1
|
Turuvekere Vittala Murthy N, Vlasova K, Renner J, Jozic A, Sahay G. A new era of targeting cystic fibrosis with non-viral delivery of genomic medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115305. [PMID: 38626860 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115305] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex genetic respiratory disorder that necessitates innovative gene delivery strategies to address the mutations in the gene. This review delves into the promises and challenges of non-viral gene delivery for CF therapy and explores strategies to overcome these hurdles. Several emerging technologies and nucleic acid cargos for CF gene therapy are discussed. Novel formulation approaches including lipid and polymeric nanoparticles promise enhanced delivery through the CF mucus barrier, augmenting the potential of non-viral strategies. Additionally, safety considerations and regulatory perspectives play a crucial role in navigating the path toward clinical translation of gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kseniia Vlasova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Jonas Renner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Antony Jozic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Gaurav Sahay
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Robertson Life Sciences Building, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Berdecka D, De Smedt SC, De Vos WH, Braeckmans K. Non-viral delivery of RNA for therapeutic T cell engineering. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 208:115215. [PMID: 38401848 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115215] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell transfer has shown great success in treating blood cancers, resulting in a growing number of FDA-approved therapies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells. However, the effectiveness of this treatment for solid tumors is still not satisfactory, emphasizing the need for improved T cell engineering strategies and combination approaches. Currently, CAR T cells are mainly manufactured using gammaretroviral and lentiviral vectors due to their high transduction efficiency. However, there are concerns about their safety, the high cost of producing them in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), regulatory obstacles, and limited cargo capacity, which limit the broader use of engineered T cell therapies. To overcome these limitations, researchers have explored non-viral approaches, such as membrane permeabilization and carrier-mediated methods, as more versatile and sustainable alternatives for next-generation T cell engineering. Non-viral delivery methods can be designed to transport a wide range of molecules, including RNA, which allows for more controlled and safe modulation of T cell phenotype and function. In this review, we provide an overview of non-viral RNA delivery in adoptive T cell therapy. We first define the different types of RNA therapeutics, highlighting recent advancements in manufacturing for their therapeutic use. We then discuss the challenges associated with achieving effective RNA delivery in T cells. Next, we provide an overview of current and emerging technologies for delivering RNA into T cells. Finally, we discuss ongoing preclinical and clinical studies involving RNA-modified T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Berdecka
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shokouhi AR, Chen Y, Yoh HZ, Murayama T, Suu K, Morikawa Y, Brenker J, Alan T, Voelcker NH, Elnathan R. Electroactive nanoinjection platform for intracellular delivery and gene silencing. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:273. [PMID: 37592297 PMCID: PMC10433684 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoinjection-the process of intracellular delivery using vertically configured nanostructures-is a physical route that efficiently negotiates the plasma membrane, with minimal perturbation and toxicity to the cells. Nanoinjection, as a physical membrane-disruption-mediated approach, overcomes challenges associated with conventional carrier-mediated approaches such as safety issues (with viral carriers), genotoxicity, limited packaging capacity, low levels of endosomal escape, and poor versatility for cell and cargo types. Yet, despite the implementation of nanoinjection tools and their assisted analogues in diverse cellular manipulations, there are still substantial challenges in harnessing these platforms to gain access into cell interiors with much greater precision without damaging the cell's intricate structure. Here, we propose a non-viral, low-voltage, and reusable electroactive nanoinjection (ENI) platform based on vertically configured conductive nanotubes (NTs) that allows for rapid influx of targeted biomolecular cargos into the intracellular environment, and for successful gene silencing. The localization of electric fields at the tight interface between conductive NTs and the cell membrane drastically lowers the voltage required for cargo delivery into the cells, from kilovolts (for bulk electroporation) to only ≤ 10 V; this enhances the fine control over membrane disruption and mitigates the problem of high cell mortality experienced by conventional electroporation. RESULTS Through both theoretical simulations and experiments, we demonstrate the capability of the ENI platform to locally perforate GPE-86 mouse fibroblast cells and efficiently inject a diverse range of membrane-impermeable biomolecules with efficacy of 62.5% (antibody), 55.5% (mRNA), and 51.8% (plasmid DNA), with minimal impact on cells' viability post nanoscale-EP (> 90%). We also show gene silencing through the delivery of siRNA that targets TRIOBP, yielding gene knockdown efficiency of 41.3%. CONCLUSIONS We anticipate that our non-viral and low-voltage ENI platform is set to offer a new safe path to intracellular delivery with broader selection of cargo and cell types, and will open opportunities for advanced ex vivo cell engineering and gene silencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali-Reza Shokouhi
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Yaping Chen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Hao Zhe Yoh
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Takahide Murayama
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Koukou Suu
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Morikawa
- Institute of Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies, ULVAC Inc, 1220-1 Suyama, Susono, Shizuoka, 410-1231, Japan
| | - Jason Brenker
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Tuncay Alan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Roey Elnathan
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mbatha LS, Akinyelu J, Maiyo F, Kudanga T. Future prospects in mRNA vaccine development. Biomed Mater 2023; 18:052006. [PMID: 37589309 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aceceb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The recent advancements in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine development have vastly enhanced their use as alternatives to conventional vaccines in the prevention of various infectious diseases and treatment of several types of cancers. This is mainly due to their remarkable ability to stimulate specific immune responses with minimal clinical side effects. This review gives a detailed overview of mRNA vaccines currently in use or at various stages of development, the recent advancements in mRNA vaccine development, and the challenges encountered in their development. Future perspectives on this technology are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Londiwe Simphiwe Mbatha
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Jude Akinyelu
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria
| | - Fiona Maiyo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Kabarak University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tukayi Kudanga
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu C, Shi Q, Huang X, Koo S, Kong N, Tao W. mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. Nat Rev Cancer 2023:10.1038/s41568-023-00586-2. [PMID: 37311817 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the fact that mRNA technology allows the production of diverse vaccines and treatments in a shorter time frame and with reduced expense compared to conventional approaches, there has been a surge in the use of mRNA-based therapeutics in recent years. With the aim of encoding tumour antigens for cancer vaccines, cytokines for immunotherapy, tumour suppressors to inhibit tumour development, chimeric antigen receptors for engineered T cell therapy or genome-editing proteins for gene therapy, many of these therapeutics have shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies, and some have even entered clinical trials. Given the evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of clinically approved mRNA vaccines, coupled with growing interest in mRNA-based therapeutics, mRNA technology is poised to become one of the major pillars in cancer drug development. In this Review, we present in vitro transcribed mRNA-based therapeutics for cancer treatment, including the characteristics of the various types of synthetic mRNA, the packaging systems for efficient mRNA delivery, preclinical and clinical studies, current challenges and future prospects in the field. We anticipate the translation of promising mRNA-based treatments into clinical applications, to ultimately benefit patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Liu
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiangqiang Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangang Huang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seyoung Koo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anaesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ermilova I, Swenson J. Ionizable lipids penetrate phospholipid bilayers with high phase transition temperatures: perspectives from free energy calculations. Chem Phys Lipids 2023; 253:105294. [PMID: 37003484 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2023.105294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The efficacies of modern gene-therapies strongly depend on their contents. At the same time the most potent formulations might not contain the best compounds. In this work we investigated the effect of phospholipids and their saturation on the binding ability of (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriacont-6,9,28,31-tetraene-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA) to model membranes at the neutral pH. We discovered that DLin-MC3-DMA has affinity to the most saturated monocomponent lipid bilayer 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and an aversion to the unsaturated one 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). The preference to a certain membrane was also well-correlated to the phase transition temperatures of phospholipid bilayers, and to their structural and dynamical properties. Additionally, in the case of the presence of DLin-MC3-DMA in the membrane with DOPC the ionizable lipid penetrated it, which indicates possible synergistic effects. Comparisons with other ionizable lipids were performed using a model lipid bilayer of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). Particularly, the lipids heptadecan-9-yl 8-[2-hydroxyethyl-(6-oxo-6-undecoxyhexyl)amino]octanoate (SM-102) and [(4-Hydroxybutyl) azanediyl] di(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315) from modern mRNA-vaccines against COVID-19 were investigated and force fields parameters were derived for those new lipids. It was discovered that ALC-0315 binds strongest to the membrane, while DLin-MC3-DMA is not able to reside in the bilayer center. The ability to penetrate the membrane POPC by SM-102 and ALC-0315 can be related to their saturation, comparing to DLin-MC3-DMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inna Ermilova
- Department of Physics, Chalmers Uiversity of Technology, SE 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Jan Swenson
- Department of Physics, Chalmers Uiversity of Technology, SE 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cui T, Fakhfakh K, Turney H, Güler-Gane G, Toloczko A, Hulley M, Turner R. Comprehensive studies on building a scalable downstream process for mRNAs to enable mRNA therapeutics. Biotechnol Prog 2023; 39:e3301. [PMID: 36101497 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, mRNA-based therapeutics have been a fast-growing new class of biologics that can, in principle, encode any protein(s) directly in patients to treat various diseases. mRNA vaccines have been proven to work efficiently, have high potency, and can be rapidly developed and deployed, which is critical for a quick responses in the case of a pandemic. Such agile development is enabled by rapid synthesis of RNA in vitro using recombinant enzymes rather than relying on lengthy and complex cell culture processes. mRNA exhibits physical and chemical properties differing from protein-based therapeutics. It is highly negatively charged and the hydroxyl group makes mRNA less stable and more susceptible to hydrolysis and nucleophilic cleavage. This novel work shares comprehensive studies carried out to compare the performance of various mRNA purification strategies by considering its scalability and critical quality attributes. In addition, the paper provides insights on how to establish a scalable mRNA purification process that consists of ultrafiltration/diafiltration and chromatography steps with good recoveries. Alternative Oligo(dT) based columns were further explored aiming to improve total process recovery. With Oligo(dT) as a capture step, overall recoveries of 70% can be achieved for mRNAs studied here that encode anti-influenza immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Cui
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kareem Fakhfakh
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah Turney
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gülin Güler-Gane
- Biologics Engineering, Early Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aleksandra Toloczko
- Biologics Engineering, Early Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martyn Hulley
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard Turner
- Purification Process Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zadory M, Lopez E, Babity S, Gravel SP, Brambilla D. Current knowledge on the tissue distribution of mRNA nanocarriers for therapeutic protein expression. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:6077-6115. [PMID: 36097955 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm00859a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Exogenously delivered mRNA-based drugs are emerging as a new class of therapeutics with the potential to treat several diseases. Over the last decade, advancements in the design of non-viral delivery tools have enabled mRNA to be evaluated for several therapeutic purposes including protein replacement therapies, gene editing, and vaccines. However, in vivo delivery of mRNA to targeted organs and cells remains a critical challenge. Evaluation of the biodistribution of mRNA vehicles is of utmost importance for the development of effective pharmaceutical candidates. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the design of nanoparticles loaded with mRNA and extrapolate the key factors influencing their biodistribution following administration. Finally, we highlight the latest developments in the preclinical and clinical translation of mRNA therapeutics for protein supplementation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Zadory
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2940 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Elliot Lopez
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2940 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Samuel Babity
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2940 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Simon-Pierre Gravel
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2940 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Davide Brambilla
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2940 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu A, Wang X. The Pivotal Role of Chemical Modifications in mRNA Therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:901510. [PMID: 35912117 PMCID: PMC9326091 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.901510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After over a decade of development, mRNA has recently matured into a potent modality for therapeutics. The advantages of mRNA therapeutics, including their rapid development and scalability, have been highlighted due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, in which the first two clinically approved mRNA vaccines have been spotlighted. These vaccines, as well as multiple other mRNA therapeutic candidates, are modified to modulate their immunogenicity, stability, and translational efficiency. Despite the importance of mRNA modifications for harnessing the full efficacy of mRNA drugs, the full breadth of potential modifications has yet to be explored clinically. In this review, we survey the field of mRNA modifications, highlighting their ability to tune the properties of mRNAs. These include cap and tail modifications, nucleoside substitutions, and chimeric mRNAs, each of which represents a component of mRNA that can be exploited for modification. Additionally, we cover clinical and preclinical trials of the modified mRNA platform not only to illustrate the promise of modified mRNAs but also to call attention to the room for diversifying future therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Xiao Wang,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Qureischi M, Mohr J, Arellano-Viera E, Knudsen SE, Vohidov F, Garitano-Trojaola A. mRNA-based therapies: Preclinical and clinical applications. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 372:1-54. [PMID: 36064262 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
At the fundamental level, messenger RNA (mRNA)-based therapeutics involves the delivery of in vitro-transcribed (IVT) mRNA into the cytoplasm of a target cell, where it is translated into the desired protein. IVT mRNA presents various advantages compared to DNA and recombinant protein-based approaches that make it ideal for a broad range of therapeutic applications. IVT mRNA, which is translated in the cytoplasm after transfection into cells, can encode virtually any target protein. Notably, it does not enter the nucleus, which avoids its integration into the genome and the risk of insertional mutagenesis. The large-scale production of IVT mRNA is less complex than production of recombinant proteins, and Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant mRNA production is easily scalable, ideally poising mRNA for not only off-the-shelf, but more personalized treatment approaches. IVT mRNA's safety profile, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, including its inherent immunostimulatory capacity, can be optimized for different therapeutic applications by harnessing a wide array of optimized sequence elements, chemical modifications, purification techniques, and delivery methods. The value of IVT mRNA was recently proved during the COVID-19 pandemic when mRNA-based vaccines outperformed the efficacy of established technologies, and millions of doses were rapidly deployed. In this review, we will discuss chemical modifications of IVT mRNA and highlight numerous preclinical and clinical applications including vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases, cancer immunotherapy, protein replacement, gene editing, and cell reprogramming.
Collapse
|
11
|
Córdoba KM, Jericó D, Sampedro A, Jiang L, Iraburu MJ, Martini PGV, Berraondo P, Avila MA, Fontanellas A. Messenger RNA as a personalized therapy: The moment of truth for rare metabolic diseases. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 372:55-96. [PMID: 36064267 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) encompass a group of monogenic diseases affecting both pediatric and adult populations and currently lack effective treatments. Some IEM such as familial hypercholesterolemia or X-linked protoporphyria are caused by gain of function mutations, while others are characterized by an impaired protein function, causing a metabolic pathway blockage. Pathophysiology classification includes intoxication, storage and energy-related metabolic disorders. Factors specific to each disease trigger acute metabolic decompensations. IEM require prompt and effective care, since therapeutic delay has been associated with the development of fatal events including severe metabolic acidosis, hyperammonemia, cerebral edema, and death. Rapid expression of therapeutic proteins can be achieved hours after the administration of messenger RNAs (mRNA), representing an etiological solution for acute decompensations. mRNA-based therapy relies on modified RNAs with enhanced stability and translatability into therapeutic proteins. The proteins produced in the ribosomes can be targeted to specific intracellular compartments, the cell membrane, or be secreted. Non-immunogenic lipid nanoparticle formulations have been optimized to prevent RNA degradation and to allow safe repetitive administrations depending on the disease physiopathology and clinical status of the patients, thus, mRNA could be also an effective chronic treatment for IEM. Given that the liver plays a key role in most of metabolic pathways or can be used as bioreactor for excretable proteins, this review focuses on the preclinical and clinical evidence that supports the implementation of mRNA technology as a promising personalized strategy for liver metabolic disorders such as acute intermittent porphyria, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or glycogen storage disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol M Córdoba
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Daniel Jericó
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Sampedro
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lei Jiang
- Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - María J Iraburu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics. School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Pedro Berraondo
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kwon S, Kwon M, Im S, Lee K, Lee H. mRNA vaccines: the most recent clinical applications of synthetic mRNA. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:245-262. [PMID: 35426547 PMCID: PMC9012156 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01381-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic mRNA has been considered as an emerging biotherapeutic agent for the past decades. Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the first clinical use of synthetic mRNA. mRNA vaccines showed far surpassing influences on the public as compared to other vaccine platforms such as viral vector vaccines and recombinant protein vaccines. It allowed rapid development and production of vaccines that have never been achieved in history. Synthetic mRNA, called in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA, is the key component of mRNA vaccines. It has several advantages over conventional gene-expressing systems such as plasmid DNA and viral vectors. It can translate proteins in the cytoplasm by structurally resembling natural mRNA and exhibit various protein expression patterns depending on how it is engineered. Another advantage is that synthetic mRNA enables fast, scalable, and cost-effective production. Therefore, starting with the mRNA vaccine, synthetic mRNA is now in the spotlight as a promising new drug development agent. In this review, we will summarize the latest IVT mRNA technology such as new mRNA structures or large-scale production. In addition, the nature of the innate immunogenicity of IVT mRNA will be discussed along with its roles in the development of vaccines. Finally, the principles of the mRNA vaccine and the future direction of synthetic mRNA will be provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suji Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Minseon Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongeun Im
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuri Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyukjin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gao M, Zhang Q, Feng XH, Liu J. Synthetic modified messenger RNA for therapeutic applications. Acta Biomater 2021; 131:1-15. [PMID: 34133982 PMCID: PMC8198544 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic modified messenger RNA (mRNA) has manifested great potentials for therapeutic applications such as vaccines and gene therapies, with the recent mRNA vaccines for global pandemic COVID-19 (corona virus disease 2019) attracting the tremendous attention. The chemical modifications and delivery vehicles of synthetic mRNAs are the two key factors for their in vivo therapeutic applications. Chemical modifications like nucleoside methylation endow the synthetic mRNAs with high stability and reduced stimulation of innate immunity. The development of scalable production of synthetic mRNA and efficient mRNA formulation and delivery strategies in recent years have remarkably advanced the field. It is worth noticing that we had limited knowledge on the roles of mRNA modifications in the past. However, the last decade has witnessed not only new discoveries of several naturally occurring mRNA modifications but also substantial advances in understanding their roles on regulating gene expression. It is highly necessary to reconsider the therapeutic system made by synthetic modified mRNAs and delivery vectors. In this review, we will mainly discuss the roles of various chemical modifications on synthetic mRNAs, briefly summarize the progresses of mRNA delivery strategies, and highlight some latest mRNA therapeutics applications including infectious disease vaccines, cancer immunotherapy, mRNA-based genetic reprogramming and protein replacement, mRNA-based gene editing. Statement of significance The development of synthetic mRNA drug holds great promise but lies behind small molecule and protein drugs largely due to the challenging issues regarding its stability, immunogenicity and potency. In the last 15 years, these issues have beensubstantially addressed by synthesizing chemically modified mRNA and developing powerful delivery systems; the mRNA therapeutics has entered an exciting new era begun with the approved mRNA vaccines for the COVID-19 infection disease. Here, we provide recent progresses in understanding the biological roles of various RNA chemical modifications, in developing mRNA delivery systems, and in advancing the emerging mRNA-based therapeutic applications, with the purpose to inspire the community to spawn new ideas for curing diseases.
Collapse
|
14
|
Fu X, Chen T, Song Y, Feng C, Chen H, Zhang Q, Chen G, Zhu X. mRNA Delivery by a pH-Responsive DNA Nano-Hydrogel. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101224. [PMID: 34145748 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The delivery of mRNA to manipulate protein expression has attracted widespread attention, since that mRNA overcomes the problem of infection and mutation risks in transgenes and can work as drugs for the treatment of diseases. Although there are currently some vehicles that deliver mRNA into cells, they have not yet reached a good balance in terms of expression efficiency and biocompatibility. Here, a DNA nano-hydrogel system for mRNA delivery is developed. The nano-hydrogel is all composed of DNA except the target mRNA, so it has superior biocompatibility compared with those chemical vehicles. In parallel, the nano-hydrogel can be compacted into a nanosphere under the crosslinking by well-designed "X"-shaped DNA scaffolds and DNA linkers, facilitating the delivery into cells through endocytosis. In addition, smart intracellular release of the mRNA is achieved by incorporating a pH-responsive i-motif structure into the nano-hydrogel. Thus, taking the efficient delivery and release together, mRNA can be translated into the corresponding protein with a high efficiency, which is comparable to that of the commercial liposome but with a much better biocompatibility. Due to the excellent biocompatibility and efficiency, this nano-hydrogel system is expected to become a competitive alternative for delivering functional mRNA in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fu
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Tianshu Chen
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Song
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Chang Feng
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Huinan Chen
- College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Guifang Chen
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Beck JD, Reidenbach D, Salomon N, Sahin U, Türeci Ö, Vormehr M, Kranz LM. mRNA therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:69. [PMID: 33858437 PMCID: PMC8047518 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01348-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic mRNA provides a template for the synthesis of any given protein, protein fragment or peptide and lends itself to a broad range of pharmaceutical applications, including different modalities of cancer immunotherapy. With the ease of rapid, large scale Good Manufacturing Practice-grade mRNA production, mRNA is ideally poised not only for off-the shelf cancer vaccines but also for personalized neoantigen vaccination. The ability to stimulate pattern recognition receptors and thus an anti-viral type of innate immune response equips mRNA-based vaccines with inherent adjuvanticity. Nucleoside modification and elimination of double-stranded RNA can reduce the immunomodulatory activity of mRNA and increase and prolong protein production. In combination with nanoparticle-based formulations that increase transfection efficiency and facilitate lymphatic system targeting, nucleoside-modified mRNA enables efficient delivery of cytokines, costimulatory receptors, or therapeutic antibodies. Steady but transient production of the encoded bioactive molecule from the mRNA template can improve the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety properties as compared to the respective recombinant proteins. This may be harnessed for applications that benefit from a higher level of expression control, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified adoptive T-cell therapies. This review highlights the advancements in the field of mRNA-based cancer therapeutics, providing insights into key preclinical developments and the evolving clinical landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan D Beck
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel Reidenbach
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University gGmbH, Freiligrathstraße 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadja Salomon
- TRON - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University gGmbH, Freiligrathstraße 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Türeci
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Lena M Kranz
- BioNTech SE, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Thuille N, Sajinovic T, Siegmund K, Baier G. Chemically modified mRNA nucleofection of primary human T cells. J Immunol Methods 2020; 487:112878. [PMID: 33031795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2020.112878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Here we show that an approach of in-vitro transcribed mRNA nucleofection expands the range of transfection of primary human T cells. It represents a reproducible and time-efficient technology, and is thus an ideal tool in basic research involving highly controlled in-vitro experiments with a gene of interest aiming at identifying its biological human T cell function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Thuille
- Department of Pharmacology and Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Tajana Sajinovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kerstin Siegmund
- Department of Pharmacology and Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gottfried Baier
- Department of Pharmacology and Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy has proven effective against hematologic malignancies and demonstrated efficacy against a variety of solid tumors in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Nonetheless, antitumor responses against solid tumors remain modest, highlighting the need to enhance the effectiveness of this therapy. Genetic modification of T cells with RNA has been explored to enhance T-cell antigen specificity, effector function, and migration to tumor sites, thereby potentiating antitumor immunity. This review describes the rationale for RNA-electroporated T cell modifications and provides an overview of their applications in preclinical and clinical investigations for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pohl-Guimarães
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lan B Hoang-Minh
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Duane A Mitchell
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
In Vitro-Transcribed mRNA Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell (IVT mRNA CAR T) Therapy in Hematologic and Solid Tumor Management: A Preclinical Update. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186514. [PMID: 32899932 PMCID: PMC7556036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell immunotherapy has received considerable interest in the treatment of cancer. In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy has emerged as a promising therapy in cancer treatment. In CAR T therapy, T cells from the patients are collected, reprogrammed genetically against tumor antigens, and reintroduced into the patients to trigger an immense immune response against cancer cells. CAR T therapy is successful in hematologic malignancies; however, in solid tumors, CAR T therapy faces multiple challenges, including the on-target off-tumor phenomenon, as most of the tumor-associated antigens are expressed in normal cells as well. Consequently, a transient in vitro-transcribed anti-mRNA-based CAR T cell (IVT mRNA CAR T) approach has been investigated to produce controlled cytotoxicity for a limited duration to avoid any undesirable effects in patients. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the therapeutic ability of mRNA-engineered T cells in solid tumors, including melanoma, neuroblastoma and ovarian cancer; however, very few clinical trials are registered. In the present review, we discuss the effect of IVT mRNA CAR T therapy in preclinical studies related to hematologic malignancies and solid tumor management. In addition, we discuss the clinical trial studies based on IVT mRNA CAR T therapy in cancer.
Collapse
|
19
|
Nanomedicines to Deliver mRNA: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10020364. [PMID: 32093140 PMCID: PMC7075285 DOI: 10.3390/nano10020364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) in gene therapy is increasing in recent years, due to its unique features compared to plasmid DNA: Transient expression, no need to enter into the nucleus and no risk of insertional mutagenesis. Nevertheless, the clinical application of mRNA as a therapeutic tool is limited by its instability and ability to activate immune responses; hence, mRNA chemical modifications together with the design of suitable vehicles result essential. This manuscript includes a revision of the strategies employed to enhance in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA functionality and efficacy, including the optimization of its stability and translational efficiency, as well as the regulation of its immunostimulatory properties. An overview of the nanosystems designed to protect the mRNA and to overcome the intra and extracellular barriers for successful delivery is also included. Finally, the present and future applications of mRNA nanomedicines for immunization against infectious diseases and cancer, protein replacement, gene editing, and regenerative medicine are highlighted.
Collapse
|
20
|
Rabinovich PM, Zhang J, Kerr SR, Cheng BH, Komarovskaya M, Bersenev A, Hurwitz ME, Krause DS, Weissman SM, Katz SG. A versatile flow-based assay for immunocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. J Immunol Methods 2019; 474:112668. [PMID: 31525367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2019.112668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is a critical function of the immune system in mounting defense against pathogens and cancers. Current methods that allow direct evaluation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity suffer from a wide-range of drawbacks. Here, we present a novel strategy to measure cytotoxicity that is direct, sensitive, rapid, and highly adaptable. Moreover, it allows accurate measurement of viability of both target and effector cells. Target cells are fluorescently labeled with a non-toxic, cell-permeable dye that covalently binds to cell proteins, including nuclear proteins. The labeled target cells are incubated with effector cells to begin killing. Following the killing reaction, the cell mixture is incubated with another dye that specifically stains proteins of dead cells, including nuclear proteins. In the final step, cell nuclei are released by Triton X-100, and analyzed by flow cytometry. This results in four nuclear staining patterns that separate target and effector nuclei as well as nuclei of live and dead cells. Analyzing nuclei, instead of cells, greatly reduces flow cytometry errors caused by the presence of target-effector cell aggregates. Target killing time can often be reduced to 2 h and the assay can be done in a high throughput format. We have successfully validated this assay in a variety of cytotoxicity scenarios including those mediated by NK-92 cells, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells, and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL). Therefore, this technique is broadly applicable, highly sensitive and easily administered, making it a powerful tool to assess immunotherapy-based, cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Rabinovich
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Jialing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Samuel R Kerr
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Bao-Hui Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Marina Komarovskaya
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Alexey Bersenev
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Michael E Hurwitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA; Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Diane S Krause
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA; Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Sherman M Weissman
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA
| | - Samuel G Katz
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA; Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Simon B, Harrer DC, Schuler-Thurner B, Schaft N, Schuler G, Dörrie J, Uslu U. The siRNA-mediated downregulation of PD-1 alone or simultaneously with CTLA-4 shows enhanced in vitro CAR-T-cell functionality for further clinical development towards the potential use in immunotherapy of melanoma. Exp Dermatol 2019; 27:769-778. [PMID: 29704887 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have been used successfully for cancer immunotherapy. While substantial tumor regression was observed in leukaemia and lymphoma, CAR therapy of solid tumors needs further improvement. A major obstacle to the efficiency of engineered T cells is posed by triggering of inhibitory receptors, for example programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), leading to an impaired antitumor activity. To boost CAR-T-cell function, we co-electroporated T cells with both, mRNA encoding a CAR specific for chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) and small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to downregulate PD-1 (siPD-1) and CTLA-4 (siCTLA-4). Flow cytometry revealed that activation-induced upregulation of both PD-1 and CTLA-4 was suppressed when compared to CAR-T cells electroporated with negative control siRNA. The siRNA transfection showed no influence on CAR expression of engineered T cells. Functionality assays were performed using PD-L1- and CD80-transfected melanoma cells endogenously expressing CSPG4. CAR-T cells transfected with siPD-1 alone showed improvement in cytokine secretion. Additionally, CAR-T cells transfected with either siPD-1 alone or together with siCTLA-4 exhibited a significantly increased cytotoxicity. No or only little effects were observed when CAR-T cells were co-transfected with siCTLA-4 only. Taken together, it is feasible to optimize CAR-T cells by co-transfection of CAR-encoding mRNA and siRNAs to downregulate inhibitory receptors. Our in vitro data indicate an improvement of the functionality of these CAR-T cells, suggesting that this strategy could represent a novel method to enhance CAR-T-cell immunotherapy of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Simon
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Division of Genetics, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dennis C Harrer
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ugur Uslu
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Foster JB, Barrett DM, Karikó K. The Emerging Role of In Vitro-Transcribed mRNA in Adoptive T Cell Immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2019; 27:747-756. [PMID: 30819612 PMCID: PMC6453504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy is a form of cellular therapy that utilizes human immune cells, often empowered by the expression of recombinant proteins, to attack selected targets present on tumor or infected cells. T cell-based immunotherapy has been progressing over the past several decades, and reached a milestone with the recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for relapsed and refractory leukemia and lymphoma. Although most studies have used viral vectors, a growing number of researchers have come to appreciate in vitro-transcribed (IVT) mRNA for the development, testing, and application of T cell-based immunotherapeutics. IVT mRNA offers inherent safety features, highly efficient recombinant protein translation, and the ability to control pharmacokinetic properties of the therapy. In this review, we discuss the history of IVT mRNA in adoptive T cell therapy, from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and T cell receptor-based therapies to chimeric antigen receptor therapy and gene-editing techniques, as well as prior and ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica B Foster
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - David M Barrett
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xiong Q, Lee GY, Ding J, Li W, Shi J. Biomedical applications of mRNA nanomedicine. NANO RESEARCH 2018; 11:5281-5309. [PMID: 31007865 PMCID: PMC6472920 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-018-2146-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
As an attractive alternative to plasmid DNA, messenger RNA (mRNA) has recently emerged as a promising class of nucleic acid therapeutics for biomedical applications. Advances in addressing the inherent shortcomings of mRNA and in the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems have prompted the development and clinical translation of mRNA-based medicines. In this review, we discuss the chemical modification strategies of mRNA to improve its stability, minimize immune responses, and enhance translational efficacy. We also highlight recent progress in nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery. Considerable attention is given to the increasingly widespread applications of mRNA nanomedicine in the biomedical fields of vaccination, protein-replacement therapy, gene editing, and cellular reprogramming and engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xiong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Gha Young Lee
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jianxun Ding
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Wenliang Li
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- School of Pharmacy, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, 132013 China
| | - Jinjun Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Stewart MP, Langer R, Jensen KF. Intracellular Delivery by Membrane Disruption: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Concepts. Chem Rev 2018; 118:7409-7531. [PMID: 30052023 PMCID: PMC6763210 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery is a key step in biological research and has enabled decades of biomedical discoveries. It is also becoming increasingly important in industrial and medical applications ranging from biomanufacture to cell-based therapies. Here, we review techniques for membrane disruption-based intracellular delivery from 1911 until the present. These methods achieve rapid, direct, and universal delivery of almost any cargo molecule or material that can be dispersed in solution. We start by covering the motivations for intracellular delivery and the challenges associated with the different cargo types-small molecules, proteins/peptides, nucleic acids, synthetic nanomaterials, and large cargo. The review then presents a broad comparison of delivery strategies followed by an analysis of membrane disruption mechanisms and the biology of the cell response. We cover mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical strategies of membrane disruption with a particular emphasis on their applications and challenges to implementation. Throughout, we highlight specific mechanisms of membrane disruption and suggest areas in need of further experimentation. We hope the concepts discussed in our review inspire scientists and engineers with further ideas to improve intracellular delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin P. Stewart
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Cambridge, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Cambridge, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Klavs F. Jensen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Simon B, Wiesinger M, März J, Wistuba-Hamprecht K, Weide B, Schuler-Thurner B, Schuler G, Dörrie J, Uslu U. The Generation of CAR-Transfected Natural Killer T Cells for the Immunotherapy of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082365. [PMID: 30103488 PMCID: PMC6121949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells represent a cell subpopulation that combines characteristics of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. Through their endogenous T-cell receptors (TCRs), they reveal a pronounced intrinsic anti-tumor activity. Thus, a NKT cell transfected with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which recognizes a tumor-specific surface antigen, could attack tumor cells antigen-specifically via the CAR and additionally through its endogenous TCR. NKT cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), expanded, and electroporated with mRNA encoding a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4)-specific CAR. The CAR expression on NKT cells and their in vitro functionality were analyzed. A transfection efficiency of more than 80% was achieved. Upon stimulation with melanoma cells, CAR-NKT cells produced cytokines antigen-specifically. Compared with conventional CAR-T cells, cytokine secretion of CAR-NKT cells was generally lower. Specific cytotoxicity, however, was similar with CAR-NKT cells showing a trend towards improved cytotoxicity. Additionally, CAR-NKT cells could kill target cells through their endogenous TCRs. In summary, it is feasible to generate CAR-NKT cells by using mRNA electroporation. Their CAR-mediated cytotoxicity is at least equal to that of conventional CAR-T cells, while their intrinsic cytotoxic activity is maintained. Thus, CAR-NKT cells may represent a valuable alternative to conventional CAR-T cells for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Simon
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Division of Genetics, Department of Biology, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Manuel Wiesinger
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Johannes März
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Kilian Wistuba-Hamprecht
- Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, University Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Weide
- Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, University Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Ugur Uslu
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Caruso HG, Heimberger AB, Cooper LJN. Steering CAR T cells to distinguish friend from foe. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:e1271857. [PMID: 31646067 PMCID: PMC6791456 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1271857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)+ T cells have demonstrated clinical efficacy and long-lasting remissions, concomitant with tolerable normal B-cell aplasia. However, many tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are expressed on normal tissues, the destruction of which would lead to intolerable toxicity. Thus, there is a need to engineer CAR+ T cells with improved safety profiles to restrict toxicity against TAA-expressing normal tissues. Bioengineering approaches include: (i) targeting CAR+ T cells to the tumor site, (ii) limiting CAR+ T-cell persistence, and (iii) restricting CAR activation. We review and evaluate strategies to engineer CAR+ T cells to reduce the potential of on-target, off-tissue toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hillary G Caruso
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laurence J N Cooper
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Ziopharm Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hung CF, Xu X, Li L, Ma Y, Jin Q, Viley A, Allen C, Natarajan P, Shivakumar R, Peshwa MV, Emens LA. Development of Anti-Human Mesothelin-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor Messenger RNA-Transfected Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes for Ovarian Cancer Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:614-625. [PMID: 29334771 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T/natural killer (NK)-cell therapies can result in durable clinical responses in B-cell malignancies. However, CAR-based immunotherapies have been much less successful in solid cancers, in part due to "on-target off-tumor" toxicity related to expression of target tumor antigens on normal tissue. Based on preliminary observations of safety and clinical activity in proof-of-concept clinical trials, tumor antigen-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) CAR transfection into selected, activated, and expanded T/NK cells may permit prospective control of "on-target off-tumor" toxicity. To develop a commercial product for solid tumors, mesothelin was selected as an antigen target based on its association with poor prognosis and overexpression in multiple solid cancers. It was hypothesized that selecting, activating, and expanding cells ex vivo prior to mRNA CAR transfection would not be necessary, thus simplifying the complexity and cost of manufacturing. Now, the development of anti-human mesothelin mRNA CAR transfected peripheral blood lymphocytes (CARMA-hMeso) is reported, demonstrating the manufacture and cryopreservation of multiple cell aliquots for repeat administrations from a single human leukapheresis. A rapid, automated, closed system for cGMP-compliant transfection of mRNA CAR in up to 20 × 109 peripheral blood lymphocytes was developed. Here we show that CARMA-hMeso cells recognize and lyse tumor cells in a mesothelin-specific manner. Expression of CAR was detectable over approximately 7 days in vitro, with a progressive decline of CAR expression that appears to correlate with in vitro cell expansion. In a murine ovarian cancer model, a single intraperitoneal injection of CARMA-hMeso resulted in the dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth and improved survival of mice. Furthermore, repeat weekly intraperitoneal administrations of the optimal CARMA-hMeso dose further prolonged disease control and survival. No significant off-target toxicities were observed. These data support further investigation of CARMA-hMeso as a potential treatment for ovarian cancer and other mesothelin-expressing cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Fu Hung
- 1 Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,2 Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xuequn Xu
- 1 Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Linhong Li
- 3 MaxCyte, Inc. , Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Ying Ma
- 1 Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Qiu Jin
- 1 Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leisha A Emens
- 2 Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,4 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy , Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kwon H, Kim M, Seo Y, Moon YS, Lee HJ, Lee K, Lee H. Emergence of synthetic mRNA: In vitro synthesis of mRNA and its applications in regenerative medicine. Biomaterials 2017; 156:172-193. [PMID: 29197748 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has evolved over the past two decades after the first introduction of nucleic acid drugs, such as plasmid DNA (pDNA). With the development of in vitro transcription (IVT) methods, synthetic mRNA has become an emerging class of gene therapy. IVT mRNA has several advantages over conventional pDNA for the expression of target proteins. mRNA does not require nuclear localization to mediate protein translation. The intracellular process for protein expression is much simpler and there is no potential risk of insertion mutagenesis. Having these advantages, the level of protein expression is far enhanced as comparable to that of viral expression systems. This makes IVT mRNA a powerful alternative gene expression system for various applications in regenerative medicine. In this review, we highlight the synthesis and preparation of IVT mRNA and its therapeutic applications. The article includes the design and preparation of IVT mRNA, chemical modification of IVT mRNA, and therapeutic applications of IVT mRNA in cellular reprogramming, stem cell engineering, and protein replacement therapy. Finally, future perspectives and challenges of IVT mRNA are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyokyoung Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunmi Seo
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yae Seul Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Jeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuri Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyukjin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Rhoads RE. Synthetic mRNA: Production, Introduction into Cells, and Physiological Consequences. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1428:3-27. [PMID: 27236789 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have made it possible to synthesize mRNA in vitro that is relatively stable when introduced into mammalian cells, has a diminished ability to activate the innate immune response against exogenous (virus-like) RNA, and can be efficiently translated into protein. Synthetic methods have also been developed to produce mRNA with unique investigational properties such as photo-cross-linking, fluorescence emission, and attachment of ligands through click chemistry. Synthetic mRNA has been proven effective in numerous applications beneficial for human health such as immunizing patients against cancer and infections diseases, alleviating diseases by restoring deficient proteins, converting somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells to use in regenerative medicine therapies, and engineering the genome by making specific alterations in DNA. This introductory chapter provides background information relevant to the following 20 chapters of this volume that present protocols for these applications of synthetic mRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Rhoads
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 71130-3932, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Krug C, Birkholz K, Paulus A, Schwenkert M, Schmidt P, Hoffmann N, Hombach A, Fey G, Abken H, Schuler G, Schuler-Thurner B, Dörrie J, Schaft N. Stability and activity of MCSP-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) depend on the scFv antigen-binding domain and the protein backbone. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:1623-35. [PMID: 26515978 PMCID: PMC11028909 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells emerged as effective tools in the immunotherapy of cancer but can produce severe on-target off-tissue toxicities. This risk can conceivably be overcome, at least partially, by transient transfection. The design of CARs, however, has so far not been optimized for use in non-permanent T cell modification. Here we compared the performance of T cells modified with three different first- and second-generation CARs, each specific for MCSP (HMW-MAA) which is commonly expressed by melanoma cells. Upon RNA transfer, the expression of all receptors was limited in time. The second-generation CARs, which combined CD28-CD3ζ signaling, were expressed at higher levels and more prolonged than first-generation CARs with CD3ζ only. The CD28 domain increased the cytokine production, but had only an indirect effect on the lytic capacity, by prolonging the CAR expression. Especially for the second-generation CARs, the scFv clearly impacted the level and duration of CAR expression and the T cell performance. Thus, we identified a CAR high in both expression and anti-tumor cell reactivity. T cells transfected with this CAR increased the mean survival time of mice after challenge with melanoma cells. To facilitate clinical application, this CAR was used to redirect T cells from late-stage melanoma patients by RNA transfection. These T cells mediated effective antigen-specific tumor cell lysis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, even after cryoconservation of the transfected T cells. Taken together, the analysis identified a CAR with superior anti-melanoma performance after RNA transfer which is a promising candidate for clinical exploration.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carrier Proteins/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- Melanoma/immunology
- Melanoma/physiopathology
- Mice
- Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics
- Mitochondrial Proteins/immunology
- Protein Stability
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Single-Chain Antibodies/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Krug
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katrin Birkholz
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander Paulus
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Schwenkert
- Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Schmidt
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nicole Hoffmann
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Hombach
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Georg Fey
- Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Department I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Hartmannstraße 14, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vallazza B, Petri S, Poleganov MA, Eberle F, Kuhn AN, Sahin U. Recombinant messenger RNA technology and its application in cancer immunotherapy, transcript replacement therapies, pluripotent stem cell induction, and beyond. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 6:471-99. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Mainz Germany
- TRON gGmbH; Mainz Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
mRNA is the central molecule of all forms of life. It is generally accepted that current life on Earth descended from an RNA world. mRNA, after its first therapeutic description in 1992, has recently come into increased focus as a method to deliver genetic information. The recent solution to the two main difficulties in using mRNA as a therapeutic, immune stimulation and potency, has provided the basis for a wide range of applications. While mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies have been in clinical trials for a few years, novel approaches; including, in vivo delivery of mRNA to replace or supplement proteins, mRNA-based generation of pluripotent stem cells, or genome engineering using mRNA-encoded meganucleases are beginning to be realized. This review presents the current state of mRNA drug technologies and potential applications, as well as discussing the challenges and prospects in mRNA development and drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sahin U, Karikó K, Türeci Ö. mRNA-based therapeutics--developing a new class of drugs. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2014; 13:759-80. [PMID: 25233993 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1283] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA has recently come into focus as a potential new drug class to deliver genetic information. Such synthetic mRNA can be engineered to transiently express proteins by structurally resembling natural mRNA. Advances in addressing the inherent challenges of this drug class, particularly related to controlling the translational efficacy and immunogenicity of the IVTmRNA, provide the basis for a broad range of potential applications. mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines have entered clinical development. Meanwhile, emerging novel approaches include in vivo delivery of IVT mRNA to replace or supplement proteins, IVT mRNA-based generation of pluripotent stem cells and genome engineering using IVT mRNA-encoded designer nucleases. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of mRNA-based drug technologies and their applications, and discusses the key challenges and opportunities in developing these into a new class of drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Sahin
- 1] TRON Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. [2] BioNTech Corporation, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katalin Karikó
- 1] BioNTech Corporation, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany. [2] Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Özlem Türeci
- TRON Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
This unit describes a feeder-free protocol for deriving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human fibroblasts by transfection of synthetic mRNA. The reprogramming of somatic cells requires transient expression of a set of transcription factors that collectively activate an endogenous gene regulatory network specifying the pluripotent phenotype. The necessary ectopic factor expression was first effected using retroviruses; however, as viral integration into the genome is problematic for cell therapy applications, the use of footprint-free vectors such as mRNA is increasingly preferred. Strong points of the mRNA approach include high efficiency, rapid kinetics, and obviation of a clean-up phase to purge the vector. Still, the method is relatively laborious and has, up to now, involved the use of feeder cells, which brings drawbacks including poor applicability to clinically oriented iPSC derivation. Using the methods described here, mRNA reprogramming can be performed without feeders at much-reduced labor and material costs relative to established protocols.
Collapse
|
35
|
Freeley M, Long A. The two hit hypothesis: An improved method for siRNA-mediated gene silencing in stimulated primary human T cells. J Immunol Methods 2013; 396:116-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
36
|
Advances in siRNA delivery to T-cells: potential clinical applications for inflammatory disease, cancer and infection. Biochem J 2013; 455:133-47. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20130950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The specificity of RNAi and its ability to silence ‘undruggable’ targets has made inhibition of gene expression in T-cells with siRNAs an attractive potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory disease, cancer and infection. However, delivery of siRNAs into primary T-cells represents a major hurdle to their use as potential therapeutic agents. Recent advances in siRNA delivery through the use of electroporation/nucleofection, viral vectors, peptides/proteins, nanoparticles, aptamers and other agents have now enabled efficient gene silencing in primary T-cells both in vitro and in vivo. Overcoming such barriers in siRNA delivery offers exciting new prospects for directly targeting T-cells systemically with siRNAs, or adoptively transferring T-cells back into patients following ex vivo manipulation with siRNAs. In the present review, we outline the challenges in delivering siRNAs into primary T-cells and discuss the mechanism and therapeutic opportunities of each delivery method. We emphasize studies that have exploited RNAi-mediated gene silencing in T-cells for the treatment of inflammatory disease, cancer and infection using mouse models. We also discuss the potential therapeutic benefits of manipulating T-cells using siRNAs for the treatment of human diseases.
Collapse
|
37
|
Koh S, Shimasaki N, Suwanarusk R, Ho ZZ, Chia A, Banu N, Howland SW, Ong ASM, Gehring AJ, Stauss H, Renia L, Sällberg M, Campana D, Bertoletti A. A practical approach to immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma using T cells redirected against hepatitis B virus. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2013; 2:e114. [PMID: 23941866 PMCID: PMC3759740 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells often have hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA integration and can be targeted by HBV-specific T cells. The use of viral vectors to introduce exogenous HBV-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) on T cells to redirect their specificity is complex and expensive to implement in clinical trials. Moreover, it raises safety concerns related to insertional mutagenesis and potential toxicity of long-lived HBV-specific T cells in patients with persistent infection. To develop a more practical and safer approach to cell therapy of HCC, we used electroporation of mRNA encoding anti-HBV TCR. Approximately 80% of CD8+ T cells expressed functional HBV TCR 24 hours postelectroporation, an expression efficiency much higher than that obtained by retroviral transduction (~18%). Antigen-specific cytokine production of electroporated T cells was efficient within 72-hour period, after which the redirected T cells lost their HBV-specific function. Despite this transient functionality, the TCR-electroporated T cells efficiently prevented tumor seeding and suppressed the growth of established tumors in a xenograft model of HCC. Finally, we established a method for large-scale TCR mRNA electroporation that yielded large numbers of highly functional clinical-grade anti-HBV T cells. This method represents a practical approach to cell therapy of HCC and its inherently self-limiting toxicity suggests potential for application in other HBV-related pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarene Koh
- 1] Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, (A*STAR), Singapore [2] Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
mRNA has become an important alternative to DNA as a tool for cell reprogramming. To be expressed, exogenous DNA must be transmitted through the cell cytoplasm and placed into the nucleus. In contrast, exogenous mRNA simply has to be delivered into the cytoplasm. This can result in a highly uniform transfection of the whole population of cells, an advantage that has not been observed with DNA transfer. The use of mRNA, instead of DNA, in medical applications increases protocol safety by abolishing the risk of transgene insertion into host genomes. In this chapter, we review the aspects of mRNA structure and function that are important for its "transgenic" behavior, such as the composition of mRNA molecules and complexes with RNA binding proteins, localization of mRNA in cytoplasmic compartments, translation, and the duration of mRNA expression. In immunotherapy, mRNA is employed in reprogramming of antigen presenting cells (vaccination) and cytolytic lymphocytes. Other applications include generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and genome engineering with modularly assembled nucleases. The most investigated applications of mRNA technology are also reviewed here.
Collapse
|
39
|
Nonviral RNA transfection to transiently modify T cells with chimeric antigen receptors for adoptive therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 969:187-201. [PMID: 23296935 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-260-5_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Redirecting T cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) of predefined specificity showed remarkable efficacy in the adoptive therapy trials of malignant diseases. The CAR consists of a single chain fragment of variable region (scFv) antibody targeting domain covalently linked to the CD3ζ signalling domain of the T cell receptor complex to mediate T cell activation upon antigen engagement. By using an antibody-derived targeting domain a CAR can potentially redirect T cells towards any target expressed on the cell surface as long as a binding domain is available. Antibody-mediated targeting moreover circumvents MHC restriction of the targeted antigen, thereby broadening the potential of applicability of adoptive T cell therapy. While T cells were so far genetically modified by viral transduction, transient modification with a CAR by RNA transfection gained increasing interest during the last years. This chapter focuses on methods to modify human T cells from peripheral blood with a CAR by electroporation of in vitro transcribed RNA and to test modified T cells for function for use in adoptive immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
40
|
Li L, Allen C, Shivakumar R, Peshwa MV. Large volume flow electroporation of mRNA: clinical scale process. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 969:127-138. [PMID: 23296932 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-260-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic modification for enhancing cellular function has been continuously pursued for fighting diseases. Messenger RNA (mRNA) transfection is found to be a promising solution in modifying hematopoietic and immune cells for therapeutic purpose. We have developed a flow electroporation-based system for large volume electroporation of cells with various molecules, including mRNA. This allows robust and scalable mRNA transfection of primary cells of different origin. Here we describe transfection of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) mRNA into NK cells to modulate the ability of NK cells to target tumor cells. High levels of CAR expression in NK cells can be maintained for 3-7 days post transfection. CD19-specific CAR mRNA transfected NK cells demonstrate targeted lysis of CD19-expressing tumor cells OP-1, primary B-CLL tumor cells, and autologous CD19+ B cells in in vitro assays with enhanced potency: >80% lysis at effector-target ratio of 1:1. This allows current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and regulatory compliant manufacture of CAR mRNA transfected NK cells for clinical delivery.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, CD19/biosynthesis
- Antigens, CD19/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Electroporation/methods
- Humans
- Killer Cells, Natural/cytology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen/immunology
- Transfection/methods
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are emerging as a new tool for cell therapy of cancer. However, some cancer subtypes are relatively resistant to NK cell cytotoxicity. Expression of anti-CD19 chimeric signaling receptors can enhance NK-cell reactivity against CD19+ leukemia and lymphoma cells. Here we describe a method to enforce expression of such receptors in human NK cells relying on electroporation of mRNA and compare it to retroviral transduction of cDNA. These methods are applicable to the reprogramming of NK cells with chimeric receptors specific for other antigens expressed on cancer cells as well as with molecules that can modulate NK cell function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Shimasaki
- Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lipowska-Bhalla G, Gilham DE, Hawkins RE, Rothwell DG. Targeted immunotherapy of cancer with CAR T cells: achievements and challenges. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:953-62. [PMID: 22527245 PMCID: PMC11028843 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells is a relatively new but promising approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This therapeutic strategy is based on the genetic reprogramming of T cells with an artificial immune receptor that redirects them against targets on malignant cells and enables their destruction by exerting T cell effector functions. There has been an explosion of interest in the use of CAR T cells as an immunotherapy for cancer. In the pre-clinical setting, there has been a considerable focus upon optimizing the structural and signaling potency of the CAR while advances in bio-processing technology now mean that the clinical testing of these gene-modified T cells has become a reality. This review will summarize the concept of CAR-based immunotherapy and recent clinical trial activity and will further discuss some of the likely future challenges facing CAR-modified T cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Lipowska-Bhalla
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Clinical and Molecular Monitoring Laboratory, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - David E. Gilham
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester, M20 4BX UK
| | - Robert E. Hawkins
- Clinical and Experimental Immunotherapy Group, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dominic G. Rothwell
- Clinical and Molecular Monitoring Laboratory, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shimasaki N, Fujisaki H, Cho D, Masselli M, Lockey T, Eldridge P, Leung W, Campana D. A clinically adaptable method to enhance the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells against B-cell malignancies. Cytotherapy 2012; 14:830-40. [PMID: 22458956 DOI: 10.3109/14653249.2012.671519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Retroviral transduction of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptors significantly enhances the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells against B-cell malignancies. We aimed to validate a more practical, affordable and safe method for this purpose. METHODS We tested the expression of a receptor containing CD3ζ and 4-1BB signaling molecules (anti-CD19-BB-ζ) in human NK cells after electroporation with the corresponding mRNA using a clinical-grade electroporator. The cytotoxic capacity of the transfected NK cells was tested in vitro and in a mouse model of leukemia. RESULTS Median anti-CD19-BB-ζ expression 24 h after electroporation was 40.3% in freshly purified (n =18) and 61.3% in expanded (n = 31) NK cells; median cell viability was 90%. NK cells expressing anti-CD19-BB-ζ secreted interferon (IFN)-γ in response to CD19-positive target cells and had increased cytotoxicity. Receptor expression was detectable 6 h after electroporation, reaching maximum levels at 24-48 h; specific anti-CD19 cytotoxicity was observed at 96 h. Levels of expression and cytotoxicities were comparable with those achieved by retroviral transduction. A large-scale protocol was developed and applied to expanded NK cells (median NK cell number 2.5 × 10(8), n = 12). Median receptor expression after 24 h was 82.0%; NK cells transfected under these conditions exerted considerable cytotoxicity in xenograft models of B-cell leukemia. CONCLUSIONS The method described here represents a practical way to augment the cytotoxicity of NK cells against B-cell malignancies. It has the potential to be extended to other targets beyond CD19 and should facilitate the clinical use of redirected NK cells for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Shimasaki
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhao X, Su H, Yin G, Liu X, Liu Z, Suo X. High transfection efficiency of porcine peripheral blood T cells via nucleofection. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2011; 144:179-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2011] [Revised: 09/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
45
|
Highly efficient reprogramming to pluripotency and directed differentiation of human cells with synthetic modified mRNA. Cell Stem Cell 2010; 7:618-30. [PMID: 20888316 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1845] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2010] [Revised: 05/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Clinical application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is limited by the low efficiency of iPSC derivation and the fact that most protocols modify the genome to effect cellular reprogramming. Moreover, safe and effective means of directing the fate of patient-specific iPSCs toward clinically useful cell types are lacking. Here we describe a simple, nonintegrating strategy for reprogramming cell fate based on administration of synthetic mRNA modified to overcome innate antiviral responses. We show that this approach can reprogram multiple human cell types to pluripotency with efficiencies that greatly surpass established protocols. We further show that the same technology can be used to efficiently direct the differentiation of RNA-induced pluripotent stem cells (RiPSCs) into terminally differentiated myogenic cells. This technology represents a safe, efficient strategy for somatic cell reprogramming and directing cell fate that has broad applicability for basic research, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
|
46
|
Debus H, Baumhof P, Probst J, Kissel T. Delivery of messenger RNA using poly(ethylene imine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-copolymer blends for polyplex formation: biophysical characterization and in vitro transfection properties. J Control Release 2010; 148:334-43. [PMID: 20854856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 08/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid based therapies have so far mainly been focused on plasmid DNA (pDNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense and immunostimulatory oligonucleotides. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was the subject of only a few studies. The objective of this investigation was the preparation of new composite polyplexes with mRNA consisting of poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) and poly(ethylene imine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-copolymers (PEI-PEG) as blends. These complexes were designed to increase the stability of mRNA, to improve transfection efficiency and to reduce cytotoxicity. Hydrodynamic diameters of the polyplexes were measured by dynamic light scattering, polyplex stability was analyzed by gel retardation assay and transfection efficiency of luciferase (Luc) encoding mRNA was evaluated under in vitro conditions. Most of the polyplexes generated showed small particle sizes <200 nm and positive zeta-potentials of +20 mV to +30 mV. Stable complexes were formed even at low nitrogen to phosphate ratios. Polyplexes with mRNA Luc and blends of low molecular weight PEI(5 kDa) and PEI(25k Da)-PEG(20 kDa)₁-block-copolymer showed protein expression as high as polyplexes with PEI(25 kDa). Moreover, luciferase expression was significantly higher than that obtained with one of the components alone. These results suggest that delivery systems for pulmonary application of mRNA merit further investigation under in vitro and in vivo conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Debus
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmacy, Ketzerbach 63, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kuhn AN, Diken M, Kreiter S, Selmi A, Kowalska J, Jemielity J, Darzynkiewicz E, Huber C, Türeci O, Sahin U. Phosphorothioate cap analogs increase stability and translational efficiency of RNA vaccines in immature dendritic cells and induce superior immune responses in vivo. Gene Ther 2010; 17:961-71. [PMID: 20410931 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2010.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination with in vitro transcribed RNA coding for tumor antigens is considered a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and has already entered human clinical testing. One of the basic objectives for development of RNA as a drug is the optimization of immunobioavailability of the encoded antigen in vivo. By analyzing the effect of different synthetic 5' mRNA cap analogs on the kinetics of the encoded protein, we found that m(2)(7,2'-O)Gpp(S)pG (beta-S-ARCA) phosphorothioate caps, in particular the D1 diastereoisomer, profoundly enhance RNA stability and translational efficiency in immature but not mature dendritic cells. Moreover, in vivo delivery of the antigen as beta-S-ARCA(D1)-capped RNA species is superior for protein expression and for efficient priming and expansion of naïve antigen-specific T cells in mice. Our findings establish 5' mRNA cap analogs as yet another module for tuning immunopharmacological properties of recombinant antigen-encoding RNA for vaccination purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A N Kuhn
- Division of Translational and Experimental Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells with restricted tumor specificity provides a promising approach to immunotherapy of cancers. However, the isolation of autologous cytotoxic T cells that recognize tumor-associated antigens is time consuming and fails in many instances. Alternatively, gene modification with tumor antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can be used to redirect the specificity of large numbers of immune cells toward the malignant cells. Chimeric antigen receptors are composed of the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) of a tumor-recognizing antibody cloned in frame with human T-cell signaling domains (e.g., CD3zeta, CD28, OX40, 4-1BB), thus combining the specificity of antibodies with the effector functions of cytotoxic T cells. Upon antigen binding, the intracellular signaling domains of the CAR initiate cellular activation mechanisms including cytokine secretion and cytolysis of the antigen-positive target cell.In this chapter, we provide detailed protocols for large-scale ex vivo expansion of T cells and manufacturing of medium-scale batches of CAR-expressing T cells for translational research by mRNA electroporation. An anti-CD19 chimeric receptor for the targeting of leukemias and lymphomas was used as a model system. We are currently scaling up the protocols to adapt them to cGMP production of a large number of redirected T cells for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Almåsbak
- Department of Immunology, Radiumhospitalet-Rikshospitalet, University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Li L, Liu LN, Feller S, Allen C, Shivakumar R, Fratantoni J, Wolfraim LA, Fujisaki H, Campana D, Chopas N, Dzekunov S, Peshwa M. Expression of chimeric antigen receptors in natural killer cells with a regulatory-compliant non-viral method. Cancer Gene Ther 2009; 17:147-54. [PMID: 19745843 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2009.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells hold promise for cancer therapy. NK cytotoxicity can be enhanced by expression of chimeric antigen receptors that re-direct specificity toward target cells by engaging cell surface molecules expressed on target cells. We developed a regulatory-compliant, scalable non-viral approach to engineer NK cells to be target-specific based on transfection of mRNA encoding chimeric receptors. Transfection of eGFP mRNA into ex vivo expanded NK cells (N=5) or purified unstimulated NK cells from peripheral blood (N=4) resulted in good cell viability with eGFP expression in 85+/-6% and 86+/-4%, 24 h after transfection, respectively. An mRNA encoding a receptor directed against CD19 (anti-CD19-BB-z) was also transfected into NK cells efficiently. Ex vivo expanded and purified unstimulated NK cells expressing anti-CD19-BB-z exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against CD19(+) target cells resulting in > or =80% lysis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-lineage chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells at effector target ratios lower than 10:1. The target-specific cytotoxicity for anti-CD19-BB-z mRNA-transfected NK cells was observed as early as 3 h after transfection and persisted for up to 3 days. The method described here should facilitate the clinical development of NK-based antigen-targeted immunotherapy for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Li
- MaxCyte Inc, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Birkholz K, Hofmann C, Hoyer S, Schulz B, Harrer T, Kämpgen E, Schuler G, Dörrie J, Schaft N. A fast and robust method to clone and functionally validate T-cell receptors. J Immunol Methods 2009; 346:45-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2009.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2009] [Revised: 04/03/2009] [Accepted: 05/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|