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Antony JS, Birrer P, Bohnert C, Zimmerli S, Hillmann P, Schaffhauser H, Hoeflich C, Hoeflich A, Khairallah R, Satoh AT, Kappeler I, Ferreira I, Zuideveld KP, Metzger F. Local application of engineered insulin-like growth factor I mRNA demonstrates regenerative therapeutic potential in vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102055. [PMID: 37928443 PMCID: PMC10622308 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a growth-promoting anabolic hormone that fosters cell growth and tissue homeostasis. IGF-I deficiency is associated with several diseases, including growth disorders and neurological and musculoskeletal diseases due to impaired regeneration. Despite the vast regenerative potential of IGF-I, its unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile has prevented it from being used therapeutically. In this study, we resolved these challenges by the local administration of IGF-I mRNA, which ensures desirable homeostatic kinetics and non-systemic, local dose-dependent expression of IGF-I protein. Furthermore, IGF-I mRNA constructs were sequence engineered with heterologous signal peptides, which improved in vitro protein secretion (2- to 6-fold) and accelerated in vivo functional regeneration (16-fold) over endogenous IGF-I mRNA. The regenerative potential of engineered IGF-I mRNA was validated in a mouse myotoxic muscle injury and rabbit spinal disc herniation models. Engineered IGF-I mRNA had a half-life of 17-25 h in muscle tissue and showed dose-dependent expression of IGF-I over 2-3 days. Animal models confirm that locally administered IGF-I mRNA remained at the site of injection, contributing to the safety profile of mRNA-based treatment in regenerative medicine. In summary, we demonstrate that engineered IGF-I mRNA holds therapeutic potential with high clinical translatability in different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sina Zimmerli
- Versameb AG, Technology Park, 4057 Basel, Switzerland
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Rouf NZ, Biswas S, Tarannum N, Oishee LM, Muna MM. Demystifying mRNA vaccines: an emerging platform at the forefront of cryptic diseases. RNA Biol 2021; 19:386-410. [PMID: 35354425 PMCID: PMC8973339 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2055923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have been studied for decades, but only recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has the technology garnered noteworthy attention. In contrast to traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines elicit a more balanced immune response, triggering both humoral and cellular components of the adaptive immune system. However, some inherent hurdles associated with stability, immunogenicity, in vivo delivery, along with the novelty of the technology, have generated scepticism in the adoption of mRNA vaccines. Recent developments have pushed to bypass these issues and the approval of mRNA-based vaccines to combat COVID-19 has further highlighted the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and rapid development potential of this platform, thereby pushing it to the forefront of emerging therapeutics. This review aims to demystify mRNA vaccines, delineating the evolution of the technology which has emerged as a timely solution to COVID-19 and exploring the immense potential it offers as a prophylactic option for other cryptic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Zahan Rouf
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
| | - Sumit Biswas
- Department of Neurophysiology, Retinal Physiology and Gene Therapy, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Marburg, Deutschhausstrasse. 2D-35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nawseen Tarannum
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, UK
| | - Labiba Mustabina Oishee
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, LoughboroughLE12 5RD, UK
| | - Mutia Masuka Muna
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo14260, New York, USA
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