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Haldrup SH, Fabian-Jessing BK, Jakobsen TS, Lindholm AB, Adsersen RL, Aagaard L, Bek T, Askou AL, Corydon TJ. Subretinal AAV delivery of RNAi-therapeutics targeting VEGFA reduces choroidal neovascularization in a large animal model. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101242. [PMID: 38605811 PMCID: PMC11007540 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a frequent cause of vision loss among the elderly in the Western world. Current disease management with repeated injections of anti-VEGF agents accumulates the risk for adverse events and constitutes a burden for society and the individual patient. Sustained suppression of VEGF using gene therapy is an attractive alternative, which we explored using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based delivery of novel RNA interference (RNAi) effectors in a porcine model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The potency of VEGFA-targeting, Ago2-dependent short hairpin RNAs placed in pri-microRNA scaffolds (miR-agshRNA) was established in vitro and in vivo in mice. Subsequently, AAV serotype 8 (AAV2.8) vectors encoding VEGFA-targeting or irrelevant miR-agshRNAs under the control of a tissue-specific promotor were delivered to the porcine retina via subretinal injection before CNV induction by laser. Notably, VEGFA-targeting miR-agshRNAs resulted in a significant and sizable reduction of CNV compared with the non-targeting control. We also demonstrated that single-stranded and self-complementary AAV2.8 vectors efficiently transduce porcine retinal pigment epithelium cells but differ in their transduction characteristics and retinal safety. Collectively, our data demonstrated a robust anti-angiogenic effect of VEGFA-targeting miR-aghsRNAs in a large translational animal model, thereby suggesting AAV-based delivery of anti-VEGFA RNAi therapeutics as a valuable tool for the management of nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja Hansen Haldrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Bjørn K. Fabian-Jessing
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Thomas Stax Jakobsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anna Bøgh Lindholm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rikke L. Adsersen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lars Aagaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Toke Bek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Anne Louise Askou
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Deka Dey A, Yousefiasl S, Kumar A, Dabbagh Moghaddam F, Rahimmanesh I, Samandari M, Jamwal S, Maleki A, Mohammadi A, Rabiee N, Cláudia Paiva‐Santos A, Tamayol A, Sharifi E, Makvandi P. miRNA-encapsulated abiotic materials and biovectors for cutaneous and oral wound healing: Biogenesis, mechanisms, and delivery nanocarriers. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10343. [PMID: 36684081 PMCID: PMC9842058 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as therapeutic agents have attracted increasing interest in the past decade owing to their significant effectiveness in treating a wide array of ailments. These polymerases II-derived noncoding RNAs act through post-transcriptional controlling of different proteins and their allied pathways. Like other areas of medicine, researchers have utilized miRNAs for managing acute and chronic wounds. The increase in the number of patients suffering from either under-healing or over-healing wound demonstrates the limited efficacy of the current wound healing strategies and dictates the demands for simpler approaches with greater efficacy. Various miRNA can be designed to induce pathway beneficial for wound healing. However, the proper design of miRNA and its delivery system for wound healing applications are still challenging due to their limited stability and intracellular delivery. Therefore, new miRNAs are required to be identified and their delivery strategy needs to be optimized. In this review, we discuss the diverse roles of miRNAs in various stages of wound healing and provide an insight on the most recent findings in the nanotechnology and biomaterials field, which might offer opportunities for the development of new strategies for this chronic condition. We also highlight the advances in biomaterials and delivery systems, emphasizing their challenges and resolutions for miRNA-based wound healing. We further review various biovectors (e.g., adenovirus and lentivirus) and abiotic materials such as organic and inorganic nanomaterials, along with dendrimers and scaffolds, as the delivery systems for miRNA-based wound healing. Finally, challenges and opportunities for translation of miRNA-based strategies into clinical applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satar Yousefiasl
- School of DentistryHamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Arun Kumar
- Chitkara College of PharmacyChitkara UniversityPunjabIndia
| | - Farnaz Dabbagh Moghaddam
- Department of Biology, Science and Research BranchIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100RomeItaly
| | - Ilnaz Rahimmanesh
- Applied Physiology Research CenterCardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | | | - Sumit Jamwal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Aziz Maleki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of PharmacyZanjan University of Medical SciencesZanjanIran
- Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center (ZPNRC)Zanjan University of Medical SciencesZanjanIran
- Cancer Research CentreShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Navid Rabiee
- Department of PhysicsSharif University of TechnologyTehranIran
- School of EngineeringMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ana Cláudia Paiva‐Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical TechnologyFaculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Pharmaceutical TechnologyFaculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | - Ali Tamayol
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of ConnecticutFarmingtonConnecticutUSA
| | - Esmaeel Sharifi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and TechnologiesHamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadanIran
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Materials InterfacesPontederaItaly
- School of Chemistry, Damghan UniversityDamghanIran
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miRNA Pathway Alteration in Response to Non-Coding RNA Delivery in Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314954. [PMID: 36499289 PMCID: PMC9741442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is widely used to treat incurable disorders and has become a routine procedure in clinical practice. Since viruses can exhibit specific tropisms, effectively penetrate the cell, and are easy to use, most gene therapy approaches are based on viral delivery of genetic material. However, viral vectors have some disadvantages, such as immune response and cytotoxicity induced by a disturbance of cell metabolism, including miRNA pathways that are an important part of transcription regulation. Therefore, any viral-based gene therapy approach involves the evaluation of side effects and safety. It is possible for such effects to be caused either by the viral vectors themselves or by the delivered genetic material. Many gene therapy techniques use non-coding RNA delivery as an effective agent for gene expression regulation, with the risk of cellular miRNA pathways being affected due to the nature of the non-coding RNAs. This review describes the effect of viral vector entry and non-coding RNA delivery by these vectors on miRNA signaling pathways.
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Alsing S, Doktor TK, Askou AL, Jensen EG, Ahmadov U, Kristensen LS, Andresen BS, Aagaard L, Corydon TJ. VEGFA-targeting miR-agshRNAs combine efficacy with specificity and safety for retinal gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:58-76. [PMID: 35356684 PMCID: PMC8933642 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Retinal gene therapy using RNA interference (RNAi) to silence targeted genes requires both efficacy and safety. Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) are useful for RNAi, but high expression levels and activity from the co-delivered passenger strand may cause undesirable cellular responses. Ago2-dependent shRNAs (agshRNAs) produce no passenger strand activity. To enhance efficacy and to investigate improvements in safety, we have generated VEGFA-targeting agshRNAs and microRNA (miRNA)-embedded agshRNAs (miR-agshRNAs) and inserted these RNAi effectors in Pol II/III-driven expression cassettes and lentiviral vectors (LVs). Compared with corresponding shRNAs, agshRNAs and miR-agshRNAs increased specificity and safety, while retaining a high knockdown efficacy and abolishing passenger strand activity. The agshRNAs also caused significantly smaller reductions in cell viability and reduced competition with the processing of endogenous miR21 compared with their shRNA counterparts. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of LV-transduced ARPE19 cells revealed that expression of shRNAs in general leads to more changes in gene expression levels compared with their agshRNA counterparts and activation of immune-related pathways. In mice, subretinal delivery of LVs encoding tissue-specific miR-agshRNAs resulted in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-restricted expression and significant knockdown of Vegfa in transduced RPE cells. Collectively, our data suggest that agshRNAs and miR-agshRNA possess important advantages over shRNAs, thereby posing a clinically relevant approach with respect to efficacy, specificity, and safety.
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Nanjappa DP, Babu N, Khanna-Gupta A, O'Donohue MF, Sips P, Chakraborty A. Poly (A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN): More than just "mRNA stock clearing". Life Sci 2021; 285:119953. [PMID: 34520768 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the balance between the synthesis and the degradation decides the steady-state levels of messenger RNAs (mRNA). The removal of adenosine residues from the poly(A) tail, called deadenylation, is the first and the most crucial step in the process of mRNA degradation. Poly (A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) is one such enzyme that catalyses the process of deadenylation. Although PARN has been primarily known as the regulator of the mRNA stability, recent evidence clearly suggests several other functions of PARN, including a role in embryogenesis, oocyte maturation, cell-cycle progression, telomere biology, non-coding RNA maturation and ribosome biogenesis. Also, deregulated PARN activity is shown to be a hallmark of specific disease conditions. Pathogenic variants in the PARN gene have been observed in various cancers and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. The focus in this review is to highlight the emerging functions of PARN, particularly in the context of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dechamma Pandyanda Nanjappa
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Cancer, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), NITTE (Deemed to be University), Deralakate, Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - Nishith Babu
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Cancer, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), NITTE (Deemed to be University), Deralakate, Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - Arati Khanna-Gupta
- Consortium of Rare Genetic and Bone Marrow Disorders, India network@NitteDU, NITTE (Deemed to be University, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, India
| | - Marie-Françoise O'Donohue
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote, Centre de Biologie Intégrative CBI, Université de Toulouse- CNRS- UPS- Toulouse-, Dynamics and Disorders of Ribosome Synthesis, Toulouse, France
| | - Patrick Sips
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anirban Chakraborty
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Cancer, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), NITTE (Deemed to be University), Deralakate, Mangaluru 575018, India.
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Andreassi C, Luisier R, Crerar H, Darsinou M, Blokzijl-Franke S, Lenn T, Luscombe NM, Cuda G, Gaspari M, Saiardi A, Riccio A. Cytoplasmic cleavage of IMPA1 3' UTR is necessary for maintaining axon integrity. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108778. [PMID: 33626357 PMCID: PMC7918530 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are non-coding sequences involved in many aspects of mRNA metabolism, including intracellular localization and translation. Incorrect processing and delivery of mRNA cause severe developmental defects and have been implicated in many neurological disorders. Here, we use deep sequencing to show that in sympathetic neuron axons, the 3' UTRs of many transcripts undergo cleavage, generating isoforms that express the coding sequence with a short 3' UTR and stable 3' UTR-derived fragments of unknown function. Cleavage of the long 3' UTR of Inositol Monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1) mediated by a protein complex containing the endonuclease argonaute 2 (Ago2) generates a translatable isoform that is necessary for maintaining the integrity of sympathetic neuron axons. Thus, our study provides a mechanism of mRNA metabolism that simultaneously regulates local protein synthesis and generates an additional class of 3' UTR-derived RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Andreassi
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Hamish Crerar
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Marousa Darsinou
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sasja Blokzijl-Franke
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Tchern Lenn
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nicholas M Luscombe
- Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK; UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Research Centre for Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Marco Gaspari
- Research Centre for Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Adolfo Saiardi
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Antonella Riccio
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Annese T, Tamma R, De Giorgis M, Ribatti D. microRNAs Biogenesis, Functions and Role in Tumor Angiogenesis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:581007. [PMID: 33330058 PMCID: PMC7729128 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.581007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, evolutionary conserved. They target more than one mRNAs, thus influencing multiple molecular pathways, but also mRNAs may bind to a variety of miRNAs, either simultaneously or in a context-dependent manner. miRNAs biogenesis, including miRNA transcription, processing by Drosha and Dicer, transportation, RISC biding, and miRNA decay, are finely controlled in space and time. miRNAs are critical regulators in various biological processes, such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and development in both health and disease. Their dysregulation is involved in tumor initiation and progression. In tumors, they can act as onco-miRNAs or oncosuppressor-miRNA participating in distinct cellular pathways, and the same miRNA can perform both activities depending on the context. In tumor progression, the angiogenic switch is fundamental. miRNAs derived from tumor cells, endothelial cells, and cells of the surrounding microenvironment regulate tumor angiogenesis, acting as pro-angiomiR or anti-angiomiR. In this review, we described miRNA biogenesis and function, and we update the non-classical aspects of them. The most recent role in the nucleus, as transcriptional gene regulators and the different mechanisms by which they could be dysregulated, in tumor initiation and progression, are treated. In particular, we describe the role of miRNAs in sprouting angiogenesis, vessel co-option, and vasculogenic mimicry. The role of miRNAs in lymphoma angiogenesis is also discussed despite the scarcity of data. The information presented in this review reveals the need to do much more to discover the complete miRNA network regulating angiogenesis, not only using high-throughput computational analysis approaches but also morphological ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Annese
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Michelina De Giorgis
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Yan YB. Diverse functions of deadenylases in DNA damage response and genomic integrity. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2020; 12:e1621. [PMID: 32790161 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) is a coordinated network of diverse cellular processes including the detection, signaling, and repair of DNA lesions, the adjustment of metabolic network and cell fate determination. To deal with the unavoidable DNA damage caused by either endogenous or exogenous stresses, the cells need to reshape the gene expression profile to allow efficient transcription and translation of DDR-responsive messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and to repress the nonessential mRNAs. A predominant method to adjust RNA fate is achieved by modulating the 3'-end oligo(A) or poly(A) length via the opposing actions of polyadenylation and deadenylation. Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) and the carbon catabolite repressor 4 (CCR4)-Not complex, the major executors of deadenylation, are indispensable to DDR and genomic integrity in eukaryotic cells. PARN modulates cell cycle progression by regulating the stabilities of mRNAs and microRNA (miRNAs) involved in the p53 pathway and contributes to genomic stability by affecting the biogenesis of noncoding RNAs including miRNAs and telomeric RNA. The CCR4-Not complex is involved in diverse pathways of DDR including transcriptional regulation, signaling pathways, mRNA stabilities, translation regulation, and protein degradation. The RNA targets of deadenylases are tuned by the DDR signaling pathways, while in turn the deadenylases can regulate the levels of DNA damage-responsive proteins. The mutual feedback between deadenylases and the DDR signaling pathways allows the cells to precisely control DDR by dynamically adjusting the levels of sensors and effectors of the DDR signaling pathways. Here, the diverse functions of deadenylases in DDR are summarized and the underlying mechanisms are proposed according to recent findings. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Bin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Accumulation of AGO2 Facilitates Tumorigenesis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1631843. [PMID: 32420319 PMCID: PMC7210519 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1631843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AGO2 (Argonaute RISC Catalytic Component 2) plays an important role in small RNA-guided gene silencing processes. It has been implied in tumorigenesis of different types of tumors. In this study, we found that AGO2 expression was remarkably increased in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues when compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. High expression of AGO2 was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of AGO2 in SMMC-7721 cells inhibited cell proliferation and induced significant G1 phase arrest of cell cycle. Inhibition of cell migration was also observed in SMMC-7721 AGO2−/− cells. In vivo experiments showed that tumors grew slower in nude mice transplanted with AGO2−/− cells than in SMMC-7721 cell-derived xenograft mice. Microarray analysis and western blot analysis revealed that AGO2 depletion decreased expression of Survivin, Vimentin, and Snail. Overexpression of AGO2 in SMMC-7721 and Huh-7 cells could reverse the knockout-induced inhibition effects on either cell behaviors or expression of Survivin, Vimentin, and Snail Therefore, our data demonstrated that AGO2 might facilitate HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis through modulating expression of Survivin, Vimentin, and Snail.
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Buruiană A, Florian ȘI, Florian AI, Timiș TL, Mihu CM, Miclăuș M, Oșan S, Hrapșa I, Cataniciu RC, Farcaș M, Șușman S. The Roles of miRNA in Glioblastoma Tumor Cell Communication: Diplomatic and Aggressive Negotiations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21061950. [PMID: 32178454 PMCID: PMC7139390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) consists of a heterogeneous collection of competing cellular clones which communicate with each other and with the tumor microenvironment (TME). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) present various exchange mechanisms: free miRNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), or gap junctions (GJs). GBM cells transfer miR-4519 and miR-5096 to astrocytes through GJs. Oligodendrocytes located in the invasion front present high levels of miR-219-5p, miR-219-2-3p, and miR-338-3p, all related to their differentiation. There is a reciprocal exchange between GBM cells and endothelial cells (ECs) as miR-5096 promotes angiogenesis after being transferred into ECs, whereas miR-145-5p acts as a tumor suppressor. In glioma stem cells (GSCs), miR-1587 and miR-3620-5p increase the proliferation and miR-1587 inhibits the hormone receptor co-repressor-1 (NCOR1) after EVs transfers. GBM-derived EVs carry miR-21 and miR-451 that are up-taken by microglia and monocytes/macrophages, promoting their proliferation. Macrophages release EVs enriched in miR-21 that are transferred to glioma cells. This bidirectional miR-21 exchange increases STAT3 activity in GBM cells and macrophages, promoting invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to treatment. miR-1238 is upregulated in resistant GBM clones and their EVs, conferring resistance to adjacent cells via the CAV1/EGFR signaling pathway. Decrypting these mechanisms could lead to a better patient stratification and the development of novel target therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Buruiană
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.B.); (S.O.); (I.H.); (R.C.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Ștefan Ioan Florian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Ș.I.F.); (A.I.F.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency County Hospital, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Ioan Florian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Ș.I.F.); (A.I.F.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency County Hospital, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Teodora-Larisa Timiș
- Department of Physiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Carmen Mihaela Mihu
- Department of Morphological Sciences-Histology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Maria Miclăuș
- Department of Medical Genetics, Emergency Hospital for Children, 68 Moților Street, 400370 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Sergiu Oșan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.B.); (S.O.); (I.H.); (R.C.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Iona Hrapșa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.B.); (S.O.); (I.H.); (R.C.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Radu Constantin Cataniciu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.B.); (S.O.); (I.H.); (R.C.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Marius Farcaș
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.B.); (S.O.); (I.H.); (R.C.C.); (M.F.)
- Department of Genetics, IMOGEN Research Center, Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sergiu Șușman
- Department of Morphological Sciences-Histology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Pathology, IMOGEN Research Center, Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
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Kaadt E, Alsing S, Cecchi CR, Damgaard CK, Corydon TJ, Aagaard L. Efficient Knockdown and Lack of Passenger Strand Activity by Dicer-Independent shRNAs Expressed from Pol II-Driven MicroRNA Scaffolds. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 14:318-328. [PMID: 30654192 PMCID: PMC6348697 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) may result in unwanted activity from the co-processed passenger strand. Recent studies have shown that shortening the stem of conventional shRNAs abolishes passenger strand release. These Dicer-independent shRNAs, expressed from RNA polymerase III (Pol III) promoters, rely on Ago2 processing in resemblance to miR-451. Using strand-specific reporters, we tested two designs, and our results support the loss of passenger strand activity. We demonstrate that artificial primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts, expressed from Pol II promoters, can potently silence a gene of choice. Among six different scaffolds tested, miR-324 and miR-451 were readily re-targeted to direct efficient knockdown from either a CMV or a U1 snRNA promoter. Importantly, the miR-shRNAs have no passenger strand activity and remain active in Dicer-knockout cells. Our vectors are straightforward to design, as we replace the pre-miR-324 or -451 sequences with a Dicer-independent shRNA mimicking miR-451 with unpaired A-C nucleotides at the base. The use of Pol II promoters allows for controlled expression, while the inclusion of pri-miRNA sequences likely requires Drosha processing and, as such, mimics microRNA biogenesis. Since this improved and tunable system bypasses the requirement for Dicer activity and abolishes passenger strand activity completely, it will likely prove favorable in both research and therapeutic applications in terms of versatility and enhanced safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Kaadt
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sidsel Alsing
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Claudia R Cecchi
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas J Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lars Aagaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Herrera-Carrillo E, Berkhout B. Dicer-independent processing of small RNA duplexes: mechanistic insights and applications. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:10369-10379. [PMID: 28977573 PMCID: PMC5737282 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular gene expression via the conserved RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. Biogenesis of the unusual miR-451 does not require Dicer. This molecule is instead processed by the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) enzyme. Similarly, unconventional short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules have been designed as miR-451 mimics that rely exclusively on Ago2 for maturation. We will review recent progress made in the understanding of this alternative processing route. Next, we describe different Dicer-independent shRNA designs that have been developed and discuss their therapeutic advantages and disadvantages. As an example, we will present the route towards development of a durable gene therapy against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Herrera-Carrillo
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ben Berkhout
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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