Improved management of wound healing represents a significant unmet need in the United States, particularly in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, the molecular events that lead to insulin resistance remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that ganglioside GM3, a sialylated membrane glycosphingolipid, is a critical mediator of insulin resistance, as evidenced by the reversal of insulin resistance following ganglioside depletion in cultured adipocytes and diabetic mouse models. We have discovered that GM3 accumulates in keratinocyte (KC) membranes in diabetic mice, and that depletion of GM3 reverses their wound healing defect. We propose that genetic inhibition of ganglioside synthesis through the use of a novel nanotechnology approach will reverse impaired wound healing in KCs under high glucose conditions and in diabetic mice. The long-term goals of this project are to apply gene-suppressing topically-applied nanoparticles that block ganglioside biosynthesis as a new means to address the impaired wound healing in diabetics and to better understand how gangliosides impact KC proliferation and motility. We will use our unique oligonucleotide-conjugated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), single agents that show universal uptake in cells and highly efficient gene knockdown. We will first evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically-applied GM3 synthase siRNA-Au NPs, which deplete gangliosides, in accelerating healing in diabetic mouse models. Next, we will determine how gangliosides impact KC motility. Using DNA- and siRNA-Au NPs to increase and deplete ganglioside GM3, respectively, we will assess KC proliferation and wound closure in vitro. We will then examine the effect of gangliosides on insulin receptor (IR), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor-integrin (IGF- 1R), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, all of which impact KC wound healing. Finally, we will evaluate the impact of GM3 depletion on glucose-induced insulin resistance. These studies will increase our understanding of the role of glycosphingolipids in wound healing. In addition, reversal of the wound healing defect in obese diabetic mice by topical administration of our nanoparticle-conjugated nucleic acid inhibitors of ganglioside synthesis will be an innovative means to promote wound healing in chronic wounds. These studies promise to have great impact in the treatment of wounds in humans, particularly in individuals with insulin-resistant diabetes.

Public Health Relevance

Ganglioside GM3 has recently been linked to insulin resistance, and we have shown that ganglioside depletion reverses the wound healing defect in keratinocytes (KCs) and diabetic mice. Using polyvalent oligonucleotide- conjugated gold nanoparticles, we will modulate ganglioside expression and assess how ganglioside depletion accelerates KC migration and proliferation. We will also test the efficacy of topical application of siRNA-Au NPs in depleting gangliosides, thereby reversing the impaired wound healing of diabetic mice and providing the basis for therapeutic trials using nanotechnology to correct the wound healing defect in insulin-resistant diabetes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AR062898-01
Application #
8285048
Study Section
Biomaterials and Biointerfaces Study Section (BMBI)
Program Officer
Tseng, Hung H
Project Start
2012-03-01
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$205,761
Indirect Cost
$70,761
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
Dam, Duncan Hieu M; Wang, Xiao-Qi; Sheu, Sarah et al. (2017) Ganglioside GM3 Mediates Glucose-Induced Suppression of IGF-1 Receptor-Rac1 Activation to Inhibit Keratinocyte Motility. J Invest Dermatol 137:440-448
Menichella, Daniela M; Jayaraj, Nirupa D; Wilson, Heather M et al. (2016) Ganglioside GM3 synthase depletion reverses neuropathic pain and small fiber neuropathy in diet-induced diabetic mice. Mol Pain 12:
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Randeria, Pratik S; Seeger, Mark A; Wang, Xiao-Qi et al. (2015) siRNA-based spherical nucleic acids reverse impaired wound healing in diabetic mice by ganglioside GM3 synthase knockdown. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:5573-8
Alhasan, Ali H; Patel, Pinal C; Choi, Chung Hang J et al. (2014) Exosome encased spherical nucleic acid gold nanoparticle conjugates as potent microRNA regulation agents. Small 10:186-92
Wang, Xiao-Qi; Lee, Sarah; Wilson, Heather et al. (2014) Ganglioside GM3 depletion reverses impaired wound healing in diabetic mice by activating IGF-1 and insulin receptors. J Invest Dermatol 134:1446-1455
Wu, Xiaochen A; Choi, Chung Hang J; Zhang, Chuan et al. (2014) Intracellular fate of spherical nucleic acid nanoparticle conjugates. J Am Chem Soc 136:7726-33
Choi, Chung Hang J; Hao, Liangliang; Narayan, Suguna P et al. (2013) Mechanism for the endocytosis of spherical nucleic acid nanoparticle conjugates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:7625-30
Jensen, Samuel A; Day, Emily S; Ko, Caroline H et al. (2013) Spherical nucleic acid nanoparticle conjugates as an RNAi-based therapy for glioblastoma. Sci Transl Med 5:209ra152

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