1
|
Neckermann P, Mohr M, Billmeier M, Karlas A, Boilesen DR, Thirion C, Holst PJ, Jordan I, Sandig V, Asbach B, Wagner R. Transgene expression knock-down in recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara vectors improves genetic stability and sustained transgene maintenance across multiple passages. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1338492. [PMID: 38380318 PMCID: PMC10877035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1338492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Modified vaccinia virus Ankara is a versatile vaccine vector, well suited for transgene delivery, with an excellent safety profile. However, certain transgenes render recombinant MVA (rMVA) genetically unstable, leading to the accumulation of mutated rMVA with impaired transgene expression. This represents a major challenge for upscaling and manufacturing of rMVA vaccines. To prevent transgene-mediated negative selection, the continuous avian cell line AGE1.CR pIX (CR pIX) was modified to suppress transgene expression during rMVA generation and amplification. This was achieved by constitutively expressing a tetracycline repressor (TetR) together with a rat-derived shRNA in engineered CR pIX PRO suppressor cells targeting an operator element (tetO) and 3' untranslated sequence motif on a chimeric poxviral promoter and the transgene mRNA, respectively. This cell line was instrumental in generating two rMVA (isolate CR19) expressing a Macaca fascicularis papillomavirus type 3 (MfPV3) E1E2E6E7 artificially-fused polyprotein following recombination-mediated integration of the coding sequences into the DelIII (CR19 M-DelIII) or TK locus (CR19 M-TK), respectively. Characterization of rMVA on parental CR pIX or engineered CR pIX PRO suppressor cells revealed enhanced replication kinetics, higher virus titers and a focus morphology equaling wild-type MVA, when transgene expression was suppressed. Serially passaging both rMVA ten times on parental CR pIX cells and tracking E1E2E6E7 expression by flow cytometry revealed a rapid loss of transgene product after only few passages. PCR analysis and next-generation sequencing demonstrated that rMVA accumulated mutations within the E1E2E6E7 open reading frame (CR19 M-TK) or deletions of the whole transgene cassette (CR19 M-DelIII). In contrast, CR pIX PRO suppressor cells preserved robust transgene expression for up to 10 passages, however, rMVAs were more stable when E1E2E6E7 was integrated into the TK as compared to the DelIII locus. In conclusion, sustained knock-down of transgene expression in CR pIX PRO suppressor cells facilitates the generation, propagation and large-scale manufacturing of rMVA with transgenes hampering viral replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Madlen Mohr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Billmeier
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Ditte R. Boilesen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Peter J. Holst
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institue of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu Y, Ashmawy S, Latta L, Weiss AV, Kiefer AF, Nasr S, Loretz B, Hirsch AKH, Lee S, Lehr CM. pH-Responsive Dynaplexes as Potent Apoptosis Inductors by Intracellular Delivery of Survivin siRNA. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:3742-3754. [PMID: 37523746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Gene knockdown by siRNA offers an unrestricted choice of targets and specificity based on the principle of complementary Watson-Crick base pairing with mRNA. However, the negative charge, large molecular size, and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation of siRNA impede its successful transfection, hence limiting its potential for therapeutic use. The development of efficient and safe siRNA transfection agents is, therefore, critical for siRNA-based therapy. Herein, we developed a protein-based biodynamic polymer (biodynamer) that showed potential as a siRNA transfection vector, owing to its excellent biocompatibility, easy tunability, and dynamic polymerization under acidic environments. The positively charged biodynamers formed stable dynamic nanocomplexes (XL-DPs, hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 104 nm) with siRNA via electrostatic interactions and chemical cross-linking. As a proof of concept, the optimized XL-DPs were stable in physiological conditions with serum proteins and demonstrated significant pH-dependent size change and degradability, as well as siRNA release capability. The minimal cytotoxicity and excellent cellular uptake of XL-DPs effectively supported the intracellular delivery of siRNA. Our study demonstrated that the XL-DPs in survivin siRNA delivery enabled potent knockdown of survivin mRNA and induced notable apoptosis of carcinoma cells (2.2 times higher than a lipid-based transfection agent, Lipofectamine 2000). These findings suggested that our XL-DPs hold immense potential as a promising platform for siRNA delivery and can be considered strong candidates in the advancement of next-generation transfection agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liu
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Salma Ashmawy
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Lorenz Latta
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | | | - Alexander F Kiefer
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sarah Nasr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, 21521 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sangeun Lee
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)─Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Merrien M, Wasik AM, Melén CM, Morsy MHA, Sonnevi K, Junlén HR, Christensson B, Wahlin BE, Sander B. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Modulates CXCL12-Mediated Chemotaxis in Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051585. [PMID: 36900374 PMCID: PMC10000973 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051585] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To survive chemotherapy, lymphoma cells can relocate to protective niches where they receive support from the non-malignant cells. The biolipid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an agonist for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, is released by stromal cells in the bone marrow. To investigate the role of 2-AG in lymphoma, we analyzed the chemotactic response of primary B-cell lymphoma cells enriched from peripheral blood of twenty-two chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and five mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients towards 2-AG alone and/or to the chemokine CXCL12. The expression of cannabinoid receptors was quantified using qPCR and the protein levels visualized by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Surface expression of CXCR4, the main cognate receptor to CXCL12, was analyzed by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of key downstream signaling pathways activated by 2-AG and CXCL12 were measured by Western blot in three MCL cell lines and two primary CLL samples. We report that 2-AG induces chemotaxis in 80% of the primary samples, as well as 2/3 MCL cell lines. 2-AG induced in a dose-dependent manner, the migration of JeKo-1 cell line via CB1 and CB2. 2-AG affected the CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis without impacting the expression or internalization of CXCR4. We further show that 2-AG modulated p38 and p44/42 MAPK activation. Our results suggest that 2-AG has a previously unrecognized role in the mobilization of lymphoma cells by effecting the CXCL12-induced migration and the CXCR4 signaling pathways, however, with different effects in MCL compared to CLL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magali Merrien
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (B.S.)
| | - Agata M. Wasik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher M. Melén
- Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine at Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Haematology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Kristina Sonnevi
- Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine at Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Haematology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henna-Riikka Junlén
- Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine at Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Haematology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birger Christensson
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Pathology and Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Björn E. Wahlin
- Division of Haematology, Department of Medicine at Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Haematology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Sander
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Pathology and Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (B.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Khandelwal N, Chander Y, Kumar R, Nagori H, Verma A, Mittal P, T R, Kamboj S, Verma SS, Khatreja S, Pal Y, Gulati BR, Tripathi BN, Barua S, Kumar N. Studies on Growth Characteristics and Cross-Neutralization of Wild-Type and Delta SARS-CoV-2 From Hisar (India). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:771524. [PMID: 34888260 PMCID: PMC8650692 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.771524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly evolved to generate several antigenic variants. These variants have raised concerns whether pre-existing immunity to vaccination or prior infection would be able to protect against the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants or not. We isolated SARS-CoV-2 from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-confirmed patients in the beginning of the first (April/May 2020) and second (April/May 2021) waves of COVID-19 in India (Hisar, Haryana). Upon complete nucleotide sequencing, the viruses were found to be genetically related with wild-type (WT) and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 produced a rapid cytopathic effect (24-36 h as compared to 48-72 h in WT) and had bigger plaque size but a shorter life cycle (~6 h as compared to the ~8 h in WT). Furthermore, the Delta variant achieved peak viral titers within 24 h as compared to the 48 h in WT. These evidence suggested that the Delta variant replicates significantly faster than the WT SARS-CoV-2. The virus neutralization experiments indicated that antibodies elicited by vaccination are more efficacious in neutralizing the WT virus but significantly less potent against the Delta variant. Our findings have implications in devising suitable vaccination, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, besides providing insights into understanding virus replication and transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Khandelwal
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Yogesh Chander
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Ram Kumar
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Himanshu Nagori
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Assim Verma
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Priyasi Mittal
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Riyesh T
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | | | | | | | - Yash Pal
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Baldev R Gulati
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Bhupendra N Tripathi
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Sanjay Barua
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Virology Laboratory, National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Roh E, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Kinetic Modeling to Accelerate the Development of Nucleic Acid Formulations. ACS NANO 2021; 15:16055-16066. [PMID: 34636541 PMCID: PMC8860063 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A critical hurdle in the clinical translation of nucleic acid drugs is the inefficiency in testing formulations for therapeutic potential. Specifically, the ability to quantitatively predict gene expression is lacking when transitioning between cell culture and animal studies. We address this challenge by developing a mathematical framework that can reliably predict short-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing with as few as one experimental data point as an input, evaluate the efficacies of existing formulations in an expeditious manner, and ultimately guide the design of nanocarriers with optimized performances. The model herein consisted of only essential rate-limiting steps and parameters with easily characterizable values of the RNA interference process, enabling the easy identification of which parameters play dominant roles in determining the potencies of siRNA formulations. Predictions from our framework were in close agreement with in vitro and in vivo experimental results across a retrospective analysis using multiple published data sets. Notably, our findings suggested that siRNA dilution was the primary determinant of gene-silencing kinetics. Our framework shed light on the fact that this dilution rate is governed by different parameters, i.e., cell dilution (in vitro) versus clearance from target tissue (in vivo), highlighting a key reason why in vitro experiments do not always predict in vivo outcomes. Moreover, although our current effort focuses on siRNA, we anticipate that the framework can be modified and applied to other nucleic acids, such as mRNA, that rely on similar biological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther
H. Roh
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H. Epps
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Center
for Research in Soft matter and Polymers (CRiSP), University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - Millicent O. Sullivan
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zivanovic M, Chen ZY. In Vitro Screening of Various Bacterially Produced Double-Stranded RNAs for Silencing Cercospora cf. flagellaris Target Genes and Suppressing Cercosporin Production. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2021; 111:1228-1237. [PMID: 33289403 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-09-20-0409-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cercospora leaf blight (CLB), primarily caused by Cercospora cf. flagellaris, is one of the most important diseases of soybean (Glycine max) in Louisiana. The pathogen produces cercosporin, a nonspecific toxin and an important virulence factor. There are no commercial cultivars with CLB resistance, and the pathogen has developed substantial resistance to the frequently used fungicides. Consequently, alternative methods are needed to manage CLB. One possibility is the RNA interference-based topical application of double-stranded (ds)RNA. The present study addressed the two most critical steps for this novel approach to be practical: inexpensively producing large quantities of dsRNA and identifying the right target genes for silencing. A screening method was developed to compare the effectiveness of Escherichia coli-produced dsRNAs targeting five fungal genes involved in cercosporin production for silencing in liquid culture. As much as 151.6 mg of dsRNA-containing total nucleic acids (TNAs) was produced from 1 liter of E. coli Luria broth culture using the L4440 vector. All tested dsRNAs reduced cercosporin production. However, significant target gene suppression was only detected in the cultures treated with dsRNAs from Avr4 and CTB8. The most potent dsRNA was from Avr4, which reduced 50% of cercosporin production at an estimated TNA concentration of 10.4 µg/ml (half maximal effective concentration [EC50]), and the least potent dsRNA was from HN-2, with an estimated EC50 of 46.7 µg/ml TNA. The present study paves the road for managing CLB under field conditions using dsRNA. Additionally, this approach could be adapted to identify the best dsRNAs to manage other fungal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Zivanovic
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| | - Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ouellette SP, Blay EA, Hatch ND, Fisher-Marvin LA. CRISPR Interference To Inducibly Repress Gene Expression in Chlamydia trachomatis. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0010821. [PMID: 33875479 PMCID: PMC8373233 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00108-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to inducibly repress gene expression is critical to the study of organisms, like Chlamydia, with reduced genomes in which the majority of genes are likely to be essential. We recently described the feasibility of a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system to inducibly repress gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis. However, the initial system suffered from some drawbacks, primarily leaky expression of the anhydrotetracycline (aTc)-inducible dCas9 ortholog and plasmid instability, which prevented population-wide studies (e.g., transcript analyses) of the effects of knockdown. Here, we describe various modifications to the original system that have allowed us to measure gene expression changes within a transformed population of C. trachomatis serovar L2. These modifications include (i) a change in the vector backbone, (ii) the introduction of a weaker ribosome binding site driving dCas9 translation, and (iii) the addition of a degradation tag to dCas9 itself. With these changes, we demonstrate the ability to inducibly repress a target gene sequence, as measured by the absence of protein by immunofluorescence analysis and by decreased transcript levels. Importantly, the expression of dCas9 alone (i.e., without a guide RNA [gRNA]) had minimal impact on chlamydial growth or development. We also describe complementation of the knockdown effect by introducing a transcriptional fusion of the target gene 3' to dCas9. Finally, we demonstrate the functionality of a second CRISPRi system based on a dCas12 system that expands the number of potential chromosomal targets. These tools should provide the ability to study essential gene function in Chlamydia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scot P. Ouellette
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Emmanuel A. Blay
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Nathan D. Hatch
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Laura A. Fisher-Marvin
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Laurini E, Aulic S, Marson D, Fermeglia M, Pricl S. Cationic Dendrimers for siRNA Delivery: An Overview of Methods for In Vitro/In Vivo Characterization. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2282:209-244. [PMID: 33928579 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1298-9_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This chapter reviews the different techniques for analyzing the chemical-physical properties, transfection efficiency, cytotoxicity, and stability of covalent cationic dendrimers (CCDs) and self-assembled cationic dendrons (ACDs) for siRNA delivery in the presence and absence of their nucleic cargos. On the basis of the reported examples, a standard essential set of techniques is described for each step of a siRNA/nanovector (NV) complex characterization process: (1) analysis of the basic chemical-physical properties of the NV per se; (2) characterization of the morphology, size, strength, and stability of the siRNA/NV ensemble; (3) characterization and quantification of the cellular uptake and release of the siRNA fragment; (4) in vitro and (5) in vivo experiments for the evaluation of the corresponding gene silencing activity; and (6) assessment of the intrinsic toxicity of the NV and the siRNA/NV complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Suzana Aulic
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Marson
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kirfel P, Vilcinskas A, Skaljac M. Lysine Acetyltransferase p300/CBP Plays an Important Role in Reproduction, Embryogenesis and Longevity of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. INSECTS 2020; 11:E265. [PMID: 32357443 PMCID: PMC7290403 DOI: 10.3390/insects11050265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CREB-binding protein (p300/CBP) is a universal transcriptional co-regulator with lysine acetyltransferase activity. Drosophila melanogaster p300/CBP is a well-known regulator of embryogenesis, and recent studies in beetles and cockroaches have revealed the importance of this protein during post-embryonic development and endocrine signaling. In pest insects, p300/CBP may therefore offer a useful target for control methods based on RNA interference (RNAi). We investigated the role of p300/CBP in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), a notorious pest insect used as a laboratory model for the analysis of complex life-history traits. The RNAi-based attenuation of A. pisum p300/CBP significantly reduced the aphid lifespan and number of offspring, as well as shortening the reproductive phase, suggesting the manipulation of this gene contributes to accelerated senescence. Furthermore, injection of p300/CBP dsRNA also reduced the number of viable offspring and increased the number of premature nymphs, which developed in abnormally structured ovaries. Our data confirm the evolutionarily conserved function of p300/CBP during insect embryogenesis and show that the protein has a critical effect on longevity, reproduction and development in A. pisum. The potent effect of p300/CBP silencing indicates that this regulatory protein is an ideal target for RNAi-based aphid control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillipp Kirfel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch for Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (P.K.); (A.V.)
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch for Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (P.K.); (A.V.)
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26–32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marisa Skaljac
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch for Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (P.K.); (A.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Oligonucleotide quantification and metabolite profiling by high-resolution and accurate mass spectrometry. Bioanalysis 2020; 11:1967-1980. [PMID: 31829056 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2019-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Advancements in RNA interference therapeutics have triggered development of improved bioanalytical methods for oligonucleotide metabolite profiling and high-throughput quantification in biological matrices. Results & methodology: HPLC coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) methods were developed to investigate the metabolism of a REVERSIR™ molecule in vivo. Plasma and tissue samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction followed by LC-HRMS analysis for metabolite profiling and quantification. The method was qualified from 10 to 5000 ng/ml (plasma) and 100 to 50000 ng/g (liver and kidney). In rat liver, intra and interday accuracy ranged from 80.9 to 118.5% and 88.4 to 111.9%, respectively, with acceptable precision (<20% CV). Conclusion: The LC-HRMS method can be applied for metabolite profiling and quantification of oligonucleotides in biological matrices.
Collapse
|
11
|
Anderson RL, Wallis DJ, Aguirre A, Holliday D, Merkler DJ. Knockdown of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase-like 2 in Drosophila melanogaster. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 102:e21608. [PMID: 31385627 PMCID: PMC6834884 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster produces fatty acid amides, and thus, provides a model to unravel the pathways for their biosynthesis. We previously demonstrated that arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase-like 2 (AANATL2) from D. melanogaster will catalyze the formation of long-chain N-acylserotonins and N-acyldopamines in vitro. Generating silencing RNA via the UAS/GAL4 bipartite approach for targeted gene expression effectively decreased the endogenous levels of the AANATL2 transcripts in D. melanogaster, as shown by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Consistent with these data, western blot analysis of the offspring of the AANATL2 knockdown flies using an anti-AANATL2 antibody revealed a significant reduction in the expression of the AANATL2 protein. Reduced expression of AANATL2 decreased the cellular levels of N-palmitoyldopamine (PALDA), providing strong evidence that AANATL2 is responsible for the biosynthesis of PALDA in vivo. This is the first time that the expression of an AANAT has been reduced in D. melanogaster to link one of these enzymes to the in vivo production of an N-acylarylalkylamide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Dylan J Wallis
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Alexander Aguirre
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Dean Holliday
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - David J Merkler
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abo-Elfadl MT, Gamal-Eldeen AM, Ismail MF, Shahin NN. Silencing of the cytokine receptor TNFRSF13B: A new therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer. Cytokine 2019; 125:154790. [PMID: 31400636 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TNFRSF13B, TACI, is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily; it plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation and progression. METHOD Influence of silencing of human cytokine receptors on cell viability was screened by Luminescent Cell Viability Assay, after transfection of the siRNA library to find the maximum cell death superhits in both triple-negative MDA-MB-231 and double-positive MCF7 breast cells. The mode of cell death was investigated by dual DNA fluorescence staining. The expression of mRNAs of TACI, BAFF, BAFF-R, and APRIL was explored by qPCR. Immunocytofluorescence analysis was used to evaluate changes in TACI, Bcl-2, TNFR2, cyclin-D2, and PCNA. NF-kB p65, cell cycle, and necrosis/apoptosis (late and early) were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS TACI is the most potent cytotoxic superhit resulted from high-throughput screening of the siRNA library, in both types of cells. Our findings indicated that silencing receptor TACI in both types of breast cancer cells led to significant cell death, after different intervals from siRNA transfection. Cell death mediators (TNFR2, Bcl-2, and NF-κB) were significantly decreased after TACI silencing. The key factors for cell division (Cyclin-D2 and PCNA) were significantly increased in silenced cells of both types but the cell cycle was arrested before the completion of mitosis. Expression of BAFF, BAFF-R and APRIL mRNA in TACI-silenced cells showed significant upregulation in MDA-MB-231 cells, while only BAFF-R and APRIL showed significant downregulation in MCF7 cells. CONCLUSION TACI silencing can be a new and promising therapeutic target for mesenchymal-stem like triple-negative breast cancer subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud T Abo-Elfadl
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622 Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira M Gamal-Eldeen
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622 Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt; Clinical Laboratory Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Al Mutamarat Rd, Al Mathnah, At Taif 26521, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Manal F Ismail
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nancy N Shahin
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Onchuru TO, Kaltenpoth M. Quantitative PCR primer design affects quantification of dsRNA-mediated gene knockdown. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8187-8192. [PMID: 31380081 PMCID: PMC6662389 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for studying functions of candidate genes in both model and nonmodel organisms and a promising technique for therapeutic applications. Successful application of this technique relies on the accuracy and reliability of methods used to quantify gene knockdown. With the limitation in the availability of antibodies for detecting proteins, quantitative PCR (qPCR) remains the preferred method for quantifying target gene knockdown after dsRNA treatment. We evaluated how qPCR primer binding site and target gene expression levels affect quantification of intact mRNA transcripts following dsRNA-mediated RNAi. The use of primer pairs targeting the mRNA sequence within the dsRNA target region failed to reveal a significant decrease in target mRNA transcripts for genes with low expression levels, but not for a highly expressed gene. By contrast, significant knockdown was detected in all cases with primer pairs targeting the mRNA sequence extending beyond the dsRNA target region, regardless of the expression levels of the target gene. Our results suggest that at least for genes with low expression levels, quantifying the efficiency of dsRNA-mediated RNAi with primers amplifying sequences completely contained in the dsRNA target region should be avoided due to the risk of false-negative results. Instead, primer pairs extending beyond the dsRNA target region of the mRNA transcript sequences should be used for accurate and reliable quantification of silencing efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ogao Onchuru
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes Gutenberg University – MainzMainzGermany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department for Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Organismic and Molecular EvolutionJohannes Gutenberg University – MainzMainzGermany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Macdonald J, Kilcoyne KR, Sharpe RM, Kavanagh Á, Anderson RA, Brown P, Smith LB, Jørgensen A, Mitchell RT. DMRT1 repression using a novel approach to genetic manipulation induces testicular dysgenesis in human fetal gonads. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:2107-2121. [PMID: 30272154 PMCID: PMC6195803 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does loss of DMRT1 in human fetal testis alter testicular development and result in testicular dysgenesis? SUMMARY ANSWER DMRT1 repression in human fetal testis alters the expression of key testicular and ovarian determining genes, and leads to focal testicular dysgenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) is associated with common testicular disorders in young men, but its etiology is unknown. DMRT1 has been shown to play a role in the regulation of sex differentiation in the vertebrate gonad. Downregulation of DMRT1 in male mice results in trans-differentiation of Sertoli cells into granulosa (FOXL2+) cells resulting in an ovarian gonadal phenotype. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION To determine the effect of DMRT1 repression on human fetal testes, we developed a novel system for genetic manipulation, which utilizes a Lentivral delivered miRNA during short-term in vitro culture (2 weeks). A long-term (4–6 weeks) ex vivo xenograft model was used to determine the subsequent effects of DMRT1 repression on testicular development and maintenance. We included first and second-trimester testis tissue (8–20 weeks gestation; n = 12) in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Human fetal testes were cultured in vitro and exposed to either of two DMRT1 miRNAs (miR536, miR641), or to scrambled control miRNA, for 24 h. This was followed by a further 14 days of culture (n = 3–4), or xenografting (n = 5) into immunocompromised mice for 4–6 weeks. Tissues were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR. Endpoints included histological evaluation of seminiferous cord integrity, mRNA expression of testicular, ovarian and germ cell genes, and assessment of cell number and protein expression for proliferation, apoptosis and pluripotency factors. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed effect model. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE DMRT1 repression (miR536/miR641) resulted in a loss of DMRT1 protein expression in a sub-population of Sertoli cells of first trimester (8–11 weeks gestation) human fetal testis; however, this did not affect the completion of seminiferous cord formation or morphological appearance. In second-trimester testis (12–20 weeks gestation), DMRT1 repression (miR536/miR641) resulted in disruption of seminiferous cords with absence of DMRT1 protein expression in Sertoli (SOX9+) cells. No differences in proliferation (Ki67+) were observed and apoptotic cells (CC3+) were rare. Expression of the Sertoli cell associated gene, SOX8, was significantly reduced (miR536, 34% reduction, P = 0.031; miR641 36% reduction, P = 0.026), whilst SOX9 expression was unaffected. Changes in expression of AMH (miR536, 100% increase, P = 0.033), CYP26B1 (miR641, 38% reduction, P = 0.05) and PTGDS (miR642, 30% reduction, P = 0.0076) were also observed. Amongst granulosa cell associated genes, there was a significant downregulation in R-spondin 1 expression (miR536, 76% reduction, P < 0.0001; miR641, 49% reduction, P = 0.046); however, there were no changes in expression of the granulosa cell marker, FOXL2. Analysis of germ cell associated genes demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of the pluripotency gene OCT4 (miR536, 233%, P < 0.001). We used the xenograft system to investigate the longer-term effects of seminiferous cord disruption via DMRT1 repression. As was evident in vitro for second-trimester samples, DMRT1 repression resulted in focal testicular dysgenesis similar to that described in adults with TDS. These dysgenetic areas were devoid of germ cells, whilst expression of FOXL2 within the dysgenetic areas, indicated trans-differentiation from a male (Sertoli cell) to female (granulosa cell) phenotype. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Human fetal testis tissue is a limited resource; however, we were able to demonstrate significant effects of DMRT1 repression on the expression of germ and somatic cell genes, in addition to the induction of focal testicular dysgenesis, using these limited samples. In vitro culture may not reflect all aspects of human fetal testis development and function; however, the concurrent use of the xenograft model which represents a more physiological system supports the validity of the in vitro findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings have important implications for understanding the role of DMRT1 in human testis development and in the origin of testicular dysgenesis. In addition, we provide validation of a novel system that can be used to determine the effects of repression of genes that have been implicated in gonadal development and associated human reproductive disorders. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was funded by a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellowship (Grant No. 098522) awarded to RTM. LBS was supported by MRC Programme Grant MR/N002970/1. RAA was supported by MRC Programme Grant G1100357/1. RMS was supported by MRC Programme Grant G33253. This work was undertaken in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health which is funded by the MRC Centre grant MR/N022556/1. The funding bodies had no input into the conduct of the research or the production of this manuscript. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joni Macdonald
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Karen R Kilcoyne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Richard M Sharpe
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Áine Kavanagh
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Pamela Brown
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Lee B Smith
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 9 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Discovery of microRNA-like RNAs during early fruiting body development in the model mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198234. [PMID: 30231028 PMCID: PMC6145500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coprinopsis cinerea is a model mushroom particularly suited for the study of fungal fruiting body development and the evolution of multicellularity in fungi. While microRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively studied in animals and plants for their essential roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, miRNAs in fungi are less well characterized and their potential roles in controlling mushroom development remain unknown. To identify miRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) in C. cinerea and explore their expression patterns during the early developmental transition of mushroom development, small RNA libraries of vegetative mycelium and primordium were generated and putative milRNA candidates were identified following the standards of miRNA prediction in animals and plants. Two out of 22 novel predicted milRNAs, cci-milR-12c and cci-milR-13e-5p, were validated by northern blot and stem-loop reverse transcription real-time PCR. Cci-milR-12c was differentially expressed whereas the expression levels of cci-milR-13e-5p were similar in the two developmental stages. Target prediction of the validated milRNAs resulted in genes associated with fruiting body development, including pheromone, hydrophobin, cytochrome P450, and protein kinase. Essential genes for miRNA biogenesis, including three coding for Dicer-like (DCL), one for Argonaute (AGO), one for AGO-like and one for quelling deficient-2 (QDE-2) proteins, were also identified in the C. cinerea genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the DCL and AGO proteins of C. cinerea were more closely related to those in other basidiomycetes and ascomycetes than to those in animals and plants. Taken together, our findings provided the first evidence for milRNAs in the model mushroom and their potential roles in regulating fruiting body development. New information on the evolutionary relationship of milRNA biogenesis proteins across kingdoms has also provided new insights for guiding further functional and evolutionary studies of miRNAs.
Collapse
|
16
|
Gatta AK, Hariharapura RC, Udupa N, Reddy MS, Josyula VR. Strategies for improving the specificity of siRNAs for enhanced therapeutic potential. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2018; 13:709-725. [PMID: 29902093 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2018.1480607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION RNA interference has become a tool of choice in the development of drugs in various therapeutic areas of Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS). The critical element in developing successful RNAi therapeutics lies in designing small interfering RNA (siRNA) using an efficient algorithm satisfying the designing criteria. Further, translation of siRNA from bench-side to bedside needs an efficient delivery system and/or chemical modification. Areas covered: This review emphasizes the importance of dicer, the criteria for efficient siRNA design, the currently available algorithms and strategies to overcome off-target effects, immune stimulatory effects and endosomal trap. Expert opinion: Specificity and stability are the primary concerns for siRNA therapeutics. The design criteria and algorithms should be chosen rationally to have a siRNA sequence that binds to the corresponding mRNA as it happens in the Watson and Crick base pairing. However, it must evade a few more hurdles (Endocytosis, Serum stability etc.) to be functional in the cytosol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Kiran Gatta
- a Cell and Molecular Biology lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Raghu Chandrashekhar Hariharapura
- a Cell and Molecular Biology lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Nayanabhirama Udupa
- b Research Directorate of Health Sciences , Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Meka Sreenivasa Reddy
- c Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| | - Venkata Rao Josyula
- a Cell and Molecular Biology lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal , Karnataka , India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Identification and functional characterisation of an allene oxide synthase from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. Sauvignon blanc). Mol Biol Rep 2018; 45:263-277. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4159-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
18
|
Henry KE, Dilling TR, Abdel-Atti D, Edwards KJ, Evans MJ, Lewis JS. Noninvasive 89Zr-Transferrin PET Shows Improved Tumor Targeting Compared with 18F-FDG PET in MYC-Overexpressing Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Nucl Med 2018; 59:51-57. [PMID: 28848040 PMCID: PMC5750524 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.192286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The current standard for breast PET imaging is 18F-FDG. The heterogeneity of 18F-FDG uptake in breast cancer limits its utility, varying greatly among receptor status, histopathologic subtypes, and proliferation markers. 18F-FDG PET often exhibits nonspecific internalization and low specificity and sensitivity, especially with tumors smaller than 1 cm3 MYC is a protein involved in oncogenesis and is overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Increased surface expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) is a downstream event of MYC upregulation and has been validated as a clinically relevant target for molecular imaging. Transferrin labeled with 89Zr has successfully identified MYC status in many cancer subtypes preclinically and been shown to predict response and changes in oncogene status via treatment with small-molecule inhibitors that target MYC and PI3K signaling pathways. We hypothesized that 89Zr-transferrin PET will noninvasively detect MYC and TfR and improve upon the current standard of 18F-FDG PET for MYC-overexpressing TNBC. Methods: In this study, 89Zr-transferrin and 18F-FDG imaging were compared in preclinical models of TNBC. TNBC cells (MDA-MB-157, MDA-MB-231, and Hs578T) were treated with bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors JQ1 and OTX015 (0.5-1 μM). Cell proliferation, gene expression, and protein expression were assayed to explore the effects of these inhibitors on MYC and TfR. Results: Head-to-head comparison showed that 89Zr-transferrin targets TNBC tumors significantly better (P < 0.05-0.001) than 18F-FDG through PET imaging and biodistribution studies in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 xenografts and a patient-derived xenograft model of TNBC. c-Myc and TfR gene expression was decreased upon treatment with BRD4 inhibitors and c-MYC small interfering RNA (P < 0.01-0.001 for responding cell lines), compared with vehicle treatment. MYC and TfR protein expression, along with receptor-mediated internalization of transferrin, was also significantly decreased upon drug treatment in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-157 cells (P < 0.01-0.001). Conclusion:89Zr-transferrin targets human TNBC primary tumors significantly better than 18F-FDG, as shown through PET imaging and biodistribution studies. 89Zr-transferrin is a useful tool to interrogate MYC via TfR-targeted PET imaging in TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Henry
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas R Dilling
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Dalya Abdel-Atti
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kimberly J Edwards
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jason S Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pharmacology and Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; and
- Radiochemistry and Molecular Imaging Probes Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mainland RL, Lyons TA, Ruth MM, Kramer JM. Optimal RNA isolation method and primer design to detect gene knockdown by qPCR when validating Drosophila transgenic RNAi lines. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:647. [PMID: 29187229 PMCID: PMC5707822 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2959-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective RNA interference is employed extensively in Drosophila research to study gene function within a specific cell-type or tissue. Thousands of transgenic Drosophila lines have been generated to express double stranded RNA for gene knockdown; however, no standardized method exists for quantifying their knockdown efficiency. Since antibodies are not available for many proteins, quantitative real-time PCR is often used. Here, we explore how primer design and RNA isolation method can influence detection of gene knockdown using qPCR. Results We tested differences in detected gene knockdown efficiency when using purified polyadenylated mRNA or total RNA as templates for cDNA synthesis. We also tested two different primer locations for each gene: one to amplify a region 5′ of the RNAi cut site, and one to amplify a region 3′ of the cut site. Consistently, the strongest gene knockdown was detected when qPCR was performed using 5′ primer sets in combination with mRNA-derived cDNA. Our results indicate that detection of undegraded mRNA cleavage fragments can result in underestimation of true knockdown efficiency for a RNAi construct. Purification of polyadenylated mRNA, combined with primers designed to amplify the non-polyadenylated 5′ mRNA cleavage fragment can avoid this problem. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2959-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roslyn L Mainland
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Taylor A Lyons
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Mike M Ruth
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jamie M Kramer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada. .,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Murray J, Todd KV, Bakre A, Orr-Burks N, Jones L, Wu W, Tripp RA. A universal mammalian vaccine cell line substrate. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188333. [PMID: 29176782 PMCID: PMC5703543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Using genome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) screens for poliovirus, influenza A virus and rotavirus, we validated the top 6 gene hits PV, RV or IAV to search for host genes that when knocked-down (KD) enhanced virus permissiveness and replication over wild type Vero cells or HEp-2 cells. The enhanced virus replication was tested for 12 viruses and ranged from 2-fold to >1000-fold. There were variations in virus-specific replication (strain differences) across the cell lines examined. Some host genes (CNTD2, COQ9, GCGR, NDUFA9, NEU2, PYCR1, SEC16G, SVOPL, ZFYVE9, and ZNF205) showed that KD resulted in enhanced virus replication. These findings advance platform-enabling vaccine technology, the creation of diagnostic cells substrates, and are informative about the host mechanisms that affect virus replication in mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackelyn Murray
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Kyle V. Todd
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Abhijeet Bakre
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Nichole Orr-Burks
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Les Jones
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Weilin Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Ralph A. Tripp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lehner R, Liu K, Wang X, Hunziker P. Efficient Receptor Mediated siRNA Delivery in Vitro by Folic Acid Targeted Pentablock Copolymer-Based Micelleplexes. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:2654-2662. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Lehner
- Nanomedicine
Research Lab CLINAM, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 20, Basel CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Kegang Liu
- Nanomedicine
Research Lab CLINAM, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 20, Basel CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Xueya Wang
- Nanomedicine
Research Lab CLINAM, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 20, Basel CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Hunziker
- Nanomedicine
Research Lab CLINAM, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 20, Basel CH-4056, Switzerland
- CLINAM Foundation
for Clinical Nanomedicine, Alemannengasse
12, Basel CH-4016, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
The discovery of an ever-expanding plethora of coding and non-coding RNAs with nodal and causal roles in the regulation of lung physiology and disease is reinvigorating interest in the clinical utility of the oligonucleotide therapeutic class. This is strongly supported through recent advances in nucleic acids chemistry, synthetic oligonucleotide delivery and viral gene therapy that have succeeded in bringing to market at least three nucleic acid-based drugs. As a consequence, multiple new candidates such as RNA interference modulators, antisense, and splice switching compounds are now progressing through clinical evaluation. Here, manipulation of RNA for the treatment of lung disease is explored, with emphasis on robust pharmacological evidence aligned to the five pillars of drug development: exposure to the appropriate tissue, binding to the desired molecular target, evidence of the expected mode of action, activity in the relevant patient population and commercially viable value proposition.
Collapse
|
23
|
Will T, Schmidtberg H, Skaljac M, Vilcinskas A. Heat shock protein 83 plays pleiotropic roles in embryogenesis, longevity, and fecundity of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Dev Genes Evol 2016; 227:1-9. [PMID: 27743033 PMCID: PMC5203865 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-016-0564-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock protein 83 (HSP83) is homologous to the chaperone HSP90. It has pleiotropic functions in Drosophila melanogaster, including the control of longevity and fecundity, and facilitates morphological evolution by buffering cryptic deleterious mutations in wild populations. In the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, HSP83 expression is moderately induced by bacterial infection but upregulated more strongly in response to heat stress and fungal infection. Stress-inducible heat shock proteins are of considerable evolutionary and ecological importance because they are known to buffer environmental variation and to influence fitness under non-optimal conditions. To investigate the functions of HSP83 in viviparous aphids, we used RNA interference to attenuate its expression and studied the impact on complex parameters. The RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated depletion of HSP83 expression in A. pisum reduced both longevity and fecundity, suggesting this chaperone has an evolutionarily conserved function in insects. Surprisingly, HSP83 depletion reduced the number of viviparous offspring while simultaneously increasing the number of premature nymphs developing in the ovaries, suggesting an unexpected role in aphid embryogenesis and eclosion. The present study indicates that reduced HSP83 expression in A. pisum reveals both functional similarities and differences compared with its reported roles in holometabolous insects. Its impact on aphid lifespan, fecundity, and embryogenesis suggests a function that determines their fitness. This could be achieved by targeting different client proteins, recruiting distinct co-chaperones or transposon activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Will
- Institute of Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany.,Institute of Phytopathology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Henrike Schmidtberg
- Institute of Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marisa Skaljac
- Fraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) Project Group 'Bioresources', Winchesterstraße 2, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute of Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany. .,Fraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) Project Group 'Bioresources', Winchesterstraße 2, 35394, Giessen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Khan MB, Liew JWK, Leong CS, Lau YL. Role of NF-kβ factor Rel2 during Plasmodium falciparum and bacterial infection in Anopheles dirus. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:525. [PMID: 27688040 PMCID: PMC5041562 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1810-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria which is one of the world's most threatening diseases. Anopheles dirus (sensu stricto) is among the main vectors of malaria in South East Asia. The mosquito innate immune response is the first line of defence against malaria parasites during its development. The immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, a conserved immune signaling pathway, influences anti-Plasmodium falciparum activity in Anopheles gambiae, An. stephensi and An. albimanus. The aim of the study was to determine the role of Rel2, an IMD pathway-controlled NF-kappaβ transcription factor, in An. dirus. METHODS RACE (Rapid amplification of cDNA ends) was performed on the Rel2 gene. Double-stranded Rel2 was constructed and injected into the thorax of female mosquitoes. The injected mosquitoes were fed on a P. falciparum gametocyte culture and dissected on day 7-9 post-feeding in order to count the oocysts. A survival analysis was conducted by exposing the dsRNA injected mosquitoes to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. RESULTS This study demonstrated that the Rel2 gene in An. dirus has two isoforms, short length and full length. RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of Rel2 showed that the latter is involved in protection against P. falciparum, Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus) with Lys-type peptidoglycan and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) with DAP-type peptidoglycan. CONCLUSION This study suggested that there are similarities in the splicing events and functionality of the Rel2 gene, between the Anopheles species. Among all the important anophelines, the immunity of only a few has been thoroughly investigated. In order to develop novel vector-based control strategies and restrict malaria transmission, the immune pathways of these important vectors should be thoroughly investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Behram Khan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jonathan Wee Kent Liew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cherng Shii Leong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Singhania R, Pavey S, Payne E, Gu W, Clancy J, Jubair L, Preiss T, Saunders N, McMillan NAJ. Short interfering RNA induced generation and translation of stable 5' mRNA cleavage intermediates. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1859:1034-42. [PMID: 27321990 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sequence-specific degradation of homologous mRNA is the main mechanism by which short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) suppress gene expression. Generally, it is assumed that the mRNA fragments resulting from Ago2 cleavage are rapidly degraded, thus making the transcript translation-incompetent. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the post-cleavage mRNA decay are not completely understood and the fate of cleavage intermediates has been poorly studied. Using specific siRNAs and short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) we show that the 5' and 3' mRNA cleavage fragments of human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV-16) E6/7 mRNA, over-expressed in cervical malignancies, are unevenly degraded. Intriguingly, the 5' mRNA fragment was more abundant and displayed a greater stability than the corresponding 3' mRNA fragment in RNAi-treated cells. Further analysis revealed that the 5' mRNA fragment was polysome-associated, indicating its active translation, and this was further confirmed by using tagged E7 protein to show that C-terminally truncated proteins were produced in treated cells. Overall, our findings provide new insight into the degradation of siRNA-targeted transcripts and show that RNAi can alter protein expression in cells as a result of preferential stabilization and translation of the 5' cleavage fragment. These results challenge the current model of siRNA-mediated RNAi and provide a significant step forward towards understanding non-canonical pathways of siRNA gene silencing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richa Singhania
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sandra Pavey
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Payne
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Wenyi Gu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jennifer Clancy
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Luqman Jubair
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Thomas Preiss
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nicholas Saunders
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nigel A J McMillan
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kumar N, Barua S, Riyesh T, Chaubey KK, Rawat KD, Khandelwal N, Mishra AK, Sharma N, Chandel SS, Sharma S, Singh MK, Sharma DK, Singh SV, Tripathi BN. Complexities in Isolation and Purification of Multiple Viruses from Mixed Viral Infections: Viral Interference, Persistence and Exclusion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156110. [PMID: 27227480 PMCID: PMC4881941 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful purification of multiple viruses from mixed infections remains a challenge. In this study, we investigated peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) mixed infection in goats. Rather than in a single cell type, cytopathic effect (CPE) of the virus was observed in cocultured Vero/BHK-21 cells at 6th blind passage (BP). PPRV, but not FMDV could be purified from the virus mixture by plaque assay. Viral RNA (mixture) transfection in BHK-21 cells produced FMDV but not PPRV virions, a strategy which we have successfully employed for the first time to eliminate the negative-stranded RNA virus from the virus mixture. FMDV phenotypes, such as replication competent but noncytolytic, cytolytic but defective in plaque formation and, cytolytic but defective in both plaque formation and standard FMDV genome were observed respectively, at passage level BP8, BP15 and BP19 and hence complicated virus isolation in the cell culture system. Mixed infection was not found to induce any significant antigenic and genetic diversity in both PPRV and FMDV. Further, we for the first time demonstrated the viral interference between PPRV and FMDV. Prior transfection of PPRV RNA, but not Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and rotavirus RNA resulted in reduced FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells suggesting that the PPRV RNA-induced interference was specifically directed against FMDV. On long-term coinfection of some acute pathogenic viruses (all possible combinations of PPRV, FMDV, NDV and buffalopox virus) in Vero cells, in most cases, one of the coinfecting viruses was excluded at passage level 5 suggesting that the long-term coinfection may modify viral persistence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented evidence describing a natural mixed infection of FMDV and PPRV. The study not only provides simple and reliable methodologies for isolation and purification of two epidemiologically and economically important groups of viruses, but could also help in establishing better guidelines for trading animals that could transmit further infections and epidemics in disease free nations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Kumar
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Sanjay Barua
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Thachamvally Riyesh
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Kundan K. Chaubey
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Krishan Dutt Rawat
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Nitin Khandelwal
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Anil K. Mishra
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Nitika Sharma
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Surender S. Chandel
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Shalini Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Manoj K. Singh
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Dinesh K. Sharma
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Shoor V. Singh
- Division of Animal Health, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India
| | - Bhupendra N. Tripathi
- National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture Collections, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana, India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Esmaeeli-Nieh S, Fenckova M, Porter IM, Motazacker MM, Nijhof B, Castells-Nobau A, Asztalos Z, Weißmann R, Behjati F, Tzschach A, Felbor U, Scherthan H, Sayfati SM, Ropers HH, Kahrizi K, Najmabadi H, Swedlow JR, Schenck A, Kuss AW. BOD1 Is Required for Cognitive Function in Humans and Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006022. [PMID: 27166630 PMCID: PMC4864283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report a stop-mutation in the BOD1 (Biorientation Defective 1) gene, which co-segregates with intellectual disability in a large consanguineous family, where individuals that are homozygous for the mutation have no detectable BOD1 mRNA or protein. The BOD1 protein is required for proper chromosome segregation, regulating phosphorylation of PLK1 substrates by modulating Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity during mitosis. We report that fibroblast cell lines derived from homozygous BOD1 mutation carriers show aberrant localisation of the cell cycle kinase PLK1 and its phosphatase PP2A at mitotic kinetochores. However, in contrast to the mitotic arrest observed in BOD1-siRNA treated HeLa cells, patient-derived cells progressed through mitosis with no apparent segregation defects but at an accelerated rate compared to controls. The relatively normal cell cycle progression observed in cultured cells is in line with the absence of gross structural brain abnormalities in the affected individuals. Moreover, we found that in normal adult brain tissues BOD1 expression is maintained at considerable levels, in contrast to PLK1 expression, and provide evidence for synaptic localization of Bod1 in murine neurons. These observations suggest that BOD1 plays a cell cycle-independent role in the nervous system. To address this possibility, we established two Drosophila models, where neuron-specific knockdown of BOD1 caused pronounced learning deficits and significant abnormalities in synapse morphology. Together our results reveal novel postmitotic functions of BOD1 as well as pathogenic mechanisms that strongly support a causative role of BOD1 deficiency in the aetiology of intellectual disability. Moreover, by demonstrating its requirement for cognitive function in humans and Drosophila we provide evidence for a conserved role of BOD1 in the development and maintenance of cognitive features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Esmaeeli-Nieh
- Department for Human Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Fenckova
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Iain M. Porter
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - M. Mahdi Motazacker
- Department for Human Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bonnie Nijhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Zoltan Asztalos
- Department Genetics, Aktogen Limited, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Aktogen Hungary Ltd., Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd., Institute for Biotechnology, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Robert Weißmann
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine Greifswald and Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Farkhondeh Behjati
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andreas Tzschach
- Department for Human Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Felbor
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine Greifswald and Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Harry Scherthan
- Department for Human Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Radiobiologie der Bundeswehr in Verbindung mit der Universität Ulm, München, Germany
| | - Seyed Morteza Sayfati
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - H. Hilger. Ropers
- Department for Human Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kimia Kahrizi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Najmabadi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jason R. Swedlow
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Andreas W. Kuss
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine Greifswald and Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhou S, Gao L, Gong F, Chen X. Receptor for advanced glycation end products involved in circulating endothelial cells release from human coronary endothelial cells induced by C-reactive protein. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2015; 18. [PMID: 26221486 PMCID: PMC4509958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study was designed to investigate the effect of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), S100A12 and C-reactive protein (CRP) on the release of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) from human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS HCAECs were cultured in increasing concentration of CRP (0, 12.5, 25, 50μg/ml) or S100A12 protein (0, 4, 10, 25μg/ml) for 24 hr. CECs were measured by flow cytometry. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed to decrease RAGE level. Fluorescence microscopy and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to assess the efficiency of siRNA silencing RAGE. The release of CECs from HCAECs was further evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS CRP caused a significant increase in the release of CECs from HCAECs. The number of CECs increased by about 2-fold in 25 μg/ml CRP-treated group compared to the control group (12.22% compared to 6.82%, P=0.032). But S100A12 failed to increase the release of CECs from HCAECs. Blockade of RAGE by siRNA significantly decreased the release of CECs induced by CRP (13.22% of CRP group compared to 8.77% of CRP+siRNA group, P=0.017). CONCLUSION RAGE is involved in the release of CECs induced by CRP, and the effect can be attenuated by silencing RAGE. RAGE may play an important role in endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. Inhibition of RAGE may be a therapeutic target for coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shulai Zhou
- Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003 China
| | - Lichao Gao
- Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003 China
| | - Fangqi Gong
- Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003 China,*Corresponding author: Fangqi Gong. Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhugan Lane, Hangzhou 310003, China. Tel: +86-571-87073271; Fax: +86-571-87033296;
| | - Xiaoyang Chen
- Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003 China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Myc regulates programmed cell death and radial glia dedifferentiation after neural injury in an echinoderm. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2015; 15:24. [PMID: 26025619 PMCID: PMC4448152 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-015-0071-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Adult echinoderms can completely regenerate major parts of their central nervous system even after severe injuries. Even though this capacity has long been known, the molecular mechanisms that drive fast and complete regeneration in these animals have remained uninvestigated. The major obstacle for understanding these molecular pathways has been the lack of functional genomic studies on regenerating adult echinoderms. Results Here, we employ RNA interference-mediated gene knockdown to characterize the role of Myc during the early (first 48 hours) post-injury response in the radial nerve cord of the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. Our previous experiments identified Myc as the only pluripotency-associated factor, whose expression significantly increased in the wounded CNS. The specific function(s) of this gene, however, remained unknown. Here we demonstrate that knockdown of Myc inhibits dedifferentiation of radial glia and programmed cell death, the two most prominent cellular events that take place in the regenerating sea cucumber nervous system shortly after injury. Conclusions In this study, we show that Myc overexpression is required for proper dedifferentiation of radial glial cells and for triggering the programmed cell death in the vicinity of the injury. Myc is thus the first transcription factor, whose functional role has been experimentally established in echinoderm regeneration. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12861-015-0071-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
30
|
Mikhaleva Y, Kreneisz O, Olsen LC, Glover JC, Chourrout D. Modification of the larval swimming behavior inOikopleura dioica, a chordate with a miniaturized central nervous system by dsRNA injection into fertilized eggs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2015; 324:114-27. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yana Mikhaleva
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
| | - Orsolya Kreneisz
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Department of Physiology; University of Oslo; Norway
| | - Lisbeth C. Olsen
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
| | - Joel C. Glover
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Department of Physiology; University of Oslo; Norway
| | - Daniel Chourrout
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Horstman A, Fukuoka H, Muino JM, Nitsch L, Guo C, Passarinho P, Sanchez-Perez G, Immink R, Angenent G, Boutilier K. AIL and HDG proteins act antagonistically to control cell proliferation. Development 2015; 142:454-64. [PMID: 25564655 DOI: 10.1242/dev.117168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Aintegumenta-like (AIL) transcription factors are key regulators of cell proliferation and meristem identity. Although AIL functions have been well described, the direct signalling components of this pathway are largely unknown. We show that baby boom (BBM) and other AIL proteins physically interact with multiple members of the L1-expressed homeodomain glabrous (HDG) transcription factor family, including HDG1, HDG11 and HDG12. Overexpression of HDG1, HDG11 and HDG12 restricts growth due to root and shoot meristem arrest, which is associated with reduced expression of genes involved in meristem development and cell proliferation pathways, whereas downregulation of multiple HDG genes promotes cell overproliferation. These results suggest a role for HDG proteins in promoting cell differentiation. We also reveal a transcriptional network in which BBM and HDG1 regulate several common target genes, and where BBM/AIL and HDG regulate the expression of each other. Taken together, these results suggest opposite roles for AIL and HDG proteins, with AILs promoting cell proliferation and HDGs stimulating cell differentiation, and that these functions are mediated at both the protein-protein interaction and transcriptional level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Horstman
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Hiroyuki Fukuoka
- Vegetable Breeding and Genome Research Division, NARO Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science (NIVTS), 360 Kusawa, Ano, Tsu, Mie 514-2392, Japan
| | - Jose M Muino
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin D-14195, Germany
| | - Lisette Nitsch
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Dreijenlaan 3, Wageningen 6703 HA, The Netherlands
| | - Changhua Guo
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Passarinho
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Gabino Sanchez-Perez
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands Wageningen University, Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Immink
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Gerco Angenent
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands Wageningen University, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Boutilier
- Wageningen University and Research Centre, Bioscience, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sharples AP, Al-Shanti N, Hughes DC, Lewis MP, Stewart CE. The role of insulin-like-growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in the regulation of myoblast differentiation and hypertrophy. Growth Horm IGF Res 2013; 23:53-61. [PMID: 23583027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2013.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The complex actions of the insulin-like-growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in skeletal muscle are becoming apparent, with IGFBP2 being implicated in skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation (Ernst et al., 1992; Sharples et al., 2010). Furthermore, PTEN signalling has been linked to IGFBP2 action in other cell types by co-ordinating downstream Akt signalling, a known modulator of myoblast differentiation. The present study therefore aimed to determine the interaction between IGFBP2 and PTEN on myoblast differentiation. It has previously been established that C2C12 cells have high IGFBP2 gene expression upon transfer to low serum media, and that expression reduces rapidly as cells differentiate over 72 h [1]. Wishing to establish a potential role for IGFBP2 in this model, a neutralising IGFBP2 antibody was administered to C2C12 myoblasts upon initiation of differentiation. Myoblasts subsequently displayed reduced morphological differentiation (myotube number), biochemical differentiation (creatine kinase) and myotube hypertrophy (myotube area) with an early reduction in Akt phosphorylation. Knock-down of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) using siRNA in the absence of the neutralising antibody did not improve differentiation or hypertrophy vs. control conditions, however, in the presence of the neutralising IGFBP2 antibody, differentiation was restored and importantly hypertrophy exceeded that of control levels. Overall, these data suggest that; 1) reduced early availability of IGFBP2 can inhibit myoblast differentiation at later time points, 2) knock-down of PTEN levels can restore myoblast differentiation in the presence of neutralising IGFBP2 antibody, and 3) PTEN inhibition acts as a potent inducer of myotube hypertrophy when the availability of IGFBP2 is reduced in C2C12 myoblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Sharples
- Stem Cell, Ageing and Molecular Physiology (SCAMP) Unit, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES), School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sharath Chandra G, Asokan R, Manamohan M. Modified competing polymerase chain reaction primer for single tube quantitative PCR. Anal Biochem 2012; 427:175-7. [PMID: 22640602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We developed a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer with 3' phosphate instead of hydroxyl group for single-tube accurate transcript quantification. 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) reference gene-specific modified primer was used for precise single-tube quantification of two target transcripts, namely chymotrypsin and jhamt (juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase) of Helicoverpa armigera. A comparative study of 3' phosphorylated primers, 3' mismatched primers, and commercial Competimers revealed that 3' phosphorylation was more efficient than the 3' mismatch and was on par with Competimers in blocking the primer extension. Thus, the modified primers can be used in single-tube, economical, and accurate PCR quantification of the target gene using any assay-specific reference gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Sharath Chandra
- Division of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research-IIHR, Hesaraghatta Lake-post, Bengaluru 560089, India.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
SUMMARYAlmost a decade has passed since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) in a parasitic helminth. Whilst much progress has been made with RNAi informing gene function studies in disparate nematode and flatworm parasites, substantial and seemingly prohibitive difficulties have been encountered in some species, hindering progress. An appraisal of current practices, trends and ideals of RNAi experimental design in parasitic helminths is both timely and necessary for a number of reasons: firstly, the increasing availability of parasitic helminth genome/transcriptome resources means there is a growing need for gene function tools such as RNAi; secondly, fundamental differences and unique challenges exist for parasite species which do not apply to model organisms; thirdly, the inherent variation in experimental design, and reported difficulties with reproducibility undermine confidence. Ideally, RNAi studies of gene function should adopt standardised experimental design to aid reproducibility, interpretation and comparative analyses. Although the huge variations in parasite biology and experimental endpoints make RNAi experimental design standardization difficult or impractical, we must strive to validate RNAi experimentation in helminth parasites. To aid this process we identify multiple approaches to RNAi experimental validation and highlight those which we deem to be critical for gene function studies in helminth parasites.
Collapse
|
35
|
Damiri B, Holle E, Yu X, Baldwin WS. Lentiviral-mediated RNAi knockdown yields a novel mouse model for studying Cyp2b function. Toxicol Sci 2011; 125:368-81. [PMID: 22083726 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There are few in vivo knockout models available to study the function of Cyp2 members involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous chemicals. These models may help provide insight into the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) responsible for the detoxification and activation of drugs, environmental toxicants, and endobiotics. The aim of this work is to produce a potent Cyp2b-knockdown (KD) mouse for subsequent study of Cyp2b function. We made a quintuple Cyp2b-KD mouse using lentiviral-promoted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) homologous to all five murine Cyp2b subfamily members (Cyp2b9, 2b10, 2b13, 2b19, and 2b23). The Cyp2b-KD mice are viable, fertile, and without obvious gross abnormalities except for an increase in liver weight. Expression of the three hepatic Cyp2b members, 2b9, 2b10, and 2b13, is significantly repressed as demonstrated by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. The constitutive androstane receptor activator, 1,4-Bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP), was used to determine if shRNA-mediated Cyp2b10 repression could be outcompeted by Cyp2b10 induction. TCPOBOP-treated Cyp2b-KD mice show 80-90% less Cyp2b protein expression than TCPOBOP-treated wild-type (WT) mice, demonstrating that Cyp induction does not outcompete the repressive function of the shRNA. Untreated and TCPOBOP-treated Cyp2b-KD mice are poor metabolizers of parathion compared with WT mice. Furthermore, Cyp2b-KD mice are sensitive to parathion, an organophosphate insecticide primarily metabolized by Cyp2b enzymes, when compared with WT mice. In summary, we designed an shRNA construct that repressed the expression and activity of multiple Cyp2b enzymes. We foresee that this novel Cyp2b-KD mouse model will significantly improve our understanding of the role of Cyp2b enzymes in chemical sensitivity and drug metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basma Damiri
- Environmental Toxicology Program, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Herbert M, Coppieters N, Lasham A, Cao H, Reid G. The importance of RT-qPCR primer design for the detection of siRNA-mediated mRNA silencing. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:148. [PMID: 21612654 PMCID: PMC3123217 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of RNAi to analyse gene function in vitro is now widely applied in biological research. However, several difficulties are associated with its use in vivo, mainly relating to inefficient delivery and non-specific effects of short RNA duplexes in animal models. The latter can lead to false positive results when real-time RT-qPCR alone is used to measure target mRNA knockdown. FINDINGS We observed that detection of an apparent siRNA-mediated knockdown in vivo was dependent on the primers used for real-time RT-qPCR measurement of the target mRNA. Two siRNAs specific for RRM1 with equivalent activity in vitro were administered to A549 xenografts via intratumoural injection. In each case, apparent knockdown of RRM1 mRNA was observed only when the primer pair used in RT-qPCR flanked the siRNA cleavage site. This false-positive result was found to result from co-purified siRNA interfering with both reverse transcription and qPCR. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that using primers flanking the siRNA-mediated cleavage site in RT-qPCR-based measurements of mRNA knockdown in vivo can lead to false positive results. This is particularly relevant where high concentrations of siRNA are introduced, particularly via intratumoural injection, as the siRNA may be co-purified with the RNA and interfere with downstream enzymatic steps. Based on these results, using primers flanking the siRNA target site should be avoided when measuring knockdown of target mRNA by real-time RT-qPCR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mike Herbert
- Genesis Research & Development Corporation, Ltd, PO Box 50, Auckland 1140, New Zealand.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Roberts OL, Holmes K, Müller J, Cross DAE, Cross MJ. ERK5 is required for VEGF-mediated survival and tubular morphogenesis of primary human microvascular endothelial cells. J Cell Sci 2010; 123:3189-200. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.072801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is activated in response to environmental stress and growth factors. Gene ablation of Erk5 in mice is embryonically lethal as a result of disruption of cardiovascular development and vascular integrity. We investigated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated ERK5 activation in primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) undergoing proliferation on a gelatin matrix, and tubular morphogenesis within a collagen gel matrix. VEGF induced sustained ERK5 activation on both matrices. However, manipulation of ERK5 activity by siRNA-mediated gene silencing disrupted tubular morphogenesis without impacting proliferation. Overexpression of constitutively active MEK5 and ERK5 stimulated tubular morphogenesis in the absence of VEGF. Analysis of intracellular signalling revealed that ERK5 regulated AKT phosphorylation. On a collagen gel, ERK5 regulated VEGF-mediated phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD and increased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2, resulting in decreased caspase-3 activity and apoptosis suppression. Our findings suggest that ERK5 is required for AKT phosphorylation and cell survival and is crucial for endothelial cell differentiation in response to VEGF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Owain Llŷr Roberts
- NWCRF Institute, School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Katherine Holmes
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| | - Jürgen Müller
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Darren A. E. Cross
- AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Holmes K, Chapman E, See V, Cross MJ. VEGF stimulates RCAN1.4 expression in endothelial cells via a pathway requiring Ca2+/calcineurin and protein kinase C-delta. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11435. [PMID: 20625401 PMCID: PMC2897886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has previously been shown to upregulate the expression of the endogenous calcineurin inhibitor, regulator of calcineurin 1, variant 4 (RCAN1.4). The aim of this study was to determine the role and regulation of VEGF-mediated RCAN1.4 expression, using human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) as a model system. Methodology/Principal Findings We show that VEGF is able to induce RCAN1.4 expression during cellular proliferation and differentiation, and that VEGF-mediated expression of RCAN1.4 was inhibited by the use of inhibitors to protein kinase C (PKC) and calcineurin. Further analysis revealed that siRNA silencing of PKC-delta expression partially inhibited VEGF-stimulated RCAN1.4 expression. Knockdown of RCAN1.4 with siRNA resulted in a decrease in cellular migration and disrupted tubular morphogenesis when HDMECs were either stimulated with VEGF in a collagen gel or in an endothelial/fibroblast co-culture model of angiogenesis. Analysis of intracellular signalling revealed that siRNA mediated silencing of RCAN1.4 resulted in increased expression of specific nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) regulated genes. Conclusions/Significance Our data suggests that RCAN1.4 expression is induced by VEGFR-2 activation in a Ca2+ and PKC-delta dependent manner and that RCAN1.4 acts to regulate calcineurin activity and gene expression facilitating endothelial cell migration and tubular morphogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Holmes
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Elinor Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Violaine See
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|