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- Stenler, S, et al.
(författare)
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Immunization with HIV-1 envelope T20-encoding DNA vaccines elicits cross-clade neutralizing antibody responses.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2164-5515 .- 2164-554X. ; 13:12, s. 2849-2858
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Genetic immunization is expected to induce the expression of antigens in a native form. The encoded peptide epitopes are presented on endogenous MHC molecules, mimicking antigen presentation during a viral infection. We have explored the potential of enfuvirtide (T20), a short HIV peptide with antiviral properties, to enhance immune response to HIV antigens. To generate an expression vector, the T20 sequence was cloned into a conventional plasmid, the novel minicircle construct, and a replicon plasmid. In addition, three conventional plasmids that express the envelope of HIV-1 subtypes A, B and C and contain T20 in their gp41 sequences were also tested.RESULTS: All combinations induced HIV-specific antibodies and cellular responses. The addition of T20 as a peptide and as an expression cassette in the three DNA vectors enhanced antibody responses. The highest anti-HIV-1 Env titers were obtained by the replicon T20 construct. This demonstrates that besides its known antiviral activity, T20 promotes immune responses. We also confirm that the combination of slightly divergent antigens improves immune responses.CONCLUSIONS: The antiretroviral T20 HIV-1 sequence can be used as an immunogen to elicit binding and neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. These, or similarly modified gp41 genes/peptides, can be used as priming or boosting components for induction of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies. Future comparative studies will reveal the optimal mode of T20 administration.
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| 2. |
- Stenler, S., et al.
(författare)
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Micro-minicircle gene therapy : Implications of size on fermentation, complexation, shearing resistance, and expression
- 2014
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Ingår i: Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. - : Elsevier BV. - 2162-2531. ; 3, s. e140-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The minicircle (MC), composed of eukaryotic sequences only, is an interesting approach to increase the safety and efficiency of plasmid-based vectors for gene therapy. In this paper, we investigate micro-MC (miMC) vectors encoding small regulatory RNA. We use a construct encoding a splice-correcting U7 small nuclear RNA, which results in a vector of 650 base pairs (bp), as compared to a conventional 3600 bp plasmid carrying the same expression cassette. Furthermore, we construct miMCs of varying sizes carrying different number of these cassettes. This allows us to evaluate how size influences production, supercoiling, stability and efficiency of the vector. We characterize coiling morphology by atomic force microscopy and measure the resistance to shearing forces caused by an injector device, the Biojector. We compare the behavior of miMCs and plasmids in vitro using lipofection and electroporation, as well as in vivo in mice. We here show that when the size of the miMC is reduced, the formation of dimers and trimers increases. There seems to be a lower size limit for efficient expression. We demonstrate that miMCs are more robust than plasmids when exposed to shearing forces, and that they show extended expression in vivo.
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| 5. |
- Hanson, Britt, et al.
(författare)
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Non-uniform dystrophin re-expression after CRISPR-mediated exon excision in the dystrophin/utrophin double-knockout mouse model of DMD
- 2022
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Ingår i: Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. - : Elsevier. - 2162-2531. ; 30, s. 379-397
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most prevalent inherited myopathy affecting children, caused by genetic loss of the gene encoding the dystrophin protein. Here we have investigated the use of the Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR-Cas9 system and a double-cut strategy, delivered using a pair of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors, for dystrophin restoration in the severely affected dystrophin/utrophin double-knockout (dKO) mouse. Single guide RNAs were designed to excise Dmd exon 23, with flanking intronic regions repaired by non-homologous end joining. Exon 23 deletion was confirmed at the DNA level by PCR and Sanger sequencing, and at the RNA level by RT-qPCR. Restoration of dystrophin protein expression was demonstrated by western blot and immunofluorescence staining in mice treated via either intraperitoneal or intravenous routes of delivery. Dystrophin restoration was most effective in the diaphragm, where a maximum of 5.7% of wild-type dystrophin expression was observed. CRISPR treatment was insufficient to extend lifespan in the dKO mouse, and dystrophin was expressed in a within-fiber patchy manner in skeletal muscle tissues. Further analysis revealed a plethora of non-productive DNA repair events, including AAV genome integration at the CRISPR cut sites. This study highlights potential challenges for the successful development of CRISPR therapies in the context of DMD.
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