Applying horizontal gene transfer phenomena to enhance non-viral gene therapy

Abstract

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is widespread amongst prokaryotes, but eukaryotes tend to be far less promiscuous with their genetic information. However, several examples of HGT from pathogens into eukaryotic cells have been discovered and mimicked to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. For example, several viral proteins and DNA sequences have been used to significantly increase cytoplasmic and nuclear gene delivery. Plant genetic engineering is routinely performed with the pathogenic bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and similar pathogens (e.g. Bartonella henselae) may also be able to transform human cells. Intracellular parasites like Trypanosoma cruzi may also provide new insights into overcoming cellular barriers to gene delivery. Finally, intercellular nucleic acid transfer between host cells will also be briefly discussed. This article will review the unique characteristics of several different viruses and microbes and discuss how their traits have been successfully applied to improve non-viral gene delivery techniques. Consequently, pathogenic traits that originally caused diseases may eventually be used to treat many genetic diseases.

Inhibition of Autoimmune Chagas-Like Heart Disease by Bone Marrow Transplantation

“…Approximately 50% of the human genome consists of class 1 and 2 transposable elements (TEs) of viral origin [79] – [82] . The class 1 TEs include the autonomous LINEs, which are retrotransposons that encode endogenous machinery for accomplishing reverse transcription [77] – [81] and mobilization of the DNA copy to different distant sites in the genome [66, 67, 76, 81, and 83]. The human genome contains 400,000 truncated copies of retrotransposons, including 400 active autonomous LINEs, which are homologs of CR1 repeats in the chicken genome [84] , [85] .…”

Aminoglycoside Antibiotic-Derived Anion-Exchange Microbeads for Plasmid DNA Binding and in Situ DNA Capture

“…6 Plasmid DNA molecules are extrachromosomal pieces of double-stranded DNA 7 that confer selective advantages including antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and can be transferred to other species via horizontal gene transfer. 8,9 In cancer gene therapy, therapeutic plasmids, which code for functional tumor suppressor proteins, are delivered to cancer cells. 10 DNA-based gene vaccinations involve either direct intramuscular/intradermal injection of naked pDNA or lipid-coated delivery of the same to the target tissues.…”

“…Plasmid DNA (pDNA)-based therapeutics are being investigated in several applications in biotechnology and medicine, including gene therapy against cancer, AIDS − and cystic fibrosis, DNA-based gene vaccinations, and in vitro transfections for cellular manipulation . Plasmid DNA molecules are extrachromosomal pieces of double-stranded DNA that confer selective advantages including antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and can be transferred to other species via horizontal gene transfer. , In cancer gene therapy, therapeutic plasmids, which code for functional tumor suppressor proteins, are delivered to cancer cells . DNA-based gene vaccinations involve either direct intramuscular/intradermal injection of naked pDNA or lipid-coated delivery of the same to the target tissues. , …”

Syncytin 1 dependent horizontal transfer of marker genes from retrovirally transduced cells

“…Horizontal transfer of genetic materials, such as microRNAs, mRNA and DNA, between somatic mammalian cells occurs by a number of different mechanisms involving exogenous and endogenous retroviruses 1 , extracellular vesicles (EVs), including apoptotic bodies 2–4 , and even entire cells 5 , as well as tunneling nanotubes 6 . Horizontal transfer of the genetic material induces important changes in the properties of the recipient cells such as their viral resistance 3 .…”