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Yu W, Wang J, Wang Z, Li L, Li W, Song J, Zhang S, Shan A. PEGylation of the Antimicrobial Peptide PG-1: A Link between Propensity for Nanostructuring and Capacity of the Antitrypsin Hydrolytic Ability. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10469-10481. [PMID: 34196552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antibacterial resistance globally underscores the urgent need for updated antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we describe a strategy for inducing the self-assembly of protegrin-1 (PG-1) into nanostructured antimicrobial agents with significantly improved pharmacological properties. Our strategy involves PEGylation in the terminals of PG-1 and subsequent self-assembly in aqueous media in the absence of exogenous excipients. Compared with the parent PG-1, the therapeutic index (TI) of NPG750(TIGram-negative bacteria = 17.07) and CPG2000(TIAll = 26.02) was increased. Importantly, NPG750 and CPG2000 offered higher stability toward trypsin degradation. Mechanistically, NPG750 and CPG2000 exerted their bactericidal activity by membrane-active mechanisms due to which microbes were not prone to develop resistance. Our findings proved PEGylation as a simple yet versatile strategy for generating AMP-derived bioactive drugs with excellent antitrypsin hydrolytic ability and lower cytotoxicity. This provides a theoretical basis for the further clinical application of AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Yu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Zihang Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Lingxue Li
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wenyu Li
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Jing Song
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, P. R. China
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Embryonic stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle-mimetic nanovesicles rescue erectile function by enhancing penile neurovascular regeneration in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20072. [PMID: 31882614 PMCID: PMC6934510 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54431-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted particular interest in various fields of biology and medicine. However, one of the major hurdles in the clinical application of EV-based therapy is their low production yield. We recently developed cell-derived EV-mimetic nanovesicles (NVs) by extruding cells serially through filters with diminishing pore sizes (10, 5, and 1 μm). Here, we demonstrate in diabetic mice that embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived EV-mimetic NVs (ESC-NVs) completely restore erectile function (~96% of control values) through enhanced penile angiogenesis and neural regeneration in vivo, whereas ESC partially restores erectile function (~77% of control values). ESC-NVs promoted tube formation in primary cultured mouse cavernous endothelial cells and pericytes under high-glucose condition in vitro; and accelerated microvascular and neurite sprouting from aortic ring and major pelvic ganglion under high-glucose condition ex vivo, respectively. ESC-NVs enhanced the expression of angiogenic and neurotrophic factors (hepatocyte growth factor, angiopoietin-1, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3), and activated cell survival and proliferative factors (Akt and ERK). Therefore, it will be a better strategy to use ESC-NVs than ESCs in patients with erectile dysfunction refractory to pharmacotherapy, although it remains to be solved for future clinical application of ESC.
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Hong W, Liu L, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Zhang D, Liu M. Pluronic-based nano-self-assemblies of bacitracin A with a new mechanism of action for an efficient in vivo therapeutic effect against bacterial peritonitis. J Nanobiotechnology 2018; 16:66. [PMID: 30205822 PMCID: PMC6131780 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-018-0397-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although assemblies of hydrophobic-modified bacitracin A with PLGA (Nano-BAPLGA) have demonstrated promising antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the desirable antibacterial potency has remained challenging due to the low solubility of Nano-BAPLGA. To address this tissue, a series of Pluronic copolymers (Pluronic® F127, Pluronic® P123 and Pluronic® P85) were selected to link the N-terminus of bacitracin A to construct Pluronic-based nano-self assemblies (Nano-BAF127, Nano-BAP123 and Nano-BAP85). Results Impressively, all the newly designed Pluronic-based Nano-BAs possessed higher solubility and stronger effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria compared with Nano-BAPLGA, especially the modification with Pluronic® P85. Surface tension measurements indicated that Nano-BAP85 was much more tensioactive than Nano-BAPLGA, which usually translated into a good membranolytic effect. Fluorescence spectroscopy and electron microscopy analyses confirmed the speculation that the cell wall/membrane might be the main action target of Nano-BAP85 by permeabilizing the cell membrane and damaging the membrane integrity. In vivo results further demonstrated that Nano-BAP85 significantly suppressed bacterial growth and prolonged survival time in the bacterial peritonitis mouse model with negligible toxicity. Conclusions Collectively, the membrane targeting mechanism of action is entirely distinct from those of clinically used antibacterial agents. Furthermore, the new approach of construction nanoantibiotics based on the modification of commercially available antibiotics with Pluronic copolymers is demonstrated to have an efficient therapeutic effect against bacterial infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-018-0397-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lipeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yining Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingchun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Dongling Road 120, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
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Water-Soluble Polymer Assists N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor 2B siRNA Delivery to Relieve Chronic Inflammatory Pain In Vitro and In Vivo. Pain Res Manag 2018; 2018:7436060. [PMID: 29623145 PMCID: PMC5829431 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7436060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We constructed a water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP) as a nonviral gene carrier to deliver siRNA targeting NR2B. The cytotoxicity and serum stability of WSLP loaded with siRNA were evaluated, and the knockdown efficiency of WSLP/NR2B-siRNA in PC12 cells was examined. The results showed that WSLP could protect the loading siRNAs from enzymatic degradation in serum and exhibit low cytotoxicity to cells. After transfection, WSLP/NR2B-siRNA complexes reduced the NR2B transcriptional level by 50% and protein level by 55% compared to control siRNA. Moreover, 3 days after intrathecal injection of WSLP/NR2B-siRNA complexes into rats, the NR2B protein expression decreased significantly to 58%, compared to control treatment (p < 0.01). Injection of WSLP with scrambled siRNA or of polyethylenimine (PEI) with NR2B-siRNA did not show this inhibitory effect. Additionally, injection of WSLP/NR2B-siRNA complexes significantly relieved inflammatory pain in rats at 3, 4, and 5 days with reduced MWT and decreased TWL scores, while injection of WSLP with scrambled siRNA or of PEI with NR2B-siRNA did not. These results demonstrated that WSLP can efficiently deliver siRNA targeting NR2B to PC12 cells and relieve pain in rats with chronic inflammatory pain.
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Piao C, Park JH, Lee M. Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Effect of Adiponectin Gene Delivery Using a Polymeric Carrier in an Acute Lung Injury Model. Pharm Res 2017; 34:1517-1526. [PMID: 28493099 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-017-2175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. In this study, the therapeutic effect of APN gene delivery using a polymeric carrier was evaluated in an acute lung injury (ALI) model. METHODS Polyethylenimine (2 kDa, PEI2K), PEI25K (25 kDa), polyamidoamine (generation 2, PAMG2), dexamethasone-conjugated PEI2k (PEI2K-Dexa), and dexamethasone-conjugated PAMG2 (PAMG2-Dexa) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as gene carriers. Formation of plasmid DNA (pDNA)/carrier complexes was confirmed by gel retardation and heparin competition assays. Delivery efficiency was measured by a luciferase assay and fluorescence microscopy. In an ALI animal model, pAPN/carrier complexes were delivered by intratracheal administration. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by cytokine assays and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS Gel retardation assays showed that PEI2K-Dexa and PAMG2-Dexa formed complexes with pDNA. In L2 lung epithelial cells, PAMG2-Dexa yielded higher transfection efficiency than PEI2K, PAMG2, PEI25K, lipofectamine, and PEI2K-Dexa. In vivo experiments showed that PAMG2-Dexa delivered DNA more efficiently to lung tissue than PEI2K-Dexa and PEI25K. Delivery of pAPN/PAMG2-Dexa complexes upregulated APN expression in the lungs of mice with ALI. As a result, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased. H&E staining showed that inflammation in the lungs of mice with ALI was reduced by delivery of the APN gene. CONCLUSION Delivery of the APN gene using PAMG2-Dexa reduced inflammation in the lungs of mice with ALI. The APN gene could be a useful tool in the development of gene therapy for ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxian Piao
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, 47392, Republic of Korea
| | - Minhyung Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Song KM, Choi MJ, Kwon MH, Ghatak K, Park SH, Ryu DS, Ryu JK, Suh JK. Optimizing in vivo gene transfer into mouse corpus cavernosum by use of surface electroporation. Korean J Urol 2015; 56:197-204. [PMID: 25763123 PMCID: PMC4355430 DOI: 10.4111/kju.2015.56.3.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Electroporation is known to enhance the efficiency of gene transfer through a transient increase in cell membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for in vivo electroporation-mediated gene delivery into mouse corpus cavernosum. Materials and Methods Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin. After intracavernous injection of pCMV-Luc (100 µg/40 µL), different electroporation settings (5-50 V, 8-16 pulses with a duration of 40-100 ms) were applied to the penis to establish the optimal conditions for electroporation. Gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay. We also assessed the undesired consequences of electroporation by visual inspection and hematoxylin-eosin staining of penile tissue. Results Electroporation profoundly induced gene expression in the corpus cavernosum tissue of normal mice in a voltage-dependent manner. We observed electrical burn scars in the penis of normal mice who received electroporation with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 50 V and sixteen 40-ms pulses, eight 100-ms pulses, and sixteen 100-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. No detectable burn scars were noted in normal mice stimulated with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. Electroporation also significantly induced gene expression in diabetic mice stimulated with 40-ms pulse at a voltage of 30 V without injury to the penis. Conclusions We have established the optimal electroporation conditions for maximizing gene transfer into the corpus cavernosum of mice while avoiding damage to the erectile tissue. The electroporation-mediated gene delivery technique will be a valuable tool for gene therapy in the field of erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Moon Song
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Min Ji Choi
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Mi-Hye Kwon
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Kalyan Ghatak
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Soo-Hwan Park
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Dong-Soo Ryu
- Department of Urology, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Ji-Kan Ryu
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jun-Kyu Suh
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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Ryu JK, Choi MJ, Kim TI, Jin HR, Kwon KD, Batbold D, Song KM, Kwon MH, Yin GN, Lee M, Kim SW, Suh JK. A guanidinylated bioreducible polymer as a novel gene carrier to the corpus cavernosum of mice with high-cholesterol diet-induced erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2013; 1:216-22. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2012.00057.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J.-K. Ryu
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - M. J. Choi
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - T.-I. Kim
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry; University of Utah; Salt Lake City; UT; USA
| | | | - K.-D. Kwon
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - D. Batbold
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - K.-M. Song
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - M.-H. Kwon
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - G. N. Yin
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
| | - M. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering; College of Engineering, Hanyang University; Seoul; Korea
| | - S. W. Kim
- Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry; University of Utah; Salt Lake City; UT; USA
| | - J.-K. Suh
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology; Inha University School of Medicine; Incheon; Korea
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Ryu JK, Suh JK. Therapeutic angiogenesis as a potential future treatment strategy for erectile dysfunction. World J Mens Health 2012; 30:93-8. [PMID: 23596595 PMCID: PMC3623526 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.2012.30.2.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cavernous endothelium plays a crucial role in regulating the tone of the underlying smooth muscle and physiologic penile erection. Recently, the link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease was unveiled, and the main etiology of ED was found to be vasculogenic. Although oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are generally effective for men with ED, such therapies do not cure underlying vasculopathy in the corpus cavernosum tissue. This review addresses current preclinical protein, gene, and cell or stem cell therapies for enhancing cavernous endothelial regeneration and restoring erectile function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Kan Ryu
- Department of Urology, National Research Center for Sexual Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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Kim HA, Park JH, Lee S, Choi JS, Rhim T, Lee M. Combined delivery of dexamethasone and plasmid DNA in an animal model of LPS-induced acute lung injury. J Control Release 2011; 156:60-9. [PMID: 21763372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Revised: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dexamethasone was conjugated to low molecular weight polyethylenimine (2kDa, PEI2k). Dexamethasone conjugated PEI2k (PEI2k-Dexa) was evaluated as a combined delivery carrier of dexamethasone and plasmid DNA (pDNA) in an animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury (ALI). In vitro transfection of L2 lung epithelial cells, PEI2k-Dexa exhibited higher transfection efficiency than PEI2k or a simple mixture of PEI2k and dexamethasone. In addition, the PEI2k-Dexa/pβ-Luc complexes reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS activated Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of PEI2k-Dexa was higher than that of controls. The PEI2k-Dexa/pβ-Luc complexes were administered to mice via intratracheal injection. PEI2k-Dexa had higher pDNA delivery efficiency than PEI2k in the lung and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 in the lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid compared with the controls. Furthermore, total protein and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations in BAL fluid were reduced by the PEI2k-Dexa/pβ-Luc complexes. The intratracheal injection of the PEI2k-Dexa/pcDNA-EGFP complexes in the ALI model showed higher EGFP expression compared with PEI2k. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed that PEI2k-Dexa reduced inflammatory reaction in the lung. Therefore, PEI2k-Dexa may be useful for combination gene and drug therapy for ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ah Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Lysiak JJ, Kavoussi PK, Ellati RT, Steers WD, Annex BH. Angiogenesis Therapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2010; 7:2554-63. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01830.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Kim JM, Lee M, Kim KH, Ha Y, Choi JK, Park SR, Park H, Park HC, Ahn CH, Kim SW, Choi BH. Gene therapy of neural cell injuries in vitro using the hypoxia-inducible GM-CSF expression plasmids and water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP). J Control Release 2008; 133:60-7. [PMID: 18938203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2008.09.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Non-viral polymeric gene carriers have been widely investigated but no promising biocompatible polymer was developed for the gene therapy of neural system injuries yet. This study evaluated the potential usage of water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP) as a gene delivery vehicle in neural lineage cells of SK-N-BE(2)C, a neuroblastoma cell line and primary culture of mouse neural progenitor cells (mNPCs). When tested with the luciferase reporter (pSV-Luc), WSLP showed higher gene transfection efficiency by more than 8-10 folds yet with lower cytotoxicity than polyethylenimine of 1800 Da (PEI1800), a parental polymer, and Lipofectamine 2000. The optimum N/P ratios were 40:1 for WSLP and 10:1 for PEI1800, respectively. The transfection efficiency for both of WSLP and PEI1800 was higher overall in SK-N-BE(2)C cells than in mNPCs. WSLP was also used successfully for the delivery and hypoxia-inducible expression of luciferase reporter plasmid containing the erythropoietin (Epo) enhancer (pEpo-SV-Luc) or RTP801 promoter (pRTP801-Luc). The hypoxia-inducible system and WSLP were then successfully applied to the delivery of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene that was previously shown to have neuroprotective effect on neural cell death in vitro and in rat SCI model. The hypoxia-inducible GM-CSF plasmids (pEpo-SV-GM-CSF and pRTP801-GM-CSF) showed induced expression of GM-CSF under hypoxia and decrease in the hypoxia-induced cell death in SK-N-BE(2)C cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that WSLP could be an efficient gene delivery carrier for neural cells and gene therapy of GM-CSF using the hypoxia-inducible system could be a potential therapeutic intervention for neural injuries. Further studies are necessary to confirm the current findings in animal models of CNS injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Mo Kim
- Department of Physiology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
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Polymeric gene delivery of ischemia-inducible VEGF significantly attenuates infarct size and apoptosis following myocardial infarct. Gene Ther 2008; 16:127-35. [PMID: 18784748 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2008.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The development of clinically beneficial myocardial gene therapy has been slowed by reliance on the use of viral carriers and non-physiologic, constitutive gene expression. To specifically address these issues, we have developed a non-viral gene carrier, water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP), and an ischemia-inducible plasmid construct expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pRTP801-VEGF, to treat myocardial ischemia and infarction. Rabbits underwent ligation of the circumflex artery followed by injection of (a) an ischemia-inducible VEGF gene construct in a WSLP carrier; (b) a constitutively expressed, or unregulated, SV-VEGF gene construct in a WSLP carrier; (c) WSLP carrier alone; or (d) no injection therapy. Following 4 weeks treatment, ligation alone resulted in infarction of 48+/-7% of the left ventricle. With injection of WSLP carrier alone, 49+/-6% of the left ventricle was infarcted (P=NS). The constitutively expressed gene construct, SV-VEGF, reduced the infarct size to 32+/-7% of the left ventricle (P=0.007). The ischemia-inducible gene construct, RTP801-VEGF, further reduced the infarct size to 13+/-4% of the left ventricle (P<0.001). The use of a non-viral carrier to deliver an ischemia-inducible VEGF construct is effective in the treatment of acutely ischemic myocardium.
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Gur S, Kadowitz PJ, Hellstrom WJG. A review of current progress in gene and stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008; 8:1521-38. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.8.10.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Lee M, Ryu JK, Piao S, Choi MJ, Kim HA, Zhang LW, Shin HY, Jung HI, Kim IH, Kim SW, Suh JK. Efficient gene expression system using the RTP801 promoter in the corpus cavernosum of high-cholesterol diet-induced erectile dysfunction rats for gene therapy. J Sex Med 2008; 5:1355-64. [PMID: 18312285 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00771.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The application of gene therapy for a nonlife-threatening disease, such as erectile dysfunction (ED), requires a higher safety level and more efficacious systems for gene transfer. AIM To establish a novel technique for gene expression in a rat model of hypercholesterolemic ED that uses the RTP801 promoter, a hypoxia-inducible promoter. METHODS Two-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid, and age-matched control animals were fed a normal diet, for 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cavernous expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha was evaluated by Western blot. After intracavernous injection of pSV-Luc or pRTP801-Luc, gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay, and the gene expression area was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS HIF-1alpha was up-regulated in the corpus cavernosum of hypercholesterolemic rats. Although pSV-Luc did not induce gene expression in either the control or the cholesterol group, pRTP801-Luc significantly induced gene expression in the cholesterol group and resulted in higher luciferase activity than did pSV-Luc up to 14 days after injection. Immunohistochemistry showed that the gene expression area was also greater in the pRTP801-Luc group than in the pSV-Luc group, but the difference was not as great as that in luciferase activity. This suggests that pRTP801-Luc exerts its effect mainly by inducing promoter activity under hypoxia, not by increasing the number of transfected cells. CONCLUSION The RTP801 promoter-driven gene expression system increased gene expression in the corpus cavernosum tissue of rats with cholesterol-induced ED. This may be a useful system for the development of gene therapy in vasculogenic ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhyung Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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Mills JN, Dall'Era JE, Carlsen SN, Koul H, Meacham RB. Gene therapy for erectile dysfunction. Pharmacogenomics 2008; 8:979-84. [PMID: 17716231 DOI: 10.2217/14622416.8.8.979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction is a disease that affects half of American men aged over 50 years. Many men respond to oral phosphodiesterase inhibitors but many do not. For this reason, many researchers are focusing their efforts on developing novel gene therapies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Aided by the meticulous characterization of the molecular cascades involved in the physiology of erection, several groups around the world are studying gene therapies in animal models, and one in a human clinical trial. Here we provide a review of the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction and how it relates to the molecular targets of novel gene therapeutics. The field of gene therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is continually growing, and this decade will likely see exciting results as the expansion from animal models to human clinical trials continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse N Mills
- University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Denver, CO, USA.
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy using a nonviral gene delivery system improves erectile function in a diabetic rat model. Int J Impot Res 2008; 20:307-14. [DOI: 10.1038/ijir.2008.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Lau DHW, Kommu SS, Siddiqui EJ, Thompson CS, Morgan RJ, Mikhailidis DP, Mumtaz FH. Gene therapy and erectile dysfunction: the current status. Asian J Androl 2007; 9:8-15. [PMID: 16888683 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00224.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Current available treatment options for erectile dysfunction (ED) are effective but not without failure and/or side effects. Although the development of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (i.e. sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil) has revolutionized the treatment of ED, these oral medications require on-demand access and are not as effective in treating ED related to diabetic, post-prostatectomy and severe veno-occlusive disease states. Improvement in the treatment of ED is dependent on understanding the regulation of human corporal smooth muscle tone and on the identification of relevant molecular targets. Future ED therapies might consider the application of molecular technologies such as gene therapy. As a potential therapeutic tool, gene therapy might provide an effective and specific means for altering intracavernous pressure "on demand" without affecting resting penile function. However, the safety of gene therapy remains a major hurdle to overcome before being accepted as a mainstream treatment for ED. Gene therapy aims to cure the underlying conditions in ED, including fibrosis. Furthermore, gene therapy might help prolong the efficacy of the PDE5 inhibitors by improving penile nitric oxide bioactivity. It is feasible to apply gene therapy to the penis because of its location and accessibility, low penile circulatory flow in the flaccid state and the presence of endothelial lined (lacunar) spaces. This review provides a brief insight of the current role of gene therapy in the management of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H W Lau
- Department of Urology, Royal Free Hospital and University College Medical School, University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
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Kendirci M, Teloken PE, Champion HC, Hellstrom WJG, Bivalacqua TJ. Gene Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Fact or Fiction? Eur Urol 2006; 50:1208-22. [PMID: 16950560 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2006.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2006] [Accepted: 08/02/2006] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major health problem that seriously affects the quality of life of patients and their partners. Although all three selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) are effective in the majority of ED cases, PDE5-I therapy is less efficacious in some hard-to-treat populations (diabetics, men after radical prostatectomy), prompting the development of new approaches, including gene therapy strategies for ED. METHODS Gene therapy approaches are discussed in terms of the possible role of gene therapy for the treatment of ED, potential targets for gene transfer, vectors to carry targeted genes, and gene strategies for ED in certain disease states, such as diabetes, ageing, arterial and venogenic insufficiency, and cavernous nerve injury. RESULTS The penis is a convenient tissue target for gene therapy because of its external location and accessibility, the ubiquity of endothelial-lined spaces, and low level of blood flow, especially in the flaccid state. Gene therapy approaches have focused on a number of signaling pathways that are crucial for penile erection, such as nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate, RhoA/Rho-kinase, growth factors, ion channels, peptides, and control of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS The need for effective ED therapies in difficult-to-treat patients has encouraged investigators to seek novel modalities for the treatment of ED. Recent preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated that gene therapy strategies may be feasible for these purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muammer Kendirci
- Department of Urology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ryu JK, Cho CH, Shin HY, Song SU, Oh SM, Lee M, Piao S, Han JY, Kim IH, Koh GY, Suh JK. Combined Angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor gene transfer restores cavernous angiogenesis and erectile function in a rat model of hypercholesterolemia. Mol Ther 2006; 13:705-15. [PMID: 16380295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2005] [Revised: 10/03/2005] [Accepted: 10/04/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia-related endothelial cell dysfunction and decreased endothelium-derived nitric oxide formation may account for impaired angiogenesis and subsequent erectile dysfunction. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is a critical angiogenic factor for vascular maturation and enhances vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis in a complementary manner. We hypothesized that combined adenovirus-delivered human Ang1 (ad-Ang1) and VEGF165 (ad-VEGF165) gene transfer might promote angiogenesis cooperatively in a rat model of hypercholesterolemic erectile dysfunction and result in a recovery of erectile function. Ad-Ang1 and ad-VEGF165 were injected either alone or in combination into the corpus cavernosum of the penis. Combined gene transfer of both ad-Ang1 and ad-VEGF165 significantly increased cavernous angiogenesis, eNOS phosphorylation, and cGMP expression compared with that in the groups treated with either therapy alone. Erectile function, as evaluated by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve 2 and 8 weeks after treatment, was completely restored in the combined treatment group, whereas intracavernous injection of either ad-Ang1 or ad-VEGF165 alone elicited partial improvement. The results indicate that combined application of angiogenic factors may enhance cavernous angiogenesis cooperatively by reinforcing the endothelium both structurally and functionally, which results in an additive effect on erectile function in hypercholesterolemic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Kan Ryu
- Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-711, Republic of Korea
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