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D'Alessio AM, Boffa I, De Stefano L, Soria LR, Brunetti-Pierri N. Liver gene transfer for metabolite detoxification in inherited metabolic diseases. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38884367 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are a growing group of genetic diseases caused by defects in enzymes that mediate cellular metabolism, often resulting in the accumulation of toxic substrates. The liver is a highly metabolically active organ that hosts several thousands of chemical reactions. As such, it is an organ frequently affected in IMDs. In this article, we review current approaches for liver-directed gene-based therapy aimed at metabolite detoxification in a variety of IMDs. Moreover, we discuss current unresolved challenges in gene-based therapies for IMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso M D'Alessio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM, School of Advanced Studies), Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Iolanda Boffa
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia De Stefano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Leandro R Soria
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM, School of Advanced Studies), Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Singh E, Chi Y, Kopesky J, Zimmerman M, Urrutia R, Basel D, Schwoerer JS. Computational structural genomics and clinical evidence suggest BCKDK gain-of-function may cause a potentially asymptomatic maple syrup urine disease phenotype. JIMD Rep 2024; 65:144-155. [PMID: 38736638 PMCID: PMC11078707 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism caused by a defect in the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex (OMIM #248600). The hallmark presentation is encephalopathic crisis in neonates, but can also present with metabolic decompensation, developmental delays, and feeding difficulties. Biochemical evidence for MSUD includes elevated branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and the pathognomonic presence of alloisoleucine. The BCKD complex contains several subunits associated with autosomal recessive MSUD, while its regulatory proteins have less well-defined disease associations. We report on two families with the same BCKDK variant (c.1115C>G (p.Thr372Arg)). Probands were detected on newborn screening and demonstrated biochemical evidence of MSUD. The variant was identified in reportedly asymptomatic parents and additional family members who had elevated BCAA and alloisoleucine, following an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. To better define the functional effect of the variant on the kinase, we completed molecular modeling using sequence-based (2D), structural-based (3D), and dynamic-based (4D) analyses. The BCKDK variant modeling indicated a gain-of-function which leads to impaired BCAA catabolism consistent with the biochemical evidence in this cohort. Combining the evidence gained from molecular modeling with the absence of metabolic decompensation in our patients and several adult family members, despite encountering stressors typically problematic in classic MSUD, we suggest that heterozygous gain-of-function variants in BCKDK may represent a novel biochemical phenotype of MSUD with a benign clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Singh
- Division of Genetics, Department of PediatricsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Young‐In Chi
- Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision MedicineMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Jessica Kopesky
- Department of Clinical NutritionChildren's WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Michael Zimmerman
- Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision MedicineMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Raul Urrutia
- Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision MedicineMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Donald Basel
- Division of Genetics, Department of PediatricsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Jessica Scott Schwoerer
- Division of Genetics, Department of PediatricsMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
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Baruteau J, Brunetti-Pierri N, Gissen P. Liver-directed gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:9-21. [PMID: 38171926 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy clinical trials are rapidly expanding for inherited metabolic liver diseases whilst two gene therapy products have now been approved for liver based monogenic disorders. Liver-directed gene therapy has recently become an option for treatment of haemophilias and is likely to become one of the favoured therapeutic strategies for inherited metabolic liver diseases in the near future. In this review, we present the different gene therapy vectors and strategies for liver-targeting, including gene editing. We highlight the current development of viral and nonviral gene therapy for a number of inherited metabolic liver diseases including urea cycle defects, organic acidaemias, Crigler-Najjar disease, Wilson disease, glycogen storage disease Type Ia, phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease. We describe the main limitations and open questions for further gene therapy development: immunogenicity, inflammatory response, genotoxicity, gene therapy administration in a fibrotic liver. The follow-up of a constantly growing number of gene therapy treated patients allows better understanding of its benefits and limitations and provides strategies to design safer and more efficacious treatments. Undoubtedly, liver-targeting gene therapy offers a promising avenue for innovative therapies with an unprecedented potential to address the unmet needs of patients suffering from inherited metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Baruteau
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM, School of Advanced Studies), Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paul Gissen
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
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Baruteau J, Keshavan N, Venditti CP. Mission possible: Gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:5-6. [PMID: 38221761 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Baruteau
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Nandaki Keshavan
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Charles P Venditti
- Metabolic Medicine Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Skvorak K, Liu J, Kruse N, Mehmood R, Das S, Jenne S, Chng C, Lao UL, Duan D, Asfaha J, Du F, Teadt L, Sero A, Ching C, Riggins J, Pope L, Yan P, Mashiana H, Ismaili MHA, McCluskie K, Huisman G, Silverman AP. Oral enzyme therapy for maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) suppresses plasma leucine levels in intermediate MSUD mice and healthy nonhuman primates. J Inherit Metab Dis 2023; 46:1089-1103. [PMID: 37494004 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of branched-chain amino acid metabolism affecting several thousand individuals worldwide. MSUD patients have elevated levels of plasma leucine and its metabolic product α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), which can lead to severe neurotoxicity, coma, and death. Patients must maintain a strict diet of protein restriction and medical formula, and periods of noncompliance or illness can lead to acute metabolic decompensation or cumulative neurological impairment. Given the lack of therapeutic options for MSUD patients, we sought to develop an oral enzyme therapy that can degrade leucine within the gastrointestinal tract prior to its systemic absorption and thus enable patients to maintain acceptable plasma leucine levels while broadening their access to natural protein. We identified a highly active leucine decarboxylase enzyme from Planctomycetaceae bacterium and used directed evolution to engineer the enzyme for stability to gastric and intestinal conditions. Following high-throughput screening of over 12 000 enzyme variants over 9 iterative rounds of evolution, we identified a lead variant, LDCv10, which retains activity following simulated gastric or intestinal conditions in vitro. In intermediate MSUD mice or healthy nonhuman primates given a whey protein meal, oral treatment with LDCv10 suppressed the spike in plasma leucine and KIC and reduced the leucine area under the curve in a dose-dependent manner. Reduction in plasma leucine correlated with decreased brain leucine levels following oral LDCv10 treatment. Collectively, these data support further development of LDCv10 as a potential new therapy for MSUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joyce Liu
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Nikki Kruse
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - U Loi Lao
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Da Duan
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | | | - Faye Du
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Leann Teadt
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lianne Pope
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Ping Yan
- Codexis, Inc., Redwood City, California, USA
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