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Nguyen AK, Molley TG, Kardia E, Ganda S, Chakraborty S, Wong SL, Ruan J, Yee BE, Mata J, Vijayan A, Kumar N, Tilley RD, Waters SA, Kilian KA. Hierarchical assembly of tryptophan zipper peptides into stress-relaxing bioactive hydrogels. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6604. [PMID: 37872151 PMCID: PMC10593748 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41907-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft materials in nature are formed through reversible supramolecular assembly of biological polymers into dynamic hierarchical networks. Rational design has led to self-assembling peptides with structural similarities to natural materials. However, recreating the dynamic functional properties inherent to natural systems remains challenging. Here we report the discovery of a short peptide based on the tryptophan zipper (trpzip) motif, that shows multiscale hierarchical ordering that leads to emergent dynamic properties. Trpzip hydrogels are antimicrobial and self-healing, with tunable viscoelasticity and unique yield-stress properties that allow immediate harvest of embedded cells through a flick of the wrist. This characteristic makes Trpzip hydrogels amenable to syringe extrusion, which we demonstrate with examples of cell delivery and bioprinting. Trpzip hydrogels display innate bioactivity, allowing propagation of human intestinal organoids with apical-basal polarization. Considering these extensive attributes, we anticipate the Trpzip motif will prove a versatile building block for supramolecular assembly of soft materials for biotechnology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K Nguyen
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Thomas G Molley
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sylvia Ganda
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sudip Chakraborty
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sharon L Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Juanfang Ruan
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Bethany E Yee
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jitendra Mata
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia
| | - Abhishek Vijayan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Richard D Tilley
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- Australian Center for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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2
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Allan KM, Astore MA, Kardia E, Wong SL, Fawcett LK, Bell JL, Visser S, Chen PC, Griffith R, Jaffe A, Sivam S, Vittorio O, Kuyucak S, Waters SA. Q1291H-CFTR molecular dynamics simulations and ex vivo theratyping in nasal epithelial models and clinical response to elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in a Q1291H/F508del patient. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1148501. [PMID: 37325471 PMCID: PMC10267335 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1148501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a wide spectrum of mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, with some leading to non-classical clinical presentations. We present an integrated in vivo, in silico and in vitro investigation of an individual with CF carrying the rare Q1291H-CFTR allele and the common F508del allele. At age 56 years, the participant had obstructive lung disease and bronchiectasis, qualifying for Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) CFTR modulator treatment due to their F508del allele. Q1291H CFTR incurs a splicing defect, producing both a normally spliced but mutant mRNA isoform and a misspliced isoform with a premature termination codon, causing nonsense mediated decay. The effectiveness of ETI in restoring Q1291H-CFTR is largely unknown. Methods: We collected clinical endpoint measurements, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV1pp) and body mass index (BMI), and examined medical history. In silico simulations of the Q1291H-CFTR were compared to Q1291R, G551D, and wild-type (WT)-CFTR. We quantified relative Q1291H CFTR mRNA isoform abundance in patient-derived nasal epithelial cells. Differentiated pseudostratified airway epithelial cell models at air liquid interface were created and ETI treatment impact on CFTR was assessed by electrophysiology assays and Western blot. Results: The participant ceased ETI treatment after 3 months due to adverse events and no improvement in FEV1pp or BMI. In silico simulations of Q1291H-CFTR identified impairment of ATP binding similar to known gating mutants Q1291R and G551D-CFTR. Q1291H and F508del mRNA transcripts composed 32.91% and 67.09% of total mRNA respectively, indicating 50.94% of Q1291H mRNA was misspliced and degraded. Mature Q1291H-CFTR protein expression was reduced (3.18% ± 0.60% of WT/WT) and remained unchanged with ETI. Baseline CFTR activity was minimal (3.45 ± 0.25 μA/cm2) and not enhanced with ETI (5.73 ± 0.48 μA/cm2), aligning with the individual's clinical evaluation as a non-responder to ETI. Conclusion: The combination of in silico simulations and in vitro theratyping in patient-derived cell models can effectively assess CFTR modulator efficacy for individuals with non-classical CF manifestations or rare CFTR mutations, guiding personalized treatment strategies and optimizing clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelin M Allan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Miro A Astore
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon L Wong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura K Fawcett
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica L Bell
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simone Visser
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Po-Chia Chen
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renate Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sheila Sivam
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Orazio Vittorio
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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3
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Fawcett LK, Turgutoglu N, Allan KM, Belessis Y, Widger J, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Comparing Cytology Brushes for Optimal Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Collection: Implications for Airway Disease Diagnosis and Research. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050864. [PMID: 37241034 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050864] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary nasal epithelial cells and culture models are used as important diagnostic, research and drug development tools for several airway diseases. Various instruments have been used for the collection of human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells but no global consensus yet exists regarding the optimal tool. This study compares the efficiency of two cytology brushes (Olympus (2 mm diameter) and Endoscan (8 mm diameter)) in collecting HNE cells. The study involved two phases, with phase one comparing the yield, morphology and cilia beat frequency (CBF) of cells collected from paediatric participants using each of the two brushes. Phase two compared nasal brushing under general anaesthetic and in the awake state, across a wide age range, via the retrospective audit of the use of the Endoscan brush in 145 participants. Results indicated no significant difference in CBF measurements between the two brushes, suggesting that the choice of brush does not compromise diagnostic accuracy. However, the Endoscan brush collected significantly more total and live cells than the Olympus brush, making it a more efficient option. Importantly, the Endoscan brush is more cost-effective, with a notable price difference between the two brushes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Fawcett
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Nihan Turgutoglu
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Katelin M Allan
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yvonne Belessis
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - John Widger
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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4
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Molley TG, Jiang S, Ong L, Kopecky C, Ranaweera CD, Jalandhra GK, Milton L, Kardia E, Zhou Z, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Waters SA, Toh YC, Kilian KA. Gas-modulating microcapsules for spatiotemporal control of hypoxia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217557120. [PMID: 37040415 PMCID: PMC10120079 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217557120] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxygen is a vital molecule involved in regulating development, homeostasis, and disease. The oxygen levels in tissue vary from 1 to 14% with deviations from homeostasis impacting regulation of various physiological processes. In this work, we developed an approach to encapsulate enzymes at high loading capacity, which precisely controls the oxygen content in cell culture. Here, a single microcapsule is able to locally perturb the oxygen balance, and varying the concentration and distribution of matrix-embedded microcapsules provides spatiotemporal control. We demonstrate attenuation of hypoxia signaling in populations of stem cells, cancer cells, endothelial cells, cancer spheroids, and intestinal organoids. Varying capsule placement, media formulation, and timing of replenishment yields tunable oxygen gradients, with concurrent spatial growth and morphogenesis in a single well. Capsule containing hydrogel films applied to chick chorioallantoic membranes encourages neovascularization, providing scope for topical treatments or hydrogel wound dressings. This platform can be used in a variety of formats, including deposition in hydrogels, as granular solids for 3D bioprinting, and as injectable biomaterials. Overall, this platform's simplicity and flexibility will prove useful for fundamental studies of oxygen-mediated processes in virtually any in vitro or in vivo format, with scope for inclusion in biomedical materials for treating injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G. Molley
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Shouyuan Jiang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Louis Ong
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Max-Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
| | - Chantal Kopecky
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | | | - Gagan K. Jalandhra
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Laura Milton
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Zeheng Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD4000, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Max-Planck Queensland Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD4059, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba, QLD4102, Australia
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW2052, Australia
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5
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Wong SL, Kardia E, Vijayan A, Umashankar B, Pandzic E, Zhong L, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Molecular and Functional Characteristics of Airway Epithelium under Chronic Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076475. [PMID: 37047450 PMCID: PMC10095024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076475] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Localized and chronic hypoxia of airway mucosa is a common feature of progressive respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the impact of prolonged hypoxia on airway stem cell function and differentiated epithelium is not well elucidated. Acute hypoxia alters the transcription and translation of many genes, including the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR-targeted therapies (modulators) have not been investigated in vitro under chronic hypoxic conditions found in CF airways in vivo. Nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) derived from eight CF and three non-CF participants were expanded and differentiated at the air-liquid interface (26-30 days) at ambient and 2% oxygen tension (hypoxia). Morphology, global proteomics (LC-MS/MS) and function (barrier integrity, cilia motility and ion transport) of basal stem cells and differentiated cultures were assessed. hNECs expanded at chronic hypoxia, demonstrating epithelial cobblestone morphology and a similar proliferation rate to hNECs expanded at normoxia. Hypoxia-inducible proteins and pathways in stem cells and differentiated cultures were identified. Despite the stem cells' plasticity and adaptation to chronic hypoxia, the differentiated epithelium was significantly thinner with reduced barrier integrity. Stem cell lineage commitment shifted to a more secretory epithelial phenotype. Motile cilia abundance, length, beat frequency and coordination were significantly negatively modulated. Chronic hypoxia reduces the activity of epithelial sodium and CFTR ion channels. CFTR modulator drug response was diminished. Our findings shed light on the molecular pathophysiology of hypoxia and its implications in CF. Targeting hypoxia can be a strategy to augment mucosal function and may provide a means to enhance the efficacy of CFTR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Abhishek Vijayan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bala Umashankar
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ling Zhong
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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6
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Westhaus A, Cabanes Creus M, Dilworth KL, Zhu E, Salas D, Navarro RG, Amaya AK, Scott S, Kwiatek M, McCorkindale AL, Hayman TE, Frahm S, Perocheau D, Tran BM, Vincan E, Wong SL, Waters SA, Riddiough GE, Perini MV, Wilson LOW, Baruteau J, Diecke S, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Santilli G, Thrasher AJ, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. Assessment of pre-clinical liver models based on their ability to predict the liver-tropism of AAV vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:273-288. [PMID: 36927149 PMCID: PMC10150726 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a prime target for in vivo gene therapies using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV). Multiple clinical trials have been undertaken for this target in the past 15 years, however we are still to see market approval of the first liver-targeted AAV-based gene therapy. Inefficient expression of the therapeutic transgene, vector-induced liver toxicity and capsid, and/or transgene-mediated immune responses reported at high vector doses are the main challenges to date. One of the contributing factors to the insufficient clinical outcomes, despite highly encouraging preclinical data, is the lack of robust, biologically- and clinically-predictive preclinical models. To this end, this study reports findings of a functional evaluation of six AAV vectors in twelve preclinical models of the human liver, with the aim to uncover which combination of models is the most relevant for the identification of AAV capsid variant for safe and efficient transgene delivery to primary human hepatocytes. The results, generated by studies in models ranging from immortalized cells, iPSC-derived and primary hepatocytes, and primary human hepatic organoids to in vivo models, increased our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This should allow the development of novel gene therapies targeting the human liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Westhaus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,University College London, 4919, Institute of Child Health, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
| | - Marti Cabanes Creus
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Kimberley L Dilworth
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Gene Therapy Research Unit, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - David Salas
- Centro de Investigacion Medica Aplicada, 90212, Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology Group, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia, 2145;
| | - Anais Karime Amaya
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Gene Therapy, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Suzanne Scott
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Gene Therapy, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, 2221, Australian e-Health Research Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Magdalena Kwiatek
- The Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pulawy, Poland;
| | | | - Tara E Hayman
- Inventia Life Science Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Silke Frahm
- Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 28341, Stem Cell Technology Platform, Berlin, Berlin, Germany;
| | - Dany Perocheau
- University College London, 4919, Genetics and Genomic Medicine, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, 4956, Metabolic Medicine Department, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 601433, London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
| | - Bang Manh Tran
- The University of Melbourne, 2281, Molecular Oncology Group and Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- The University of Melbourne, 2281, Molecular Oncology Group and Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Sharon L Wong
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Biomedical Sciences, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Biomedical Sciences, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, 63623, Respiratory Medicine, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Georgina E Riddiough
- The University of Melbourne, 2281, Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, 2281, Department of Surgery, Austin Health Precinct, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Marcos V Perini
- The University of Melbourne, 2281, Department of Surgery, Austin Health Precinct, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Laurence O W Wilson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, 2221, Australian e-Health Research Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Macquarie University, 7788, Applied BioSciences, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Julien Baruteau
- University College London, 4919, Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, 4956, Metabolic Medicine Department, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 601433, London, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Max Delbruck Centre for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 28341, Stem Cell Technology Platform, Berlin, Berlin, Germany;
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA)/Foundation for Applied Medical Research (FIMA) , Gene Therapy and Hepatology, Av. Pio XII, 55, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, 31008;
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- University College London, 4919, Institute of Child Health, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- University College London, 4919, Institute of Child Health, London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
| | - Ian Edward Alexander
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and Children's Medical Research Institute, Gene Therapy, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,The University of Sydney, 4334, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Translational Vectorology, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Children's Medical Research Institute, 58454, Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Military Institute of Medicine, 49586, Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Warszawa, Mazowieckie, Poland;
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7
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Wong SL, Pandzic E, Kardia E, Allan KM, Whan RM, Waters SA. Quantifying Intracellular Viral Pathogen: Specimen Preparation, Visualization and Quantification of Multiple Immunofluorescent Signals in Fixed Human Airway Epithelium Cultured at Air-Liquid Interface. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101668. [PMID: 36294807 PMCID: PMC9605096 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101668] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection control and aggressive antibiotic therapy play an important role in the management of airway infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The responses of airway epithelial cells to pathogens are likely to contribute to the pathobiology of CF lung disease. Primary airway epithelial cells obtained from individuals with CF, cultured and differentiated at air-liquid interface (ALI), effectively mimic the structure and function of the in vivo airway epithelium. With the recent respiratory viral pandemics, ALI cultures were extensively used to model respiratory infections in vitro to facilitate physiologically relevant respiratory research. Immunofluorescence staining and imaging were used as an effective tool to provide a fundamental understanding of host–pathogen interactions and for exploring the therapeutic potential of novel or repurposed drugs. Therefore, we described an optimized quantitative fluorescence microscopy assay for the wholemount staining and imaging of epithelial cell markers to identify distinct cell populations and pathogen-specific targets in ALI cultures of human airway epithelial cells grown on permeable support insert membranes. We present a detailed methodology using a graphical user interface (GUI) package to quantify the detected signals on a tiled whole membrane. Our method provided an imaging strategy of the entire membrane, overcoming the common issue of undersampling and enabling unbiased quantitative analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L. Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Katelin M. Allan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Renee M. Whan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
- Correspondence:
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8
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Wong SL, Awatade NT, Astore MA, Allan KM, Carnell MJ, Slapetova I, Chen PC, Setiadi J, Pandzic E, Fawcett LK, Widger JR, Whan RM, Griffith R, Ooi CY, Kuyucak S, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Molecular Dynamics and Theratyping in Airway and Gut Organoids Reveal R352Q-CFTR Conductance Defect. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2022; 67:99-111. [PMID: 35471184 PMCID: PMC9273222 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0337oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant challenge to making targeted cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies accessible to all individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are many mutations in the CFTR gene that can cause CF, most of which remain uncharacterized. Here, we characterized the structural and functional defects of the rare CFTR mutation R352Q, with a potential role contributing to intrapore chloride ion permeation, in patient-derived cell models of the airway and gut. CFTR function in differentiated nasal epithelial cultures and matched intestinal organoids was assessed using an ion transport assay and forskolin-induced swelling assay, respectively. CFTR potentiators (VX-770, GLPG1837, and VX-445) and correctors (VX-809, VX-445, with or without VX-661) were tested. Data from R352Q-CFTR were compared with data of 20 participants with mutations with known impact on CFTR function. R352Q-CFTR has residual CFTR function that was restored to functional CFTR activity by CFTR potentiators but not the corrector. Molecular dynamics simulations of R352Q-CFTR were carried out, which indicated the presence of a chloride conductance defect, with little evidence supporting a gating defect. The combination approach of in vitro patient-derived cell models and in silico molecular dynamics simulations to characterize rare CFTR mutations can improve the specificity and sensitivity of modulator response predictions and aid in their translational use for CF precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Wong
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nikhil T Awatade
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Miro A Astore
- The University of Sydney, 4334, School of Physics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katelin M Allan
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael J Carnell
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Iveta Slapetova
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Po-Chia Chen
- The University of Sydney, 4334, School of Physics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeffry Setiadi
- The University of Sydney, 4334, School of Physics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Cen, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura K Fawcett
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, 63623, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John R Widger
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, 63623, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Renee M Whan
- University of New South Wales, 7800, Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Renate Griffith
- University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Chemistry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chee Y Ooi
- Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Gastroenterology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- The University of Sydney, 4334, School of Physics, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Sydney Children`s Hospital, Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, 7800, School of Women`s and Children`s Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Sydney Children's Hospital, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Univeristy of New South Wales, School of Women's and Children's Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia;
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9
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Wong SL, Awatade NT, Astore MA, Allan KM, Carnell MJ, Slapetova I, Chen PC, Capraro A, Fawcett LK, Whan RM, Griffith R, Ooi CY, Kuyucak S, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Molecular dynamics and functional characterization of I37R-CFTR lasso mutation provide insights into channel gating activity. iScience 2022; 25:103710. [PMID: 35072004 PMCID: PMC8761696 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of I37R, a mutation located in the lasso motif of the CFTR chloride channel, was conducted by theratyping several CFTR modulators from both potentiator and corrector classes. Intestinal current measurements in rectal biopsies, forskolin-induced swelling (FIS) in intestinal organoids, and short circuit current measurements in organoid-derived monolayers from an individual with I37R/F508del CFTR genotype demonstrated that the I37R-CFTR results in a residual function defect amenable to treatment with potentiators and type III, but not type I, correctors. Molecular dynamics of I37R using an extended model of the phosphorylated, ATP-bound human CFTR identified an altered lasso motif conformation which results in an unfavorable strengthening of the interactions between the lasso motif, the regulatory (R) domain, and the transmembrane domain 2 (TMD2). Structural and functional characterization of the I37R-CFTR mutation increases understanding of CFTR channel regulation and provides a potential pathway to expand drug access to CF patients with ultra-rare genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L. Wong
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nikhil T. Awatade
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Miro A. Astore
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katelin M. Allan
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael J. Carnell
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Iveta Slapetova
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Po-chia Chen
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander Capraro
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laura K. Fawcett
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Renee M. Whan
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Chee Y. Ooi
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
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10
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Tran BM, Grimley SL, McAuley JL, Hachani A, Earnest L, Wong SL, Caly L, Druce J, Purcell DFJ, Jackson DC, Catton M, Nowell CJ, Leonie L, Deliyannis G, Waters SA, Torresi J, Vincan E. Air-Liquid-Interface Differentiated Human Nose Epithelium: A Robust Primary Tissue Culture Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:835. [PMID: 35055020 PMCID: PMC8776210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global urgency to uncover medical countermeasures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has revealed an unmet need for robust tissue culture models that faithfully recapitulate key features of human tissues and disease. Infection of the nose is considered the dominant initial site for SARS-CoV-2 infection and models that replicate this entry portal offer the greatest potential for examining and demonstrating the effectiveness of countermeasures designed to prevent or manage this highly communicable disease. Here, we test an air-liquid-interface (ALI) differentiated human nasal epithelium (HNE) culture system as a model of authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Progenitor cells (basal cells) were isolated from nasal turbinate brushings, expanded under conditionally reprogrammed cell (CRC) culture conditions and differentiated at ALI. Differentiated cells were inoculated with different SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates. Infectious virus release into apical washes was determined by TCID50, while infected cells were visualized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. We demonstrate robust, reproducible SARS-CoV-2 infection of ALI-HNE established from different donors. Viral entry and release occurred from the apical surface, and infection was primarily observed in ciliated cells. In contrast to the ancestral clinical isolate, the Delta variant caused considerable cell damage. Successful establishment of ALI-HNE is donor dependent. ALI-HNE recapitulate key features of human SARS-CoV-2 infection of the nose and can serve as a pre-clinical model without the need for invasive collection of human respiratory tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bang M. Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Samantha L. Grimley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Julie L. McAuley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Abderrahman Hachani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Linda Earnest
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Sharon L. Wong
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (S.L.W.); (S.A.W.)
| | - Leon Caly
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (L.C.); (J.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Julian Druce
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (L.C.); (J.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Damian F. J. Purcell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - David C. Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Mike Catton
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (L.C.); (J.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Cameron J. Nowell
- Imaging, FACS and Analysis Core, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Laura Leonie
- Melbourne Histology Platform, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Georgia Deliyannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (S.L.W.); (S.A.W.)
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Joseph Torresi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (S.L.G.); (J.L.M.); (A.H.); (L.E.); (D.F.J.P.); (D.C.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (L.C.); (J.D.); (M.C.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
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11
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Allan KM, Astore MA, Fawcett LK, Wong SL, Chen PC, Griffith R, Jaffe A, Kuyucak S, Waters SA. S945L-CFTR molecular dynamics, functional characterization and tezacaftor/ivacaftor efficacy in vivo and in vitro in matched pediatric patient-derived cell models. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1062766. [PMID: 36467478 PMCID: PMC9709344 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1062766] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) results from over 400 different disease-causing mutations in the CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. These CFTR mutations lead to numerous defects in CFTR protein function. A novel class of targeted therapies (CFTR modulators) have been developed that can restore defects in CFTR folding and gating. This study aimed to characterize the functional and structural defects of S945L-CFTR and interrogate the efficacy of modulators with two modes of action: gating potentiator [ivacaftor (IVA)] and folding corrector [tezacaftor (TEZ)]. The response to these modulators in vitro in airway differentiated cell models created from a participant with S945L/G542X-CFTR was correlated with in vivo clinical outcomes of that participant at least 12 months pre and post modulator therapy. In this participants' airway cell models, CFTR-mediated chloride transport was assessed via ion transport electrophysiology. Monotherapy with IVA or TEZ increased CFTR activity, albeit not reaching statistical significance. Combination therapy with TEZ/IVA significantly (p = 0.02) increased CFTR activity 1.62-fold above baseline. Assessment of CFTR expression and maturation via western blot validated the presence of mature, fully glycosylated CFTR, which increased 4.1-fold in TEZ/IVA-treated cells. The in vitro S945L-CFTR response to modulator correlated with an improvement in in vivo lung function (ppFEV1) from 77.19 in the 12 months pre TEZ/IVA to 80.79 in the 12 months post TEZ/IVA. The slope of decline in ppFEV1 significantly (p = 0.02) changed in the 24 months post TEZ/IVA, becoming positive. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in clinical parameters and a fall in sweat chloride from 68 to 28 mmol/L. The mechanism of dysfunction of S945L-CFTR was elucidated by in silico molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. S945L-CFTR caused misfolding of transmembrane helix 8 and disruption of the R domain, a CFTR domain critical to channel gating. This study showed in vitro and in silico that S945L causes both folding and gating defects in CFTR and demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that TEZ/IVA is an efficacious modulator combination to address these defects. As such, we support the utility of patient-derived cell models and MD simulations in predicting and understanding the effect of modulators on CFTR function on an individualized basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelin M Allan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Miro A Astore
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura K Fawcett
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon L Wong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Po-Chia Chen
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renate Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Serdar Kuyucak
- School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Allan KM, Wong SL, Fawcett LK, Capraro A, Jaffe A, Herbert C, Pandzic E, Waters SA. Collection, Expansion, and Differentiation of Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Models for Quantification of Cilia Beat Frequency. J Vis Exp 2021. [PMID: 34842237 DOI: 10.3791/63090] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurements of cilia function (beat frequency, pattern) have been established as diagnostic tools for respiratory diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia. However, the wider application of these techniques is limited by the extreme susceptibility of ciliary function to changes in environmental factors e.g., temperature, humidity, and pH. In the airway of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), mucus accumulation impedes cilia beating. Cilia function has been investigated in primary airway cell models as an indicator of CF Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) channel activity. However, considerable patient-to-patient variability in cilia beating frequency has been found in response to CFTR-modulating drugs, even for patients with the same CFTR mutations. Furthermore, the impact of dysfunctional CFTR-regulated chloride secretion on ciliary function is poorly understood. There is currently no comprehensive protocol demonstrating sample preparation of in vitro airway models, image acquisition, and analysis of Cilia Beat Frequency (CBF). Standardized culture conditions and image acquisition performed in an environmentally controlled condition would enable consistent, reproducible quantification of CBF between individuals and in response to CFTR-modulating drugs. This protocol describes the quantification of CBF in three different airway epithelial cell model systems: 1) native epithelial sheets, 2) air-liquid interface models imaged on permeable support inserts, and 3) extracellular matrix-embedded three-dimensional organoids. The latter two replicate in vivo lung physiology, with beating cilia and production of mucus. The ciliary function is captured using a high-speed video camera in an environment-controlled chamber. Custom-built scripts are used for the analysis of CBF. Translation of CBF measurements to the clinic is envisioned to be an important clinical tool for predicting response to CFTR-modulating drugs on a per-patient basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelin M Allan
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales
| | - Sharon L Wong
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales
| | - Laura K Fawcett
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital
| | - Alexander Capraro
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital
| | - Cristan Herbert
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales;
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF RC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital;
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13
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Azad A, Fatima S, Capraro A, Waters SA, Vafaee F. Integrative resource for network-based investigation of COVID-19 combinatorial drug repositioning and mechanism of action. Patterns (N Y) 2021; 2:100325. [PMID: 34278363 PMCID: PMC8277549 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2021.100325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
An effective monotherapy to target the complex and multifactorial pathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection poses a challenge to drug repositioning, which can be improved by combination therapy. We developed an online network pharmacology-based drug repositioning platform, COVID-CDR (http://vafaeelab.com/COVID19repositioning.html), that enables a visual and quantitative investigation of the interplay between the primary drug targets and the SARS-CoV-2-host interactome in the human protein-protein interaction network. COVID-CDR prioritizes drug combinations with potential to act synergistically through different, yet potentially complementary, pathways. It provides the options for understanding multi-evidence drug-pair similarity scores along with several other relevant information on individual drugs or drug pairs. Overall, COVID-CDR is a first-of-its-kind online platform that provides a systematic approach for pre-clinical in silico investigation of combination therapies for treating COVID-19 at the fingertips of the clinicians and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.K.M. Azad
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shadma Fatima
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander Capraro
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, UNSW Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Vafaee
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Data Science Hub, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
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14
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Deshpande NP, Riordan SM, Gorman CJ, Nielsen S, Russell TL, Correa-Ospina C, Fernando BSM, Waters SA, Castaño-Rodríguez N, Man SM, Tedla N, Wilkins MR, Kaakoush NO. Multi-omics of the esophageal microenvironment identifies signatures associated with progression of Barrett's esophagus. Genome Med 2021; 13:133. [PMID: 34412659 PMCID: PMC8375061 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00951-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The enrichment of Gram-negative bacteria of oral origin in the esophageal microbiome has been associated with the development of metaplasia. However, to date, no study has comprehensively assessed the relationships between the esophageal microbiome and the host. METHODS Here, we examine the esophageal microenvironment in gastro-esophageal reflux disease and metaplasia using multi-omics strategies targeting the microbiome and host transcriptome, followed by targeted culture, comparative genomics, and host-microbial interaction studies of bacterial signatures of interest. RESULTS Profiling of the host transcriptome from esophageal mucosal biopsies revealed profound changes during metaplasia. Importantly, five biomarkers showed consistent longitudinal changes with disease progression from reflux disease to metaplasia. We showed for the first time that the esophageal microbiome is distinct from the salivary microbiome and the enrichment of Campylobacter species as a consistent signature in disease across two independent cohorts. Shape fitting and matrix correlation identified associations between the microbiome and host transcriptome profiles, with a novel co-exclusion relationship found between Campylobacter and napsin B aspartic peptidase. Targeted culture of Campylobacter species from the same cohort revealed a subset of isolates to have a higher capacity to survive within primary human macrophages. Comparative genomic analyses showed these isolates could be differentiated by specific genomic features, one of which was validated to be associated with intracellular fitness. Screening for these Campylobacter strain-specific signatures in shotgun metagenomics data from another cohort showed an increase in prevalence with disease progression. Comparative transcriptomic analyses of primary esophageal epithelial cells exposed to the Campylobacter isolates revealed expression changes within those infected with strains with high intracellular fitness that could explain the increased likelihood of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS We provide a comprehensive assessment of the esophageal microenvironment, identifying bacterial strain-specific signatures with high relevance to progression of metaplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandan P Deshpande
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Stephen M Riordan
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Claire J Gorman
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shaun Nielsen
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tonia L Russell
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Bentotage S M Fernando
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Si Ming Man
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Nicodemus Tedla
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Nadeem O Kaakoush
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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15
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Allan KM, Farrow N, Donnelley M, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis: From Gene- to Cell-Based Therapies. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:639475. [PMID: 33796025 PMCID: PMC8007963 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.639475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prognosis of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) varies extensively despite recent advances in targeted therapies that improve CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function. Despite being a multi-organ disease, extensive lung tissue destruction remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Progress towards a curative treatment strategy that implements a CFTR gene addition-technology to the patients’ lungs has been slow and not yet developed beyond clinical trials. Improved delivery vectors are needed to overcome the body’s defense system and ensure an efficient and consistent clinical response before gene therapy is suitable for clinical care. Cell-based therapy–which relies on functional modification of allogenic or autologous cells ex vivo, prior to transplantation into the patient–is now a therapeutic reality for various diseases. For CF, pioneering research has demonstrated proof-of-principle for allogenic transplantation of cultured human airway stem cells into mouse airways. However, applying a cell-based therapy to the human airways has distinct challenges. We review CF gene therapies using viral and non-viral delivery strategies and discuss current advances towards autologous cell-based therapies. Progress towards identification, correction, and expansion of a suitable regenerative cell, as well as refinement of pre-cell transplant lung conditioning protocols is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelin M Allan
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nigel Farrow
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Villamizar O, Waters SA, Scott T, Grepo N, Jaffe A, Morris KV. Mesenchymal Stem Cell exosome delivered Zinc Finger Protein activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. J Extracell Vesicles 2021; 10:e12053. [PMID: 33532041 PMCID: PMC7825549 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that results in a multi-organ disease with progressive respiratory decline which leads to premature death. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene disrupts the capacity of the protein to function as a channel, transporting chloride ions and bicarbonate across epithelial cell membranes. Small molecule treatments targeted at potentiating or correcting CFTR have shown clinical benefits, but are only effective for a small percentage of individuals with specific CFTR mutations. To overcome this limitation, we engineered stromal-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and HEK293 cells to produce exosomes containing a novel CFTR Zinc Finger Protein fusion with transcriptional activation domains VP64, P65 and Rta to target the CFTR promoter (CFZF-VPR) and activate transcription. Treatment with CFZF-VPR results in robust activation of CFTR transcription in patient derived Human Bronchial Epithelial cells (HuBEC). We also find that CFZF-VPR can be packaged into MSC and HEK293 cell exosomes and delivered to HuBEC cells to potently activate CFTR expression. Connexin 43 appeared to be required for functional release of CFZF-VPR from exosomes. The observations presented here demonstrate that MSC derived exosomes can be used to deliver a packaged zinc finger activator to target cells and activate CFTR. The novel approach presented here offers a next-generation genetic therapy that may one day prove effective in treating patients afflicted with Cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Villamizar
- Center for Gene Therapy City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Duarte California USA
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Faculty of Medicine School of Women's & Children's Health University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney NSW Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC) Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine Sydney Children's Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Tristan Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Duarte California USA
| | - Nicole Grepo
- Center for Gene Therapy City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Duarte California USA
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Faculty of Medicine School of Women's & Children's Health University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney NSW Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC) Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine Sydney Children's Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Kevin V Morris
- Center for Gene Therapy City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope Duarte California USA.,School of Medical Science Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus 1 Parklands Dr Southport QLD Australia
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17
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Fawcett LK, Wakefield CE, Sivam S, Middleton PG, Wark P, Widger J, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Avatar acceptability: views from the Australian Cystic Fibrosis community on the use of personalised organoid technology to guide treatment decisions. ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00448-2020. [PMID: 33532470 PMCID: PMC7836586 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00448-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patient-oriented research approaches that reflect the needs and priorities of those most affected by health research outcomes improves translation of research findings into practice. Targeted therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) are now a viable treatment option for some eligible individuals despite the heterogeneous patient-specific therapeutic response. This has necessitated development of a clinical tool that predicts treatment response for individual patients. Patient-derived mini-organs (organoids) have been at the forefront of this development. However, little is known about their acceptability in CF patients and members of the public. Methods We used a cross-sectional observational design to conduct an online survey in people with CF, their carers and community comparisons. Acceptability was examined in five domains: 1) willingness to use organoids, 2) perceived advantages and disadvantages of organoids, 3) acceptable out-of-pocket costs, 4) turnaround time and 5) source of tissue. Results In total, 188 participants completed the questionnaire, including adults with CF and parents of children with CF (90 (48%)), and adults without CF and parents of children without CF (98 (52%)). Use of organoids to guide treatment decisions in CF was acceptable to 86 (95%) CF participants and 98 (100%) community participants. The most important advantage was that organoids may improve treatment selection, improving the patient's quality of life and life expectancy. The most important disadvantage was that the organoid recommended treatment might be unavailable or too expensive. Conclusions These findings indicate acceptance of patient-derived organoids as a tool to predict treatment response by the majority of people surveyed. This may indicate successful future implementation into healthcare systems. The perspective regarding clinical use of patient-derived organoid models to enable cystic fibrosis personalised therapeutic decision-making of 188 participating adults surveyedhttps://bit.ly/30nWDJ7
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Fawcett
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire E Wakefield
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sheila Sivam
- Dept of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter G Middleton
- Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Dept of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Wark
- Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - John Widger
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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18
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Awatade NT, Wong SL, Capraro A, Pandzic E, Slapetova I, Zhong L, Turgutoglu N, Fawcett LK, Whan RM, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Significant functional differences in differentiated Conditionally Reprogrammed (CRC)- and Feeder-free Dual SMAD inhibited-expanded human nasal epithelial cells. J Cyst Fibros 2021; 20:364-371. [PMID: 33414087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-derived airway cells differentiated at Air Liquid Interface (ALI) are valuable models for Cystic fibrosis (CF) precision therapy. Different culture expansion methods have been established to extend expansion capacity of airway basal cells, while retaining functional airway epithelium physiology. Considerable variation in response to CFTR modulators is observed in cultures even within the same CFTR genotype and despite the use of similar ALI culture techniques. We aimed to address culture expansion method impact on differentiation. METHODS Nasal epithelial brushings from 14 individuals (CF=9; non-CF=5) were collected, then equally divided and expanded under conditional reprogramming culture (CRC) and feeder-serum-free "dual-SMAD inhibition" (SMADi) methods. Expanded cells from each culture were differentiated with proprietary PneumaCult™-ALI media. Morphology (Immunofluorescence), global proteomics (LC-MS/MS) and function (barrier integrity, cilia motility, and ion transport) were compared in CRCALI and SMADiALI under basal and CFTR corrector treated (VX-809) conditions. RESULTS No significant difference in the structural morphology or baseline global proteomics profile were observed. Barrier integrity and cilia motility were significantly different, despite no difference in cell junction morphology or cilia abundance. Epithelial Sodium Channels and Calcium-activated Chloride Channel activity did not differ but CFTR mediated chloride currents were significantly reduced in SMADiALI compare to their CRCALI counterparts. CONCLUSION Alteration of cellular physiological function in vitro were more prominent than structural and differentiation potential in airway ALI. Since initial expansion culture conditions significantly influence CFTR activity, this could lead to false conclusions if data from different labs are compared against each other without specific reference ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil T Awatade
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon L Wong
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Capraro
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Iveta Slapetova
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ling Zhong
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nihan Turgutoglu
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura K Fawcett
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renee M Whan
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales and Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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19
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Capraro A, O'Meally D, Waters SA, Patel HR, Georges A, Waters PD. MicroRNA dynamics during hibernation of the Australian central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Sci Rep 2020; 10:17854. [PMID: 33082398 PMCID: PMC7576210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73706-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hibernation is a physiological state employed by many animals that are exposed to limited food and adverse winter conditions. Controlling tissue-specific and organism wide changes in metabolism and cellular function requires precise regulation of gene expression, including by microRNAs (miRNAs). Here we profile miRNA expression in the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) using small RNA sequencing of brain, heart, and skeletal muscle from individuals in late hibernation and four days post-arousal. A total of 1295 miRNAs were identified in the central bearded dragon genome; 664 of which were novel to central bearded dragon. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) in all tissues and correlated mRNA expression with known and predicted target mRNAs. Functional analysis of DEmiR targets revealed an enrichment of differentially expressed mRNA targets involved in metabolic processes. However, we failed to reveal biologically relevant tissue-specific processes subjected to miRNA-mediated regulation in heart and skeletal muscle. In brain, neuroprotective pathways were identified as potential targets regulated by miRNAs. Our data suggests that miRNAs are necessary for modulating the shift in cellular metabolism during hibernation and regulating neuroprotection in the brain. This study is the first of its kind in a hibernating reptile and provides key insight into this ephemeral phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Capraro
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Denis O'Meally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Hardip R Patel
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
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20
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Komalla V, Allam VSRR, Kwok PCL, Sheikholeslami B, Owen L, Jaffe A, Waters SA, Mohammad S, Oliver BG, Chen H, Haghi M. A phospholipid-based formulation for the treatment of airway inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 157:47-58. [PMID: 33065219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation, the major hallmark of all chronic respiratory diseases is generally managed by inhaled corticosteroids. However, long term high dose treatment can result in significant side effects. Hence, there is a medical need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapies to address airway inflammation. Phospholipids have been shown to reduce inflammation in several inflammatory conditions; however, their clinical translation has been limited to liposomal formulations traditionally used as drug carriers and their biological activity has not been investigated. Here we report the first application of empty liposomes as an anti-inflammatory treatment in airway inflammation. In the current study, liposomes (UTS-001) were prepared from cholesterol and a synthetic phospholipid (DOPC). The formulation was characterised in terms of size, charge, polydispersity index, morphology and stability as colloidal suspension and freeze-dried nanoparticles. Time-dependant uptake of UTS-001 in airway epithelial cells was observed which was inhibited by nystatin demonstrating that the uptake is via the caveolae pathway. In-vitro, in primary nasal epithelial cells, UTS-001 treatment successfully attenuated IL-6 levels following TNF-α stimulation. Consistent with the in-vitro findings, in-vivo, in the ovalbumin model of allergic airway inflammation, UTS-001 significantly reduced total immune cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and reduced airway hyperresponsiveness in response to increasing doses of methacholine challenge. Therefore, our results establish UTS-001 as a potential anti-inflammatory treatment that may be useful as a therapeutic for lung inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Komalla
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia; Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia
| | - Venkata Sita Rama Raju Allam
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia; Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia
| | - Philip Chi Lip Kwok
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Behjat Sheikholeslami
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
| | - Louisa Owen
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shiva Mohammad
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Brian Gregory Oliver
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mehra Haghi
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia.
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21
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Coffey MJ, McKay IR, Doumit M, Chuang S, Adams S, Stelzer-Braid S, Waters SA, Kasparian NA, Thomas T, Jaffe A, Katz T, Ooi CY. Evaluating the Alimentary and Respiratory Tracts in Health and disease (EARTH) research programme: a protocol for prospective, longitudinal, controlled, observational studies in children with chronic disease at an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e033916. [PMID: 32295774 PMCID: PMC7200033 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033916] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions of childhood can have long-lasting physical, psychosocial and economic effects on children and their families. Alterations in diet and intestinal and respiratory microbiomes may have important implications for physical and psychosocial health. Diet influences the intestinal microbiome and should be considered when exploring disease-specific alterations. The concepts of gut-brain and gut-lung axes provide novel perspectives for examining chronic childhood disease(s). We established the 'Evaluating the Alimentary and Respiratory Tracts in Health and disease' (EARTH) research programme to provide a structured, holistic evaluation of children with chronic gastrointestinal and/or respiratory conditions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The EARTH programme provides a framework for a series of prospective, longitudinal, controlled, observational studies (comprised of individual substudies), conducted at an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital (the methodology is applicable to other settings). Children with a chronic gastrointestinal and/or respiratory condition will be compared with age and gender matched healthy controls (HC) across a 12-month period. The following will be collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months: (i) stool, (ii) oropharyngeal swab/sputum, (iii) semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, (iv) details of disease symptomatology, (v) health-related quality of life and (vi) psychosocial factors. Data on the intestinal and respiratory microbiomes and diet will be compared between children with a condition and HC. Correlations between dietary intake (energy, macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients), intestinal and respiratory microbiomes within each group will be explored. Data on disease symptomatology, quality of life and psychosocial factors will be compared between condition and HC cohorts.Results will be hypothesis-generating and direct future focussed studies. There is future potential for direct translation into clinical care, as diet is a highly modifiable factor. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval: Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/18/SCHN/26). Results will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04071314.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Coffey
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Isabelle R McKay
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Doumit
- Department of Physiotherapy, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandra Chuang
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Respiratory, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Adams
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick & Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sacha Stelzer-Braid
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Virology Research Laboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis (miCF) Research Centre®, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Cincinnati Children's Center for Heart Disease and the Developing Mind, Heart Institute and the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center & Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Torsten Thomas
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis (miCF) Research Centre & Department of Respiratory, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tamarah Katz
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chee Y Ooi
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis (miCF) Research Centre & Department of Respiratory, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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22
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Villamizar O, Waters SA, Scott T, Saayman S, Grepo N, Urak R, Davis A, Jaffe A, Morris KV. Targeted Activation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. Mol Ther 2019; 27:1737-1748. [PMID: 31383454 PMCID: PMC6822231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The majority of CFTR mutations result in impaired chloride channel function as only a fraction of the mutated CFTR reaches the plasma membrane. The development of a therapeutic approach that facilitates increased cell-surface expression of CFTR could prove clinically relevant. Here, we evaluate and contrast two molecular approaches to activate CFTR expression. We find that an RNA-guided nuclease null Cas9 (dCas9) fused with a tripartite activator, VP64-p65-Rta can activate endogenous CFTR in cultured human nasal epithelial cells from CF patients. We also find that targeting BGas, a long non-coding RNA involved in transcriptionally modulating CFTR expression with a gapmer, induced both strong knockdown of BGas and concordant activation of CFTR. Notably, the gapmer can be delivered to target cells when generated as electrostatic particles with recombinant HIV-Tat cell penetrating peptide (CPP), when packaged into exosomes, or when loaded into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Treatment of patient-derived human nasal epithelial cells containing F508del with gapmer-CPP, gapmer-exosomes, or LNPs resulted in increased expression and function of CFTR. Collectively, these observations suggest that CRISPR/dCas-VPR (CRISPR) and BGas-gapmer approaches can target and specifically activate CFTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Villamizar
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tristan Scott
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sheena Saayman
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Grepo
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ryan Urak
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Alicia Davis
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia; Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kevin V Morris
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope-Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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23
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Sprague D, Waters SA, Kirk JM, Wang JR, Samollow PB, Waters PD, Calabrese JM. Nonlinear sequence similarity between the Xist and Rsx long noncoding RNAs suggests shared functions of tandem repeat domains. RNA 2019; 25:1004-1019. [PMID: 31097619 PMCID: PMC6633197 DOI: 10.1261/rna.069815.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The marsupial inactive X chromosome expresses a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) called Rsx that has been proposed to be the functional analog of eutherian Xist Despite the possibility that Xist and Rsx encode related functions, the two lncRNAs harbor no linear sequence similarity. However, both lncRNAs harbor domains of tandemly repeated sequence. In Xist, these repeat domains are known to be critical for function. Using k-mer based comparison, we show that the repeat domains of Xist and Rsx unexpectedly partition into two major clusters that each harbor substantial levels of nonlinear sequence similarity. Xist Repeats B, C, and D were most similar to each other and to Rsx Repeat 1, whereas Xist Repeats A and E were most similar to each other and to Rsx Repeats 2, 3, and 4. Similarities at the level of k-mers corresponded to domain-specific enrichment of protein-binding motifs. Within individual domains, protein-binding motifs were often enriched to extreme levels. Our data support the hypothesis that Xist and Rsx encode similar functions through different spatial arrangements of functionally analogous protein-binding domains. We propose that the two clusters of repeat domains in Xist and Rsx function in part to cooperatively recruit PRC1 and PRC2 to chromatin. The physical manner in which these domains engage with protein cofactors may be just as critical to the function of the domains as the protein cofactors themselves. The general approaches we outline in this report should prove useful in the study of any set of RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sprague
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jessime M Kirk
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jeremy R Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Paul B Samollow
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J Mauro Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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24
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Capraro A, O'Meally D, Waters SA, Patel HR, Georges A, Waters PD. Waking the sleeping dragon: gene expression profiling reveals adaptive strategies of the hibernating reptile Pogona vitticeps. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:460. [PMID: 31170930 PMCID: PMC6555745 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5750-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hibernation is a physiological state exploited by many animals exposed to prolonged adverse environmental conditions associated with winter. Large changes in metabolism and cellular function occur, with many stress response pathways modulated to tolerate physiological challenges that might otherwise be lethal. Many studies have sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mammalian hibernation, but detailed analyses are lacking in reptiles. Here we examine gene expression in the Australian central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) using mRNA-seq and label-free quantitative mass spectrometry in matched brain, heart and skeletal muscle samples from animals at late hibernation, 2 days post-arousal and 2 months post-arousal. Results We identified differentially expressed genes in all tissues between hibernation and post-arousal time points; with 4264 differentially expressed genes in brain, 5340 differentially expressed genes in heart, and 5587 differentially expressed genes in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we identified 2482 differentially expressed genes across all tissues. Proteomic analysis identified 743 proteins (58 differentially expressed) in brain, 535 (57 differentially expressed) in heart, and 337 (36 differentially expressed) in skeletal muscle. Tissue-specific analyses revealed enrichment of protective mechanisms in all tissues, including neuroprotective pathways in brain, cardiac hypertrophic processes in heart, and atrophy protective pathways in skeletal muscle. In all tissues stress response pathways were induced during hibernation, as well as evidence for gene expression regulation at transcription, translation and post-translation. Conclusions These results reveal critical stress response pathways and protective mechanisms that allow for maintenance of both tissue-specific function, and survival during hibernation in the central bearded dragon. Furthermore, we provide evidence for multiple levels of gene expression regulation during hibernation, particularly enrichment of miRNA-mediated translational repression machinery; a process that would allow for rapid and energy efficient reactivation of translation from mature mRNA molecules at arousal. This study is the first molecular investigation of its kind in a hibernating reptile, and identifies strategies not yet observed in other hibernators to cope stress associated with this remarkable state of metabolic depression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5750-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Capraro
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Denis O'Meally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.,Present address: Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Women's & Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Hardip R Patel
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, 2601, ACT, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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25
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Awatade NT, Wong SL, Hewson CK, Fawcett LK, Kicic A, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Human Primary Epithelial Cell Models: Promising Tools in the Era of Cystic Fibrosis Personalized Medicine. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1429. [PMID: 30581387 PMCID: PMC6293199 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder where individual disease etiology and response to therapeutic intervention is impacted by CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) mutations and other genetic modifiers. CFTR regulates multiple mechanisms in a diverse range of epithelial tissues. In this Review, we consolidate the latest updates in the development of primary epithelial cellular model systems relevant for CF. We discuss conventional two-dimensional (2-D) airway epithelial cell cultures, the backbone of in vitro cellular models to date, as well as improved expansion protocols to overcome finite supply of the cellular source. We highlight a range of strategies for establishment of three dimensional (3-D) airway and intestinal organoid models and evaluate the limitations and potential improvements in each system, focusing on their application in CF. The in vitro CFTR functional assays in patient-derived organoids allow for preclinical pharmacotherapy screening to identify responsive patients. It is likely that organoids will be an invaluable preclinical tool to unravel disease mechanisms, design novel treatments, and enable clinicians to provide personalized management for patients with CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil T. Awatade
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon L. Wong
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chris K. Hewson
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura K. Fawcett
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Centre for Child Health Research, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Occupation and Environment, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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26
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Johnson RN, O'Meally D, Chen Z, Etherington GJ, Ho SYW, Nash WJ, Grueber CE, Cheng Y, Whittington CM, Dennison S, Peel E, Haerty W, O'Neill RJ, Colgan D, Russell TL, Alquezar-Planas DE, Attenbrow V, Bragg JG, Brandies PA, Chong AYY, Deakin JE, Di Palma F, Duda Z, Eldridge MDB, Ewart KM, Hogg CJ, Frankham GJ, Georges A, Gillett AK, Govendir M, Greenwood AD, Hayakawa T, Helgen KM, Hobbs M, Holleley CE, Heider TN, Jones EA, King A, Madden D, Graves JAM, Morris KM, Neaves LE, Patel HR, Polkinghorne A, Renfree MB, Robin C, Salinas R, Tsangaras K, Waters PD, Waters SA, Wright B, Wilkins MR, Timms P, Belov K. Adaptation and conservation insights from the koala genome. Nat Genet 2018; 50:1102-1111. [PMID: 29967444 PMCID: PMC6197426 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0153-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [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: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The koala, the only extant species of the marsupial family Phascolarctidae, is classified as 'vulnerable' due to habitat loss and widespread disease. We sequenced the koala genome, producing a complete and contiguous marsupial reference genome, including centromeres. We reveal that the koala's ability to detoxify eucalypt foliage may be due to expansions within a cytochrome P450 gene family, and its ability to smell, taste and moderate ingestion of plant secondary metabolites may be due to expansions in the vomeronasal and taste receptors. We characterized novel lactation proteins that protect young in the pouch and annotated immune genes important for response to chlamydial disease. Historical demography showed a substantial population crash coincident with the decline of Australian megafauna, while contemporary populations had biogeographic boundaries and increased inbreeding in populations affected by historic translocations. We identified genetically diverse populations that require habitat corridors and instituting of translocation programs to aid the koala's survival in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N Johnson
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Denis O'Meally
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Animal Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zhiliang Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Simon Y W Ho
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Will J Nash
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Catherine E Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- UQ Genomics Initiative, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Camilla M Whittington
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Siobhan Dennison
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emma Peel
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Rachel J O'Neill
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Don Colgan
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tonia L Russell
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Val Attenbrow
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason G Bragg
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Parice A Brandies
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda Yoon-Yee Chong
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Janine E Deakin
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Federica Di Palma
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Zachary Duda
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Mark D B Eldridge
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kyle M Ewart
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Greta J Frankham
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Amber K Gillett
- Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia
| | - Merran Govendir
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alex D Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Department of Wildlife Science (Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.), Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan
- Japan Monkey Centre, Inuyama, Japan
| | - Kristofer M Helgen
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Environment Institute, Centre for Applied Conservation Science, and ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew Hobbs
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Clare E Holleley
- Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Thomas N Heider
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jones
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew King
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Danielle Madden
- Animal Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Marshall Graves
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina M Morris
- The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Linda E Neaves
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hardip R Patel
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Animal Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marilyn B Renfree
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles Robin
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan Salinas
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kyriakos Tsangaras
- Department of Translational Genetics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda Wright
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Waters SA, Livernois AM, Patel H, O’Meally D, Craig JM, Marshall Graves JA, Suter CM, Waters PD. Landscape of DNA Methylation on the Marsupial X. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 35:431-439. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Waters SA, McAteer SP, Kudla G, Pang I, Deshpande NP, Amos TG, Leong KW, Wilkins MR, Strugnell R, Gally DL, Tollervey D, Tree JJ. Small RNA interactome of pathogenic E. coli revealed through crosslinking of RNase E. EMBO J 2016; 36:374-387. [PMID: 27836995 PMCID: PMC5286369 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201694639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA sequencing studies have identified hundreds of non‐coding RNAs in bacteria, including regulatory small RNA (sRNA). However, our understanding of sRNA function has lagged behind their identification due to a lack of tools for the high‐throughput analysis of RNA–RNA interactions in bacteria. Here we demonstrate that in vivo sRNA–mRNA duplexes can be recovered using UV‐crosslinking, ligation and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH). Many sRNAs recruit the endoribonuclease, RNase E, to facilitate processing of mRNAs. We were able to recover base‐paired sRNA–mRNA duplexes in association with RNase E, allowing proximity‐dependent ligation and sequencing of cognate sRNA–mRNA pairs as chimeric reads. We verified that this approach captures bona fide sRNA–mRNA interactions. Clustering analyses identified novel sRNA seed regions and sets of potentially co‐regulated target mRNAs. We identified multiple mRNA targets for the pathotype‐specific sRNA Esr41, which was shown to regulate colicin sensitivity and iron transport in E. coli. Numerous sRNA interactions were also identified with non‐coding RNAs, including sRNAs and tRNAs, demonstrating the high complexity of the sRNA interactome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sean P McAteer
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Grzegorz Kudla
- MRC Human Genetic Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ignatius Pang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Systems Biology Initiative, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nandan P Deshpande
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Systems Biology Initiative, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy G Amos
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kai Wen Leong
- Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marc R Wilkins
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Systems Biology Initiative, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Strugnell
- Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David L Gally
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Tollervey
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jai J Tree
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Abstract
The dinucleotide CpG is highly underrepresented in the genome of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To identify the source of CpG depletion in the HIV-1 genome, we investigated two biological mechanisms: (1) CpG methylation-induced transcriptional silencing and (2) CpG recognition by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). We hypothesized that HIV-1 has been under selective evolutionary pressure by these mechanisms leading to the reduction of CpG in its genome. A CpG depleted genome would enable HIV-1 to avoid methylation-induced transcriptional silencing and/or to avoid recognition by TLRs that identify foreign CpG sequences. We investigated these two hypotheses by determining the sequence context dependency of CpG depletion and comparing it with that of CpG methylation and TLR recognition. We found that in both human and HIV-1 genomes the CpG motifs flanked by T/A were depleted most and those flanked by C/G were depleted least. Similarly, our analyses of human methylome data revealed that the CpG motifs flanked by T/A were methylated most and those flanked by C/G were methylated least. Given that a similar CpG depletion pattern was observed for the human genome within which CpGs are not likely to be recognized by TLRs, we argue that the main source of CpG depletion in HIV-1 is likely host-induced methylation. Analyses of CpG motifs in over 100 viruses revealed that this unique CpG representation pattern is specific to the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Alinejad-Rokny
- Infection Analytics, Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.,Systems Biology and Genomics Lab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Firoz Anwar
- Infection Analytics, Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Miles P Davenport
- Infection Analytics, Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Diako Ebrahimi
- Infection Analytics, Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia .,Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Masonic Cancer Center; Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, MN
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Livernois AM, Waters SA, Deakin JE, Marshall Graves JA, Waters PD. Independent evolution of transcriptional inactivation on sex chromosomes in birds and mammals. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003635. [PMID: 23874231 PMCID: PMC3715422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
X chromosome inactivation in eutherian mammals has been thought to be tightly controlled, as expected from a mechanism that compensates for the different dosage of X-borne genes in XX females and XY males. However, many X genes escape inactivation in humans, inactivation of the X in marsupials is partial, and the unrelated sex chromosomes of monotreme mammals have incomplete and gene-specific inactivation of X-linked genes. The bird ZW sex chromosome system represents a third independently evolved amniote sex chromosome system with dosage compensation, albeit partial and gene-specific, via an unknown mechanism (i.e. upregulation of the single Z in females, down regulation of one or both Zs in males, or a combination). We used RNA-fluorescent in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) to demonstrate, on individual fibroblast cells, inactivation of 11 genes on the chicken Z and 28 genes on the X chromosomes of platypus. Each gene displayed a reproducible frequency of 1Z/1X-active and 2Z/2X-active cells in the homogametic sex. Our results indicate that the probability of inactivation is controlled on a gene-by-gene basis (or small domains) on the chicken Z and platypus X chromosomes. This regulatory mechanism must have been exapted independently to the non-homologous sex chromosomes in birds and mammals in response to an over-expressed Z or X in the homogametic sex, highlighting the universal importance that (at least partial) silencing plays in the evolution on amniote dosage compensation and, therefore, the differentiation of sex chromosomes. Dosage compensation is a mechanism that restores the expression of X chromosome genes back to their original level when Y homologues lose function. In placental and marsupial mammals this is achieved by upregulating the single X in males. The carry-through of overexpression to females would result in functional tetraploidy, so there is subsequent inactivation of one X chromosome in the somatic cells of females, leaving males (XY) and females (XX) with a single upregulated X. In contrast, genes on the five platypus (a monotreme mammal) X chromosomes and the chicken Z chromosome (which are orthologous but independently evolved) are expressed globally at a higher level in female platypus and male chicken respectively, indicating partial dosage compensation. Here, for the first time, we provide evidence for inactivation of genes on the chicken Z chromosome in ZZ males, and on all five Xs in female platypus. Our results suggest that the silencing of genes on sex chromosomes has evolved independently in birds and mammals, and is, therefore, a critical step in the pathway to dosage compensate independently evolved amniote sex chromosomes systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Livernois
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail: (AML); (PDW)
| | - Shafagh A. Waters
- School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janine E. Deakin
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Jennifer A. Marshall Graves
- Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- La Trobe Institute of Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul D. Waters
- School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail: (AML); (PDW)
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Waters SA, Sterrett GF. Intracytoplasmic vacuoles in cervical smears: relationship to chlamydial inclusions--morphology, mucin histochemistry, and immunocytochemistry. Diagn Cytopathol 1991; 7:252-60. [PMID: 1652414 DOI: 10.1002/dc.2840070309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cytomorphology, mucin stains, and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the characteristics of intracytoplasmic vacuoles in cervical smears and their relationship to chlamydial infections. Three study groups were examined: A) cervical smears containing intracytoplasmic vacuoles suggesting chlamydial infection: B) cervical smears from patients known to be either culture positive or culture negative for chlamydia; and C) control smears of chlamydia-infected McCoy cell cultures. Forty-nine smears containing vacuoles suspected of being chlamydial inclusions were studied. In 21 of 31 smears the vacuoles were shown by histochemistry to contain mucin. Immunoperoxidase staining performed on the remaining 18 smears revealed only two vacuoles to be chlamydial inclusions. Of 38 smears from chlamydia-culture-positive patients, only 4 showed chlamydial inclusions by immunoperoxidase methods. Of 30 smears from chlamydia-culture-negative patients, none were positive by immunoperoxidase staining. The "nebular body" of Shiina appears to be the most specific cytomorphologic evidence of chlamydial infection in cervical smears, but distinction from mucin vacuoles and other nonspecific vacuoles is difficult. The immunoperoxidase technique is unlikely to be useful in diagnosis in cervical smears unless samples are specifically obtained from the endocervical canal by endocervical brushing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Waters
- Hospital Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia
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Evans PR, Oliver DJ, Waters SA, Waters TE, Lawrence-Brown MM, Easton LA. Villous adenomas of the duodenum and an unusual variant. Aust N Z J Surg 1990; 60:887-92. [PMID: 2241649 DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1990.tb07494.x] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We report two cases of villous adenoma of the duodenum, one arising from the main papilla and the other from the accessory papilla. Both were managed by local resection. In one case endoscopic biopsies and intraoperative frozen sections were negative for carcinoma but histology of the locally resected specimen revealed a focus of invasive adenocarcinoma. Villous adenomas of the duodenum have a high risk of malignant change and foci of carcinoma can be missed on endoscopic biopsy. The literature is reviewed and the clinical, diagnostic, pathological and therapeutic aspects of villous adenomas of the duodenum are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Evans
- Department of Gastroenterology, Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood, Nedlands, Western Australia
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Waters SA. What it's really like to work in an ambulatory care center. RN 1985; 48:51-3. [PMID: 3846354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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