Polyethylenimine/small interfering RNA‐mediated knockdown of vascular endothelial growth factor in vivo exerts anti‐tumor effects synergistically with Bevacizumab

Background

RNA interference is a powerful method for the knockdown of pathologically relevant genes. The in vivo delivery of siRNAs, preferably through systemic, nonviral administration, poses the major challenge in the therapeutic application of RNAi. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) complexation with polyethylenimines (PEI) may represent a promising strategy for siRNA‐based therapies and, recently, the novel branched PEI F25‐LMW has been introduced in vitro. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is frequently overexpressed in tumors and promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis and thus represents an attractive target gene in tumor therapy.

Methods

In subcutaneous tumor xenograft mouse models, we established the therapeutic efficacy and safety of PEI F25‐LMW/siRNA‐mediated knockdown of VEGF. In biodistribution and siRNA quantification studies, we optimized administration strategies and, employing chemically modified siRNAs, compared the anti‐tumorigenic efficacies of: (i) PEI/siRNA‐mediated VEGF targeting; (ii) treatment with the monoclonal anti‐VEGF antibody Bevacizumab (Avastin®); and (iii) a combination of both.

Results

Efficient siRNA delivery is observed upon systemic administration, with the biodistribution being dependent on the mode of injection. Toxicity studies reveal no hepatotoxicity, proinflammatory cytokine induction or other side‐effects of PEI F25‐LMW/siRNA complexes or polyethylenimine, and tumor analyses show efficient VEGF knockdown upon siRNA delivery, leading to reduced tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The determination of anti‐tumor effects reveals that, in pancreas carcinoma xenografts, single treatment with PEI/siRNA complexes or Bevacizumab is already highly efficacious, whereas, in prostate carcinoma, synergistic effects of both treatments are observed.

Conclusions

PEI F25‐LMW/siRNA complexes, which can be stored frozen as opposed to many other carriers, represent an efficient, safe and promising avenue in anti‐tumor therapy, and PEI/siRNA‐mediated, therapeutic VEGF knockdown exerts anti‐tumor effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cardiac Usage of Reducible Poly(oligo-D-arginine) As a Gene Carrier for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression

Developments of non-viral carriers have headed toward reducing cytotoxicity, which results from the use of conventional gene carriers, and enhancing gene delivery efficiency. Cys-(d-R9)-Cys repeated reducible poly(oligo-D-arginine) (rPOA) is one of the most efficient non-viral carriers for gene therapy; however, while its efficiency has been verified in the lung and brain, it is necessary to confirm its activity in each organ or tissue since there are differences of gene carrier susceptibility to among tissue types. We therefore tested the compatibility of rPOA in cardiac tissue by in vitro or in vivo experiments and confirmed its high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity. Moreover, substantial regenerative effects were observed following transfection with rPOA/pVEGF expression vector complexes (79% decreased infarct size) compared to polyethyleneimine (PEI) (34% decreased infarct size) in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. These findings suggest that rPOA efficiently enables DNA transfection in cardiac tissue and can be used as a useful non-viral therapeutic gene carrier for gene therapy in ischemic heart disease.     

Nonviral gene therapy targeting cardiovascular system

The goal of gene therapy is either to introduce a therapeutic gene into or replace a defective gene in an individual's cells and tissues. Gene therapy has been urged as a potential method to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium and peripheral tissues after extensive investigation in recent preclinical and clinical studies. A successful gene therapy mainly relies on the development of the gene delivery vector. Developments in viral and nonviral vector technology including cell-based gene transfer will further improve transgene delivery and expression efficiency. Nonviral approaches as alternative gene delivery vehicles to viral vectors have received significant attention. Recently, a simple and safe approach of gene delivery into target cells using naked DNA has been improved by combining several techniques. Among the physical approaches, ultrasonic microbubble gene delivery, with its high safety profile, low costs, and repeatable applicability, can increase the permeability of cell membrane to macromolecules such as plasmid DNA by its bioeffects and can provide as a feasible tool in gene delivery. On the other hand, among the promising areas for gene therapy in acquired diseases, ischemic cardiovascular diseases have been widely studied. As a result, gene therapy using advanced technology may play an important role in this regard. The aims of this review focus on understanding the cellular and in vivo barriers in gene transfer and provide an overview of currently used chemical vectors and physical tools that are applied in nonviral cardiovascular gene transfer.     

Programming Stem Cells for Therapeutic Angiogenesis Using Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles

Controlled vascular growth is critical for successful tissue regeneration and wound healing, as well as for treating ischemic diseases such as stroke, heart attack or peripheral arterial diseases. Direct delivery of angiogenic growth factors has the potential to stimulate new blood vessel growth, but is often associated with limitations such as lack of targeting and short half-life in vivo. Gene therapy offers an alternative approach by delivering genes encoding angiogenic factors, but often requires using virus, and is limited by safety concerns. Here we describe a recently developed strategy for stimulating vascular growth by programming stem cells to overexpress angiogenic factors in situ using biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. Specifically our strategy utilized stem cells as delivery vehicles by taking advantage of their ability to migrate toward ischemic tissues in vivo. Using the optimized polymeric vectors, adipose-derived stem cells were modified to overexpress an angiogenic gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We described the processes for polymer synthesis, nanoparticle formation, transfecting stem cells in vitro, as well as methods for validating the efficacy of VEGF-expressing stem cells for promoting angiogenesis in a murine hindlimb ischemia model.     

In vivo electroporation mediated gene delivery to the beating heart

Gene therapy may represent a promising alternative strategy for cardiac muscle regeneration. In vivo electroporation, a physical method of gene transfer, has recently evolved as an efficient method for gene transfer. In the current study, we investigated the efficiency and safety of a protocol involving in vivo electroporation for gene transfer to the beating heart. Adult male rats were anesthetised and the heart exposed through a left thoracotomy. Naked plasmid DNA was injected retrograde into the transiently occluded coronary sinus before the electric pulses were applied. Animals were sacrificed at specific time points and gene expression was detected. Results were compared to the group of animals where no electric pulses were applied. No post-procedure arrhythmia was observed. Left ventricular function was temporarily altered only in the group were high pulses were applied; CK-MB (Creatine kinase) and TNT (Troponin T) were also altered only in this group. Histology showed no signs of toxicity. Gene expression was highest at day one. Our results provide evidence that in vivo electroporation with an optimized protocol is a safe and effective tool for nonviral gene delivery to the beating heart. This method may be promising for clinical settings especially for perioperative gene delivery.     

EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling regulates non‐sprouting angiogenesis by VEGF

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the master regulator of angiogenesis, whose best‐understood mechanism is sprouting. However, therapeutic VEGF delivery to ischemic muscle induces angiogenesis by the alternative process of intussusception, or vascular splitting, whose molecular regulation is essentially unknown. Here, we identify ephrinB2/EphB4 signaling as a key regulator of intussusceptive angiogenesis and its outcome under therapeutically relevant conditions. EphB4 signaling fine‐tunes the degree of endothelial proliferation induced by specific VEGF doses during the initial stage of circumferential enlargement of vessels, thereby limiting their size and subsequently enabling successful splitting into normal capillary networks. Mechanistically, EphB4 neither inhibits VEGF‐R2 activation by VEGF nor its internalization, but it modulates VEGF‐R2 downstream signaling through phospho‐ERK1/2. In vivo inhibitor experiments show that ERK1/2 activity is required for EphB4 regulation of VEGF‐induced intussusceptive angiogenesis. Lastly, after clinically relevant VEGF gene delivery with adenoviral vectors, pharmacological stimulation of EphB4 normalizes dysfunctional vascular growth in both normoxic and ischemic muscle. These results identify EphB4 as a druggable target to modulate the outcome of VEGF gene delivery and support further investigation of its therapeutic potential.     

Metallohelix vectors for efficient gene delivery via cationic DNA nanoparticles

The design of efficient and safe gene delivery vehicles remains a major challenge for the application of gene therapy. Of the many reported gene delivery systems, metal complexes with high affinity for nucleic acids are emerging as an attractive option. We have discovered that certain metallohelices—optically pure, self-assembling triple-stranded arrays of fully encapsulated Fe—act as nonviral DNA delivery vectors capable of mediating efficient gene transfection. They induce formation of globular DNA particles which protect the DNA from degradation by various restriction endonucleases, are of suitable size and electrostatic potential for efficient membrane transport and are successfully processed by cells. The activity is highly structure-dependent—compact and shorter metallohelix enantiomers are far less efficient than less compact and longer enantiomers.     

Local drug and gene delivery through microbubbles and ultrasound

Although gene therapy has great potential as a treatment for diseases, clinical trials are slowed down by the development of a safe and efficient gene delivery system. In this review, we will give an overview of the viral and nonviral vehicles used for drug and gene delivery, and the different nonviral delivery techniques, thereby focusing on delivery through ultrasound contrast agents.The development of ultrasound contrast agents containing encapsulated microbubbles has increased the possibilities not only for diagnostic imaging, but for therapy as well. Microbubbles have been shown to be able to carry drugs and genes, and destruction of the bubbles by ultrasound will result in local release of their contents. Furthermore, ligands can be attached so that they can be targeted to a specific target tissue. The recent advances of microbubbles as vehicles for delivery of drugs and genes will be highlighted.     

Efficient and persistent transduction of exocrine and endocrine pancreas by adeno-associated virus type 8

Efficient delivery of therapeutic proteins into the pancreas represents a major obstacle to gene therapy of pancreatic disorders. The current study compared the efficiency of recombinant lentivirus and adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes 1, 2, 5, 8 vectors delivered by intrapancreatic injection for gene transfer in vivo. Our results indicate that lentivirus and AAV 1, 2, 8 are capable of transducing pancreas with the order of efficiency AAV8 >>AAV1 > AAV2 ≥ lentivirus, whereas AAV5 was ineffective. AAV8 resulted in an efficient, persistent (150 days) and dose-dependent transduction in exocrine acinar cells and endocrine islet cells. Pancreatic ducts and blood vessels were also transduced. Extrapancreatic transduction was restricted to liver. Leukocyte infiltration was not observed in pancreas and blood glucose levels were not altered. Thus, AAV8 represents a safe and effective vehicle for therapeutic gene transfer to pancreas in vivo.     

Graphene oxide-polyethylenimine nanoconstruct as a gene delivery vector and bioimaging tool

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted an increasing amount of interest because of its potential applications in biomedical fields such as biological imaging, molecular imaging, drug/gene delivery, and cancer therapy. Moreover, GO could be fabricated by modifying its functional groups to impart specific functional or structural attributes. This study demonstrated the development of a GO-based efficient gene delivery carrier through installation of polyethylenimine, a cationic polymer, which has been widely used as a nonviral gene delivery vector. It was revealed that a hybrid gene carrier fabricated by conjugation of low-molecular weight branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) to GO increased the effective molecular weight of BPEI and consequently improved DNA binding and condensation and transfection efficiency. Furthermore, this hybrid material facilitated sensing and bioimaging because of its tunable and intrinsic electrical and optical properties. Considering the extremely high transfection efficiency comparable to that of high-molecular weight BPEI, high cell viability, and its application as a bioimaging agent, the BPEI-GO hybrid material could be extended to siRNA delivery and photothermal therapy.     

Gene therapy of cardiovascular disorders

More than 300 protocols have been developed for human gene therapy, but, it has not yet been proved to be a successful therapeutic strategy. One of the most important barriers to success is the development of efficient gene delivery systems. We have developed HVJ-liposomes by combining fusion proteins of HVJ (Hemagglutinating virus of Japan; Sendai virus) with liposomes containing DNA. This vector system has been very effective for in vivo gene delivery, especially in cardiovascular systems. Using HVJ-liposomes, we have reported successful gene therapy experiments such as prevention of restenosis after balloon injury, suppression of dysfunction of vein graft, and experimental ischemic disorders. Indeed, the success in the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterance by VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) gene transfer was reported recently. These cardiovascular gene therapy strategies appear to be very promising therapeutics in future.     

Targeted gene delivery: the role of peptide nucleic acid

Receptor-mediated endocytosis can be exploited to achieve efficient cell-specific gene delivery. Our laboratory has used two approaches for targeted gene delivery. One uses polycation as a carrier for plasmid DNA and the other uses peptide nucleic acid (PNA) as a carrier. Targeted gene delivery using polycation carriers has been widely utilized with some success. This approach mainly suffers from large particle size and non-specific interaction with blood components. These drawbacks have limited use of this type of vector forin vivo applications. Using PNA as a carrier, on the other hand, allows for smaller particle size and less non-specific interactions. The stability of this vector in the circulation may be a limiting factor. In addition, both types of vector lack mechanisms for endosome escape and nuclear transport. In this chapter, current developments and uses for targeted gene delivery of each approach are reviewed.     

Targeted gene delivery: The role of peptide nucleic acid

Receptor-mediated endocytosis can be exploited to achieve efficient cell-specific gene delivery. Our laboratory has used two approaches for targeted gene delivery. One uses polycation as a carrier for plasmid DNA and the other uses peptide nucleic acid (PNA) as a carrier. Targeted gene delivery using polycation carriers has been widely utilized with some success. This approach mainly suffers from large particle size and non-specific interaction with blood components. These drawbacks have limited use of this type of vector for in vivo applications. Using PNA as a carrier, on the other hand, allows for smaller particle size and less non-specific interactions. The stability of this vector in the circulation may be a limiting factor. In addition, both types of vector lack mechanisms for endosome escape and nuclear transport. In this chapter, current developments and uses for targeted gene delivery of each approach are reviewed.     

Targeted gene delivery: the role of peptide nucleic acid

Receptor-mediated endocytosis can be exploited to achieve efficient cell-specific gene delivery. Our laboratory has used two approaches for targeted gene delivery. One uses polycation as a carrier for plasmid DNA and the other uses peptide nucleic acid (PNA) as a carrier. Targeted gene delivery using polycation carriers has been widely utilized with some success. This approach mainly suffers from large particle size and non-specific interaction with blood components. These drawbacks have limited use of this type of vector for in vivoapplications. Using PNA as a carrier, on the other hand, allows for smaller particle size and less non-specific interactions. The stability of this vector in the circulation may be a limiting factor. In addition, both types of vectorlack mechanisms for endosome escape and nuclear transport. In this chapter, current developments and uses for targeted gene delivery of each approach are reviewed.     

电穿孔介导质粒DNA肿瘤内转移抑制恶性肿瘤生长与转移

利用携带绿色荧光蛋白（green fluorescent protein, GFP）编码基因的表达质粒,测试电穿孔方法介导目的基因活体组织内转移的效率并优化电击参数.在此基础上采用电穿孔技术直接将编码白介素12（IL-12）、白介素2（IL-2）、粒单细胞克隆刺激因子（GM-CSF）等免疫调节因子或反义血管内皮细胞生长因子121（VEGF₁₂₁）、可溶性血管内皮细胞膜受体（sFlk-1及ExTek）等血管生成抑制因子表达质粒转移至肿瘤局部.实验结果表明电穿孔介导GFP表达质粒肌肉内转移的效率较高,GFP可在肌细胞内持续高水平表达3周以上,而在肿瘤细胞内只能表达4～6 d,但高电压短脉冲电击组肿瘤内GFP阳性细胞数比低电压长脉冲组高2.68倍.多次电击介导IL-12表达质粒转移至肿瘤组织内,可有效地抑制小鼠膀胱癌BTT-gfp、人乳腺癌MCF-7及肝癌SMMC 7721-gfp的生长.MCF-7对血管生成抑制因子基因转移治疗较敏感,单独应用反义VEGF₁₂₁、sFlk-1或ExTek即显示明确的治疗效果.SMMC 7721-gfp单独应用sFlk-1有效.小鼠膀胱癌对单独应用反义VEGF₁₂₁、sFlk-1或ExTek治疗效果不理想,但联合应用sFlk-1和ExTek仍然可以有效地抑制肿瘤生长与转移,甚至使肿瘤缩小或消失.提示电穿孔技术是一项高效、安全、经济的体内基因转移方法.     

Design,preparation and application of nucleic acid delivery carriers

Gene delivery vectors must deliver their cargoes into the cytosol or the nucleus, where DNA or siRNA functions in vivo. Therefore it is crucial for the rational design of the nucleic acid delivery carriers. Compared with viral vectors, non-viral vectors have overcome some fatal defections in gene therapy. Whereas the most important issue for the non-viral vectors is the low transfection efficiency, which hinders the progress of non-viral carriers. Sparked by the structures of the virus and understanding of the process of virus infection, various biomimic structures of non-viral carriers were designed and prepared to improve the transfection issues in vitro and in vivo. However, less impressive results are achieved. In this review, we will investigate the evolution of the virus-mimicking carriers of nucleic acids for gene therapy, especially in cancer therapy; explore and discuss the relationship between the structures, materials and functions of the carriers, to provide guidance for establishing safe and highly efficient non-viral carriers for gene therapy.     

PAMAM conjugated chitosan through naphthalimide moiety for enhanced gene transfection efficiency

Development of efficient and safe gene carrier is the main hurdle for successful gene therapy till date. Poor water solubility and low transfection efficiency of chitosan are the main drawbacks to be efficient gene carrier for successful gene therapy. In this work, PAMAM conjugated chitosan was prepared through naphthalimide moiety by simple substitution reaction. The synthesis of the chitosan conjugates was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR and XRD analyses. The conjugates showed enhanced DNA binding capability compared to that of unmodified chitosan. Moreover, the conjugates showed minimal cytotoxicity compared to that of polyethyleneimine (PEI, 25 kDa) and also showed good blood compatibility with negligible haemolysis. The transfection efficiency of the conjugate was significantly increased compared to that of unmodified chitosan and it also surpassed the transfection efficiency by PEI. Therefore, PAMAM conjugated chitosan can be used safely as alternate efficient gene delivery vector in gene therapy.     

Analysis of the intracellular barriers encountered by nonviral gene carriers in a model of spatially controlled delivery to neurons

BACKGROUND: Neuron-specific, nonviral gene delivery vehicles are useful tools for the potential treatment of neurological disease and spinal cord injury. For minimally invasive, peripheral administration, gene carriers must efficiently mediate uptake at axon terminals, retrograde axonal transport, vesicular escape, and nuclear entry. The design of improved vehicles will benefit from an understanding of the barriers that limit nonviral delivery to neurons. Here, we demonstrate a detailed analysis of intracellular trafficking of both a lipid-based and a polymer-based delivery vehicle following site-specific exposure to neuron-like cells. METHODS: Site-specific exposure of gene carriers to soma or neurites of neuron-like PC-12 cells was accomplished using a microfluidic, compartmented culture chamber. Binding and internalization of vehicles at neurites and soma were quantified using an environmentally sensitive fluorescent marker. The intracellular transport of gene carriers was analyzed by time-lapse particle tracking in live cells, and transfection efficiencies were measured using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter gene. RESULTS: While the lipid-based carrier mediated measurable transfection when delivered to neuronal soma, neuritic delivery of this formulation failed to produce reporter gene expression due to limited internalization and transport. In contrast, the polymeric nanoparticles displayed active retrograde transport toward neuronal soma, but failed to produce measurable reporter gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight distinct intracellular barriers preventing efficient neuronal transfection by the nonviral carriers examined, and provide a basis for the rational improvement of existing nonviral systems.     

Autophagy and formation of tubulovesicular autophagosomes provide a barrier against nonviral gene delivery

Cationic liposome (lipoplex) and polymer (polyplex)-based vectors have been developed for nonviral gene delivery. These vectors bind DNA and enter cells via endosomes, but intracellular transfer of DNA to the nucleus is inefficient. Here we show that lipoplex and polyplex vectors enter cells in endosomes, activate autophagy and generate tubulovesicular autophagosomes. Activation of autophagy was dependent on ATG5, resulting in lipidation of LC3, but did not require the PtdIns 3-kinase activity of PIK3C3/VPS34. The autophagosomes generated by lipoplex fused with each other, and with endosomes, resulting in the delivery of vectors to large tubulovesicular autophagosomes, which accumulated next to the nucleus. The tubulovesicular autophagosomes contained autophagy receptor protein SQSTM1/p62 and ubiquitin, suggesting capture of autophagy cargoes, but fusion with lysosomes was slow. Gene delivery and expression from both lipoplex and polyplex increased 8-fold in atg5^?/? cells unable to generate tubulovesicular autophagosomes. Activation of autophagy and capture within tubulovesicular autophagosomes therefore provides a new cellular barrier against efficient gene transfer and should be considered when designing efficient nonviral gene delivery vectors.     

Towards <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>application of RNA interference – new toys,old problems

RNA interference (RNAi) is the sequence-specific degradation of mRNA by short double-stranded RNA molecules. The technology, introduced only 5 years ago, has stimulated many fantasies regarding the future of functional gene analysis and gene therapy. Given its ease of application, its high efficiency and remarkable specificity, RNAi holds great promise for broad in vitro and in vivo application in all areas of biomedicine. Despite its potential, the major obstacle to the use of RNAi (as for all previous gene silencing approaches) is the need for efficient and sustained delivery of small interfering RNA into primary mammalian cells, and specific targeting of particular cell types in vivo.