The Landscape of Non-Viral Gene Augmentation Strategies for Inherited Retinal Diseases

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders causing progressive loss of vision, affecting approximately one in 1000 people worldwide. Gene augmentation therapy, which typically involves using adeno-associated viral vectors for delivery of healthy gene copies to affected tissues, has shown great promise as a strategy for the treatment of IRDs. However, the use of viruses is associated with several limitations, including harmful immune responses, genome integration, and limited gene carrying capacity. Here, we review the advances in non-viral gene augmentation strategies, such as the use of plasmids with minimal bacterial backbones and scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) sequences, that have the capability to overcome these weaknesses by accommodating genes of any size and maintaining episomal transgene expression with a lower risk of eliciting an immune response. Low retinal transfection rates remain a limitation, but various strategies, including coupling the DNA with different types of chemical vehicles (nanoparticles) and the use of electrical methods such as iontophoresis and electrotransfection to aid cell entry, have shown promise in preclinical studies. Non-viral gene therapy may offer a safer and effective option for future treatment of IRDs.     

Encapsulation of Plasmid DNA by Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks for Efficient Gene Transportation and Expression

The intracellular delivery and functionalization of genetic molecules play critical roles in gene‐based theranostics. In particular, the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) with safe nonviral vectors for efficient intracellular gene expression has received increasing attention; however, it still has some limitations. A facile one‐pot method is employed to encapsulate pDNA into zeolitic imidazole framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) and ZIF‐8‐polymer vectors via biomimetic mineralization and coprecipitation. The pDNA molecules are found to be well distributed inside both nanostructures and benefit from their protection against enzymatic degradation. Moreover, through the use of a polyethyleneimine (PEI) 25 kD capping agent, the nanostructures exhibit enhanced loading capacity, better pH responsive release, and stronger binding affinity to pDNA. From in vitro experiments, the cellular uptake and endosomal escape of the protected pDNA are greatly improved with the superior ZIF‐8‐PEI 25 kD vector, leading to successful gene expression with high transfection efficacy, comparable to expensive commercial agents. New cost‐effective avenues to develop metal–organic‐framework‐based nonviral vectors for efficient gene delivery and expression are provided.     

Biocontrol of Postharvest Decay on Cherry Tomatoes by Recombinant Strain GS115/CEC and Its Possible Mechanism

Due to cecropin A’s effective antifungal effects against Alternaria alternata (A. alternata), recombinant Pichia pastoris expressing cecropin A could control incidence of the black rot in cherry tomatoes caused by A. alternata, when compared with fruits inoculated with sterile water or plasmid without the gene insertion. Observations using a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope showed that when treated with the recombinant yeast, obvious changes in the morphology and inner structure of the A. alternata were induced leading to some cell abnormality and lysing. In order to further clarify the molecular mechanism of action, the binding properties exerted by GS115/CEC on DNA and RNA of A. alternata fungal cells were examined. The results showed that DNA and RNA of the A. alternata fungal cells were degraded by the recombinant yeast GS115/CEC. Furthermore, the recombinant strain GS115/CEC could induce the expression of the pathogenesis-related protein in order to decrease postharvest decay in cherry tomatoes.     

Treat Me Well or Will Resist: Uptake of Mobile Genetic Elements Determine the Resistome of Corynebacterium striatum

Corynebacterium striatum, a bacterium that is part of the normal skin microbiota, is also an opportunistic pathogen. In recent years, reports of infections and in-hospital and nosocomial outbreaks caused by antimicrobial multidrug-resistant C. striatum strains have been increasing worldwide. However, there are no studies about the genomic determinants related to antimicrobial resistance in C. striatum. This review updates global information related to antimicrobial resistance found in C. striatum and highlights the essential genomic aspects in its persistence and dissemination. The resistome of C. striatum comprises chromosomal and acquired elements. Resistance to fluoroquinolones and daptomycin are due to mutations in chromosomal genes. Conversely, resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines, phenicols, beta-lactams, and aminoglycosides are associated with mobile genomic elements such as plasmids and transposons. The presence and diversity of insertion sequences suggest an essential role in the expression of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in genomic rearrangements and their potential to transfer these elements to other pathogens. The present study underlines that the resistome of C. striatum is dynamic; it is in evident expansion and could be acting as a reservoir for ARGs.     

30L生物反应器培养重组CHO细胞生产重组人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂

目的应用30L填充床生物反应器培养重组CHO细胞生产重组人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rht-PA)。方法将表达rht-PA的CHO细胞株用含10%胎牛血清的IMDM复苏并放大培养,接种至30L生物反应器中,并采用BiocommandPlus软件系统实时监控。先用含血清的培养基生长培养,再更换为无血清培养基进行表达培养。在整个培养过程中,采用灌流培养方式,每日采样测定培养上清中葡萄糖浓度,隔日测定rht-PA的表达水平及生物学活性。采用Lysine-Sepharose4B和Zn2+-Sepharose4B两步亲和层析法纯化rht-PA,并检测纯化产物的比活、产率及纯度。结果整个培养过程持续51d,包括生长培养6d,表达培养45d,平均日灌流量为46.7L,最高达60L,共收获表达培养液约2100L;rht-PA的平均表达水平为15.15mg/L,最高可达19.25mg/L,生物学活性平均约为8000IU/ml;表达培养至第13天时,葡萄糖消耗量达最高水平(15.97g/L·d);纯化的rht-PA比活达6×105IU/mg,产率为63%,纯度达99%以上。结论应用30L填充床生物反应器可实现重组CHO细胞的长时间连续培养及产物rht-PA的高效表达。     

表达鸡新城疫病毒血凝素-神经氨酸酶基因的重组腺病毒对肝癌细胞HepG-2的抑制作用

目的探讨表达鸡新城疫病毒(NDV)血凝素-神经氨酸酶(HN)基因的重组腺病毒Ad-HN对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的抑制作用。方法应用Ad-HN感染HepG-2细胞,采用MTT法检测Ad-HN对HepG-2细胞增殖的抑制作用;AnnexinV染色法结合流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡;AO/EB染色法和DAPI染色法对Ad-HN感染的肿瘤细胞及细胞核进行形态学观察;底物显色法检测Caspase1、Caspase3、Caspase6和Caspase8活性的变化。结果Ad-HN能够有效抑制HepG-2细胞的增殖,当感染剂量为100MOI,作用时间为48h时,Ad-HN对HepG-2细胞增殖的抑制率达峰值(17.20%～35.04%);AnnexinV染色结果显示,Ad-HN感染48h后HepG-2细胞凋亡率为29.39%;Ad-HN感染导致HepG-2细胞呈现细胞浓缩、细胞核皱缩进而碎裂等凋亡特征;Ad-HN感染可显著上调HepG-2细胞的Caspase酶活性。结论Ad-HN能够诱导HepG-2细胞凋亡,并对HepG-2细胞产生抑制效应。     

Optimization of bacterial plasmid transformation using nanomaterials based on the yoshida effect

With the help of sepiolite, a unique method for transforming DNA into bacteria, based on the Yoshida effect, has been developed recently. However, we confronted many problems when this newest method was tried. Only a few transformants could be obtained even when 100 ng of plasmid pET15b was used, and a successful result seemed difficult to repeat. To address this problem, we optimized the operating method and could achieve about 15,000 transformants using the same amount of plasmid, which could match the efficiency gained using the calcium chloride transformation method. Meanwhile, the results could also be reproduced well. In the same way, carbon nanotubes were used to attain more than 15,000 transformants in the same situation. Therefore, the transformation method could be extended to other nanomaterials. Meanwhile, compared with the mechanism previously reported, we verified quite a different principle for the mechanism responsible for such a transformation. In sum, this unique transformation can be developed to become the third widely-used transformation method in laboratories in addition to the chemical method and electroporation.     

Toxicity of nanoparticles of CuO, ZnO and TiO2 to microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Toxicities of ZnO, TiO₂ and CuO nanoparticles to Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were determined using OECD 201 algal growth inhibition test taking in account potential shading of light. The results showed that the shading effect by nanoparticles was negligible. ZnO nanoparticles were most toxic followed by nano CuO and nano TiO₂. The toxicities of bulk and nano ZnO particles were both similar to that of ZnSO₄ (72 h EC50 ~ 0.04 mg Zn/l). Thus, in this low concentration range the toxicity was attributed solely to solubilized Zn²⁺ ions. Bulk TiO₂ (EC50 = 35.9 mg Ti/l) and bulk CuO (EC50 = 11.55 mg Cu/l) were less toxic than their nano formulations (EC50 = 5.83 mg Ti/l and 0.71 mg Cu/l). NOEC (no-observed-effect-concentrations) that may be used for risk assessment purposes for bulk and nano ZnO did not differ (~ 0.02 mg Zn/l). NOEC for nano CuO was 0.42 mg Cu/l and for bulk CuO 8.03 mg Cu/l. For nano TiO₂ the NOEC was 0.98 mg Ti/l and for bulk TiO₂ 10.1 mg Ti/l. Nano TiO₂ formed characteristic aggregates entrapping algal cells that may contribute to the toxic effect of nano TiO₂ to algae. At 72 h EC50 values of nano CuO and CuO, 25% of copper from nano CuO was bioavailable and only 0.18% of copper from bulk CuO. Thus, according to recombinant bacterial and yeast Cu-sensors, copper from nano CuO was 141-fold more bioavailable than from bulk CuO. Also, toxic effects of Cu oxides to algae were due to bioavailable copper ions.To our knowledge, this is one of the first systematic studies on effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on algal growth and the first describing toxic effects of nano CuO towards algae.     

Photoinduced Silver Nanoparticles/Nanorings on Plasmid DNA Scaffolds

Biological scaffolds are being actively explored for the synthesis of nanomaterials with novel structures and unexpected properties. Toroidal plasmid DNA separated from the Bacillus host is applied as a sacrificial mold for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and nanorings. The photoirradiation method is applied to reduce Ag^I on the plasmid. The nanoparticles are obtained by varying the concentration of the Ag^I ion solution and the exposure time of the plasmid–Ag^I complex under UV light at 254 nm and room temperature. It is found that the plasmid serves not only as a template but also as a reductant to drive the silver nucleation and deposition. The resulting nanoparticles have a face‐centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure and 20–30 nm average diameter. The detailed mechanism is discussed, and other metals or alloys could also be synthesized with this method.