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Campos LJ, Arokiaraj CM, Chuapoco MR, Chen X, Goeden N, Gradinaru V, Fox AS. Advances in AAV technology for delivering genetically encoded cargo to the nonhuman primate nervous system. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 4:100086. [PMID: 37397806 PMCID: PMC10313870 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern neuroscience approaches including optogenetics, calcium imaging, and other genetic manipulations have facilitated our ability to dissect specific circuits in rodent models to study their role in neurological disease. These approaches regularly use viral vectors to deliver genetic cargo (e.g., opsins) to specific tissues and genetically-engineered rodents to achieve cell-type specificity. However, the translatability of these rodent models, cross-species validation of identified targets, and translational efficacy of potential therapeutics in larger animal models like nonhuman primates remains difficult due to the lack of efficient primate viral vectors. A refined understanding of the nonhuman primate nervous system promises to deliver insights that can guide the development of treatments for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we outline recent advances in the development of adeno-associated viral vectors for optimized use in nonhuman primates. These tools promise to help open new avenues for study in translational neuroscience and further our understanding of the primate brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian J. Campos
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 05616, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Miguel R. Chuapoco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Nick Goeden
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Capsida Biotherapeutics, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Andrew S. Fox
- Department of Psychology and the California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 05616, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
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2
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Mani S, Jindal D, Singh M. Gene Therapy, A Potential Therapeutic Tool for Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Applications, Challenges and Future Perspective. Curr Gene Ther 2023; 23:20-40. [PMID: 35345999 DOI: 10.2174/1566523222666220328142427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders are the main risks for the health care system, exhibiting a huge socioeconomic load. The available range of pharmacotherapeutics mostly provides palliative consequences and fails to treat such conditions. The molecular etiology of various neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders is mostly associated with a change in genetic background, which can be inherited/triggered by other environmental factors. To address such conditions, gene therapy is considered a potential approach claiming a permanent cure of the disease primarily by deletion, silencing, or edition of faulty genes and by insertion of healthier genes. In gene therapy, vectors (viral/nonvial) play an important role in delivering the desired gene to a specific region of the brain. Targeted gene therapy has unraveled opportunities for the treatment of many neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. For improved gene delivery, the current techniques mainly focus on designing a precise viral vector, plasmid transfection, nanotechnology, microRNA, and in vivo clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based therapy. These latest techniques have great benefits in treating predominant neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder, as well as rarer diseases. Nevertheless, all these delivery methods have their limitations, including immunogenic reactions, off-target effects, and a deficiency of effective biomarkers to appreciate the effectiveness of therapy. In this review, we present a summary of the current methods in targeted gene delivery, followed by the limitations and future direction of gene therapy for the cure of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Mani
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Emerging Diseases, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, U.P., India
| | - Divya Jindal
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Emerging Diseases, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, U.P., India
| | - Manisha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Emerging Diseases, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, U.P., India
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Dhote VV, Samundre P, Upaganlawar AB, Ganeshpurkar A. Gene Therapy for Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: Challenges in Resolving Long-term Consequences of Brain Damage. Curr Gene Ther 2023; 23:3-19. [PMID: 34814817 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666211123101441] [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: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The gene therapy is alluring not only for CNS disorders but also for other pathological conditions. Gene therapy employs the insertion of a healthy gene into the identified genome to replace or replenish genes responsible for pathological disorder or damage due to trauma. The last decade has seen a drastic change in the understanding of vital aspects of gene therapy. Despite the complexity of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the advent of gene therapy in various neurodegenerative disorders has reinforced the ongoing efforts of alleviating TBI-related outcomes with gene therapy. The review highlights the genes modulated in response to TBI and evaluates their impact on the severity and duration of the injury. We have reviewed strategies that pinpointed the most relevant gene targets to restrict debilitating events of brain trauma and utilize vector of choice to deliver the gene of interest at the appropriate site. We have made an attempt to summarize the long-term neurobehavioral consequences of TBI due to numerous pathometabolic perturbations associated with a plethora of genes. Herein, we shed light on the basic pathological mechanisms of brain injury, genetic polymorphism in individuals susceptible to severe outcomes, modulation of gene expression due to TBI, and identification of genes for their possible use in gene therapy. The review also provides insights on the use of vectors and challenges in translations of this gene therapy to clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin V Dhote
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP, 462044, India
| | - Prem Samundre
- Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, MP, 462044, India
| | - Aman B Upaganlawar
- SNJB's Shree Sureshdada Jain College of Pharmacy, Chandwad, Nasik, Maharashtra, 423101, India
| | - Aditya Ganeshpurkar
- Department of Pharmacy, Shri Ram Institute of Technology, Jabalpur, MP, India
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4
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Xiong F, Yang H, Song YG, Qin HB, Zhang QY, Huang X, Jing W, Deng M, Liu Y, Liu Z, Shen Y, Han Y, Lu Y, Xu X, Holmes TC, Luo M, Zhao F, Luo MH, Zeng WB. An HSV-1-H129 amplicon tracer system for rapid and efficient monosynaptic anterograde neural circuit tracing. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7645. [PMID: 36496505 PMCID: PMC9741617 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monosynaptic viral tracers are essential tools for dissecting neuronal connectomes and for targeted delivery of molecular sensors and effectors. Viral toxicity and complex multi-injection protocols are major limiting application barriers. To overcome these barriers, we developed an anterograde monosynaptic H129Amp tracer system based on HSV-1 strain H129. The H129Amp tracer system consists of two components: an H129-dTK-T2-pacFlox helper which assists H129Amp tracer's propagation and transneuronal monosynaptic transmission. The shared viral features of tracer/helper allow for simultaneous single-injection and subsequent high expression efficiency from multiple-copy of expression cassettes in H129Amp tracer. These improvements of H129Amp tracer system shorten experiment duration from 28-day to 5-day for fast-bright monosynaptic tracing. The lack of toxic viral genes in the H129Amp tracer minimizes toxicity in postsynaptic neurons, thus offering the potential for functional anterograde mapping and long-term tracer delivery of genetic payloads. The H129Amp tracer system is a powerful tracing tool for revealing neuronal connectomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy of Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Ge Song
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai-Bin Qin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Yang Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Huang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Jing
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Manfei Deng
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Liu
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixiang Liu
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Shen
- grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153Eye Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunyun Han
- grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153Eye Center, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Youming Lu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Todd C. Holmes
- grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Minmin Luo
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.510934.a0000 0005 0398 4153Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- grid.510934.a0000 0005 0398 4153Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min-Hua Luo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy of Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Wen-Bo Zeng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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5
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Shahryari A, Burtscher I, Nazari Z, Lickert H. Engineering Gene Therapy: Advances and Barriers. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shahryari
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics Technical University of Munich Klinikum Rechts der Isar 81675 München Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Stem Cell Research Center Golestan University of Medical Sciences Gorgan 49341‐74515 Iran
| | - Ingo Burtscher
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
| | - Zahra Nazari
- Department of Biology School of Basic Sciences Golestan University Gorgan 49361‐79142 Iran
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- School of Medicine Department of Human Genetics Technical University of Munich Klinikum Rechts der Isar 81675 München Germany
- Institute of Stem Cell Research Helmholtz Zentrum München 85764 Neuherberg Germany
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Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors for Gene Transfer to the Central Nervous System. Diseases 2018; 6:diseases6030074. [PMID: 30110885 PMCID: PMC6164475 DOI: 10.3390/diseases6030074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have a profound impact on human health worldwide and their incidence is predicted to increase as the population ages. ND severely limits the quality of life and leads to early death. Aside from treatments that may reduce symptoms, NDs are almost completely without means of therapeutic intervention. The genetic and biochemical basis of many NDs is beginning to emerge although most have complex etiologies for which common themes remain poorly resolved. Largely relying on progress in vector design, gene therapy is gaining increasing support as a strategy for genetic treatment of diseases. Here we describe recent developments in the engineering of highly defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors suitable for transfer and long-term expression of large and/or multiple therapeutic genes in brain neurons in the complete absence of viral gene expression. These advanced vector platforms are safe, non-inflammatory, and persist in the nerve cell nucleus for life. In the near term, it is likely that HSV can be used to treat certain NDs that have a well-defined genetic cause. As further information on disease etiology becomes available, these vectors may take on an expanded role in ND therapies, including gene editing and repair.
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Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are hereditary degenerative disorders of the nervous system that have remained, to this date, untreatable. Promisingly, investigation into their molecular etiology and the development of increasingly perfected tools have contributed to the design of novel strategies with therapeutic potential. Encouraging studies have explored gene therapy as a means to counteract cell demise and loss in this context. The current chapter addresses the two main focuses of research in the area: the characteristics of the systems used to deliver nucleic acids to cells and the molecular and cellular actions of the therapeutic agents. Vectors used in gene therapy have to satisfyingly reach the tissues and cell types of interest, while eliciting the lowest toxicity possible. Both viral and non-viral systems have been developed for the delivery of nucleic acids to the central nervous system, each with its respective advantages and shortcomings. Since each polyglutamine disease is caused by mutation of a single gene, many gene therapy strategies have tried to halt degeneration by silencing the corresponding protein products, usually recurring to RNA interference. The potential of small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs and microRNAs has been investigated. Overexpression of protective genes has also been evaluated as a means of decreasing mutant protein toxicity and operate beneficial alterations. Recent gene editing tools promise yet other ways of interfering with the disease-causing genes, at the most upstream points possible. Results obtained in both cell and animal models encourage further delving into this type of therapeutic strategies and support the future use of gene therapy in the treatment of polyglutamine diseases.
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Rota RP, Palacios CA, Temprana CF, Argüelles MH, Mandile MG, Mattion N, Laimbacher AS, Fraefel C, Castello AA, Glikmann G. Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a recombinant HSV-1 vector expressing human group C rotavirus VP6 protein. J Virol Methods 2018; 256:24-31. [PMID: 29496429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Group C Rotavirus (RVC) has been associated globally with sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis in children and adults. RVC also infects animals, and interspecies transmission has been reported as well as its zoonotic potential. Considering its genetic diversity and the absence of effective vaccines, it is important and necessary to develop new generation vaccines against RVC for both humans and animals. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize an HSV-1-based amplicon vector expressing a human RVC-VP6 protein and evaluate the humoral immune response induced after immunizing BALB/c mice. Local fecal samples positive for RVC were used for isolation and sequencing of the vp6 gene, which phylogenetically belongs to the I2 genotype. We show here that cells infected with the HSV[VP6C] amplicon vector efficiently express the VP6 protein, and induced specific anti-RVC antibodies in mice immunized with HSV[VP6C], in a prime-boost schedule. This work highlights that amplicon vectors are an attractive platform for the generation of safe genetic immunogens against RVC, without the addition of external adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana P Rota
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos A Palacios
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Saladillo 2468, C1440FFX, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C Facundo Temprana
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo H Argüelles
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo G Mandile
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora Mattion
- Centro de Virología Animal (CEVAN), Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Saladillo 2468, C1440FFX, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea S Laimbacher
- Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornell Fraefel
- Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro A Castello
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Graciela Glikmann
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Virología, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Roque Sáenz Peña 352, B1876BXD, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Choudhury SR, Hudry E, Maguire CA, Sena-Esteves M, Breakefield XO, Grandi P. Viral vectors for therapy of neurologic diseases. Neuropharmacology 2017; 120:63-80. [PMID: 26905292 PMCID: PMC5929167 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders - disorders of the brain, spine and associated nerves - are a leading contributor to global disease burden with a shockingly large associated economic cost. Various treatment approaches - pharmaceutical medication, device-based therapy, physiotherapy, surgical intervention, among others - have been explored to alleviate the resulting extent of human suffering. In recent years, gene therapy using viral vectors - encoding a therapeutic gene or inhibitory RNA into a "gutted" viral capsid and supplying it to the nervous system - has emerged as a clinically viable option for therapy of brain disorders. In this Review, we provide an overview of the current state and advances in the field of viral vector-mediated gene therapy for neurological disorders. Vector tools and delivery methods have evolved considerably over recent years, with the goal of providing greater and safer genetic access to the central nervous system. Better etiological understanding of brain disorders has concurrently led to identification of improved therapeutic targets. We focus on the vector technology, as well as preclinical and clinical progress made thus far for brain cancer and various neurodegenerative and neurometabolic disorders, and point out the challenges and limitations that accompany this new medical modality. Finally, we explore the directions that neurological gene therapy is likely to evolve towards in the future. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Beyond small molecules for neurological disorders".
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav R Choudhury
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Eloise Hudry
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Xandra O Breakefield
- Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Paola Grandi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
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Mejía-Toiber J, Castillo CG, Giordano M. Strategies for the Development of Cell Lines for Ex Vivo Gene Therapy in the Central Nervous System. Cell Transplant 2011; 20:983-1001. [DOI: 10.3727/096368910x546599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) as a result of trauma or ischemic or neurodegenerative processes still pose a challenge for modern medicine. Due to the complexity of the CNS, and in spite of the advances in the knowledge of its anatomy, pharmacology, and molecular and cellular biology, treatments for these diseases are still limited. The development of cell lines as a source for transplantation into the damaged CNS (cell therapy), and more recently their genetic modification to favor the expression and delivery of molecules with therapeutic potential (ex vivo gene therapy), are some of the techniques used in search of novel restorative strategies. This article reviews the different approaches that have been used and perfected during the last decade to generate cell lines and their use in experimental models of neuronal damage, and evaluates the prospects of applying these methods to treat CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Mejía-Toiber
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad Neuronal, Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Claudia G. Castillo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Magda Giordano
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad Neuronal, Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Querétaro, Mexico
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11
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Marconi P, Argnani R, Epstein AL, Manservigi R. HSV as a vector in vaccine development and gene therapy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2010; 655:118-44. [PMID: 20047039 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1132-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The very deep knowledge acquired on the genetics and molecular biology of herpes simplex virus (HSV), major human pathogen whose lifestyle is based on a long-term dual interaction with the infected host characterized by the existence of lytic and latent infections, has allowed the development of potential vectors for several applications in human healthcare. These include delivery and expression of human genes to cells of the nervous system, selective destruction of cancer cells, prophylaxis against infection with HSV or other infectious diseases and targeted infection of specific tissues or organs. Three different classes of vectors can be derived from HSV-1: replication-competent attenuated vectors, replication-incompetent recombinant vectors and defective helper-dependent vectors known as amplicons. This chapter highlights the current knowledge concerning design, construction and recent applications, as well as the potential and current limitations of the three different classes of HSV-1-based vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Marconi
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine-Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, Ferrara, 44100, Italy.
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12
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Kubo S, Kataoka M, Tateno C, Yoshizato K, Kawasaki Y, Kimura T, Faure-Kumar E, Palmer DJ, Ng P, Okamura H, Kasahara N. In vivo stable transduction of humanized liver tissue in chimeric mice via high-capacity adenovirus-lentivirus hybrid vector. Hum Gene Ther 2010; 21:40-50. [PMID: 19725756 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed hybrid vectors employing high-capacity adenovirus as a first-stage carrier encoding all the components required for in situ production of a second-stage lentivirus, thereby achieving stable transgene expression in secondary target cells. Such vectors have never previously been tested in normal tissues, because of the scarcity of suitable in vivo systems permissive for second-stage lentivirus assembly. Here we employed a novel murine model in which endogenous liver tissue is extensively reconstituted with engrafted human hepatocytes, and successfully achieved stable transduction by the second-stage lentivirus produced in situ from first-stage adenovirus. This represents the first demonstration of the functionality of adenoviral-lentiviral hybrid vectors in a normal parenchymal organ in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Kubo
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles , Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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13
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Müther N, Noske N, Ehrhardt A. Viral hybrid vectors for somatic integration - are they the better solution? Viruses 2009; 1:1295-324. [PMID: 21994594 PMCID: PMC3185507 DOI: 10.3390/v1031295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The turbulent history of clinical trials in viral gene therapy has taught us important lessons about vector design and safety issues. Much effort was spent on analyzing genotoxicity after somatic integration of therapeutic DNA into the host genome. Based on these findings major improvements in vector design including the development of viral hybrid vectors for somatic integration have been achieved. This review provides a state-of-the-art overview of available hybrid vectors utilizing viruses for high transduction efficiencies in concert with various integration machineries for random and targeted integration patterns. It discusses advantages but also limitations of each vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Müther
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Department of Virology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9A, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Nadja Noske
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Department of Virology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9A, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Ehrhardt
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Department of Virology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9A, 80336 Munich, Germany
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14
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Lee CYF, Rennie PS, Jia WWG. MicroRNA regulation of oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 for selective killing of prostate cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:5126-35. [PMID: 19671871 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer, for which there are few treatment options, remains one of the leading causes of cancer death. MicroRNAs (miRNA) have provided a new opportunity for more stringent regulation of tumor-specific viral replication. The purpose of this study was to provide a proof-of-principle that miRNA-regulated oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) virus can selectively target cancer cells with reduced toxicity to normal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We incorporated multiple copies of miRNA complementary target sequences (for miR-143 or miR-145) into the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of an HSV-1 essential viral gene, ICP4, to create CMV-ICP4-143T and CMV-ICP4-145T amplicon viruses and tested their targeting specificity and efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Although miR-143 and miR-145 are highly expressed in normal tissues, they are significantly down-regulated in prostate cancer cells. We further showed that miR-143 and miR-145 inhibited the expression of the ICP4 gene at the translational level by targeting the corresponding 3'-UTR in a dose-dependent manner. This enabled selective viral replication in prostate cancer cells. When mice bearing LNCaP human prostate tumors were treated with these miRNA-regulated oncolytic viruses, a >80% reduction in tumor volume was observed, with significantly attenuated virulence to normal tissues in comparison with control amplicon viruses not carrying these 3'-UTR sequences. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to show that inclusion of specific miRNA target sequences into the 3'-UTR of an essential HSV-1 gene is a viable strategy for restricting viral replication and oncolysis to cancer cells while sparing normal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleo Y F Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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15
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Ishida D, Nawa A, Tanino T, Goshima F, Luo CH, Iwaki M, Kajiyama H, Shibata K, Yamamoto E, Ino K, Tsurumi T, Nishiyama Y, Kikkawa F. Enhanced cytotoxicity with a novel system combining the paclitaxel-2'-ethylcarbonate prodrug and an HSV amplicon with an attenuated replication-competent virus, HF10 as a helper virus. Cancer Lett 2009; 288:17-27. [PMID: 19604626 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2009] [Revised: 05/22/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that HF10, which is a natural, non-engineered HSV-1, has potent oncolytic activity in the treatment of solid malignant tumors in vitro and in vivo [H. Takakuwa, F. Goshima, N. Nozawa, T. Yoshikawa, H. Kimata, A. Nakao, et al., Oncolytic viral therapy using a spontaneously generated herpes simplex virus type 1 variant for disseminated peritoneal tumor in immunocompetent mice, Arch. Virol. 148 (2003) 813-825; S. Kohno, C. Lou, F. Goshima, Y. Nishiyama, T. Sata, Y. Ono, Herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant HF10 oncolytic viral therapy for bladder cancer, Urology 66 (2005) 1116-1121; D. Watanabe, F. Goshima, I. Mori, Y. Tamada, Y. Matsumoto, Y. Nishiyama, Oncolytic virotherapy for malignant melanoma with herpes simplex virus type 1 mutant HF10, J. Dermatol. Sci. 50 (2008) 185-196; A. Nawa, C. Luo, L. Zhang, Y. Ushijima, D. Ishida, M. Kamakura, et al., Non-engineered, naturally oncolytic herpes simplex virus HSV1 HF10: applications for cancer gene therapy, Curr. Gene. Ther. 8 (2008) 208-221]. Previous reports have also shown that a combination of HF10 and paclitaxel (TAX) was more efficacious than either regimen alone for some types of malignant tumors [S. Shimoyama, F. Goshima, O. Teshigahara, H. Kasuya, Y. Kodera, A. Nakao, et al., Enhanced efficacy of herpes simplex virus mutant HF10 combined with paclitaxel in peritoneal cancer dissemination models, Hepatogastroenterology 54 (2007) 1038-1042]. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) using a novel system that combines the paclitaxel-2'-ethylcarbonate prodrug (TAX-2'-Et) and an HSV amplicon expressing rabbit-carboxylesterase (CES) with HF10 as a helper virus. This GDEPT system aims to produce high level of CES at the tumor site, resulting in efficient local conversion of the TAX-2'-Et prodrug into the active drug TAX [A. Nawa, T. Tanino, C. Lou, M. Iwaki, H. Kajiyama, K. Shibata, et al., Gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy for ovarian cancer: could GDEPT become a promising treatment against ovarian cancer?, Anti-Cancer Agents Med Chem 8 (2008) 232-239]. We demonstrated that the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, as a trace maker, was more efficiently introduced by the HSV amplicon compared to the expression vector, pHGCX, and that the HSV amplicon system expressed an active CES enzyme that could convert TAX-2'-Et to TAX in Cos7 cells. Furthermore, although the cytotoxicity of this amplicon system was not enhanced in virus-sensitive tumor cells, it was significantly enhanced in low virus-sensitive tumor cells in the presence of the prodrug in a concentration-dependent manner, compared to the control virus alone (p<0.05). These results indicate that the addition of a prodrug converting enzyme may be a feasible approach to further enhance the efficacy of HF10 as a cancer therapeutics in low HF10-sensitive malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ishida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Shouwa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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16
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Hui KM. Human hepatocellular carcinoma: expression profiles-based molecular interpretations and clinical applications. Cancer Lett 2008; 286:96-102. [PMID: 19095350 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for over 85% of all primary liver cancers. The clinical management of advanced and metastatic HCC is challenging on many counts. Besides largely occurs within a background of underlying chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, HCC is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous polyclonal disease and resistant to most conventional chemotherapy. Early manifestation of HCC is characteristically slow growing with few symptoms, and HCC is therefore often diagnosed at an advanced stage when potentially curative surgical or local ablative therapy is not feasible. In this review, I have summarized my presentation at the recent HCC workshop at IARC, Lyon, on our knowledge generated from comprehensive molecular studies of primary liver cancer tissues and attempt to translate these results to gain molecular insights, especially on identification of biomarkers that could confer pathological and functional changes associated with the pathogenesis and progression of HCC, hoping to provide important molecular basis for the development of novel diagnosis and treatments to alter clinical outcomes of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam M Hui
- Bek Chai Heah Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore.
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17
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Abstract
Gene transfer is being rigorously evaluated in the laboratory in the preparation for the development of clinical therapies. Many CNS diseases, which have proved more challenging to treat than peripheral disorders, are prime candidates for gene therapy. However, there are numerous considerations in the development of gene therapy, including delivery, maintenance of expression, transgene level regulation, toxicity of the viral vector system and safety of the gene product. The authors review these issues and discuss various approaches used in preclinical studies. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are employed as models, in which much research has already been performed, to address disease-specific questions about gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Ryan
- University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Rochester, New York, USA
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18
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Gomez-Sebastian S, Gimenez-Cassina A, Diaz-Nido J, Lim F, Wade-Martins R. Infectious delivery and expression of a 135 kb human FRDA genomic DNA locus complements Friedreich's ataxia deficiency in human cells. Mol Ther 2007; 15:248-54. [PMID: 17235301 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2006] [Accepted: 09/06/2006] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is the most common recessive ataxia, affecting 1-2 in 50,000 Caucasians, and there is currently no effective cure or treatment. FA results from a deficiency of the mitochondrial protein frataxin brought about by a repeat expansion in intron 1 of the FRDA gene. The main areas affected are the central nervous system (particularly the spinocerebellar system) and cardiac tissue. Therapies aimed at alleviating the neurological degeneration have proved unsuccessful to date. Here, we describe the construction and delivery of high capacity herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors expressing the entire 80 kb FRDA genomic locus, driven by the endogenous FRDA promoter and including all introns and flanking regulatory sequences within a 135 kb genomic DNA insert. FA patient primary fibroblasts deficient in frataxin protein and exhibiting sensitivity to oxidative stress were transduced at high efficiency by FRDA genomic locus vectors. Following vector transduction, expression of FRDA protein by immunofluorescence was shown. Finally, functional complementation studies demonstrated restoration of the wild-type cellular phenotype in response to oxidative stress in transduced FA patient cells. These results suggest the potential of the infectious bacterial artificial chromosome-FRDA vectors for gene therapy of FA.
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19
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Gómez Pérez L, Oliva Delgado FJ, Vera Donoso CD, Jimenez Cruz JF, Herádndez Andreu JM. Terapia génica en el cáncer de próstata. ¿Es posible una vacuna? Actas Urol Esp 2007; 31:705-13. [PMID: 17902462 DOI: 10.1016/s0210-4806(07)73710-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New approaches for prostate cancer are needed due to limitations of current therapies for the treatment in advanced stages of the disease. In fact, there is no effective treatment for these patients. Development in molecular biology research on prostate cancer has improved the knowledge of common alterations encoded in DNA sequence, which may be useful as targets for prostate cancer approach. In this review we give an overview of current gene therapy concepts, the most common gene alterations in prostate cancer and the gene therapy treatment strategies.
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20
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Zhang L, Daikoku T, Ohtake K, Ohtsuka J, Nawa A, Kudoh A, Iwahori S, Isomura H, Nishiyama Y, Tsurumi T. Establishment of a novel foreign gene delivery system combining an HSV amplicon with an attenuated replication-competent virus, HSV-1 HF10. J Virol Methods 2006; 137:177-83. [PMID: 16854473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2006] [Revised: 06/09/2006] [Accepted: 06/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-based amplicon vectors have been used widely in genetic engineering with many advantages for gene delivery, being easily constructed. An attenuated and replication-competent HSV-1 HF10 clone demonstrating an oncolytic effect on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo has been applied recently for clinical virotherapy of breast cancers and the present studies were conducted to test its efficacy in combination with an HSV-1 amplicon. For this purpose, a new system was developed to produce high titers of the HSV-1 amplicon vector and the results showed that its package efficiency and the titer ratio to HF10 were improved by passage through two cell lines. A high ratio of amplicon/helper virus HF10 (A/H) (>1) was required to express the foreign gene efficiently. Furthermore, in order to express the foreign gene conditionally, an HSV-1 ICP8 promoter was introduced in place of the human cytomegalovirus MIE promoter, this driving expression of the transgene when replication of HF10 progressed. The methodology for simple preparation of mixtures of viruses containing the amplicon with the oncolytic virus is documented. This system should find application for studies of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumin Zhang
- Division of Virology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, 1-1, Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
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21
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Pike L, Petravicz J, Wang S. Bioluminescence imaging after HSV amplicon vector delivery into brain. J Gene Med 2006; 8:804-13. [PMID: 16602134 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Firefly luciferase (Fluc) has routinely been used to quantitate and analyze gene expression in vitro by measuring the photons emitted after the addition of ATP and luciferin to a test sample. It is now possible to replace luminometer-based analysis of luciferase activity and measure luciferase activity delivered by viral vectors directly in live animals over time using digital imaging techniques. METHODS An HSV amplicon vector expressing Fluc cDNA from an inducible promoter was delivered to cells in culture and into the mouse brain. In culture, expression of Fluc was measured after induction in a dose-dependent manner by a biochemical assay, and then confirmed by Western blot analysis and digital imaging. The vectors were then stereotactically injected into the mouse brain and Fluc expression measured non-invasively using bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS Rapamycin-mediated induction of Fluc from an HSV amplicon vector in culture resulted in dose-dependent expression of Fluc when measured using a luminometer and by digital analysis. In mouse cortex, a single injection of an HSV amplicon vector (2 microl, 1x10(8) transducing units (t.u.)/ml) expressing Fluc from a viral promoter (CMV) was sufficient to detect robust luciferase activity for at least 1 week. Similarly, an HSV amplicon vector expressing Fluc under an inducible promoter was also detectable in the mouse cortex after a single dose (2 microl, 1x10(8) t.u./ml) for up to 5 days, with no detectable signal in the uninduced state. CONCLUSIONS This HSV amplicon vector-based system allows for fast, non-invasive, semi-quantitative analysis of gene expression in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pike
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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22
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Suzuki M, Kasai K, Saeki Y. Plasmid DNA sequences present in conventional herpes simplex virus amplicon vectors cause rapid transgene silencing by forming inactive chromatin. J Virol 2006; 80:3293-300. [PMID: 16537596 PMCID: PMC1440389 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.80.7.3293-3300.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based amplicon vector, a bacterial-viral-mammalian cell shuttle system, holds promise as a versatile gene delivery vehicle because of its large transgene capacity. However, amplicon-mediated transgene expression is often transient. We hypothesized that the presence of prokaryotic DNA sequences within the packaged vector genome can trigger transcriptional silencing of the entire vector sequence. To test this, we constructed a novel amplicon vector devoid of bacterial sequences (minicircle [MC] amplicon). Although the same dose of the minicircle amplicon vector in normal human fibroblasts resulted in an expression of luciferase approximately 20 times higher than that caused by the conventional amplicon vector, no significant difference was observed in copy numbers of luciferase DNA between MC amplicon- and control-transduced cells. Quantitative analyses of levels of luciferase mRNA revealed that differential expression of luciferase was controlled at the transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analyses of several regions of vector genomes revealed that the bacterial sequences found in the conventional amplicon DNA were associated with an inactive form of chromatin immediately after infection. The presence of bacterial sequences also affected the remaining vector sequences in the conventional amplicon vector. Finally, nude mice injected with the MC amplicon exhibited higher and more sustained expression of luciferase than those injected with the conventional amplicon, confirming the usefulness of the MC amplicon devoid of bacterial sequences. Although additional improvements are absolutely required, these findings are a significant first step toward developing a novel HSV amplicon vector that can achieve enhanced long-term transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Suzuki
- Dardinger Laboratory for Neuro-oncology and Neurosciences, Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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23
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Zibert A, Thomassen A, Müller L, Nguyen L, Glouchkova L, Fraefel C, Roskrow M, Meisel R, Dilloo D. Herpes simplex virus type-1 amplicon vectors for vaccine generation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Gene Ther 2006; 12:1707-17. [PMID: 16034459 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
For leukemia vaccine generation, high-efficiency gene transfer is required to express immunomodulatory molecules that stimulate potent antileukemic immune responses. In this context, herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-derived vectors have proven to be a promising tool for genetic modification of lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Yet, vector-associated viral protein expression might inadvertently modulate vaccine efficacy facilitating both immune evasion and immune stimulation. To explore the issue of immune-stimulation versus immune-suppression in immature lymphoblastic leukemia cells, two types of HSV-1 amplicon vectors, helper virus-dependent and helper virus-free that express the immunomodulatory molecules CD70 and IL-2, were compared with regard to their vector-associated immunomodulatory potential. We first established that lymphoblastic cell lines and primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells express HSV receptor genes. Lymphoblastic cell lines were transduced with high efficiency, and in primary ALL cells high gene transfer rates of 47+/-15 and 42+/-14% were obtained with helper virus-dependent and -free HSV-1 amplicon vectors, respectively. The efficacy of the two amplicon vectors to induce antineoplastic responses was assessed in a vaccine setting in mice with pre-existing highly malignant lymphoblastic disease. Treatment of mice with vaccine cells transgenically expressing CD70+IL2 significantly suppressed lymphoblastic cell proliferation and improved survival. Of note, when helper virus-dependent HSV-1 amplicon vectors were used for vaccine preparation, the high immunogenic potential of the vector itself, in the absence of transgenic CD70+IL2 expression, seemed to be sufficient to mediate protection comparable to the antineoplastic response achieved by expression of immunomodulatory molecules. Thus for vaccine generation in B lymphoblastic leukemia, the immunogenic potential of HSV-1 helper virus-dependent amplicon vectors does provide additional benefit to the high transduction efficiency of HSV-1-derived vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zibert
- Clinic for Pediatric-Oncology, -Hematology and -Immunology, University Clinic of Düsseldorf, Germany
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24
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Reinblatt M, Pin RH, Bowers WJ, Federoff HJ, Fong Y. Herpes simplex virus amplicon delivery of a hypoxia-inducible soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sFlk-1) inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2005; 12:1025-36. [PMID: 16244806 DOI: 10.1245/aso.2005.03.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2004] [Accepted: 07/08/2005] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor hypoxia induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, which stimulates angiogenesis and tumor proliferation. The VEGF signaling pathway is inhibited by soluble VEGF receptors (soluble fetal liver kinase 1; sFlk-1), which bind VEGF and block its interaction with endothelial cells. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicons are replication-incompetent viruses used for gene delivery. We attempted to attenuate angiogenesis and inhibit pancreatic tumor growth through HSV amplicon-mediated expression of sFlk-1 under hypoxic control. METHODS A multimerized hypoxia-responsive enhancer (10 x HRE) was cloned upstream of the sFlk-1 gene (10 x HRE/sFlk-1). A novel HSV amplicon expressing 10 x HRE/sFlk-1 was genetically engineered (HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1).Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (AsPC1) were transduced with HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1 and incubated in normoxia (21% oxygen) or hypoxia (1% oxygen). Capillary inhibition was evaluated by human umbilical vein endothelial cell assay. Western blot assessed sFlk-1 expression. AsPC1 flank tumor xenografts (n = 24) were transduced with HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1. RESULTS Media from normoxic AsPC1 transduced with HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1 yielded a 36% reduction in capillary formation versus controls (P < .05), whereas hypoxic AsPC1 yielded a 76% reduction (P < .005). Western blot of AsPC1 transduced with HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1 demonstrated greater sFlk-1 expression in hypoxia versus normoxia. AsPC1 flank tumors treated with HSV10 x HRE/sFlk-1 exhibited a 59% reduction in volume versus controls (P < .000001). CONCLUSIONS HSV amplicon delivery of a hypoxia-inducible soluble VEGF receptor significantly reduces new vessel formation and tumor growth. Tumor hypoxia can thus be used to direct antiangiogenic therapy to pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Reinblatt
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
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25
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Abstract
Broadly defined, the concept of gene therapy involves the transfer of genetic material into a cell, tissue, or whole organ, with the goal of curing a disease or at least improving the clinical status of a patient. A key factor in the success of gene therapy is the development of delivery systems that are capable of efficient gene transfer in a variety of tissues, without causing any associated pathogenic effects. Vectors based upon many different viral systems, including retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenoviruses, and adeno-associated viruses, currently offer the best choice for efficient gene delivery. Their performance and pathogenicity has been evaluated in animal models, and encouraging results form the basis for clinical trials to treat genetic disorders and acquired diseases. Despite some initial success in these trials, vector development remains a seminal concern for improved gene therapy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inder M Verma
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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26
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Déglon N, Hantraye P. Viral vectors as tools to model and treat neurodegenerative disorders. J Gene Med 2005; 7:530-9. [PMID: 15651039 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of disease-causing genes in familial forms of neurodegenerative disorders and the development of genetic models closely replicating human central nervous system (CNS) pathologies have drastically changed our understanding of the molecular events leading to neuronal cell death. If these achievements open new opportunities of therapeutic interventions, including gene-based therapies, the presence of the blood-brain barrier and the post-mitotic and poor regenerative nature of the target cells constitute important challenges. Efficient delivery systems taking into account the specificity of the CNS are required to administer potential therapeutic candidates. In addition, genetic models in large animals that replicate the late stages of the diseases are in most cases not available for pre-clinical studies. The present review summarizes the potential of viral vectors as tools to create new genetic models of CNS disorders in various species including primates and the recent progress toward viral gene therapy clinical trials for the administration of therapeutic candidates into the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Déglon
- Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) CNRS URA2210, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot and ImaGene Program, Orsay Cedex, France.
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27
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Gorantla S, Santos K, Meyer V, Dewhurst S, Bowers WJ, Federoff HJ, Gendelman HE, Poluektova L. Human dendritic cells transduced with herpes simplex virus amplicons encoding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 elicit adaptive immune responses from human cells engrafted into NOD/SCID mice and confer partial protection against HIV-1 challenge. J Virol 2005; 79:2124-32. [PMID: 15681415 PMCID: PMC546587 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.4.2124-2132.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-animal models are needed to test human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine efficacy following viral challenge. To this end, we examined HIV-1-specific immune responses following immunization of nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient mice that were repopulated with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL-NOD/SCID mice). Autologous dendritic cells (DC) were transduced ex vivo with replication-defective, helper virus-free, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicons that expressed HIV-1 gp120 and were then injected into the hu-PBL-NOD/SCID mice. This resulted in primary HIV-1-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Serum samples from vaccinated animals contained human immunoglobulin G that reacted with HIV-1 Env proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralized the infectivity of HIV-1 LAI and ADA strains. T cells isolated from the mice responded to viral antigens by producing gamma interferon when analyzed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Importantly, exposure of the vaccinated animals to infectious HIV-1 demonstrated partial protection against infectious HIV-1 challenge. This was reflected by a reduction in HIV-1(ADA) and by protection of the engrafted human CD4(+) T lymphocytes against HIV-1(LAI)-induced cytotoxicity. These data demonstrate that transduction of DC by HSV amplicon vectors expressing HIV-1 gp120 induce virus-specific immune responses in hu-PBL-NOD/SCID mice. This mouse model may be a useful tool to evaluate human immune responses and protection against viral infection following vaccination.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibody Formation
- DNA, Viral
- Defective Viruses/genetics
- Defective Viruses/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/transplantation
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Genetic Vectors/immunology
- HIV Envelope Protein gp120/genetics
- HIV Envelope Protein gp120/immunology
- HIV Infections/immunology
- HIV Infections/virology
- Helper Viruses
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology
- Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Models, Animal
- Transduction, Genetic
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhi Gorantla
- Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, 985880 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5880, USA
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Oehmig A, Fraefel C, Breakefield XO. Update on herpesvirus amplicon vectors. Mol Ther 2005; 10:630-43. [PMID: 15451447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.06.641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2004] [Accepted: 06/17/2004] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Oehmig
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Calderwood MA, White RE, Whitehouse A. Development of herpesvirus-based episomally maintained gene delivery vectors. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2005; 4:493-505. [PMID: 15102599 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.4.4.493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Successful gene therapy aims to deliver and express therapeutic genes to cure or slow the progression of disease. However, a major obstacle in the application of gene therapy has been the development of the vectors used to deliver heterologous DNA to the cell or tissue of choice. A number of viral- and non-viral-based vector systems have undergone clinical trials with varying success. However, at present, no vector system possesses the full complement of properties that are generally believed necessary in an ideal gene delivery system. Therefore, alongside attempts to improve current gene delivery vectors, the identification and evaluation of new viral vectors is crucial for the long-term success of gene therapy. Herpesviruses are large DNA viruses which possess a number of advantages as gene delivery vectors. These relate to an ability to package large DNA insertions and establish lifelong latent infections in which the genomic material exists as a stable episome. This review aims to highlight the potential of herpesvirus vectors, in particular an alternative vector system based on herpesvirus saimiri (HVS). HVS is capable of infecting a range of human cell lines with high efficiencies, and the viral genome persists as high copy number, circular, non-integrated episomes which segregate to progeny following cell division. This allows the virus-based vector to stably transduce a dividing cell population and provide sustained transgene expression for an extended period of time both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the insertion of a bacterial artificial chromosome cassette into the HVS genome simplifies the incorporation of large amounts of heterologous DNA for gene delivery. These properties offer characteristics similar to an artificial chromosome combined with an efficient delivery system and merit its continual development as a possible gene delivery vector for the future.
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Abstract
The prognosis of patients with advanced head and neck cancer has not changed significantly in the last twenty years, despite concerted efforts to optimize treatment using conventional modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Novel therapeutic approaches based on our increasing understanding of the molecular changes that underlie the development of cancer have the potential to alter this situation. Gene therapy involves the delivery of genetic sequences in to tumour or normal cells for a therapeutic purpose. A number of viral and non-viral vectors have been developed that have the ability to deliver therapeutic genes specifically to tumours. These therapeutic genes can exert their effects by correcting existing genetic abnormalities, by killing cells directly or indirectly through recruitment of the immune system. In this review, the various gene therapy strategies that are under development are presented with particular reference to the treatment of head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK.
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33
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Grandi P, Wang S, Schuback D, Krasnykh V, Spear M, Curiel DT, Manservigi R, Breakefield XO. HSV-1 virions engineered for specific binding to cell surface receptors. Mol Ther 2004; 9:419-27. [PMID: 15006609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2003.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2003] [Accepted: 12/17/2003] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of specific peptide epitopes on the surface of virions has significant potential for studying viral biology and designing vectors for targeted gene therapy. In this study, an HSV-1 amplicon plasmid expressing a modified glycoprotein C (gC), in which the heparan sulfate binding domain was replaced with a His-tag, was used in generating HSV-1 virions. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of modified gC in the purified virions. The amplicon vectors were packaged using a gC-, lacZ+ helper virus to generate a mixture of high-titer helper virus (lacZ+) and amplicon vectors (GFP+), which expressed modified gC in the virion envelope. His-tagged virions bound to 293 6H cells expressing a cell surface pseudo-His-tag receptor four-fold more efficiently than to parental 293 cells and also proved more effective than wild-type virus in binding to both cell types. Binding resulted in productive infection by the modified virions with expression of reporter genes and cytopathic effect comparable to those of wild-type virions. Thus, not only can HSV-1 tropism be manipulated to recognize a non-herpes simplex binding receptor, but it is also possible to increase the infective capacity of the vectors beyond that of the wild-type virus via specific ligand receptor combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Grandi
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
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34
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Bragg DC, Camp SM, Kaufman CA, Wilbur JD, Boston H, Schuback DE, Hanson PI, Sena-Esteves M, Breakefield XO. Perinuclear biogenesis of mutant torsin-A inclusions in cultured cells infected with tetracycline-regulated herpes simplex virus type 1 amplicon vectors. Neuroscience 2004; 125:651-61. [PMID: 15099679 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
TorsinA is a novel protein identified in the search for mutations underlying the human neurologic movement disorder, early onset torsion dystonia. Relatively little is understood about the normal function of torsinA or the physiological effects of the codon deletion associated with most cases of disease. Overexpression of wild-type torsinA in cultured cells by DNA transfection results in a reticular distribution of immunoreactive protein that co-localizes with endoplasmic reticulum resident chaperones, while the dystonia-related mutant form accumulates within concentric membrane whorls and nuclear-associated membrane stacks. In this study we examined the biogenesis of mutant torsinA-positive membrane inclusions using tetracycline-regulated herpes simplex virus amplicon vectors. At low expression levels, mutant torsinA was localized predominantly around the nucleus, while at high levels it was also concentrated within cytosolic spheroid inclusions. In contrast, the distribution of wild-type torsinA did not vary, appearing diffuse and reticular at all expression levels. These observations are consistent with descriptions of inducible membrane synthesis in other systems in which cytosolic membrane whorls are derived from multilayered membrane stacks that first form around the nuclear envelope. These results also suggest that formation of mutant torsinA-positive inclusions occurs at high expression levels in culture, whereas the perinuclear accumulation of the mutant protein is present even at low expression levels that are more likely to resemble those of the endogenous protein. These nuclear-associated membrane structures enriched in mutant torsinA may therefore be of greater relevance to understanding how the dystonia-related mutation compromises cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Bragg
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Federoff HJ. CNS diseases amenable to gene therapy. ERNST SCHERING RESEARCH FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 2004:117-58. [PMID: 12894455 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-05352-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H J Federoff
- Center for Aging and Development, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Box 645, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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Seijffers R, Woolf CJ. Utilization of an HSV-based amplicon vector encoding the axonal marker hPLAP to follow neurite outgrowth in cultured DRG neurons. J Neurosci Methods 2004; 132:169-76. [PMID: 14706714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2003.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of genes into DRG neurons by viral vectors is a powerful tool for the study of axonal outgrowth. In order to achieve efficient transfer of growth-related genes and simultaneously label neuronal processes, we have utilized the HSV-based amplicon vector system. A bicistronic expression cassette encoding the growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and the axonal marker human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP) reporter gene under translation control of an internal ribosomal entry site was cloned into the HGCX amplicon vector. This hPLAP reporter enabled efficient labeling of neurites in both dissociated adult DRG neurons and embryonic DRG explants. Using this reporter, the effect of GAP-43 on neurite outgrowth in transduced DRG neurons could be demonstrated. HSV-based amplicon vectors can contribute to the study of axonal growth and guidance in cultured neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhona Seijffers
- Neural Plasticity Research Group, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Room 4309, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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Abstract
Evidence that immunological effector mechanisms contribute to the elimination of leukemic blasts in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation supports the concept that the immune system plays a prominent role in the control of leukemic disease. For patients with high-risk acute leukemia, relapse prevention in the setting of minimal residual disease is paramount. This review discusses vaccine strategies aimed to stimulate a leukemia-specific immune response in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Glouchkova
- Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Clinic, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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38
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Kubo S, Saeki Y, Chiocca EA, Mitani K. An HSV amplicon-based helper system for helper-dependent adenoviral vectors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003; 307:826-30. [PMID: 12878185 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)01256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To produce a helper virus-free stock of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAdVs), we have developed a new helper system in which adenoviral genes for propagation of HDAdVs are delivered into producer cells by a herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV) amplicon-adenovirus hybrid. The hybrid amplicon was constructed to carry the E1 gene (HA-E1) or the entire adenoviral genome except E1 (HA-Ad). E1 expression from the HSV amplicon successfully complemented propagation of an E1-deleted adenoviral vector in a human glioma cell line. HDAdVs were propagated in 293 cells infected with HA-Ad. In addition, HDAdVs were rescued and propagated in a glioma cell line superinfected with both HA-E1 and HA-Ad amplicons, although relatively low titers of HSV amplicon resulted in low propagation efficiency of HDAdVs. Since the HSV amplicon can be easily and completely inactivated by chloroform extraction and/or heat treatment from the HDAdV stock, this helper system might be an alternative method to produce helper virus-free HDAdVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Kubo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Cortés ML, Bakkenist CJ, Di Maria MV, Kastan MB, Breakefield XO. HSV-1 amplicon vector-mediated expression of ATM cDNA and correction of the ataxia-telangiectasia cellular phenotype. Gene Ther 2003; 10:1321-7. [PMID: 12883528 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, cancer predisposition, genome instability, and radiation sensitivity. Previous research has shown that it is possible to correct the hereditary deficiency A-T by DNA transfection in cell culture, but the large size of the ATM cDNA (9 kb) limits the use of many vector types for gene replacement. HSV-1 amplicon vectors provide a means to deliver large genes to cells efficiently and without toxicity. In this study, the FLAG-tagged cDNA for human ATM was inserted into an HSV-1 amplicon under control of the CMV promoter (designated as HGC-ATM). FLAG-ATM expression was confirmed in 293T/17 cells and human A-T fibroblasts (GM9607) after transduction, by immunoprecipitation, Western analysis, and immunocytochemistry. Functional recovery was assessed by two independent assays. First, in vitro kinase assay showed that vector-derived ATM in GM9607 cells could successfully phosphorylate wt p53 using recombinant GST-p53(1-101). Second, in A-T cells infected with the HGC-ATM vector, the extent of accumulation in G2/M phase at 24 h postirradiation was similar to that observed in cells with wild-type endogenous ATM and lower than that observed in A-T cells infected with a control vector. Thus, these vectors provide a tool to test the feasibility of HSV-amplicons as gene therapy vectors for A-T.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Cortés
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) constitute a specialised system of antigen-presenting cells with a high capacity to induce and to modulate the immune response against microbial, tumour and self-antigens. New techniques to generate large amounts of DCs together with the molecular identification of human tumour-associated antigens (TAA) have opened new ways for antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies. DCs loaded either with TAA-derived MHC class I-specific synthetic peptides or with whole tumour cell preparations have been used in numerous clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of DCs in patients with cancer. However, the disadvantages of DCs pulsed with synthetic peptides from TAA include the uncertainty regarding the longevity of antigen presentation, the restriction by the patient's haplotype and the relatively low number of known MHC class I and in particular of MHC class II helper cell-related epitopes. Whole tumour cell preparations are difficult to standardise, and they depend on the availability of tumour cells. Thus the utilisation of viral vectors genetically modified to express TAA for the ex vivo transduction of DCs is an attractive alternative to achieve a MHC I- and MHC II-restricted presentation of tumoural antigens. To induce protective anti-tumoural immune response an increasing number of modified viral vectors have been used to transduce DCs. Although high transduction efficacies were reported for several viruses, analysis of the interaction of viral vectors with DCs has revealed several viral mechanisms that interfere with main functions of DCs, dampening somewhat the initial optimism in the field of DC transduction. However, promising results with different vectors have been achieved. In this review we summarise available data and discuss advantages and drawbacks of currently available vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Humrich
- Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen, Hartmannstrasse 14, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
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41
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Borst EM, Messerle M. Construction of a cytomegalovirus-based amplicon: a vector with a unique transfer capacity. Hum Gene Ther 2003; 14:959-70. [PMID: 12869214 DOI: 10.1089/104303403766682223] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has a number of interesting properties that qualifies it as a vector for gene transfer. Especially appealing is the ability of the CMV genome to persist in hematopoietic progenitor cells and the packaging capacity of the viral capsid that accommodates a DNA genome of 230 kbp. In order to exploit the packaging capacity of the CMV capsid we investigated whether the principles of an amplicon vector can be applied to CMV. Amplicons are herpesviral vectors, which contain only the cis-active sequences required for replication and packaging of the vector genome. For construction of a CMV amplicon the sequences comprising the lytic origin of replication (orilyt) and the cleavage packaging recognition sites (pac) of human CMV were cloned onto a plasmid. A gene encoding the green fluorescent protein was used as a model transgene. The amplicon plasmid replicated in the presence of a CMV helper virus and was packaged into CMV particles, with replication and packaging being dependent on the presence of the orilyt and pac sequences. The packaged amplicon could be transferred to recipient cells and reisolated from the transduced cells. Analysis of the DNA isolated from CMV capsids revealed that the CMV amplicon was packaged as a concatemer with a size of approximately 210 kbp. The CMV amplicon vector has the potential to transfer therapeutic genes with a size of more than 200 kbp and thus provides a unique transfer capacity among viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Maria Borst
- Virus Cell Interaction Group, Medical Faculty, University of Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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42
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Wang S, Petravicz J, Breakefield XO. Single HSV-amplicon vector mediates drug-induced gene expression via dimerizer system. Mol Ther 2003; 7:790-800. [PMID: 12788653 DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(03)00094-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of viral vectors have been used to deliver genes into various tissues. Most have typically relied on either viral or cell-specific mammalian promoters to express transgenes. More recently, regulated promoter systems have been developed to fine-tune gene expression. Due to limited transgene capacity in most viral vectors, regulatory elements are typically subcloned into two separate vectors, which must be delivered simultaneously to a target cell. Here, we have cloned all the components of the rapamycin-based "dimerizer" system into the pantropic HSV-amplicon vector and used it to deliver and regulate red fluorescent protein (RFP) expression in cultured cells in a drug-dose-dependent manner. 293T/17 cells infected at an m.o.i. of 1 transducing unit/cell and induced with 20 nM rapamycin resulted in a 25-fold increase in RFP mRNA levels after 24 h as assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. However, due to a reduced ability to detect RFP optically, only a 5-fold induction in the number of RFP-expressing cells was noted by FACS analysis 48 h after infection. Further, there was at least 100-fold variation in the levels of RFP in individual, infected cells in the induced state. Gene induction in several neuronal models, including primary cell culture and organotypic cultures, as well as in rodent brain, was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Wang
- Department of Neurology, and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
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43
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Bowers WJ, Olschowka JA, Federoff HJ. Immune responses to replication-defective HSV-1 type vectors within the CNS: implications for gene therapy. Gene Ther 2003; 10:941-5. [PMID: 12756414 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a naturally occurring double-stranded DNA virus that has been adapted into an efficient vector for in vivo gene transfer. HSV-based vectors exhibit wide tropism, large transgene size capacity, and moderately prolonged transgene expression profiles. Clinical implementation of HSV vector-based gene therapy for prevention and/or amelioration of human diseases eventually will be realized, but inherently this goal presents a series of significant challenges, one of which relates to issues of immune system involvement. Few experimental reports have detailed HSV vector-engendered immune responses and subsequent resolution events primarily within the confines of the central nervous system. Herein, we describe the immunobiology of HSV and its derived vector platforms, thus providing an initiation point from where to propose requisite experimental investigation and potential approaches to prevent and/or counter adverse antivector immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Bowers
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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44
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Davidson BL, Breakefield XO. Viral vectors for gene delivery to the nervous system. Nat Rev Neurosci 2003; 4:353-64. [PMID: 12728263 DOI: 10.1038/nrn1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Beverly L Davidson
- Program in Gene Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
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Wade-Martins R, Saeki Y, Chiocca EA. Infectious delivery of a 135-kb LDLR genomic locus leads to regulated complementation of low-density lipoprotein receptor deficiency in human cells. Mol Ther 2003; 7:604-12. [PMID: 12718903 DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(03)00060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to deliver efficiently a complete genomic DNA locus to human and rodent cells will likely find widespread application in functional genomic studies and novel gene therapy protocols. In contrast to a cDNA expression cassette, the use of a complete genomic DNA locus delivers a transgene intact with its native promoter, the exons, all the intervening introns, and the regulatory regions. The presence of flanking, noncoding genomic DNA sequences could prove critical for prolonged and appropriate gene expression. We have recently developed a technology for the rapid conversion of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones into high-capacity herpes simplex virus-based amplicon vectors. Here, we express the human low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), mutated in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), from a 135-kb BAC insert. The infectious LDLR genomic locus vectors were shown to express at physiologically appropriate levels in three contexts. First, the LDLR locus was expressed appropriately in the ldl(-/-)a7 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line immediately following infectious delivery; second, the locus was maintained within a replicating episomal vector and expressed at broadly physiological levels in CHO cells for 3 months following infectious delivery; and third, the locus was efficiently expressed in human fibroblasts derived from FH patients. Finally, we show that the infectious LDLR locus retains classical expression regulation by sterol levels in human cells. This long-term expression and physiological regulation of LDLR prepares the way for in vivo functional studies of infectious delivery of BAC inserts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Wade-Martins
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Laboratories, Neurosurgery Service, Massachusetts General Hospital-East and Harvard Medical School, Building 149, 13th Street, Charlestown 02129, USA
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46
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Kubo S, Mitani K. A new hybrid system capable of efficient lentiviral vector production and stable gene transfer mediated by a single helper-dependent adenoviral vector. J Virol 2003; 77:2964-71. [PMID: 12584321 PMCID: PMC149763 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.77.5.2964-2971.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2002] [Accepted: 12/03/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To achieve efficient and sustained gene expression, we developed a new lentivirus/adenovirus hybrid vector (LA vector) that encodes sequences required for production of a human immunodeficiency virus-based lentiviral vector (i.e., a lentiviral vector, a gag/pol/rev expression cassette, a tetracycline-inducible envelope cassette, and the tetracycline-inducible transcriptional activator cassette) in a single helper-dependent adenovirus vector backbone. Via either transfection or infection, human cell lines transduced with the LA vector produced a lentiviral vector in a doxycycline-dependent manner at titers up to 10(5) to 10(6) green fluorescent protein transducing units per ml, which are comparable to the titers obtained by conventional multiple plasmid transfection methods. Efficient spread and persistent expression of the transgene were observed in cells maintained in long-term culture that had been infected with the LA vector. Furthermore, when cocultured with adherent cells infected with the LA vector, the human T-cell leukemia cell line was successfully transduced with a marker gene. This LA vector possesses the advantages of efficient gene transfer from an adenoviral vector and stable integration from a lentiviral vector; therefore, it might have potential for a variety of gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Kubo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1747, USA
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47
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Spear MA, Schuback D, Miyata K, Grandi P, Sun F, Yoo L, Nguyen A, Brandt CR, Breakefield XO. HSV-1 amplicon peptide display vector. J Virol Methods 2003; 107:71-9. [PMID: 12445940 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-0934(02)00193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
There are significant uses for expressing foreign peptide epitopes in viral surface attachment proteins in terms of investigating viral targeting, biology, and immunology. HSV-1 attachment, followed by fusion and entry, is mediated in large part by the binding of viral surface glycoproteins to cell surface receptors, primarily through heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan residues. We constructed a HSV-1 amplicon plasmid (pCONGA) carrying the gC primary attachment protein gene with unique restriction sites flanking the HS binding domain (HSBD) (residues 33-176) to allow rapid, high efficiency substitution with foreign peptide domains. To test this system, a His tag with an additional unique restriction site (for selection and assay digests) was recombined into the pCONGA HSBD site to create pCONGAH. Infection of pCONGAH transfected Vero cells with HSV-1 helper virus (gCdelta2-3 or hrR3) produced His-modified gC as demonstrated by western blot analysis with co-localization of anti-gC and anti-His tag antibodies to a protein of appropriate molecular weight (50 kd). As CONGA and CONGAH amplicons carry a GFP transgene and the gCdelta2-3 and hrR3 viruses carry a lacZ transgene, vector stocks produced from 1 x 10(5) Vero cells could be titered for competent vector on cell monolayers and were demonstrated to contain 2 x 10(5) amplicon vector transducing units (t.u.)/ml and 1 x 10(7) virus t.u./ml. As the amplicon plasmids also contain the neomycin resistance gene (neo(r)), long term vector producer cell lines were created using G418 selection. This amplicon system provides means to rapidly and efficiently generate HSV-1 amplicon and viral vector expressing surface attachment proteins modified with different peptide epitopes for investigational and therapeutic uses, with the advantages of an amplicon plasmid that can be used with interchangeable helper virus vectors, is designed specifically for easy manipulation, and carries GFP and neo(r) transgenes for marker and selection functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Spear
- Gene Therapy Program, Radiation Oncology, UCSD Cancer Center, UCSD Medical Center, University of California San Diego, MC 8757, 200 West Arbor Drive, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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48
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Lam P, Hui KM, Wang Y, Allen PD, Louis DN, Yuan CJ, Breakefield XO. Dynamics of transgene expression in human glioblastoma cells mediated by herpes simplex virus/adeno-associated virus amplicon vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2002; 13:2147-59. [PMID: 12542846 DOI: 10.1089/104303402320987842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the challenges in gene therapy is to ensure stable transgene expression at the site of disease with a high degree of accuracy and safety. In this paper, we examine both viral and cellular elements that may affect the level of transgene expression mediated by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) adeno-associated virus (AAV) amplicon vectors. These elements include the AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs), the AAV Rep proteins, and the allelic status of 19q in human glioma cell lines. The latter is of particular interest because the AAV integration site (AAVS1) is located on the long arm of chromosome 19 and 30-40% of human glioblastoma tumors are reported to have loss of heterozygosity in this region of chromosome 19q. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis results indicate that inclusion of minimal or full-length AAV ITRs in HSV-1 amplicon vectors markedly increases the efficiency of transgene expression. On the other hand, insertion of the AAV rep gene decreases the level of transgene expression, apparently because of the cytotoxic effects of Rep proteins. Further, the levels of transgene expression appear to be independent of 19q allelic status or the number of endogenous AAVS1 sequences in the various glioma cell lines studied. Taken together, these data support employing AAV ITRs, in the context of HSV-1 amplicon vectors, to enhance short-term levels of transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lam
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
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Wang Y, Camp SM, Niwano M, Shen X, Bakowska JC, Breakefield XO, Allen PD. Herpes simplex virus type 1/adeno-associated virus rep(+) hybrid amplicon vector improves the stability of transgene expression in human cells by site-specific integration. J Virol 2002; 76:7150-62. [PMID: 12072515 PMCID: PMC136298 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.76.14.7150-7162.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors are promising gene delivery tools, but their utility in gene therapy has been impeded to some extent by their inability to achieve stable transgene expression. In this study, we examined the possibility of improving transduction stability in cultured human cells via site-specific genomic integration mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep and inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). A rep(-) HSV/AAV hybrid amplicon vector was made by inserting a transgene cassette flanked with AAV ITRs into an HSV-1 amplicon backbone, and a rep(+) HSV/AAV hybrid amplicon was made by inserting rep68/78 outside the rep(-) vector 3' AAV ITR sequence. Both vectors also had a pair of loxP sites flanking the ITRs. The resulting hybrid amplicon vectors were successfully packaged and compared to a standard amplicon vector for stable transduction frequency (STF) in human 293 and Gli36 cell lines and primary myoblasts. The rep(+), but not the rep(-), hybrid vector improved STF in all three types of cells; 84% of Gli36 and 40% of 293 stable clones transduced by the rep(+) hybrid vector integrated the transgene into the AAVS1 site. Due to the difficulty in expanding primary myoblasts, we did not assess site-specific integration in these cells. A strategy to attempt further improvement of STF by "deconcatenating" the hybrid amplicon DNA via Cre-loxP recombination was tested, but it did not increase STF. These data demonstrate that introducing the integrating elements of AAV into HSV-1 amplicon vectors can significantly improve their ability to achieve stable gene transduction by conferring the AAV-like capability of site-specific genomic integration in dividing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Bowers WJ, Chen X, Guo H, Frisina DR, Federoff HJ, Frisina RD. Neurotrophin-3 transduction attenuates cisplatin spiral ganglion neuron ototoxicity in the cochlea. Mol Ther 2002; 6:12-8. [PMID: 12095298 DOI: 10.1006/mthe.2002.0627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ototoxicity is a major dose-limiting side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy for cancer patients. We previously demonstrated in vitro that herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon-mediated delivery of a neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)/myc chimera protects spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in murine cochlear cultures from cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. To extend these findings, a newly constructed amplicon vector (HSVnt-3myc/SV40lac) that expresses the NT-3myc chimera and the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) reporter gene under separate transcriptional control was initially tested in vitro and then was delivered to the cochlea of aged mice that were subsequently treated with cisplatin. Successful transduction with the new amplicon was observed in vitro as determined by its capacity to infect SGNs and to express NT-3myc mRNA and protein. To determine whether amplicon-directed NT-3myc overexpression could abrogate the ototoxicity in vivo, two groups of aged mice (CBA) were inoculated with HSVnt-3myc/SV40lac or control vector, HSVSV40lac, preceding administration of cisplatin. Cochleas inoculated with HSVnt-3myc/SV40lac harbored significantly greater numbers of surviving SGNs and showed lower incidence of cisplatin-induced apoptosis or necrosis than those injected with the control virus. These data demonstrate that HSV amplicon-mediated NT-3 delivery can attenuate the ototoxic actions of cisplatin in the peripheral auditory system of the aged mouse. The potency of NT-3 in SGN neuroprotection suggests that in vivo neurotrophin-based gene therapy is a promising preventative treatment for chemical-induced hearing disorders, and potentially for hearing degeneration due to normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Bowers
- Center for Aging and Developmental Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642-8629, USA
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