Methods to Alter Cellular Gene Expression

(Posted on Monday, May 6, 2024)

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time to normal function. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene, and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies, and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.

In this subseries, we focus specifically on gene therapies. We explore the current treatments and examine the advances poised to transform healthcare. Each article in this collection delves into a different aspect of gene therapy’s role within the larger narrative of Regenerative Medicine. This article is the second in our subseries on gene therapy methods and vectors.

Gene therapy stands at the frontier of modern medicine, offering the tantalizing possibility of treating or even curing diseases by directly addressing their genetic causes. However, delivering therapeutic genes to the right cells in the body poses significant challenges. 

Due to their efficiency, viral vectors have traditionally been used for gene delivery. Still, concerns over their potential for immunogenicity, toxicity, and limitations in packaging capacity have spurred the development of nonviral methods and vectors. Among these, GalNAc conjugation, protamine complexes, and PEGylation emerge as promising techniques, each with unique advantages and limitations.

GalNAc Conjugation: A Liver-Targeted Approach

GalNAC (N-acetylgalactosamine) conjugation represents a significant development in the targeted delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics to hepatocytes, leveraging the liver’s asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is a transmembrane receptor protein found primarily in the cells of the liver. This protein recognizes and attaches to specific proteins in the blood, removing them from circulation. It also controls cellular processes, such as cell growth, attachment, and differentiation. 

GalNAC conjugation is a technique that provides accurate drug targeting, better pharmacokinetics, efficient cellular uptake, and a simplified formulation process compared to traditional viral vectors. The process involves conjugating GalNAC and therapeutic molecules, which enables the specific targeting of hepatocytes in the liver, resulting in the more efficient delivery of the drug to the intended site of action. Approved therapies such as Givosiran have demonstrated the effectiveness of GalNAc conjugates in treating liver-related diseases.

In addition, the GalNAC conjugation technique has several advantages over traditional viral vectors, including reduced immunogenicity, lower manufacturing costs, and simplified quality control. Furthermore, the conjugation process can be easily adapted to different therapeutic molecules, making it a versatile platform for drug delivery. However, GalNAc’s liver specificity also limits its applicability exclusively to hepatic conditions, and the technological complexity of conjugation may present hurdles in broader therapy development.

Protamine Complexes: Enhancing Delivery Through Positivity

Protamine is a small, positively charged protein that can condense and protect DNA, thereby improving the stability and delivery of therapeutic genes to the desired site of action. It facilitates gene delivery through enhanced interaction with negatively charged cellular membranes. It can accelerate transfection, improve the packaging for functional genes, and form the basis of innovative drug delivery systems. 

The use of protamine in adenovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy has demonstrated its potential to enhance gene transfer efficiency to specific target tissues. This approach has been particularly promising in cancer treatment, where the goal is to target and kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissues selectively. By improving the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated gene therapy, protamine offers a potential solution to achieving high levels of gene expression in target tissues, which is necessary for effective cancer treatment. 

However, while protamine is a valuable gene transfer technique, its effectiveness is limited when used in high doses due to the potential risk of toxicity. The toxicity that may occur can lead to adverse reactions such as renal dysfunction, hypotension, and allergic reactions. This toxicity can also cause cellular damage and inflammation at the injection site, which can be detrimental.

More research and optimization are necessary to unlock gene therapy’s potential fully. Protamine must be modified to make it more efficient in gene transfer and reduce its toxicity. Additionally, ways to enhance its ability to target specific cells, like targeting ligands or developing new formulations, are being explored to deliver genes selectively to particular tissues.

PEGylation and PEGylated Liposomes: Shielding and Stabilizing Therapies

PEGylation is a process in which a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer is attached to therapeutic agents such as drug molecules or nanoparticles. This technique enhances the stability, solubility, and circulation time of the therapeutic agents in the body while reducing the risk of immune responses. PEGylation has been successfully applied in various therapeutics, including PEGylated liposomes for drug and siRNA delivery. Numerous studies have demonstrated that PEGylation can increase the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and reduce their toxicity, leading to better clinical outcomes.

However, PEGylation does come with specific challenges that limit its effectiveness. One of the significant challenges is reduced cellular uptake and endosomal escape, which are crucial for effective gene delivery. This is known as the “PEG dilemma,” which refers to the trade-off between improved circulation time and reduced delivery efficiency. Significant progress has been made in addressing this challenge by exploring innovative approaches.

Alternative strategies are being developed to overcome the PEG dilemma in drug delivery. These strategies include using different PEG polymers or incorporating targeting ligands into the PEGylated nanoparticles. Another promising approach is stimuli-responsive PEGylation, which allows the PEG to detach from the drug molecule when specific conditions in the body are met, such as changes in pH or temperature.

Toward a New Horizon of Treating Genetic Disease

GalNAc conjugation, protamine complexes, and PEGylation represent significant strides forward in nonviral gene therapy methods, each offering unique advantages in enhancing gene therapies’ delivery, targeting, and stability. However, these techniques also have intrinsic limitations that must be addressed through ongoing research and development. The targeted delivery to liver cells by GalNAc conjugation, the transfection acceleration by Protamine, and the enhanced circulation and bioavailability provided by PEGylation illustrate the diverse strategies emerging in the field.

The continued refinement and combination of these nonviral methods hold immense promise for extending the reach and efficacy of gene therapy beyond current limitations, opening new horizons for treating a wide range of genetic diseases.

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