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Colella P, Sayana R, Suarez-Nieto MV, Sarno J, Nyame K, Xiong J, Pimentel Vera LN, Arozqueta Basurto J, Corbo M, Limaye A, Davis KL, Abu-Remaileh M, Gomez-Ospina N. CNS-wide repopulation by hematopoietic-derived microglia-like cells corrects progranulin deficiency in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5654. [PMID: 38969669 PMCID: PMC11226701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49908-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can deliver therapeutic proteins to the central nervous system (CNS) through transplant-derived microglia-like cells. However, current conditioning approaches result in low and slow engraftment of transplanted cells in the CNS. Here we optimized a brain conditioning regimen that leads to rapid, robust, and persistent microglia replacement without adverse effects on neurobehavior or hematopoiesis. This regimen combines busulfan myeloablation and six days of Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor PLX3397. Single-cell analyses revealed unappreciated heterogeneity of microglia-like cells with most cells expressing genes characteristic of homeostatic microglia, brain-border-associated macrophages, and unique markers. Cytokine analysis in the CNS showed transient inductions of myeloproliferative and chemoattractant cytokines that help repopulate the microglia niche. Bone marrow transplant of progranulin-deficient mice conditioned with busulfan and PLX3397 restored progranulin in the brain and eyes and normalized brain lipofuscin storage, proteostasis, and lipid metabolism. This study advances our understanding of CNS repopulation by hematopoietic-derived cells and demonstrates its therapeutic potential for treating progranulin-dependent neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Ruhi Sayana
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Jolanda Sarno
- Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Tettamanti Center, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Kwamina Nyame
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jian Xiong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Marco Corbo
- MedGenome, Inc, 348 Hatch Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Anay Limaye
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- MedGenome, Inc, 348 Hatch Dr, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Kara L Davis
- Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Monther Abu-Remaileh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Natalia Gomez-Ospina
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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2
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Del Grosso A, Carpi S, De Sarlo M, Scaccini L, Colagiorgio L, Alabed HBR, Angella L, Pellegrino RM, Tonazzini I, Emiliani C, Cecchini M. Chronic Rapamycin administration via drinking water mitigates the pathological phenotype in a Krabbe disease mouse model through autophagy activation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116351. [PMID: 38422660 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease (KD) is a rare disorder arising from the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramidase (GALC), leading to the accumulation of the cytotoxic metabolite psychosine (PSY) in the nervous system. This accumulation triggers demyelination and neurodegeneration, and despite ongoing research, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood, with no cure currently available. Previous studies from our lab revealed the involvement of autophagy dysfunctions in KD pathogenesis, showcasing p62-tagged protein aggregates in the brains of KD mice and heightened p62 levels in the KD sciatic nerve. We also demonstrated that the autophagy inducer Rapamycin (RAPA) can partially reinstate the wild type (WT) phenotype in KD primary cells by decreasing the number of p62 aggregates. In this study, we tested RAPA in the Twitcher (TWI) mouse, a spontaneous KD mouse model. We administered the drug ad libitum via drinking water (15 mg/L) starting from post-natal day (PND) 21-23. We longitudinally monitored the mouse motor performance through grip strength and rotarod tests, and a set of biochemical parameters related to the KD pathogenesis (i.e. autophagy markers expression, PSY accumulation, astrogliosis and myelination). Our findings demonstrate that RAPA significantly enhances motor functions at specific treatment time points and reduces astrogliosis in TWI brain, spinal cord, and sciatic nerves. Utilizing western blot and immunohistochemistry, we observed a decrease in p62 aggregates in TWI nervous tissues, corroborating our earlier in-vitro results. Moreover, RAPA treatment partially removes PSY in the spinal cord. In conclusion, our results advocate for considering RAPA as a supportive therapy for KD. Notably, as RAPA is already available in pharmaceutical formulations for clinical use, its potential for KD treatment can be rapidly evaluated in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Del Grosso
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy; Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza S. Silvestro 12, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Sara Carpi
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Miriam De Sarlo
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Luca Scaccini
- Laboratorio NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza S. Silvestro 12, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Colagiorgio
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Husam B R Alabed
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Angella
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Tonazzini
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Carla Emiliani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR, Pisa, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy.
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3
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Helman G, Orthmann-Murphy JL, Vanderver A. Approaches to diagnosis for individuals with a suspected inherited white matter disorder. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2024; 204:21-35. [PMID: 39322380 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-99209-1.00009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Leukodystrophies are heritable disorders with white matter abnormalities observed on central nervous system magnetic resonance imaging. Pediatric leukodystrophies have long been known for their classically high, "unsolved" rate. Indeed, these disorders provide a diagnostic dilemma for many clinicians as over 100 genetic disorders alone may present with white matter abnormalities, with this figure not taking into account the substantial number of infectious agents, toxicities, and acquired disorders that may affect the white matter of the brain. Achieving a diagnosis may be the single most important step in the clinical course of a leukodystrophy-affected individual, with important implications for care and quality of life. For certain disorders, prompt recognition can direct therapeutic intervention with significant implications and requires urgent recognition. In this review, we cover newborn screening efforts, standard-of-care testing methodologies, and next generation sequencing approaches that continue to change the landscape of leukodystrophy diagnosis. Early studies have shown that next generation sequencing approaches, particularly exome and now genome sequencing have proven to be powerful in helping resolve many cases that were refractory to a single gene or linkage analysis approach. In addition, other methods are required for cases that remain persistently unsolved after next generation sequencing methods have been used. In the past more than half of affected individuals never achieved an etiologic diagnosis, and when they did, the reported times to diagnosis were >5 years although molecular testing has allowed this to be reduced to closer to 16 months. For affected families, next generation sequencing technologies have finally provided a way to fill gaps in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Helman
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer L Orthmann-Murphy
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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4
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Del Grosso A, Parlanti G, Mezzena R, Cecchini M. Current treatment options and novel nanotechnology-driven enzyme replacement strategies for lysosomal storage disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 188:114464. [PMID: 35878795 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a vast group of more than 50 clinically identified metabolic diseases. They are singly rare, but they affect collectively 1 on 5,000 live births. They result in most of the cases from an enzymatic defect within lysosomes, which causes the subsequent augmentation of unwanted substrates. This accumulation process leads to plenty of clinical signs, determined by the specific substrate and accumulation area. The majority of LSDs present a broad organ and tissue engagement. Brain, connective tissues, viscera and bones are usually afflicted. Among them, brain disease is markedly frequent (two-thirds of LSDs). The most clinically employed approach to treat LSDs is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which is practiced by administering systemically the missed or defective enzyme. It represents a healthful strategy for 11 LSDs at the moment, but it solves the pathology only in the case of Gaucher disease. This approach, in fact, is not efficacious in the case of LSDs that have an effect on the central nervous system (CNS) due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, ERT suffers from several other weak points, such as low penetration of the exogenously administered enzyme to poorly vascularized areas, the development of immunogenicity and infusion-associated reactions (IARs), and, last but not least, the very high cost and lifelong needed. To ameliorate these weaknesses lot of efforts have been recently spent around the development of innovative nanotechnology-driven ERT strategies. They may boost the power of ERT and minimize adverse reactions by loading enzymes into biodegradable nanomaterials. Enzyme encapsulation into biocompatible liposomes, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, for example, can protect enzymatic activity, eliminating immunologic reactions and premature enzyme degradation. It can also permit a controlled release of the payload, ameliorating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. Additionally, the potential to functionalize the surface of the nanocarrier with targeting agents (antibodies or peptides), could promote the passage through biological barriers. In this review we examined the clinically applied ERTs, highlighting limitations that do not allow to completely cure the specific LSD. Later, we critically consider the nanotechnology-based ERT strategies that have beenin-vitroand/orin-vivotested to improve ERT efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Del Grosso
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Parlanti
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Mezzena
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Cecchini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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5
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Zaccariotto E, Cachón-González MB, Wang B, Lim S, Hirth B, Park H, Fezoui M, Sardi SP, Mason P, Barker RH, Cox TM. A novel brain-penetrant oral UGT8 inhibitor decreases in vivo galactosphingolipid biosynthesis in murine Krabbe disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112808. [PMID: 35290889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disease due to impaired lysosomal β-galactosylceramidase (GALC) activity and formation of neurotoxic β-galactosylsphingosine ('psychosine'). We investigated substrate reduction therapy with a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of galactosylceramide biosynthesis, RA 5557, in twitcher mice that lack GALC activity and model Krabbe disease. This thienopyridine derivative selectively inhibits uridine diphosphate-galactose glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8), the final step in the generation of galactosylceramides which are precursors of sulphatide and, in the pathological lysosome, the immediate source of psychosine. Administration of RA 5557, reduced pathologically elevated psychosine concentrations (72-86%) in the midbrain and cerebral cortex in twitcher mice: the inhibitor decreased galactosylceramides by about 70% in midbrain and cerebral cortex in mutant and wild type animals. Exposure to the inhibitor significantly decreased several characteristic inflammatory response markers without causing apparent toxicity to myelin-producing cells in wild type and mutant mice; transcript abundance of oligodendrocyte markers MBP (myelin basic protein) and murine UGT8 was unchanged. Administration of the inhibitor before conception and during several breeding cycles to mice did not impair fertility and gave rise to healthy offspring. Nevertheless, given the unchanged lifespan, it appears that GALC has critical functions in the nervous system beyond the hydrolysis of galactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine. Our findings support further therapeutic exploration of orally active UGT8 inhibitors in Krabbe disease and related galactosphingolipid disorders. The potent thienopyridine derivative with effective target engagement here studied appears to have an acceptable safety profile in vivo; judicious dose optimization will be needed to ensure efficacious clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Zaccariotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Bing Wang
- Early Development, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Sungtaek Lim
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Bradford Hirth
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Hyejung Park
- Early Development, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Malika Fezoui
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - S Pablo Sardi
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Paul Mason
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Robert H Barker
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Timothy M Cox
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Feltri ML, Weinstock NI, Favret J, Dhimal N, Wrabetz L, Shin D. Mechanisms of demyelination and neurodegeneration in globoid cell leukodystrophy. Glia 2021; 69:2309-2331. [PMID: 33851745 PMCID: PMC8502241 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD), also known as Krabbe disease, is a lysosomal storage disorder causing extensive demyelination in the central and peripheral nervous systems. GLD is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the lysosomal hydrolase, galactosylceramidase (GALC), which catabolizes the myelin sphingolipid galactosylceramide. The pathophysiology of GLD is complex and reflects the expression of GALC in a number of glial and neural cell types in both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS), as well as leukocytes and kidney in the periphery. Over the years, GLD has garnered a wide range of scientific and medical interests, especially as a model system to study gene therapy and novel preclinical therapeutic approaches to treat the spontaneous murine model for GLD. Here, we review recent findings in the field of Krabbe disease, with particular emphasis on novel aspects of GALC physiology, GLD pathophysiology, and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Laura Feltri
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Nadav I. Weinstock
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jacob Favret
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Biotechnical and Clinical Lab Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Narayan Dhimal
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Lawrence Wrabetz
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Daesung Shin
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
- Biotechnical and Clinical Lab Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
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von Jonquieres G, Rae CD, Housley GD. Emerging Concepts in Vector Development for Glial Gene Therapy: Implications for Leukodystrophies. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661857. [PMID: 34239416 PMCID: PMC8258421 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Central Nervous System (CNS) homeostasis and function rely on intercellular synchronization of metabolic pathways. Developmental and neurochemical imbalances arising from mutations are frequently associated with devastating and often intractable neurological dysfunction. In the absence of pharmacological treatment options, but with knowledge of the genetic cause underlying the pathophysiology, gene therapy holds promise for disease control. Consideration of leukodystrophies provide a case in point; we review cell type – specific expression pattern of the disease – causing genes and reflect on genetic and cellular treatment approaches including ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies and in vivo approaches using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We link recent advances in vectorology to glial targeting directed towards gene therapies for specific leukodystrophies and related developmental or neurometabolic disorders affecting the CNS white matter and frame strategies for therapy development in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg von Jonquieres
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caroline D Rae
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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8
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Mangiameli E, Cecchele A, Morena F, Sanvito F, Matafora V, Cattaneo A, Della Volpe L, Gnani D, Paulis M, Susani L, Martino S, Di Micco R, Bachi A, Gritti A. Human iPSC-based neurodevelopmental models of globoid cell leukodystrophy uncover patient- and cell type-specific disease phenotypes. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1478-1495. [PMID: 33989519 PMCID: PMC8190599 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a rare neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by an inherited deficiency of β-galactocerebrosidase (GALC). GLD pathogenesis and therapeutic correction have been poorly studied in patient neural cells. Here, we investigated the impact of GALC deficiency and lentiviral vector-mediated GALC rescue/overexpression in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitors and neuronal/glial progeny obtained from two GLD patients. GLD neural progeny displayed progressive psychosine storage, oligodendroglial and neuronal defects, unbalanced lipid composition, and early activation of cellular senescence, depending on the disease-causing mutation. The partial rescue of the neural differentiation program upon GALC reconstitution and psychosine clearance suggests multiple mechanisms contributing to neural pathology in GLD. Also, the pathological phenotype associated to supraphysiological GALC levels highlights the need of regulated GALC expression for proper human neural commitment/differentiation. These data have important implications for establishing safe therapeutic strategies to enhance disease correction of GLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Mangiameli
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Cecchele
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Sanvito
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Matafora
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Cattaneo
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Della Volpe
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Gnani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Paulis
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; National Research Council (CNR)-IRGB/UOS of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Susani
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; National Research Council (CNR)-IRGB/UOS of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Raffaella Di Micco
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Bachi
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Gritti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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9
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Ricca A, Cascino F, Morena F, Martino S, Gritti A. In vitro Validation of Chimeric β-Galactosylceramidase Enzymes With Improved Enzymatic Activity and Increased Secretion. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:167. [PMID: 32850960 PMCID: PMC7396597 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GLD) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by inherited defects of the β-galactosylceramidase (GALC) gene. The infantile forms display a rapid and aggressive central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS) dysfunction. No treatments are available for GLD patients. Effective gene therapy (GT) strategies for GLD require a safe and widespread delivery of the functional GALC enzyme to all affected tissues/organs, and particularly to the CNS. The use of chimeric lysosomal enzymes with increased secretion and enhanced transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that boost the efficacy of GT approaches in pre-clinical models of similar neurodegenerative LSDs may benefit GLD as well. Here, we tested the safety and biological efficacy of chimeric GALC enzymes engineered to express an alternative signal peptide (iduronate-2-sulfatase - IDSsp) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)-binding domain from the Apolipoprotein E II (ApoE II) in GLD murine neural and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and progeny, which are relevant cells types in the context of in vivo and ex vivo GT platforms. We show that the lentiviral vector-mediated expression of the chimeric GALC enzymes is safe and leads to supranormal enzymatic activity in both neural and hematopoietic cells. The IDSsp.GALC shows enhanced expression and secretion in comparison to the unmodified GALC. The chimeric GALC enzymes produced by LV-transduced cells reduce intracellular galactosylceramide (GalCer) storage and effectively cross-correct GLD murine neurons and glial cells, indicating that the transgenic enzymes are delivered to lysosomes, efficiently secreted, and functional. Of note, the expression of LDLr and LDLr-related proteins in GLD neurons and glial cells supports the exploitation of this system to enhance the GALC supply in affected CNS cells and tissues. These in vitro studies support the use of chimeric GALC enzymes to develop novel and more effective GT approaches for GLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ricca
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Cascino
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Gritti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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10
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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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