Project description:Immune system responses against adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are potentiated after the first administration, which has prevented the clinical use of repeated administration of AAV-based gene therapies. Here, we quantify the contributions of multiple immune system components towards AAV response in mice. We identify B-cell-mediated immunity, specifically the generation of IgM antibodies, as a critical component preventing vector re-administration.
Project description:The circumvention of tissue-specific toxicity while improving selectivity remains a significant challenge in cancer therapy. Antibody-assisted delivery of chemotypes aims to address this, leading to several approved therapies; however, non-specific payload release and poor solid tumour penetration necessitate alternative approaches. To this end, we engineered a ligand-targeted drug conjugate, exploiting the over-expression of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in prostate cancer to selectively deliver and conditionally release RT53, a highly specific epigenetic inhibitor of the bromo and extra-terminal (BET) proteins. RT53 phenocopies the effects of the well characterized IBET pan-BET inhibitor in vitro and in vivo, arresting cellular growth and downregulating solute carriers, while exhibiting antitumor activity in subcutaneous ectopic prostate cancer mouse models. Importantly, PSMA-targeted delivery and conditional release of RT53 achieves superior efficacy in vivo ameliorating on-target, off-tissue toxicity, and establishing proof-of-concept for the targeted delivery of small molecule epigenetic chemotherapeutics.
Project description:Dendrimer-targeted immunosuppression of microglia reactivity further enhances promotes photoreceptor regeneration kinetics in the zebrafish retina
Project description:Nanoparticles and nano delivery systems are continuously being refined and developed as means of treating numerous human diseases by site-specific, and target-oriented delivery of medicines. The nanoparticles can carry therapeutic cargo or be medicinal themselves by virtue of their constitutional structural components. Here we report the ability of synthetic N-acylethanolamides, linoleoylethanolamide (LEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA), with endocannabinoid-like activity, to form spherical colloidal nanoparticles that when conjugated with tissue specific homing molecules, can localise to specific areas of the body, and reduce inflammation. The opportunities to mediate pharmacological effects of endocannabinoids at targeted sites provides a novel drug delivery system with increased medicinal potential to treat many diseases in many areas of medicine.
Project description:This dataset comprises bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data derived from thymic tissues of stroke-induced murine models. The data investigate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-originated migrasomes on stroke-induced thymic atrophy and immunosuppression. The results highlight the mechanistic role of BM-MSC migrasomes in reversing thymic involution and the immunosuppressive state through the specific delivery of the Peptidylprolyl Cis/Trans Isomerase (Pin1) to thymic epithelial cells (TECs). This dataset serves as a valuable resource for understanding post-stroke immunosuppression and the molecular basis of BM-MSC/migrasome-mediated therapy.
Project description:CRISPR-based epigenome editing was recently used to activate gene expression through direct transcriptional activation or site-specific DNA demethylation. Viral delivery of guide RNAs for these purposes remains to be developed. Furthermore, currently available viral delivery tools for genome editing show meager rates of heritability. Here, we have developed a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based guide RNA delivery system for both transcriptional activation and targeted DNA demethylation. To promote heritable epigenome editing specifically within plant meristems and the germline, we used the tRNA-guide RNA expression system to express guide RNAs from the viral genome, thus facilitating cell-to-cell movement of the RNA in plants. We achieved up to ~8% heritability of the induced phenotype in the progeny of virus-inoculated plants and 25% in the following generation, indicating high rates of heritability for targeted DNA demethylation. Thus, TRV delivery, in combination with a specific tRNA-gRNA architecture, provides for fast and effective epigenome editing.
Project description:Cance vaccines have become a milestone in immunotherapy, but inadequate activation rate of antigen presenting cells (APCs) and low delivery efficiency of specific antigen have widely limited their clinical application. Here we design an engineered vaccine platform based on targeted delivery of specific antigens to activated APCs. This vaccine platform is implemented by loading stimulator of interferon genes agonist and tumor lysate protein with calcium phosphate as adjuvants, and coating the surface with mannose-modified liposomes. By loading different types of tumor antigen proteins, this nanovaccine platform successfully achieves tumor immunotherapy in breast and colon cancer bearing mice. In addition, personalized nanovaccine prepared from surgically removed tumor lysate proteins also significantly suppresses postsurgical distant tumor. Through the design of nanovaccine platform, we provide an efficient multi-adjuvant delivery platform for multiple types of tumor antigens, and also offer more ideas for personalized vaccine immunization. This nanovaccine platform has great prospects for transformation due to the designability and simplicity for the preparation.