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Lawton SM, Manson MA, Fan MN, Chao TY, Chen CY, Kim P, Campbell C, Cai X, Vander Kooi A, Miao CH. Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery specifically targets liver sinusoidal endothelial cells for sustained FVIII expression in hemophilia A mice. Mol Ther 2024; 32:969-981. [PMID: 38341614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to target the native production site of factor VIII (FVIII)-liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs)-can improve the outcome of hemophilia A (HA) gene therapy. By testing a matrix of ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (UMGD) parameters for delivering a GFP plasmid into the livers of HA mice, we were able to define specific conditions for targeted gene delivery to different cell types in the liver. Subsequently, two conditions were selected for experiments to treat HA mice via UMGD of an endothelial-specific human FVIII plasmid: low energy (LE; 50 W/cm2, 150 μs pulse duration) to predominantly target endothelial cells or high energy (HE; 110 W/cm2, 150 μs pulse duration) to predominantly target hepatocytes. Both groups of UMGD-treated mice achieved persistent FVIII activity levels of ∼10% over 84 days post treatment; however, half of the HE-treated mice developed low-titer inhibitors while none of the LE mice did. Plasma transaminase levels and histological liver examinations revealed minimal transient liver damage that was lower in the LE group than in the HE group. These results indicate that UMGD can safely target LSECs with a lower-energy condition to achieve persistent FVIII gene expression, demonstrating that this novel technology is highly promising for therapeutic correction of HA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meng-Ni Fan
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ting-Yen Chao
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter Kim
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Xiaohe Cai
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Carol H Miao
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Anderson CD, Arthur JA, Zhang Y, Bharucha N, Karakikes I, Shohet RV. Non-viral in vivo cytidine base editing in hepatocytes using focused ultrasound targeted microbubbles. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:733-737. [PMID: 37662969 PMCID: PMC10468349 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing technologies, such as base editing, have the potential for clinical translation, but delivering nucleic acids into target cells in vivo is a major obstacle. Viral vectors are widely used but come with safety concerns, while current non-viral methods are limited by low transfection efficiency. Here we describe a new method to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 base editing vectors to the mouse liver using focused ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (FUTMD). We demonstrate, using the example of cytosine base editing of the Pde3b gene, that FUTMD-mediated delivery of cytosine base editing vectors can introduce stop codons (up to ∼2.5% on-target editing) in mouse liver cells in vivo. However, base editing specificity is less than one might hope with these DNA constructs. Our findings suggest that FUTMD-based gene editing tools can be rapidly and transiently deployed to specific organs and sites, providing a powerful platform for the development of non-viral genome editing therapies. Non-viral delivery also reveals greater off-target base exchange in vivo than in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia D. Anderson
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Jennifer Ataam Arthur
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, 240 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 943054, USA
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, 240 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 943054, USA
| | - Nike Bharucha
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, 240 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 943054, USA
| | - Ioannis Karakikes
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, 240 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 943054, USA
| | - Ralph V. Shohet
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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Transcutaneous ultrasound mediated gene delivery into canine livers achieves therapeutic levels of FVIII expression. Blood Adv 2022; 6:3557-3568. [PMID: 35427415 PMCID: PMC9631573 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonviral UMGD can achieve therapeutic levels of FVIII gene expression in a large animal model. UMGD targeting liver is safe without evidence of any lasting damage.
A safe, effective, and inclusive gene therapy will significantly benefit a large population of patients with hemophilia. We used a minimally invasive transcutaneous ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (UMGD) strategy combined with microbubbles (MBs) to enhance gene transfer into 4 canine livers. A mixture of high-expressing, liver-specific human factor VIII (hFVIII) plasmid and MBs was injected into the hepatic vein via balloon catheter under fluoroscopy guidance with simultaneous transcutaneous UMGD treatment targeting a specific liver lobe. Therapeutic levels of hFVIII expression were achieved in all 4 dogs, and hFVIII levels were maintained at a detectable level in 3 dogs throughout the 60-day experimental period. Plasmid copy numbers correlated with hFVIII antigen levels, and plasmid-derived messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected in treated livers. Liver transaminase levels and histology analysis indicated minimal liver damage and a rapid recovery after treatment. These results indicate that liver-targeted transcutaneous UMGD is promising as a clinically feasible therapy for hemophilia A and other diseases.
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Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery of factor VIII plasmids for hemophilia A gene therapy in mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:916-926. [PMID: 35141050 PMCID: PMC8803955 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy offers great promises for a cure of hemophilia A resulting from factor VIII (FVIII) gene deficiency. We have developed and optimized a non-viral ultrasound-mediated gene delivery (UMGD) strategy. UMGD of reporter plasmids targeting mice livers achieved high levels of transgene expression predominantly in hepatocytes. Following UMGD of a plasmid encoding human FVIII driven by a hepatocyte-specific promoter/enhancer (pHP-hF8/N6) into the livers of hemophilia A mice, a partial phenotypic correction was achieved in treated mice. In order to achieve persistent and therapeutic FVIII gene expression, we adopted a plasmid (pHP-hF8-X10) encoding an FVIII variant with significantly increased FVIII secretion. By employing an optimized pulse-train ultrasound condition and immunomodulation, the treated hemophilia A mice achieved 25%–150% of FVIII gene expression on days 1–7 with very mild transient liver damage, as indicated by a small increase of transaminase levels that returned to normal within 3 days. Therapeutic levels of FVIII can be maintained persistently without the generation of inhibitors in mice. These results indicate that UMGD can significantly enhance the efficiency of plasmid DNA transfer into the liver. They also demonstrate the potential of this novel technology to safely and effectively treat hemophilia A.
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Du M, Li Y, Chen Z. Sonoporation-Mediated Gene Transfection: A Novel Direction for Cell Reprogramming In Vivo. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:803055. [PMID: 35174147 PMCID: PMC8841490 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.803055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Du
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical Imaging Centre, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yue Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical Imaging Centre, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical Imaging Centre, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Institute of Medical Imaging, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyi Chen,
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Walsh AP, Gordon HN, Peter K, Wang X. Ultrasonic particles: An approach for targeted gene delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:113998. [PMID: 34662671 PMCID: PMC8518240 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has been widely investigated for the treatment of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases. Pioneering work utilized viral vectors; however, these are suspected of causing serious adverse events, resulting in the termination of several clinical trials. Non-viral vectors, such as lipid nanoparticles, have attracted significant interest, mainly due to their successful use in vaccines in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Although they allow safe delivery, they come with the disadvantage of off-target delivery. The application of ultrasound to ultrasound-sensitive particles allows for a direct, site-specific transfer of genetic materials into the organ/site of interest. This process, termed ultrasound-targeted gene delivery (UTGD), also increases cell membrane permeability and enhances gene uptake. This review focuses on the advances in ultrasound and the development of ultrasonic particles for UTGD across a range of diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations and future perspectives of UTGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan P.G. Walsh
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Henry N. Gordon
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia,La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia,La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Corresponding author at: Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Bawiec CR, Rosnitskiy PB, Peek AT, Maxwell AD, Kreider W, Haar GRT, Sapozhnikov OA, Khokhlova VA, Khokhlova TD. Inertial Cavitation Behaviors Induced by Nonlinear Focused Ultrasound Pulses. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2021; 68:2884-2895. [PMID: 33861702 PMCID: PMC8500614 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2021.3073347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Inertial cavitation induced by pulsed high-intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) has previously been shown to successfully permeabilize tumor tissue and enhance chemotherapeutic drug uptake. In addition to HIFU frequency, peak rarefactional pressure ( p- ), and pulse duration, the threshold for cavitation-induced bioeffects has recently been correlated with asymmetric distortion caused by nonlinear propagation, diffraction and formation of shocks in the focal waveform, and therefore with the transducer F -number. To connect previously observed bioeffects with bubble dynamics and their attendant physical mechanisms, the dependence of inertial cavitation behavior on shock formation was investigated in transparent agarose gel phantoms using high-speed photography and passive cavitation detection (PCD). Agarose phantoms with concentrations ranging from 1.5% to 5% were exposed to 1-ms pulses using three transducers of the same aperture but different focal distances ( F -numbers of 0.77, 1.02, and 1.52). Pulses had central frequencies of 1, 1.5, or 1.9 MHz and a range of p- at the focus varying within 1-18 MPa. Three distinct categories of bubble behavior were observed as the acoustic power increased: stationary near-spherical oscillation of individual bubbles, proliferation of multiple bubbles along the pHIFU beam axis, and fanned-out proliferation toward the transducer. Proliferating bubbles were only observed under strongly nonlinear or shock-forming conditions regardless of frequency, and only where the bubbles reached a certain threshold size range. In stiffer gels with higher agarose concentrations, the same pattern of cavitation behavior was observed, but the dimensions of proliferating clouds were smaller. These observations suggest mechanisms that may be involved in bubble proliferation: enhanced growth of bubbles under shock-forming conditions, subsequent shock scattering from the gel-bubble interface, causing an increase in the repetitive tension created by the acoustic wave, and the appearance of a new growing bubble in the proximal direction. Different behaviors corresponded to specific spectral characteristics in the PCD signals: broadband noise in all cases, narrow peaks of backscattered harmonics in the case of stationary bubbles, and broadened, shifted harmonic peaks in the case of proliferating bubbles. The shift in harmonic peaks can be interpreted as a Doppler shift from targets moving at speeds of up to 2 m/s, which correspond to the observed bubble proliferation speeds.
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Anderson CD, Walton CB, Shohet RV. A Comparison of Focused and Unfocused Ultrasound for Microbubble-Mediated Gene Delivery. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:1785-1800. [PMID: 33812691 PMCID: PMC8169610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We compared focused and unfocused ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) for delivery of reporter plasmids to the liver and heart in mice. Optimal hepatic expression was seen with double-depth targeting at 5 and 13 mm in vivo, incorporating a low pulse repetition frequency and short pulse duration. Reporter expression was similar, but the transfection patterns were distinct, with intense foci of transfection using focused UTMD (F-UTMD). We then compared both approaches for cardiac delivery and found 10-fold stronger levels of reporter expression for F-UTMD and observed small areas of intense luciferase expression in the left ventricle. Non-linear contrast imaging of the liver before and after insonation also showed a substantially greater change in signal intensity for F-UTMD, suggesting distinct cavitation mechanisms for both approaches. Overall, similar levels of hepatic transgene expression were observed, but cardiac-directed F-UTMD was substantially more effective. Focused ultrasound presents a new frontier in UTMD-directed gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia D Anderson
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Chad B Walton
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Ralph V Shohet
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
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