1
|
Lyu XH, Yang YS, Pan ZQ, Ning SK, Suo F, Du LL. An improved tetracycline-inducible expression system for fission yeast. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs263404. [PMID: 39318285 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.263404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to manipulate gene expression is valuable for elucidating gene function. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the most widely used regulatable expression system is the nmt1 promoter and its two attenuated variants. However, these promoters have limitations, including a long lag, incompatibility with rich media and unsuitability for non-dividing cells. Here, we present a tetracycline-inducible system free of these shortcomings. Our system features the enotetS promoter, which achieves a similar induced level and a higher induction ratio compared to the nmt1 promoter, without exhibiting a lag. Additionally, our system includes four weakened enotetS variants, offering an expression range similar to that of the nmt1 series promoters but with more intermediate levels. To enhance usability, each promoter is combined with a Tet-repressor-expressing cassette in an integration plasmid. Importantly, our system can be used in non-dividing cells, enabling the development of a synchronous meiosis induction method with high spore viability. Moreover, our system allows for the shutdown of gene expression and the generation of conditional loss-of-function mutants. This system provides a versatile and powerful tool for manipulating gene expression in fission yeast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Lyu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhao-Qian Pan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shao-Kai Ning
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fang Suo
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Li-Lin Du
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research , Tsinghua University, Beijing 102206, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Charlesworth CT, Homma S, Suchy F, Wang S, Bhadhury J, Amaya AK, Camarena J, Zhang J, Tan TK, Igarashi K, Nakauchi H. Secreted Particle Information Transfer (SPIT) - A Cellular Platform for In Vivo Genetic Engineering. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4810212. [PMID: 39257970 PMCID: PMC11384819 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4810212/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
A multitude of tools now exist that allow us to precisely manipulate the human genome in a myriad of different ways. However, successful delivery of these tools to the cells of human patients remains a major barrier to their clinical implementation. Here we introduce a new cellular approach for in vivo genetic engineering, Secreted Particle Information Transfer (SPIT) that utilizes human cells as delivery vectors for in vivo genetic engineering. We demonstrate the application of SPIT for cell-cell delivery of Cre recombinase and CRISPR-Cas9 enzymes, we show that genetic logic can be incorporated into SPIT and present the first demonstration of human cells as a delivery platform for in vivo genetic engineering in immunocompetent mice. We successfully applied SPIT to genetically modify multiple organs and tissue stem cells in vivo including the liver, spleen, intestines, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. We anticipate that by harnessing the large packaging capacity of a human cell's nucleus, the ability of human cells to engraft into patients' long term and the capacity of human cells for complex genetic programming, that SPIT will become a paradigm shifting approach for in vivo genetic engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten T. Charlesworth
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shota Homma
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fabian Suchy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sicong Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joydeep Bhadhury
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anais K. Amaya
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joab Camarena
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tze Kai Tan
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kyomi Igarashi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Distinguished Professor Unit, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rolsma JL, Darch W, Higgins NC, Morgan JT. The tardigrade-derived mitochondrial abundant heat soluble protein improves adipose-derived stem cell survival against representative stressors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11834. [PMID: 38783150 PMCID: PMC11116449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62693-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Human adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) grafts have emerged as a powerful tool in regenerative medicine. However, ASC therapeutic potential is hindered by stressors throughout their use. Here we demonstrate the transgenic expression of the tardigrade-derived mitochondrial abundant heat soluble (MAHS) protein for improved ASC resistance to metabolic, mitochondrial, and injection shear stress. In vitro, MAHS-expressing ASCs demonstrate up to 61% increased cell survival following 72 h of incubation in phosphate buffered saline containing 20% media. Following up to 3.5% DMSO exposure for up to 72 h, a 14-49% increase in MAHS-expressing ASC survival was observed. Further, MAHS expression in ASCs is associated with up to 39% improved cell viability following injection through clinically relevant 27-, 32-, and 34-gauge needles. Our results reveal that MAHS expression in ASCs supports survival in response to a variety of common stressors associated with regenerative therapies, thereby motivating further investigation into MAHS as an agent for stem cell stress resistance. However, differentiation capacity in MAHS-expressing ASCs appears to be skewed in favor of osteogenesis over adipogenesis. Specifically, activity of the early bone formation marker alkaline phosphatase is increased by 74% in MAHS-expressing ASCs following 14 days in osteogenic media. Conversely, positive area of the neutral lipid droplet marker BODIPY is decreased by up to 10% in MAHS-transgenic ASCs following 14 days in adipogenic media. Interestingly, media supplementation with up to 40 mM glucose is sufficient to restore adipogenic differentiation within 14 days, prompting further analysis of mechanisms underlying interference between MAHS and differentiation processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Rolsma
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - William Darch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicholas C Higgins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Joshua T Morgan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen YL, Lai YH, Huang EYK, Wang HJ, Hung HY. Nalbuphine-6-glucuronide is a potent analgesic with superior safety profiles by altering binding affinity and selectivity for mu-/kappa-opioid receptors. Life Sci 2024; 340:122441. [PMID: 38253309 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122441] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Although nalbuphine, a semi-synthetic analgesic compound, is less potent than morphine in terms of alleviating severe pain, our recent findings have revealed that nalbuphine-6-glucuronide (N6G), one of the glucuronide metabolites of nalbuphine, promotes a significantly more robust analgesic effect than its parent drug. Nevertheless, despite these promising observations, the precise mechanisms underlying the analgesic effects of nalbuphine glucuronides have yet to be determined. In this study, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms associated with the analgesic effects of nalbuphine glucuronides. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the central and peripheral compartments of nalbuphine and its derivatives. The analgesic responses of these compounds were evaluated based on multiple behavioral tests involving thermal and mechanical stimuli. Radioligand binding assays were also performed to determine the binding affinity and selectivity of these compounds for different opioid receptors. The results of these tests consistently confirmed that the heightened analgesic effects of N6G are mediated through its enhanced binding affinity for both mu- and kappa-opioid receptors, even comparable to those of morphine. Notably, N6G exhibited fewer side effects and did not induce sudden death, thereby highlighting its superior safety profile. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies indicated that N6G could cross the blood-brain barrier when administered peripherally, offering pain relief. Overall, N6G provides great analgesic efficacy and enhanced safety. These findings highlight the potential value of nalbuphine glucuronides, particularly N6G, as promising candidates for the development of novel analgesic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Lun Chen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yen-Hsun Lai
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Eagle Yi-Kung Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hong-Jaan Wang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Hao-Yuan Hung
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li X, Zhu Y, Ruiz-Lozano P, Wei K. Mitochondrial-to-nuclear communications through multiple routes regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 13:2. [PMID: 38291287 PMCID: PMC10828256 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-024-00186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian heart remains a formidable challenge in biological research. Despite extensive investigations into the loss of regenerative potential during evolution and development, unlocking the mechanisms governing cardiomyocyte proliferation remains elusive. Two recent groundbreaking studies have provided fresh perspectives on mitochondrial-to-nuclear communication, shedding light on novel factors that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation. The studies identified two mitochondrial processes, fatty acid oxidation and protein translation, as key players in restricting cardiomyocyte proliferation. Inhibition of these processes led to increased cell cycle activity in cardiomyocytes, mediated by reduction in H3k4me3 levels through accumulated α-ketoglutarate (αKG), and activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), respectively. In this research highlight, we discuss the novel insights into mitochondrial-to-nuclear communication presented in these studies, the broad implications in cardiomyocyte biology and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the intriguing scientific questions inspired by the studies that may facilitate future investigations into the detailed molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte metabolism, proliferation, and mitochondrial-to-nuclear communications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinhang Li
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China
| | - Yalin Zhu
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China
| | - Pilar Ruiz-Lozano
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- Regencor Inc., 733 Industrial Road, San Carlos, CA, 94070, USA.
| | - Ke Wei
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Charlesworth CT, Homma S, Suchy F, Wang S, Bhadhury J, Amaya AK, Camarena J, Zhang J, Tan TK, Igarishi K, Nakauchi H. Secreted Particle Information Transfer (SPIT) - A Cellular Platform for In Vivo Genetic Engineering. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.11.575257. [PMID: 38260654 PMCID: PMC10802600 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.11.575257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
A multitude of tools now exist that allow us to precisely manipulate the human genome in a myriad of different ways. However, successful delivery of these tools to the cells of human patients remains a major barrier to their clinical implementation. Here we introduce a new cellular approach for in vivo genetic engineering, Secreted Particle Information Transfer (SPIT) that utilizes human cells as delivery vectors for in vivo genetic engineering. We demonstrate the application of SPIT for cell-cell delivery of Cre recombinase and CRISPR-Cas9 enzymes, we show that genetic logic can be incorporated into SPIT and present the first demonstration of human cells as a delivery platform for in vivo genetic engineering in immunocompetent mice. We successfully applied SPIT to genetically modify multiple organs and tissue stem cells in vivo including the liver, spleen, intestines, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. We anticipate that by harnessing the large packaging capacity of a human cell's nucleus, the ability of human cells to engraft into patients' long term and the capacity of human cells for complex genetic programming, that SPIT will become a paradigm shifting approach for in vivo genetic engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carsten T. Charlesworth
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shota Homma
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fabian Suchy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sicong Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joydeep Bhadhury
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anais K. Amaya
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joab Camarena
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tze Kai Tan
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kyomi Igarishi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Distinguished Professor Unit, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee JH, Khan MM, Stark AP, Seo S, Norton A, Yao Z, Chen CH, Regehr WG. Cerebellar granule cell signaling is indispensable for normal motor performance. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112429. [PMID: 37141091 PMCID: PMC10258556 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the cerebellar cortex, mossy fibers (MFs) excite granule cells (GCs) that excite Purkinje cells (PCs), which provide outputs to the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCNs). It is well established that PC disruption produces motor deficits such as ataxia. This could arise from either decreases in ongoing PC-DCN inhibition, increases in the variability of PC firing, or disruption of the flow of MF-evoked signals. Remarkably, it is not known whether GCs are essential for normal motor function. Here we address this issue by selectively eliminating calcium channels that mediate transmission (CaV2.1, CaV2.2, and CaV2.3) in a combinatorial manner. We observe profound motor deficits but only when all CaV2 channels are eliminated. In these mice, the baseline rate and variability of PC firing are unaltered, and locomotion-dependent increases in PC firing are eliminated. We conclude that GCs are indispensable for normal motor performance and that disruption of MF-induced signals impairs motor performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joon-Hyuk Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mehak M Khan
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amanda P Stark
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Soobin Seo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aliya Norton
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhiyi Yao
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher H Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wade G Regehr
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Martin NT, Crupi MJF, Taha Z, Poutou J, Whelan JT, Vallati S, Petryk J, Marius R, Austin B, Azad T, Boulanger M, Burgess T, Sanders I, Victoor C, Dickinson BC, Diallo JS, Ilkow CS, Bell JC. Engineering Rapalog-Inducible Genetic Switches Based on Split-T7 Polymerase to Regulate Oncolytic Virus-Driven Production of Tumour-Localized IL-12 for Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050709. [PMID: 37242495 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The approval of different cytokines as anti-neoplastic agents has been challenged by dose-limiting toxicities. Although reducing dose levels affords improved tolerability, efficacy is precluded at these suboptimal doses. Strategies combining cytokines with oncolytic viruses have proven to elicit potent survival benefits in vivo, despite promoting rapid clearance of the oncolytic virus itself. Herein, we developed an inducible expression system based on a Split-T7 RNA polymerase for oncolytic poxviruses to regulate the spatial and temporal expression of a beneficial transgene. This expression system utilizes approved anti-neoplastic rapamycin analogues for transgene induction. This treatment regimen thus offers a triple anti-tumour effect through the oncolytic virus, the induced transgene, and the pharmacologic inducer itself. More specifically, we designed our therapeutic transgene by fusing a tumour-targeting chlorotoxin (CLTX) peptide to interleukin-12 (IL-12), and demonstrated that the constructs were functional and cancer-selective. We next encoded this construct into the oncolytic vaccinia virus strain Copenhagen (VV-iIL-12mCLTX), and were able to demonstrate significantly improved survival in multiple syngeneic murine tumour models through both localized and systemic virus administration, in combination with rapalogs. In summary, our findings demonstrate that rapalog-inducible genetic switches based on Split-T7 polymerase allow for regulation of the oncolytic virus-driven production of tumour-localized IL-12 for improved anti-cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas T Martin
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Mathieu J F Crupi
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Zaid Taha
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Joanna Poutou
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jack T Whelan
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sydney Vallati
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Julia Petryk
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ricardo Marius
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Bradley Austin
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Taha Azad
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Mason Boulanger
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Tamara Burgess
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ilson Sanders
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Camille Victoor
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Bryan C Dickinson
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jean-Simon Diallo
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Carolina S Ilkow
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - John C Bell
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|