Gene therapy in the anterior eye segment

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Amador ◽  
Ruchi Shah ◽  
Sean Ghiam ◽  
Andrei A. Kramerov ◽  
Alexander V. Ljubimov
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Ocular Surface ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Anterior Segment ◽  
Corneal Neovascularization ◽  
Corneal Epithelial ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Epithelial Wound Healing ◽  
Anterior Eye Segment

: This review provides comprehensive information about the advances in gene therapy in the anterior segment of the eye including cornea, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, and trabecular meshwork. We discuss gene delivery systems including viral and non-viral vectors as well as gene editing techniques, mainly CRISPR-Cas9, and epigenetic treatments including antisense and siRNA therapeutics. We also provide a detailed analysis of various anterior segment diseases where gene therapy has been tested with corresponding outcomes. Disease conditions include corneal and conjunctival fibrosis and scarring, corneal epithelial wound healing, corneal graft survival, corneal neovascularization, genetic corneal dystrophies, herpetic keratitis, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and other ocular surface diseases. Although most of the analyzed results on the use and validity of gene therapy at the ocular surface have been obtained in vitro or using animal models, we also discuss the available human studies. Gene therapy approaches are currently considered very promising as emerging future treatments of various diseases, and this field is rapidly expanding.

Non-Viral Vectors for Gene Delivery

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Bansal ◽  
Himanshu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Transfection Efficiency ◽  
Gene Transfection ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Naked Dna

Introduction: Gene therapy has emerged out as a promising therapeutic pave for the treatment of genetic and acquired diseases. Gene transfection into target cells using naked DNA is a simple and safe approach which has been further improved by combining vectors or gene carriers. Both viral and non-viral approaches have achieved a milestone to establish this technique, but non-viral approaches have attained a significant attention because of their favourable properties like less immunotoxicity and biosafety, easy to produce with versatile surface modifications, etc. Literature is rich in evidences which revealed that undoubtedly, non–viral vectors have acquired a unique place in gene therapy but still there are number of challenges which are to be overcome to increase their effectiveness and prove them ideal gene vectors. Conclusion: To date, tissue specific expression, long lasting gene expression system, enhanced gene transfection efficiency has been achieved with improvement in delivery methods using non-viral vectors. This review mainly summarizes the various physical and chemical methods for gene transfer in vitro and in vivo.

Codon optimization of human factor VIII cDNAs leads to high-level expression

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 798-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie J. Ward ◽  
Suzanne M. K. Buckley ◽  
Simon N. Waddington ◽  
Thierry VandenDriessche ◽  
Marinee K. L. Chuah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Factor Viii ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Hemophilia A ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Fviii Activity ◽  
Human Factor Viii

Abstract Gene therapy for hemophilia A would be facilitated by development of smaller expression cassettes encoding factor VIII (FVIII), which demonstrate improved biosynthesis and/or enhanced biologic properties. B domain deleted (BDD) FVIII retains full procoagulant function and is expressed at higher levels than wild-type FVIII. However, a partial BDD FVIII, leaving an N-terminal 226 amino acid stretch (N6), increases in vitro secretion of FVIII tenfold compared with BDD-FVIII. In this study, we tested various BDD constructs in the context of either wild-type or codon-optimized cDNA sequences expressed under control of the strong, ubiquitous Spleen Focus Forming Virus promoter within a self-inactivating HIV-based lentiviral vector. Transduced 293T cells in vitro demonstrated detectable FVIII activity. Hemophilic mice treated with lentiviral vectors showed expression of FVIII activity and phenotypic correction sustained over 250 days. Importantly, codon-optimized constructs achieved an unprecedented 29- to 44-fold increase in expression, yielding more than 200% normal human FVIII levels. Addition of B domain sequences to BDD-FVIII did not significantly increase in vivo expression. These significant findings demonstrate that shorter FVIII constructs that can be more easily accommodated in viral vectors can result in increased therapeutic efficacy and may deliver effective gene therapy for hemophilia A.

PREPARATION OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE NANOPARTICLES AS NON-VIRAL VECTORS FOR GENE DELIVERY SYSTEM

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (04) ◽  
pp. 1750027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ko-Chung Yen ◽  
I-Hua Chen ◽  
Feng-Huei Lin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Gene Delivery ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Gene Delivery System ◽  
Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles

A major aim of gene therapy is the efficient and specific delivery of therapeutic gene into the desired target tissues. Development of reliable vectors is a major challenge in gene therapy. The aim of this study is to develop calcium phosphate nanoparticles as novel non-viral vectors for the gene delivery system. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles were prepared by water-in-oil microemulsion method with a water to surfactant molar ratio, Wo [Formula: see text] 2–10. This paper studies the design and synthesis of ultra-low size, highly monodispersed DNA doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles of size around 100[Formula: see text]nm in diameter. The structure of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex observed by TEM was displayed as a shell-like structure. This study used pEGFP as a reporter gene. The encapsulating efficiency to encapsulate DNA inside the nanoparticles was greater than 80%. In the MTT test, both calcium phosphate nanoparticles and DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex have no negative effect for 293T cells. By gel electrophoresis of free and entrapped pEGFP DNA, the DNA encapsulated inside the nanoparticles was protected from the external DNaseI environment. In vitro transfection studies in 293T cell-line, the DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex could be used safely to transfer the encapsulated DNA into the 293T cells and expression green fluorescent protein. The characteristic of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex to deliver DNA belongs to slow release. The property of DNA-calcium phosphate nanocomplex was fit in the requirement of non-viral vectors for the gene delivery system.

Effect of Ofloxacin on Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing Evaluated by In Vitro and In Vivo Methods

1993 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Matsumoto ◽  
Michael E. Stern ◽  
Roger M. Oda ◽  
Corine R. Ghosn ◽  
Josephine W. Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Corneal Epithelial ◽  
Epithelial Wound Healing

Promotion of Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing In Vitro and In Vivo by Annexin A5

2006 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanao Watanabe ◽  
Shoichi Kondo ◽  
Ken Mizuno ◽  
Wataru Yano ◽  
Hiroshi Nakao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Annexin A5 ◽  
Corneal Epithelial ◽  
Epithelial Wound Healing

scholarly journals Inhibition of Neovascularization and Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Corneal Alkali Burns Using Cationic Liposomal Tacrolimus

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqi Lin ◽  
Xuewen Yu ◽  
Xiang Chen ◽  
Siting Sheng ◽  
Jingwen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retention Time ◽  
Ocular Surface ◽  
Corneal Neovascularization ◽  
Free Drug ◽  
Endothelial Cell Migration ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Sodium Fluorescein ◽  
Eye Drops ◽  
Corneal Epithelial ◽  
Biological Compatibility

Eye drops account for more than 90% of commercialized ophthalmic drugs. However, eye drops have certain shortcomings, such as short precorneal retention time and weak corneal penetration. The requirement of frequent instillation of eye drops also causes poor patient compliance, which may lead to further aggravation of the disease. We aimed to develop a cationic liposome formulation to increase the bioavailability of the therapeutic agent and solve the aforementioned problems. In the present study, we prepared cationic liposomal tacrolimus (FK506) with a surface potential of approximately +30 mV, which could bind to the negatively charged mucin layer of the ocular surface. Our results showed that the content of FK506 in the cornea was increased by 93.77, 120.30, 14.24, and 20.36 times at 5, 30, 60, and 90 min, respectively, in the FK506 liposome group (0.2 mg/ml) compared with the free drug group (0.2 mg/ml). Moreover, FITC-labeled FK506 liposomes significantly prolonged the ocular surface retention time to 50 min after a single dose. In addition, the results of the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, live and dead cell assay, sodium fluorescein staining, and hematoxylin and eosin staining all indicated that FK506 liposomes had good biological compatibility in both human corneal epithelial cells and mouse eyeballs. Compared with the free drug at the same concentration, FK506 liposomes effectively inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor-induced green fluorescent protein-transduced human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration and tube formation in vitro. In a mouse corneal neovascularization model induced by alkali burns, FK506 liposomes (0.2 mg/ml) enhanced corneal epithelial recovery, inhibited corneal neovascularization, and reduced corneal inflammation, and its therapeutic effect was better than those of the commercial FK506 eye drops (1 mg/ml) and the free drug (0.2 mg/ml). Collectively, these results indicate that cationic FK506 liposomes could increase the efficacy of FK506 in the corneal neovascularization model. Therefore, cationic FK506 liposomes can be considered as a promising ocular drug delivery system.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Effects of the Prenylated Flavonoid, Xanthohumol, on Corneal Epithelial Cells in Experimental Dry Eye Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Kirti Ghosh ◽  
Rubina Thapa ◽  
Harsh Nilesh Hariani ◽  
Michael Volyanyuk ◽  
Karoline Anne Orloff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Ocular Surface ◽  
Dry Eye Disease ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Corneal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Corneal Epithelial

Elevated levels of oxidative stress in the corneal epithelium contribute to the progression of dry eye disease pathology. Previous studies have shown that antioxidant therapeutic intervention is a promising avenue to reduce disease burden and slow disease progression. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacological efficacy of Xanthohumol in preclinical models for dry eye disease. Xanthohumol is a naturally occurring prenylated chalconoid that promotes the transcription of phase II antioxidant enzymes. Xanthohumol exerted a dose-response in preventing tert-butylhydroxide-induced loss of cell viability in human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cells and resulted in a significant increase in expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the master regulator of the endogenous antioxidant system. Xanthohumol-encapsulating poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NP) were cytoprotective against oxidative stress in vitro, and significantly reduced corneal fluorescein staining in the mouse desiccating stress/ scopolamine model for dry eye disease in vivo by reducing oxidative stress-associated DNA damage in corneal epithelial cells. PLGA NP represent a safe and efficacious drug delivery vehicle for hydrophobic small molecules to the ocular surface. Optimization of NP-based antioxidant formulations with the goal to minimize instillation frequency may represent future therapeutic options for dry eye disease and related ocular surface disease.

scholarly journals The opioid peptide biphalin modulates human corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgun Melike Gedar Totuk ◽  
Erdost YILDIZ ◽  
Adriano MOLLICA ◽  
Kerem KABADAYI ◽  
Afsun SAHIN
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Corneal Epithelium ◽  
Wound Closure ◽  
Opioid Peptide ◽  
Corneal Epithelial Cell ◽  
Scratch Assay ◽  
Corneal Epithelial ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Epithelial Wound Healing

Abstract Background Analgesic drugs including nonselective opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used with great precautions to relieve the pain after physical damage of the corneal epithelium, because of their unfavorable effects on wound healing process. Biphalin, a synthetic opioid peptide, which has been demonstrated to possesses a strong analgesic effect on rodents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of biphalin on human corneal epithelium wound healing. Methods Immortalized human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) culture was used to test the effects of biphalin on wound healing. The toxicity of biphalin in various concentrations was measured with MTT assay. The effect of 1 µM and 10 µM biphalin were tested on wound closure at in vitro scratch assay of HCECs, and for cell migration and proliferation separately. Naloxone, a non-selective competitive antagonist of opioid receptor, was also used to inhibit the effects of biphalin in all experiments. Results Biphalin did not cause any toxic effect on HCECs in concentrations lower than 100 µM at various incubation time points. Biphalin increased wound closure process significantly at 1 µM concentration at in vitro scratch assay of HCECs (p < 0.05); also increased migration of HCECs significantly (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between biphalin and control groups of HCECs at Ki67 proliferation assay. Conclusion Biphalin, a synthetic opioid peptide, has a potential role as a novel topical analgesic agent that promotes corneal epithelial wound healing.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A New Generation of Therapeutic Agents as Vehicles in Gene Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-284
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Gharbavi ◽  
Ali Sharafi ◽  
Saeed Ghanbarzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Delivery ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Transfection Efficiency ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Targeted Gene Delivery ◽  
The Status

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new tool for therapeutic gene delivery in clinics have attracted much attention. Their advantages cover longer lifespan, better isolation, and higher transfection efficiency and proliferation rate. MSCs are the preferred approach for cell-based therapies because of their in vitro self-renewal capacity, migrating especially to tumor tissues, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, they have considerable efficiency in genetic engineering for future clinical applications in cancer gene therapy and other diseases. For improving therapeutic efficiency, targeted therapy of cancers can be achieved through the sustained release of therapeutic agents and functional gene expression induction to the intended tissues. The development of a new vector in gene therapy can improve the durability of a transgene expression. Also, the safety of the vector, if administered systemically, may resolve several problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Currently, MSCs are prominent candidates as cell vehicles for both preclinical and clinical trials due to the secretion of therapeutic agents in several cancers. In the present study, we discuss the status of gene therapy in both viral and non-viral vectors along with their limitations. Throughout this study, the use of several nano-carriers for gene therapy is also investigated. Finally, we critically discuss the promising advantages of MSCs in targeted gene delivery, tumor inhibition and their utilization as the gene carriers in clinical situations.

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