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Cunningham C, Viskontas M, Janowicz K, Sani Y, Håkansson M, Heidari A, Huang W, Bo X. The potential of gene therapies for spinal cord injury repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:299-305. [PMID: 35900407 PMCID: PMC9396485 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.347941] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is no cure for traumatic spinal cord injury but one therapeutic approach showing promise is gene therapy. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the efficacy of gene therapies in pre-clinical models of spinal cord injury and the risk of bias. In this meta-analysis, registered at PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42020185008), we identified relevant controlled in vivo studies published in English by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. No restrictions of the year of publication were applied and the last literature search was conducted on August 3, 2020. We then conducted a random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood estimator. A total of 71 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Our results showed that overall, gene therapies were associated with improvements in locomotor score (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.68–2.47, Tau2 = 2.13, I2 = 83.6%) and axonal regrowth (SMD: 2.78, 95%CI: 1.92–3.65, Tau2 = 4.13, I2 = 85.5%). There was significant asymmetry in the funnel plots of both outcome measures indicating the presence of publication bias. We used a modified CAMARADES (Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data in Experimental Studies) checklist to assess the risk of bias, finding that the median score was 4 (IQR:3–5). In particular, reports of allocation concealment and sample size calculations were lacking. In conclusion, gene therapies are showing promise as therapies for spinal cord injury repair, but there is no consensus on which gene or genes should be targeted.
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Obtaining a New Gene-Cell Construct Based on Transduced Olfactory Ensheathing Cells for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries. Bull Exp Biol Med 2022; 173:529-533. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-022-05576-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Feng Y, Li Y, Shen PP, Wang B. Gene-Modified Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury: a Promising Better Alternative Therapy. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2662-2682. [PMID: 35587330 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell therapy holds great promise for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), which can reverse neurodegeneration and promote tissue regeneration via its pluripotency and ability to secrete neurotrophic factors. Although various stem cell-based approaches have shown certain therapeutic effects when applied to the treatment of SCI, their clinical efficacies have been disappointing. Thus, it is an urgent need to further enhance the neurological benefits of stem cells through bioengineering strategies including genetic engineering. In this review, we summarize the progress of stem cell therapy for SCI and the prospect of genetically modified stem cells, focusing on the genome editing tools and functional molecules involved in SCI repair, trying to provide a deeper understanding of genetically modified stem cell therapy and more applicable clinical strategies for SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yirui Feng
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Li
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ping-Ping Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Clinical Stem Cell Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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New Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: Autologous Genetically-Enriched Leucoconcentrate Integrated with Epidural Electrical Stimulation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010144. [PMID: 35011706 PMCID: PMC8750549 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The contemporary strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI) therapy aims to combine multiple approaches to control pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegeneration and stimulate neuroregeneration. In this study, a novel regenerative approach using an autologous leucoconcentrate enriched with transgenes encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) combined with supra- and sub-lesional epidural electrical stimulation (EES) was tested on mini-pigs similar in morpho-physiological scale to humans. The complex analysis of the spinal cord recovery after a moderate contusion injury in treated mini-pigs compared to control animals revealed: better performance in behavioural and joint kinematics, restoration of electromyography characteristics, and improvement in selected immunohistology features related to cell survivability, synaptic protein expression, and glial reorganization above and below the injury. These results for the first time demonstrate the positive effect of intravenous infusion of autologous genetically-enriched leucoconcentrate producing recombinant molecules stimulating neuroregeneration combined with neuromodulation by translesional multisite EES on the restoration of the post-traumatic spinal cord in mini-pigs and suggest the high translational potential of this novel regenerative therapy for SCI patients.
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Zhu S, Yang BS, Li SJ, Tong G, Tan JY, Wu GF, Li L, Chen GL, Chen Q, Lin LJ. Protein post-translational modifications after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1935-1943. [PMID: 33642363 PMCID: PMC8343325 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficits in intrinsic neuronal capacities in the spinal cord, a lack of growth support, and suppression of axonal outgrowth by inhibitory molecules mean that spinal cord injury almost always has devastating consequences. As such, one of the primary targets for the treatment of spinal cord injury is to develop strategies to antagonize extrinsic or intrinsic axonal growth-inhibitory factors or enhance the factors that support axonal growth. Among these factors, a series of individual protein level disorders have been identified during the generation of axons following spinal cord injury. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have indicated that post-translational modifications of these proteins have important implications for axonal growth. Some researchers have discovered a variety of post-translational modifications after spinal cord injury, such as tyrosination, acetylation, and phosphorylation. In this review, we reviewed the post-translational modifications for axonal growth, functional recovery, and neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury, a better understanding of which may elucidate the dynamic change of spinal cord injury-related molecules and facilitate the development of a new therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhu
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bing-Sheng Yang
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Si-Jing Li
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ge Tong
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Hepatology Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Ye Tan
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guo-Feng Wu
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guo-Li Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Li-Jun Lin
- Department of Joint and Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Lentiviral Vectors Delivered with Biomaterials as Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082102. [PMID: 34440872 PMCID: PMC8394044 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating trauma that can cause permanent disability, life-long chronic issues for sufferers and is a big socioeconomic burden. Regenerative medicine aims to overcome injury caused deficits and restore function after SCI through gene therapy and tissue engineering approaches. SCI has a multifaceted pathophysiology. Due to this, producing therapies that target multiple different cellular and molecular mechanisms might prove to be a superior approach in attempts at regeneration. Both biomaterials and nucleic acid delivery via lentiviral vectors (LVs) have proven to promote repair and restoration of function post SCI in animal models. Studies indicate that a combination of biomaterials and LVs is more effective than either approach alone. This review presents studies supporting the use of LVs and LVs delivered with biomaterials in therapies for SCI and summarises methods to combine LVs with biomaterials for SCI treatment. By summarising this knowledge this review aims to demonstrate how LV delivery with biomaterials can augment/compliment both LV and biomaterial therapeutic effects in SCI.
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Stepankova K, Jendelova P, Machova Urdzikova L. Planet of the AAVs: The Spinal Cord Injury Episode. Biomedicines 2021; 9:613. [PMID: 34071245 PMCID: PMC8228984 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical and life-disrupting condition with devastating consequences for the physical, social, and professional welfare of patients, and there is no adequate treatment for it. At the same time, gene therapy has been studied as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering remedial genes to the central nervous system (CNS), of which the spinal cord is a part. For gene therapy, multiple vectors have been introduced, including integrating lentiviral vectors and non-integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV vectors are a promising system for transgene delivery into the CNS due to their safety profile as well as long-term gene expression. Gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors shows potential for treating SCI by delivering certain genetic information to specific cell types. This review has focused on a potential treatment of SCI by gene therapy using AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Stepankova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Machova Urdzikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
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Woo J, Lee JS. Effects of lyoprotectants on long-term stability and transfection efficacy of lyophilized poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine/plasmid DNA polyplexes. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2021; 16:1269-1280. [PMID: 34044608 PMCID: PMC8293032 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2021-0065] [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] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: We investigated the effect of lyoprotectants on the long-term stability and transfection efficiency of lyophilized (Lyo.) polyplexes prepared from poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-graft-polyethylenimine (PgP) and plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (pGFP). Materials & methods: Lyo. PgP/pGFP polyplexes prepared with/without lyoprotectants were stored at -20°C over 6 months. Polyplex stability was analyzed by gel electrophoresis and heparin competition assay. Transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity were evaluated in rat glioma (C6) cells in medium containing 10% serum. Results: Lyo. PgP/pGFP polyplexes prepared with 5% sucrose as a lyoprotectant remained stable up to 6 months and retained transfection efficiency up to 4 months. Conclusion: Lyo. PgP-based polyplexes retain bioactivity during extended storage, potentially enabling transport to remote regions and less stable settings, increasing access to life-changing gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Woo
- Department of Bioengineering, Drug Design, Development & Delivery (4D) Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Jeoung Soo Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Drug Design, Development & Delivery (4D) Laboratory, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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Mukhamedshina Y, Shulman I, Ogurcov S, Kostennikov A, Zakirova E, Akhmetzyanova E, Rogozhin A, Masgutova G, James V, Masgutov R, Lavrov I, Rizvanov A. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Contusion: A Comparative Study on Small and Large Animal Models. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E811. [PMID: 31805639 PMCID: PMC6995633 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we provide a first comparative study of the therapeutic potential of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AD-MSCs), and dental pulp (DP-MSCs) embedded in fibrin matrix, in small (rat) and large (pig) spinal cord injury (SCI) models during subacute period of spinal contusion. Results of behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological assessment as well as immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis suggest that application of AD-MSCs combined with a fibrin matrix within the subacute period in rats (2 weeks after injury), provides significantly higher post-traumatic regeneration compared to a similar application of BM-MSCs or DP-MSCs. Within the rat model, use of AD-MSCs resulted in a marked change in: (1) restoration of locomotor activity and conduction along spinal axons; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of microglial and astroglial activation. The effect of an autologous application of AD-MSCs during the subacute period after spinal contusion was also confirmed in pigs (6 weeks after injury). Effects included: (1) partial restoration of the somatosensory spinal pathways; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of astroglial activation in dorsal root entry zone. However, pigs only partially replicated the findings observed in rats. Together, these results indicate application of AD-MSCs embedded in fibrin matrix at the site of SCI during the subacute period can facilitate regeneration of nervous tissue in rats and pigs. These results, for the first time, provide robust support for the use of AD-MSC to treat subacute SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Mukhamedshina
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, Kazan State Medical University, 420012 Kazan, Russia
| | - Iliya Shulman
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Republic Clinical Hospital, 420138 Kazan, Russia
| | - Sergei Ogurcov
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Republic Clinical Hospital, 420138 Kazan, Russia
| | - Alexander Kostennikov
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
| | - Elena Zakirova
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
| | - Elvira Akhmetzyanova
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexander Rogozhin
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Department of Neurology, Kazan State Medical Academy–Branch Campus of the Federal State Budgetary Edicational Institution of Father Professional Education «Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education», 420012 Kazan, Russia
| | - Galina Masgutova
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
| | - Victoria James
- Division of Biomedical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
| | - Ruslan Masgutov
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Republic Clinical Hospital, 420138 Kazan, Russia
| | - Igor Lavrov
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (I.S.); (S.O.); (A.K.); (E.Z.); (E.A.); (A.R.); (G.M.); (R.M.); (I.L.); (A.R.)
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Michael FM, Chandran P, Chandramohan K, Iyer K, Jayaraj K, Sundaramoorthy R, Venkatachalam S. Prospects of siRNA cocktails as tools for modifying multiple gene targets in the injured spinal cord. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1096-1110. [PMID: 31461324 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219871868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) has been touted as a boon for identifying potential therapies for difficult-to-treat pathologies. In this regard, siRNA-mediated gene silencing for tackling the multifaceted pathophysiology of spinal cord injury seemed promising. The genes caspase 3 and sarm1 were targeted in the present study, using siRNAs in a rodent model of spinal cord injury, as the feasibility of concomitant silencing of more than one gene had not been previously attempted. The results indicated meager benefits in terms of functional recovery and tissue preservation. Interestingly, differential transfection efficiencies due to the heterogeneous nature of cells in the spinal cord along with variability in efficacy based on time of intervention affected the reproducibility of this approach. Complex gene interactions and inadequacies in molecular evaluation strategies further complicated the interpretation of the outcome. If these glitches are resolved through further research, gene therapy in general and RNAi, in particular, may become a mainstay approach for treating contusion spinal cord injury.Impact statementGene therapy has reached the level of clinical trials. However, safety and efficacy are yet to be confirmed. The present study tested the prospects of gene silencing using siRNAs in a rat model of spinal cord injury. Some noteworthy observations include the effective and long-lasting silencing effects of siRNAs, inhibition of one gene's expression resulting in silencing of multiple genes in associated pathways, possibility of targeting more than one gene through siRNA cocktails, and differential gene silencing effects based on temporal changes in their expression patterns. It is argued that differential uptake of siRNAs by cells as observed and limitations in the analysis methods available can skew interpretations. Thus, this study may serve as a cautionary tale indicating that gene silencing using siRNAs for spinal cord injury can be a potential therapy, but practical issues are to be addressed in order to ensure consistency and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Mary Michael
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Preeja Chandran
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Khaviyaa Chandramohan
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Krithika Iyer
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Kevin Jayaraj
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Revathidevi Sundaramoorthy
- Department of Genetics, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
| | - Sankar Venkatachalam
- Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600 113, India
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Significant changes in endogenous retinal gene expression assessed 1 year after a single intraocular injection of AAV-CNTF or AAV-BDNF. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16078. [PMID: 27933306 PMCID: PMC5142514 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Use of viral vectors to deliver therapeutic genes to the central nervous system holds promise for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurotrauma. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or ciliary derived neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promote the viability and regeneration of injured adult rat retinal ganglion cells. However, these growth-inducing transgenes are driven by a constitutively active promoter, thus we examined whether long-term AAV-mediated secretion of BDNF or CNTF affected endogenous retinal gene expression. One year after the intravitreal injection of AAV-green fluorescent protein (GFP), bi-cistronic AAV-BDNF-GFP or AAV-CNTF-GFP, mRNA was extracted and analyzed using custom 96 well polymerase chain reaction arrays. Of 93 test genes, 56% showed significantly altered expression in AAV-BDNF-GFP and/or AAV-CNTF-GFP retinas compared with AAV-GFP controls. Of these genes, 73% showed differential expression in AAV-BDNF versus AAV-CNTF injected eyes. To focus on retinal ganglion cell changes, quantitative polymerase chain reaction was undertaken on mRNA (16 genes) obtained from fixed retinal sections in which the ganglion cell layer was enriched. The sign and extent of fold changes in ganglion cell layer gene expression differed markedly from whole retinal samples. Sustained and global alteration in endogenous mRNA expression after gene therapy should be factored into any interpretation of experimental/clinical outcomes, particularly when introducing factors into the central nervous system that require secretion to evoke functionality.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Restoration of lost neuronal function after spinal cord injury still remains a considerable challenge for current medicine. Over the last decade, regenerative medicine has recorded rapid and promising advancements in stem cell research, genetic engineering and the progression of new sophisticated biomaterials as well as nanotechnology. This advancement has also been reflected in neural tissue engineering, where, along with the development of a new generation of well-designed biopolymer scaffolds, multifactorial therapeutic strategies are being validated in order to determine the greatest possible repair efficacy of the complex CNS pathophysiology. Much attention is currently focused on the designing of multifunctional polymer scaffolds as systems for targeted drug or gene delivery, electrical stimulation or as substrates creating a special micro-environment, promoting the growth and desired differentiation of various cell lines. In this review, the latest advances in biomaterial technology together with various combinatorial strategies designed to treat spinal cord injury treatment are summarized and discussed.
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