Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), with high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, is due to inherited mutations in genes, such as low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Development of therapeutic strategies for FH, which causes atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, is urgently needed. Methods: Mice with low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) deletion (Ldlr(-/-) mice) were used as an FH model. Ldlr mRNA was encapsulated into exosomes by forced expression of Ldlr in the donor AML12 (alpha mouse liver) cells, and the resultant exosomes were denoted as Exo(Ldlr). In vivo distribution of exosomes was analyzed by fluorescence labeling and imaging. The delivery efficiency of Ldlr mRNA was analyzed by qPCR and Western blotting. Therapeutic effects of Exo(Ldlr) were examined in Ldlr(-/-) mice by blood lipids and Oil Red O staining. Results: The encapsulated mRNA was stable and could be translated into functional protein in the recipient cells. Following tail vein injection, exosomes were mainly delivered into the liver, producing abundant LDLR protein, resembling the endogenous expression profile in the wild-type mouse. Compared with control exosomes, Exo(Ldlr) treatment significantly decreased lipid deposition in the liver and lowered the serum LDL-cholesterol level. Significantly, the number and size of atherosclerotic plaques and inflammation were reduced in the Exo(Ldlr)-treated mice. Conclusions: We have shown that exosome-mediated Ldlr mRNA delivery effectively restored receptor expression, treating the disorders in the Ldlr(-/-) mouse. Our study provided a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of FH patients and managing atherosclerosis.
基金:
NSFCNational Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [31771507, 81970737]; Provincial Scientific Foundation of Shaan'Xi [2020TD-038]; Innovative Development Fund of Tangdu Hospital [2018QYTS007]; [NSFC81871357]; [81671690]; [NSFC81701698]
第一作者机构:[1]Fourth Mil Med Univ, Tangdu Hosp, Dept Ultrasound Diagnost, Xinsi Rd 569th, Xian 710038, Peoples R China[2]Fourth Mil Med Univ, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, State Lab Canc Biol, Changlexi Rd 169th, Xian 710032, Peoples R China
共同第一作者:
通讯作者:
通讯机构:[1]Fourth Mil Med Univ, Tangdu Hosp, Dept Ultrasound Diagnost, Xinsi Rd 569th, Xian 710038, Peoples R China[2]Fourth Mil Med Univ, Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, State Lab Canc Biol, Changlexi Rd 169th, Xian 710032, Peoples R China[*1]Department of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road NO.569th, 710038, Xi’an, China[*2]The State Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Changlexi Road NO.169th, 710032, Xi’an,
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Li Zhelong,Zhao Ping,Zhang Yajun,et al.Exosome-based Ldlr gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia in a mouse model[J].THERANOSTICS.2021,11(6):2953-2965.doi:10.7150/thno.49874.
APA:
Li, Zhelong,Zhao, Ping,Zhang, Yajun,Wang, Jia,Wang, Chen...&Yuan, Lijun.(2021).Exosome-based Ldlr gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia in a mouse model.THERANOSTICS,11,(6)
MLA:
Li, Zhelong,et al."Exosome-based Ldlr gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia in a mouse model".THERANOSTICS 11..6(2021):2953-2965