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Kuroda S, Miyagawa Y, Sukegawa M, Tomono T, Yamamoto M, Adachi K, Verlengia G, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC, Okada T. Evaluation of parameters for efficient purification and long-term storage of herpes simplex virus-based vectors. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:132-143. [PMID: 35795777 PMCID: PMC9249677 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Replication competent oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have been used extensively to treat solid tumors with promising results. However, highly defective HSV vectors will be needed for applications that require sustained therapeutic gene expression in the absence of vector-related toxicity or inflammation. These vectors require complementing cell lines for their manufacture, creating significant challenges to achieve high yields of infectious virus particles. We recently described an improved upstream process for the production of a non-cytotoxic HSV vector for gene therapy applications. Here, we sought to optimize the downstream conditions for purification and long-term storage of the same vector, JΔNI5. We compared different methods to remove cellular impurities and concentrate the vector by monitoring both physical and biological titers, resulting in the establishment of optimal conditions for vector production. To optimize the long-term storage parameters for non-cytotoxic HSV vectors, we evaluated vector stability at low temperature and sensitivity to freeze-thaw cycles. We report that suboptimal purification and storage methods resulted in loss of vector viability. Our results describe effective and reproducible protocols for purification and storage of HSV vectors for pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Kuroda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Miyagawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sukegawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Tomono
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Majors in Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Motoko Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumi Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Menotti L, Avitabile E, Gatta V, Malatesta P, Petrovic B, Campadelli-Fiume G. HSV as A Platform for the Generation of Retargeted, Armed, and Reporter-Expressing Oncolytic Viruses. Viruses 2018; 10:E352. [PMID: 29966356 PMCID: PMC6070899 DOI: 10.3390/v10070352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we engineered oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (o-HSVs) retargeted to the HER2 (epidermal growth factor receptor 2) tumor cell specific receptor by the insertion of a single chain antibody (scFv) to HER2 in gD, gH, or gB. Here, the insertion of scFvs to three additional cancer targets—EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), EGFRvIII, and PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen)—in gD Δ6–38 enabled the generation of specifically retargeted o-HSVs. Viable recombinants resulted from the insertion of an scFv in place of aa 6–38, but not in place of aa 61–218. Hence, only the gD N-terminus accepted all tested scFv inserts. Additionally, the insertion of mIL12 in the US1-US2 intergenic region of the HER2- or EGFRvIII-retargeted o-HSVs, and the further insertion of Gaussia Luciferase, gave rise to viable recombinants capable of secreting the cytokine and the reporter. Lastly, we engineered two known mutations in gB; they increased the ability of an HER2-retargeted recombinant to spread among murine cells. Altogether, current data show that the o-HSV carrying the aa 6–38 deletion in gD serves as a platform for the specific retargeting of o-HSV tropism to a number of human cancer targets, and the retargeted o-HSVs serve as simultaneous vectors for two molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Menotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Elisa Avitabile
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Valentina Gatta
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa 16132, Italy.
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS per l'Oncologia, Genoa 16132, Italy.
| | - Biljana Petrovic
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
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3
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Ventosa M, Wu Z, Lim F. Sustained FXN expression in dorsal root ganglia from a nonreplicative genomic HSV-1 vector. J Gene Med 2017; 19:376-386. [PMID: 29044877 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the frataxin gene (FXN), which lead to reduced levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Currently, there is no effective cure. METHODS With the aim of developing a gene therapy for FA neuropathology, we describe the construction and preliminary characterization of a high-capacity nonreplicative genomic herpes simplex virus type 1 vector (H24B-FXNlac vector) carrying a reduced version of the human FXN genomic locus, comprising the 5-kb promoter and the FXN cDNA with the inclusion of intron 1. RESULTS We show that the transgene cassette contains the elements necessary to preserve physiological neuronal regulation of human FXN expression. Transduction of cultured fetal rat dorsal root ganglia neurons with the H24B-FXNlac vector results in sustained expression of human FXN transcripts and frataxin protein. Rat footpad inoculation with the H24B-FXNlac vector results in human FXN transgene delivery to the dorsal root ganglia, with expression persisting for at least 1 month. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study support the feasibility of using this vector for sustained neuronal expression of human frataxin for FA gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ventosa
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zetang Wu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Filip Lim
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Russell TA, Stefanovic T, Tscharke DC. Engineering herpes simplex viruses by infection-transfection methods including recombination site targeting by CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases. J Virol Methods 2014; 213:18-25. [PMID: 25479355 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are frequent human pathogens and the ability to engineer these viruses underpins much research into their biology and pathogenesis. Often the ultimate aim is to produce a virus that has the desired phenotypic change and no additional alterations in characteristics. This requires methods that minimally disrupt the genome and, for insertions of foreign DNA, sites must be found that can be engineered without disrupting HSV gene function or expression. This study advances both of these requirements. Firstly, the use of homologous recombination between the virus genome and plasmids in mammalian cells is a reliable way to engineer HSV such that minimal genome changes are made. This has most frequently been achieved by cotransfection of plasmid and isolated viral genomic DNA, but an alternative is to supply the virus genome by infection in a transfection-infection method. Such approaches can also incorporate CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering methods. Current descriptions of infection-transfection methods, either with or without the addition of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting, are limited in detail and the extent of optimization. In this study it was found that transfection efficiency and the length of homologous sequences improve the efficiency of recombination in these methods, but the targeting of the locus to be engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases has an overriding positive impact. Secondly, the intergenic space between UL26 and UL27 was reexamined as a site for the addition of foreign DNA and a position identified that allows insertions without compromising HSV growth in vitro or in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany A Russell
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Bldg #134 Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| | - Tijana Stefanovic
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Bldg #134 Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - David C Tscharke
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Bldg #134 Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Binding of transmembrane mucins to galectin-3 limits herpesvirus 1 infection of human corneal keratinocytes. J Virol 2013; 87:5841-7. [PMID: 23487460 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00166-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces impose multiple barriers to viral infection. At the ocular surface, the carbohydrate-binding protein galectin-3 maintains barrier function by cross-linking transmembrane mucins on the apical glycocalyx. Despite these defense mechanisms, many viruses have evolved to exploit fundamental cellular processes on host cells. Here, we use affinity assays to show that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), but not HSV-2, binds human galectin-3. Knockdown of galectin-3 in human corneal keratinocytes by small interfering RNA significantly impaired HSV-1 infection, but not expression of nectin-1, indicating that galectin-3 is a herpesvirus entry mediator. Interestingly, exposure of epithelial cell cultures to transmembrane mucin isolates decreased viral infectivity. Moreover, HSV-1 failed to elute the biological counterreceptor MUC16 from galectin-3 affinity columns, suggesting that association of transmembrane mucins to galectin-3 provides protection against viral infection. Together, these results indicate that HSV-1 exploits galectin-3 to enhance virus attachment to host cells and support a protective role for transmembrane mucins under physiological conditions by masking viral entry mediators on the epithelial glycocalyx.
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Mundle ST, Hernandez H, Hamberger J, Catalan J, Zhou C, Stegalkina S, Tiffany A, Kleanthous H, Delagrave S, Anderson SF. High-purity preparation of HSV-2 vaccine candidate ACAM529 is immunogenic and efficacious in vivo. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57224. [PMID: 23468943 PMCID: PMC3582571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) and to a lesser extent herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Infection by HSV-2 is life-long and is associated with significant cost to healthcare systems and social stigma despite the highly prevalent nature of the disease. For instance, the proportion of HSV-2 seropositive to seronegative adults is approximately 1 in 5 in the US and greater than 4 in 5 in some areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The replication-defective vaccine strain virus dl5-29 was re-derived using cells appropriate for GMP manufacturing and renamed ACAM529. Immunization with dl5-29 was previously reported to be protective both in mice and in guinea pigs, however these studies were performed with vaccine that was purified using methods that cannot be scaled for manufacturing of clinical material. Here we describe methods which serve as a major step towards preparation of ACAM529 which may be suitable for testing in humans. ACAM529 can be harvested from infected cell culture of the trans-complementing cell line AV529 clone 19 (AV529-19) without mechanical cell disruption. ACAM529 may then be purified with respect to host cell DNA and proteins by a novel purification scheme, which includes a combination of endonuclease treatment, depth filtration, anion-exchange chromatography and ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF). The resultant virus retains infectivity and is ∼ 200-fold more pure with respect to host cell DNA and proteins than is ACAM529 purified by ultracentrifugation. Additionally, we describe a side-by-side comparison of chromatography-purified ACAM529 with sucrose cushion-purified ACAM529, which shows that both preparations are equally immunogenic and protective when tested in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia T Mundle
- Discovery North America, Sanofi Pasteur, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.
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7
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Quantification of HSV-1-mediated expression of the ferritin MRI reporter in the mouse brain. Gene Ther 2012; 20:589-96. [PMID: 22996196 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2012.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of effective strategies for gene therapy has been hampered by difficulties verifying transgene delivery in vivo and quantifying gene expression non-invasively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers high spatial resolution and three-dimensional views, without tissue depth limitations. The iron-storage protein ferritin is a prototype MRI gene reporter. Ferritin forms a paramagnetic ferrihydrite core that can be detected by MRI via its effect on the local magnetic field experienced by water protons. In an effort to better characterize the ferritin reporter for central nervous system applications, we expressed ferritin in the mouse brain in vivo using a neurotropic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). We computed three-dimensional maps of MRI transverse relaxation rates in the mouse brain with ascending doses of ferritin-expressing HSV-1. We established that the transverse relaxation rates correlate significantly to the number of inoculated infectious particles. Our results are potentially useful for quantitatively assessing limitations of ferritin reporters for gene therapy applications.
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Salerno KM, Jing X, Diges CM, Cornuet PK, Glorioso JC, Albers KM. Sox11 modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in an exon promoter-specific manner. J Neurosci Res 2012; 90:1011-9. [PMID: 22331573 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Revised: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Sox11 is a high-mobility group (HMG)-containing transcription factor that is significantly elevated in peripheral neurons in response to nerve injury. In vitro and in vivo studies support a central role for Sox11 in adult neuron growth and survival following injury. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that has effects on neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and regeneration. BDNF transcription is elevated in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following nerve injury in parallel with Sox11, allowing for the possible regulation by Sox11. To begin to assess the possible influence of Sox11, we used reverse transcriptase PCR assays to determine the relative expression of the nine (I-IXa) noncoding exons and one coding exon (exon IX) of the BDNF gene after sciatic nerve axotomy in the mouse. Exons with upstream promoter regions containing the Sox binding motif 5'-AACAAAG-3' (I, IV, VII, and VIII) were increased at 1 or 3 days following axotomy. Exons 1 and IV showed the greatest increase, and only exon 1 remained elevated at 3 days. Luciferase assays showed that Sox11 could activate the most highly regulated exons, I and IV, and that this activation was reduced by mutation of putative Sox binding sites. Exon expression in injured DRG neurons had some overlap with Neuro2a cells that overexpress Sox11, showing elevation in exon IV and VII transcripts. These findings indicate cell type and contextual specificity of Sox11 in modulation of BDNF transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M Salerno
- Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Jing X, Wang T, Huang S, Glorioso JC, Albers KM. The transcription factor Sox11 promotes nerve regeneration through activation of the regeneration-associated gene Sprr1a. Exp Neurol 2011; 233:221-32. [PMID: 22024412 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Factors that enhance the intrinsic growth potential of adult neurons are key players in the successful repair and regeneration of neurons following injury. Injury-induced activation of transcription factors has a central role in this process because they regulate expression of regeneration-associated genes. Sox11 is a developmentally expressed transcription factor that is significantly induced in adult neurons in response to injury. Its function in injured neurons is however undefined. Here, we report studies that use herpes simplex virus (HSV)-vector-mediated expression of Sox11 in adult sensory neurons to assess the effect of Sox11 overexpression on neuron regeneration. Cultured mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons transfected with HSV-Sox11 exhibited increased neurite elongation and branching relative to naïve and HSV-vector control treated neurons. Neurons from mice injected in foot skin with HSV-Sox11 exhibited accelerated regeneration of crushed saphenous nerves as indicated by faster regrowth of axons and nerve fibers to the skin, increased myelin thickness and faster return of nerve and skin sensitivity. Downstream targets of HSV-Sox11 were examined by analyzing changes in gene expression of known regeneration-associated genes. This analysis in combination with mutational and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicates that the ability of Sox11 to accelerate in vivo nerve regeneration is dependent on its transcriptional activation of the regeneration-associated gene, small proline rich protein 1a (Sprr1a). This finding reveals a new functional linkage between Sox11 and Sprr1a in adult peripheral neuron regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotang Jing
- Department of Medicine, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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Abstract
The very deep knowledge acquired on the genetics and molecular biology of herpes simplex virus (HSV), has allowed the development of potential replication-competent and replication-defective vectors for several applications in human healthcare. These include delivery and expression of human genes to cells of the nervous systems, selective destruction of cancer cells, prophylaxis against infection with HSV or other infectious diseases, and targeted infection to specific tissues or organs. Replication-defective recombinant vectors are non-toxic gene transfer tools that preserve most of the neurotropic features of wild type HSV-1, particularly the ability to express genes after having established latent infections, and are thus proficient candidates for therapeutic gene transfer settings in neurons. A replication-defective HSV vector for the treatment of pain has recently entered in phase 1 clinical trial. Replication-competent (oncolytic) vectors are becoming a suitable and powerful tool to eradicate brain tumours due to their ability to replicate and spread only within the tumour mass, and have reached phase II/III clinical trials in some cases. The progress in understanding the host immune response induced by the vector is also improving the use of HSV as a vaccine vector against both HSV infection and other pathogens. This review briefly summarizes the obstacle encountered in the delivery of HSV vectors and examines the various strategies developed or proposed to overcome such challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Manservigi
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine - Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
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Manservigi R, Argnani R, Marconi P. HSV Recombinant Vectors for Gene Therapy. Open Virol J 2010; 4:123-56. [PMID: 20835362 DOI: 10.2174/1874357901004030123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 03/13/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The very deep knowledge acquired on the genetics and molecular biology of herpes simplex virus (HSV), has allowed the development of potential replication-competent and replication-defective vectors for several applications in human healthcare. These include delivery and expression of human genes to cells of the nervous systems, selective destruction of cancer cells, prophylaxis against infection with HSV or other infectious diseases, and targeted infection to specific tissues or organs. Replication-defective recombinant vectors are non-toxic gene transfer tools that preserve most of the neurotropic features of wild type HSV-1, particularly the ability to express genes after having established latent infections, and are thus proficient candidates for therapeutic gene transfer settings in neurons. A replication-defective HSV vector for the treatment of pain has recently entered in phase 1 clinical trial. Replication-competent (oncolytic) vectors are becoming a suitable and powerful tool to eradicate brain tumours due to their ability to replicate and spread only within the tumour mass, and have reached phase II/III clinical trials in some cases. The progress in understanding the host immune response induced by the vector is also improving the use of HSV as a vaccine vector against both HSV infection and other pathogens. This review briefly summarizes the obstacle encountered in the delivery of HSV vectors and examines the various strategies developed or proposed to overcome such challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Manservigi
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine - Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
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