Ex vivo non-viral vector-mediated neurotrophin-3 gene transfer to olfactory ensheathing glia: effects on axonal regeneration and functional recovery after implantation in rats with spinal cord injury

Objective Combine olfactory ensheathing glia （OEG） implantation with ex vivo non-viral vector-based neurotrophin- 3 （NT-3） gene therapy in attempting to enhance regeneration after thoracic spinal cord injury （SCI）. Methods Primary OEG were transfected with cationic liposome-mediated recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1 （＋）-NT3 and subsequently implanted into adult Wistar rats directly after the thoracic spinal cord （T9） contusion by the New York University impactor. The animals in 3 different groups received 4x 1050EG transfected with pcDNA3.1 （＋）-NT3 or pcDNA3.1 （＋） plasmids, or the OEGs without any plasmid transfection, respectively; the fourth group was untreated group, in which no OEG was implanted. Results NT-3 production was seen increased both ex vivo and in vivo in pcDNA3.1 （＋）-NT3 transfected OEGs. Three months after implantation of NT-3-transfected OEGs, behavioral analysis revealed that the hindlimb function of SCI rats was improved. All spinal cords were filled with regenerated neurofilament-positive axons. Retrograde tracing revealed enhanced regenerative axonal sprouting. Conclusion Non-viral vector-mediated genetic engineering of OEG was safe and more effective in producing NT- 3 and promoting axonal outgrowth followed by enhancing SCI recovery in rats.

Surface Modification of Biomimetic PLGA-(ASP-PEG) Matrix with RGD-Containing Peptide:a New Non-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer and Tissue Engineering

RGD-containing peptide （ K16-GRGDSPC） , characterized as non-viral gene vectors, was fabricated to modify the surface of PLGA-[ASP- PEG] matrix, which offered the foundation for gene transfer with porous matrix of gene activated later. Peptide was synthesized and matrix was executed into chips A, B and chip C. Chip C was regarded as control. Chips A and B were reacted with cross-linker. Then chip A was reacted with peptide. MS and HPLC were ased to detect the .14W and purity of peptide. Sulphur, existing on the surface of biomaterials, was detected by XPS. The purity of un-reacted peptide in residual solution was detected by a spectrophotometer. HPLC shows that the peptide purity was 94%- 95% , and MS shows that the MW was 2 741. 3307. XPS reveals that the binding energy of sulphur was 164 eV and the ratio of carbon to sulphur （C/S） was 99. 746 ：0. 1014 in reacted chip A. The binding energy of sulphur in reacted chip B was 164 eV and 162 eV, C/ S was 99.574：0.4255, aM there was no sulphur in chip C. Peptide was manufactured and linked to the surface of biomimetic and 3-D matrix, which offered the possibilities for gene transfer and tissue engineering with this new kind of non-viral gene vector.

Generation of Transgene-free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with Non-viral Methods

Induced pluripotent stem （iPS） cells were originally generated from mouse fibroblasts by enforced expression of Yamanaka factors （Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc）. The technique was quickly re- produced with human fibroblasts or mesenchymal stem cells. Although having been showed therapeutic po- tential in animal models of sickle ceil anemia and Parkinson＇s disease, iPS cells generated by viral methods do not suit all the clinical applications. Various non-viral methods have appeared in recent years for application of iPS cells in cell transplantation therapy. These methods mainly include DNA vector-based approaches, transfection of mRNA, and transduction of reprogramming proteins. This review summarized these non-viral methods and compare the advantages, disadvantages, efficiency, and safety of these methods.

Fusion Wheat Histone H4 Protein Increases Transfection Efficiency of Non-viral DNA Vector

The lack of efficient and non-toxic gene delivery, preferably with non-viral DNA vectors, is generally regarded as a major limitation for gene therapy. In this study, a wheat histone H4 gene was cloned from Triticum aestivum, sequenced, modified and expressed in E. coli. The wheat histone H4 gene and reconstructed H4TL gene encoded wheat histone H4 and a recombinant protein of 141 amino acids with an approximate molecular weight of 15500. Gel electrophoresis mobility shift assays demonstrated that the purified protein had high affinity for DNA. Most significantly, the complex of plasmid pEGFP/C1 with H4TL was transfected with increased efficiency into MCF-7, HO8910, LNCap, A549 and HeLa cells in vitro. These results demonstrate that the targeting of non-viral vectors to tumor-specific receptors provides a cheap, simple and highly efficient tool for gene delivery.

In vitro effect of p2l^(WAF-1/CIP1) gene on growth of human glioma cells mediated by EGFR targeted non-viral vector GE7 system

Objective: To construct the EGFR targeted non-viral vector GE7 system and explore the in vitro effect of p21WAF-1/CIPI gene on growth of human glioma cells mediated by the GE7 system. Methods: The EGFR targeted non-viral vector GE7 gene delivery system was constructed. The malignant human glioma cell line U251MG was transfected in vitro with β-galactosidase gene ( reporter gene) and p21WAF-1/CIPI gee (therapeutic gene) using the GE7 system. By means of X-gal staining, MTS and FACS, the transfection efficiency of exogenous gene and apoptosis rate of tumor cells were examined. The expression of p21WAF-1/ CIPI gene in transfected U251MG cell was examined by immunohistochemis-try staining. Results: The highest transfer rate of exogenous gene was 70% . After transfection with p21WAF-1/CIPI gene, the expression of WAF-1 increased remarkably and steadily; the growth of U251MG cells were inhibited evidently. FACS examination showed G1 arrest. The average apoptosis rate was 25.2%. Conclusion: GE7 system has the ability to transfer exogenous gene to targeted cells efficiently, and expression of p21WAF-1/CIPI gene can induce apoptosis of glioma cell and inhibit its growth.

Non-viral targeted delivery system mediates transfection of thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus into ovarian cancer cells:a comparison between one time and continuous mediation

Objective： To compare the transferring efficiency and killing effects of one time and continuous mediation with GE7, a non-viral targeted delivery system, in transfection of thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus （HSV-tk） into ovarian cancer cells. Methods： GE7 was used to prepare recombinants with β-galactosidase （β-gal） and HSVI-tk; the recombinants were then used to transfect human ovarian cancer line CaOV3 once and continuously. β-gal staining was used to compare the efficiencies of one time and continuous mediation with GE7 system. Ganciclovior （GCV） was introduced into HSVI-tk transfected ovarian cells. Through drawing the cell growth curve and flow cytometry, the killing effects of GCV on once and continuously GE7/HSVI-tk transfected cells were observed. Results： We found that the one time and continuous exogenous gene transfer efficiencies were about 80% and 85%, respectively. When 1 μg/mL GCV was used to treat ovarian cell transfected with HSVI-tk gene, growth inhibiting rates of ovarian cells of one time and continuous transferring were 82% and 90%, respectively; their apoptosis indices were 15 and 30, respectively. Under same GCV concentration, continuous mediation of GE7/pCMV-tk transfection into ovarian cancer cells had more significant inhibitory effect than one time mediation （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Compared with one time mediation, continuous mediation of transfection with GE7 gene delivery system has higher efficiency. Continuous mediation of GE7/HSVI-tk/GCV therapeutic gene system has more powerful killing effect.

Non-viral factors contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for over half a million deaths per year. The geographic pattern of HCC incidence is parallel to exposure to viral etiologic factors. Its incidence is increasing, ranging between 3% and 9% annually depending on the geographical location, and variability in the incidence rates correspond closely to the prevalence and pattern of the primary etiologic factors. Chronic infections with hepatitis B viruses or hepatitis C viruses have both been recognized as human liver carcinogens with a combined attributable fraction of at least 75% of all HCC cases. Multiple non-viral factors have been implicated in the development of HCC. Increased body mass index and diabetes with subsequent development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis represent significant risk factors for HCC. Other non-viral causes of HCC include iron overload syndromes, alcohol use, tobacco, oral contraceptive, aflatoxin, pesticides exposure and betel quid chewing, a prevalent habit in the developing world. Wilson disease, α-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Porphyrias, autoimmune hepatitis, Schistosoma japonicum associated with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, and thorotrastray are also contributing hepatocellualar carcinoma. In addition, primary biliary cirrhosis, congestive liver disease and family history of liver cancer increase the risk of HCC incident. In conclusion,clarification of relevant non-viral causes of HCC will help to focus clinicians on those risk factors that are modifiable. The multilevel preventative approach will hopefully lead to a reduction in incidence of non-viral HCC, and a decrease in the patient morbidity and mortality as well as the societal economic burden associated with HCC.

Non-viral and viral delivery systems for CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the biomedical field

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9(CRISPR-Cas9) system provides a novel genome editing technology that can precisely target a genomic site to disrupt or repair a specific gene. Some CRISPR-Cas9 systems from different bacteria or artificial variants have been discovered or constructed by biologists, and Cas9 nucleases and single guide RNAs(sgRNA) are the major components of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. These Cas9 systems have been extensively applied for identifying therapeutic targets, identifying gene functions, generating animal models, and developing gene therapies.Moreover, CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been used to partially or completely alleviate disease symptoms by mutating or correcting related genes. However, the efficient transfer of CRISPR-Cas9 system into cells and target organs remains a challenge that affects the robust and precise genome editing activity. The current review focuses on delivery systems for Cas9 mRNA, Cas9 protein, or vectors encoding the Cas9 gene and corresponding sgRNA. Non-viral delivery of Cas9 appears to help Cas9 maintain its on-target effect and reduce off-target effects, and viral vectors for sgRNA and donor template can improve the efficacy of genome editing and homology-directed repair. Safe, efficient, and producible delivery systems will promote the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in human gene therapy.

Progress in non-viral localized delivery of siRNA therapeutics for pulmonary diseases

Emerging therapies based on localized delivery of siRNA to lungs have opened up exciting possibilities for treatment of different lung diseases.Localized delivery of siRNA to lungs has shown to result in severalfold higher lung accumulation than systemic route,while minimizing non-specific distribution in other organs.However,to date,only 2 clinical trials have explored localized delivery of siRNA for pulmonary diseases.Here we systematically reviewed recent advances in the field of pulmonary delivery of siRNA using non-viral approaches.We firstly introduce the routes of local administration and analyze the anatomical and physiological barriers towards effective local delivery of siRNA in lungs.We then discuss current progress in pulmonary delivery of siRNA for respiratory tract infections,chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases,acute lung injury,and lung cancer,list outstanding questions,and highlight directions for future research.We expect this review to provide a comprehensive understanding of current advances in pulmonary delivery of siRNA.

Non-viral gene coating modified IOL delivering PDGFR-αshRNA interferes with the fibrogenic process to prevent posterior capsular opacification

Posterior capsule opacification(PCO),the most common complication after cataract surgery,is caused by the proliferation,migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of residual lens epithelial cells in the capsule bag.Although the surface modification and drug loading of intraocular lens(IOLs)have been effective in preventing PCO to some extent,the intraocular safety of anti-proliferative drug application is still a major limitation in clinical application.In this study,we used non-viral gene delivery systems in combination with layer-by-layer(LBL)self-assembly technology,and the modified IOL could effectively prevent the development of PCO by interfering with the EMT process mediated by the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α(PDGFR-α).Herein,the gene fragments were wrapped by electrostatic conjugation using polyethyleneimine-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)to form gene complexes.Gene complexes were characterized by dynamic light scattering,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and agarose gel electrophoresis,and evaluated for storage and serum stability.The layer assembly behavior of the IOL surface,changes in optical properties and the release behavior of the gene complexes were characterized using quartz crystal microbalance,UV-vis,contact angle and TEM.In vitro experiments showed that the IOL coating has good bio-compatibility and can achieve the corresponding transfection effect,and the released gene complexes exhibited excellent cell internalization and lysosomal escape behaviors,as well as effective inhibition of PDGFR-αexpression and its mediated EMT process.The early PCO prevention effect and bio-compatibility evaluation of the modified IOL in vivo were evaluated by implantation into animal eyes.This study provides a new strategy for the development of surface modifications of small nucleic acid drugs and non-toxic EMT interference therapies for PCO.

Progress in non-viral gene delivery systems fabricated via supramolecular assembly

Gene delivery systems are one of key issues that limit the development of gene therapy. The novel non-viral gene delivery systems fabricated via supramolecular assem- bly have begun to show increasing promising and applica- tions in gene therapy due to its suitable nanometric size, controllable structure and excellent biocompatibility. In this review, the fundamental and recent progress of non-viral gene supramolecular assembly is reviewed. Artificial vi- ruses——the future direction of non-viral gene delivery sys- tems are also described.

纳米粒子在骨组织工程化基因修饰治疗中的应用

背景:传统的骨组织工程技术治疗临界骨缺损存在成骨效率低、安全性差等问题。而以非病毒纳米粒子为基因载体构建的基因强化型骨组织工程移植物,具有更高的成骨效率和安全性,引起了国内外学者的广泛关注和研究。目的:对当前国内外有关纳米粒子在组织工程成骨基因治疗研究中取得的新技术、新方法以及面临的挑战等进行综述,旨在为纳米粒子介导的骨组织工程基因治疗研究提供参考。方法:第一作者在Pub Med、Web of Science和中国知网数据库上进行文献检索,并以“Bone defect repair,Bone tissue engineering,Gene delivery,Nanoparticles,Non-viral gene vector,Sustained release technology,Sequential release,Targeted delivery”作为英文检索词,以“骨缺损修复,骨组织工程,基因递送,纳米粒子,非病毒基因载体,缓释技术,序贯释放,靶向递送”作为中文检索词,最终纳入84篇文献进行总结。结果与结论:(1)在骨缺损愈合的各个生理阶段进行针对性的基因递送可以显著增强骨修复效果。在早期炎症阶段,通过纳米粒子递送抗炎基因来调节炎症反应,可以为后续骨愈合奠定基础;在血管新生期,向局部递送促血管化基因有助于形成高度组织化、可灌注的血管系统,加快骨愈合速度;随着血管化的进行,骨骼的神经再支配也开始发生,此时递送促神经再生的功能性基因有利于促进神经化骨再生;在成骨阶段,通过构建纳米粒子-成骨基因复合物,可以直接提升支架及体内新骨形成的效率。(2)各种有机、无机纳米颗粒、金属有机框架和外泌体等非病毒纳米载体,在骨组织工程基因治疗中具有巨大的潜力,这些纳米基因载体各有其独特的优势和不足,因此在实际应用时,需要根据基因转染效率、生物安全性和成骨特性等因素选择最合适的类型。(3)为了全面提升递送基因的效果,目前主要通过对纳米载体进行各种功能设计来增强基因转染效率,包括增强缓释性和多基因递送序贯性等时间调控能力、增强对骨组织和成骨相关细胞的空间靶向能力、增强跨膜运输效率和细胞核靶向能力等全过程调控手段。(4)未来要进一步推动纳米粒子介导的骨组织工程基因治疗在临床上的应用,还需要克服诸多技术挑战,包括提高有机纳米基因载体的基因转染效率、降低无机纳米载体的生物安全性风险、优化新型纳米载体的生产工艺以及促进其它生理过程与成骨交互作用等,这些问题也是未来骨组织工程基因治疗的研究热点和潮流。

基因治疗递送系统的研究新进展:遗传性视网膜疾病治疗的曙光

遗传性视网膜疾病是多种先天性视网膜神经退行性疾病的总称,临床上以夜盲、进行性视野缩小、视力下降甚至失明为特点,具有多种遗传形式。由于其病变的根源在于基因突变,通过基因治疗,即利用外源性核苷酸替换或沉默基因缺陷细胞内的致病基因,使细胞表达正确的蛋白质,恢复细胞的功能,就有可能治愈疾病。同时,眼睛具有免疫“豁免”特性,是实现基因治疗的理想器官。为了完成遗传物质的修正,治疗性核苷酸需要进入细胞内发挥作用,携带健康基因的载体递送系统是实现这一过程的有利工具。该文重点总结了包括病毒载体和非病毒载体在内的遗传性视网膜疾病基因治疗递送系统的研究进展及面临的问题。

用于肝癌治疗的核酸药物递送体系研究进展

肝癌致死率高、预后差,已成为人类健康的重大威胁.随着核酸生物技术的发展,核酸药物在肝癌治疗领域逐渐显示出巨大的应用潜力.核酸药物特异性强,潜在作用靶点丰富,研发周期相对较短,但核酸分子稳定性差,难以进入细胞,且无法逃逸溶酶体,转染效果差,因而核酸药物的应用离不开递送体系的开发.核酸药物递送体系包括病毒载体与非病毒载体,非病毒载体包括共价连接体系、无机纳米颗粒、脂质纳米颗粒(LNP)、聚合物纳米颗粒(PNP)和DNA纳米颗粒等.本文总结了面向肝癌的基因治疗策略,并系统性综述了各种递送手段的特点、适用场景及研究进展,为新型肝癌核酸药物递送体系的研究与开发提供了借鉴和参考.

用于肿瘤治疗的小分子干扰RNA非病毒载体研究进展

近年来,小分子干扰RNA(siRNA)作为RNA干扰(RNAi)技术的效应分子,已被广泛用于恶性肿瘤的基因治疗领域。欲获得理想的治疗效果,其关键因素是寻找一种安全、高效、稳定、可控的基因载体。非病毒载体具有低毒、低免疫原性、制备简单、目的基因容量大、外源基因随机整合率低且携带基因大小类型不受限制等突出优势,已经成为目前siRNA载体的研究热点。在以往学者的研究基础上,从药剂学的角度,笔者对这些载体在siRNA传递系统中的研究现况做回顾性总结。

肝细胞内Ca^(2+)信号与肝脏再生和肝脏疾病的联系

肝脏作为人体内新陈代谢中心,参与了机体的营养代谢、血容量调节、免疫功能调节、内分泌调节、脂质和胆固醇稳态维持以及异生型化合物的分解等过程,是人体最重要的器官之一。肝脏也是机体中唯一具有强大再生能力的内部器官。肝脏再生过程受到细胞质钙离子(Ca^(2+))、细胞核Ca^(2+)和线粒体内Ca^(2+)的影响。病毒感染、长期酗酒和长期使用药物等所导致的严重、慢性损伤会使肝脏再生能力失调,并导致肝瘢痕和肝硬化等。已有研究表明,肝脏细胞Ca^(2+)浓度参与调节肝脏的胆汁分泌、脂质代谢、细胞增殖和细胞凋亡等过程。肝脏再生过程中,肝细胞增殖受到Ca^(2+)动员激动剂胰岛素的影响,胰岛素通过影响细胞核Ca^(2+)参与调控肝细胞增殖;此外,线粒体Ca^(2+)通过抑制细胞凋亡调节肝细胞增殖。当慢性病毒性肝炎发生时,肝细胞膜通透性增强导致细胞质Ca^(2+)增多,病毒通过调节Ca^(2+)信号传导途径促进病毒自身复制。本综述阐述了肝细胞内Ca^(2+)信号与肝脏再生和不同肝脏疾病的联系。

经鼻高流量湿化吸氧与无创通气治疗病毒性肺炎致呼吸衰竭患者的效果分析

目的:探讨经鼻高流量湿化吸氧(NFNC)与无创通气(NIV)治疗病毒性肺炎致呼吸衰竭患者的临床效果。方法:回顾性选取2021年12月-2022年12月吉安市中心人民医院收治的120例病毒性肺炎致呼吸衰竭患者资料为研究对象,根据发病后6 h内呼吸支持方案的不同将患者分为NIV组与HFNC组,每组60例。NIV组采用NIV治疗,HFNC组采用HFNC治疗。比较两组的住院时间、住院费用及舒适度评分、呼吸功能、气管插管率与并发症发生情况、心理状态。结果:HFNC组住院时间短于NIV组,住院费用低于NIV组,舒适度评分高于NIV组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前及治疗后12、24、48 h,两组呼吸功能比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。HFNC组并发症发生率为10.00%,低于NIV组的25.00%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);HFNC组气管插管率为18.33%,低于NIV组的23.33%,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后28 d,两组汉密尔顿焦虑量表、汉密尔顿抑郁量表评分均低于治疗前,且HFNC组均低于NIV组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:病毒性肺炎致呼吸衰竭患者经HFNC与NIV治疗后的呼吸功能改善效果基本相当,但HFNC的舒适度相对更高,并发症发生率更低,患者心理状态更好,有利于住院时间的缩短与住院费用的降低,临床应用价值更高。

壳聚糖及其衍生物基因载体的研究进展

壳聚糖是一种天然的生物可降解性,生物相容性好而且安全无毒的多糖,因而它成为基因治疗载体研究的热点。本文就近年来壳聚糖及其衍生物作为基因载体转染的研究进展和现状作简要的综述,并对转染率的影响因素如壳聚糖的分子量、粒径、脱乙酰度等进行着重介绍。

PEG化壳聚糖/DNA自组装复合物的制备、表征和体外Hela细胞转染研究

通过有机合成和高分子聚合等方法将亲水性的聚乙二醇接枝到壳聚糖的氨基侧链上 ,得到了改性的壳聚糖 -聚乙二醇接枝共聚物 ,应用现代波谱等技术对中间产物和最终产物进行了表征 .采用绿色荧光蛋白基因质粒 p EGFP-N1为 DNA模型 ,在溶液中通过自动 (静电 )吸附得到 PEG化的壳聚糖 /DNA自组装复合物 .初步研究了该自组装复合物对 Hela细胞的体外转染效率 .结果表明 ,活化的聚乙二醇被成功地接枝到壳聚糖上 ,使不溶于水的壳聚糖改性为水溶性的 PEG化的壳聚糖 . PEG化壳聚糖 /DNA自组装复合物在Hela细胞体外转染率达到 81 % .因此 ,PEG化的壳聚糖有可能成为基因转染的非病毒载体 .

神经营养素-3基因修饰嗅鞘细胞移植对急性脊髓损伤作用的实验研究

目的:观察神经营养素-3(NT-3)基因转染嗅鞘细胞(OEG)移植对急性大鼠脊髓损伤的作用。方法:将自行构建的质粒pEGFP-NT3应用脂质体介导的方法导入体外培养的嗅鞘细胞,并移植入急性脊髓损伤大鼠体内,连续观察12周,与接受单纯OEG、空白质粒转染OEG移植的脊髓损伤大鼠进行比较。结果:移植转染pEGFP-NT3后的OEG能在体内长期存活,表达NT-3基因,与对照组比较能更好地促进脊髓损伤区轴突的再生和后肢功能的恢复。结论:OEG是脊髓损伤基因治疗较好的受体细胞。转染NT-3基因的OEG移植后可以在体内较长时间存活,能明显促进急性脊髓损伤神经纤维的再生和功能恢复,为基因修饰嗅鞘细胞在脊髓损伤治疗中的应用提供了实验和理论依据。