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Khan SU, Khan MU, Suleman M, Inam A, Din MAU. Hemophilia Healing with AAV: Navigating the Frontier of Gene Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:265-277. [PMID: 38284735 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232279893231228065540] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy for hemophilia has advanced tremendously after thirty years of continual study and development. Advancements in medical science have facilitated attaining normal levels of Factor VIII (FVIII) or Factor IX (FIX) in individuals with haemophilia, thereby offering the potential for their complete recovery. Despite the notable advancements in various countries, there is significant scope for further enhancement in haemophilia gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) currently serves as the primary vehicle for gene therapy in clinical trials targeting haemophilia. Subsequent investigations will prioritize enhancing viral capsid structures, transgene compositions, and promoters to achieve heightened transduction efficacy, diminished immunogenicity, and more predictable therapeutic results. The present study indicates that whereas animal models have transduction efficiency that is over 100% high, human hepatocytes are unable to express clotting factors and transduction efficiency to comparable levels. According to the current study, achieving high transduction efficiency and high levels of clotting factor expression in human hepatocytes is still insufficient. It is also crucial to reduce the risk of cellular stress caused by protein overload. Despite encountering various hurdles, the field of haemophilia gene therapy holds promise for the future. As technology continues to advance and mature, it is anticipated that a personalized therapeutic approach will be developed to cure haemophilia effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safir Ullah Khan
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Munir Ullah Khan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China
| | - Muhammad Suleman
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Amrah Inam
- School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Muhammad Azhar Ud Din
- Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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He K, Nie Z. System analysis based on the lysosome-related genes identifies HPS4 as a novel therapy target for liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1221498. [PMID: 37781184 PMCID: PMC10535104 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1221498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Lysosomal dysfunction is implicated in cancer progression; however, prognostic prediction models based on lysosome-related genes (LRGs) are lacking in liver cancer. This study aimed to establish an LRG-based model to improve prognosis prediction and explore potential therapeutic targets in liver cancer. Methods Expression profiles of 61 LRGs were analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas liver cancer cohorts. There were 14 LRGs identified, and their association with clinical outcomes was evaluated. Unsupervised clustering, Cox regression, and functional assays were performed. Results Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk subgroups based on the 14 LRGs. The high-risk group had significantly worse overall survival. Aberrant immune infiltration and checkpoint expression were observed in the high-risk group. Furthermore, HPS4 was identified as an independent prognostic indicator. Knockdown of HPS4 suppressed liver cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Conclusion This study developed an LRG-based prognostic model to improve risk stratification in liver cancer. The potential value of HPS4 as a therapeutic target and biomarker was demonstrated. Regulation of HPS4 may offer novel strategies for precision treatment in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke‐Jie He
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiqiang Nie
- Global Health Research Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Soroka AB, Feoktistova SG, Mityaeva ON, Volchkov PY. Gene Therapy Approaches for the Treatment of Hemophilia B. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10766. [PMID: 37445943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the standard enzyme-replacement therapy, administered from once per 7-14 days to 2-3 times a week in patients with severe hemophilia B, as a result of a single injection, gene therapy can restore F9 gene expression and maintain it for a prolonged time. In clinical research, the approach of delivering a functional copy of a gene using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is widely used. The scientific community is actively researching possible modifications to improve delivery efficiency and expression. In preclinical studies, the possibility of genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for the treatment of hemophilia B is also being actively studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia B Soroka
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141700 Dolgoprudniy, Russia
| | - Sofya G Feoktistova
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141700 Dolgoprudniy, Russia
| | - Olga N Mityaeva
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141700 Dolgoprudniy, Russia
| | - Pavel Y Volchkov
- Life Sciences Research Center, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, 141700 Dolgoprudniy, Russia
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Li W, Sun J, Feng SL, Wang F, Miao MZ, Wu EY, Wallet S, Loeser R, Li C. Intra-articular delivery of AAV vectors encoding PD-L1 attenuates joint inflammation and tissue damage in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1116084. [PMID: 36936967 PMCID: PMC10021025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1116084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Intra-articular gene delivery to block proinflammatory cytokines has been studied in pre-clinical models and human clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that the level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study examined the therapeutic role of PD-L1 by intra-articular delivery via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Methods Mice were intra-articularly injected with AAV5 vectors encoding human PD-L1 on day 0 and immunized with bovine type II collagen to induce CIA simultaneously. On day 49 post AAV administration, joints were collected for histo-pathological and cytokine analysis. Additionally, the systemic impacts of intra-articular injection of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors were also studied. To study the therapeutic effect of PD-L1, AAV5/PD-L1 vectors were administered into the joints of RA mice on day 21. Results After administration of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors, strong PD-L1 expression was detected in AAV transduced joints. Joints treated with PD-L1 at the time of arthritis induction exhibited significantly less swelling and improved histopathological scores when compared to untreated joints. Additionally, the infiltration of T cells and macrophages was decreased in joints of CIA mice that received AAV5/PD-L1 vectors (P<0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and TNFα, were lower in AAV5/PD-L1 treated than untreated joints (P<0.05). Furthermore, the administration of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors into the joints of CIA mice did not impact serum cytokine levels and the antibody titers to type II collagen. Biodistribution of AAV vectors after intra-articular injection showed undetectable AAV genomes in other tissues except for a low level in the liver. Similar to the results of AAV5/PD-L1 vector administration on day 0, decreased joint swelling and lower histopathological damage were observed in joints treated with AAV5/PD-L1 vectors on day 21. Conclusion The results from this study demonstrate that local AAV mediated PD-L1 gene delivery into the joints is able to prevent the development and block the progression of arthritis in CIA mice without impacting systemic immune responses. This study provides a novel strategy to effectively treat inflammatory joint diseases using local AAV gene therapy by interference with immune checkpoint pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Junjiang Sun
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Susi Liu Feng
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael Z Miao
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Eveline Y Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Shannon Wallet
- Department of oral biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Richard Loeser
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Zhu D, Schieferecke AJ, Lopez PA, Schaffer DV. Adeno-Associated Virus Vector for Central Nervous System Gene Therapy. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:524-537. [PMID: 33895085 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past several years have witnessed significant advances in the development of therapeutic gene delivery for neurological disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). In particular, genome-wide sequencing analysis has deepened our understanding of mutations that underlie many monogenic disorders, which in turn has contributed to clinical advances involving adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector delivery of replacement genes to treat recessive disorders. Moreover, gene therapy has been further bolstered with advances in genome editing tools that allow researchers to silence, repair, and amend endogenous genes. However, despite strong preclinical and clinical progress, challenges remain, including delivery and safety. Here, we discuss advances in AAV engineering, recent developments in cargo design, and translation of these technologies towards clinical progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Zhu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Adam J Schieferecke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Paola A Lopez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - David V Schaffer
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.
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Zhang X, Chai Z, Samulski RJ, Li C. Bound Protein- and Peptide-Based Strategies for Adeno-Associated Virus Vector-Mediated Gene Therapy: Where Do We Stand Now? Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:1146-1154. [PMID: 32940063 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have become one of the most promising and efficacious delivery vehicles for human gene therapy; however, low infectivity remains a major ongoing obstacle in the clinical application of rAAV vectors. Multiple strategies, including rAAV capsid modification and the application of pharmacological reagents, have been explored to enhance rAAV vector gene delivery. Recently, a new strategy using native proteins or various peptides has shown promise for increasing rAAV transduction locally or globally. This review summarizes the current status of protein- and peptide-based strategies and mechanisms to modulate rAAV transduction. We also provide a potential insight regarding the design of effective approaches for rAAV transduction enhancement in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintao Zhang
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Departments of
| | - Zheng Chai
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Departments of
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Departments of.,Pharmacology and
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Departments of.,Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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