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Tejero M, Duzenli OF, Caine C, Kuoch H, Aslanidi G. Bioengineered Hybrid Rep 2/6 Gene Improves Encapsulation of a Single-Stranded Expression Cassette into AAV6 Vectors. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1866. [PMID: 37895215 PMCID: PMC10606878 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of clinical-grade recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene therapy trials remains a major hurdle in the further advancement of the gene therapy field. During the past decades, AAV research has been predominantly focused on the development of new capsid modifications, vector-associated immunogenicity, and the scale-up vector production. However, limited studies have examined the possibility to manipulate non-structural components of AAV such as the Rep genes. Historically, naturally isolated, or recombinant library-derived AAV capsids have been produced using the AAV serotype 2 Rep gene to package ITR2-flanked vector genomes. In the current study, we mutated four variable amino acids in the conservative part of the binding domain in AAV serotype 6 Rep to generate a Rep2/6 hybrid gene. This newly generated Rep2/6 hybrid had improved packaging ability over wild-type Rep6. AAV vectors produced with Rep2/6 exhibited similar in vivo activity as standard AAV6 vectors. Furthermore, we show that this Rep2/6 hybrid also improves full/empty capsid ratios, suggesting that Rep bioengineering can be used to improve the ratio of fully encapsulated AAV vectors during upstream manufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Tejero
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55455, USA; (M.T.)
| | - Ozgun F. Duzenli
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55455, USA; (M.T.)
| | - Colin Caine
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55455, USA; (M.T.)
| | - Hisae Kuoch
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55455, USA; (M.T.)
| | - George Aslanidi
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55455, USA; (M.T.)
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Institute Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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2
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Benasutti H, Maricelli JW, Seto J, Hall J, Halbert C, Wicki J, Heusgen L, Purvis N, Regnier M, Lin DC, Rodgers BD, Chamberlain JS. Efficacy and muscle safety assessment of fukutin-related protein gene therapy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:65-80. [PMID: 37361354 PMCID: PMC10285450 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R9 (LGMDR9) is a muscle-wasting disease that begins in the hip and shoulder regions of the body. This disease is caused by mutations in fukutin-related protein (FKRP), a glycosyltransferase critical for maintaining muscle cell integrity. Here we investigated potential gene therapies for LGMDR9 containing an FKRP expression construct with untranslated region (UTR) modifications. Initial studies treated an aged dystrophic mouse model (FKRPP448L) with adeno-associated virus vector serotype 6 (AAV6). Grip strength improved in a dose- and time-dependent manner, injected mice exhibited fewer central nuclei and serum creatine kinase levels were 3- and 5-fold lower compared to those in non-injected FKRPP448L mice. Treatment also partially stabilized the respiratory pattern during exercise and improved treadmill running, partially protecting muscle from exercise-induced damage. Western blotting of C2C12 myotubes using a novel rabbit antibody confirmed heightened translation with the UTR modifications. We further explored the question of FKRP toxicity in wild-type mice using high doses of two additional muscle-tropic capsids: AAV9 and AAVMYO1. No toxic effects were detected with either therapeutic agent. These data further support the feasibility of gene therapy to treat LGMDR9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halli Benasutti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joseph W. Maricelli
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Washington Center for Muscle Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jane Seto
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John Hall
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christine Halbert
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Wicki
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lydia Heusgen
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas Purvis
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Regnier
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David C. Lin
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience and the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Buel D. Rodgers
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Washington Center for Muscle Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Sen. Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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3
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Cikes D, Elsayad K, Sezgin E, Koitai E, Torma F, Orthofer M, Yarwood R, Heinz LX, Sedlyarov V, Miranda ND, Taylor A, Grapentine S, Al-Murshedi F, Abot A, Weidinger A, Kutchukian C, Sanchez C, Cronin SJF, Novatchkova M, Kavirayani A, Schuetz T, Haubner B, Haas L, Hagelkruys A, Jackowski S, Kozlov AV, Jacquemond V, Knauf C, Superti-Furga G, Rullman E, Gustafsson T, McDermot J, Lowe M, Radak Z, Chamberlain JS, Bakovic M, Banka S, Penninger JM. PCYT2-regulated lipid biosynthesis is critical to muscle health and ageing. Nat Metab 2023; 5:495-515. [PMID: 36941451 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Muscle degeneration is the most prevalent cause for frailty and dependency in inherited diseases and ageing. Elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms, as well as effective treatments for muscle diseases, represents an important goal in improving human health. Here, we show that the lipid synthesis enzyme phosphatidylethanolamine cytidyltransferase (PCYT2/ECT) is critical to muscle health. Human deficiency in PCYT2 causes a severe disease with failure to thrive and progressive weakness. pcyt2-mutant zebrafish and muscle-specific Pcyt2-knockout mice recapitulate the participant phenotypes, with failure to thrive, progressive muscle weakness and accelerated ageing. Mechanistically, muscle Pcyt2 deficiency affects cellular bioenergetics and membrane lipid bilayer structure and stability. PCYT2 activity declines in ageing muscles of mice and humans, and adeno-associated virus-based delivery of PCYT2 ameliorates muscle weakness in Pcyt2-knockout and old mice, offering a therapy for individuals with a rare disease and muscle ageing. Thus, PCYT2 plays a fundamental and conserved role in vertebrate muscle health, linking PCYT2 and PCYT2-synthesized lipids to severe muscle dystrophy and ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domagoj Cikes
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kareem Elsayad
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology and Medical Imaging Cluster (MIC), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Erdinc Sezgin
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, MRC Human Immunology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erika Koitai
- Research Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Torma
- Research Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Orthofer
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rebecca Yarwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Leonhard X Heinz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vitaly Sedlyarov
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Adrian Taylor
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sophie Grapentine
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fathiya Al-Murshedi
- Department of Genetics, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Anne Abot
- Enterosys SAS, Prologue Biotech, Labège, France
| | - Adelheid Weidinger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Candice Kutchukian
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Colline Sanchez
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Shane J F Cronin
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anoop Kavirayani
- VBCF, Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Schuetz
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Haubner
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Haas
- IMP Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Astrid Hagelkruys
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Andrey V Kozlov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Jacquemond
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Claude Knauf
- INSERM U1220 Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, CHU Purpan, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Giulio Superti-Furga
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eric Rullman
- Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and Unit of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Cardiovascular Theme, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Gustafsson
- Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and Unit of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John McDermot
- Manchester Centre for Genomics Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Lowe
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Zsolt Radak
- Research Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marica Bakovic
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Siddharth Banka
- Manchester Centre for Genomics Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Josef M Penninger
- IMBA, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Science Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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4
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Bengtsson NE, Crudele JM, Klaiman JM, Halbert CL, Hauschka SD, Chamberlain JS. Comparison of dystrophin expression following gene editing and gene replacement in an aged preclinical DMD animal model. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2176-2185. [PMID: 35143959 PMCID: PMC9171147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing has shown promise for correcting or bypassing dystrophin mutations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, preclinical studies have focused on young animals with limited muscle fibrosis and wasting, thereby favoring muscle transduction, myonuclear editing, and prevention of disease progression. Here, we explore muscle-specific dystrophin gene editing following intramuscular delivery of AAV6:CK8e-CRISPR/SaCas9 in 3- and 8-year-old dystrophic CXMD dogs and provide a qualitative comparison to AAV6:CK8e-micro-dystrophin gene replacement at 6 weeks post-treatment. Gene editing restored the dystrophin reading frame in ∼1.3% of genomes and in up to 4.0% of dystrophin transcripts following excision of a 105-kb mutation containing region spanning exons 6-8. However, resulting dystrophin expression levels and effects on muscle pathology were greater with the use of micro-dystrophin gene transfer. This study demonstrates that our muscle-specific multi-exon deletion strategy can correct a frequently mutated region of the dystrophin gene in an aged large animal DMD model, but underscores that further enhancements are required to reach efficiencies comparable to AAV micro-dystrophin. Our observations also indicate that treatment efficacy and state of muscle pathology at the time of intervention are linked, suggesting the need for additional methodological optimizations related to age and disease progression to achieve relevant clinical translation of CRISPR-based therapies to all DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niclas E Bengtsson
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA.
| | - Julie M Crudele
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jordan M Klaiman
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Christine L Halbert
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Stephen D Hauschka
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98109-8055, USA
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5
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Ohlendieck K, Swandulla D. Complexity of skeletal muscle degeneration: multi-systems pathophysiology and organ crosstalk in dystrophinopathy. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:1813-1839. [PMID: 34553265 PMCID: PMC8599371 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02623-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a highly progressive muscle wasting disorder due to primary abnormalities in one of the largest genes in the human genome, the DMD gene, which encodes various tissue-specific isoforms of the protein dystrophin. Although dystrophinopathies are classified as primary neuromuscular disorders, the body-wide abnormalities that are associated with this disorder and the occurrence of organ crosstalk suggest that a multi-systems pathophysiological view should be taken for a better overall understanding of the complex aetiology of X-linked muscular dystrophy. This article reviews the molecular and cellular effects of deficiency in dystrophin isoforms in relation to voluntary striated muscles, the cardio-respiratory system, the kidney, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system and the immune system. Based on the establishment of comprehensive biomarker signatures of X-linked muscular dystrophy using large-scale screening of both patient specimens and genetic animal models, this article also discusses the potential usefulness of novel disease markers for more inclusive approaches to differential diagnosis, prognosis and therapy monitoring that also take into account multi-systems aspects of dystrophinopathy. Current therapeutic approaches to combat muscular dystrophy are summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Ohlendieck
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, W23F2H6, Ireland.
- Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Maynooth, W23F2H6, Ireland.
| | - Dieter Swandulla
- Institute of Physiology, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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6
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Shimizu-Albergine M, Basu D, Kanter JE, Kramer F, Kothari V, Barnhart S, Thornock C, Mullick AE, Clouet-Foraison N, Vaisar T, Heinecke JW, Hegele RA, Goldberg IJ, Bornfeldt KE. CREBH normalizes dyslipidemia and halts atherosclerosis in diabetes by decreasing circulating remnant lipoproteins. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e153285. [PMID: 34491909 DOI: 10.1172/jci153285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the transcription factor CREB3L3 (CREBH) associate with severe hypertriglyceridemia in humans. CREBH is believed to lower plasma triglycerides by augmenting the action of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). However, by using a mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), we found that greater liver expression of active CREBH normalized both elevated plasma triglycerides and cholesterol. Residual triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) remnants were enriched in apolipoprotein E (APOE) and impoverished in APOC3, an apolipoprotein composition indicative of increased hepatic clearance. The underlying mechanism was independent of LPL as CREBH reduced both triglycerides and cholesterol in LPL-deficient mice. Instead, APOE was critical for CREBH's ability to lower circulating remnant lipoproteins because it failed to reduce TRL cholesterol in Apoe-/- mice. Importantly, humans with CREB3L3 loss-of-function mutations exhibited increased levels of remnant lipoproteins that were deprived of APOE. Recent evidence suggests that impaired clearance of TRL remnants promotes cardiovascular disease in patients with T1DM. Consistently, we found that hepatic expression of CREBH prevented the progression of diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis. Our results support the proposal that CREBH acts through an APOE-dependent pathway to increase hepatic clearance of remnant lipoproteins. They also implicate elevated levels of remnants in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in T1DM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Debapriya Basu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Jenny E Kanter
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Farah Kramer
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Vishal Kothari
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Shelley Barnhart
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Carissa Thornock
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Adam E Mullick
- Cardiovascular Disease Research, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Carlsbad, United States of America
| | | | - Tomas Vaisar
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Jay W Heinecke
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Ira J Goldberg
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, United States of America
| | - Karin E Bornfeldt
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
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7
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Howard ZM, Dorn LE, Lowe J, Gertzen MD, Ciccone P, Rastogi N, Odom GL, Accornero F, Chamberlain JS, Rafael-Fortney JA. Micro-dystrophin gene therapy prevents heart failure in an improved Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy mouse model. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146511. [PMID: 33651713 PMCID: PMC8119181 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene replacement for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with micro-dystrophins has entered clinical trials, but efficacy in preventing heart failure is unknown. Although most patients with DMD die from heart failure, cardiomyopathy is undetectable until the teens, so efficacy from trials in young boys will be unknown for a decade. Available DMD animal models were sufficient to demonstrate micro-dystrophin efficacy on earlier onset skeletal muscle pathology underlying loss of ambulation and respiratory insufficiency in patients. However, no mouse models progressed into heart failure, and dog models showed highly variable progression insufficient to evaluate efficacy of micro-dystrophin or other therapies on DMD heart failure. To overcome this barrier, we have generated the first DMD mouse model to our knowledge that reproducibly progresses into heart failure. This model shows cardiac inflammation and fibrosis occur prior to reduced function. Fibrosis does not continue to accumulate, but inflammation persists after function declines. We used this model to test micro-dystrophin gene therapy efficacy on heart failure prevention for the first time. Micro-dystrophin prevented declines in cardiac function and prohibited onset of inflammation and fibrosis. This model will allow identification of committed pathogenic steps to heart failure and testing of genetic and nongenetic therapies to optimize cardiac care for patients with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M. Howard
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lisa E. Dorn
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jeovanna Lowe
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Megan D. Gertzen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Pierce Ciccone
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Neha Rastogi
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Guy L. Odom
- Department of Neurology and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology and Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jill A. Rafael-Fortney
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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8
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Incorporation of sensing modalities into de novo designed fluorescence-activating proteins. Nat Commun 2021; 12:856. [PMID: 33558528 PMCID: PMC7870846 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18911-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Through the efforts of many groups, a wide range of fluorescent protein reporters and sensors based on green fluorescent protein and its relatives have been engineered in recent years. Here we explore the incorporation of sensing modalities into de novo designed fluorescence-activating proteins, called mini-fluorescence-activating proteins (mFAPs), that bind and stabilize the fluorescent cis-planar state of the fluorogenic compound DFHBI. We show through further design that the fluorescence intensity and specificity of mFAPs for different chromophores can be tuned, and the fluorescence made sensitive to pH and Ca2+ for real-time fluorescence reporting. Bipartite split mFAPs enable real-time monitoring of protein-protein association and (unlike widely used split GFP reporter systems) are fully reversible, allowing direct readout of association and dissociation events. The relative ease with which sensing modalities can be incorporated and advantages in smaller size and photostability make de novo designed fluorescence-activating proteins attractive candidates for optical sensor engineering.
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9
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Tummala G, Crain A, Rowlan J, Pepple KL. Characterization of Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis Following Intravitreal Adeno-Associated Virus Injection in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:41. [PMID: 33630023 PMCID: PMC7910624 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.2.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize the intraocular immune cell infiltrate induced by intravitreal adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy. Methods AAV vectors carrying plasmids expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of PR2.1 were injected intravitreally into AAV naive and AAV primed C57Bl/6 mice. Clinical inflammation was assessed using optical coherence tomography. Intraocular immune cell populations were identified and quantified by flow cytometry on days 1, 7, and 29 after intravitreal injection and compared with sham and fellow eye controls. Results Optical coherence tomography inflammation score and total CD45+ cell number were significantly higher in AAV injected eyes compared to uninjected fellow eye and sham injected controls. Clinically apparent inflammation (vitritis on optical coherence tomography) and cellular inflammation (CD45+ cell number) was significantly increased in AAV injected eyes and peaked around day 7. Vitritis resolved by day 29, but cellular inflammation persisted through day 29. On day 1, neutrophils and activated monocytes were the dominant cell populations in all AAV injected eyes. On day 7, eyes of AAV exposed animals had significantly more dendritic cells and T cells than eyes of AAV naive animals. By day 29, CD8- T cells were the dominant CD45+ cell population in AAV injected eyes. Conclusions Intravitreal AAV injection in mice generates clinically evident inflammation that is mild and seems to resolve spontaneously. However, the total number of intraocular CD45+ cells, particularly T cells, remain elevated. Both innate and adaptive immune cells respond to intravitreal AAV regardless of prior immune status, but the adaptive response is delayed in AAV naive eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Tummala
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Adam Crain
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jessica Rowlan
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Kathryn L. Pepple
- University of Washington, Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle, Washington, United States
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10
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Stone D, Kenkel EJ, Loprieno MA, Tanaka M, De Silva Feelixge HS, Kumar AJ, Stensland L, Obenza WM, Wangari S, Ahrens CY, Murnane RD, Peterson CW, Kiem HP, Huang ML, Aubert M, Hu SL, Jerome KR. Gene Transfer in Adeno-Associated Virus Seropositive Rhesus Macaques Following Rapamycin Treatment and Subcutaneous Delivery of AAV6, but Not Retargeted AAV6 Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 32:96-112. [PMID: 32998579 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors such as AAV6, which shows tropism for primary human CD4+ T cells in vitro, are being explored for delivery of anti-HIV therapeutic modalities in vivo. However, pre-existing immunity and sequestration in nontarget organs can significantly hinder their performance. To overcome these challenges, we investigated whether immunosuppression would allow gene delivery by AAV6 or targeted AAV6 derivatives in seropositive rhesus macaques. Animals were immune suppressed with rapamycin before intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) delivery of AAV, and we monitored vector biodistribution, gene transfer, and safety. Macaques received phosphate-buffered saline, AAV6 alone, or an equal dose of AAV6 and an AAV6-55.2 vector retargeted to CD4 through a direct ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin). AAV6 and AAV6-55.2 vector genomes were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and most organs up to 28 days postadministration, with the highest levels seen in liver, spleen, lymph nodes (LNs), and muscle, suggesting that retargeting did not prevent vector sequestration. Despite vector genome detection, gene expression from AAV6-55.2 was not detected in any tissue. SC injection of AAV6 facilitated efficient gene expression in muscle adjacent to the injection site, plus low-level gene expression in spleen, LNs, and liver, whereas gene expression following IV injection of AAV6 was predominantly seen in the spleen. AAV vectors were well tolerated, although elevated liver enzymes were detected in three of four AAV-treated animals 14 days after rapamycin withdrawal. One SC-injected animal had muscle inflammation proximal to the injection site, plus detectable T cell responses against transgene and AAV6 capsid at study finish. Overall, our data suggest that rapamycin treatment may offer a possible strategy to express anti-HIV therapeutics such as broadly neutralizing antibodies from muscle. This study provides important safety and efficacy data that will aid study design for future anti-HIV gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Stone
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Kenkel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle A Loprieno
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Motoko Tanaka
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Arjun J Kumar
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laurence Stensland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willimark M Obenza
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Solomon Wangari
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chul Y Ahrens
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert D Murnane
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher W Peterson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Meei-Li Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Martine Aubert
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shiu-Lok Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Keith R Jerome
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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11
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Li F, Kolb J, Crudele J, Tonino P, Hourani Z, Smith JE, Chamberlain JS, Granzier H. Expressing a Z-disk nebulin fragment in nebulin-deficient mouse muscle: effects on muscle structure and function. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:2. [PMID: 31992366 PMCID: PMC6986074 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-019-0219-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nebulin is a critical thin filament-binding protein that spans from the Z-disk of the skeletal muscle sarcomere to near the pointed end of the thin filament. Its massive size and actin-binding property allows it to provide the thin filaments with structural and regulatory support. When this protein is lost, nemaline myopathy occurs. Nemaline myopathy causes severe muscle weakness as well as structural defects on a sarcomeric level. There is no known cure for this disease. METHODS We studied whether sarcomeric structure and function can be improved by introducing nebulin's Z-disk region into a nebulin-deficient mouse model (Neb cKO) through adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector therapy. Following this treatment, the structural and functional characteristics of both vehicle-treated and AAV-treated Neb cKO and control muscles were studied. RESULTS Intramuscular injection of this AAV construct resulted in a successful expression of the Z-disk fragment within the target muscles. This expression was significantly higher in Neb cKO mice than control mice. Analysis of protein expression revealed that the nebulin fragment was localized exclusively to the Z-disks and that Neb cKO expressed the nebulin fragment at levels comparable to the level of full-length nebulin in control mice. Additionally, the Z-disk fragment displaced full-length nebulin in control mice, resulting in nemaline rod body formation and a worsening of muscle function. Neb cKO mice experienced a slight functional benefit from the AAV treatment, with a small increase in force and fatigue resistance. Disease progression was also slowed as indicated by improved muscle structure and myosin isoform expression. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that nebulin fragments are well-received by nebulin-deficient mouse muscles and that limited functional benefits are achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Li
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Justin Kolb
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Julie Crudele
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109-8055, USA
| | - Paola Tonino
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Zaynab Hourani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - John E Smith
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | | | - Henk Granzier
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
- Medical Research Building, RM 325, 1656 E Mabel St, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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12
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Kolwicz SC, Hall JK, Moussavi-Harami F, Chen X, Hauschka SD, Chamberlain JS, Regnier M, Odom GL. Gene Therapy Rescues Cardiac Dysfunction in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mice by Elevating Cardiomyocyte Deoxy-Adenosine Triphosphate. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2019; 4:778-791. [PMID: 31998848 PMCID: PMC6978556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding for dystrophin leads to structural and functional deterioration of cardiomyocytes and is a hallmark of cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Administration of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors delivering microdystrophin or ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), under muscle-specific regulatory control, rescues both baseline and high workload-challenged hearts in an aged, DMD mouse model. However, only RNR treatments improved both systolic and diastolic function under those conditions. Cardiac-specific recombinant adeno-associated viral treatment of RNR holds therapeutic promise for improvement of cardiomyopathy in DMD patients.
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Key Words
- CK8, miniaturized murine creatine kinase regulatory cassette
- CMV, cytomegalovirus
- DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- RNR, ribonucleotide reductase
- cTnT, cardiac troponin T
- cardiomyopathy
- dADP, deoxy-adenosine diphosphate
- dATP, deoxy-adenosine triphosphate
- diastolic dysfunction
- dystrophin
- mdx, mouse muscular dystrophy model
- rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated viral vector
- recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors
- ribonucleotide reductase
- μDys, microdystrophin
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C. Kolwicz
- Mitochondria and Metabolism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - John K. Hall
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Farid Moussavi-Harami
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Xiolan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stephen D. Hauschka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael Regnier
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Guy L. Odom
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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13
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van Lieshout LP, Soule G, Sorensen D, Frost KL, He S, Tierney K, Safronetz D, Booth SA, Kobinger GP, Qiu X, Wootton SK. Intramuscular Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Expression of Monoclonal Antibodies Provides 100% Protection Against Ebola Virus Infection in Mice. J Infect Dis 2019; 217:916-925. [PMID: 29365142 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2013-2016 West Africa outbreak demonstrated the epidemic potential of Ebola virus and highlighted the need for counter strategies. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies hold promise as treatment options for Ebola virus infections. However, production of clinical-grade mAbs is labor intensive, and immunity is short lived. Conversely, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated mAb gene transfer provides the host with a genetic blueprint to manufacture mAbs in vivo, leading to steady release of antibody over many months. Here we demonstrate that AAV-mediated expression of nonneutralizing mAb 5D2 or 7C9 confers 100% protection against mouse-adapted Ebola virus infection, while neutralizing mAb 2G4 was 83% protective. A 2-component cocktail, AAV-2G4/AAV-5D2, provided complete protection when administered 7 days prior to challenge and was partially protective with a 3-day lead time. Finally, AAV-mAb therapies provided sustained protection from challenge 5 months following AAV administration. AAV-mAb may be a viable alternative strategy for vaccination against emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Geoff Soule
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, Canada
| | - Debra Sorensen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Kathy L Frost
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Shihua He
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, Canada
| | - Kevin Tierney
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Booth
- Molecular Pathobiology, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada
| | - Gary P Kobinger
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Canada
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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14
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Yu DL, Stegelmeier AA, Chow N, Rghei AD, Matuszewska K, Lawler J, Bridle BW, Petrik JJ, Wootton SK. AAV-mediated expression of 3TSR inhibits tumor and metastatic lesion development and extends survival in a murine model of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 27:356-367. [PMID: 31160686 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-019-0108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
An integral step in the development of solid tumors is the recruitment of blood vessels to fuel tumor growth. Antiangiogenic therapies can inhibit this process and control solid tumor growth. Thrombospondin-1 is an antiangiogenic protein possessing three type I repeats (3TSR) near the center of the protein and a CD47-binding peptide (CD47) in its C-terminus. Previously, we showed that treatment with recombinant 3TSR induces tumor regression, normalizes tumor vasculature, and improves uptake of chemotherapy drugs in an orthotopic, syngeneic mouse model of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). While effective, this intervention required daily intraperitoneal injections. To circumvent this, here we employ adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors to express 3TSR alone or in combination with the CD47-binding peptide of TSP-1 and evaluate the impact on tumor development and survival in a mouse model of EOC. A single intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 1011 vg of AAV expressing 3TSR, CD47-binding peptide, or 3TSR + CD47 effectively suppressed primary tumor growth; however, only AAV-3TSR was able to inhibit development of secondary lesions at 90-days post-tumor implantation and significantly improve survival. Taken together, AAV-mediated expression of 3TSR appears safe and effective at inhibiting tumor development and represents a novel, less invasive approach for treating ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrick L Yu
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Natalie Chow
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Amira D Rghei
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kathy Matuszewska
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jack Lawler
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Byram W Bridle
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - James J Petrik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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15
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Ramos JN, Hollinger K, Bengtsson NE, Allen JM, Hauschka SD, Chamberlain JS. Development of Novel Micro-dystrophins with Enhanced Functionality. Mol Ther 2019; 27:623-635. [PMID: 30718090 PMCID: PMC6403485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have advanced into clinical trials for several diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A limitation of AAV is the carrying capacity (∼5 kb) available for genes and regulatory cassettes (RCs). These size constraints are problematic for the 2.2-Mb dystrophin gene. We previously designed a variety of miniaturized micro-dystrophins (μDys) that displayed significant, albeit incomplete, function in striated muscles. To develop μDys proteins with improved performance, we explored structural modifications of the dystrophin central rod domain. Eight μDys variants were studied that carried unique combinations of between four and six of the 24 spectrin-like repeats present in the full-length protein, as well as various hinge domains. Expression of μDys was regulated by a strong but compact muscle-restricted RC (CK8e) or by the ubiquitously active cytomegalovirus (CMV) RC. Vectors were evaluated by intramuscular injection and systemic delivery to dystrophic mdx4cv mice, followed by analysis of skeletal muscle pathophysiology. Two μDys designs were identified that led to increased force generation compared with previous μDys while also localizing neuronal nitric oxide synthase to the sarcolemma. An AAV vector expressing the smaller of these (μDys5) from the CK8e RC is currently being evaluated in a DMD clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian N Ramos
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Katrin Hollinger
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Niclas E Bengtsson
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - James M Allen
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stephen D Hauschka
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Chamberlain
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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16
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van Lieshout LP, Domm JM, Rindler TN, Frost KL, Sorensen DL, Medina SJ, Booth SA, Bridges JP, Wootton SK. A Novel Triple-Mutant AAV6 Capsid Induces Rapid and Potent Transgene Expression in the Muscle and Respiratory Tract of Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 9:323-329. [PMID: 30038936 PMCID: PMC6054702 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy for the treatment of genetic disorders has demonstrated considerable therapeutic success in clinical trials. Among the most effective and commonly used gene delivery vectors are those based on adeno-associated virus (AAV). Despite these advances in clinical gene therapy, further improvements in AAV vector properties such as rapid intracellular processing and transgene expression, targeted transduction of therapeutically relevant cell types, and longevity of transgene expression, will render extension of such successes to many other human diseases. Engineering of AAV capsids continues to evolve the specificity and efficiency of AAV-mediated gene transfer. Here, we describe a triple AAV6 mutant, termed AAV6.2FF, containing F129L, Y445F, and Y731F mutations. AAV6.2FF yielded 10-fold greater transgene expression in lung than AAV6 after 21 days. Additionally, this novel capsid demonstrated 101-fold and 49-fold increased transgene expression in the muscle and lungs, respectively, 24 hr post vector delivery when compared with the parental AAV6. Furthermore, AAV6.2FF retains heparin sulfate binding capacity and displays a 10-fold increase in resistance to pooled immunoglobulin neutralization in vitro. The rapid and potent expression mediated by AAV6.2FF is ideally suited to applications such as vectored immunoprophylaxis, in which rapid transgene expression is vital for use during an outbreak response scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakob M Domm
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tara N Rindler
- Perinatal Institute, Section of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kathy L Frost
- Molecular Pathobiology, National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Debra L Sorensen
- Molecular Pathobiology, National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Sarah J Medina
- Molecular Pathobiology, National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Booth
- Molecular Pathobiology, National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - James P Bridges
- Perinatal Institute, Section of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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