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One of the most appealing approaches for regulating gene expression, named the "microRNA therapeutic" method, is based on the regulation of the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs), the intracellular levels of which are dysregulated in many diseases, including cancer. This can be achieved by miRNA inhibition with antimiRNA molecules in the case of overexpressed microRNAs, or by using miRNA-mimics to restore downregulated microRNAs that are associated with the target disease. The development of new efficient, low-toxic, and targeted vectors of such molecules represents a key topic in the field of the pharmacological modulation of microRNAs. We compared the delivery efficiency of a small library of cationic calix[4]arene vectors complexed with fluorescent antimiRNA molecules (Peptide Nucleic Acids, PNAs), pre-miRNA (microRNA precursors), and mature microRNAs, in glioma- and colon-cancer cellular models. The transfection was assayed by cytofluorimetry, cell imaging assays, and RT-qPCR. The calix[4]arene-based vectors were shown to be powerful tools to facilitate the uptake of both neutral (PNAs) and negatively charged (pre-miRNAs and mature microRNAs) molecules showing low toxicity in transfected cells and ability to compete with commercially available vectors in terms of delivery efficiency. These results could be of great interest to validate microRNA therapeutics approaches for future application in personalized treatment and precision medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Starting from a list of nine miRNAs found to be dysregulated in the bloodstream of early-stage colon cancer (CRC) patients, the biological effects of the targeting of the most relevant up-regulated miRNAs with anti-miRNA peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were verified. The down-regulation of these target miRNAs with PNAs is associated with apoptosis induction in CRC cellular models. Apoptosis induction, which is one of the most important anticancer mechanisms, reaches very high levels when anti-miRNAs PNAs are combined with other pro-apoptotic compounds such as sulforaphane. Liquid biopsy has dramatically changed cancer management in the last decade; however, despite the huge number of miRNA signatures available for diagnostic or prognostic purposes, it is still unclear if dysregulated miRNAs in the bloodstream could be used to develop miRNA-based therapeutic approaches. In one author's previous work, nine miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in early-stage colon cancer (CRC) patients by NGS analysis followed by RT-dd-PCR validation. In the present study, the biological effects of the targeting of the most relevant dysregulated miRNAs with anti-miRNA peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were verified, and their anticancer activity in terms of apoptosis induction was evaluated. Our data demonstrate that targeting bloodstream up-regulated miRNAs using anti-miRNA PNAs leads to the down-regulation of target miRNAs associated with inhibition of the activation of the pro-apoptotic pathway in CRC cellular models. Moreover, very high percentages of apoptotic cells were found when the anti-miRNA PNAs were associated with other pro-apoptotic agents, such as sulforaphane (SFN). The presented data sustain the idea that the targeting of miRNAs up-regulated in the bloodstream with a known role in tumor pathology might be a tool for the design of protocols for anti-tumor therapy based on miRNA-targeting molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene encodes for a chloride channel defective in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Accordingly, upregulation of its expression might be relevant for the development of therapeutic protocols for CF. MicroRNAs are deeply involved in the CFTR regulation and their targeting with miRNA inhibitors (including those based on Peptide Nucleic Acids, PNAs)is associated with CFTR upregulation. Targeting of miR-145-5p, miR-101-3p, and miR-335-5p with antisense PNAs was found to be associated with CFTR upregulation. The main objective of this study was to verify whether combined treatments with the most active PNAs are associated with increased CFTR gene expression. The data obtained demonstrate that synergism of upregulation of CFTR production can be obtained by combined treatments of Calu-3 cells with antisense PNAs targeting CFTR-regulating microRNAs. In particular, highly effective combinations were found with PNAs targeting miR-145-5p and miR-101-3p. Content of mRNAs was analyzed by RT-qPCR, the CFTR production by Western blotting. Combined treatment with antagomiRNAs might lead to maximized upregulation of CFTR and should be considered in the development of protocols for CFTR activation in pathological conditions in which CFTR gene expression is lacking, such as Cystic Fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel platform for lab-in-fiber-based biosensors is studied. Hollow-core tube lattice fibers (HC-TLFs) are proposed as a label-free biosensor for the detection of DNA molecules. The particular light-guiding mechanism makes them a highly sensitive tool. Their transmission spectrum is featured by alternations of high and low transmittance at wavelength regions whose values depend on the thickness of the microstructured web composing the cladding around the hollow core. In order to achieve DNA detection by using these fibers, an internal chemical functionalization process of the fiber has been performed in five steps in order to link specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, then the functionalized fiber was used for a three-step assay. When a solution containing a particular DNA sequence is made to flow through the HC of the TLF in an 'optofluidic' format, a bio-layer is formed on the cladding surfaces causing a red-shift of the fiber transmission spectrum. By comparing the fiber transmission spectra before and after the flowing it is possible to identify the eventual formation of the layer and, therefore, the presence or not of a particular DNA sequence in the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical laboratory classes teaching molecular pharmacology approaches employed in the development of therapeutic strategies are of great interest for students of courses in Biotechnology, Applied Biology, Pharmaceutic and Technology Chemistry, Translational Oncology. Unfortunately, in most cases the technology to be transferred to learning students is complex and requires multi-step approaches. In this respect, simple and straightforward experimental protocols might be of great interest. This study was aimed at presenting a laboratory exercise focusing (a) on a very challenging therapeutic strategy, i.e. microRNA therapeutics, and (b) on the employment of biomolecules of great interest in applied biology and pharmacology, i.e. peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). The aims of the practical laboratory were to determine: (a) the possible PNA-mediated arrest in RT-qPCR, to be eventually used to demonstrate PNA targeting of selected miRNAs; (b) the possible lack of activity on mutated PNA sequences; (c) the effects (if any) on the amplification of other unrelated miRNA sequences. The results which can be obtained support the following conclusions: PNA-mediated arrest in RT-qPCR can be analyzed in a easy way; mutated PNA sequences are completely inactive; the effects of the employed PNAs are specific and no inhibitory effect occurs on other unrelated miRNA sequences. This activity is simple (cell culture, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR are all well-established technologies), fast (starting from isolated and characterized RNA, few hours are just necessary), highly reproducible (therefore easily employed by even untrained students). On the other hand, these laboratory lessons require some facilities, the most critical being the availability of instruments for PCR. While this might be a problem in the case these instruments are not available, we would like to underline that determination of the presence or of a lack of amplified product can be also obtained using standard analytical approaches based on agarose gel electrophoresis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report how tube lattice hollow-core fibers can be successfully used to build sensors for molecule detection. The inner silica surface of the fiber is functionalized and coated with a probe layer, which permits to bond only with a particular molecule (the target). When the fiber is infiltrated with a solution containing the target, an additional layer is created on the silica surface, causing a redshift of the fiber transmission spectrum. The technique does not require any additional transducer component, such as Bragg gratings, amplifying techniques, such as nano-particles, nor coherent sources. It simply consists of the measurement of the transmission spectrum of a piece of fiber some tens of centimeters long. The principle is validated with experimental results showing the detection of the streptavidin protein. A solution containing streptavidin was flowed through the hollow core of the fiber coated with biotin. The measurement of the transmitted spectrum before and after the infiltration showed the presence of a few nanometer thick bio-layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are very useful tools for gene regulation at different levels, but in particular in the last years their use for targeting microRNA (anti-miR PNAs) has provided impressive advancements. In this respect, microRNAs related to the repression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which is defective in cystic fibrosis, are of great importance in the development of new type of treatments. In this paper we propose the use of an anti-miR PNA for targeting miR-145, a microRNA reported to suppress CFTR expression. Octaarginine-anti-miR PNA conjugates were delivered to Calu-3 cells, exerting sequence dependent targeting of miR-145-5p. This allowed to enhance expression of the miR-145 regulated CFTR gene, analyzed at mRNA (RT-qPCR, Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) and CFTR protein (Western blotting) level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are polyamide analogues of nucleic acids, very effective in terms of affinity and selectivity in DNA/RNA recognition. As other supramolecular entities, the PNA structure has been an interesting scaffold for the development of new molecules, aimed to DNA and RNA recognition, with improved or completely new properties. This review describes recent work, with the aim of describing how the design of these molecules has evolved in recent years, using increasingly effective tools, from simple crystal structure analysis to molecular dynamics and metadynamics. Modified PNA with additional modules appended, either on the backbone or on the nucleobase, are described. Polyfunctional molecules with both backbone and nucleobase modification are then considered. Finally, recent examples of architectures obtained by conjugation of PNAs to inorganic nanostructures as cargo systems for diagnostics and nano-biotechnology are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, peptide nucleic acid/DNA (PNA:DNA) duplex stability has been improved via backbone modification, often achieved via introducing an amino acid side chain at the α- or γ-position in the PNA sequence. It was previously shown that interstrand cross-linking can further enhance the binding event. In this work, we combined both strategies to fine-tune PNA crosslinking towards single stranded DNA sequences using a furan oxidation-based crosslinking method; for this purpose, γ-L-lysine and γ-L-arginine furan-PNA monomers were synthesized and incorporated in PNA sequences via solid phase synthesis. It was shown that the L-lysine γ-modification had a beneficial effect on crosslink efficiency due to pre-organization of the PNA helix and a favorable electrostatic interaction between the positively-charged lysine and the negatively-charged DNA backbone. Moreover, the crosslink yield could be optimized by carefully choosing the type of furan PNA monomer. This work is the first to describe a selective and biocompatible furan crosslinking strategy for crosslinking of γ-modified PNA sequences towards single-stranded DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical fiber-based biosensors are an emerging field of research with an extremely broad area of possible applications and a disruptive potential to turn the paradigm known as lab-on-fiber into reality. In the past few years, a variety of system choices has been explored, ranging from the type of sensing fiber, to the optical transducing element, to possible sensing amplification strategies. We revise some of the possible approaches to the design of a biosensor, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, based on previous literature and on the experience of our research groups. The discussion is focused onto DNA sensing systems, especially in a label-free format, where the hybridization and recognition of the sought DNA sequence is translated directly into a modification of the optical fiber properties. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A DNA-sensing platform is developed by exploiting the easy surface functionalization of metal-organic framework (MOF) particles and their highly parallelized fluorescence detection by flow cytometry. Two strategies were employed to functionalize the surface of MIL-88A, using either covalent or non-covalent interactions, resulting in alkyne-modified and biotin-modified MIL-88A, respectively. Covalent surface coupling of an azide-dye and the alkyne-MIL-88A was achieved by means of a click reaction. Non-covalent streptavidin-biotin interactions were employed to link biotin-PNA to biotin-MIL-88A particles mediated by streptavidin. Characterization by confocal imaging and flow cytometry demonstrated that DNA can be bound selectively to the MOF surface. Flow cytometry provided quantitative data of the interaction with DNA. Making use of the large numbers of particles that can be simultaneously processed by flow cytometry, this MOF platform was able to discriminate between fully complementary, single-base mismatched, and randomized DNA targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct delivery of specific proteins to live cells promises a tremendous impact for biological and medical applications, from therapeutics to genetic engineering. However, the process mostly involves tedious techniques and often requires extensive alteration of the protein itself. Herein we report a straightforward approach to encapsulate native proteins by using breakable organosilica matrices that disintegrate upon exposure to a chemical stimulus. The biomolecule-containing capsules were tested for the intracellular delivery of highly cytotoxic proteins into C6 glioma cells. We demonstrate that the shell is broken, the release of the active proteins occurs, and therefore our hybrid architecture is a promising strategy to deliver fragile biomacromolecules into living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct delivery of specific proteins to live cells promises a tremendous impact for biological and medical applications, from therapeutics to genetic engineering. However, the process mostly involves tedious techniques and often requires extensive alteration of the protein itself. Herein we report a straightforward approach to encapsulate native proteins by using breakable organosilica matrices that disintegrate upon exposure to a chemical stimulus. The biomolecule-containing capsules were tested for the intracellular delivery of highly cytotoxic proteins into C6 glioma cells. We demonstrate that the shell is broken, the release of the active proteins occurs, and therefore our hybrid architecture is a promising strategy to deliver fragile biomacromolecules into living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parallel PNA:PNA duplexes were synthesized and conjugated with meso-tris(pyridyl)phenylporphyrin carboxylic acid at the N-terminus. The introduction of one porphyrin unit was shown to affect slightly the stability of the PNA:PNA parallel duplex, whereas the presence of two porphyrin units at the same end resulted in a dramatic increase of the melting temperature, accompanied by hysteresis between melting and cooling curves. The circular dichroism (CD) profile of the Soret band and fluorescence quenching strongly support the occurrence of a face-to-face interaction between the two porphyrin units. Introduction of a L-lysine residue at the C-terminal of one strand of the parallel duplex induced a left-handed helical structure in the PNA:PNA duplex if the latter contains only one or no porphyrin moiety. The left-handed helicity was revealed by nucleobase CD profile at 240-280 nm and by the induced-CD observed in the presence of the DiSC2(5) cyanine dye at ~500-550 nm. Surprisingly, the presence of two porphyrin units led to the disappearance of the nucleobase CD signal and the absence of CD exciton coupling within the Soret band region. In addition, a dramatic decrease of induced CD of DiSC2(5) was observed. These results are in agreement with a model where the porphyrin-porphyrin interactions cause partial loss of chirality of the PNA:PNA parallel duplex, forcing it to adopt a ladder-like conformation. Chirality 27:864-874, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials could lead to applications relevant for biomedicine. Manufacturing porous particles to make them able to carry bioactive molecules into living cells represents a substantial goal towards the development of powerful tools for nanomedicine. This work describes a first example of using zeolite-L crystals as multifunctional nanocontainers to simultaneously deliver DNA oligonucleotides and organic molecules into living cells. Multifunctional zeolite-L was prepared by filling the pore system with guest molecules, whilst DNA was adsorbed electrostatically on their surface. The release kinetics of DNA and of the guest molecules into living cells was studied to prove the multiple-drug-delivery ability of the system. The localization of all the components in different cellular compartments was followed. The presented system may be a prototype for the development of novel nanoparticles for drug delivery and gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs are a family of small noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression by sequence-selective mRNA targeting, leading to a translational repression or mRNA degradation. The oncomiR miR-221 is highly expressed in human gliomas, as confirmed in this study in samples of low and high grade gliomas, as well in the cell lines U251, U373 and T98G. In order to alter the biological functions of miR-221, a peptide nucleic acid targeting miR-221 (R8-PNA-a221) was produced, bearing a oligoarginine peptide (R8) to facilitate uptake by glioma cells. The effects of R8-PNA-a221 were analyzed in U251, U373 and T98G glioma cells and found to strongly inhibit miR-221. In addition, the effects of R8-PNA-a221 on p27 (a target of miR-221) were analyzed in U251 and T98G cells by RT-qPCR and by Western blotting. No change of p27 mRNA content occurs in U251 cells in the presence of PNA-a221 (lacking the R8 peptide), whereas significant increase of p27 mRNA was observed with the R8-PNA-a221. These data were confirmed by Western blot assay. A clear increment of p27 protein expression in the samples treated with R8-PNA-a221 was detected. In addition, R8-PNA-a221 was found able to increase TIMP3 expression (another target of miR-221) in T98G cells. These results suggest that PNAs against oncomiRNA miR-221 might be proposed for experimental treatment of human gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal malignant tumor accounting for 42% of the tumors of the central nervous system, the median survival being 15 months. At present, no curative treatment is available for GBM and new drugs and therapeutic protocols are urgently needed. In this context, combined therapy appears to be a very interesting approach. The isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN) has been previously shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth and invasion of GBM cells. On the other hand, the microRNA miR-15b is involved in invasiveness and proliferation in GBM and its inhibition is associated with the induction of apoptosis. On the basis of these observations, the objective of the present study was to determine whether a combined treatment using SFN and a peptide nucleic acid interfering with miR-15b-5p (PNA-a15b) might be proposed for increasing the pro-apoptotic effects of the single agents. To verify this hypothesis, we have treated GMB U251 cells with SFN alone, PNA-a15b alone or their combination. The cell viability, apoptosis and combination index were, respectively, analyzed by calcein staining, annexin-V and caspase-3/7 assays, and RT-qPCR for genes involved in apoptosis. The efficacy of the PNA-a15b determined the miR-15b-5p content analyzed by RT-qPCR. The results obtained indicate that SFN and PNA-a15b synergistically act in inducing the apoptosis of U251 cells. Therefore, the PNA-a15b might be proposed in a "combo-therapy" associated with SFN. Overall, this study suggests the feasibility of using combined treatments based on PNAs targeting miRNA involved in GBM and nutraceuticals able to stimulate apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel sensing approach based on a functionalized microstructured optical fiber-Bragg grating for specific DNA target sequences detection. The inner surface of a microstructured fiber, where a Bragg grating was previously inscribed, has been functionalized by covalent linking of a peptide nucleic acid probe targeting a DNA sequence bearing a single point mutation implicated in cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. A solution of an oligonucleotide (ON) corresponding to a tract of the CF gene containing the mutated DNA has been infiltrated inside the fiber capillaries and allowed to hybridize to the fiber surface according to the Watson-Crick pairing. In order to achieve signal amplification, ON-functionalized gold nanoparticles were then infiltrated and used in a sandwich-like assay. Experimental measurements show a clear shift of the reflected high order mode of a Bragg grating for a 100 nMDNA solution, and fluorescence measurements have confirmed the successful hybridization. Several experiments have been carried out on the same fiber using the identical concentration, showing the same modulation trend, suggesting the possibility of the reuse of the sensor. Measurements have also been made using a 100 nM mismatched DNA solution, containing a single nucleotide mutation and corresponding to the wild-type gene, and the results demonstrate the high selectivity of the sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of droplet-based microfluidics and peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons for the detection of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified DNA sequences within nanoliter-sized droplets is described in this work. The nanomolar-attomolar detection capabilities of the method were preliminarily tested by targeting two different single-stranded DNA sequences from the genetically modified Roundup Ready soybean and the Olea europaea genomes and detecting the fluorescence generated by peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons with fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the detection of 10 nM solutions of PCR amplicon of DNA extracted from leaves of O. europaea L. encapsulated in nanoliter-sized droplets was performed to demonstrate that peptide nucleic acid molecular beacons can discriminate O. europaea L. cultivar species carrying different single-nucleotide polymorphisms. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fmoc- and Boc-protected modified monomers bearing 5-azidomethyluracil nucleobase were synthesized. Four different solid-phase synthetic strategies were tested in order to evaluate the application of this series of monomers for the solid-phase synthesis of modified PNA. The azide was used as masked amine for the introduction of amide-linked functional groups, allowing the production of a library of compounds starting from a single modified monomer. The azide function was also exploited as reactive group for the modification of PNA in solution via azide-alkyne click cycloaddition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PNA probes for the specific detection of DNA from olive oil samples by microarray technology were developed. The presence of as low as 5% refined hazelnut ( ) oil in extra-virgin olive oil ( L.) could be detected by using a PNA microarray. A set of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Actin gene of Olive was chosen as a model for evaluating the ability of PNA probes for discriminating olive cultivars. Both unmodified and C2-modified PNAs bearing an arginine side-chain were used, the latter showing higher sequence specificity. DNA extracted from leaves of three different cultivars (Ogliarola leccese, Canino and Frantoio) could be easily discriminated using a microarray with unmodified PNA probes, whereas discrimination of DNA from oil samples was more challenging, and could be obtained only by using chiral PNA probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are mimics of oligonucleotides containing a neutral peptidelike backbone and are able to bind complementary DNA targets with high affinity and selectivity. In order to investigate the effect of the ionic strength of the buffer solution, hybridization experiments with PNAs as (catcher) probes and DNAs as target oligonucleotides were performed in different salt solutions. Surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy was employed for real-time monitoring of DNA hybridizations to surface bound PNA. Probes with three different strand lengths were immobilized by self-assembly on the sensor surface. By introducing Cy5-labeled DNA targets the affinity constants, KA=kon (association)/koff (dissociation), were determined for fully complementary (MM0) as well as for single base mismatched (MM1) duplexes. Furthermore, the thermal stability of each duplex was determined by measuring melting curves in solution which was then compared to the kinetic and affinity parameters determined for the surface hybridization reactions. The results indicate that ions do not play a significant role for the PNA/DNA hybridization kinetics at surfaces. However, changes in the configuration of the PNA/DNA duplex due to the ionic strength variations influence the fluorescence yield drastically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conjugation of a bioactive, fluorescent PNA sequence to high-molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is described and the properties of the PEG-PNA conjugate are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA), a polyamide DNA mimic, has inspired the development of a variety of hybridization-based methods for the detection, quantification, purification, and characterization of nucleic acids owing to the stability of the PNA/DNA duplex. In this work, PNA probes complementary to a specific sequence of Roundup Ready® soybean were immobilized onto a sensor surface via a self-assembled matrix employing streptavidin/biotin binding. The specific hybridization of PNA and DNA has been monitored by applying the chromophore-labeled DNA target oligonucleotides to the PNA modified Au sensor surface in real time using surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy. The authors demonstrate three kinds of experiments called global, titration, and kinetic analyses for the determination of rate constants for the association (kon) and dissociation processes (koff), and the affinity constant (KA) of the PNA/DNA duplex formation by fitting the data to a simple Langmuir model. Discrimination of a single base mismatched DNA (15mer) target on a 15mer PNA probe was documented, with a difference of the affinity constant of two orders of magnitude. Finally, the affinity constant for the hybridization of a long polymerase chain reaction product (169mer) obtained by amplification of DNA extracted from genetically modified soybean reference material has been determined by a kinetic-titration analysis. The results show the influence of a Coulomb barrier at high target surface coverage even for the hybridization to PNA at low ionic strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]