Adriano R. Azzoni

The impact of polyadenylation signals on plasmid nuclease-resistance and transgene expression

Efficient delivery and expression of plasmids (pDNA) is a major concern in gene therapy and DNA vaccination using non‐viral vectors. Besides the use of adjuvants, the pDNA vector itself can be designed to maximize survival in nuclease‐rich environments. Homopurine‐rich tracts in polyadenylation sequences have been previously shown to be especially important in pDNA resistance.

Selective purification of supercoiled plasmid DNA from clarified cell lysates with a single histidine–agarose chromatography step

The ability to isolate sc (supercoiled) pDNA (plasmid DNA) isoform should be one of the features of a pDNA purification process, eliminating sample contaminants such as RNA, gDNA (genomic DNA), proteins and endotoxins. A process is described that uses a single histidine–agarose chromatography step to purify sc pDNA from other isoforms and Escherichia coli impurities present in a clarified lysate. The histidine–agarose support combines the mild hydrophobic characteristics of an epoxy spacer arm with a pseudo‐affinity histidine ligand. The 6 kb DNA vaccine backbone pVAX1‐LacZ was used as a model target. Following loading at high salt [2.3 M (NH4)2SO4], the different species were eluted by a series of reverse salt step gradients (2.0, 1.5 and 0 M (NH4)2SO4). Open circular pDNA and gDNA was eluted at 2.3 M, sc pDNA was isolated as a single peak at 2.0 M and RNA was eluted at 1.5 M (NH4)2SO4 and lower. The underlying mechanism is thought to involve not only hydrophobic interactions between the support and pDNA molecules, but also non‐specific biorecognition of nucleic acid bases by the histidine ligand. Control analysis showed that the isolated sc pDNA conforms to specifications in terms of gDNA (3.4 ng/μg of pDNA), endotoxins (0.02 endotoxin unit/μg of pDNA), RNA and proteins (undetectable) and pDNA homogeneity (∼100% sc). Furthermore, the transfection efficiency of Chinese‐hamster ovary cells (50%) was significantly higher when compared with the efficiency (25%) of a pDNA control. The present study confirms the possibility of using a single histidine–agarose chromatography step to purify sc pDNA from other isoforms and host contaminants present in a clarified E. coli lysate.

Microfluidic devices for continuous production of pDNA/cationic liposome complexes for gene delivery and vaccine therapy

To evaluate the process parameters for the production of plasmid DNA/cationic liposome (pDNA/CL) complexes in microfluidic systems, we studied two microfluidic devices: one with simple straight hydrodynamic flow focusing (SMD) and a second one with barriers in the mixing microchannel (patterned walls, PMD). A conventional bulk mixing method was used as a comparison to microfluidic mixing. The CL and the pDNA were combined at a molar positive/negative charge ratio of 6. The results showed that incorporating pDNA into the liposomal structures was different for the two microfluidic devices and that the temperature influenced the average size of complexes produced by the simple microfluidic device, while it did not influence the average complex size in the patterned wall device. Differences were also observed in pDNA probe accessibility in the complexes. The SMD yielded a similar quantity of non-electrostatic bound pDNA as that provided by the bulk mixing method. The complexes produced by the PMD had their pDNA probe accessibility decreased in 40% and achieved lower in vitro transfection levels in HeLa cells than the bulk mixing and simple microfluidic complexation methods. These differences are most likely due to different degrees of association between pDNA and CL, as controlled by the microfluidic devices. This study contributes to the development of rational strategies for controlling the formation of pDNA/CL complexes for further applications in gene and vaccine therapy.

Correlation of the Physicochemical and Structural Properties of pDNA/Cationic Liposome Complexes with Their in Vitro Transfection

In this study, we characterized the conventional physicochemical properties of the complexes formed by plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cationic liposomes (CL) composed of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) (50/25/25% molar ratio). We found that these properties are nearly unaffected at the studied ranges when the molar charge ratio (R(±)) between the positive charge from the CL and negative charge from pDNA is not close to the isoneutrality region (R(±) = 1). However, the results from in vitro transfection of HeLa cells showed important differences when R(±) is varied, indicating that the relationships between the physicochemical and biological characteristics were not completely elucidated. To obtain information regarding possible liposome structural modifications, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were performed as a function of R(±) to obtain correlations between structural, physicochemical, and transfection properties. The SAXS results revealed that pDNA/CL complexes can be described as being composed of single bilayers, double bilayers, and multiple bilayers, depending on the R(±) value. Interestingly, for R(±) = 9, 6, and 3, the system is composed of single and double bilayers, and the fraction of the latter increases with the amount of DNA (or a decreasing R(±)) in the system. This information is used to explain the transfection differences observed at an R(±) = 9 as compared to R(±) = 3 and 6. Close to the isoneutrality region (R(±) = 1.8), there was an excess of pDNA, which induced the formation of a fraction of aggregates with multiple bilayers. These aggregates likely provide additional resistance against the release of pDNA during the transfection phenomenon, reflected as a decrease in the transfection level. The obtained results permitted proper correlation of the physicochemical and structural properties of pDNA/CL complexes with the in vitro transfection of HeLa cells by these complexes, contributing to a better understanding of the gene delivery process.

Development of a recombinant fusion protein based on the dynein light chain LC8 for non-viral gene delivery

The low efficiency of gene transfer is a recurrent problem in DNA vaccine development and gene therapy studies using non-viral vectors such as plasmid DNA (pDNA). This is mainly due to the fact that during their traffic to the target cells nuclei, plasmid vectors must overcome a series of physical, enzymatic and diffusional barriers. The main objective of this work is the development of recombinant proteins specifically designed for pDNA delivery, which take advantage of molecular motors like dynein, for the transport of cargos from the periphery to the centrosome of mammalian cells. A DNA binding sequence was fused to the N-terminus of the recombinant human dynein light chain LC8. Expression studies indicated that the fusion protein was correctly expressed in soluble form using E. coli BL21(DE3) strain. As expected, gel permeation assays found the purified protein mainly present as dimers, the functional oligomeric state of LC8. Gel retardation assays and atomic force microscopy proved the ability of the fusion protein to interact and condense pDNA. Zeta potential measurements indicated that LC8 with DNA binding domain (LD4) has an enhanced capacity to interact and condense pDNA, generating positively charged complexes. Transfection of cultured HeLa cells confirmed the ability of the LD4 to facilitate pDNA uptake and indicate the involvement of the retrograde transport in the intracellular trafficking of pDNA:LD4 complexes. Finally, cytotoxicity studies demonstrated a very low toxicity of the fusion protein vector, indicating the potential for in vivo applications. The study presented here is part of an effort to develop new modular shuttle proteins able to take advantage of strategies used by viruses to infect mammalian cells, aiming to provide new tools for gene therapy and DNA vaccination studies.

Purification of recombinant aprotinin produced in transgenic corn seed: separation from CTI utilizing ion-exchange chromatography

Protein expression in transgenic plants is considered one of the most promising approaches for producing pharmaceutical proteins. As has happened with other recombinant protein production schemes, the downstream processing (dsp) of these proteins produced in plants is key to the technical and economic success of large-scale applications. Since dsp of proteins produced transgenically in plants has not been extensively studied, it is necessary to broaden the investigation in this field in order to more precisely evaluate the commercial feasibility of this route of expression. In this work, we studied the substitution of an IMAC chromatographic step, described in previous work (Azzoni et al., 2002), with ion-exchange chromatography on SP Sepharose Fast Flow resin as the second step in the purification of recombinant aprotinin from transgenic maize seed. The main goal of this second purification step is to separate the recombinant aprotinin from the native corn trypsin inhibitor. Analysis of the adsorption isotherms determined at 25°C under different conditions allowed selection of 0.020 M Tris pH 8.5 as the adsorption buffer. The cation-exchange chromatographic process produced a high-purity aprotinin that was more than ten times more concentrated than that generated using an IMAC step.

Development and characterization of a cationic lipid nanocarrier as non-viral vector for gene therapy

The aim of the present work was to produce a cationic solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) as non-viral vector for protein delivery. Cationic SLN were produced by double emulsion method, composed of softisan(®) 100, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Tween(®) 80, Span(®) 80, glycerol and lipoid(®) S75 loading insulin as model protein. The formulation was characterized in terms of mean hydrodynamic diameter (z-ave), polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential (ZP), stability during storage time, stability after lyophilization, effect of toxicity and transfection ability in HeLa cells, in vitro release profile and morphology. SLN were stable for 30days and showed minimal changes in their physicochemical properties after lyophilization. The particles exhibited a relatively slow release, spherical morphology and were able to transfect HeLa cells, but toxicity remained an obstacle. Results suggest that SLN are nevertheless promising for delivery of proteins or nucleic acids for gene therapy.

Development of a non-viral gene delivery vector based on the dynein light chain Rp3 and the TAT peptide

Gene therapy and DNA vaccination trials are limited by the lack of gene delivery vectors that combine efficiency and safety. Hence, the development of modular recombinant proteins able to mimic mechanisms used by viruses for intracellular trafficking and nuclear delivery is an important strategy. We designed a modular protein (named T-Rp3) composed of the recombinant human dynein light chain Rp3 fused to an N-terminal DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal membrane active peptide, TAT. The T-Rp3 protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and interacted with the dynein intermediate chain in vitro. It was also proven to efficiently interact and condense plasmid DNA, forming a stable, small (∼100nm) and positively charged (+28.6mV) complex. Transfection of HeLa cells using T-Rp3 revealed that the vector is highly dependent on microtubule polarization, being 400 times more efficient than protamine, and only 13 times less efficient than Lipofectamine 2000™, but with a lower cytotoxicity. Confocal laser scanning microcopy studies revealed perinuclear accumulation of the vector, most likely as a result of transport via microtubules. This study contributes to the development of more efficient and less cytotoxic proteins for non-viral gene delivery.

Characterization of an oxidative stress response regulator, homologous to Escherichia coli OxyR, from the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa

The OxyR oxidative stress transcriptional regulator is a DNA-binding protein that belongs to the LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTR) family. It has the ability to sense oxidative species inside the cell and to trigger the cells response, activating the transcription of genes involved in scavenging oxidative species. In the present study, we have overexpressed, purified and characterized the predicted OxyR homologue (orf xf1273) of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa. This bacterium is the causal agent of citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) disease caused by the 9a5c strain, resulting in economic and social losses. The secondary structure of the recombinant protein was analyzed by circular dichroism. Gel filtration showed that XfoxyR is a dimer in solution. Gel shift assays indicated that it does bind to its own predicted promoter under in vitro conditions. However, considering our control experiment we cannot state that this interaction occurs in vivo. Functional complementation assays indicated that xfoxyR is able to restore the oxidative stress response in an oxyr knockout Escherichia coli strain. These results show that the predicted orfxf1273 codes for a transcriptional regulator, homologous to E. coli OxyR, involved in the oxidative stress response. This may be important for X. fastidiosa to overcome the defense mechanisms of its host during the infection and colonization processes.

Comparative analysis of antigen-targeting sequences used in DNA vaccines.

Plasmid vectors can be optimized by including specific signals that promote antigen targeting to the major antigen presentation and processing pathways, increasing the immunogenicity and potency of DNA vaccines. A pVAX1-based backbone was used to encode the Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) reporter gene fused either to ISG (Invariant Surface Glycoprotein) or to TSA (trans-sialidase) Trypanosoma brucei genes. The plasmids were further engineered to carry antigen-targeting sequences, which promote protein transport to the extracellular space (secretion signal), lysosomes (LAMP-1) and to the endoplasmic reticulum (adenovirus e1a). Transfection efficiency was not affected by differences in the size between each construct as no differences in the plasmid copy number per cell were found. This finding also suggests that the addition of both ISG gene and targeting sequences did not add sensitive regions prone to nuclease attack to the plasmid. Cells transfected with pVAX1GFP had a significant higher number of transcripts. This could be a result of lower mRNA stability and/or a lower transcription rate associated with the bigger transcripts. On the other hand, no differences were found between transcript levels of each ISG-GFP plasmids. Therefore, the addition of these targeting sequences does not affect the maturation/stability of the transcripts. Microscopy analysis showed differences in protein localization and fluorescent levels of cells transfected with pVAX1GFP and ISG constructs. Moreover, cells transfected with the lamp and secretory sequences presented a distinct distribution pattern when compared with ISG protein. Protein expression was quantified by flow cytometry. Higher cell fluorescence was observed in cells expressing the cytoplasmic fusion protein (ISG-GFP or TSA-GFP) compared with cells where the protein was transported to the lysosomal pathway. Protein transport to the endoplasmic reticulum does not lead to a decrease in the mean fluorescence values. The secretion signal was only effective when used in conjunction with TSA gene. Therefore, the characteristics of each protein (e.g., presence of transmembrane domains) might influence the efficacy of its cellular transport. This analysis constitutes a useful tool for the optimization of the design of DNA vaccines.