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Ranasinghe P, Addison ML, Dear JW, Webb DJ. Small interfering RNA: Discovery, pharmacology and clinical development-An introductory review. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2697-2720. [PMID: 36250252 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene silencing targets and degrades mRNA transcripts, silencing the expression of specific genes. RNA interference technology, using synthetic structurally well-defined short double-stranded RNA (small interfering RNA [siRNA]), has advanced rapidly in recent years. This introductory review describes the utility of siRNA, by exploring the underpinning biology, pharmacology, recent advances and clinical developments, alongside potential limitations and ongoing challenges. Mediated by the RNA-induced silencing complex, siRNAs bind to specific complementary mRNAs, which are subsequently degraded. siRNA therapy offers advantages over other therapeutic approaches, including ability of specifically designed siRNAs to potentially target any mRNA and improved patient adherence through infrequent administration associated with a very long duration of action. Key pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic challenges include targeted administration, poor tissue penetration, nuclease inactivation, rapid renal elimination, immune activation and off-target effects. These have been overcome by chemical modification of siRNA and/or by utilising a range of delivery systems, increasing bioavailability and stability to allow successful clinical translation. Patisiran (hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis) was the first licensed siRNA, followed by givosiran (acute hepatic porphyria), lumasiran (primary hyperoxaluria type 1) and inclisiran (familial hypercholesterolaemia), which all use N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) linkage for effective liver-directed delivery. Others are currently under development for indications varying from rare genetic diseases to common chronic non-communicable diseases (hypertension, cancer). Technological advances are paving the way for broader clinical use. Ongoing challenges remain in targeting organs beyond the liver and reaching special sites (e.g., brain). By overcoming these barriers, siRNA therapy has the potential to substantially widen its therapeutic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanga Ranasinghe
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Melisande L Addison
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - James W Dear
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David J Webb
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Sakamoto N, Okuno D, Tokito T, Yura H, Kido T, Ishimoto H, Tanaka Y, Mukae H. HSP47: A Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2387. [PMID: 37760828 PMCID: PMC10525413 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by a progressive decline in lung function and poor prognosis. The deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by myofibroblasts contributes to the stiffening of lung tissue and impaired oxygen exchange in IPF. Type I collagen is the major ECM component and predominant collagen protein deposited in chronic fibrosis, suggesting that type I collagen could be a target of drugs for fibrosis treatment. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), encoded by the serpin peptidase inhibitor clade H, member 1 gene, is a stress-inducible collagen-binding protein. It is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident molecular chaperone essential for the correct folding of procollagen. HSP47 expression is increased in cellular and animal models of pulmonary fibrosis and correlates with pathological manifestations in human interstitial lung diseases. Various factors affect HSP47 expression directly or indirectly in pulmonary fibrosis models. Overall, understanding the relationship between HSP47 expression and pulmonary fibrosis may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriho Sakamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Takatomo Tokito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Yura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Takashi Kido
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishimoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
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Knap K, Kwiecień K, Reczyńska-Kolman K, Pamuła E. Inhalable microparticles as drug delivery systems to the lungs in a dry powder formulations. Regen Biomater 2022; 10:rbac099. [PMID: 36683752 PMCID: PMC9845529 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhalation-administrated drugs remain an interesting possibility of addressing pulmonary diseases. Direct drug delivery to the lungs allows one to obtain high concentration in the site of action with limited systemic distribution, leading to a more effective therapy with reduced required doses and side effects. On the other hand, there are several difficulties in obtaining a formulation that would meet all the criteria related to physicochemical, aerodynamic and biological properties, which is the reason why only very few of the investigated systems can reach the clinical trial phase and proceed to everyday use as a result. Therefore, we focused on powders consisting of polysaccharides, lipids, proteins or natural and synthetic polymers in the form of microparticles that are delivered by inhalation to the lungs as drug carriers. We summarized the most common trends in research today to provide the best dry powders in the right fraction for inhalation that would be able to release the drug before being removed by natural mechanisms. This review article addresses the most common manufacturing methods with novel modifications, pros and cons of different materials, drug loading capacities with release profiles, and biological properties such as cytocompatibility, bactericidal or anticancer properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katarzyna Reczyńska-Kolman
- Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
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Ruigrok MJR, Roest MAP, Frijlink HW, Olinga P, Hinrichs WLJ, Melgert BN. RANKL confers protection against cell death in precision-cut lung slices. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1029697. [PMID: 36388105 PMCID: PMC9659591 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1029697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death globally and constitutes a major health problem. The disease is characterized by airflow obstructions due to chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Emerging evidence suggests that COPD is the result of impaired epithelial repair. Motivated by the need for more effective treatments, we studied whether receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL) contributed to epithelial repair, as this protein has been implicated in epithelial regeneration of breast and thymus. To do so, we used precision-cut lung slices prepared from mouse tissue—viable explants that can be cultured ex vivo for up to a few days while retaining features of lung tissue. Slices were cultured with 10, 100, or 500 ng/ml of mouse RANKL for 24 h. We first found RANKL activated nuclear factor κ-Β signaling, which is involved in cellular stress responses, without affecting the general viability of slices. Cell proliferation, however, was not altered by RANKL treatment. Interestingly, RANKL did reduce cell death, as revealed by TUNEL stainings and profiling of apoptosis-related proteins, indicating that it contributes to repair by conferring protection against cell death. This study improves our understanding of lung repair and could create new opportunities for developing COPD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. R. Ruigrok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - M. A. P. Roest
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - H. W. Frijlink
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - P. Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - W. L. J. Hinrichs
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - B. N. Melgert
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: B. N. Melgert,
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Hsp47 acts as a bridge between NLRP3 inflammasome and hepatic stellate cells activation in arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. Toxicol Lett 2022; 370:7-14. [PMID: 35963424 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.07.816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event during the progression of liver fibrosis (LF). We have previously indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in arsenic-induced HSCs activation. However, the mechanism of cascade responses between NLRP3 inflammasome and HSCs activation is unclear. Here, we showed that the transcription and protein level of Hsp47 was upregulated after 4μM arsenic treatment, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, arsenic-induced HSCs activation was remarkably alleviated by the interference of Hsp47. Furthermore, blockage of NLRP3 significantly mitigated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and decreased the expression of Hsp47, thereby attenuating the arsenic-induced HSCs activation. However, the ablation of Hsp47 did not affect the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Notably, the protein-protein interaction between NLRP3 and Hsp47 was observed both in vivo and in vitro, and the target amino acid sequences were further identified. In summary, the present study indicated that NaAsO2 induced HSCs activation via the NLRP3 inflammasome-Hsp47 pathway. These findings provide direct evidence that Hsp47 may be a potential therapeutic target for arsenic-induced LF.
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Varankar SS, Cardoso EC, Lee JH. Ex situ-armus: experimental models for combating respiratory dysfunction. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 75:101946. [PMID: 35810725 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ex situ experimental models have become a main stay in pulmonary research. Organoids and explant systems have uncovered novel stem cell subsets, served as disease models, delineated cell fate transitions, and aided high throughput pre-clinical drug screening. Integration of gene-editing and bioengineering approaches have further generated novel avenues for regenerative medicine and transplantation strategies. In this article, we highlight recent studies, aided by ex situ systems, which have contributed to significant advances in our understanding of the human lower respiratory tract. We present key observations from these studies to gain improved insights into human disease. We conclude this article with a summary of existing challenges and potential technological advances to successfully mirror human tissue physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar S Varankar
- Wellcome - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Erik C Cardoso
- Wellcome - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Joo-Hyeon Lee
- Wellcome - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK.
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Roque Barboza W. Heat shock proteins in pulmonary fibrosis: pawns of cell homeostasis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C1105-C1109. [PMID: 35508189 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00073.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic lung fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease that primarily affects the elderly. Up to date, the specific pathophysiology of IPF remains unknown. However, it is theorized to be caused by chronic repetitive injuries to the alveolar epithelium, eventually exhausting the stem cell capacity and activating pathological pathways. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), a category of stress response proteins, are also suggested to contribute to IPF pathophysiology. Furthermore, HSPs are key components in the regulation of cell homeostasis and act as chaperones for a multitude of new proteins. This review thoroughly evaluates the roles that specific HSPs, HSP90, HSP70, and HSP47, have in the fibrotic process. A close look into the roles of these HSPs in IPF pathophysiology will give valuable insight into the future of IPF treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willy Roque Barboza
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Best Practices and Progress in Precision-Cut Liver Slice Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137137. [PMID: 34281187 PMCID: PMC8267882 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty-five years ago, precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) were described as a promising tool and were expected to become the standard in vitro model to study liver disease as they tick off all characteristics of a good in vitro model. In contrast to most in vitro models, PCLS retain the complex 3D liver structures found in vivo, including cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, and therefore should constitute the most reliable tool to model and to investigate pathways underlying chronic liver disease in vitro. Nevertheless, the biggest disadvantage of the model is the initiation of a procedure-induced fibrotic response. In this review, we describe the parameters and potential of PCLS cultures and discuss whether the initially described limitations and pitfalls have been overcome. We summarize the latest advances in PCLS research and critically evaluate PCLS use and progress since its invention in 1985.
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