Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors, a class of antineoplastic agents, were investigated for their ability to enhance recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) transduction in the mouse retina and their underlying mechanisms. Methods: Candidate ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors were screened in ARPE-19 cells to identify concentrations preserving cell viability while optimizing rAAV2 transduction. Clofarabine, which demonstrated superior enhancement of rAAV2 in vitro, was selected for in vivo evaluation via subretinal coadministration with rAAV2.GFP in mice. Transcriptomic mechanisms were dissected using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of clofarabine-treated ARPE-19 cells and single-cell RNA-seq of murine retinas after combinatorial treatment. Results: Cellular viability assays demonstrated that clofarabine pretreatment significantly enhanced rAAV2.GFP transgene expression in ARPE-19 cells, elevating both mRNA and protein levels compared with rAAV2.GFP transduction alone. This enhancement was mirrored in vivo, where subretinal coadministration of clofarabine with rAAV2.GFP in mice increased retinal transduction efficiency markedly, without detectable toxicity. Transcriptomic profiling delineated clofarabine's mechanism. (1) In proliferating cells, it triggered S-phase arrest by upregulating CCNE2 and CDC6, synchronizing cell populations to optimize viral genome processing; and (2) in postmitotic retinal cells, it suppressed innate immune pathways while enhancing nucleotide biosynthesis and transcriptional activity, thereby creating a microenvironment permissive to rAAV transduction. Conclusions: Clofarabine safely enhances rAAV2 transduction efficiency in both ocular cell models and murine retinas. Its ability to synchronize cell cycles in dividing cells and reprogram transcriptional landscapes in postmitotic cells positions it as a promising adjunct for rAAV-based ocular gene therapy, potentially decreasing therapeutic vector doses and improving clinical outcomes.
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.5.42
Authors: Yuyao Diao, Xuewei Xiong, Jiayan Liu, Xingbo Teng, Qi Shi, Shangli Jin, Yahui Lei, Shisi Ma, Guei-Sheung Liu, Lian Liu, Guocheng Yu, Jiang-Hui Wang, Jingxiang Zhong, Leilei Tu
Institutions: Jinan University, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou Medical University, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, University of Tasmania, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Aier Eye Hospital Group (China)
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,850
Awards: G7687725946, G853043449
OpenAlex ID: W4410819215