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: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.
Project description:Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the cGAS-STING pathway in cancer immunotherapy. However, clinical trials with cGAS-STING pathway agonists have faced setbacks thanks to their short biological half-life, lack of specificity, and potential to promote tumor immune evasion. To address these challenges, we developed a novel drug delivery platform, termed cmExoaCD11b, designed to precisely target and reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) in situ for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. cmExoaCD11b was engineered to encapsulate high copy numbers of cGAMP and IL-12 mRNA using cellular nanoporation technology and was functionalized with anti-CD11b antibodies for targeted delivery to macrophages. Notably, cmExoaCD11b facilitates the repolarization of M2 macrophages to M1 phenotype, thereby reprograming the TME and enhancing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. cmExoaCD11b successfully reversed the immunosuppressive status in the TME and suppressed tumor growth. More importantly, cmExoaCD11b has demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in both murine pancreatic cancer models and patient-derived xenograft models. These results suggest that cmExoaCD11b represents a promising approach to overcoming immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer, paving the way for its potential application in cancer immunotherapy.