthetic nanoparticle-based gene delivery systems offer highly tunable platforms for the delivery of therapeutic genes. However, the inability to achieve sustained, high-level transgene expression in vivo presents a significant hurdle. The respiratory system, although readily accessible, remains a challenging target, as effective gene therapy mandates colloidal stability in physiological fluids and the ability to overcome biological barriers found in the lung. We formulated highly stable DNA nanoparticles based on state-of-the-art biodegradable polymers, poly(β-amino esters) (PBAEs), possessing a dense corona of polyethylene glycol. We found that these nanoparticles efficiently penetrated the nanoporous and highly adhesive human mucus gel layer that constitutes a primary barrier to reaching the underlying epithelium. We also discovered that these PBAE-based mucus-penetrating DNA nanoparticles (PBAE-MPPs) provided uniform and high-level transgene expression throughout the mouse lungs, superior to several gold standard gene delivery systems. PBAE-MPPs achieved robust transgene expression over at least 4 mo following a single administration, and their transfection efficiency was not attenuated by repeated administrations, underscoring their clinical relevance. Importantly, PBAE-MPPs demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no signs of toxicity following intratracheal administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Mastorakos
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21297
| | - Adriana L da Silva
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil
| | - Jane Chisholm
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Eric Song
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Center for Biotechnology Education, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Won Kyu Choi
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Michael P Boyle
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Marcelo M Morales
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941902, Brazil
| | - Justin Hanes
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21297; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218;
| | - Jung Soo Suk
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21297;
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Richard-Fiardo P, Hervouet C, Marsault R, Franken PR, Cambien B, Guglielmi J, Warnez-Soulie J, Darcourt J, Pourcher T, Colombani T, Haudebourg T, Peuziat P, Pitard B, Vassaux G. Evaluation of tetrafunctional block copolymers as synthetic vectors for lung gene transfer. Biomaterials 2015; 45:10-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Efficient in vitro and in vivo pulmonary delivery of nucleic acid by carbon dot-based nanocarriers. Biomaterials 2015; 51:290-302. [PMID: 25771019 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cationic carbon dots were fabricated by pyrolysis of citric acid and bPEI25k under microwave radiation. Various nanoparticles were produced in a 20-30% yield through straightforward modifications of the reaction parameters (stoichiometry of the reactants and energy supply regime). Particular attention was paid to the purification of the reaction products to ensure satisfactory elimination of the residual starting polyamine. Intrinsic properties of the particles (size, surface charge, photoluminescence and quantum yield) were measured and their ability to form stable complexes with nucleic acid was determined. Their potential to deliver plasmid DNA or small interfering RNA to various cell lines was investigated and compared to that of bPEI25k. The pDNA in vitro transfection efficiency of these carbon dots was similar to that of the parent PEI, as was their cytotoxicity. The higher cytotoxicity of bPEI25k/siRNA complexes when compared to that of the CD/siRNA complexes however had marked consequences on the gene silencing efficiency of the two carriers. These results are not fully consistent with those in some earlier reports on similar nanoparticles, revealing that toxicity of the carbon dots strongly depends on their protocol of fabrication. Finally, these carriers were evaluated for in vivo gene delivery through the non-invasive pulmonary route in mice. High transgene expression was obtained in the lung that was similar to that obtained with the golden standard formulation GL67A, but was associated with significantly lower toxicity. Post-functionalization of these carbon dots with PEG or targeting moieties should significantly broaden their scope and practical implications in improving their in vivo transfection efficiency and biocompatibility.
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15
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Kim JE, Kalimuthu S, Ahn BC. In vivo cell tracking with bioluminescence imaging. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2014; 49:3-10. [PMID: 25774232 DOI: 10.1007/s13139-014-0309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a fast growing biomedical research that allows the visual representation, characterization and quantification of biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels within intact living organisms. In vivo tracking of cells is an indispensable technology for development and optimization of cell therapy for replacement or renewal of damaged or diseased tissue using transplanted cells, often autologous cells. With outstanding advantages of bioluminescence imaging, the imaging approach is most commonly applied for in vivo monitoring of transplanted stem cells or immune cells in order to assess viability of administered cells with therapeutic efficacy in preclinical small animal models. In this review, a general overview of bioluminescence is provided and recent updates of in vivo cell tracking using the bioluminescence signal are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Eun Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, 50, Samduk 2-ga, Jung Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea 700-721
| | - Senthilkumar Kalimuthu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, 50, Samduk 2-ga, Jung Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea 700-721
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and Hospital, 50, Samduk 2-ga, Jung Gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea 700-721
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16
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Entrican G, Wattegedera SR, Griffiths DJ. Exploiting ovine immunology to improve the relevance of biomedical models. Mol Immunol 2014; 66:68-77. [PMID: 25263932 PMCID: PMC4368439 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sheep make a valuable contribution to immunology research. Lessons to be learned from studying infections in the natural host. Factors to consider when selecting biomedical models.
Animal models of human disease are important tools in many areas of biomedicine; for example, in infectious disease research and in the development of novel drugs and medical devices. Most studies involving animals use rodents, in particular congenic mice, due to the availability of a wide number of strains and the ease with which they can be genetically manipulated. The use of mouse models has led to major advances in many fields of research, in particular in immunology but despite these advances, no animal model can exactly reproduce all the features of human disease. It is increasingly becoming recognised that in many circumstances mice do not provide the best model and that alternative species may be more appropriate. Here, we describe the relative merits of sheep as biomedical models for human physiology and disease in comparison to mice, with a particular focus on reproductive and respiratory pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Entrican
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK.
| | - Sean R Wattegedera
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
| | - David J Griffiths
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
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Abstract
Over the last three decades, imaging has been a thriving field with continuous egression of more reliable and highly sophisticated tools and techniques allowing better understanding of biological processes in living organisms. This field continues to expand and its applications broaden to encompass limitless applications in various biomedical research areas. It is however, of utmost importance to understand the capabilities and limitations of this technique as new challenges and hurdles continue to arise. This chapter describes the general properties of bioluminescence imaging and commonly used reporters while underlining the challenges and limitations with these modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Badr
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Bovenberg MSS, Degeling MH, Hejazi S, Amante RJ, van Keulen M, Jeuken JWM, Akbaripanahi S, Vleggeert-Lankamp CLA, Tannous M, Wesseling P, Wurdinger T, Tannous BA. Multiplex blood reporters for simultaneous monitoring of cellular processes. Anal Chem 2013; 85:10205-10. [PMID: 24131224 DOI: 10.1021/ac401798v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Reporters secreted into the conditioned medium of cells in culture or into blood in vivo have shown to be useful tools for simple and noninvasive monitoring of biological processes in real-time. Here, we characterize the naturally secreted Vargula luciferase as a secreted blood reporter and show that this reporter can be multiplexed with the secreted Gaussia luciferase and alkaline phosphatase for simultaneous monitoring of three different cellular processes in the same biological system. We applied this system to monitor the response of three different subsets of glioma cells to a clinically relevant chemotherapeutic agent in the same well in culture or animal in vivo. This system could be extended to any field to detect multiple processes in the same biological system and is amenable for high-throughput screening to find drugs that affect multiple cellular populations/phenomena simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sarah S Bovenberg
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts 02129, United States
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El-Amouri SS, Cao P, Miao C, Pan D. Secreted luciferase for in vivo evaluation of systemic protein delivery in mice. Mol Biotechnol 2013; 53:63-73. [PMID: 22407720 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9519-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A naturally secreted Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) has been utilized as a reporter for bioluminescence imaging (BLI) evaluation. However, the potential application of Gluc for in vivo monitoring of systemic protein delivery, as well as its natural biodistribution, has not been studied. To examine Gluc secretion and uptake profile, we injected Gluc-encoding plasmids into mice by hydrodynamic tail-vein injection. Whole-body BLI showed that imaging quantification obtained at pawpad was directly correlated to blood Gluc activities. When gene expression was restricted to the liver by the use of a hepatic promoter, in vivo Gluc biodistribution analysis revealed the kidney/bladder, stomach/intestine, and lung as the major uptake organs. Three-dimensional BLI identified liver/stomach and lung as the main internal luminescent sources, demonstrating the feasibility of detecting major uptake organs in live animals by 3D BLI with high-background signals in circulation. Notably, Gluc levels in capillary-depleted brain samples from Gluc-injected mice were comparable to controls, suggesting that Gluc may not cross the blood-brain barrier. Gluc uptake kinetics and intracellular half-life were assessed in various types of cell lines, implicating the involvement of non-specific pinocytosis. These results suggest that Gluc-based system may provide a useful tool for in vivo evaluation of protein/agent biodistribution following systemic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim S El-Amouri
- Molecular and Cell Therapy Program, Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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20
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Griesenbach U, Alton EWFW. Expert opinion in biological therapy: update on developments in lung gene transfer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:345-60. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2013.735656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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21
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Griesenbach U, Wilson KM, Farley R, Meng C, Munkonge FM, Cheng SH, Scheule RK, Alton EWFW. Assessment of the nuclear pore dilating agent trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol in differentiated airway epithelium. J Gene Med 2012; 14:491-500. [PMID: 22711445 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nuclear membrane of differentiated airway epithelial cells is a significant barrier for nonviral vectors. Trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol (TCHD) is an amphipathic alcohol that has been shown to collapse nuclear pore cores and allow the uptake of macromolecules that would otherwise be too large for nuclear entry. Previous studies have shown that TCHD can increase lipid-mediated transfection in vitro. METHODS We aimed to reproduce these in vitro studies using the cationic lipid GL67A, which we are currently assessing in cystic fibrosis trials and, more importantly, we assessed the effects of TCHD on transfection efficiency in differentiated airway epithelium ex vivo and in mouse lung in vivo using three different drug delivery protocols (nebulisation and bolus administration of TCHD to the mouse lung, as well as perfusion of TCHD to the nasal epithelium, which prolongs contact time between the airway epithelium and drug). RESULTS TCHD (0.5-2%) dose-dependently increased Lipofectamine 2000 and GL67A-mediated transfection of 293T cells by up to 2 logs. Encouragingly, exposure to 8% TCHD (but not 0.5% or 2.0%) increased gene expression in fully differentiated human air liquid interface cultures by approximately 20-fold, although this was accompanied by significant cell damage. However, none of the TCHD treated mice in any of the three protocols had higher gene expression compared to no TCHD controls. CONCLUSIONS Although TCHD significantly increases gene transfer in cell lines and differentiated airway epithelium ex vivo, this effect is lost in vivo and further highlights that promising in vitro findings often cannot be translated into in vivo applications.
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Griesenbach U, Inoue M, Meng C, Farley R, Chan M, Newman NK, Brum A, You J, Kerton A, Shoemark A, Boyd AC, Davies JC, Higgins TE, Gill DR, Hyde SC, Innes JA, Porteous DJ, Hasegawa M, Alton EWFW. Assessment of F/HN-pseudotyped lentivirus as a clinically relevant vector for lung gene therapy. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012; 186:846-56. [PMID: 22955314 PMCID: PMC3530223 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201206-1056oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Ongoing efforts to improve pulmonary gene transfer thereby enabling gene therapy for the treatment of lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), has led to the assessment of a lentiviral vector (simian immunodeficiency virus [SIV]) pseudotyped with the Sendai virus envelope proteins F and HN. OBJECTIVES To place this vector onto a translational pathway to the clinic by addressing some key milestones that have to be achieved. METHODS F/HN-SIV transduction efficiency, duration of expression, and toxicity were assessed in mice. In addition, F/HN-SIV was assessed in differentiated human air-liquid interface cultures, primary human nasal epithelial cells, and human and sheep lung slices. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A single dose produces lung expression for the lifetime of the mouse (~2 yr). Only brief contact time is needed to achieve transduction. Repeated daily administration leads to a dose-related increase in gene expression. Repeated monthly administration to mouse lower airways is feasible without loss of gene expression. There is no evidence of chronic toxicity during a 2-year study period. F/HN-SIV leads to persistent gene expression in human differentiated airway cultures and human lung slices and transduces freshly obtained primary human airway epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS The data support F/HN-pseudotyped SIV as a promising vector for pulmonary gene therapy for several diseases including CF. We are now undertaking the necessary refinements to progress this vector into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Griesenbach
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Cuixiang Meng
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond Farley
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Chan
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki K. Newman
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Brum
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jun You
- DNAVEC Corporation, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Angela Kerton
- Central Biomedical Services, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia Shoemark
- Paediatric Department, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - A. Christopher Boyd
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Molecular Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jane C. Davies
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tracy E. Higgins
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah R. Gill
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Medicine Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen C. Hyde
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Medicine Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - J. Alastair Innes
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Molecular Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and
| | - David J. Porteous
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Genetics Section, Centre for Molecular Medicine, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Eric W. F. W. Alton
- Department of Gene Therapy and
- The United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Pringle IA, Hyde SC, Connolly MM, Lawton AE, Xu B, Nunez-Alonso G, Davies LA, Sumner-Jones SG, Gill DR. CpG-free plasmid expression cassettes for cystic fibrosis gene therapy. Biomaterials 2012; 33:6833-42. [PMID: 22727465 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Clinical studies are underway for the aerosol delivery of plasmid DNA complexed with Genzyme Lipid GL67A to the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Plasmid vectors contain several functional elements all of which play a role in determining the efficacy of the final clinical product. To optimise the final plasmid, variations of CpG-free 5' enhancer elements and 3'UTR regions were inserted into a common CpG-free, plasmid backbone containing Luciferase or CFTR transgenes. Plasmids were compared in immortalised cell culture, human airway liquid interface primary cell cultures, and mouse lung models to determine which design directed optimal transgene expression. Following aerosol delivery to mouse lung, plasmids containing the murine CMV enhancer showed higher peak Luciferase activity than the human CMV enhancer, but the human version resulted in persistent expression. In cell culture, the SV40 3'UTR and a novel BGH2 3'UTR exhibited up to 20-fold higher Luciferase activity than the commonly used BGH 3'UTR, but in mouse lung aerosol studies the activity and duration was greater for BGH 3'UTR. Systematic evaluation of each functional component of the plasmid has resulted in an improved design, exhibiting superior levels and duration of lung gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Pringle
- Gene Medicine Research Group, NDCLS, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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24
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Bovenberg MSS, Degeling MH, Tannous BA. Enhanced Gaussia luciferase blood assay for monitoring of in vivo biological processes. Anal Chem 2012; 84:1189-92. [PMID: 22148161 PMCID: PMC3264838 DOI: 10.1021/ac202833r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Secreted Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) has been shown to be a useful tool for ex vivo monitoring of in vivo biological processes. The Gluc level in the blood was used to detect tumor growth, metastasis and response to therapy, gene transfer, and circulating cells viability, as well as transcription factors activation, complementing in vivo bioluminescence imaging. The sensitivity of the Gluc blood assay is limited due to the absorption of blue light by pigmented molecules such as hemoglobin, resulting in quenching of the signal and therefore lower sensitivity. To overcome this problem, we designed an alternative microtiter well-based binding assay in which Gluc is captured first from blood using a specific antibody followed by the addition of coelenterazine and signal acquisition using a luminometer. This assay showed to be over 1 order of magnitude more sensitive in detecting Gluc in the blood as compared to the direct Gluc blood assay enhancing ex vivo monitoring of biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Sarah S. Bovenberg
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. Hannah Degeling
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bakhos A. Tannous
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, Boston, MA 02114 USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
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25
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Merkel OM, Zheng M, Debus H, Kissel T. Pulmonary gene delivery using polymeric nonviral vectors. Bioconjug Chem 2011; 23:3-20. [PMID: 21999216 DOI: 10.1021/bc200296q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary delivery provides an easy and well tolerated means of access for the administration of biomacromolecules to the pulmonary epithelium and could therefore be an attractive approach for local and systemic therapies. A growing number of reports, which are summarized in this review, mirror the viability of pulmonary gene delivery. Special attention has been paid to the biological barriers in the lung that must be overcome for successful delivery, and which can be divided into anatomic, physical, immunologic, and metabolic barriers. In light of these barriers, successful nonviral polymer-based formulations of therapeutic genes are presented depending on the chemical nature of the polymer. In addition to polyethyleneimine-based nonviral vectors, which have been most intensively studied for pulmonary gene delivery in the past, other polymeric, dendritic, and targeted materials are also described here, including novel and biodegradable polymers. As new materials need in vitro or ex vivo testing before in vivo application, sophisticated models for all three approaches have been illustrated. Although pulmonary siRNA delivery enjoys popularity in clinical trials, pulmonary gene delivery has so far not been translated into clinical applications. With this review, potential hurdles are demonstrated, but novel approaches that may lead to optimized systems are described as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Merkel
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmacy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Ketzerbach 63, Marburg, Germany
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26
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Secreted blood reporters: insights and applications. Biotechnol Adv 2011; 29:997-1003. [PMID: 21920429 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Revised: 08/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Secreted reporters detected in body fluids (blood, serum or urine) have shown to be simple and useful tools for ex vivo real-time monitoring of in vivo biological processes. Here we explore the most commonly used secreted blood reporters in experimental animals: secreted alkaline phosphatase, soluble marker peptides derived from human carcinoembryonic antigen and human chorionic gonadotropin, as well as Gaussia luciferase. We also comment on other recently discovered secreted luciferases and their potential use as blood reporters for multiplexing applications.
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27
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Du J, Tang Q, Huang Y, Rodney WE, Wang L, Liang G. Development of recombinant rabies viruses vectors with Gaussia luciferase reporter based on Chinese vaccine strain CTN181. Virus Res 2011; 160:82-8. [PMID: 21645562 PMCID: PMC7114501 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The recombinant rabies virus (RV) vectors encoding the secreted gene marker Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) were generated based on Chinese vaccine strain CTN181. Vectors included replication competent CTN-Gluc, CTN/GQ333R-Gluc, in which the amino acid in position 333 of glycoprotein was mutated from glutamine (Q) to arginine (R), and replication constrained CTNΔG-Gluc, in which the glycoprotein encoding gene (G) was deleted. The growth of recombinant RVs in transfected cells was confirmed through biochemical assays of Gluc activities. Gluc expression in recombinant CTNΔG-Gluc virus was highest while that in CTN/GQ333R-Gluc virus was lowest. The optimal time to harvest recombinant RVs was determined and the function of pathogenic and nonpathogenic rabies glycoprotein in virus recovery was examined. The addition of glycoprotein was slightly beneficial for virus recovery and the titer of rescued virus was lowered even when the amino acid in G333 position of glycoprotein was mutated from nonpathogenic Gln to pathogenic Arg. Conclusions: Viral vectors based on a human rabies vaccine strain CTN181 were successful. Gluc was useful as an in vitro gene marker for monitoring the growth of recombinant RVs iteratively in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Du
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai St. Changping Dist., Beijing 102206, China
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