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McCollum C, Courtney CM, O’Connor NJ, Aunins TR, Jordan TX, Rogers KL, Brindley S, Brown JM, Nagpal P, Chatterjee A. Safety and Biodistribution of Nanoligomers Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Genome for the Treatment of COVID-19. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1656-1671. [PMID: 36853144 PMCID: PMC10000012 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00669] [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: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
As the world braces to enter its fourth year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the need for accessible and effective antiviral therapeutics continues to be felt globally. The recent surge of Omicron variant cases has demonstrated that vaccination and prevention alone cannot quell the spread of highly transmissible variants. A safe and nontoxic therapeutic with an adaptable design to respond to the emergence of new variants is critical for transitioning to the treatment of COVID-19 as an endemic disease. Here, we present a novel compound, called SBCoV202, that specifically and tightly binds the translation initiation site of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase within the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome, inhibiting viral replication. SBCoV202 is a Nanoligomer, a molecule that includes peptide nucleic acid sequences capable of binding viral RNA with single-base-pair specificity to accurately target the viral genome. The compound has been shown to be safe and nontoxic in mice, with favorable biodistribution, and has shown efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Safety and biodistribution were assessed using three separate administration methods, namely, intranasal, intravenous, and intraperitoneal. Safety studies showed the Nanoligomer caused no outward distress, immunogenicity, or organ tissue damage, measured through observation of behavior and body weight, serum levels of cytokines, and histopathology of fixed tissue, respectively. SBCoV202 was evenly biodistributed throughout the body, with most tissues measuring Nanoligomer concentrations well above the compound KD of 3.37 nM. In addition to favorable availability to organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, the compound circulated through the blood and was rapidly cleared through the renal and urinary systems. The favorable biodistribution and lack of immunogenicity and toxicity set Nanoligomers apart from other antisense therapies, while the adaptability of the nucleic acid sequence of Nanoligomers provides a defense against future emergence of drug resistance, making these molecules an attractive potential treatment for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen
R. McCollum
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Colleen M. Courtney
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Nolan J. O’Connor
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Thomas R. Aunins
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Tristan X. Jordan
- Department
of Microbiology, New York University Langone, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Keegan L. Rogers
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Jared M. Brown
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
- Antimicrobial
Regeneration Consortium Labs, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Anushree Chatterjee
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
- Antimicrobial
Regeneration Consortium Labs, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
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2
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Sarker D, Plummer R, Meyer T, Sodergren MH, Basu B, Chee CE, Huang KW, Palmer DH, Ma YT, Evans TRJ, Spalding DRC, Pai M, Sharma R, Pinato DJ, Spicer J, Hunter S, Kwatra V, Nicholls JP, Collin D, Nutbrown R, Glenny H, Fairbairn S, Reebye V, Voutila J, Dorman S, Andrikakou P, Lloyd P, Felstead S, Vasara J, Habib R, Wood C, Saetrom P, Huber HE, Blakey DC, Rossi JJ, Habib N. MTL-CEBPA, a Small Activating RNA Therapeutic Upregulating C/EBP-α, in Patients with Advanced Liver Cancer: A First-in-Human, Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase I Trial. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3936-3946. [PMID: 32357963 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transcription factor C/EBP-α (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha) acts as a master regulator of hepatic and myeloid functions and multiple oncogenic processes. MTL-CEBPA is a first-in-class small activating RNA oligonucleotide drug that upregulates C/EBP-α. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a phase I, open-label, dose-escalation trial of MTL-CEBPA in adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis, or resulting from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or with liver metastases. Patients received intravenous MTL-CEBPA once a week for 3 weeks followed by a rest period of 1 week per treatment cycle in the dose-escalation phase (3+3 design). RESULTS Thirty-eight participants have been treated across six dose levels (28-160 mg/m2) and three dosing schedules. Thirty-four patients were evaluable for safety endpoints at 28 days. MTL-CEBPA treatment-related adverse events were not associated with dose, and no maximum dose was reached across the three schedules evaluated. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in nine (24%) patients. In 24 patients with HCC evaluable for efficacy, an objective tumor response was achieved in one patient [4%; partial response (PR) for over 2 years] and stable disease (SD) in 12 (50%). After discontinuation of MTL-CEBPA, seven patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs); three patients had a complete response with one further PR and two with SD. CONCLUSIONS MTL-CEBPA is the first saRNA in clinical trials and demonstrates an acceptable safety profile and potential synergistic efficacy with TKIs in HCC. These encouraging phase I data validate targeting of C/EBP-α and have prompted MTL-CEBPA + sorafenib combination studies in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Plummer
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Meyer
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mikael H Sodergren
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Bristi Basu
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Ean Chee
- National University Cancer Institute Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Daniel H Palmer
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yuk Ting Ma
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - T R Jeff Evans
- University of Glasgow, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan R C Spalding
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Madhava Pai
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Joanna P Nicholls
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Vikash Reebye
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Voutila
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Pinelopi Andrikakou
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Lloyd
- King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Chris Wood
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Pal Saetrom
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Department of Computer and Information Science, Bioinformatics Core Facility-BioCore, K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Nagy Habib
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
- MiNA Therapeutics Ltd., London, United Kingdom
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3
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Jiang X, Muthusamy V, Fedorova O, Kong Y, Kim DJ, Bosenberg M, Pyle AM, Iwasaki A. Intratumoral delivery of RIG-I agonist SLR14 induces robust antitumor responses. J Exp Med 2019; 216:2854-2868. [PMID: 31601678 PMCID: PMC6888973 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20190801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [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: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic nucleic acid-sensing pathways can be triggered to enhance immune response to cancer. In this study, we tested the antitumor activity of a unique RIG-I agonist, stem loop RNA (SLR) 14. In the immunogenic tumor models, we observed significant tumor growth delay and an extended survival in SLR14-treated mice. SLR14 also greatly improved antitumor efficacy of anti-PD1 antibody over single-agent treatment. SLR14 was mainly taken up by CD11b+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment, and many genes associated with immune defense were significantly up-regulated after treatment, accompanied by increase in the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes, NK cells, and CD11b+ cells in SLR14-treated tumors. Strikingly, SLR14 dramatically inhibited nonimmunogenic B16 tumor growth, and the cured mice developed an immune memory. Furthermore, a systemic antitumor response was observed in both bilateral and tumor metastasis models. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SLR14 is a promising therapeutic RIG-I agonist for cancer treatment, either alone or in combination with existing immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Jiang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Viswanathan Muthusamy
- Yale Center for Precision Cancer Modeling, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Olga Fedorova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Yong Kong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, W.M. Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Daniel J Kim
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
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4
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Ishii H, Vodnala SK, Achyut BR, So JY, Hollander MC, Greten TF, Lal A, Yang L. miR-130a and miR-145 reprogram Gr-1 +CD11b + myeloid cells and inhibit tumor metastasis through improved host immunity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2611. [PMID: 29973593 PMCID: PMC6031699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05023-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-derived soluble factors promote the production of Gr-1+CD11b+ immature myeloid cells, and TGFβ signaling is critical in their immune suppressive function. Here, we report that miR-130a and miR-145 directly target TGFβ receptor II (TβRII) and are down-regulated in these myeloid cells, leading to increased TβRII. Ectopic expression of miR-130a and miR-145 in the myeloid cells decreased tumor metastasis. This is mediated through a downregulation of type 2 cytokines in myeloid cells and an increase in IFNγ-producing cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. miR-130a- and miR-145-targeted molecular networks including TGFβ and IGF1R pathways were correlated with higher tumor stages in cancer patients. Lastly, miR-130a and miR-145 mimics, as well as IGF1R inhibitor NT157 improved anti-tumor immunity and inhibited metastasis in preclinical mouse models. These results demonstrated that miR-130a and miR-145 can reprogram tumor-associated myeloid cells by altering the cytokine milieu and metastatic microenvironment, thus enhancing host antitumor immunity.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- CD11b Antigen/genetics
- CD11b Antigen/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/drug effects
- Injections, Intravenous
- Interferon-gamma/genetics
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/secondary
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/immunology
- Myeloid Cells/drug effects
- Myeloid Cells/immunology
- Myeloid Cells/pathology
- Oligoribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligoribonucleotides/genetics
- Oligoribonucleotides/metabolism
- Pyrogallol/analogs & derivatives
- Pyrogallol/pharmacology
- Receptor, IGF Type 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, IGF Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, IGF Type 1/immunology
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II/genetics
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II/immunology
- Receptors, Chemokine/genetics
- Receptors, Chemokine/immunology
- Signal Transduction
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ishii
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Suman K Vodnala
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Bhagelu R Achyut
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Tumor Angiogenesis Laboratory, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, USA
| | - Jae Young So
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - M Christine Hollander
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ashish Lal
- Genetic Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Li Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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5
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Beljanski V, Chiang C, Kirchenbaum GA, Olagnier D, Bloom CE, Wong T, Haddad EK, Trautmann L, Ross TM, Hiscott J. Enhanced Influenza Virus-Like Particle Vaccination with a Structurally Optimized RIG-I Agonist as Adjuvant. J Virol 2015; 89:10612-24. [PMID: 26269188 PMCID: PMC4580177 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01526-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The molecular interaction between viral RNA and the cytosolic sensor RIG-I represents the initial trigger in the development of an effective immune response against infection with RNA viruses, resulting in innate immune activation and subsequent induction of adaptive responses. In the present study, the adjuvant properties of a sequence-optimized 5'-triphosphate-containing RNA (5'pppRNA) RIG-I agonist (termed M8) were examined in combination with influenza virus-like particles (VLP) (M8-VLP) expressing H5N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) as immunogens. In combination with VLP, M8 increased the antibody response to VLP immunization, provided VLP antigen sparing, and protected mice from a lethal challenge with H5N1 influenza virus. M8-VLP immunization also led to long-term protective responses against influenza virus infection in mice. M8 adjuvantation of VLP increased endpoint and antibody titers and inhibited influenza virus replication in lungs compared with approved or experimental adjuvants alum, AddaVax, and poly(I·C). Uniquely, immunization with M8-VLP stimulated a TH1-biased CD4 T cell response, as determined by increased TH1 cytokine levels in CD4 T cells and increased IgG2 levels in sera. Collectively, these data demonstrate that a sequence-optimized, RIG-I-specific agonist is a potent adjuvant that can be utilized to increase the efficacy of influenza VLP vaccination and dramatically improve humoral and cellular mediated protective responses against influenza virus challenge. IMPORTANCE The development of novel adjuvants to increase vaccine immunogenicity is an important goal that seeks to improve vaccine efficacy and ultimately prevent infections that endanger human health. This proof-of-principle study investigated the adjuvant properties of a sequence-optimized 5'pppRNA agonist (M8) with enhanced capacity to stimulate antiviral and inflammatory gene networks using influenza virus-like particles (VLP) expressing HA and NA as immunogens. Vaccination with VLP in combination with M8 increased anti-influenza virus antibody titers and protected animals from lethal influenza virus challenge, highlighting the potential clinical use of M8 as an adjuvant in vaccine development. Altogether, the results describe a novel immunostimulatory agonist targeted to the cytosolic RIG-I sensor as an attractive vaccine adjuvant candidate that can be used to increase vaccine efficacy, a pressing issue in children and the elderly population.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/genetics
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis
- DEAD Box Protein 58
- DEAD-box RNA Helicases/chemistry
- DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics
- DEAD-box RNA Helicases/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/virology
- Female
- HEK293 Cells
- Hemagglutinins, Viral/chemistry
- Hemagglutinins, Viral/genetics
- Hemagglutinins, Viral/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular/drug effects
- Immunity, Humoral/drug effects
- Immunization
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/drug effects
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Neuraminidase/chemistry
- Neuraminidase/genetics
- Neuraminidase/immunology
- Oligoribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligoribonucleotides/genetics
- Oligoribonucleotides/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/mortality
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology
- Primary Cell Culture
- Receptors, Immunologic
- Survival Analysis
- Th1-Th2 Balance/drug effects
- Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/genetics
- Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Beljanski
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Cindy Chiang
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Greg A Kirchenbaum
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - David Olagnier
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Chalise E Bloom
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Terianne Wong
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Elias K Haddad
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Lydie Trautmann
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - John Hiscott
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
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6
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Mulik S, Xu J, Reddy PBJ, Rajasagi NK, Gimenez F, Sharma S, Lu PY, Rouse BT. Role of miR-132 in angiogenesis after ocular infection with herpes simplex virus. Am J Pathol 2012; 181:525-34. [PMID: 22659469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory molecules that control diverse biological processes that include angiogenesis. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes a chronic immuno-inflammatory response in the eye that may result in corneal neovascularization during blinding immunopathological lesion stromal keratitis (SK). miR-132 is a highly conserved miRNA that is induced in endothelial cells in response to growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, we show that miR-132 expression was up-regulated (10- to 20-fold) after ocular infection with HSV, an event that involved the production of both VEGF-A and IL-17. Consequently, blockade of VEGF-A activity using soluble VEGF receptor 1 resulted in significantly lower levels of corneal miR-132 after HSV infection. In addition, low levels of corneal miR-132 were detected in IL-17 receptor knockout mice after HSV infection. In vivo silencing of miR-132 by the provision of anti-miR-132 (antagomir-132) nanoparticles to HSV-infected mice led to reduced corneal neovascularization and diminished SK lesions. The anti-angiogenic effect of antagomir-132 was reflected by a reduction in angiogenic Ras activity in corneal CD31-enriched cells (presumably blood vessel endothelial cells) during SK. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reports of miRNA involvement in an infectious ocular disease. Manipulating miRNA expression holds promise as a therapeutic approach to control an ocular lesion that is an important cause of human blindness.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cornea/blood supply
- Cornea/metabolism
- Cornea/pathology
- Cornea/virology
- Corneal Neovascularization/complications
- Corneal Neovascularization/metabolism
- Corneal Neovascularization/pathology
- Corneal Neovascularization/virology
- Eye Infections/complications
- Eye Infections/genetics
- Eye Infections/pathology
- Eye Infections/virology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Gene Silencing/drug effects
- Humans
- Interleukin-17/metabolism
- Keratitis, Herpetic/complications
- Keratitis, Herpetic/genetics
- Keratitis, Herpetic/pathology
- Keratitis, Herpetic/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- MicroRNAs/antagonists & inhibitors
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Models, Biological
- Nanoparticles
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/complications
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Oligoribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligoribonucleotides/pharmacology
- Receptors, Interleukin-17/metabolism
- Simplexvirus/drug effects
- Simplexvirus/physiology
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
- ras Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Mulik
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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7
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Malathi K, Paranjape JM, Ganapathi R, Silverman RH. HPC1/RNASEL mediates apoptosis of prostate cancer cells treated with 2',5'-oligoadenylates, topoisomerase I inhibitors, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Cancer Res 2005; 64:9144-51. [PMID: 15604285 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-2226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The hereditary prostate cancer 1 (HPC1) allele maps to the RNASEL gene encoding a protein (RNase L) implicated in the antiviral activity of interferons. To investigate the possible role of RNase L in apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, we decreased levels of RNase L by severalfold in the DU145 human prostate cancer cell line through the stable expression of a small interfering RNA (siRNA). Control cells expressed siRNA with three mismatched nucleotides to the RNase L sequence. Cells deficient in RNase L, but not the control cells, were highly resistant to apoptosis by the RNase L activator, 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A). Surprisingly, the RNase L-deficient cells were also highly resistant to apoptosis by combination treatments with a topoisomerase (Topo) I inhibitor (camptothecin, topotecan, or SN-38) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand [TRAIL (Apo2L)]. In contrast, cells expressing siRNA to the RNase L inhibitor RLI (HP68) showed enhanced apoptosis in response to Topo I inhibitor alone or in combination with TRAIL. An inhibitor of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases reduced apoptosis induced by treatment with either 2-5A or the combination of camptothecin and TRAIL, thus implicating c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase in the apoptotic signaling pathway. Furthermore, prostate cancer cells were sensitive to apoptosis from the combination of 2-5A with either TRAIL or Topo I inhibitor, whereas normal prostate epithelial cells were partially resistant to apoptosis. These findings indicate that RNase L integrates and amplifies apoptotic signals generated during treatment of prostate cancer cells with 2-5A, Topo I inhibitors, and TRAIL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnamurthy Malathi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Taussig Cancer Center, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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8
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Zhou Y, Ching YP, Kok KH, Kung HF, Jin DY. Post-transcriptional suppression of gene expression in Xenopus embryos by small interfering RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2002; 30:1664-9. [PMID: 11917028 PMCID: PMC101847 DOI: 10.1093/nar/30.7.1664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induces gene-specific silencing in organisms from fungi to animals, a phenomenon known as RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi represents an evolutionarily conserved system to protect against aberrant expression of genes and a powerful tool for gene manipulation. Despite reports that RNAi can be induced in vertebrates, severe sequence-non-specific effects of long dsRNA have been documented in various systems. It has recently been shown in cultured mammalian cells that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of 21-23 nt can mediate RNAi but bypass the non-specific response induced by longer dsRNAs. However, the effectiveness of siRNAs has not been demonstrated in living vertebrates. In addition, the mechanism of siRNA suppression of gene expression in vertebrate cells remains to be elucidated. Here we show that synthetic 21 nt siRNAs can specifically inhibit the expression of exogenously introduced as well as endogenous genes in the embryos of Xenopus laevis. siRNAs significantly reduced the steady-state amount of both the mRNA and protein of the cognate gene target. Moreover, co-injection of siRNA with the target RNA transcript specifically suppressed the activity of the latter. Taken together, our findings establish siRNA-mediated post-transcriptional suppression of gene expression in Xenopus embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Amarzguioui M, Brede G, Babaie E, Grotli M, Sproat B, Prydz H. Secondary structure prediction and in vitro accessibility of mRNA as tools in the selection of target sites for ribozymes. Nucleic Acids Res 2000; 28:4113-24. [PMID: 11058107 PMCID: PMC113158 DOI: 10.1093/nar/28.21.4113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the relative merits of two commonly used methods for target site selection for ribozymes: secondary structure prediction (MFold program) and in vitro accessibility assays. A total of eight methylated ribozymes with DNA arms were synthesized and analyzed in a transient co-transfection assay in HeLa cells. Residual expression levels ranging from 23 to 72% were obtained with anti-PSKH1 ribozymes compared to cells transfected with an irrelevant control ribozyme. Ribozyme efficacy depended on both ribozyme concentration and the steady state expression levels of the target mRNA. Allylated ribozymes against a subset of the target sites generally displayed poorer efficacy than their methylated counterparts. This effect appeared to be influenced by in vivo accessibility of the target site. Ribozymes designed on the basis of either selection method displayed a wide range of efficacies with no significant differences in the average activities of the two groups of ribozymes. While in vitro accessibility assays had limited predictive power, there was a significant correlation between certain features of the predicted secondary structure of the target sequence and the efficacy of the corresponding ribozyme. Specifically, ribozyme efficacy appeared to be positively correlated with the presence of short stem regions and helices of low stability within their target sequences. There were no correlations with predicted free energy or loop length.
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MESH Headings
- Algorithms
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- Cation Exchange Resins
- Down-Regulation
- Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
- Gene Library
- Genes, Reporter/genetics
- Genetic Engineering
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Lipids
- Luciferases/genetics
- Methylation
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nuclease Protection Assays
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Oligoribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligoribonucleotides/chemistry
- Oligoribonucleotides/genetics
- Oligoribonucleotides/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA Stability
- RNA, Catalytic/administration & dosage
- RNA, Catalytic/chemistry
- RNA, Catalytic/genetics
- RNA, Catalytic/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid/genetics
- Ribonuclease H/metabolism
- Software
- Substrate Specificity
- Thermodynamics
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amarzguioui
- The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
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10
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Tsapenko IV, Riabina MV, Zueva MV, Eliseeva RF, Katsnel'son LA. [Time course of bioelectrical activity of retina in patients with pigmented abiotrophy treated by deoxinate]. Vestn Oftalmol 1999; 115:24-6. [PMID: 10523963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrical retinal activity was assessed before and after a course of deoxinate therapy and in a blind placebo test in order to assess the efficacy of this new drug in the treatment of patients with pigmented retinal abiotrophy. Time course of electroretinograms during deoxinate therapy indicated a significant positive effect of the drug on retinal function as regards a variety of electrophysiological parameters in 80-94% patients. Improvement of electroretinography data was paralleled by improvement of visual acuity, extension of visual fields, and decrease of scotomas. Good effect was attained in patients with early and far advanced stages of pigmented retinal abiotrophy. Analysis of bioelectrical activity of the retina after a course of therapy with deoxinate and enkad showed a higher efficacy of the former drug in patients with pigmented retinal abiotrophy.
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Takle GB, Thierry AR, Flynn SM, Peng B, White L, Devonish W, Galbraith RA, Goldberg AR, George ST. Delivery of oligoribonucleotides to human hepatoma cells using cationic lipid particles conjugated to ferric protoporphyrin IX (heme). Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev 1997; 7:177-85. [PMID: 9212908 DOI: 10.1089/oli.1.1997.7.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The receptor-ligand interaction between hepatocyte heme receptors and heme was evaluated as a basis for developing a targeted cationic lipid delivery reagent for nucleic acids. Heme (ferric protoporphyrin IX) was conjugated to the aminolipid dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and used to form cationic lipid particles with dioleoyl trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP). These lipids particles (DDH) protect oligoribonucleotides from degradation in human serum and increase oligoribonucleotide uptake into 2.2.15 human hepatoma cells (to a level of 50-60 ng oligo/10(4) cells) when compared with the same lipid particles (DD) prepared identically without heme. The DDH heme level that was optimal for oligoribonucleotide delivery was also optimal for maximum expression of plasmid-encoded luciferase. The enhancing effect of heme was evident only at net particle negative charge. Fluorescence microscopy showed that DDH delivered oligoribonucleotides into both the 2.2.15 cell cytoplasm and nucleus. DDH may thus be a potentially useful delivery vehicle for oligonucleotide-based therapeutics and transgenes, appropriate for use in such liver diseases as viral hepatitis, hepatoma, and hypercholesterolemia.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cations
- Cell Line
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Cytoplasm/metabolism
- DNA, Recombinant/administration & dosage
- DNA, Recombinant/pharmacokinetics
- Drug Carriers
- Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/administration & dosage
- Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/chemistry
- Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/pharmacokinetics
- Genes, Reporter
- Genetic Vectors/administration & dosage
- Genetic Vectors/pharmacokinetics
- Heme/administration & dosage
- Heme/chemistry
- Heme/pharmacokinetics
- Humans
- Kidney
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Luciferases/biosynthesis
- Luciferases/genetics
- Mice
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Oligoribonucleotides/administration & dosage
- Oligoribonucleotides/chemistry
- Oligoribonucleotides/pharmacokinetics
- Organ Specificity
- Particle Size
- Phosphatidylethanolamines/administration & dosage
- Phosphatidylethanolamines/chemistry
- Phosphatidylethanolamines/pharmacokinetics
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/administration & dosage
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/chemistry
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/pharmacokinetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Species Specificity
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Vero Cells
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Takle
- Innovir Laboratories, Inc., New York, NY 10021, USA
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Stroeva OG, Poplinskaia VA, Khoroshilova-Maslova IP, Panova IG. [Electron microscopic and morphometric study of the effects of ENKAD preparation on photoreceptor cells of the retina in Campbell rats with hereditary retinal dystrophy]. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1990; 109:504-6. [PMID: 2378972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The drug , a complex of ribonucleotides, which was found to improve the vision in some patients with retinitis pigmentosa, stimulates the morphogenesis of rod outer segments (ROS) in mutant Campbell rats with inherent retinal dystrophy. Four litters of neonatal rats, which being subdivided into groups, were injected subcutaneously with either 0.1 ml of 3.5% drug (experimental group) or 0.1 ml of 0.9% NaCl (control group) daily for 6-7 days. The results were checked in posterior area of the retina at Day 7 by the method of electron microscopy and morphometry. The drug treatment resulted in the 12-20 per cent increase of ROS disc number as compared with that in control group. Therefore, photoreceptors are the first retinal cells to be stimulated by the complex of ribonucleotides in rats.
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Abstract
By means of a new type of microinjection apparatus, which has a micropipette located in a hole through the optical axis of the condenser lens, we injected interferon (IFN) or 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) into mouse L cells, and observed their antiviral effects on the multiplication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). After injection, cells were infected with VSV, and labeled with [3H]uridine in the presence of actinomycin D. The proportion of cells infected with VSV which carried radioactive virus-RNA was determined by autoradiography. IFN introduced directly into L cells had no effect on the virus growth. This result supports the idea that IFN molecules exert their effect from outside the cell membrane without penetrating into the cytoplasm. 2-5A, on the other hand, was able to inhibit the growth of VSV effectively when injected into L cells. The antiviral effect was dependent on the dose of 2-5A injected, and moreover the effect was transient, since it disappeared completely after 24-h incubation.
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