1
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Munis AM. Gene Therapy Applications of Non-Human Lentiviral Vectors. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101106. [PMID: 33003635 PMCID: PMC7599719 DOI: 10.3390/v12101106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent commercialization of lentiviral vector (LV)-based cell therapies and successful reports of clinical studies have demonstrated the untapped potential of LVs to treat diseases and benefit patients. LVs hold notable and inherent advantages over other gene transfer agents based on their ability to transduce non-dividing cells, permanently transform target cell genome, and allow stable, long-term transgene expression. LV systems based on non-human lentiviruses are attractive alternatives to conventional HIV-1-based LVs due to their lack of pathogenicity in humans. This article reviews non-human lentiviruses and highlights their unique characteristics regarding virology and molecular biology. The LV systems developed based on these lentiviruses, as well as their successes and shortcomings, are also discussed. As the field of gene therapy is advancing rapidly, the use of LVs uncovers further challenges and possibilities. Advances in virology and an improved understanding of lentiviral biology will aid in the creation of recombinant viral vector variants suitable for translational applications from a variety of lentiviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altar M Munis
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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2
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Cavalieri V, Baiamonte E, Lo Iacono M. Non-Primate Lentiviral Vectors and Their Applications in Gene Therapy for Ocular Disorders. Viruses 2018; 10:E316. [PMID: 29890733 PMCID: PMC6024700 DOI: 10.3390/v10060316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviruses have a number of molecular features in common, starting with the ability to integrate their genetic material into the genome of non-dividing infected cells. A peculiar property of non-primate lentiviruses consists in their incapability to infect and induce diseases in humans, thus providing the main rationale for deriving biologically safe lentiviral vectors for gene therapy applications. In this review, we first give an overview of non-primate lentiviruses, highlighting their common and distinctive molecular characteristics together with key concepts in the molecular biology of lentiviruses. We next examine the bioengineering strategies leading to the conversion of lentiviruses into recombinant lentiviral vectors, discussing their potential clinical applications in ophthalmological research. Finally, we highlight the invaluable role of animal organisms, including the emerging zebrafish model, in ocular gene therapy based on non-primate lentiviral vectors and in ophthalmology research and vision science in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cavalieri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
- Advanced Technologies Network (ATeN) Center, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 18, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Elena Baiamonte
- Campus of Haematology Franco e Piera Cutino, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Melania Lo Iacono
- Campus of Haematology Franco e Piera Cutino, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
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3
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Puppo A, Cesi G, Marrocco E, Piccolo P, Jacca S, Shayakhmetov DM, Parks RJ, Davidson BL, Colloca S, Brunetti-Pierri N, Ng P, Donofrio G, Auricchio A. Retinal transduction profiles by high-capacity viral vectors. Gene Ther 2014; 21:855-65. [PMID: 24989814 PMCID: PMC4193889 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Retinal gene therapy with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is safe and effective in humans. However, the limited cargo capacity of AAV prevents their use for therapy of those inherited retinopathies (IRs) due to mutations in large (>5kb) genes. Viral vectors derived from Adenovirus (Ad), Lentivirus (LV) and Herpesvirus (HV) can package large DNA sequences but do not target efficiently retinal photoreceptors (PRs) where the majority of genes responsible for IRs are expressed. Here, we have evaluated the mouse retinal transduction profiles of vectors derived from 16 different Ad serotypes, 7 LV pseudotypes, and from a bovine HV. Most of the vectors tested transduced efficiently the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). We found that LV-GP64 tends to transduce more PRs than the canonical LV-VSVG albeit this was restricted to a narrow region. We observed more extensive PR transduction with HdAd1, 2 and 5/F35++ than with LV, although none of them outperformed the canonical HdAd5 or matched the extension of PR transduction achieved with AAV2/8.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Puppo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - G Cesi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - E Marrocco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - P Piccolo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - S Jacca
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - D M Shayakhmetov
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - R J Parks
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - B L Davidson
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | | | - P Ng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - G Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - A Auricchio
- 1] Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy [2] Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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4
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Martens TF, Vercauteren D, Forier K, Deschout H, Remaut K, Paesen R, Ameloot M, Engbersen JFJ, Demeester J, De Smedt SC, Braeckmans K. Measuring the intravitreal mobility of nanomedicines with single-particle tracking microscopy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2013; 8:1955-68. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To develop a robust assay to evaluate and compare the intravitreal mobility of nanoparticles in the intact vitreous body. Materials & methods: Excised bovine eyes were prepared to preserve the fragile structure of the vitreous humor, while permitting high-resolution fluorescence microscopy and single-particle tracking analysis of intravitreally injected nanoparticles. This assay was validated by analyzing polystyrene beads and further employed to evaluate gene nanomedicines composed of poly(amido amine)s and plasmid DNA. Results: The assay was able to distinguish immobilized cationic nanoparticles from mobile PEGylated nanoparticles. PEGylation of the polyplexes resulted in a drastic improvement of their mobility. Conclusion: An ex vivo eye model is presented for studying nanoparticle mobility in intact vitreous humor by single-particle tracking microscopy. These results give important guidelines for developing gene- and drug-delivery nanomedicines that are compatible with intravitreal administration. Original submitted 20 April 2012; Revised submitted 22 November 2012
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Martens
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Nano- & Biophotonics (NB-Photonics), Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dries Vercauteren
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Nano- & Biophotonics (NB-Photonics), Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Forier
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Nano- & Biophotonics (NB-Photonics), Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Deschout
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Nano- & Biophotonics (NB-Photonics), Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rik Paesen
- University Hasselt & Transnational University Limburg, BIOMED, Agoralaan building C, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Marcel Ameloot
- University Hasselt & Transnational University Limburg, BIOMED, Agoralaan building C, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Johan FJ Engbersen
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology & Technical Medicine, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jo Demeester
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Nano- & Biophotonics (NB-Photonics), Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-based lentiviral vectors are useful for introducing integrated transgenes into nondividing human cells. This article describes the production and use of advanced generation FIV vectors. Key properties are discussed in comparison to other lentiviral vectors. Additional topics include the practical implications of species-specific retroviral restriction factors and the production of nonintegrating FIV vectors.
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Abstract
Substantial advances in our understanding of lentivirus lifecycles and their various constituent proteins have permitted the bioengineering of lentiviral vectors now considered safe enough for clinical trials for both lethal and non-lethal diseases. They possess distinct properties that make them particularly suitable for gene delivery in ophthalmic diseases, including high expression, consistent targeting of various post-mitotic ocular cells in vivo and a paucity of associated intraocular inflammation, all contributing to their ability to mediate efficient and stable intraocular gene transfer. In this review, the intraocular tropisms and therapeutic applications of both primate and non-primate lentiviral vectors, and how the unique features of the eye influence these, are discussed. The feasibility of therapeutic targeting using these vectors in animal models of both anterior and posterior ophthalmic disorders has been established, and has, in combination with substantial progress in enhancing lentiviral vector bio-safety over the past two decades, paved the way for the first human ophthalmic clinical trials using lentivirus-based gene transfer vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Balaggan
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
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7
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Ponder KP, Auricchio A. Gene therapy for ocular problems in mucopolysaccharidosis: an experimental and promising approach with benefits in animal models - a review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02367.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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8
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Parker DG, Coster DJ, Brereton HM, Hart PH, Koldej R, Anson DS, Williams KA. Lentivirus-mediated gene transfer of interleukin 10 to the ovine and human cornea. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2010; 38:405-13. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02261.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Efficient lentiviral gene transfer into corneal stroma cells using a femtosecond laser. Gene Ther 2009; 16:933-8. [PMID: 19387484 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2009.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We investigated a new procedure for gene transfer into the stroma of pig cornea for the delivery of therapeutic factors. A delimited space was created at 110 mum depth with a LDV femtosecond laser in pig corneas, and a HIV1-derived lentiviral vector expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) (LV-CMV-GFP) was injected into the pocket. Corneas were subsequently dissected and kept in culture as explants. After 5 days, histological analysis of the explants revealed that the corneal pockets had closed and that the gene transfer procedure was efficient over the whole pocket area. Almost all the keratocytes were transduced in this area. Vector diffusion at right angles to the pocket's plane encompasses four (endothelium side) to 10 (epithelium side) layers of keratocytes. After 21 days, the level of transduction was similar to the results obtained after 5 days. The femtosecond laser technique allows a reliable injection and diffusion of lentiviral vectors to efficiently transduce stromal cells in a delimited area. Showing the efficacy of this procedure in vivo could represent an important step toward treatment or prevention of recurrent angiogenesis of the corneal stroma.
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10
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Barraza RA, Poeschla EM. Human gene therapy vectors derived from feline lentiviruses. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2008; 123:23-31. [PMID: 18289699 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors are useful for gene transfer to dividing and nondividing cells. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vectors transduce most human cell types with good efficiency and may have advantages for clinical gene therapy applications. This article reviews significant progress in the development and refinement of FIV vector systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Román A Barraza
- Molecular Medicine Program, Guggenheim 18, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, United States.
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11
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Kang Y, Moressi CJ, Scheetz TE, Xie L, Tran DT, Casavant TL, Ak P, Benham CJ, Davidson BL, McCray PB. Integration site choice of a feline immunodeficiency virus vector. J Virol 2006; 80:8820-3. [PMID: 16912328 PMCID: PMC1563849 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00719-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We mapped 226 unique integration sites in human hepatoma cells following gene transfer with a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-based lentivirus vector. FIV integrated across the entire length of the transcriptional units. Microarray data indicated that FIV integration favored actively transcribed genes. Approximately 21% of FIV integrations within transcriptional units occurred in genes regulated by the LEDGF/p75 transcriptional coactivator. DNA in regions of FIV insertion sites exhibited a "bendable" structure and a pattern of duplex destabilization favoring strand separation. FIV integration preferences are more similar to those of primate lentiviruses and distinct from those of Moloney murine leukemia virus, avian sarcoma leukosis virus, and foamy virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Kang
- Program in Gene Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, 52242, USA
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12
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Balaggan KS, Binley K, Esapa M, Iqball S, Askham Z, Kan O, Tschernutter M, Bainbridge JWB, Naylor S, Ali RR. Stable and efficient intraocular gene transfer using pseudotyped EIAV lentiviral vectors. J Gene Med 2006; 8:275-85. [PMID: 16299834 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have developed minimal non-primate lentiviral vectors based on the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV). We evaluated the in vivo expression profiles of these vectors delivered regionally to ocular tissues to define their potential utility in ocular gene therapy. METHODS EIAV vectors pseudotyped with VSV-G or rabies-G envelope proteins were delivered subretinally, intravitreally or into the anterior chambers (intracameral administration) in mice. Reporter gene (eGFP) expression was analysed using in vivo retinal imaging or histological examination of eyes and brains at intervals between 3 days and 16 months. We investigated the effects of vector titre, pseudotype, genome configuration, site of intraocular administration, intentional retinal trauma and the degree of retinal maturation on the spatial and temporal expression profiles of these vectors. RESULTS Subretinal vector delivery resulted in efficient and stable transduction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and variable transduction of photoreceptors up to 16 months post-injection. Retinal trauma facilitated the local transduction of neurosensory retinal cells. Intracameral administration of VSV-G- but not rabies-G-pseudotyped vectors produced stable eGFP expression in corneal endothelial cells and trabecular meshwork. CONCLUSIONS The cellular tropism and expression kinetics of optimised EIAV vectors after intraocular administration make them attractive vehicles for delivering therapeutic genes in the management of inherited and acquired retinal and anterior segment disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Balaggan
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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CHENG LINGYUN, TOYOGUCHI MITSUKO, LOONEY DAVIDJ, LEE JEFFERY, DAVIDSON MARIEC, FREEMAN WILLIAMR. EFFICIENT GENE TRANSFER TO RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM CELLS WITH LONG-TERM EXPRESSION. Retina 2005; 25:193-201. [PMID: 15689811 PMCID: PMC1382166 DOI: 10.1097/00006982-200502000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficiency of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) vectors for gene delivery into the mammalian retina. METHODS A first-generation FIV vector was constructed and administered into rabbit eyes at two different concentrations by intravitreal or subretinal routes. A second-generation FIV vector was also constructed and administered subretinally into both rabbit and rat eyes at the same concentration. After vector administration, eyes were monitored using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, and electroretinogram. After the rabbits were killed, eye tissues were processed for light microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Administration of both first- and second-generation FIV vectors produced transient vitritis and/or papillitis in rabbits, without other pathologic abnormalities. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were the predominant cell type transduced in rabbit eyes, but ganglion cells and Muller cells were also transduced. Transduction was confined to the retinal bleb area. The second-generation FIV vector transduced RPE cells much more efficiently than the first-generation vector (95% vs. 4.5%, respectively; P = 0.0015) in rabbit eyes. In contrast, no toxicity was evident over a 24- to 25-month follow-up period after injection of the second-generation FIV vector into rat eyes. Tropism in the rat eye was similar, including RPE and ganglion cells, and the RPE transduction rate was also high (50%). Transgene expression was persistent in both species over the duration of the experiment. CONCLUSION Second-generation FIV vectors can efficiently transfer genes into RPE cells with resulting long-term expression, properties potentially valuable to gene therapy approaches to some retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- LINGYUN CHENG
- From Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, and
- Reprint requests: Drs. Lingyun Cheng and William R. Freeman, Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, University of California at San Diego, 9415 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093–0946; e-mail: or
| | - MITSUKO TOYOGUCHI
- From Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, and
| | - DAVID J. LOONEY
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, and
- VA San Diego Health-care System Medical Center, La Jolla, California
| | - JEFFERY LEE
- From Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, and
| | - MARIE C. DAVIDSON
- From Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, and
| | - WILLIAM R. FREEMAN
- From Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, and
- Reprint requests: Drs. Lingyun Cheng and William R. Freeman, Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, University of California at San Diego, 9415 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093–0946; e-mail: or
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Doi K, Kong J, Hargitai J, Goff SP, Gouras P. Transient immunosuppression stops rejection of virus-transduced enhanced green fluorescent protein in rabbit retina. J Virol 2004; 78:11327-33. [PMID: 15452253 PMCID: PMC521797 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.20.11327-11333.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of lentivirus-transduced enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was detectable in rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) within 3 to 5 days after subretinal injection of the vector. Within 2 to 3 weeks, EGFP-expressing cells were eliminated by rejection. In the current experiments, we monitor serum antibody titers for EGFP before and after transduction and determine whether systemic immunosuppression prevents recognition of EGFP by the immune system. While all control rabbits developed antibodies against EFGP and showed signs of rejection, no such evidence was observed with animals which received immunosuppression. One month of systemic immunosuppression permanently prevented rejection of RPE with EGFP expression. Fluorescence has been maintained for more than a year. If a control eye was injected with the same virus after terminating immunosuppression, both eyes showed signs of rejection. The lack of rejection is not due to tolerance but to a failure of the animals to detect the foreign protein. Detection must depend upon a brief window of time after surgery needed to introduce the vector, perhaps related to a concurrent but transient inflammation. This strategy may be useful in managing other types of rejection in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Doi
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
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15
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Loewen N, Leske DA, Chen Y, Teo WL, Saenz DT, Peretz M, Holmes JM, Poeschla EM. Comparison of wild-type and class I integrase mutant-FIV vectors in retina demonstrates sustained expression of integrated transgenes in retinal pigment epithelium. J Gene Med 2004; 5:1009-17. [PMID: 14661176 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In neonatal and adult rodent retina, substantial lentiviral vector expression has been detected primarily in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), except in very young animals (2-5 days post-natal). In non-retinal tissues, studies of lentiviral vectors have utilized various controls. Among the most stringent are class I integrase mutants, which selectively block the integration reaction while leaving all other gag/pol-encoded functions intact. For HIV-1 vectors injected into brain, these have been used to simultaneously control for pseudotransduction and verify that long-term expression requires integration. Such experiments compare particles that differ only in a single amino acid within a single enzyme that forms a very small molar fraction of the virion. Class I integrase mutants have not been described for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) integrase, or tested in the eye for any lentiviral vector. METHODS We compared subretinally and intravitreally injected FIV vectors and followed animals for up to 7 months, a duration that exceeds prior studies. We also compared the wild-type (WT) vector with one incorporating a single class I amino acid mutation in FIV integrase (D66V). A mock vector (packaging construct absent) was an alternative control. All vectors were vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G (VSV-G)-pseudotyped and were injected on day 7 of life. One group of animals received either subretinal or intravitreal injections of WT vector in the right eyes. Control left eyes were injected with mock vector. These animals were sacrificed at 2 or 7 days post-injection. A second group received subretinal injections of either WT vector or equivalent D66V vector (reverse transcriptase-normalized to WT), and were analyzed after 2, 3 and 7 months. All eyes were scored for marker gene (beta-galactosidase) expression by an observer blinded to vector assignments. RESULTS Subretinal FIV vector injections were much more effective than intravitreal injections. The RPE was the principal retinal layer transduced by the WT vector, and at least 50% of the area of the retina expressed the marker gene at 3 and 7 months. Occasional cells in inner retinal layers also expressed beta-galactosidase at these time points. The sustained retinal expression produced by subretinally injected vector was blocked by the D66V mutation. CONCLUSIONS These results show that class I integrase mutant FIV vectors are useful control vectors, and that VSV-G-pseudotyped FIV vectors produce extensive retinal expression for at least 215 days, the longest duration yet reported for lentiviral vectors in retina. Transgene expression is mostly restricted to RPE after post-natal day 7 in rats, suggesting that FIV vectors could be used to target RPE for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Loewen
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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16
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Hennig AK, Ogilvie JM, Ohlemiller KK, Timmers AM, Hauswirth WW, Sands MS. AAV-mediated intravitreal gene therapy reduces lysosomal storage in the retinal pigmented epithelium and improves retinal function in adult MPS VII mice. Mol Ther 2004; 10:106-16. [PMID: 15233947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2004] [Accepted: 03/23/2004] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The beta-glucuronidase-deficient mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) mouse accumulates partially degraded glycosaminoglycans in many cell types, including retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells in the eye. This lysosomal storage in RPE cells leads to progressive retinal degeneration and reduced function as measured by flash electroretinography (ERG). The impact of AAV-mediated intraocular gene therapy on pathology and retinal function was examined in normal and MPS VII mice treated at 4 weeks of age, when lysosomal storage is evident but functional impairment is minimal in affected animals. At 16 weeks, an age at which untreated MPS VII mice have advanced histologic lesions and significantly reduced ERG amplitudes, treated eyes had nearly normal levels of beta-glucuronidase activity, preservation of cells in the outer nuclear layer of the retina, and decreased lysosomal storage within the RPE. The AAV-treated MPS VII mice also had significantly increased dark-adapted ERG amplitudes compared to untreated MPS VII mice. Although retinal function was improved, the efficacy of the treatment depended heavily on parameters related to the injection procedure, such as the injection volume, injection site, and vector dose. These data suggest that intraocular AAV-mediated therapy may be efficacious for treating the retinal disease associated with certain lysosomal storage diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Hennig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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17
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Isenmann S, Schmeer C, Kretz A. How to keep injured CNS neurons viable—strategies for neuroprotection and gene transfer to retinal ganglion cells. Mol Cell Neurosci 2004; 26:1-16. [PMID: 15121174 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2004.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2003] [Revised: 01/07/2004] [Accepted: 01/08/2004] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Isenmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Jena Medical School, 07747 Jena, Germany.
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Marmorstein AD, Peachey NS, Csaky KG. In vivo gene transfer as a means to study the physiology and morphogenesis of the retinal pigment epithelium in the rat. Methods 2003; 30:277-85. [PMID: 12798142 DOI: 10.1016/s1046-2023(03)00034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the morphogenesis of epithelial phenotypes has been greatly advanced by the use of in vitro cell culture systems. However, cell cultures often do not faithfully reconstitute many of the differentiated properties of the cell from which they are derived and cannot be used to examine complex physiologic interactions between adjacent tissues. This is particularly true of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Many plasma membrane proteins, in vivo, exhibit a reversed polarity with respect to other epithelia, and RPE-derived cell lines seldom exhibit these same polarity properties. Furthermore, the interaction between the RPE cell and the neuorsensory retina, or the underlying blood supply, the choroid, is absent in cell culture. Most epithelia are difficult to isolate and study in vivo. The RPE is an exception to this. We have explored several aspects of RPE protein transport properties, vision-related physiology, and disease-related pathophysiology in the eye using in vivo gene transfer and electrophysiologic techniques. By injecting replication-defective adenoviruses into the subretinal space of rat eyes, we have been able to easily direct the expression of a test protein and follow its sorting and physiologic effects on RPE cells and adjacent tissues. Due to binding and internalization of adenoviral vectors to integrins found on the RPE apical plasma membrane, expression in a healthy eye is essentially confined to the RPE cell, even under control of a cytomegalovirus promotor. The use of varying amounts of adenoviral vector allows for determination of dose-responsive effects and the comparison of multiple mutants of a protein. In addition, there are substantial savings with respect to time and money in comparison to standard transgenic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D Marmorstein
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute, i31, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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