51
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Paiva L, Lozic M, Allchorne A, Grinevich V, Ludwig M. Identification of peripheral oxytocin-expressing cells using systemically applied cell-type specific adeno-associated viral vector. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12970. [PMID: 33851744 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is primarily synthesised in the brain and is widely known for its role in lactation and parturition after being released into the blood from the posterior pituitary gland. Nevertheless, peripheral tissues have also been reported to express oxytocin. Using systemic injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector, we investigated the expression of the green fluorescent protein Venus under the control of the oxytocin promoter in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and testes of adult rats. Here, we confirm that the vector infects oxytocin neurones of the enteric nervous system in ganglia of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Venus was detected in 25%-60% of the ganglia in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses identified by co-staining with the neuronal marker PGP9.5. Oxytocin expression was also detected in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and the Leydig cells of the testes. Our data illustrate that peripheral administration of the viral vector represents a powerful method for selectively labelling oxytocin-producing cells outside the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Paiva
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maja Lozic
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew Allchorne
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mike Ludwig
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Immunology, Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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52
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Lotun A, Gessler DJ, Gao G. Canavan Disease as a Model for Gene Therapy-Mediated Myelin Repair. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661928. [PMID: 33967698 PMCID: PMC8102781 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the scientific and therapeutic fields for rare, genetic central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as leukodystrophies, or white matter disorders, have expanded significantly in part due to technological advancements in cellular and clinical screenings as well as remedial therapies using novel techniques such as gene therapy. However, treatments aimed at normalizing the pathological changes associated with leukodystrophies have especially been complicated due to the innate and variable effects of glial abnormalities, which can cause large-scale functional deficits in developmental myelination and thus lead to downstream neuronal impairment. Emerging research in the past two decades have depicted glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, as key, regulatory modulators in constructing and maintaining myelin function and neuronal viability. Given the significance of myelin formation in the developing brain, myelin repair in a time-dependent fashion is critical in restoring homeostatic functionality to the CNS of patients diagnosed with white matter disorders. Using Canavan Disease (CD) as a leukodystrophy model, here we review the hypothetical roles of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), one of the brain's most abundant amino acid derivatives, in Canavan disease's CNS myelinating pathology, as well as discuss the possible functions astrocytes serve in both CD and other leukodystrophies' time-sensitive disease correction. Through this analysis, we also highlight the potential remyelinating benefits of gene therapy for other leukodystrophies in which alternative CNS cell targeting for white matter disorders may be an applicable path for reparative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoushka Lotun
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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53
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Peters CW, Maguire CA, Hanlon KS. Delivering AAV to the Central Nervous and Sensory Systems. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:461-474. [PMID: 33863599 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As gene therapy enters mainstream medicine, it is more important than ever to have a grasp of exactly how to leverage it for maximum benefit. The development of new targeting strategies and tools makes treating patients with genetic diseases possible. Many Mendelian disorders are amenable to gene replacement or correction. These often affect post-mitotic tissues, meaning that a single stably expressing therapy can be applied. Recent years have seen the development of a large number of novel viral vectors for delivering specific therapies. These new vectors - predominately recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) variants - target nervous tissues with differing efficiencies. This review gives an overview of current gene therapies in the brain, ear, and eye, and describes the optimal approaches, depending on cell type and transgene. Overall, this work aims to serve as a primer for gene therapy in the central nervous and sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole W Peters
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Killian S Hanlon
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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54
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Goodspeed K, Feng C, Laine M, Lund TC. Aspartylglucosaminuria: Clinical Presentation and Potential Therapies. J Child Neurol 2021; 36:403-414. [PMID: 33439067 DOI: 10.1177/0883073820980904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a recessively inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive intellectual disability, skeletal abnormalities, connective tissue overgrowth, gait disturbance, and seizures followed by premature death. AGU is caused by pathogenic variants in the aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) gene, leading to glycoasparagine accumulation and cellular dysfunction. Although more prevalent in the Finnish population, more than 30 AGA variants have been identified worldwide. Owing to its rarity, AGU may be largely underdiagnosed. Recognition of the following early clinical features may aid in AGU diagnosis: developmental delays, hyperactivity, early growth spurt, inguinal and abdominal hernias, clumsiness, characteristic facial features, recurring upper respiratory and ear infections, tonsillectomy, multiple sets of tympanostomy tube placement, and sleep problems. Although no curative therapies currently exist, early diagnosis may provide benefit through the provision of anticipatory guidance, management of expectations, early interventions, and prophylaxis; it will also be crucial for increased clinical benefits of future AGU disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Goodspeed
- 7067University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Minna Laine
- Division of Child Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Troy C Lund
- 5635University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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55
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Chen W, Yao S, Wan J, Tian Y, Huang L, Wang S, Akter F, Wu Y, Yao Y, Zhang X. BBB-crossing adeno-associated virus vector: An excellent gene delivery tool for CNS disease treatment. J Control Release 2021; 333:129-138. [PMID: 33775685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a challenge in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, as it hinders the infiltration of many therapeutic drugs into the brain parenchyma. Therefore, developing efficacious pharmacological agents that can traverse the BBB is crucial for optimal treatment of diseases of the CNS such as neurodegenerative conditions and brain tumors. Adeno-associated virus (AAV), one of the most promising gene therapy vectors, has been shown to cross the BBB safely and is non-pathogenic in nature and therefore has been utilized for numerous diseases of the CNS. Along with the development of protein engineering techniques such as directed evolution including DNA shuffling, a great number of BBB-crossing AAVs have been developed, that could be systemically injected for therapeutic benefit. In this review, we discuss several feasible approaches to improve transportation of therapeutic agents to the CNS. We also discuss the advantages of using BBB-crossing AAVs, their role as a gene delivery agent and highlight the different types of BBB-AAV vectors that have been developed in order to provide a greater insight into how they can be used in diseases of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Chen
- Center for Pituitary Tumor Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shun Yao
- Center for Pituitary Tumor Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jie Wan
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of TCM, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Yangzhou 225600, China
| | - Farhana Akter
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yinqiu Wu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225600, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Yangzhou 225600, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225600, China; Department of Oncology, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Yangzhou 225600, China.
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56
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Strategies for delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:362-383. [PMID: 33649582 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00139-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 401] [Impact Index Per Article: 133.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Achieving sufficient delivery across the blood-brain barrier is a key challenge in the development of drugs to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This is particularly the case for biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies and enzyme replacement therapies, which are largely excluded from the brain following systemic administration. In recent years, increasing research efforts by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions and public-private consortia have resulted in the evaluation of various technologies developed to deliver therapeutics to the CNS, some of which have entered clinical testing. Here we review recent developments and challenges related to selected blood-brain barrier-crossing strategies - with a focus on non-invasive approaches such as receptor-mediated transcytosis and the use of neurotropic viruses, nanoparticles and exosomes - and analyse their potential in the treatment of CNS disorders.
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57
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Huang L, Wan J, Wu Y, Tian Y, Yao Y, Yao S, Ji X, Wang S, Su Z, Xu H. Challenges in adeno-associated virus-based treatment of central nervous system diseases through systemic injection. Life Sci 2021; 270:119142. [PMID: 33524419 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, an excellent gene therapy vector, has been widely used in the treatment of various central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), early attempts at AAV-based CNS diseases treatment were mainly performed through intracranial injections. Subsequently, systemic injections of AAV9, the first AAV that was shown to have BBB-crossing ability in newborn and adult mice, were assessed in clinical trials for multiple CNS diseases. However, the development of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases is still associated with many challenges, such as the efficiency of AAV in crossing the BBB, the peripheral toxicity caused by the expression of AAV-delivered genes, and the immune barrier against AAV in the blood. In this review, we will introduce the biology of the AAV vector and the advantages of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases. Most importantly, we will introduce the challenges associated with systemic injection of therapeutic AAV in treating CNS diseases and suggest feasible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Huang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jie Wan
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yinqiu Wu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ji
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Zhaoliang Su
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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58
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Xu X, Chen W, Zhu W, Chen J, Ma B, Ding J, Wang Z, Li Y, Wang Y, Zhang X. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy for glioblastoma. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:76. [PMID: 33499886 PMCID: PMC7836184 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant Grade IV primary craniocerebral tumor caused by glial cell carcinogenesis with an extremely poor median survival of 12–18 months. The current standard treatments for GBM, including surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, fail to substantially prolong survival outcomes. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy has recently attracted considerable interest because of its relatively low cytotoxicity, poor immunogenicity, broad tissue tropism, and long-term stable transgene expression. Furthermore, a range of gene therapy trials using AAV as vehicles are being investigated to thwart deadly GBM in mice models. At present, AAV is delivered to the brain by local injection, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, or systematic injection to treat experimental GBM mice model. In this review, we summarized the experimental trials of AAV-based gene therapy as GBM treatment and compared the advantages and disadvantages of different AAV injection approaches. We systematically introduced the prospect of the systematic injection of AAV as an approach for AAV-based gene therapy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wenli Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222006, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianxia Ding
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zaichuan Wang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China
| | - Yifei Li
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China
| | - Yeming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China. .,Department of Oncology, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Yangzhou, 225600, Jiangsu, China.
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59
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Piguet F, de Saint Denis T, Audouard E, Beccaria K, André A, Wurtz G, Schatz R, Alves S, Sevin C, Zerah M, Cartier N. The Challenge of Gene Therapy for Neurological Diseases: Strategies and Tools to Achieve Efficient Delivery to the Central Nervous System. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:349-374. [PMID: 33167739 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For more than 10 years, gene therapy for neurological diseases has experienced intensive research growth and more recently therapeutic interventions for multiple indications. Beneficial results in several phase 1/2 clinical studies, together with improved vector technology have advanced gene therapy for the central nervous system (CNS) in a new era of development. Although most initial strategies have focused on orphan genetic diseases, such as lysosomal storage diseases, more complex and widespread conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or chronic pain are increasingly targeted for gene therapy. Increasing numbers of applications and patients to be treated will require improvement and simplification of gene therapy protocols to make them accessible to the largest number of affected people. Although vectors and manufacturing are a major field of academic research and industrial development, there is a growing need to improve, standardize, and simplify delivery methods. Delivery is the major issue for CNS therapies in general, and particularly for gene therapy. The blood-brain barrier restricts the passage of vectors; strategies to bypass this obstacle are a central focus of research. In this study, we present the different ways that can be used to deliver gene therapy products to the CNS. We focus on results obtained in large animals that have allowed the transfer of protocols to human patients and have resulted in the generation of clinical data. We discuss the different routes of administration, their advantages, and their limitations. We describe techniques, equipment, and protocols and how they should be selected for safe delivery and improved efficiency for the next generation of gene therapy trials for CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Piguet
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Timothée de Saint Denis
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,APHP, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP Centre. Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Emilie Audouard
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Kevin Beccaria
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,APHP, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP Centre. Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Arthur André
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,APHP, Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 6, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Wurtz
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Raphael Schatz
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Sandro Alves
- BrainVectis-Askbio France, iPeps Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Sevin
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,BrainVectis-Askbio France, iPeps Paris Brain Institute, Paris, France.,APHP, Department of Neurology, Hopital le Kremlin Bicetre, Paris, France
| | - Michel Zerah
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,APHP, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP Centre. Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Cartier
- NeuroGenCell, INSERM U1127, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, CNRS, AP-HP, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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60
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Weber-Adrian D, Kofoed RH, Silburt J, Noroozian Z, Shah K, Burgess A, Rideout S, Kügler S, Hynynen K, Aubert I. Systemic AAV6-synapsin-GFP administration results in lower liver biodistribution, compared to AAV1&2 and AAV9, with neuronal expression following ultrasound-mediated brain delivery. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1934. [PMID: 33479314 PMCID: PMC7820310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81046-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-surgical gene delivery to the brain can be achieved following intravenous injection of viral vectors coupled with transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) to temporarily and locally permeabilize the blood-brain barrier. Vector and promoter selection can provide neuronal expression in the brain, while limiting biodistribution and expression in peripheral organs. To date, the biodistribution of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) within peripheral organs had not been quantified following intravenous injection and MRIgFUS delivery to the brain. We evaluated the quantity of viral DNA from the serotypes AAV9, AAV6, and a mosaic AAV1&2, expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuron-specific synapsin promoter (syn). AAVs were administered intravenously during MRIgFUS targeting to the striatum and hippocampus in mice. The syn promoter led to undetectable levels of GFP expression in peripheral organs. In the liver, the biodistribution of AAV9 and AAV1&2 was 12.9- and 4.4-fold higher, respectively, compared to AAV6. The percentage of GFP-positive neurons in the FUS-targeted areas of the brain was comparable for AAV6-syn-GFP and AAV1&2-syn-GFP. In summary, MRIgFUS-mediated gene delivery with AAV6-syn-GFP had lower off-target biodistribution in the liver compared to AAV9 and AAV1&2, while providing neuronal GFP expression in the striatum and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Weber-Adrian
- grid.410356.50000 0004 1936 8331Present Address: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Queen′s University, Kingston, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Rikke Hahn Kofoed
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Joseph Silburt
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Zeinab Noroozian
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Kairavi Shah
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Medical Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Alison Burgess
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Shawna Rideout
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sebastian Kügler
- grid.411984.10000 0001 0482 5331Department of Neurology, Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB) at University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kullervo Hynynen
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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61
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O'Carroll SJ, Cook WH, Young D. AAV Targeting of Glial Cell Types in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System and Relevance to Human Gene Therapy. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:618020. [PMID: 33505247 PMCID: PMC7829478 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.618020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Different glial cell types are found throughout the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), where they have important functions. These cell types are also involved in nervous system pathology, playing roles in neurodegenerative disease and following trauma in the brain and spinal cord (astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes), nerve degeneration and development of pain in peripheral nerves (Schwann cells, satellite cells), retinal diseases (Müller glia) and gut dysbiosis (enteric glia). These cell type have all been proposed as potential targets for treating these conditions. One approach to target these cell types is the use of gene therapy to modify gene expression. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been shown to be safe and effective in targeting cells in the nervous system and have been used in a number of clinical trials. To date, a number of studies have tested the use of different AAV serotypes and cell-specific promoters to increase glial cell tropism and expression. However, true glial-cell specific targeting for a particular glial cell type remains elusive. This review provides an overview of research into developing glial specific gene therapy and discusses some of the issues that still need to be addressed to make glial cell gene therapy a clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J O'Carroll
- Spinal Cord Injury Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William H Cook
- Molecular Neurotherapeutics Group, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah Young
- Molecular Neurotherapeutics Group, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Cheah PS, Prabhakar S, Yellen D, Beauchamp RL, Zhang X, Kasamatsu S, Bronson RT, Thiele EA, Kwiatkowski DJ, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, György B, Ling KH, Kaneki M, Tannous BA, Ramesh V, Maguire CA, Breakefield XO. Gene therapy for tuberous sclerosis complex type 2 in a mouse model by delivery of AAV9 encoding a condensed form of tuberin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabb1703. [PMID: 33523984 PMCID: PMC7793581 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb1703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) results from loss of a tumor suppressor gene - TSC1 or TSC2, encoding hamartin and tuberin, respectively. These proteins formed a complex to inhibit mTORC1-mediated cell growth and proliferation. Loss of either protein leads to overgrowth lesions in many vital organs. Gene therapy was evaluated in a mouse model of TSC2 using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying the complementary for a "condensed" form of human tuberin (cTuberin). Functionality of cTuberin was verified in culture. A mouse model of TSC2 was generated by AAV-Cre recombinase disruption of Tsc2-floxed alleles at birth, leading to a shortened lifespan (mean 58 days) and brain pathology consistent with TSC. When these mice were injected intravenously on day 21 with AAV9-cTuberin, the mean survival was extended to 462 days with reduction in brain pathology. This demonstrates the potential of treating life-threatening TSC2 lesions with a single intravenous injection of AAV9-cTuberin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pike-See Cheah
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Shilpa Prabhakar
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Yellen
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberta L Beauchamp
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shingo Kasamatsu
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roderick T Bronson
- Rodent Histopathology Core Facility, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Thiele
- Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Pediatric Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Bence György
- Department of Neurobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - King-Hwa Ling
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Masao Kaneki
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bakhos A Tannous
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Yoon SY, Hunter JE, Chawla S, Clarke DL, Molony C, O'Donnell PA, Bagel JH, Kumar M, Poptani H, Vite CH, Wolfe JH. Global CNS correction in a large brain model of human alpha-mannosidosis by intravascular gene therapy. Brain 2020; 143:2058-2072. [PMID: 32671406 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intravascular injection of certain adeno-associated virus vector serotypes can cross the blood-brain barrier to deliver a gene into the CNS. However, gene distribution has been much more limited within the brains of large animals compared to rodents, rendering this approach suboptimal for treatment of the global brain lesions present in most human neurogenetic diseases. The most commonly used serotype in animal and human studies is 9, which also has the property of being transported via axonal pathways to distal neurons. A small number of other serotypes share this property, three of which were tested intravenously in mice compared to 9. Serotype hu.11 transduced fewer cells in the brain than 9, rh8 was similar to 9, but hu.32 mediated substantially greater transduction than the others throughout the mouse brain. To evaluate the potential for therapeutic application of the hu.32 serotype in a gyrencephalic brain of larger mammals, a hu.32 vector expressing the green fluorescent protein reporter gene was evaluated in the cat. Transduction was widely distributed in the cat brain, including in the cerebral cortex, an important target since mental retardation is an important component of many of the human neurogenetic diseases. The therapeutic potential of a hu.32 serotype vector was evaluated in the cat homologue of the human lysosomal storage disease alpha-mannosidosis, which has globally distributed lysosomal storage lesions in the brain. Treated alpha-mannosidosis cats had reduced severity of neurological signs and extended life spans compared to untreated cats. The extent of therapy was dose dependent and intra-arterial injection was more effective than intravenous delivery. Pre-mortem, non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging detected differences between the low and high doses, and showed normalization of grey and white matter imaging parameters at the higher dose. The imaging analysis was corroborated by post-mortem histological analysis, which showed reversal of histopathology throughout the brain with the high dose, intra-arterial treatment. The hu.32 serotype would appear to provide a significant advantage for effective treatment of the gyrencephalic brain by systemic adeno-associated virus delivery in human neurological diseases with widespread brain lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sea Young Yoon
- Research Institute of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Hunter
- Research Institute of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Sanjeev Chawla
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Dana L Clarke
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Caitlyn Molony
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Patricia A O'Donnell
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jessica H Bagel
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Harish Poptani
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Charles H Vite
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - John H Wolfe
- Research Institute of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA.,W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Ballon DJ, Rosenberg JB, Fung EK, Nikolopoulou A, Kothari P, De BP, He B, Chen A, Heier LA, Sondhi D, Kaminsky SM, Mozley PD, Babich JW, Crystal RG. Quantitative Whole-Body Imaging of I-124-Labeled Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Biodistribution in Nonhuman Primates. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:1237-1259. [PMID: 33233962 PMCID: PMC7769048 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A method is presented for quantitative analysis of the biodistribution of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vectors following in vivo administration. We used iodine-124 (I-124) radiolabeling of the AAV capsid and positron emission tomography combined with compartmental modeling to quantify whole-body and organ-specific biodistribution of AAV capsids from 1 to 72 h following administration. Using intravenous (IV) and intracisternal (IC) routes of administration of AAVrh.10 and AAV9 vectors to nonhuman primates in the absence or presence of anticapsid immunity, we have identified novel insights into initial capsid biodistribution and organ-specific capsid half-life. Neither I-124-labeled AAVrh.10 nor AAV9 administered intravenously was detected at significant levels in the brain relative to the administered vector dose. Approximately 50% of the intravenously administered labeled capsids were dispersed throughout the body, independent of the liver, heart, and spleen. When administered by the IC route, the labeled capsid had a half-life of ∼10 h in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), suggesting that by this route, the CSF serves as a source with slow diffusion into the brain. For both IV and IC administration, there was significant influence of pre-existing anticapsid immunity on I-124-capsid biodistribution. The methodology facilitates quantitative in vivo viral vector dosimetry, which can serve as a technique for evaluation of both on- and off-target organ biodistribution, and potentially accelerate gene therapy development through rapid prototyping of novel vector designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J. Ballon
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
- Department of Genetic Medicine
| | | | - Edward K. Fung
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Paresh Kothari
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Bin He
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Linda A. Heier
- Department of Radiology; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - John W. Babich
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
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Belur LR, Podetz-Pedersen KM, Tran TA, Mesick JA, Singh NM, Riedl M, Vulchanova L, Kozarsky KF, McIvor RS. Intravenous delivery for treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type I: A comparison of AAV serotypes 9 and rh10. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2020; 24:100604. [PMID: 32461912 PMCID: PMC7242863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2020.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA), resulting in accumulation of heparan and dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Individuals with the most severe form of the disease (Hurler syndrome) suffer from neurodegeneration, intellectual disability, and death by age 10. Current treatments for this disease include allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). However, these treatments do not address CNS manifestations of the disease. In this study we compared the ability of intravenously administered AAV serotypes 9 and rh10 (AAV9 and AAVrh10) for delivery and expression of the IDUA gene in the CNS. Adult C57BL/6 MPS I mice were infused intravenously with either AAV9 or AAVrh10 vector encoding the human IDUA gene. Treated animals demonstrated supraphysiological levels and widespread restoration of IDUA enzyme activity in the plasma and all organs including the CNS. High levels of IDUA enzyme activity were observed in the plasma, brain and spinal cord ranging from 10 to 100-fold higher than heterozygote controls, while levels in peripheral organs were also high, ranging from 1000 to 10,000-fold higher than control animals. In general, levels of IDUA expression were slightly higher in peripheral organs for AAVrh10 administered animals although these differences were not significant except for the lung. Levels of IDUA expression between AAV 9 and rh10 were roughly equivalent in the brain. Urinary and tissue GAGs were significantly reduced starting at 3 weeks after vector infusion, with restoration of normal GAG levels by the end of the study in animals treated with either AAV9 or rh10. These results demonstrate that non-invasive intravenous AAV9 or AAVrh10-mediated IDUA gene therapy is a potentially effective treatment for both systemic and CNS manifestations of MPS I, with implications for the treatment of other metabolic and neurological diseases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalitha R. Belur
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kelly M. Podetz-Pedersen
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thuy An Tran
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joshua A. Mesick
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Nathaniel M. Singh
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Maureen Riedl
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall, Church St. S.E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lucy Vulchanova
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall, Church St. S.E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Karen F. Kozarsky
- REGENXBIO Inc., 9600 Blackwell Road, Suite 210, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - R. Scott McIvor
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, Church St. S. E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Hacker UT, Bentler M, Kaniowska D, Morgan M, Büning H. Towards Clinical Implementation of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors for Cancer Gene Therapy: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1889. [PMID: 32674264 PMCID: PMC7409174 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have gained tremendous attention as in vivo delivery systems in gene therapy for inherited monogenetic diseases. First market approvals, excellent safety data, availability of large-scale production protocols, and the possibility to tailor the vector towards optimized and cell-type specific gene transfer offers to move from (ultra) rare to common diseases. Cancer, a major health burden for which novel therapeutic options are urgently needed, represents such a target. We here provide an up-to-date overview of the strategies which are currently developed for the use of AAV vectors in cancer gene therapy and discuss the perspectives for the future translation of these pre-clinical approaches into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich T. Hacker
- Department of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, and Infectious Diseases, University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Martin Bentler
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Dorota Kaniowska
- Department of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, and Infectious Diseases, University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Michael Morgan
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.B.); (M.M.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.B.); (M.M.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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67
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Boye SL, Choudhury S, Crosson S, Di Pasquale G, Afione S, Mellen R, Makal V, Calabro KR, Fajardo D, Peterson J, Zhang H, Leahy MT, Jennings CK, Chiorini JA, Boyd RF, Boye SE. Novel AAV44.9-Based Vectors Display Exceptional Characteristics for Retinal Gene Therapy. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1464-1478. [PMID: 32304666 PMCID: PMC7264435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are caused by mutations in genes expressed in photoreceptors (PRs). The ideal vector to address these conditions is one that transduces PRs in large areas of retina with the smallest volume/lowest titer possible, and efficiently transduces foveal cones, the cells responsible for acute, daylight vision that are often the only remaining area of functional retina in IRDs. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the retinal tropism and potency of a novel capsid, AAV44.9, and rationally designed derivatives thereof. We found that AAV44.9 and AAV44.9(E531D) transduced retinas of subretinally injected (SRI) mice with higher efficiency than did benchmark AAV5- and AAV8-based vectors. In macaques, highly efficient cone and rod transduction was observed following submacular and peripheral SRI. AAV44.9- and AAV44.9(E531D)-mediated GFP fluorescence extended laterally well beyond SRI bleb margins. Notably, extrafoveal injection (i.e., fovea not detached during surgery) led to transduction of up to 98% of foveal cones. AAV44.9(E531D) efficiently transduced parafoveal and perifoveal cones, whereas AAV44.9 did not. AAV44.9(E531D) was also capable of restoring retinal function to a mouse model of IRD. These novel capsids will be useful for addressing IRDs that would benefit from an expansive treatment area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanford L Boye
- Department of Pediatrics and the Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shreyasi Choudhury
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sean Crosson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Giovanni Di Pasquale
- Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandra Afione
- Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Russell Mellen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Victoria Makal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kaitlyn R Calabro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Diego Fajardo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - James Peterson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hangning Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Matthew T Leahy
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI, USA
| | - Colin K Jennings
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI, USA
| | - John A Chiorini
- Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ryan F Boyd
- Ophthalmology Services, Charles River Laboratories, Mattawan, MI, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Comparative Analysis of the Capsid Structures of AAVrh.10, AAVrh.39, and AAV8. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01769-19. [PMID: 31826994 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01769-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) from clade E are often used as vectors in gene delivery applications. This clade includes rhesus isolate 10 (AAVrh.10) and 39 (AAVrh.39) which, unlike representative AAV8, are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thereby enabling the delivery of therapeutic genes to the central nervous system. Here, the capsid structures of AAV8, AAVrh.10 and AAVrh.39 have been determined by cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction to 3.08-, 2.75-, and 3.39-Å resolution, respectively, to enable a direct structural comparison. AAVrh.10 and AAVrh.39 are 98% identical in amino acid sequence but only ∼93.5% identical to AAV8. However, the capsid structures of all three viruses are similar, with only minor differences observed in the previously described surface variable regions, suggesting that specific residues S269 and N472, absent in AAV8, may confer the ability to cross the BBB in AAVrh.10 and AAVrh.39. Head-to-head comparison of empty and genome-containing particles showed DNA ordered in the previously described nucleotide-binding pocket, supporting the suggested role of this pocket in DNA packaging for the Dependoparvovirus The structural characterization of these viruses provides a platform for future vector engineering efforts toward improved gene delivery success with respect to specific tissue targeting, transduction efficiency, antigenicity, or receptor retargeting.IMPORTANCE Recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors (rAAVs), based on AAV8 and AAVrh.10, have been utilized in multiple clinical trials to treat different monogenetic diseases. The closely related AAVrh.39 has also shown promise in vivo As recently attained for other AAV biologics, e.g., Luxturna and Zolgensma, based on AAV2 and AAV9, respectively, the vectors in this study will likely gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for commercialization in the near future. This study characterized the capsid structures of these clinical vectors at atomic resolution using cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction for comparative analysis. The analysis suggested two key residues, S269 and N472, as determinants of BBB crossing for AAVrh.10 and AAVrh.39, a feature utilized for central nervous system delivery of therapeutic genes. The structure information thus provides a platform for engineering to improve receptor retargeting or tissue specificity. These are important challenges in the field that need attention. Capsid structure information also provides knowledge potentially applicable for regulatory product approval.
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69
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Maguire CA, Corey DP. Viral vectors for gene delivery to the inner ear. Hear Res 2020; 394:107927. [PMID: 32199720 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.107927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy using virus vectors to treat hereditary diseases has made remarkable progress in the past decade. There are FDA-approved products for ex-vivo gene therapy for diseases such as immunodeficiencies (e.g., SCID), and in vivo gene therapy for a rare blindness and neuro-muscular disease. Gene therapy for hereditary hearing loss has picked up pace in the past five years due to progress in understanding disease gene function as well as the development of better technologies such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, to deliver nucleic acid to target cells in the inner ear. This review has two major goals. One is to review the state of the art for investigators already working in preclinical cochlear gene therapy. The other is to present the language of vectorology and important considerations for designing and using AAV vectors to inner ear neurobiologists who might use AAV vectors in the cochlea for either therapeutic or basic biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02114, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - David P Corey
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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70
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Karda R, Rahim AA, Wong AMS, Suff N, Diaz JA, Perocheau DP, Tijani M, Ng J, Baruteau J, Martin NP, Hughes M, Delhove JMKM, Counsell JR, Cooper JD, Henckaerts E, Mckay TR, Buckley SMK, Waddington SN. Generation of light-producing somatic-transgenic mice using adeno-associated virus vectors. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2121. [PMID: 32034258 PMCID: PMC7005886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously designed a library of lentiviral vectors to generate somatic-transgenic rodents to monitor signalling pathways in diseased organs using whole-body bioluminescence imaging, in conscious, freely moving rodents. We have now expanded this technology to adeno-associated viral vectors. We first explored bio-distribution by assessing GFP expression after neonatal intravenous delivery of AAV8. We observed widespread gene expression in, central and peripheral nervous system, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. Next, we selected a constitutive SFFV promoter and NFκB binding sequence for bioluminescence and biosensor evaluation. An intravenous injection of AAV8 containing firefly luciferase and eGFP under transcriptional control of either element resulted in strong and persistent widespread luciferase expression. A single dose of LPS-induced a 10-fold increase in luciferase expression in AAV8-NFκB mice and immunohistochemistry revealed GFP expression in cells of astrocytic and neuronal morphology. Importantly, whole-body bioluminescence persisted up to 240 days. We have validated a novel biosensor technology in an AAV system by using an NFκB response element and revealed its potential to monitor signalling pathway in a non-invasive manner in a model of LPS-induced inflammation. This technology complements existing germline-transgenic models and may be applicable to other rodent disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajvinder Karda
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ahad A Rahim
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew M S Wong
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Natalie Suff
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Juan Antinao Diaz
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dany P Perocheau
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maha Tijani
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Joanne Ng
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Julien Baruteau
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nuria Palomar Martin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Hughes
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - John R Counsell
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Jonathan D Cooper
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Els Henckaerts
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Signalling and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tristan R Mckay
- Centre for Biomedicine, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Suzanne M K Buckley
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Simon N Waddington
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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71
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Kaelber JT, Yost SA, Webber KA, Firlar E, Liu Y, Danos O, Mercer AC. Structure of the AAVhu.37 capsid by cryoelectron microscopy. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2020; 76:58-64. [PMID: 32039886 PMCID: PMC7010358 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x20000308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are used as in vivo gene-delivery vectors in gene-therapy products and have been heavily investigated for numerous indications. Over 100 naturally occurring AAV serotypes and variants have been isolated from primate samples. Many reports have described unique properties of these variants (for instance, differences in potency, target cell or evasion of the immune response), despite high amino-acid sequence conservation. AAVhu.37 is of interest for clinical applications owing to its proficient transduction of the liver and central nervous system. The sequence identity of the AAVhu.37 VP1 to the well characterized AAVrh.10 serotype, for which no structure is available, is greater than 98%. Here, the structure of the AAVhu.37 capsid at 2.56 Å resolution obtained via single-particle cryo-electron microscopy is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T. Kaelber
- Institute of Quantitative Biomedicine and Rutgers New Jersey CryoEM/CryoET Core Facility, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Samantha A. Yost
- Research and Early Development, REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Keith A. Webber
- Technical Operations, REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Emre Firlar
- Institute of Quantitative Biomedicine and Rutgers New Jersey CryoEM/CryoET Core Facility, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ye Liu
- Research and Early Development, REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Olivier Danos
- Research and Early Development, REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Andrew C. Mercer
- Research and Early Development, REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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72
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Gernoux G, Gruntman AM, Blackwood M, Zieger M, Flotte TR, Mueller C. Muscle-Directed Delivery of an AAV1 Vector Leads to Capsid-Specific T Cell Exhaustion in Nonhuman Primates and Humans. Mol Ther 2020; 28:747-757. [PMID: 31982038 PMCID: PMC7054721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
With the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approvals for Zolgensma, Luxturna, and Glybera, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are considered efficient tools for gene transfer. However, studies in animals and humans demonstrate that intramuscular (IM) AAV delivery can trigger immune responses to AAV capsids and/or transgenes. IM delivery of rAAV1 in humans has also been described to induce tolerance to rAAV characterized by the presence of capsid-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) in periphery. To understand mechanisms responsible for tolerance and parameters involved, we tested 3 muscle-directed administration routes in rhesus monkeys: IM delivery, venous limb perfusion, and the intra-arterial push and dwell method. These 3 methods were well tolerated and led to transgene expression. Interestingly, gene transfer in muscle led to Tregs and exhausted T cell infiltrates in situ at both day 21 and day 60 post-injection. In human samples, an in-depth analysis of the functionality of these cells demonstrates that capsid-specific exhausted T cells are detected after at least 5 years post-vector delivery and that the exhaustion can be reversed by blocking the checkpoint pathway. Overall, our study shows that persisting transgene expression after gene transfer in muscle is mediated by Tregs and exhausted T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwladys Gernoux
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Alisha M Gruntman
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Blackwood
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Marina Zieger
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Terence R Flotte
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christian Mueller
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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73
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Helms HCC, Kristensen M, Saaby L, Fricker G, Brodin B. Drug Delivery Strategies to Overcome the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Handb Exp Pharmacol 2020; 273:151-183. [PMID: 33367937 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The brain capillary endothelium serves both as an exchange site for gases and solutes between blood and brain and as a protective fence against neurotoxic compounds from the blood. While this "blood-brain barrier" (BBB) function protects the fragile environment in the brain, it also poses a tremendous challenge for the delivery of drug compounds to the brain parenchyma. Paracellular brain uptake of drug compounds is limited by the physical tightness of the endothelium, which is tightly sealed with junction complexes. Transcellular uptake of lipophilic drug compounds is limited by the activity of active efflux pumps in the luminal membrane. As a result, the majority of registered CNS drug compounds are small lipophilic compounds which are not efflux transporter substrates. Small molecule CNS drug development therefore focuses on identifying compounds with CNS target affinity and modifies these in order to optimize lipophilicity and decrease efflux pump interactions. Since efflux pump activity is limiting drug uptake, it has been investigated whether coadministration of drug compounds with efflux pump inhibitors could increase drug uptake. While the concept works to some extent, a lot of challenges have been encountered in terms of obtaining efficient inhibition while avoiding adverse effects.Some CNS drug compounds enter the brain via nutrient transport proteins, an example is the levodopa, a prodrug of Dopamine, which crosses the BBB via the large neutral amino acid transporter LAT1. While carrier-mediated transport of drug compounds may seem attractive, the development of drugs targeting transporters is very challenging, since the compounds should have a good fit to the binding site, while still maintaining their CNS target affinity.Receptor-mediated transport of drug compounds, especially biotherapeutics, conjugated to a receptor-binding ligand has shown some promise, although the amounts transported are rather low. This also holds true for drug-conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides. Due to the low uptake of biotherapeutics, barrier-breaching approaches such as mannitol injections and focused ultrasound have been employed with some success to patient groups with no other treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mie Kristensen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Saaby
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Bioneer-Farma, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gert Fricker
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Birger Brodin
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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74
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Batista AR, King OD, Reardon CP, Davis C, Shankaracharya, Philip V, Gray-Edwards H, Aronin N, Lutz C, Landers J, Sena-Esteves M. Ly6a Differential Expression in Blood-Brain Barrier Is Responsible for Strain Specific Central Nervous System Transduction Profile of AAV-PHP.B. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 31:90-102. [PMID: 31696742 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy for neurological diseases was revolutionized by the discovery that AAV9 crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after systemic administration. Transformative results have been documented in various inherited diseases, but overall neuronal transduction efficiency is relatively low. The recent development of AAV-PHP.B with ∼60-fold higher efficiency than AAV9 in transducing the adult mouse brain was the major first step toward acquiring the ability to deliver genes to the majority of cells in the central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about the mechanism utilized by AAV to cross the BBB, and how it may diverge across species. In this study, we show that AAV-PHP.B is ineffective for systemic CNS gene transfer in the inbred strains BALB/cJ, BALB/cByJ, A/J, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HILtJ, C3H/HeJ, and CBA/J mice, but it is highly potent in C57BL/6J, FVB/NJ, DBA/2J, 129S1/SvImJ, and AKR/J mice and also the outbred strain CD-1. We used the power of classical genetics to uncover the molecular mechanisms AAV-PHP.B engages to transduce CNS at high efficiency, and by quantitative trait locus mapping we identify a 6 Mb region in chromosome 15 with an logarithm of the odds (LOD) score ∼20, including single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of 9 different genes. Comparison of the publicly available data on the genome sequence of 16 different mouse strains, combined with RNA-seq data analysis of brain microcapillary endothelia, led us to conclude that the expression level of Ly6a is likely the determining factor for differential efficacy of AAV-PHP.B in transducing the CNS across different mouse strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Batista
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Oliver D King
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher P Reardon
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Crystal Davis
- Rare and Orphan Disease Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Shankaracharya
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Vivek Philip
- Rare and Orphan Disease Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Heather Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Neil Aronin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Cathleen Lutz
- Rare and Orphan Disease Center, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - John Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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75
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Ellsworth JL, Gingras J, Smith LJ, Rubin H, Seabrook TA, Patel K, Zapata N, Olivieri K, O’Callaghan M, Chlipala E, Morales P, Seymour A. Clade F AAVHSCs cross the blood brain barrier and transduce the central nervous system in addition to peripheral tissues following intravenous administration in nonhuman primates. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225582. [PMID: 31770409 PMCID: PMC6879147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The biodistribution of AAVHSC7, AAVHSC15, and AAVHSC17 following systemic delivery was assessed in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Animals received a single intravenous (IV) injection of a self-complementary AAVHSC-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) vector and tissues were harvested at two weeks post-dose for anti-eGFP immunohistochemistry and vector genome analyses. IV delivery of AAVHSC vectors produced widespread distribution of eGFP staining in glial cells throughout the central nervous system, with the highest levels seen in the pons and lateral geniculate nuclei (LGN). eGFP-positive neurons were also observed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems for all three AAVHSC vectors including brain, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with staining evident in neuronal cell bodies, axons and dendritic arborizations. Co-labeling of sections from brain, spinal cord, and DRG with anti-eGFP antibodies and cell-specific markers confirmed eGFP-staining in neurons and glia, including protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. For all capsids tested, 50 to 70% of glial cells (S100-β+) and on average 8% of neurons (NeuroTrace+) in the LGN were positive for eGFP expression. In the DRG, 45 to 62% of neurons and 8 to 12% of satellite cells were eGFP-positive for the capsids tested. eGFP staining was also observed in peripheral tissues with abundant staining in hepatocytes, skeletal- and cardio-myocytes and in acinar cells of the pancreas. Biodistribution of AAVHSC vector genomes in the central and peripheral organs generally correlated with eGFP staining and were highest in the liver for all AAVHSC vectors tested. These data demonstrate that AAVHSCs have broad tissue tropism and cross the blood-nerve and blood-brain-barriers following systemic delivery in nonhuman primates, making them suitable gene editing or gene transfer vectors for therapeutic application in human genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff L. Ellsworth
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jacinthe Gingras
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laura J. Smith
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hillard Rubin
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tania A. Seabrook
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kruti Patel
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nicole Zapata
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kevin Olivieri
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - Pablo Morales
- Mannheimer Foundation, Inc., Homestead, Florida, United States of America
| | - Albert Seymour
- Homology Medicines, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
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76
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Pan X, Sands SA, Yue Y, Zhang K, LeVine SM, Duan D. An Engineered Galactosylceramidase Construct Improves AAV Gene Therapy for Krabbe Disease in Twitcher Mice. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1039-1051. [PMID: 31184217 PMCID: PMC6761594 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the galactosylceramidase gene. In the infantile form, patients die before 3 years of age. Systemic adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) gene therapy was recently shown to reverse the disease course in human patients in another lethal infantile neurodegenerative disease. To explore AAV9 therapy for Krabbe disease, we engineered a codon-optimized AAV9 galactosylceramidase vector. We further incorporated features to allow AAV9-derived galactosylceramidase to more efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and be secreted from transduced cells. We tested the optimized vector by a single systemic injection in the twitcher mouse, an authentic Krabbe disease model. Untreated twitcher mice showed characteristic neuropathology and motion defects. They died prematurely with a median life span of 41 days. Intravenous injection in 2-day-old twitcher mice reduced central and peripheral neuropathology and significantly improved the gait pattern and body weight. Noticeably, the median life span was extended to 150 days. Intraperitoneal injection in 6- to 12-day-old twitcher mice also significantly improved the motor function, body weight, and median life span (to 104 days). Our results far exceed the ≤70 days median life span seen in all reported stand-alone systemic AAV therapies. Our study highlights the importance of vector engineering for Krabbe disease gene therapy. The engineered vector warrants further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Pan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Scott A. Sands
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Yongping Yue
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Keqing Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Steven M. LeVine
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
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77
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Prabhakar S, Cheah PS, Zhang X, Zinter M, Gianatasio M, Hudry E, Bronson RT, Kwiatkowski DJ, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Maguire CA, Sena-Esteves M, Tannous BA, Breakefield XO. Long-Term Therapeutic Efficacy of Intravenous AAV-Mediated Hamartin Replacement in Mouse Model of Tuberous Sclerosis Type 1. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 15:18-26. [PMID: 31534984 PMCID: PMC6745533 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a tumor suppressor syndrome caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, encoding hamartin and tuberin, respectively. These proteins act as a complex that inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated cell growth and proliferation. Loss of either protein leads to overgrowth in many organs, including subependymal nodules, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas, and cortical tubers in the human brain. Neurological manifestations in TSC include intellectual disability, autism, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy. In a stochastic mouse model of TSC1 brain lesions, complete loss of Tsc1 is achieved in homozygous Tsc1-floxed mice in a subpopulation of neural cells in the brain by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection at birth of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding Cre recombinase. This results in median survival of 38 days and brain pathology, including subependymal lesions and enlargement of neuronal cells. Remarkably, when these mice were injected intravenously on day 21 with an AAV9 vector encoding hamartin, most survived at least up to 429 days in apparently healthy condition with marked reduction in brain pathology. Thus, a single intravenous administration of an AAV vector encoding hamartin restored protein function in enough cells in the brain to extend lifespan in this TSC1 mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Prabhakar
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Pike See Cheah
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Max Zinter
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Maria Gianatasio
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eloise Hudry
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Roderick T Bronson
- Rodent Histopathology Core Facility, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Bakhos A Tannous
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neurodiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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78
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Ingusci S, Verlengia G, Soukupova M, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Gene Therapy Tools for Brain Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:724. [PMID: 31312139 PMCID: PMC6613496 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are still incompletely understood. Many of these disorders lack a cure and are seeking more specific and effective treatments. In fact, in spite of advancements in knowledge of the CNS function, the treatment of neurological disorders with modern medical and surgical approaches remains difficult for many reasons, such as the complexity of the CNS, the limited regenerative capacity of the tissue, and the difficulty in conveying conventional drugs to the organ due to the blood-brain barrier. Gene therapy, allowing the delivery of genetic materials that encodes potential therapeutic molecules, represents an attractive option. Gene therapy can result in a stable or inducible expression of transgene(s), and can allow a nearly specific expression in target cells. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly used tools for the delivery of genetic material in the CNS, including viral and non-viral vectors; their main applications; their advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss mechanisms of genetic regulation through cell-specific and inducible promoters, which allow to express gene products only in specific cells and to control their transcriptional activation. In addition, we will describe the applications to CNS diseases of post-transcriptional regulation systems (RNA interference); of systems allowing spatial or temporal control of expression [optogenetics and Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs)]; and of gene editing technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, Zinc finger proteins). Particular attention will be reserved to viral vectors derived from herpes simplex type 1, a potential tool for the delivery and expression of multiple transgene cassettes simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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79
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Albright BH, Simon KE, Pillai M, Devlin GW, Asokan A. Modulation of Sialic Acid Dependence Influences the Central Nervous System Transduction Profile of Adeno-associated Viruses. J Virol 2019; 93:e00332-19. [PMID: 30894463 PMCID: PMC6532073 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00332-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) transduction by systemically administered recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors requires crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We recently mapped a structural footprint on the AAVrh.10 capsid, which, when grafted onto the AAV1 capsid (AAV1RX), enables viral transport across the BBB; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we establish through structural modeling that this footprint overlaps in part the sialic acid (SIA) footprint on AAV1. We hypothesized that altered SIA-capsid interactions may influence the ability of AAV1RX to transduce the CNS. Using AAV1 variants with altered SIA footprints, we map functional attributes of these capsids to their relative SIA dependence. Specifically, capsids with ablated SIA binding can penetrate and transduce the CNS with low to moderate efficiency. In contrast, AAV1 shows strong SIA dependency and does not transduce the CNS after systemic administration and, instead, transduces the vasculature and the liver. The AAV1RX variant, which shows an intermediate SIA binding phenotype, effectively enters the brain parenchyma and transduces neurons at levels comparable to the level of AAVrh.10. In corollary, the reciprocal swap of the AAV1RX footprint onto AAVrh.10 (AAVRX1) attenuated CNS transduction relative to that of AAVrh.10. We conclude that the composition of residues within the capsid variable region 1 (VR1) of AAV1 and AAVrh.10 profoundly influences tropism, with altered SIA interactions playing a partial role in this phenotype. Further, we postulate a Goldilocks model, wherein optimal glycan interactions can influence the CNS transduction profile of AAV capsids.IMPORTANCE Understanding how viruses cross the blood-brain barrier can provide insight into new approaches to block infection by pathogens or the ability to exploit these pathways for designing new recombinant viral vectors for gene therapy. In this regard, modulation of virus-carbohydrate interactions by mutating the virion shell can influence the ability of recombinant viruses to cross the vascular barrier, enter the brain, and enable efficient gene transfer to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake H Albright
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katherine E Simon
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Minakshi Pillai
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Garth W Devlin
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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80
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Anderson HE, Schaller KL, Caldwell JH, Weir RFF. Intravascular injections of adenoassociated viral vector serotypes rh10 and PHP.B transduce murine sciatic nerve axons. Neurosci Lett 2019; 706:51-55. [PMID: 31078676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adenoassociated viral vectors provide a safe and robust method for expression of transgenes in nondividing cells such as neurons. Intravenous injections of these vectors provide a means of transducing motoneurons of peripheral nerves. Previous research has demonstrated that serotypes 1, rh10 and PHP.B can transduce motor neuron cell bodies in the spinal cord, but has not quantified expression in the peripheral nerve axon. Axonal labeling is crucial for optogenetic stimulation and detection of action potentials in peripheral nerve. Therefore, in this study, serotypes 1, PHP.B, and rh10 were tested for their ability to label axons of the murine sciatic and tibial nerve following intravenous injection. Serotype rh10 elicits expression in 10% of acetylcholine transferase positive axons of the sciatic nerve in immunohistochemically-stained sections. Serotype rh10 transduces a variety of axon diameters from <1-12 μm, while PHP.B transduces larger axons of diameter (4-16 μm). Expression was not seen with serotype 1. These results show the potential of serotypes PHP.B and rh10 delivery of transgenic products to axons of the peripheral nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans E Anderson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kristin L Schaller
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John H Caldwell
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard F Ff Weir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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81
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Stanimirovic DB, Sandhu JK, Costain WJ. Emerging Technologies for Delivery of Biotherapeutics and Gene Therapy Across the Blood-Brain Barrier. BioDrugs 2019; 32:547-559. [PMID: 30306341 PMCID: PMC6290705 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-018-0309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antibody, immuno- and gene therapies developed for neurological indications face a delivery challenge posed by various anatomical and physiological barriers within the central nervous system (CNS); most notably, the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Emerging delivery technologies for biotherapeutics have focused on trans-cellular pathways across the BBB utilizing receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT). ‘Traditionally’ targeted RMT receptors, transferrin receptor (TfR) and insulin receptor (IR), are ubiquitously expressed and pose numerous translational challenges during development, including species differences and safety risks. Recent advances in antibody engineering technologies and discoveries of RMT targets and BBB-crossing antibodies that are more BBB-selective have combined to create a new preclinical pipeline of BBB-crossing biotherapeutics with improved efficacy and safety. Novel BBB-selective RMT targets and carrier antibodies have exposed additional opportunities for re-targeting gene delivery vectors or nanocarriers for more efficient brain delivery. Emergence and refinement of core technologies of genetic engineering and editing as well as biomanufacturing of viral vectors and cell-derived products have de-risked the path to the development of systemic gene therapy approaches for the CNS. In particular, brain-tropic viral vectors and extracellular vesicles have recently expanded the repertoire of brain delivery strategies for biotherapeutics. Whereas protein biotherapeutics and bispecific antibodies enabled for BBB transcytosis are rapidly heading towards clinical trials, systemic gene therapy approaches for CNS will likely remain in research phase for the foreseeable future. The promise and limitations of these emerging cross-BBB delivery technologies are further discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica B Stanimirovic
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, Translational Bioscience, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Jagdeep K Sandhu
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, Translational Bioscience, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Will J Costain
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, Translational Bioscience, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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82
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Ittner LM, Klugmann M, Ke YD. Adeno-associated virus-based Alzheimer's disease mouse models and potential new therapeutic avenues. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3649-3665. [PMID: 30817847 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative condition that presents with cognitive decline. The current understanding of underlying disease mechanisms remains incomplete. Genetically modified mouse models have been instrumental in deciphering pathomechanisms in AD. While these models were typically generated by classical transgenesis and genome editing, the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to model and investigate AD in mice, as well as to develop novel gene-therapy approaches, is emerging. Here, we reviewed literature that used AAVs to study and model AD and discuss potential gene therapy strategies. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yazi D Ke
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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83
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Chai Z, Zhang X, Dobbins AL, Rigsbee KM, Wang B, Samulski RJ, Li C. Optimization of Dexamethasone Administration for Maintaining Global Transduction Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 9. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:829-840. [PMID: 30700148 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids have been commonly used in clinic for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and it has been proposed that they be used to prevent liver toxicity when systemic administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is needed in patients with central nervous system diseases and muscular disorders. Glucocorticoids also enable modulation of vascular permeability. First, this study investigated the impact of dexamethasone on AAV vascular permeability after systemic injection. When a low dose of AAV9 was injected into mice treated with dexamethasone, global transduction and vector biodistribution were not significantly different in most tissues, other than the liver and the heart, when compared to control mice. When AAV9 vectors were used at a high dose, both the transgene expression and the AAV vector genome copy number were significantly decreased in the majority of murine tissues. However, no effect on global transduction was observed when dexamethasone was administered 2 h after AAV vector injection. The study on the kinetics of AAV virus clearance demonstrated that dexamethasone slowed down the clearance of AAV9 in the blood after systemic application. The mechanism study showed that dexamethasone inhibited the enhancement of AAV9 vascular permeability mediated by serum proteins. The findings indicate that dexamethasone is able to inhibit the vascular permeability of AAV and compromise the therapeutic effect after systemic administration of AAV vector. In conclusion, this study provides valuable information for the design of future clinical studies when glucocorticoids are needed to be compatible with the systemic administration of AAV vectors in patients with central nervous system and muscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Chai
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Xintao Zhang
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Amanda Lee Dobbins
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kelly Michelle Rigsbee
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Bing Wang
- 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Richard Jude Samulski
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,3Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Chengwen Li
- 1Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,4Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,5Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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84
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Hudry E, Vandenberghe LH. Therapeutic AAV Gene Transfer to the Nervous System: A Clinical Reality. Neuron 2019; 101:839-862. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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85
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Anderson HE, Weir RFF. On the development of optical peripheral nerve interfaces. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:425-436. [PMID: 30539808 PMCID: PMC6334609 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.245461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb loss and spinal cord injury are two debilitating conditions that continue to grow in prevalence. Prosthetic limbs and limb reanimation present two ways of providing affected individuals with means to interact in the world. These techniques are both dependent on a robust interface with the peripheral nerve. Current methods for interfacing with the peripheral nerve tend to suffer from low specificity, high latency and insufficient robustness for a chronic implant. An optical peripheral nerve interface may solve some of these problems by decreasing invasiveness and providing single axon specificity. In order to implement such an interface three elements are required: (1) a transducer capable of translating light into a neural stimulus or translating neural activity into changes in fluorescence, (2) a means for delivering said transducer and (3) a microscope for providing the stimulus light and detecting the fluorescence change. There are continued improvements in both genetically encoded calcium and voltage indicators as well as new optogenetic actuators for stimulation. Similarly, improvements in specificity of viral vectors continue to improve expression in the axons of the peripheral nerve. Our work has recently shown that it is possible to virally transduce axons of the peripheral nerve for recording from small fibers. The improvements of these components make an optical peripheral nerve interface a rapidly approaching alternative to current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans E. Anderson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard F. ff. Weir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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86
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Abstract
Treatment of certain central nervous system disorders, including different types of cerebral malignancies, is limited by traditional oral or systemic administrations of therapeutic drugs due to possible serious side effects and/or lack of the brain penetration and, therefore, the efficacy of the drugs is diminished. During the last decade, several new technologies were developed to overcome barrier properties of cerebral capillaries. This review gives a short overview of the structural elements and anatomical features of the blood–brain barrier. The various in vitro (static and dynamic), in vivo (microdialysis), and in situ (brain perfusion) blood–brain barrier models are also presented. The drug formulations and administration options to deliver molecules effectively to the central nervous system (CNS) are presented. Nanocarriers, nanoparticles (lipid, polymeric, magnetic, gold, and carbon based nanoparticles, dendrimers, etc.), viral and peptid vectors and shuttles, sonoporation and microbubbles are briefly shown. The modulation of receptors and efflux transporters in the cell membrane can also be an effective approach to enhance brain exposure to therapeutic compounds. Intranasal administration is a noninvasive delivery route to bypass the blood–brain barrier, while direct brain administration is an invasive mode to target the brain region with therapeutic drug concentrations locally. Nowadays, both technological and mechanistic tools are available to assist in overcoming the blood–brain barrier. With these techniques more effective and even safer drugs can be developed for the treatment of devastating brain disorders.
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87
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Gessler DJ, Tai PWL, Li J, Gao G. Intravenous Infusion of AAV for Widespread Gene Delivery to the Nervous System. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1950:143-163. [PMID: 30783972 PMCID: PMC7339923 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9139-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is a fascinating and intricate set of biological structures that we have yet to fully understand. Studying the in vivo function of the CNS and finding novel methods for treating neurological disorders have been particularly challenging. One difficulty is correcting genetic disorders afflicting the CNS in a targeted manner. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) have emerged as promising therapeutic tools for treating genetic defects of the CNS, due to their excellent safety profile and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). While stereotactic injection of AAV is promising for localized gene delivery, it is less desirable for some applications because of the technique's invasiveness and limited intraparenchymal spread. Alternatively, intravascular administration can achieve widespread delivery of rAAV to the CNS. In this chapter, we will discuss the prevalent routes of administration to deliver rAAV to the CNS via intravenous (IV) injection in mice. We will highlight key considerations for using rAAV, and the advantages and disadvantages of each administration method. We will also briefly discuss intravenous delivery in larger animal models, factors that may impact experimental interpretations, and outlooks for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Phillip W L Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jia Li
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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88
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Hudry E, Andres-Mateos E, Lerner EP, Volak A, Cohen O, Hyman BT, Maguire CA, Vandenberghe LH. Efficient Gene Transfer to the Central Nervous System by Single-Stranded Anc80L65. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2018; 10:197-209. [PMID: 30109242 PMCID: PMC6083902 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) have demonstrated potential in applications for neurologic disorders, and the discovery that some AAVs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after intravenous injection has further expanded these opportunities for non-invasive brain delivery. Anc80L65, a novel AAV capsid designed from in silico reconstruction of the viral evolutionary lineage, has previously demonstrated robust transduction capabilities after local delivery in various tissues such as liver, retina, or cochlea, compared with conventional AAVs. Here, we compared the transduction efficacy of Anc80L65 with conventional AAV9 in the CNS after intravenous, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), or intraparenchymal injections. Anc80L65 was more potent at targeting the brain and spinal cord after intravenous injection than AAV9, and mostly transduced astrocytes and a wide range of neuronal subpopulations. Although the efficacy of Anc80L65 and AAV9 is similar after direct intraparenchymal injection in the striatum, Anc80L65's diffusion throughout the CNS was more extensive than AAV9 after i.c.v. infusion, leading to widespread EGFP expression in the cerebellum. These findings demonstrate that Anc80L65 is a highly efficient gene transfer vector for the murine CNS. Systemic injection of Anc80L65 leads to notable expression in the CNS that does not rely on a self-complementary genome. These data warrant further testing in larger animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Hudry
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Eva Andres-Mateos
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eli P. Lerner
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Adrienn Volak
- Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Olivia Cohen
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Bradley T. Hyman
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Casey A. Maguire
- Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Luk H. Vandenberghe
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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89
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Anderson HE, Caldwell JH, Weir RF. An automated method for the quantification of transgene expression in motor axons of the peripheral nerve. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 308:346-353. [PMID: 30194042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Determination of transgene expression in motor axons of peripheral nerves is important in evaluating the effectiveness of viral transduction. Currently only manual and semi-automatic methods of quantification have been employed for quantification in immunolabeled nerve sections, but automatic methods exist for axon counting only in brightfield sections. Manual and semi-automatic methods can suffer from inter- and intraobserver bias, sampling bias and can be time consuming to implement. NEW METHOD A fully automated method using ImageJ and the Nucleus Counter plugin was developed to quantify the fraction of green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled acetylcholine transferase positive axons in triple immunolabeled peripheral nerve sections. This method utilizes the Nucleus Counter to generate axonal regions of interest which are quantified for colocalization with GFP expression and nonoverlap with Laminin. Thresholding using histograms generated from control animals is used to remove noise. RESULTS The automated method is able to successfully distinguish transgenic GFP expressing mice from wild type. Using computer generated peripheral nerve sections, the automated method has less than 5% error at signal-to-noise ratios greater than 10% of baseline. COMPARISONS WITH EXISTING METHODS This method has comparable performance in false positive rates (<1%) and a 95% predictive interval that closely matches existing fully automated methods for quantification in brightfield sections. It outperforms the intra- and interobserver differences of manual and semi-automated methods for quantification. CONCLUSIONS This automated quantification method provides a fast and robust means of determining the fraction of labeled axons in peripheral nerve sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans E Anderson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA.
| | - John H Caldwell
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA
| | - Richard F Weir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, CO, USA
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90
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Richter JE, Zimmermann MT, Blackburn PR, Mohammad AN, Klee EW, Pollard LM, Macmurdo CF, Atwal PS, Caulfield TR. Protein modeling and clinical description of a novel in-frame GLB1 deletion causing GM1 gangliosidosis type II. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2018; 6:1229-1235. [PMID: 30187681 PMCID: PMC6305665 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Beta‐galactosidase‐1 (GLB1) is a lysosomal hydrolase that is responsible for breaking down specific glycoconjugates, particularly GM1 (monosialotetrahexosylganglioside). Pathogenic variants in GLB1 cause two different lysosomal storage disorders: GM1 gangliosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB. In GM1 gangliosidosis, decreased β‐galactosidase‐1 enzymatic activity leads to the accumulation of GM1 gangliosides, predominantly within the CNS. We present a 22‐month‐old proband with GM1 gangliosidosis type II (late‐infantile form) in whom a novel homozygous in‐frame deletion (c.1468_1470delAAC, p.Asn490del) in GLB1 was detected. Methods We used an experimental protein structure of β‐galactosidase‐1 to generate a model of the p.Asn490del mutant and performed molecular dynamic simulations to determine whether this mutation leads to altered ligand positioning compared to the wild‐type protein. In addition, residual mutant enzyme activity in patient leukocytes was evaluated using a fluorometric assay. Results Molecular dynamics simulations showed the deletion to alter the catalytic site leading to misalignment of the catalytic residues and loss of collective motion within the model. We predict this misalignment will lead to impaired catalysis of β‐galactosidase‐1 substrates. Enzyme assays confirmed diminished GLB1 enzymatic activity (~3% of normal activity) in the proband. Conclusions We have described a novel, pathogenic in‐frame deletion of GLB1 in a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis type II.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Richter
- Department of Clinical GenomicsMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida
| | - Michael T. Zimmermann
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and InformaticsDepartment of Health Sciences ResearchMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
| | - Patrick R. Blackburn
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and InformaticsDepartment of Health Sciences ResearchMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
| | | | - Eric W. Klee
- Department of Clinical GenomicsMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and InformaticsDepartment of Health Sciences ResearchMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesota
| | - Laura M. Pollard
- Biochemical Genetics LaboratoryGreenwood Genetic CenterGreenwoodSouth Carolina
| | | | - Paldeep S. Atwal
- Department of Clinical GenomicsMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida
- Center for Individualized MedicineMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFlorida
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91
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Deverman BE, Ravina BM, Bankiewicz KS, Paul SM, Sah DWY. Gene therapy for neurological disorders: progress and prospects. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:641-659. [DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2018.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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92
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Therapeutic potential of combined viral transduction and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:1827-1835. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3521-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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93
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Attenuation of the Niemann-Pick type C2 disease phenotype by intracisternal administration of an AAVrh.10 vector expressing Npc2. Exp Neurol 2018; 306:22-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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94
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Bedbrook CN, Deverman BE, Gradinaru V. Viral Strategies for Targeting the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. Annu Rev Neurosci 2018; 41:323-348. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-080317-062048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant viruses allow for targeted transgene expression in specific cell populations throughout the nervous system. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is among the most commonly used viruses for neuroscience research. Recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) are highly versatile and can package most cargo composed of desired genes within the capsid's ∼5-kb carrying capacity. Numerous regulatory elements and intersectional strategies have been validated in rAAVs to enable cell type–specific expression. rAAVs can be delivered to specific neuronal populations or globally throughout the animal. The AAV capsids have natural cell type or tissue tropism and trafficking that can be modified for increased specificity. Here, we describe recently engineered AAV capsids and associated cargo that have extended the utility of AAVs in targeting molecularly defined neurons throughout the nervous system, which will further facilitate neuronal circuit interrogation and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire N. Bedbrook
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Deverman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
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95
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Donsante A, Boulis NM. Progress in gene and cell therapies for the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:755-764. [PMID: 29936867 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1492544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a subset of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) that cause myoclonic epilepsy, loss of cognitive and motor function, degeneration of the retina leading to blindness, and early death. Most are caused by loss-of-function mutations in either lysosomal proteins or transmembrane proteins. Current therapies are supportive in nature. NCLs involving lysosomal enzymes are amenable to therapies that provide an exogenous source of protein, as has been used for other LSDs. Those that involve transmembrane proteins, however, require new approaches. AREAS COVERED This review will discuss potential gene and cell therapy approaches that have been, are, or may be in development for these disorders and those that have entered clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION In animal models, gene therapy approaches have produced remarkable improvements in neurological function and lifespan. However, a complete cure has not been reached for any NCL, and a better understanding of the limits of the current crop of vectors is needed to more fully address these diseases. The prospects for gene therapy, particularly those that can be delivered systemically and treat both the brain and peripheral tissue, are high. The future is beginning to look bright for NCL patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Donsante
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Emory University , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Nicholas M Boulis
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Emory University , Atlanta , GA , USA
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96
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Sun S, Schaffer DV. Engineered viral vectors for functional interrogation, deconvolution, and manipulation of neural circuits. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2018; 50:163-170. [PMID: 29614429 PMCID: PMC5984719 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Optimization of traditional replication-competent viral tracers has granted access to immediate synaptic partners of target neuronal populations, enabling the dissection of complex brain circuits into functional neural pathways. The excessive virulence of most conventional tracers, however, impedes their utility in revealing and genetically perturbing cellular function on long time scales. As a promising alternative, the natural capacity of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to safely mediate persistent and robust gene expression has stimulated strong interest in adapting them for sparse neuronal labeling and physiological studies. Furthermore, increasingly refined engineering strategies have yielded novel AAV variants with enhanced target specificity, transduction, and retrograde trafficking in the CNS. These potent vectors offer new opportunities for characterizing the identity and connectivity of single neurons within immense networks and modulating their activity via robust delivery of functional genetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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97
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Naso MF, Tomkowicz B, Perry WL, Strohl WR. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) as a Vector for Gene Therapy. BioDrugs 2018; 31:317-334. [PMID: 28669112 PMCID: PMC5548848 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-017-0234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 726] [Impact Index Per Article: 121.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There has been a resurgence in gene therapy efforts that is partly fueled by the identification and understanding of new gene delivery vectors. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a non-enveloped virus that can be engineered to deliver DNA to target cells, and has attracted a significant amount of attention in the field, especially in clinical-stage experimental therapeutic strategies. The ability to generate recombinant AAV particles lacking any viral genes and containing DNA sequences of interest for various therapeutic applications has thus far proven to be one of the safest strategies for gene therapies. This review will provide an overview of some important factors to consider in the use of AAV as a vector for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Naso
- Janssen Research and Development, 200 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477, USA.
| | - Brian Tomkowicz
- Janssen Research and Development, 200 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477, USA
| | - William L Perry
- Janssen Research and Development, 200 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477, USA
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98
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Liu Q, Zhang L, Li H. New Insights: MicroRNA Function in CNS Development and Psychiatric Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40495-018-0129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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99
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Cachón-González MB, Zaccariotto E, Cox TM. Genetics and Therapies for GM2 Gangliosidosis. Curr Gene Ther 2018; 18:68-89. [PMID: 29618308 PMCID: PMC6040173 DOI: 10.2174/1566523218666180404162622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease, caused by impaired β-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity, was the first GM2 gangliosidosis to be studied and one of the most severe and earliest lysosomal diseases to be described. The condition, associated with the pathological build-up of GM2 ganglioside, has acquired almost iconic status and serves as a paradigm in the study of lysosomal storage diseases. Inherited as a classical autosomal recessive disorder, this global disease of the nervous system induces developmental arrest with regression of attained milestones; neurodegeneration progresses rapidly to cause premature death in young children. There is no effective treatment beyond palliative care, and while the genetic basis of GM2 gangliosidosis is well established, the molecular and cellular events, from diseasecausing mutations and glycosphingolipid storage to disease manifestations, remain to be fully delineated. Several therapeutic approaches have been attempted in patients, including enzymatic augmentation, bone marrow transplantation, enzyme enhancement, and substrate reduction therapy. Hitherto, none of these stratagems has materially altered the course of the disease. Authentic animal models of GM2 gangliodidosis have facilitated in-depth evaluation of innovative applications such as gene transfer, which in contrast to other interventions, shows great promise. This review outlines current knowledge pertaining the pathobiology as well as potential innovative treatments for the GM2 gangliosidoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Zaccariotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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100
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Matsuzaki Y, Konno A, Mochizuki R, Shinohara Y, Nitta K, Okada Y, Hirai H. Intravenous administration of the adeno-associated virus-PHP.B capsid fails to upregulate transduction efficiency in the marmoset brain. Neurosci Lett 2017; 665:182-188. [PMID: 29175632 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Intravenous administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PHP.B, a capsid variant of AAV9 containing seven amino acid insertions, results in a greater permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB) than standard AAV9 in mice, leading to highly efficient and global transduction of the central nervous system (CNS). The present study aimed to examine whether the enhanced BBB penetrance of AAV-PHP.B observed in mice also occurs in non-human primates. Thus, a young adult (age, 1.6 years) and an old adult (age, 7.2 years) marmoset received an intravenous injection of AAV-PHP.B expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the constitutive CBh promoter (a hybrid of cytomegalovirus early enhancer and chicken β-actin promoter). Age-matched control marmosets were treated with standard AAV9-capsid vectors. The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after the viral injection. Based on the results, only limited transduction of neurons (0-2%) and astrocytes (0.1-2.5%) was observed in both AAV-PHP.B- and AAV9-treated marmosets. One noticeable difference between AAV-PHP.B and AAV9 was the marked transduction of the peripheral dorsal root ganglia neurons. Indeed, the soma and axons in the projection from the spinal cord to the nucleus cuneatus in the medulla oblongata were strongly labeled with EGFP by AAV-PHP.B. Thus, except for the peripheral dorsal root ganglia neurons, the AAV-PHP.B transduction efficiency in the CNS of marmosets was comparable to that of AAV9 vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Matsuzaki
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ayumu Konno
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Ryuta Mochizuki
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Shinohara
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nitta
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Okada
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Research Program for Neural Signalling, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Signal Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
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