Novel non-integrating DNA Nano-S/MAR vectors restore gene function in patient-derived pancreatic tumour models I

ABSTRACT: Non-integrating minimally sized Nano-S/MAR DNA vectors can be used to genetically modify dividing cells in place of integrating vectors such as lentivirus and sleeping beauty. They represent a unique genetic tool, which avoids vector-mediated genetic damage cells and the activation of innate immune responses. Previous work has shown that DNA vectors comprising the mammalian scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) element can provide persistent mitotic stability over hundreds of cell divisions, resisting epigenetic silencing and thereby allowing sustained transgene expression. The composition of the original S/MAR vectors does present some inherent limitations which reduce their stability and can provoke cellular toxicity. Here, we present a new system, the Nano-S/MAR, which drives higher transgene expression and has improved efficiency of establishment, due to their minimal impact on cellular processes and perturbation of the endogenous transcriptome. We show that these features enable the hitherto challenging genetic modification of patient-derived cells by using Nano-S/MARs to stably restore the tumour suppressor gene SMAD4 to a patient-derived SMAD4 knockout pancreatic cancer line. Nano-S/MAR modification does not alter the molecular or phenotypic integrity of the patient-derived cells in cell culture and xenograft mouse models. In conclusion, we show that this class of DNA vector can be used to persistently modify a wide range of cells, providing sustained high levels of transgene expression while avoiding the risks of insertional mutagenesis and other vector-mediated toxicity.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE142115 | GEO | 2021/12/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO