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Chen Z, Zhang N, Chu HY, Yu Y, Zhang ZK, Zhang G, Zhang BT. Connective Tissue Growth Factor: From Molecular Understandings to Drug Discovery. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:593269. [PMID: 33195264 PMCID: PMC7658337 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.593269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a key signaling and regulatory molecule involved in different biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing, as well as multiple pathologies, such as tumor development and tissue fibrosis. Although the underlying mechanisms of CTGF remain incompletely understood, a commonly accepted theory is that the interactions between different protein domains in CTGF and other various regulatory proteins and ligands contribute to its variety of functions. Here, we highlight the structure of each domain of CTGF and its biology functions in physiological conditions. We further summarized main diseases that are deeply influenced by CTGF domains and the potential targets of these diseases. Finally, we address the advantages and disadvantages of current drugs targeting CTGF and provide the perspective for the drug discovery of the next generation of CTGF inhibitors based on aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hang Yin Chu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zong-Kang Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bao-Ting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Basiri B, Xie F, Wu B, Humphreys SC, Lade JM, Thayer MB, Yamaguchi P, Florio M, Rock BM. Introducing an In Vitro Liver Stability Assay Capable of Predicting the In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Efficacy of siRNAs for IVIVC. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2020; 21:725-736. [PMID: 32771924 PMCID: PMC7415771 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There has been a renewed interest in therapeutic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) over the past few years. This is particularly the result of successful and efficient delivery of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated siRNAs to the liver. In general, the lead selection process for siRNA drugs is faster and more straightforward than traditional small molecules. Nevertheless, many siRNAs of different sequences and chemical modification patterns must still be evaluated before arriving at a final candidate. One of the major difficulties in streamlining this workflow is the well-known phenomenon that the in vitro data obtained from oligonucleotides transfected into cells are not directly predictive of their in vivo activity. Consequently, all oligonucleotides with some degree of in vitro activity are typically screened in vivo before final lead selection. Here, we demonstrate that the stability of liver-targeting GalNAc-conjugated siRNAs in a mouse liver homogenate shows an acceptable correlation to their in vivo target knockdown efficacy. Therefore, we suggest the incorporation of an in vitro liver homogenate stability assay during the lead optimization process for siRNAs. The addition of this assay to a flow scheme may decrease the need for animal studies, and it could bring cost savings and increase efficiency in siRNA drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Basiri
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Fang Xie
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Bin Wu
- Amgen Research, Hybrid Modality Engineering, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Sara C Humphreys
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Julie M Lade
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Mai B Thayer
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Pam Yamaguchi
- Amgen Research, Cardiometabolic Disorders, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Monica Florio
- Amgen Research, Cardiometabolic Disorders, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Brooke M Rock
- Amgen Research, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, 1120 Veterans Blvd., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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Janas MM, Harbison CE, Perry VK, Carito B, Sutherland JE, Vaishnaw AK, Keirstead ND, Warner G. The Nonclinical Safety Profile of GalNAc-conjugated RNAi Therapeutics in Subacute Studies. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:735-745. [PMID: 30139307 PMCID: PMC6249674 DOI: 10.1177/0192623318792537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are the most clinically advanced oligonucleotide-based platforms. A number of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated siRNAs (GalNAc-siRNAs), also referred to as RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, are currently in various stages of development, though none is yet approved. While the safety of ASOs has been the subject of extensive review, the nonclinical safety profiles of GalNAc-siRNAs have not been reported. With the exception of sequence differences that confer target RNA specificity, GalNAc-siRNAs are largely chemically uniform, containing limited number of phosphorothioate linkages, and 2’-O-methyl and 2’-deoxy-2’-fluoro ribose modifications. Here, we present the outcomes of short-term (3–5 week) rat and monkey weekly repeat-dose toxicology studies of six Enhanced Stabilization Chemistry GalNAc-siRNAs currently in clinical development. In nonclinical studies at supratherapeutic doses, these molecules share similar safety signals, with histologic findings in the organ of pharmacodynamic effect (liver), the organ of elimination (kidney), and the reticuloendothelial system (lymph nodes). The majority of these changes are nonadverse, partially to completely reversible, correlate well with pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution, and often reflect drug accumulation. Furthermore, all GalNAc-siRNAs tested to date have been negative in genotoxicity and safety pharmacology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja M Janas
- 1 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Carole E Harbison
- 1 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Authors contributed equally to this work
| | | | - Brenda Carito
- 1 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Garvin Warner
- 1 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Hasan M, Tarashima N, Fujikawa K, Ohgita T, Hama S, Tanaka T, Saito H, Minakawa N, Kogure K. The novel functional nucleic acid iRed effectively regulates target genes following cytoplasmic delivery by faint electric treatment. Sci Technol Adv Mater 2016; 17:554-562. [PMID: 27877903 PMCID: PMC5111564 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2016.1221726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An intelligent shRNA expression device (iRed) contains the minimum essential components needed for shRNA production in cells, and could be a novel tool to regulate target genes. However, general delivery carriers consisting of cationic polymers/lipids could impede function of a newly generated shRNA via electrostatic interaction in the cytoplasm. Recently, we found that faint electric treatment (fET) of cells enhanced delivery of siRNA and functional nucleic acids into the cytoplasm in the absence of delivery carriers. Here, we examined fET of cells stably expressing luciferase in the presence of iRed encoding anti-luciferase shRNA. Transfection of lipofectamine 2000 (LFN)/iRed lipoplexes showed an RNAi effect, but fET-mediated iRed transfection did not, likely because of the endosomal localization of iRed after delivery. However, fET in the presence of lysosomotropic agent chloroquine significantly improved the RNAi effect of iRed/fET to levels that were higher than those for the LFN/iRed lipoplexes. Furthermore, the amount of lipid droplets in adipocytes significantly decreased following fET with iRed against resistin in the presence of chloroquine. Thus, iRed could be a useful tool to regulate target genes following fET-mediated cytoplasmic delivery with endosomal escape devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahadi Hasan
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Tarashima
- Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koki Fujikawa
- Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohgita
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Hama
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Tanaka
- Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Saito
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriaki Minakawa
- Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kogure
- Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
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Sridharan K, Gogtay NJ. Therapeutic nucleic acids: current clinical status. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2016; 82:659-72. [PMID: 27111518 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are simple linear polymers that have been the subject of considerable research in the last two decades and have now moved into the realm of being stand-alone therapeutic agents. Much of this has stemmed from the appreciation that they carry out myriad functions that go beyond mere storage of genetic information and protein synthesis. Therapy with nucleic acids either uses unmodified DNA or RNA or closely related compounds. From both a development and regulatory perspective, they fall somewhere between small molecules and biologics. Several of these compounds are in clinical development and many have received regulatory approval for human use. This review addresses therapeutic uses of DNA based on antisense oligonucleotides, DNA aptamers and gene therapy; and therapeutic uses of RNA including micro RNAs, short interfering RNAs, ribozymes, RNA decoys and circular RNAs. With their specificity, functional diversity and limited toxicity, therapeutic nucleic acids hold enormous promise. However, challenges that need to be addressed include targeted delivery, mass production at low cost, sustaining efficacy and minimizing off-target toxicity. Technological developments will hold the key to this and help accelerate drug approvals in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Sridharan
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Nithya Jaideep Gogtay
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
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