1
|
Gupta S, Sinha NR, Martin LM, Keele LM, Sinha PR, Rodier JT, Landreneau JR, Hesemann NP, Mohan RR. Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of BMP7 and HGF Gene Overexpression in Rabbit Cornea. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:6. [PMID: 34383876 PMCID: PMC8362627 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.10.6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tissue-targeted localized BMP7+HGF genes delivered into the stroma via nanoparticle effectively treats corneal fibrosis and rehabilitates transparency in vivo without acute toxicity. This study evaluated the long-term safety and tolerability of BMP7+HGF nanomedicine for the eye in vivo. Methods One eye each of 36 rabbits received balanced salt solution (group 1, naïve; n = 12), naked vector with polyethylenimine-conjugated gold nanoparticles (PEI2-GNP; group 2, naked-vector; n = 12), or BMP7+HGF genes with PEI2-GNP (group 3, BMP7+HGF; n = 12) via a topical delivery technique. Safety and tolerability measurements were performed by clinical biomicroscopy in live rabbits at predetermined time intervals up to 7 months. Corneal tissues were collected at 2 months and 7 months after treatment and subjected to histology, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR analyses. Results Clinical ophthalmic examinations and modified MacDonald-Shadduck scores showed no significant changes in corneal thickness (P = 0.3389), tear flow (P = 0.2121), intraocular pressure (P = 0.9958), epithelial abrasion, or ocular abnormality. Slit-lamp, stereo, confocal, and specular biomicroscopy showed no signs of blepharospasm chemosis, erythema, epiphora, abnormal ocular discharge, or changes in epithelium, stroma, and endothelium after BMP7+HGF therapy for up to 7 months, as compared with control groups. Throughout the 7-month period, no significant changes were recorded in endothelial density (P = 0.9581). Histological and molecular data were well corroborated with the subjective clinical analyses and showed no differences in the naïve, naked-vector, and BMP7+HGF groups. Conclusions Localized BMP7+HGF therapy is a safe, tolerable, and innovative modality for the treatment of corneal fibrosis. Translational Relevance Nanoparticle-mediated BMP7+HGF combination gene therapy has the potential to treat corneal fibrosis in vivo without short- or long-term toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Gupta
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nishant R Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Lynn M Martin
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Landon M Keele
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Prashant R Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jason T Rodier
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James R Landreneau
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathan P Hesemann
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Rajiv R Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.,One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gupta S, Kamil S, Sinha PR, Rodier JT, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. Glutathione is a potential therapeutic target for acrolein toxicity in the cornea. Toxicol Lett 2021; 340:33-42. [PMID: 33421550 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.01.005] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxic and volatile chemicals are widely used in household products and previously used as warfare agents, causing a public health threat worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of injury and mechanisms of acrolein toxicity in the cornea. Primary human corneal stromal fibroblasts cultures (hCSFs) from human donor cornea were cultured and exposed to acrolein toxicity with -/+ N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to study the mode of action in the presence of Buthionine sulphoximine (BSO). PrestoBlue and MTT assays were used to optimize acrolein, NAC, and BSO doses for hCSFs. Cell-based assays and qRT-PCR analyses were performed to understand the acrolein toxicity and mechanisms. Acrolein exposure leads to an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), compromised glutathione (GSH) levels, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The TUNEL and caspase assays showed that acrolein caused cell death in hCSFs. These deleterious effects can be mitigated using NAC in hCSFs, suggesting that GSH can be a potential target for acrolein toxicity in the cornea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Gupta
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Sabeeh Kamil
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Prashant R Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Jason T Rodier
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Shyam S Chaurasia
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Rajiv R Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States; Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tripathi R, Balne PK, Sinha NR, Martin LM, Kamil S, Landreneau JR, Gupta S, Rodier JT, Sinha PR, Hesemann NP, Hofmann AC, Fink MK, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. A Novel Topical Ophthalmic Formulation to Mitigate Acute Mustard Gas Keratopathy In Vivo: A Pilot Study. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:6. [PMID: 33200047 PMCID: PMC7645241 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.12.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This pilot study investigated the in vivo therapeutic potential and tolerability of a multimodal ophthalmic formulation, topical eye drops (TED), for acute mustard gas keratopathy (MGK) using a rabbit model. Methods Twenty New Zealand White rabbits were used. Only right eyes of 18 rabbits (oculus dexter [OD]) received single sulfur mustard gas (SM) vapor injury, whereas contralateral eyes were left untreated or received TED for tolerabilty evaluation. Two rabbit eyes received no treatment and served as age-matched naive control. The four groups were: Naive (oculus sinister [OS] untreated eyes; n = 9); TED (OS treated only with TED BID for 3 days; n = 9); SM (OD exposed to SM vapor; n = 9); and SM+TED (OD exposed to SM+TED BID for 3 days; n = 9). Ocular examination in live rabbits were performed utilizing slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Fantes grading system, fluorescein staining, Schirmer's tests, pachymetry, and applanation tonometry. Cellular and molecular changes in rabbit corneas were assessed after humane euthanasia on day-3 and day-7 with histopathological and real-time polymerase chain reaction PCR techniques. Results TED to rabbit eyes was found tolerable in vivo. SM-exposed eyes showed significant increase in Fantes scores, central corneal thickness (CCT), Schirmer's test, epithelium-stroma separation, and corneal edema. TED mitigated clinical symptoms by reducing corneal edema, Fantes scores, CCT, and Schirmer's test. Further, TED decreased SM-induced corneal haze, inflammatory and profibrotic markers, transforming growth factor-TGF-β1 and cyclooxygenase-2COX-2, and damage to corneal structure, including epithelial-stromal integrity. Conclusions The developed multimodal eyedrop formulation, TED, has potential to mitigate acute MGK effectively in vivo. Translational Relevance TED is effective against MGK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ratnakar Tripathi
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Praveen K. Balne
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nishant R. Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Lynn M. Martin
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sabeeh Kamil
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James R. Landreneau
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Suneel Gupta
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jason T. Rodier
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Prashant R. Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathan P. Hesemann
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Alexandria C. Hofmann
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Michael K. Fink
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shyam S. Chaurasia
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Rajiv R. Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gupta S, Fink MK, Martin LM, Sinha PR, Rodier JT, Sinha NR, Hesemann NP, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. A rabbit model for evaluating ocular damage from acrolein toxicity in vivo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1480:233-245. [PMID: 33067838 PMCID: PMC9206444 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acrolein is a highly reactive and volatile unsaturated aldehyde commonly used for producing scores of commercial products. It has been recognized as a chemical weapon since its use during World War I, and more recently, in Syria. Acrolein exposure causes severe eye, skin, and lung damage in addition to many casualties. In the eye, it causes severe pain, eyelid swelling, corneal burns, and vision impairment. Very little information is available about how acrolein damages the cornea and causes vision loss. At present, the lack of clinically relevant animal models limits evaluation of acrolein toxicity and mechanisms specific to the eye. We aim to standardize the mode of delivery and exposure duration of acrolein, damaging the rabbit eye in vivo as an ocular injury model for studying the toxicity of acrolein and developing medical countermeasures. Rabbit eyes were exposed to two modes of delivery (topical and vapor) for different durations (1-5 minutes). Clinical ophthalmic examinations with a slit lamp, stereomicroscope, fluorescein dye, pachymeter, tonometer, and tearing examinations in live rabbits were performed at various times up to 4 weeks. Corneas were histologically diagnosed for transparency, fibrosis, collagens, and neovascularization. Our study successfully established an in vivo rabbit model for evaluating acrolein toxicity to the eye, accounting for different modes and durations of exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Gupta
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Michael K. Fink
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Lynn M. Martin
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Prashant R. Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jason T. Rodier
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Nishant R. Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Nathan P. Hesemann
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Shyam S. Chaurasia
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Rajiv R. Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gupta S, Sinha PR, Heil S, Balne P, Hesemann NP, Rodier JT, Tripathi R, Fraunfelder FT, Giuliano EA, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. Acrolein Disrupts Corneal Natural Defense Mechanism. Toxicol Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.05.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
6
|
Rodier JT, Tripathi R, Fink MK, Sharma A, Korampally M, Gangopadhyay S, Giuliano EA, Sinha PR, Mohan RR. Linear Polyethylenimine-DNA Nanoconstruct for Corneal Gene Delivery. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2020; 35:23-31. [PMID: 30699061 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2018.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the efficiency and potential toxicity of a linear 22-kDa polyethylenimine (PEI)-DNA nanoconstruct for delivering genes to corneal cells and the effects of PEI nitrogen-to-DNA phosphate (N:P) ratio on gene transfer efficiency in vitro and in vivo. METHODS A gel retardation assay, zeta potential measurement, bright-field microscopy, transfection with green fluorescent protein (GFP), immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to characterize the physicochemical and biological properties and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay for cytotoxicity of the linear PEI-DNA nanoconstruct using in vitro cultured primary human corneal fibroblast and in vivo mouse models. RESULTS Of the several evaluated N:P ratios, the highest gene transfection efficiency achieved without any notable cytotoxicity was observed at an N:P ratio of 30:1 (N:P 30). In vivo gene transfer studies revealed substantial GFP gene delivery into the corneas of mice 3 days after a single 5-min topical application without any significant adverse ocular effects. Slit-lamp biomicroscope ophthalmic examination of the mouse exposed to the linear PEI-DNA nanoconstruct showed no evidence of hyperemia (redness), corneal edema, ocular inflammation, or epiphora (excessive tearing). CONCLUSIONS The 22-kDa linear PEI-DNA nanoconstruct is an efficient and well-tolerated vector for corneal gene therapy in vitro and in vivo and could be used as a platform for developing novel gene-based nanomedicine approaches for corneal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Rodier
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 2 Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine & Vision, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Ratnakar Tripathi
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Michael K Fink
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Ajay Sharma
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Madhuri Korampally
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 4 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Shubhra Gangopadhyay
- 4 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Elizabeth A Giuliano
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Prashant R Sinha
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Rajiv R Mohan
- 1 Research Divison, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri
- 2 Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine & Vision, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- 3 One-Health One-Medicine Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gupta S, Rodier JT, Sharma A, Giuliano EA, Sinha PR, Hesemann NP, Ghosh A, Mohan RR. Targeted AAV5-Smad7 gene therapy inhibits corneal scarring in vivo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172928. [PMID: 28339457 PMCID: PMC5365107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal scarring is due to aberrant activity of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway following traumatic, mechanical, infectious, or surgical injury. Altered TGFβ signaling cascade leads to downstream Smad (Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic) protein-mediated signaling events that regulate expression of extracellular matrix and myogenic proteins. These events lead to transdifferentiation of keratocytes into myofibroblasts through fibroblasts and often results in permanent corneal scarring. Hence, therapeutic targets that reduce transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts may provide a clinically relevant approach to treat corneal fibrosis and improve long-term visual outcomes. Smad7 protein regulates the functional effects of TGFβ signaling during corneal wound healing. We tested that targeted delivery of Smad7 using recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5-Smad7) delivered to the corneal stroma can inhibit corneal haze post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in vivo in a rabbit corneal injury model. We demonstrate that a single topical application of AAV5-Smad7 in rabbit cornea post-PRK led to a significant decrease in corneal haze and corneal fibrosis. Further, histopathology revealed lack of immune cell infiltration following AAV5-Smad7 gene transfer into the corneal stroma. Our data demonstrates that AAV5-Smad7 gene therapy is relatively safe with significant potential for the treatment of corneal disease currently resulting in fibrosis and impaired vision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Gupta
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jason T. Rodier
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ajay Sharma
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Giuliano
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Prashant R. Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Nathan P. Hesemann
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajiv R. Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Donnelly KS, Giuliano EA, Sharma A, Tandon A, Rodier JT, Mohan RR. Decorin-PEI nanoconstruct attenuates equine corneal fibroblast differentiation. Vet Ophthalmol 2013; 17:162-9. [PMID: 23718145 DOI: 10.1111/vop.12060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore (i) the potential of polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles as a vector for delivering genes into equine corneal fibroblasts (ECFs) using green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker gene, (ii) whether PEI nanoparticle-mediated decorin (DCN) gene therapy could be used to inhibit fibrosis in the equine cornea using an in vitro model. PROCEDURE Polyethylenimine-DNA nanoparticles were prepared at nitrogen-to-phosphate (N-P) ratio of 15 by mixing 22 kDa linear PEI and a plasmid encoding either GFP or DCN. ECFs were generated from donor corneas as previously described. Initially, GFP was introduced into ECFs using PEI nanoparticles to confirm gene delivery, then DCN was introduced to evaluate for antifibrotic effects. GFP gene delivery was confirmed with real-time qPCR and ELISA. Changes in fibrosis after DCN therapy were quantified by measuring α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) mRNA and protein levels with qPCR, immunostaining, and immunoblotting. Cytotoxicity was determined by evaluating cell morphology, cellular viability, and TUNEL assay. RESULTS Polyethylenimine-green fluorescent protein-treated cultures showed 2.2 × 10(4) GFP plasmid copies/μg of cellular DNA and 2.1 pg of GFP/100 μL of lysate. PEI-DCN delivery significantly attenuated TGFβ-induced transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts (2-fold decrease of αSMA mRNA; P = 0.05) and significant inhibition of αSMA (49 ± 14.2%; P < 0.001) in immunocytochemical staining and immunoblotting were found. Furthermore, PEI-DNA nanoparticle delivery did not alter cellular phenotype at 24 h and cellular viability was maintained. CONCLUSIONS Twenty-two kilo dalton Polyethylenimine nanoparticles are safe and effective for equine corneal gene therapy in vitro. PEI-mediated DCN gene delivery is effective at inhibiting TGFβ-mediated fibrosis in this model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S Donnelly
- Harry S. Truman Veterans Memorial Hospital, 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, 652012, USA; Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 900 East Campus Drive, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|