mRNA transfection of dendritic cells: synergistic effect of ARCA mRNA capping with Poly(A) chains in cis and in trans for a high protein expression level

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Feb 24;340(4):1062-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.12.105. Epub 2005 Dec 27.

Abstract

The occurrence of translation mechanism in the cytosol offers advantages to mRNA transfer over DNA-based transfection in non-dividing cells. Here, we sought to optimize mRNA constructs allowing a high level of protein upon lipofection. We found that luciferase into mouse dendritic cells (JAWSII cells) was approximately 20-fold higher when the luciferase mRNA was capped with 3'-O-methyl-m7(5')Gppp5'G (anti-reverse cap analogue; ARCA) than with m7(5')Gppp5'G (CAP). Adding a Poly(A) tail of 100 instead of 64 adenosines in cis increased by approximately 35-fold more the protein level. Finally, ARCA-Luc-mRNA-A100 construct was 700-fold better efficient than the CAP-Luc-mRNA-A64 one. Moreover, co-transfection with free Poly(A) chains in trans enhanced by 100% the luciferase level. The efficiency of ARCA-mRNA-A100 construct was validated in immature and mature human CD34-derived dendritic cells. Such mRNA construct was also successful to obtain high level of MART-1 tumor antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dendritic Cells
  • Mice
  • Protein Engineering / methods*
  • RNA Cap Analogs / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Transfection / methods*

Substances

  • RNA Cap Analogs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins