| 1. |
- EL Andaloussi, Samir, et al.
(författare)
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Design of a peptide-based vector, PepFect6, for efficient delivery of siRNA in cell culture and systemically in vivo
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 39:9, s. 3972-3987
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been rapidly appreciated to silence genes, efficient and non-toxic vectors for primary cells and for systemic in vivo delivery are lacking. Several siRNA-delivery vehicles, including cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have been developed but their utility is often restricted by entrapment following endocytosis. Hence, developing CPPs that promote endosomal escape is a prerequisite for successful siRNA implementation. We here present a novel CPP, PepFect 6 (PF6), comprising the previously reported stearyl-TP10 peptide, having pH titratable trifluoromethylquinoline moieties covalently incorporated to facilitate endosomal release. Stable PF6/siRNA nanoparticles enter entire cell populations and rapidly promote endosomal escape, resulting in robust RNAi responses in various cell types (including primary cells), with minimal associated transcriptomic or proteomic changes. Furthermore, PF6-mediated delivery is independent of cell confluence and, in most cases, not significantly hampered by serum proteins. Finally, these nanoparticles promote strong RNAi responses in different organs following systemic delivery in mice without any associated toxicity. Strikingly, similar knockdown in liver is achieved by PF6/siRNA nanoparticles and siRNA injected by hydrodynamic infusion, a golden standard technique for liver transfection. These results imply that the peptide, in addition to having utility for RNAi screens in vitro, displays therapeutic potential.
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| 2. |
- Ezzat, Kariem, et al.
(författare)
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PepFect 14, a novel cell-penetrating peptide for oligonucleotide delivery in solution and as solid formulation
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 39:12, s. 5284-5298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Numerous human genetic diseases are caused by mutations that give rise to aberrant alternative splicing. Recently, several of these debilitating disorders have been shown to be amenable for splice-correcting oligonucleotides (SCOs) that modify splicing patterns and restore the phenotype in experimental models. However, translational approaches are required to transform SCOs into usable drug products. In this study, we present a new cell-penetrating peptide, PepFect14 (PF14), which efficiently delivers SCOs to different cell models including HeLa pLuc705 and mdx mouse myotubes; a cell culture model of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). Non-covalent PF14-SCO nanocomplexes induce splice-correction at rates higher than the commercially available lipid-based vector Lipofectamine™ 2000 (LF2000) and remain active in the presence of serum. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating this delivery system into solid formulations that could be suitable for several therapeutic applications. Solid dispersion technique is utilized and the formed solid formulations are as active as the freshly prepared nanocomplexes in solution even when stored at an elevated temperatures for several weeks. In contrast, LF2000 drastically loses activity after being subjected to same procedure. This shows that using PF14 is a very promising translational approach for the delivery of SCOs in different pharmaceutical forms.
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| 3. |
- Ezzat, Kariem, et al.
(författare)
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Solid formulation of cell-penetrating peptide nanoparticles with siRNA and their stability in simulated gastric conditions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Controlled Release. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-3659 .- 1873-4995. ; 162:1, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short cationic peptides that have been extensively studied as drug delivery vehicles for proteins, nucleic acids and nanoparticles. However, the formulation of CPP-based therapeutics into different pharmaceutical formulations and their stability in relevant biological environments have not been given the same attention. Here, we show that a newly developed CPP, PepFect 14 (PF14), forms non-covalent nanocomplexes with short interfering RNA (siRNA), which are able to elicit efficient RNA-interference (RNAi) response in different cell-lines. RNAi effect was obtained at low siRNA doses with a unique kinetic profile. Furthermore, we utilized the solid dispersion technique to formulate PF14/siRNA nanocomplexes into solid formulations that were as active as the freshly prepared nanocomplexes in solution. Importantly, the freshly prepared nanocomplexes and solid formulations were stable after incubation with simulated gastric fluid having a pH of 1.2 and containing proteolytic enzymes. These results demonstrate the activity of PF14 in delivering and protecting siRNA in different pharmaceutical forms and biological environments.
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| 4. |
- Geny, Sylvain, et al.
(författare)
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Next-generation bis-locked nucleic acids with stacking linker and 2 '-glycylamino-LNA show enhanced DNA invasion into supercoiled duplexes
- 2016
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 44:5, s. 2007-2019
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Targeting and invading double-stranded DNA with synthetic oligonucleotides under physiological conditions remain a challenge. Bis-locked nucleic acids (bisLNAs) are clamp-forming oligonucleotides able to invade into supercoiled DNA via combined Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick binding. To improve the bisLNA design, we investigated its mechanism of binding. Our results suggest that bisLNAs bind via Hoogsteen-arm first, followed by Watson-Crick arm invasion, initiated at the tail. Based on this proposed hybridization mechanism, we designed next-generation bisLNAs with a novel linker able to stack to adjacent nucleobases, a new strategy previously not applied for any type of clamp-constructs. Although the Hoogsteen-arm limits the invasion, upon incorporation of the stacking linker, bisLNA invasion is significantly more efficient than for non-clamp, or nucleotide-linker containing LNA-constructs. Further improvements were obtained by substituting LNA with 2'-glycylamino-LNA, contributing a positive charge. For regular bisLNAs a 14-nt tail significantly enhances invasion. However, when two stacking linkers were incorporated, tail-less bisLNAs were able to efficiently invade. Finally, successful targeting of plasmids inside bacteria clearly demonstrates that strand invasion can take place in a biologically relevant context.
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| 5. |
- Järver, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Peptide nanoparticle delivery of charge-neutral splice-switching morpholino oligonucleotides.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 2159-3337 .- 2159-3345. ; 25:2, s. 65-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oligonucleotide analogs have provided novel therapeutics targeting various disorders. However, their poor cellular uptake remains a major obstacle for their clinical development. Negatively charged oligonucleotides, such as 2'-O-Methyl RNA and locked nucleic acids have in recent years been delivered successfully into cells through complex formation with cationic polymers, peptides, liposomes, or similar nanoparticle delivery systems. However, due to the lack of electrostatic interactions, this promising delivery method has been unsuccessful to date using charge-neutral oligonucleotide analogs. We show here that lipid-functionalized cell-penetrating peptides can be efficiently exploited for cellular transfection of the charge-neutral oligonucleotide analog phosphorodiamidate morpholino. The lipopeptides form complexes with splice-switching phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide and can be delivered into clinically relevant cell lines that are otherwise difficult to transfect while retaining biological activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show delivery through complex formation of biologically active charge-neutral oligonucleotides by cationic peptides.
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| 6. |
- Järver, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Single-Stranded Nucleic Acids Regulate TLR3/4/7 Activation through Interference with Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recognition of nucleic acids by endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLR) is essential to combat pathogens, but requires strict control to limit inflammatory responses. The mechanisms governing this tight regulation are unclear. We found that single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssON) inhibit endocytic pathways used by cargo destined for TLR3/4/7 signaling endosomes. Both ssDNA and ssRNA conferred the endocytic inhibition, it was concentration dependent, and required a certain ssON length. The ssON-mediated inhibition modulated signaling downstream ofTLRs that localized within the affected endosomal pathway. We further show that injection of ssON dampens dsRNA-mediated inflammatory responses in the skin of non-human primates. These studies reveal a regulatory role for extracellular ssON in the endocytic uptake of TLR ligands and provide a mechanistic explanation of their immunomodulation. The identified ssON-mediated interference of endocytosis (SOMIE) is a regulatory process that temporarily dampens TLR3/4/7 signaling, thereby averting excessive immune responses.
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| 7. |
- Lehto, Taavi, et al.
(författare)
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A Peptide-based Vector for Efficient Gene Transfer In Vitro and In Vivo
- 2011
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Ingår i: Molecular Therapy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-0016 .- 1525-0024. ; 19:8, s. 1457-1467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Finding suitable nonviral delivery vehicles for nucleic acid-based therapeutics is a landmark goal in gene therapy. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are one class of delivery vectors that has been exploited for this purpose. However, since CPPs use endocytosis to enter cells, a large fraction of peptides remain trapped in endosomes. We have previously reported that stearylation of amphipathic CPPs, such as transportan 10 (TP10), dramatically increases transfection of oligonucleotides in vitro partially by promoting endosomal escape. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether stearyl-TP10 could be used for the delivery of plasmids as well. Our results demonstrate that stearyl-TP10 forms stable nanoparticles with plasmids that efficiently enter different cell-types in a ubiquitous manner, including primary cells, resulting in significantly higher gene expression levels than when using stearyl-Arg9 or unmodified CPPs. In fact, the transfection efficacy of stearyl-TP10 almost reached the levels of Lipofectamine 2000 (LF2000), however, without any of the observed lipofection-associated toxicities. Most importantly, stearyl-TP10/plasmid nanoparticles are nonimmunogenic, mediate efficient gene delivery in vivo, when administrated intramuscularly (i.m.) or intradermally (i.d.) without any associated toxicity in mice.
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| 8. |
- Sork, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Lipid-based Transfection Reagents Exhibit Cryo-induced Increase in Transfection Efficiency
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. - : Elsevier BV. - 2162-2531. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The advantages of lipid-based transfection reagents have permitted their widespread use in molecular biology and gene therapy. This study outlines the effect of cryo-manipulation of a cationic lipid-based formulation, Lipofectamine 2000, which, after being frozen and thawed, showed orders of magnitude higher plasmid delivery efficiency throughout eight different cell lines, without compromising cell viability. Increased transfection efficiency with the freeze-thawed reagent was also seen with 2'-O-methyl phosphorothioate oligonucleotide delivery and in a splice-correction assay. Most importantly, a log-scale improvement in gene delivery using the freeze-thawed reagent was seen in vivo. Using three different methods, we detected considerable differences in the polydispersity of the different nucleic acid complexes as well as observed a clear difference in their surface spreading and sedimentation, with the freeze-thawed ones displaying substantially higher rate of dispersion and deposition on the glass surface. This hitherto overlooked elevated potency of the freeze-thawed reagent facilitates the targeting of hard-to-transfect cells, accomplishes higher transfection rates, and decreases the overall amount of reagent needed for delivery. Additionally, as we also saw a slight increase in plasmid delivery using other freeze-thawed transfection reagents, we postulate that freeze-thawing might prove to be useful for an even wider variety of transfection reagents.
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| 9. |
- Zaghloul, Eman M., et al.
(författare)
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CTG repeat-targeting oligonucleotides for down-regulating Huntingtin expression
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acids Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-1048 .- 1362-4962. ; 45:9, s. 5153-5169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder in which patients suffer from mobility, psychological and cognitive impairments. Existing therapeutics are only symptomatic and do not significantly alter the disease progression or increase life expectancy. HD is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat region in exon 1 of the Huntingtin gene (HTT), leading to the formation of mutant HTT transcripts (muHTT). The toxic gain-of-function of muHTT protein is a major cause of the disease. In addition, it has been suggested that the muHTT transcript contributes to the toxicity. Thus, reduction of both muHTT mRNA and protein levels would ideally be the most useful therapeutic option. We herein present a novel strategy for HD treatment using oligonucleotides (ONs) directly targeting the HTT trinucleotide repeat DNA. A partial, but significant and potentially long-term, HTT knock-down of both mRNA and protein was successfully achieved. Diminished phosphorylation of HTT gene-associated RNA-polymerase II is demonstrated, suggestive of reduced transcription downstream the ON-targeted repeat. Different backbone chemistries were found to have a strong impact on the ON efficiency. We also successfully use different delivery vehicles as well as naked uptake of the ONs, demonstrating versatility and possibly providing insights for in vivo applications.
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| 10. |
- Zaghloul, Eman M
(författare)
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Optimization of the formulation and design of oligonucleotide-based pharmaceuticals for the purpose of gene therapy
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Oligonucleotides (ONs) are short sequences of nucleic acids which may be used in a therapeutic context to modulate gene expression. According to their target, ONs can be classified into two main classes: antisense ONs which target mRNA and antigene ONs that target chromosomal DNA. In order to be pharmaceutically efficient, both kinds of ONs have to possess enough stability against degrading enzymes and rapid clearance. They must pass the cell membrane, and in some cases the nuclear membrane, and bind with enough specificity and high affinity to their target site to successfully exert their desired effect. In fact, the use of natural nucleic acids as drugs is hindered by both their inherent instability in biological fluids and their highly charged nature, which hampers their cellular uptake. Therefore, research in the field of ON-based pharmaceuticals focuses on two main strategies: chemical modification of nucleic acids to produce analogues with better stability and binding properties, and development of delivery systems to further stabilize the ONs and enhance their cellular uptake. Splice-switching antisense ONs (SSOs) made of phosphorothioate 2’-O-methyl RNA are promising therapeutics for several disorders caused by aberrant splicing. However, as other ONs, their usefulness is hindered by the lack of efficient delivery. In the first study of this thesis, four amino acid modified versions of the well-known polycation polyethylenimine (PEI) were evaluated for the formulation and delivery of SSOs. The formulations were physically characterized via assessment of their particle size and stability and this characterization was then correlated to their splice-correction efficiency after transfection into mammalian cells. Tyrosine-modified PEI (PEIY) was identified as a successful delivery system for SSOs as shown by splice-correction efficiency of 80% measured in HeLa705; a cell-model containing a mutated β–globin intron sequence found in β–thalassemia splicing disorder. In the second study, a new cell penetrating peptide (PepFect 14) was developed and investigated for the formulation and delivery of SSOs using cell-models for two splicing disorders; β-thalassemia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The feasibility of incorporating this delivery system into solid formulations via solid dispersion technique was also demonstrated. The formed solid formulations were as active as the freshly prepared nanocomplexes in solution even when stored at elevated temperatures for several weeks. In the third study, PepFect 14 was evaluated for the formulation and delivery of another kind of ONs: short interfering RNA (siRNA) in different cell lines. RNA interference effect was obtained at low siRNA doses with a unique kinetic profile. Solid formulations were then prepared and assessed for their stability in gastric conditions. PF14/siRNA solid formulations showed marked stability after incubation with simulated gastric fluid, which is extremely acidic and contains proteolytic enzymes. The fourth study of this thesis addressed design optimization of the newly developed antigene ON, Zorro-LNA (Zorro). Here, double-strand invasion was proven as the mechanism by which Zorro binds to duplex DNA. The original Zorro, targeting both strands of the DNA duplex, was made of two ONs connected via a 7-nucleotide linker. In this report, the possibility to synthesize Zorro as a bi-directional single-stranded ON was investigated, thus reducing the size, facilitating the design and improving Zorro efficiency. In conclusion, this thesis has dealt with developing formulation strategies for two different types of ON-based pharmaceuticals; SSOs and siRNA. Optimizing the design of Zorro LNA as an antigene ON has been also investigated. These findings may represent a step in the development of ON-based drug products as a new class of therapeutics.
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