1
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Bhatt U, Cucchiarini A, Luo Y, Evans CW, Mergny JL, Iyer KS, Smith NM. Preferential formation of Z-RNA over intercalated motifs in long noncoding RNA. Genome Res 2024; 34:217-230. [PMID: 38355305 PMCID: PMC10984386 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278236.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Secondary structure is a principal determinant of lncRNA function, predominantly regarding scaffold formation and interfaces with target molecules. Noncanonical secondary structures that form in nucleic acids have known roles in regulating gene expression and include G-quadruplexes (G4s), intercalated motifs (iMs), and R-loops (RLs). In this paper, we used the computational tools G4-iM Grinder and QmRLFS-finder to predict the formation of each of these structures throughout the lncRNA transcriptome in comparison to protein-coding transcripts. The importance of the predicted structures in lncRNAs in biological contexts was assessed by combining our results with publicly available lncRNA tissue expression data followed by pathway analysis. The formation of predicted G4 (pG4) and iM (piM) structures in select lncRNA sequences was confirmed in vitro using biophysical experiments under near-physiological conditions. We find that the majority of the tested pG4s form highly stable G4 structures, and identify many previously unreported G4s in biologically important lncRNAs. In contrast, none of the piM sequences are able to form iM structures, consistent with the idea that RNA is unable to form stable iMs. Unexpectedly, these C-rich sequences instead form Z-RNA structures, which have not been previously observed in regions containing cytosine repeats and represent an interesting and underexplored target for protein-RNA interactions. Our results highlight the prevalence and potential structure-associated functions of noncanonical secondary structures in lncRNAs, and show G4 and Z-RNA structure formation in many lncRNA sequences for the first time, furthering the understanding of the structure-function relationship in lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uditi Bhatt
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Anne Cucchiarini
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, École Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Yu Luo
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, École Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences, École Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia;
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2
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Beerkens SJ, King JJ, Irving KL, Bhatia S, Thompson EW, Smith NM, Iyer KS, Evans CW. Docetaxel Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Mammary Cells. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:53-61. [PMID: 38029291 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible and dynamic biological process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics including enhanced stemness and migratory ability. EMT can facilitate cancer metastasis and is a known driver of cellular resistance to common chemotherapeutic drugs, such as docetaxel. Current chemotherapeutic practices such as docetaxel treatment can promote EMT and increase the chance of tumor recurrence and resistance, calling for new approaches in cancer treatment. Here we show that prolonged docetaxel treatment at a sub-IC50 concentration inhibits EMT in immortalized human mammary epithelial (HMLE) cells. Using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and bulk transcriptomic sequencing to assess EMT progression, we analyzed a range of cellular markers of EMT in docetaxel-treated cells and observed an upregulation of epithelial markers and downregulation of mesenchymal markers in the presence of docetaxel. This finding suggests that docetaxel may have clinical applications not only as a cytotoxic drug but also as an inhibitor of EMT-driven metastasis and multidrug resistance depending on the concentration of its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Beerkens
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica J King
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Kelly L Irving
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Sugandha Bhatia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
- School of Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
- School of Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
- Invasion and Metastasis Unit, St Vincent's Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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3
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Evans CW, Egid A, Mamsa SSA, Paterson DJ, Ho D, Bartlett CA, Fehily B, Lins BR, Fitzgerald M, Hackett MJ, Smith NM. Elemental Mapping in a Preclinical Animal Model Reveals White Matter Copper Elevation in the Acute Phase of Central Nervous System Trauma. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3518-3527. [PMID: 37695072 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the chemical events following trauma to the central nervous system could assist in identifying causative mechanisms and potential interventions to protect neural tissue. Here, we apply a partial optic nerve transection model of injury in rats and use synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) to perform elemental mapping of metals (K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn) and other related elements (P, S, Cl) in white matter tracts. The partial optic nerve injury model and spatial precision of microscopy allow us to obtain previously unattained resolution in mapping elemental changes in response to a primary injury and subsequent secondary effects. We observed significant elevation of Cu levels at multiple time points following the injury, both at the primary injury site and in neural tissue near the injury site vulnerable to secondary damage, as well as significant changes in Cl, K, P, S, and Ca. Our results suggest widespread metal dyshomeostasis in response to central nervous system trauma and that altered Cu homeostasis may be a specific secondary event in response to white matter injury. The findings highlight metal homeostasis as a potential point of intervention in limiting damage following nervous system injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Abigail Egid
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Somayra S A Mamsa
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | | | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Carole A Bartlett
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Brooke Fehily
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Brittney R Lins
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Melinda Fitzgerald
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Mark J Hackett
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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4
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Lawler NB, Ou A, King JJ, Evans CW, Iyer KS, Smith NM. G4-DNA formation and chromatin remodelling are interdependent in human cells. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7681-7687. [PMID: 37476710 PMCID: PMC10355101 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02533k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) have been identified as important biological targets for transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic regulation. The stabilisation of G4s with small molecule ligands has emerged as a technique to regulate gene expression and as a potential therapeutic approach for human diseases. Here, we demonstrate that ligand stabilisation of G4s causes altered chromatin accessibility dependent on the targeting specificity of the molecule. In particular, stabilisation of a target G4 using the highly specific GTC365 ligand resulted in differential accessibility of 61 genomic regions, while the broad-targeting G4 ligand, GQC-05, stabilised many G4s and induced a global shift towards increased accessibility of gene promoter regions. Interestingly, while we observed distinct effects of each ligand on RNA expression levels and the induction of DNA double-stranded breaks, both ligands modified DNA damage response pathways. Our work represents the dual possibility of G4-stabilising ligands for specific or global chromatin modulation via unique targeting characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Lawler
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
- School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - Arnold Ou
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - Jessica J King
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia Perth WA Australia
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5
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Rwandamuriye FX, Evans CW, Wylie B, Norret M, Vitali B, Ho D, Nguyen D, Roper EA, Wang T, Hepburn MS, Sanderson RW, Pfirrmann M, Fear VS, Forbes CA, Wyatt K, Ryan AL, Johns TG, Phillips MB, Hodder R, Leslie C, Kennedy BF, Zemek RM, Iyer KS, Lesterhuis WJ. A surgically optimized intraoperative poly(I:C)-releasing hydrogel prevents cancer recurrence. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101113. [PMID: 37467718 PMCID: PMC10394259 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Recurrences frequently occur following surgical removal of primary tumors. In many cancers, adjuvant therapies have limited efficacy. Surgery provides access to the tumor microenvironment, creating an opportunity for local therapy, in particular immunotherapy, which can induce local and systemic anti-cancer effects. Here, we develop a surgically optimized biodegradable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel for sustained intraoperative delivery of Toll-like receptor 3 agonist poly(I:C) and demonstrate that it significantly reduces tumor recurrence after surgery in multiple mouse models. Mechanistically, poly(I:C) induces a transient interferon alpha (IFNα) response, reshaping the tumor/wound microenvironment by attracting inflammatory monocytes and depleting regulatory T cells. We demonstrate that a pre-existing IFN signature predicts response to the poly(I:C) hydrogel, which sensitizes tumors to immune checkpoint therapy. The safety, immunogenicity, and surgical feasibility are confirmed in a veterinary trial in canine soft tissue tumors. The surgically optimized poly(I:C)-loaded hydrogel provides a safe and effective approach to prevent cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Ben Wylie
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Breana Vitali
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Dat Nguyen
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ellise A Roper
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Matt S Hepburn
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Rowan W Sanderson
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Maren Pfirrmann
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa S Fear
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Catherine A Forbes
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ken Wyatt
- Perth Veterinary Specialists, Osborne Park, WA, Australia; Murdoch Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Anne L Ryan
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Department of Oncology, Hematology and Tissue and Cellular Therapies, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Terrance G Johns
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Marianne B Phillips
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Department of Oncology, Hematology and Tissue and Cellular Therapies, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rupert Hodder
- Department of Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Connull Leslie
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Brendan F Kennedy
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Rachael M Zemek
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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6
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Evans CW, Ho D, Marlow JB, King JJ, Hee C, Wong LN, Atkin R, Smith NM, Warr GG, Norret M, Iyer KS. Intracellular Communication between Synthetic Macromolecules. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:14112-14120. [PMID: 35901278 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-viral delivery is an important strategy for selective and efficient gene therapy, immunization, and RNA interference, which overcomes problems of genotoxicity and inherent immunogenicity associated with viral vectors. Liposomes and polymers are compelling candidates as carriers for intracellular, non-viral delivery, but maximal efficiencies of around 1% have been reported for the most advanced non-viral carriers. Here, we develop a library of dendronized bottlebrush polymers with controlled defects, displaying a level of precision surpassed only by biological molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins. We test concurrent and competitive delivery of DNA and show for the first time that, while intracellular communication is thought to be an exclusively biomolecular phenomenon, such communication between synthetic macromolecular complexes can also take place. Our findings challenge the assumption that delivery agents behave as bystanders that enable transfection by passive intracellular release of genetic cargo and improve upon coarse strategies in intracellular carrier design lacking control over polymer sequence, architecture, and composition, leading to a hit-or-miss outcome. Understanding the communication that takes place between macromolecules will help improve the design of non-viral delivery agents and facilitate translation of genome engineering, vaccines, and nucleic acid-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Joshua B Marlow
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jessica J King
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Charmaine Hee
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lucas N Wong
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Rob Atkin
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Gregory G Warr
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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7
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Lawler NB, Evans CW, Romanenko S, Chaudhari N, Fear M, Wood F, Smith NM, Wallace VP, Swaminathan Iyer K. Millimeter waves alter DNA secondary structures and modulate the transcriptome in human fibroblasts. Biomed Opt Express 2022; 13:3131-3144. [PMID: 35774325 PMCID: PMC9203081 DOI: 10.1364/boe.458478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
As millimetre wave (MMW) frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum are increasingly adopted in modern technologies such as mobile communications and networking, characterising the biological effects is critical in determining safe exposure levels. We study the exposure of primary human dermal fibroblasts to MMWs, finding MMWs trigger genomic and transcriptomic alterations. In particular, repeated 60 GHz, 2.6 mW cm-2, 46.8 J cm-2 d-1 MMW doses induce a unique physiological response after 2 and 4 days exposure. We show that high dose MMWs induce simultaneous non-thermal alterations to the transcriptome and DNA structural dynamics, including formation of G-quadruplex and i-motif secondary structures, but not DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Lawler
- Department of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Sergii Romanenko
- Department of Sensory Signaling, O.O. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine
| | - Nutan Chaudhari
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Mark Fear
- Burn Injury Research Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Fiona Wood
- Fiona Stanley and Princess Margaret Hospitals, Burns Service of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vincent P Wallace
- Department of Physics, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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8
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Kretzmann JA, Irving KL, Smith NM, Evans CW. Modulating gene expression in breast cancer via DNA secondary structure and the CRISPR toolbox. NAR Cancer 2022; 3:zcab048. [PMID: 34988459 PMCID: PMC8693572 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, and while the survival prognosis of patients with early-stage, non-metastatic disease is ∼75%, recurrence poses a significant risk and advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer is incurable. A distinctive feature of advanced breast cancer is an unstable genome and altered gene expression patterns that result in disease heterogeneity. Transcription factors represent a unique therapeutic opportunity in breast cancer, since they are known regulators of gene expression, including gene expression involved in differentiation and cell death, which are themselves often mutated or dysregulated in cancer. While transcription factors have traditionally been viewed as 'undruggable', progress has been made in the development of small-molecule therapeutics to target relevant protein-protein, protein-DNA and enzymatic active sites, with varying levels of success. However, non-traditional approaches such as epigenetic editing, transcriptional control via CRISPR/dCas9 systems, and gene regulation through non-canonical nucleic acid secondary structures represent new directions yet to be fully explored. Here, we discuss these new approaches and current limitations in light of new therapeutic opportunities for breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 4a, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Kelly L Irving
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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9
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Bhatt U, Kretzmann AL, Guédin A, Ou A, Kobelke S, Bond CS, Evans CW, Hurley LH, Mergny JL, Iyer KS, Fox AH, Smith NM. The role of G-Quadruplex DNA in Paraspeckle formation in cancer. Biochimie 2021; 190:124-131. [PMID: 34329720 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Paraspeckles are RNA-protein structures within the nucleus of mammalian cells, capable of orchestrating various biochemical processes. An overexpression of the architectural component of paraspeckles, a long non-coding RNA called NEAT1 (Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1), has been linked to a variety of cancers and is often associated with poor patient prognosis. Thus, there is an accumulating interest in the role of paraspeckles in carcinogenesis, however there is a limited understanding of how NEAT1 expression is regulated. Here, we demonstrate that both nuclear G-quadruplex (G4) and paraspeckle formation are significantly increased in a human breast cancer cell line compared to non-tumorigenic breast cells. Moreover, we identified and characterized G4-forming sequences within the NEAT1 promoter and demonstrate stabilization of G4 DNA with a G4-stabilizing small molecule results in a significant alteration in both paraspeckle formation and NEAT1 expression. This G4-mediated alteration of NEAT1 at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels was evident in U2OS osteosarcoma cells, MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma and MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uditi Bhatt
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Amy L Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Aurore Guédin
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Université de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Arnold Ou
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Simon Kobelke
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, INSERM U1212, CNRS UMR5320, Université de Bordeaux, Pessac, France; Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, Brno, 612 65, Czech Republic; Laboratoire D'Optique et Biosciences, École Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128, Palaiseau Cedex, France
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Archa H Fox
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
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10
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Kretzmann JA, Luther DC, Evans CW, Jeon T, Jerome W, Gopalakrishnan S, Lee YW, Norret M, Iyer KS, Rotello VM. Regulation of Proteins to the Cytosol Using Delivery Systems with Engineered Polymer Architecture. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4758-4765. [PMID: 33705125 PMCID: PMC10613456 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular protein delivery enables selective regulation of cellular metabolism, signaling, and development through introduction of defined protein quantities into the cell. Most applications require that the delivered protein has access to the cytosol, either for protein activity or as a gateway to other organelles such as the nucleus. The vast majority of delivery vehicles employ an endosomal pathway however, and efficient release of entrapped protein cargo from the endosome remains a challenge. Recent research has made significant advances toward efficient cytosolic delivery of proteins using polymers, but the influence of polymer architecture on protein delivery is yet to be investigated. Here, we developed a family of dendronized polymers that enable systematic alterations of charge density and structure. We demonstrate that while modulation of surface functionality has a significant effect on overall delivery efficiency, the endosomal release rate can be highly regulated by manipulating polymer architecture. Notably, we show that large, multivalent structures cause slower sustained release, while rigid spherical structures result in rapid burst release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - David C. Luther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Cameron W. Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 230 Stockbridge Road., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - William Jerome
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Sanjana Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yi-Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K. Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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11
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Evans CW, Ho D, Lee PKH, Martin AD, Chin IL, Wei Z, Li H, Atkin R, Choi YS, Norret M, Thordarson P, Iyer KS. A dendronised polymer architecture breaks the conventional inverse relationship between porosity and mechanical properties of hydrogels. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:773-776. [PMID: 33355551 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc07115c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We present a series of synthetic polymer hydrogels which break the traditional correlation between pore size and mechanical properties. The hydrogels are prepared from a dendronised polymer architecture based on a methacrylate copolymer to which poly(amido amine) dendrons are attached. Our approach will be useful in tailoring hydrogels for tissue engineering, controlled drug release, and flexible electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Peter K H Lee
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Adam D Martin
- Dementia Research Centre, Dept of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ian L Chin
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Zhenli Wei
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Hua Li
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. and Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Rob Atkin
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Pall Thordarson
- School of Chemistry, The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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12
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Chopra M, Sgro A, Norret M, Blancafort P, Iyer KS, Evans CW. SP94-Targeted Nanoparticles Enhance the Efficacy of Sorafenib and Improve Liver Cancer Cell Discrimination. ACS Appl Bio Mater 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Meenu Chopra
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Agustin Sgro
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - K. Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W. Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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13
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Chopra M, Sgro A, Norret M, Blancafort P, Iyer KS, Evans CW. A peptide-functionalised dendronised polymer for selective transfection in human liver cancer cells. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj01566d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A dendronised polymer functionalised with SP94 targeting peptide achieves highly selective transient transfection of liver cancer cells over normal non-transformed hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenu Chopra
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Agustin Sgro
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K. Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W. Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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14
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Vogel YB, Evans CW, Belotti M, Xu L, Russell IC, Yu LJ, Fung AKK, Hill NS, Darwish N, Gonçales VR, Coote ML, Swaminathan Iyer K, Ciampi S. The corona of a surface bubble promotes electrochemical reactions. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6323. [PMID: 33303749 PMCID: PMC7729901 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20186-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of gaseous products is a feature common to several electrochemical processes, often resulting in bubbles adhering to the electrode’s surface. Adherent bubbles reduce the electrode active area, and are therefore generally treated as electrochemically inert entities. Here, we show that this general assumption does not hold for gas bubbles masking anodes operating in water. By means of imaging electrochemiluminescent systems, and by studying the anisotropy of polymer growth around bubbles, we demonstrate that gas cavities adhering to an electrode surface initiate the oxidation of water-soluble species more effectively than electrode areas free of bubbles. The corona of a bubble accumulates hydroxide anions, unbalanced by cations, a phenomenon which causes the oxidation of hydroxide ions to hydroxyl radicals to occur at potentials at least 0.7 V below redox tabled values. The downhill shift of the hydroxide oxidation at the corona of the bubble is likely to be a general mechanism involved in the initiation of heterogeneous electrochemical reactions in water, and could be harnessed in chemical synthesis. Gas bubbles forming on the surface of an electrode, a phenomenon common to several industrial electrolytic processes, are usually perceived as inert, passivating entities. Here, the authors show that that this general assumption does not hold for gas bubbles masking anodes operating in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan B Vogel
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Mattia Belotti
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Longkun Xu
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Isabella C Russell
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Li-Juan Yu
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Alfred K K Fung
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Nicholas S Hill
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Nadim Darwish
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Vinicius R Gonçales
- School of Chemistry, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Michelle L Coote
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Simone Ciampi
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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15
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King JJ, Irving KL, Evans CW, Chikhale RV, Becker R, Morris CJ, Peña Martinez CD, Schofield P, Christ D, Hurley LH, Waller ZAE, Iyer KS, Smith NM. DNA G-Quadruplex and i-Motif Structure Formation Is Interdependent in Human Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:20600-20604. [PMID: 33253551 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Guanine- and cytosine-rich nucleic acid sequences have the potential to form secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes and i-motifs, respectively. We show that stabilization of G-quadruplexes using small molecules destabilizes the i-motifs, and vice versa, indicating these gene regulatory controllers are interdependent in human cells. This has important implications as these structures are predominately considered as isolated structural targets for therapy, but their interdependency highlights the interplay of both structures as an important gene regulatory switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J King
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Kelly L Irving
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Rupesh V Chikhale
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K.,UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K
| | - Rouven Becker
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Christopher J Morris
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K
| | - Cristian D Peña Martinez
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Peter Schofield
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel Christ
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 East Mabel Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Zoë A E Waller
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, U.K.,UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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16
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Ou A, Schmidberger JW, Wilson KA, Evans CW, Hargreaves JA, Grigg M, O'Mara ML, Iyer KS, Bond CS, Smith NM. High resolution crystal structure of a KRAS promoter G-quadruplex reveals a dimer with extensive poly-A π-stacking interactions for small-molecule recognition. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5766-5776. [PMID: 32313953 PMCID: PMC7261167 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant KRAS signaling is a driver of many cancers and yet remains an elusive target for drug therapy. The nuclease hypersensitive element of the KRAS promoter has been reported to form secondary DNA structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which may play important roles in regulating KRAS expression, and has spurred interest in structural elucidation studies of the KRAS G-quadruplexes. Here, we report the first high-resolution crystal structure (1.6 Å) of a KRAS G-quadruplex as a 5'-head-to-head dimer with extensive poly-A π-stacking interactions observed across the dimer. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the poly-A π-stacking interactions are also maintained in the G4 monomers. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations with two G4 ligands that display high stabilization of the KRAS G4 indicated the poly-A loop was a binding site for these ligands in addition to the 5'-G-tetrad. Given sequence and structural variability in the loop regions provide the opportunity for small-molecule targeting of specific G4s, we envisage this high-resolution crystal structure for the KRAS G-quadruplex will aid in the rational design of ligands to selectively target KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold Ou
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jason W Schmidberger
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Katie A Wilson
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jessica A Hargreaves
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Melanie Grigg
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Megan L O'Mara
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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17
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Kretzmann JA, Evans CW, Feng L, Lawler NB, Norret M, Higgins MJ, Iyer KS. Surface Diffusion of Dendronized Polymers Correlates with Their Transfection Potential. Langmuir 2020; 36:9074-9080. [PMID: 32672978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Successful intracellular delivery of therapeutics requires interactions at several liquid-solid interfaces, including cell surface, endosomal membranes, and-depending on the therapeutic-the nuclear membrane. Understanding the dynamics of polymer kinetics at the liquid-solid interface is fundamental for the design of polymers for such biomedical delivery applications. However, the effect of polymer architecture and charge density on polymer kinetics is not readily investigated using routine techniques, and the role of such parameters in the context of gene delivery remains unknown. We adopted a synthetic strategy which enabled the systematic manipulation of charge density, flexibility, and molecular weight using a dendronized linear polymeric architecture. High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) was used as a label-free method to directly observe the polymers' dynamic properties, such as velocity, displacement, and diffusion, in physiologically relevant conditions. Importantly, we found that the physical parameters measured by HS-AFM relate to the transfection potential of the individual polymers and may be a valuable tool in screening structural polymer variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lei Feng
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Nicholas B Lawler
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michael J Higgins
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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18
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Viola HM, Shah AA, Kretzmann JA, Evans CW, Norret M, Iyer KS, Hool LC. A dendronized polymer variant that facilitates safe delivery of a calcium channel antagonist to the heart. Nanomedicine 2020; 29:102264. [PMID: 32659322 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI) have been ineffective due to limited bioavailability and poor specificity. We have previously shown that a peptide that targets the α-interaction domain of the cardiac L-type calcium channel (AID-peptide) attenuates MI when tethered to transactivator of transcription sequence (TAT) or spherical nanoparticles. However some reservations remain regarding use of these delivery platforms due to the relationship with human immunodeficiency virus, off-target effects and toxicity. Here we investigate the use of linear dendronized polymers (denpols) to deliver AID-peptide as a potential MI therapy using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. Optimized denpol-complexed AID-peptide facilitated in vitro cardiac uptake of AID-peptide, and reduced MI. Maximal in vivo cardiac uptake was achieved within the 2 h therapeutic time window for acute myocardial infarction. Importantly, optimized denpol-complexed AID-peptide was not toxic. This platform may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for the prevention of MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena M Viola
- School of Human Sciences (Physiology), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Ashay A Shah
- School of Human Sciences (Physiology), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Livia C Hool
- School of Human Sciences (Physiology), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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19
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Evans CW, Edwards S, Kretzmann JA, Nealon GL, Singh R, Clemons TD, Norret M, Boyer CA, Iyer KS. Synthetic copolymer conjugates of docetaxel and in vitro assessment of anticancer efficacy. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj03425h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Docetaxel (DTX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug that is associated with numerous side effects and limited bioavailability. We show synthetic copolymer conjugates of docetaxel with drug loading up to 20% and assess their efficacy in MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W. Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Sky Edwards
- School of Molecular Sciences
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | | | - Gareth L. Nealon
- Centre for Microscopy
- Characterisation and Analysis
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Ruhani Singh
- School of Molecular Sciences
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Tristan D. Clemons
- School of Molecular Sciences
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences
- University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Cyrille A. Boyer
- School of Chemical Engineering and Cluster for Macromolecular Design
- Faculty of Engineering
- The University of New South Wales
- Kensington
- Australia
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20
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Munshi AM, Kretzmann JA, Evans CW, Ranieri AM, Schildkraut Z, Massi M, Norret M, Saunders M, Iyer KS. Dendronised Polymers as Templates for In Situ Quantum Dot Synthesis. Aust J Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/ch20071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The utility of dendrimers as effective carriers for targeted drug delivery and imaging has been facilitated by a high degree of molecular uniformity, narrow molecular weight distribution, tunable size and shape characteristics, and multivalency. Dendrimer–quantum dot (QD) nanocomposites have traditionally been synthesised by electrostatic self-assembly of preformed dendrimers and QDs, but higher generations are associated with limited flexibility and increased cytotoxicity. In this paper, we report the fabrication of CdTe QD nanoparticles using a dendronised linear copolymer bearing thiolated fourth-generation poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrons as the capping and stabilising agent. We demonstrate this approach enables synthesis of nanocomposites with aqueous and photophysical stability.
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21
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Kretzmann JA, Evans CW, Moses C, Sorolla A, Kretzmann AL, Wang E, Ho D, Hackett MJ, Dessauvagie BF, Smith NM, Redfern AD, Waryah C, Norret M, Iyer KS, Blancafort P. Tumour suppression by targeted intravenous non-viral CRISPRa using dendritic polymers. Chem Sci 2019; 10:7718-7727. [PMID: 31588320 PMCID: PMC6761875 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc01432b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This article demonstrates a fully synthetic strategy enabling CRISPR-mediated activation of tumour suppressor genes in vivo to reduce tumour burden.
Aberrant gene expression is a hallmark of cancer. Although transcription is traditionally considered ‘undruggable’, the development of CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) systems offers enormous potential to rectify cancer-associated transcriptional abnormalities in malignant cells. However delivery of this technology presents a critical challenge to overcome in order to realize clinical translation for cancer therapy. In this article we demonstrate for the first time, a fully synthetic strategy to enable CRISPR-mediated activation (CRISPRa) of tumour suppressor genes in vivo using a targeted intravenous approach. We show this via highly efficient transcriptional activation of two model tumour suppressor genes, Mammary Serine Protease Inhibitor (MASPIN, SERPINB5) and cysteine-rich 61/connective tissue growth factor/nephroblastoma-overexpressed 6 (CCN6, WISP3), in a mouse model of breast cancer. In particular, we demonstrate that targeted intravenous delivery of can be achieved using a novel nanoscale dendritic macromolecular delivery agent, with negligible toxicity and long lasting therapeutic effects, outlining a targeted effective formulation with potential to treat aggressive malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . .,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Colette Moses
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia . .,School of Human Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Anabel Sorolla
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Amy L Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Edina Wang
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Mark J Hackett
- Curtin Institute for Functional Molecules and Interfaces , Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute , Department of Chemistry , Curtin University , Bentley , WA 6845 , Australia
| | - Benjamin F Dessauvagie
- Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine , Fiona Stanley Hospital , Murdoch , WA , Australia.,School of Medicine , The University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Andrew D Redfern
- School of Medicine , The University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia
| | - Charlene Waryah
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
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22
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Sorolla A, Wang E, Clemons TD, Evans CW, Plani-Lam JH, Golden E, Dessauvagie B, Redfern AD, Swaminathan-Iyer K, Blancafort P. Triple-hit therapeutic approach for triple negative breast cancers using docetaxel nanoparticles, EN1-iPeps and RGD peptides. Nanomedicine 2019; 20:102003. [PMID: 31055077 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) are aggressive malignancies for which chemotherapy is the only treatment option. Many TNBC acquire chemotherapy resistance, notably docetaxel, which has been associated with the overexpression of transcription factors (TFs), such as ENGRAILED1 (EN1). Here, we have developed a tumor delivery system for docetaxel-PGMA-PAA-nanoparticles and interference peptides designed to specifically inhibit EN1 (EN1-iPeps). To promote tumor specific targeting, we functionalized these nanoparticles with EN1-iPeps engineered with RGD sequences. We found that these peptides reduce cell viability and induce apoptosis in TNBC cells with negligible effects on normal cells (EN1-). Moreover, EN1-RGD-iPeps-mediated nanoparticle internalization into breast cancer cells was via integrins and intravenous injection of this nanoformulation increased tumor accumulation. Furthermore, docetaxel nanoparticles functionalized with EN1-RGD-iPeps significantly reduced TNBC growth both in vitro and in vivo without showing toxicity. Our results suggest that this targeted nanoformulation represents a new and safe therapeutic approach for chemoresistant TNBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Sorolla
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Edina Wang
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Tristan D Clemons
- School of Molecular Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Janice Hc Plani-Lam
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Emily Golden
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Ben Dessauvagie
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew D Redfern
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan-Iyer
- School of Molecular Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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23
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Kretzmann JA, Feng R, Munshi AM, Ho D, Ranieri AM, Massi M, Saunders M, Norret M, Iyer KS, Evans CW. A facile methodology using quantum dot multiplex labels for tracking co-transfection. RSC Adv 2019; 9:20053-20057. [PMID: 35514698 PMCID: PMC9065570 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra03518d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of efficient non-viral transfection agents capable of delivering multiple nucleic acids is crucial for the field of genome engineering. Herein a facile methodology of polyplex labelling and tracking with quantum dots is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - RuiLu Feng
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Hefei Shi
- China
| | - Alaa M. Munshi
- School of Molecular Sciences
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Anna M. Ranieri
- Department of Chemistry
- Nanochemistry Research Institute
- Curtin University of Technology
- Bentley
- Australia
| | - Massimiliano Massi
- Department of Chemistry
- Nanochemistry Research Institute
- Curtin University of Technology
- Bentley
- Australia
| | - Martin Saunders
- Centre for Microscopy
- Characterisation and Analysis
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - K. Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
| | - Cameron W. Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences
- The University of Western Australia
- Crawley
- Australia
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24
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Ho D, Kretzmann JA, Norret M, Toshniwal P, Veder JP, Jiang H, Guagliardo P, Munshi AM, Chawla R, Evans CW, Clemons TD, Nguyen M, Kretzmann AL, Blythe AJ, Saunders M, Archer M, Fitzgerald M, Keelan JA, Bond CS, Kilburn MR, Hurley LH, Smith NM, Iyer KS. Intracellular speciation of gold nanorods alters the conformational dynamics of genomic DNA. Nat Nanotechnol 2018; 13:1148-1153. [PMID: 30297819 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanorods are one of the most widely explored inorganic materials in nanomedicine for diagnostics, therapeutics and sensing1. It has been shown that gold nanorods are not cytotoxic and localize within cytoplasmic vesicles following endocytosis, with no nuclear localization2,3, but other studies have reported alterations in gene expression profiles in cells following exposure to gold nanorods, via unknown mechanisms4. In this work we describe a pathway that can contribute to this phenomenon. By mapping the intracellular chemical speciation process of gold nanorods, we show that the commonly used Au-thiol conjugation, which is important for maintaining the noble (inert) properties of gold nanostructures, is altered following endocytosis, resulting in the formation of Au(I)-thiolates that localize in the nucleus5. Furthermore, we show that nuclear localization of the gold species perturbs the dynamic microenvironment within the nucleus and triggers alteration of gene expression in human cells. We demonstrate this using quantitative visualization of ubiquitous DNA G-quadruplex structures, which are sensitive to ionic imbalances, as an indicator of the formation of structural alterations in genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Priyanka Toshniwal
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jean-Pierre Veder
- John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Haibo Jiang
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Guagliardo
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alaa M Munshi
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reena Chawla
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tristan D Clemons
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michelle Nguyen
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy L Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda J Blythe
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Martin Saunders
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Archer
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Melinda Fitzgerald
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jeffrey A Keelan
- Schools of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matt R Kilburn
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laurence H Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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25
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Ou A, Guédin A, Skelton BW, Amrane S, Evans CW, Norret M, Iyer KS, Mergny JL, Smith NM. Multicarbazole scaffolds for selective G-quadruplex binding. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:9647-9650. [PMID: 30101241 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc03945c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report a new class of G-quadruplex stabilising ligands, multicarbazoles, which display high G-quadruplex DNA selectivity in the presence of 250 times excess duplex DNA. We report the synthesis of these compounds in moderate to high yields. Ligands in the series with optimal G-quadruplex selectivity contain an N-propylamino chain length where the amino functionalities are either pyrrolidine or piperidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold Ou
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
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26
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Abstract
The potential impact of CRISPR/Cas9, TALE, and zinc finger technology is immense, both with respect to their use as tools for understanding the roles and functions of the genomic elements and epigenome modifications in an endogenous context and as new methods for treatment of diseases. Application of such technologies has drawn attention, however, to the prevailing lack of effective delivery methods. Promising viral and non-viral methods both currently fall short when the efficient delivery of large plasmids or multiple plasmids is required. Therefore, the use of TALE and CRISPR platforms has been severely limited in applications where selection methods to increase the relative proportion of treated cells are not applicable, and it represents a significant bottleneck in the further application of these tools as therapeutics.The protocol presented here describes the synthesis of a dendronized polymer as a highly efficient and nontoxic transfection agent. Furthermore, the optimization of the polymer as a co-transfection reagent for large and multiple plasmids in cell lines is described, in addition to general considerations for co-transfection experiments. Usage of this method has allowed for significantly improved large plasmid co-transfection efficiency over Lipofectamine 2000 in multiple cell lines, allowing an improved delivery of CRISPR/dCas9 and TALE systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
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27
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Kretzmann JA, Ho D, Evans CW, Plani-Lam JHC, Garcia-Bloj B, Mohamed AE, O'Mara ML, Ford E, Tan DEK, Lister R, Blancafort P, Norret M, Iyer KS. Synthetically controlling dendrimer flexibility improves delivery of large plasmid DNA. Chem Sci 2017; 8:2923-2930. [PMID: 28451358 PMCID: PMC5376716 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc00097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tools for editing the genome and epigenome have revolutionised the field of molecular biology and represent a new frontier in targeted therapeutic intervention. Although efficiencies and specificities of genome editing technologies have improved with the development of TALEs and CRISPR platforms, intracellular delivery of these larger constructs still remains a challenge using existing delivery agents. Viral vectors, including lentiviruses and adeno-associated viruses, as well as some non-viral strategies, such as cationic polymers and liposomes, are limited by packaging capacity, poor delivery, toxicity, and immunogenicity. We report a highly controlled synthetic strategy to engineer a flexible dendritic polymer using click chemistry to overcome the aforementioned delivery challenges associated with genome engineering technologies. Using a systematic approach, we demonstrate that high transfection efficiencies and packaging capacity can be achieved using this non-viral delivery methodology to deliver zinc fingers, TALEs and CRISPR/dCas9 platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
| | - Janice H C Plani-Lam
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Benjamin Garcia-Bloj
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - A Elaaf Mohamed
- Research School of Chemistry , Australian National University , Canberra , ACT 2601 , Australia
| | - Megan L O'Mara
- Research School of Chemistry , Australian National University , Canberra , ACT 2601 , Australia
| | - Ethan Ford
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Dennis E K Tan
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . ;
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28
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Sorolla A, Ho D, Wang E, Evans CW, Ormonde CFG, Rashwan R, Singh R, Iyer KS, Blancafort P. Sensitizing basal-like breast cancer to chemotherapy using nanoparticles conjugated with interference peptide. Nanoscale 2016; 8:9343-53. [PMID: 27089946 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08331a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancers are highly aggressive malignancies associated with very poor prognosis. Although these cancers may initially respond to first-line treatment, they become highly resistant to standard chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. Chemotherapy resistance in basal-like breast cancers is associated with highly selective overexpression of the homeobox transcription factor Engrailed 1 (EN1). Herein, we propose a novel therapeutic strategy using poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanoparticles decorated with poly(acrylic acid) that enable dual delivery of docetaxel and interference peptides designed to block or inhibit EN1 (EN1-iPep). We demonstrate that EN1-iPep is highly selective in inducing apoptotic cell death in basal-like cancer cells with negligible effects in a non-neoplastic human mammary epithelial cell line. Furthermore, we show that treatment with EN1-iPep results in a highly synergistic pharmacological interaction with docetaxel in inhibiting cancer cell growth. The incorporation of these two agents in a single nanoformulation results in greater anticancer efficacy than current nanoparticle-based treatments used in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sorolla
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - D Ho
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - E Wang
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - C W Evans
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - C F G Ormonde
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - R Rashwan
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - R Singh
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - P Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
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29
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Abstract
Treatment of acute cardiac ischemia remains an area in which there are opportunities for therapeutic improvement. Despite significant advances, many patients still progress to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Timely reperfusion is critical in rescuing vulnerable ischemic tissue and is directly related to patient outcome, but reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium also contributes to damage. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species, initiation of an inflammatory response and deregulation of calcium homeostasis all contribute to injury, and difficulties in delivering a sufficient quantity of drug to the affected tissue in a controlled manner is a limitation of current therapies. Nanotechnology may offer significant improvements in this respect. Here, we review recent examples of how nanoparticles can be used to improve delivery to the ischemic myocardium, and suggest some approaches that may lead to improved therapies for acute cardiac ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W Evans
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Livia C Hool
- School of Anatomy, Physiology & Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.,Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, 405 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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30
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Harrison J, Bartlett CA, Cowin G, Nicholls PK, Evans CW, Clemons TD, Zdyrko B, Luzinov IA, Harvey AR, Iyer KS, Dunlop SA, Fitzgerald M. In vivo imaging and biodistribution of multimodal polymeric nanoparticles delivered to the optic nerve. Small 2012; 8:1579-1589. [PMID: 22411702 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201102648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to sites of injury or disease in the central nervous system (CNS) holds great promise. However, the biodistribution of nanoparticles following in vivo administration is often unknown, and concerns have been raised regarding potential toxicity. Using poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) nanoparticles coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent and rhodamine B as a fluorophore, whole animal MRI and fluorescence analyses are used to demonstrate that these nanoparticles (NP) remain close to the site of injection into a partial injury of the optic nerve, a CNS white matter tract. In addition, some of these NP enter axons and are transported to parent neuronal somata. NP also remain in the eye following intravitreal injection, a non-injury model. Considerable infiltration of activated microglia/macrophages occurs in both models. Using magnetic concentration and fluorescence visualization of tissue homogenates, no dissemination of the NP into peripheral tissues is observed. Histopathological analysis reveals no toxicity in organs other than at the injection sites. Multifunctional nanoparticles may be a useful mechanism to deliver therapeutic agents to the injury site and somata of injured CNS neurons and thus may be of therapeutic value following brain or spinal cord trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Harrison
- Centre for Strategic Nanofabrication, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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31
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Evans CW, Latter MJ, Ho D, Peerzade SAMA, Clemons TD, Fitzgerald M, Dunlop SA, Iyer KS. Multimodal and multifunctional stealth polymer nanospheres for sustained drug delivery. NEW J CHEM 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2nj40016b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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32
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Evans CW, Viola HM, Ho D, Hool LC, Dunlop SA, Fitzgerald M, Iyer KS. Nanoparticle-mediated internalisation and release of a calcium channel blocker. RSC Adv 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ra21058d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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33
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Evans CW, Fitzgerald M, Clemons TD, House MJ, Padman BS, Shaw JA, Saunders M, Harvey AR, Zdyrko B, Luzinov I, Silva GA, Dunlop SA, Iyer KS. Multimodal analysis of PEI-mediated endocytosis of nanoparticles in neural cells. ACS Nano 2011; 5:8640-8648. [PMID: 22003894 DOI: 10.1021/nn2022149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Polymer nanoparticles are widely used as a highly generalizable tool to entrap a range of different drugs for controlled or site-specific release. However, despite numerous studies examining the kinetics of controlled release, the biological behavior of such nanoparticles remains poorly understood, particularly with respect to endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. We synthesized polyethylenimine-decorated polymer nanospheres (ca. 100-250 nm) of the type commonly used for drug release and used correlated electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, and relaxometry to track endocytosis in neural cells. These capabilities provide insight into how polyethylenimine mediates the entry of nanoparticles into neural cells and show that polymer nanosphere uptake involves three distinct steps, namely, plasma membrane attachment, fluid-phase as well as clathrin- and caveolin-independent endocytosis, and progressive accumulation in membrane-bound intracellular vesicles. These findings provide detailed insight into how the intracellular delivery of nanoparticles is mediated by polyethylenimine, which is presently the most commonly used nonviral gene transfer agent. This fundamental knowledge may also assist in the preparation of next-generation nonviral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron W Evans
- School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia
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34
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Clemons TD, Evans CW, Zdyrko B, Luzinov I, Fitzgerald M, Dunlop SA, Harvey AR, Iyer KS, Stubbs KA. Multifunctional nanoadditives for the thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization of enzymes. Nanoscale 2011; 3:4085-4087. [PMID: 21897968 DOI: 10.1039/c1nr10786k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Stabilization of enzymes has become a major focus in the quest to improve the activity, sustainability and recyclability of enzymes for their successful integration into both industry and medicine. Here, we describe the kinetic and thermodynamic stabilization of a variety of enzymes in the presence of cationic multifunctional polymeric nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan D Clemons
- School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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35
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Fang J, Evans CW, Willis GJ, Sherwood D, Guo Y, Lu G, Raston CL, Iyer KS. Sequential microfluidic flow synthesis of CePO4 nanorods decorated with emission tunable quantum dots. Lab Chip 2010; 10:2579-2582. [PMID: 20680209 DOI: 10.1039/c005022a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
CePO(4) nanorods decorated with QDs (QDs@CePO(4)) can be prepared in a sequential, aqueous procedure under continuous flow using a rotating tube processor and a narrow channel reactor. The emission from the QD@CePO(4) is tunable from green to red by simply adjusting the feeding rate, which in turn regulates the particle size of the QDs. The Ce(3+) ions in the QDs@CePO(4) serve as an efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor, effectively enlarging the Stokes shift of the QDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China.
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36
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Swaminathan Iyer
- Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA-6009, Australia, and Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
| | - Martin Saunders
- Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA-6009, Australia, and Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
| | - Thomas Becker
- Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA-6009, Australia, and Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
| | - Cameron W. Evans
- Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA-6009, Australia, and Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
| | - Colin L. Raston
- Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA-6009, Australia, and Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
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Harbottle MJ, Al-Tabbaa A, Evans CW. A comparison of the technical sustainability of in situ stabilisation/solidification with disposal to landfill. J Hazard Mater 2007; 141:430-40. [PMID: 16839669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.05.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Sustainability is becoming a very important issue in contaminated land remediation and should form one of the factors used in future selection of treatment technologies. In situ stabilisation/solidification (S/S) is a remediation technique that is increasingly being applied to the treatment of contaminated sites because of numerous advantages over other remediation techniques. This paper assesses and compares aspects of the technical sustainability of in situ S/S with landfilling. Criteria previously established for the assessment of the technical sustainability of the remediation of contaminated land are employed. The comparison is presented in the form of a case study based on a real remediation project in the UK. The analysis indicated that landfilling had a larger impact than S/S in the majority of areas investigated, such as waste production (1000 kg waste/t soil remediated for landfilling compared to none for S/S), transportation (12.9 km/t for landfilling, 0.4 km/t for S/S) and use of raw materials (1005.5 kg/t for landfilling, 88.9 kg/t for S/S), although S/S had high greenhouse gas emissions (12.6 kg/t for landfilling, 40.9 kg/t for S/S). In addition, a multi-criteria/cost-effectiveness analysis gave cost effectiveness scores of -34.2 to S/S and -138.1 to landfill (where more positive is better).
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Harbottle
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.
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Abstract
We have isolated a homologue of the period (per) gene from the Australian sheep blow fly, Lucilia cuprina, as part of a comparative approach to the analysis of dipteran circadian systems. Sequence analysis of the 4 kb per cDNA revealed the conservation of three functional domains, namely the PAS dimerization motif, and the nuclear and cytoplasmic localization domains. A fourth domain, the threonine-glycine (TG) repeat region, is also conserved in L. cuprina per but has been severely truncated. No length variation was found in the TG repeat of L. cuprina or L. sericata collected from several different latitudinal zones. Expression analysis indicated a diel oscillation in per mRNA in LD 12:12 with a period of 24 h and a peak at Zt 12. PER-immunoreactive protein oscillations were also demonstrated, with peak immunoreactivity lagging approximately 3 h behind peak mRNA levels. These results show the existence of a Drosophila-like circadian system in a calliphorid fly. They also provide evidence for the conservation of per function across the Diptera, and confirm the relevance of the Drosophila system as a model for fly circadian rhythms.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Warman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Evans CW, Lund BT, McConnell I, Bujdoso R. Antigen recognition and activation of ovine gamma delta T cells. Immunol Suppl 1994; 82:229-37. [PMID: 7927494 PMCID: PMC1414829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated several aspects of gamma delta T cells in sheep. gamma delta T cells of sheep express a unique transmembrane protein termed T19 but lack the expression of particular cell-surface molecules such as CD2, CD4 and CD8 which are typically associated with alpha beta T cells. The majority of gamma delta T cells isolated from animals of all ages examined lacked the expression of CD45RA. A faster rate of activation by gamma delta T cells compared to either CD4 or CD8 T cells was seen in the time-course of IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) cell-surface expression. All gamma delta T cells expressed the CD25 protein within 8 hr of activation whereas the majority of CD4 or CD8 T cells did not express CD25 until 24 hr post-concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. This difference in the rate of expression of activation molecules was not restricted to CD25, as a similar trend was seen with cell-surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. We have used the distinct phenotypic profile of ovine gamma delta T cells to purify these cells by positive selection via the T19 molecule to assess their in vitro proliferative response to various antigens. Routinely, cell populations comprising more than 93% gamma delta T cells with yields of approximately 55% were obtained. Purified gamma delta T cells were capable of responding to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen in a primary and secondary in vitro proliferation assay and to ovalbumin in a secondary response. Ovine gamma delta T cells showed little, if any, proliferative response to allogeneic stimulator cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Evans
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Edinburgh
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Abstract
Workshop clusters WC1 and WC2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were tested for their reactivity with ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The populations of ovine lymphocytes defined by these mAbs were found to be part of the population of T19+ (WC1+) cells, and the gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR) (WC2) expressing T cells. The expression of cell surface WC1 antigens following mitogen stimulation of ovine PBMC was studied. Whilst the size of the WC1 populations increased during culture with concanavalin A, the changes in the ratio of WC1:gamma/delta TCR percentages observed suggested either a loss of WC1 molecules or a selective expansion of WC1- cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Lund
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Edinburgh, UK
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Bujdoso R, Lund BT, Evans CW, McConnell I. Different rates of interleukin 2 receptor expression by ovine gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cells. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1993; 39:109-14. [PMID: 8310635 DOI: 10.1016/0165-2427(93)90170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We have used the monoclonal antibodies IL-A111, CACT116A, to investigate the expression of interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R) by ovine peripheral blood T cells. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) IL-A111 and CACT116A reacted with concanavalin A (Con A) activated ovine lymphocytes and both mAbs did so with similar FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) profiles and fluorescence intensity. Following activation by Con A all three major ovine T cell subsets, namely CD4+, CD8+ and gamma/delta T cells, express the IL-2R. All gamma/delta T cells express IL-2R within 12 h following activation by Con A in vitro whereas alpha/beta T cells do not express the IL-2R until 24 h after the start of culture with the mitogen. In freshly isolated peripheral blood a small percentage of lymphocytes, which are almost all CD4+, express the IL-2R.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
- Cattle
- Concanavalin A
- Flow Cytometry/veterinary
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology
- Receptors, Interleukin-2/biosynthesis
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Sheep/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bujdoso
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Edinburgh, UK
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Evans CW, Eastwood S, Rains J, Gruijters WT, Bullivant S, Kistler J. Gap junction formation during development of the mouse lens. Eur J Cell Biol 1993; 60:243-9. [PMID: 8330621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We have identified a 60 kDa membrane protein (MP60) as a component of the mouse cortical lens fiber gap junction and a monoclonal antibody recognizing this protein has been used to establish the temporal and spatial patterns of gap junction formation during development of the mouse lens. The initial expression of MP60 during embryonic development of the mouse lens correlates with primary fiber elongation and is first seen on the luminal aspect of the extending cells. About 2 days after birth, the relatively large, antibody-positive macular structures characteristic of late embryonic fiber cells begin to disperse into progressively smaller structures within a centrally located region of the lens. This change in the staining pattern with antibody directed against MP60 is consistent with the dispersion of gap junction plaques as confirmed by freeze fracture analysis. Around 5 days after birth, the 60 kDa gap junctional protein in this central region of the lens undergoes a modification resulting in the alteration to the epitope for the monoclonal antibody and a consequent loss of immunorecognition. Our results suggest that gap junctions in the central region of the developing mouse lens undergo sequential changes in immunoreactivity which may reflect potentially distinct functional phases of intercellular communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Evans
- Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract
There is no single phenotypic trait whose exclusive expression correlates universally with metastatic behaviour. Nevertheless, several lines of evidence point towards adhesive phenomena as mediating some crucial steps in the malignant spread of particular tumour types. These steps include detachment from the primary, invasion of the ECM including include detachment from the primary, invasion of the ECM including structures such as the basement membrane and organ capsules, and lodgement in the vessels of remote organs. Furthermore, there is evidence that adhesive phenomena can contribute at least in part to the selective patterns of spread shown by a variety of tumour cell types. The molecular dissection of the adhesive events involved in these processes has only just begun. It is clear already, however, that several different determinants are likely to be involved and the clinical application of this knowledge is unlikely to be immediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Evans
- Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract
The progression of a normal cell to one that is malignant is characterized by at least four progressive but potentially separable behavioural patterns identifying the immortal, tumorigenic, invasive and metastatic phenotypes. A multitude of steps appear to be involved in both transformation from normality and progression to malignancy as characterized by the acquisition of metastatic behaviour. Consequently, it seems unlikely that a single gene can directly manifest expression of the metastatic phenotype in normal cells unless it can induced pleiotropic effects. Indeed, a single trait uniquely characterizing the metastatic phenotype has never been identified. The possibility of a single gene suppressing the metastatic phenotype seems much greater. One possible candidate for such a gene is nm23, the expression of which correlates with reduced metastatic potential in several tumours including breast cancer in humans. Although the numbers involved are still small, the correlation of nm23 expression with breast cancer outcome offers potential in using this system as a prognostic aid in clinical diagnosis of this disease. Its possible role as an indicator of metastatic potential in other human tumours remains to be evaluated, although current evidence suggests that it is unlikely to be of use in colon cancer. Further significant progress requires molecular dissection of the mode of action of its product.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Evans
- Developmental Biology Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract
A 70-kDa membrane protein (MP70) is a component of the lens fiber gap junctions. Its membrane topology and its N-terminal sequence are similar to those of the connexin family of proteins. Some features of MP70 containing fiber gap junctions are, however, distinct from gap junctions in other mammalian tissues: (i) Lens connexons form crystalline arrays only after cleavage of junctional proteins in vitro. These hexagonal arrays have a periodicity of 13.6 nm which is significantly larger than the 8- 9-nm spacing of liver and heart gap junctions. (ii) Lens fiber gap junctions dissociate in low concentrations of nonionic detergent and this provides an avenue to purify MP70 directly from a membrane mixture. Isolated MP70 in the form of 17 S structures has an appearance consistent with connexon pairs. (iii) The C-terminal half of MP70 is cleaved in situ by a lens endogenous calcium-dependent protease. The processed from MP38 remains in the membrane and is abundant in the central region of the lens. A testable hypothesis for MP70 function is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kistler
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Martinez AM, Padbury JF, Humme JA, Evans CW, Shames L. Plasma catecholamines and their physiologic thresholds during the first ten days of life in sheep. J Dev Physiol 1990; 13:141-6. [PMID: 2277179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We studied serial plasma catecholamine levels in healthy newborn sheep over the first ten days of life. The results show that plasma norepinephrine values in newborn sheep are 3-4 fold higher, and plasma epinephrine values are two-fold higher than values in term fetal sheep. These elevations are sustained over the first 10 days of life. Cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) and metabolic parameters (glucose and free fatty acids) are also significantly elevated above fetal levels. We performed graded catecholamine infusions in newborn animals and adult ewes to determine the minimum plasma catecholamine concentrations necessary for discernible physiologic effects. In response to step-wise increases in epinephrine or norepinephrine infusion rates, there were immediate increases in blood pressure and other physiologic responses. This pattern was seen in both newborn and adult animals, and differed from previous observations in fetal sheep where log-linear, dose response curves characteristic of a threshold response were seen. These results suggest that during the first two weeks of life plasma catecholamine levels are elevated above the threshold value for physiologic responses. These sustained elevations in circulating catecholamines are important in the maintenance of physiologic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Martinez
- Perinatal Research Laboratories, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance 90509
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47
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Abstract
Helper (CD4+)-to-suppressor (CD8+) T-cell ratios were determined by flow cytometry for 12 patients with early-onset forms of periodontal disease and their appropriate controls. When considered as a group, patients with early-onset periodontal disease showed a markedly depressed CD4+/CD8+ ratio relative to controls (means 0.92 and 1.50 respectively). This difference was significant at the 0.0015% level as determined by the Mann-Whitney test. Separate analysis of patients with either the juvenile or rapidly progressive types of early-onset periodontal disease showed both to have reduced CD4+/CD8+ ratios (means 0.91 and 0.92) relative to their controls (means 1.57 and 1.45) which were both statistically significant (p less than 0.05).
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Kinane DF, Cullen CF, Johnston FA, Evans CW. Neutrophil chemotactic behaviour in patients with early-onset forms of periodontitis (I). Leading front analysis in Boyden chambers. J Clin Periodontol 1989; 16:242-6. [PMID: 2715362 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1989.tb01648.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite some reports to the contrary, it is generally assumed that early-onset forms of periodontal disease (including both juvenile and rapidly progressive periodontitis) are associated with a defect in neutrophil (PMN) chemotactic behaviour. Using the Boyden chamber technique and N-formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP) to assess locomotion by the leading front method, we have failed to show any evidence for such depressed PMN locomotion. Indeed, when PMN chemotaxis and chemokinesis are considered in response to a range of chemoattractant doses our results indicate significant enhancement of all but random locomotion. When taken together with other studies, our results suggest that PMNs from patients with early-onset periodontitis may show abnormal locomotory behaviour which can either be enhanced or reduced in nature. The extent to which these results reflect in vitro methodology in uncertain and, furthermore, their in vivo significance is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Kinane
- Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, University of Glasgow, UK
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Kinane DF, Cullen CF, Johnston FA, Evans CW. Neutrophil chemotactic behaviour in patients with early-onset forms of periodontitis (II). Assessment using the under agarose technique. J Clin Periodontol 1989; 16:247-51. [PMID: 2715363 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1989.tb01649.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The locomotory behaviour of peripheral blood neutrophils (PMNs) from patients with juvenile (JP) and rapidly progressive (RPP) forms of early-onset periodontal disease was studied using the under agarose technique and n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) as the chemotractant. PMNs from experimental patients showed normal random, chemotactic and chemokinetic locomotory behaviour when compared with control subjects. Further investigation of single-cell movements using time-lapse video analysis also failed to show any significant differences in locomotory behaviour between the PMNs of experimental and control individuals. We conclude that differences in technique may account for much of the variation which exists in the literature with respect to PMN locomotion in periodontal disease. In the final analysis, it is difficult to dispute direct observation of moving cells, and using this approach, we have been unable to confirm the presence of any PMN locomotory defect in our series of patients with early-onset periodontal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Kinane
- Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, University of Glasgow
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50
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