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Lazaris VM, Simantirakis E, Stavrou EF, Verras M, Sgourou A, Keramida MK, Vassilopoulos G, Athanassiadou A. Non-Viral Episomal Vector Mediates Efficient Gene Transfer of the β-Globin Gene into K562 and Human Haematopoietic Progenitor Cells. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1774. [PMID: 37761914 PMCID: PMC10530965 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091774] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia is a subgroup of inherited blood disorders associated with mild to severe anemia with few and limited conventional therapy options. Lately, lentiviral vector-based gene therapy has been successfully applied for disease treatment. However, the current development of non-viral episomal vectors (EV), non-integrating and non-coding for viral proteins, may be helpful in generating valid alternatives to viral vectors. We constructed a non-viral, episomal vector pEPβ-globin for the physiological β-globin gene based on two human chromosomal elements: the scaffold or matrix attachment region (S/MAR), allowing for long nuclear retention and non-integration and the β-globin replication initiation region (IR), allowing for enhancement of replication and establishment. After nucleofections into K562 cells with a transfection efficiency of 24.62 ± 7.7%, the vector induces stable transfection and is detected in long-term cultures as a non-integrating, circular episome expressing the β-globin gene efficiently. Transfections into CD34+ cells demonstrate an average efficiency of 15.57 ± 11.64%. In the colony-forming cell assay, fluorescent colonies are 92.21%, which is comparable to those transfected with vector pEP-IR at 92.68%. Additionally, fluorescent colonies produce β-globin mRNA at a physiologically 3-fold higher level than the corresponding non-transfected cells. Vector pEPβ-globin provides the basis for the development of therapeutic EV for gene therapy of β-thalassemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassileios M. Lazaris
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.L.); (E.F.S.); (M.V.)
| | - Emmanouil Simantirakis
- Centre of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.S.); (G.V.)
| | - Eleana F. Stavrou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.L.); (E.F.S.); (M.V.)
| | - Meletios Verras
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.L.); (E.F.S.); (M.V.)
| | - Argyro Sgourou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece;
| | - Maria K. Keramida
- IVF and Andrology Labs, IVF Unit, General University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - George Vassilopoulos
- Centre of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527 Athens, Greece; (E.S.); (G.V.)
| | - Aglaia Athanassiadou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.L.); (E.F.S.); (M.V.)
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Khan SU, Khan MU, Khan MI, Kalsoom F, Zahra A. Current Landscape and Emerging Opportunities of Gene Therapy with Non-viral Episomal Vectors. Curr Gene Ther 2023; 23:135-147. [PMID: 36200188 DOI: 10.2174/1566523222666221004100858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy has proven to be extremely beneficial in the management of a wide range of genetic disorders for which there are currently no or few effective treatments. Gene transfer vectors are very significant in the field of gene therapy. It is possible to attach a non-viral attachment vector to the donor cell chromosome instead of integrating it, eliminating the negative consequences of both viral and integrated vectors. It is a safe and optimal express vector for gene therapy because it does not cause any adverse effects. However, the modest cloning rate, low expression, and low clone number make it unsuitable for use in gene therapy. Since the first generation of non-viral attachment episomal vectors was constructed, various steps have been taken to regulate their expression and stability, such as truncating the MAR element, lowering the amount of CpG motifs, choosing appropriate promoters and utilizing regulatory elements. This increases the transfection effectiveness of the non-viral attachment vector while also causing it to express at a high level and maintain a high level of stability. A vector is a genetic construct commonly employed in gene therapy to treat various systemic disorders. This article examines the progress made in the development of various optimization tactics for nonviral attachment vectors and the future applications of these vectors in gene therapy.
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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 Imran Khan
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China,Hefei 230027,People's Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, District Headquarters Hospital Jhang 35200, Punjab Province, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Fadia Kalsoom
- Department of Pathology, District Headquarters Hospital Jhang 35200, Punjab Province, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
| | - Aqeela Zahra
- Department of Family and Community Medicine. College of Medicine, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 81451, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Stavrou EF, Simantirakis E, Verras M, Barbas C, Vassilopoulos G, Peterson KR, Athanassiadou A. Episomal vectors based on S/MAR and the β-globin Replicator, encoding a synthetic transcriptional activator, mediate efficient γ-globin activation in haematopoietic cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19765. [PMID: 31874995 PMCID: PMC6930265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the development of episomal vectors for the specific γ-globin transcription activation in its native position by activator Zif-VP64, based on the Scaffold/Matrix Attachment Region (S/MAR) for episomal retention and the β-globin Replicator, the DNA replication-Initiation Region from the β-globin locus. Vector Zif-VP64-Ep1 containing transcription cassettes CMV- Zif-VP64 and CMV-eGFP-S/MAR transfected a)K562 cells; b)murine β-YAC bone marrow cells (BMC); c)human haematopoietic progenitor CD34+ cells, with transfection efficiencies of 46.3 ± 5.2%, 23.0 ± 2.1% and 24.2 ± 2.4% respectively. K562 transfections generated stable cell lines running for 28 weeks with and without selection, with increased levels of γ-globin mRNA by 3.3 ± 0.13, of γ-globin protein by 6.75 ± 3.25 and HbF protein by 2 ± 0.2 fold, while the vector remained episomal and non integrated. In murine β-YAC BMCs the vector mediated the activation of the silent human γ-globin gene and in CD34+ cells, increased γ-globin mRNA, albeit only transiently. A second vector Zif-VP64-Ep2, with both transcription cassettes carrying promoter SFFV instead of CMV and the addition of β-globin Replicator, transferred into CD34+ cells, produced CD34+ eGFP+ cells, that generated colonies in colony forming cell cultures. Importantly, these were 100% fluorescent, with 2.11 ± 0.13 fold increased γ-globin mRNA, compared to non-transfected cells. We consider these episomal vectors valid, safer alternatives to viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana F Stavrou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Emannuouil Simantirakis
- Hematology Clinic, Medical School, University of Thessaly and Gene and Cell Therapy Laboratory, BRFAA, Athens, Greece
| | - Meletios Verras
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Carlos Barbas
- Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - George Vassilopoulos
- Hematology Clinic, Medical School, University of Thessaly and Gene and Cell Therapy Laboratory, BRFAA, Athens, Greece
| | - Kenneth R Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Aglaia Athanassiadou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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4
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Wang XY, Zhang X, Wang TY, Jia YL, Xu DH, Yi DD. Shortened nuclear matrix attachment regions are sufficient for replication and maintenance of episomes in mammalian cells. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:2761-2770. [PMID: 31509492 PMCID: PMC6789156 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-02-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix attachment regions (MARs) can mediate the replication of vector episomes in mammalian cells; however, the molecular mode of action remains unclear. Here, we assessed the characteristics of MARs and the mechanism that mediates episomal vector replication in mammalian cells. Five shortened subfragments of β-interferon MAR fragments were cloned and transferred into CHO cells, and transgene expression levels, presence of the gene, and the episomal maintenance mechanism were determined. Three shortened MAR derivatives (position 781–1320, 1201–1740, and 1621–2201) retained full MAR activity and mediated episomal vector replication. Moreover, the three shortened MARs showed higher transgene expression levels, greater efficiency in colony formation, and more persistent transgene expression compared with those of the original pEPI-1 plasmid, and three functional truncated MARs can bind to SAF-A MAR-binding protein. These results suggest that shortened MARs are sufficient for replication and maintenance of episomes in CHO cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombiant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombiant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Tian-Yun Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombiant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Yan-Long Jia
- Pharmacy Collage, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Dan-Hua Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombiant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
| | - Dan-Dan Yi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombiant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan, China
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5
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Sánchez-Hernández S, Gutierrez-Guerrero A, Martín-Guerra R, Cortijo-Gutierrez M, Tristán-Manzano M, Rodriguez-Perales S, Sanchez L, Garcia-Perez JL, Chato-Astrain J, Fernandez-Valades R, Carrillo-Galvez AB, Anderson P, Montes R, Real PJ, Martin F, Benabdellah K. The IS2 Element Improves Transcription Efficiency of Integration-Deficient Lentiviral Vector Episomes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:16-28. [PMID: 30227274 PMCID: PMC6141704 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Integration-defective lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) have become an important alternative tool for gene therapy applications and basic research. Unfortunately, IDLVs show lower transgene expression as compared to their integrating counterparts. In this study, we aimed to improve the expression levels of IDLVs by inserting the IS2 element, which harbors SARs and HS4 sequences, into their LTRs (SE-IS2-IDLVs). Contrary to our expectations, the presence of the IS2 element did not abrogate epigenetic silencing by histone deacetylases. In addition, the IS2 element reduced episome levels in IDLV-transduced cells. Interestingly, despite these negative effects, SE-IS2-IDLVs outperformed SE-IDLVs in terms of percentage and expression levels of the transgene in several cell lines, including neurons, neuronal progenitor cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. We estimated that the IS2 element enhances the transcriptional activity of IDLV LTR circles 6- to 7-fold. The final effect the IS2 element in IDLVs will greatly depend on the target cell and the balance between the negative versus the positive effects of the IS2 element in each cell type. The better performance of SE-IS2-IDLVs was not due to improved stability or differences in the proportions of 1-LTR versus 2-LTR circles but probably to a re-positioning of IS2-episomes into transcriptionally active regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Sánchez-Hernández
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandra Gutierrez-Guerrero
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Martín-Guerra
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutierrez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - María Tristán-Manzano
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Sandra Rodriguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Department, CNIO, Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanchez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Garcia-Perez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Jesus Chato-Astrain
- Department of Histology, Tissue Engineering Group, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ricardo Fernandez-Valades
- Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital "Virgen de las Nieves," Avda. Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Carrillo-Galvez
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Per Anderson
- LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain; Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rosa Montes
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro J Real
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain.
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain.
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6
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Quiviger M, Giannakopoulos A, Verhenne S, Marie C, Stavrou EF, Vanhoorelbeke K, Izsvák Z, De Meyer SF, Athanassiadou A, Scherman D. Improved molecular platform for the gene therapy of rare diseases by liver protein secretion. Eur J Med Genet 2018; 61:723-728. [PMID: 29704684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Many rare monogenic diseases are treated by protein replacement therapy, in which the missing protein is repetitively administered to the patient. However, in several cases, the missing protein is required at a high and sustained level, which renders protein therapy far from being adequate. As an alternative, a gene therapy treatment ensuring a sustained effectiveness would be particularly valuable. Liver is an optimal organ for the secretion and systemic distribution of a therapeutic transgene product. Cutting edge non-viral gene therapy tools were tested in order to produce a high and sustained level of therapeutic protein secretion by the liver using the hydrodynamic delivery technique. The use of S/MAR matrix attachment region provided a slight, however not statistically significant, increase in the expression of a reporter gene in the liver. We have selected the von Willebrand Factor (vWF) gene as a particularly challenging large gene (8.4 kb) for liver delivery and expression, and also because a high vWF blood concentration is required for disease correction. By using the optimized miniplasmid pFAR free of antibiotic resistance gene together with the Sleeping Beauty transposon and the hyperactive SB100X transposase, we have obtained a sustainable level of vWFblood secretion by the liver, at 65% of physiological level. Our results point to the general use of this plasmid platform using the liver as a protein factory to treat numerous rare disorders by gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Quiviger
- Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Technologies for Health, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, UTCBS, F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | | | - Sebastien Verhenne
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Corinne Marie
- Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Technologies for Health, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, UTCBS, F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Eleana F Stavrou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Rion, Greece
| | - Karen Vanhoorelbeke
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon F De Meyer
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Aglaia Athanassiadou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Rion, Greece
| | - Daniel Scherman
- Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Technologies for Health, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, UTCBS, F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France.
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7
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Hagedorn C, Schnödt-Fuchs M, Boehme P, Abdelrazik H, Lipps HJ, Büning H. S/MAR Element Facilitates Episomal Long-Term Persistence of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Genomes in Proliferating Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1169-1179. [PMID: 28665147 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are one of the most frequently applied gene transfer systems in research and human clinical trials. Since AAV vectors do not possess an integrase activity, application is restricted to terminally differentiated tissues if transgene expression is required long term. To overcome this limitation and to generate AAV vectors that persist episomally in dividing cells, AAV vector genomes were equipped with a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR). After a mild antibiotic selection, cells transduced with AAV-S/MAR established colonies that maintained long-term transgene expression (>50 population doublings) from replicating AAV vector episomes in the absence of further selection. Unexpectedly, with a lesser but still significant efficiency, the control vector (AAV-ΔS/MAR), a standard single-stranded AAV vector, also established stable transgene-expressing colonies, most of which were maintained as replicating episomes rather than integrated vector genomes. Thus, based on the result in HeLa cells, it is concluded that AAV vector genomes per se possess the ability to establish episomal maintenance in proliferating cells, a feature that can be enhanced by incorporation of a foreign genomic element such as an S/MAR element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hagedorn
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Maria Schnödt-Fuchs
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,3 Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,4 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner sites Bonn-Cologne and Hannover-Braunschweig
| | - Philip Boehme
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany .,5 Institute of Virology and Microbiology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Heba Abdelrazik
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,6 Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hans J Lipps
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,3 Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,4 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner sites Bonn-Cologne and Hannover-Braunschweig.,7 Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
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8
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Stavrou EF, Lazaris VM, Giannakopoulos A, Papapetrou E, Spyridonidis A, Zoumbos NC, Gkountis A, Athanassiadou A. The β-globin Replicator greatly enhances the potential of S/MAR based episomal vectors for gene transfer into human haematopoietic progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40673. [PMID: 28106085 PMCID: PMC5247744 DOI: 10.1038/srep40673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific human chromosomal elements enhance the performance of episomal gene-transfer vectors. S/MAR-based episomal vector pEPI-eGFP transfects CD34+ haematopoietic cells, but only transiently. To address this issue we reinforced (1) transgene transcription by replacing the CMV promoter driving eGFP with the EF1/HTLV or SFFV promoters to produce vectors pEPI-EF1/HTLV and pEPI-SFFV, respectively; and (2) plasmid replication by inserting the replication-Initiation Region (IR) from the β-globin locus into vector pEPI-SFFV to produce vector pEP-IR. All vectors supported stable transfections in K562 cells. Transfections of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of healthy donors reached 30% efficiency. Upon evaluation of CD34+/eGFP+ cells in colony-forming cell (CFC) assays, vector pEP-IR showed superior performance after 14 days, by fluorescent microscopy: 100% eGFP+-colonies against 0% for pEPI-eGFP, 56.9% for pEPI-SFFV and 49.8% for pEPI-EF1/HTLV; 50% more plasmid copies per cell and 3-fold eGFP expression compared to the latter two constructs, by quantitative (q)PCR and RT-qPCR, respectively. Importantly, the establishment rate in CFC assays was 15% for pEP-IR against 5.5% for pEPI-SFFV and 5% for pEPI-EF1/HTLV. Vector pEP-IR shows extremely low delivery rate but supports eGFP expression in thalassaemic mouse haematopoietic progenitor cells. The IR is a novel human control element for improved episomal gene transfer into progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana F. Stavrou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Eirini Papapetrou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Haematology Unit Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Nikolas C. Zoumbos
- Haematology Unit Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Antonis Gkountis
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Haematology Department-BMT Unit, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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9
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Verghese SC, Goloviznina NA, Skinner AM, Lipps HJ, Kurre P. S/MAR sequence confers long-term mitotic stability on non-integrating lentiviral vector episomes without selection. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:e53. [PMID: 24474068 PMCID: PMC3985655 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 12/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Insertional oncogene activation and aberrant splicing have proved to be major setbacks for retroviral stem cell gene therapy. Integrase-deficient human immunodeficiency virus-1-derived vectors provide a potentially safer approach, but their circular genomes are rapidly lost during cell division. Here we describe a novel lentiviral vector (LV) that incorporates human ß-interferon scaffold/matrix-associated region sequences to provide an origin of replication for long-term mitotic maintenance of the episomal LTR circles. The resulting 'anchoring' non-integrating lentiviral vector (aniLV) achieved initial transduction rates comparable with integrating vector followed by progressive establishment of long-term episomal expression in a subset of cells. Analysis of aniLV-transduced single cell-derived clones maintained without selective pressure for >100 rounds of cell division showed sustained transgene expression from episomes and provided molecular evidence for long-term episome maintenance. To evaluate aniLV performance in primary cells, we transduced lineage-depleted murine hematopoietic progenitor cells, observing GFP expression in clonogenic progenitor colonies and peripheral blood leukocyte chimerism following transplantation into conditioned hosts. In aggregate, our studies suggest that scaffold/matrix-associated region elements can serve as molecular anchors for non-integrating lentivector episomes, providing sustained gene expression through successive rounds of cell division and progenitor differentiation in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhosh Chakkaramakkil Verghese
- Department of Pediatrics, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Department of Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Center for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten 58453, Germany, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Natalya A. Goloviznina
- Department of Pediatrics, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Department of Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Center for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten 58453, Germany, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Amy M. Skinner
- Department of Pediatrics, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Department of Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Center for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten 58453, Germany, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Hans J. Lipps
- Department of Pediatrics, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Department of Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Center for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten 58453, Germany, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Peter Kurre
- Department of Pediatrics, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Department of Surgery/Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA, Center for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten 58453, Germany, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Genomic cis-acting Sequences Improve Expression and Establishment of a Nonviral Vector. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2013; 2:e118. [PMID: 24002728 PMCID: PMC3759742 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The vector pEPI was the first nonviral and episomally replicating vector. Its functional element is an expression unit linked to a chromosomal scaffold/matrix attached region (S/MAR). The vector replicates autonomously with low copy number in various cell lines, is mitotically stable in the absence of selection over hundreds of generations, and was successfully used for the efficient generation of genetically modified pigs. Since it is assumed that establishment of the vector is a stochastic event and strongly depends on the nuclear compartment it reaches after transfection, it is of great interest to identify genomic sequences that guide DNA sequences into certain nuclear compartments. Here we inserted genomic cis-acting sequences into pEPI and examined their impact on transgene expression, long-term stability, and vector establishment. We demonstrated that a ubiquitous chromatin-opening element (UCOE) mediated enhanced transgene expression, while an insulator sequence (cHS4) increased establishment efficiency, presumably via an additional interaction with the nuclear matrix. Thus, besides being a promising alternative to currently used viral vectors in gene therapeutic approaches, pEPI may also serve as a tool to study nuclear compartmentalization; identification of genomic cis-acting sequences that are involved in nuclear organization will contribute to our understanding of the interplay between transgene expression, plasmid establishment, and nuclear architecture.
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11
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Festa M, Brun P, Piccinini R, Castagliuolo I, Basso B, Zecconi A. Staphylococcus aureus Efb protein expression in Nicotiana tabacum and immune response to oral administration. Res Vet Sci 2013; 94:484-9. [PMID: 23158852 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most widespread agent of diseases in humans and animals. In dairy cows, S. aureus is the most frequently isolated contagious pathogens in mastitis cases and vaccines are one of the potential tools to control the infections, thus decreasing the use of antibiotics. Among all the virulence factors produced by S. aureus, extra cellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb) is an important one in the pathogenesis of mastitis. Plants are useful bioreactors to produce antigens and the aim of the study was the production of Efb in two cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum as a mean to produce vaccine against S. aureus in plants. A matrix attachment region (MAR) sequence was inserted near the two borders of transfer-DNA in the transformation vector in the two possible orientations. The presence of MAR elements in the transformation system significantly improved transformation efficiency and Efb protein yield up to a 2% level on total soluble protein (TSP). Mice orally immunized with transgenic lyophilized leaves produced an antigen-specific immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Festa
- Institute of Biophysics CNR-Dept. Life Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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12
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Hagedorn C, Baiker A, Postberg J, Ehrhardt A, Lipps HJ. Handling S/MAR vectors. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2012; 2012:657-63. [PMID: 22661441 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top068262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nonviral episomal vectors represent attractive alternatives to currently used virus-based expression systems. In the late 1990s, it was shown that a plasmid containing an expression cassette linked to a scaffold/matrix attached region (S/MAR) replicates as a low copy number episome in all cell lines tested, as well as primary cells, and can be used for the genetic modification of higher animals. Once established in the cell, the S/MAR vector replicates early during S-phase and, in the absence of selection, is stably retained in the cells for an unlimited period of time. This vector can therefore be regarded as a minimal model system for studying the epigenetic regulation of replication and functional nuclear architecture. In theory, this construct represents an almost "ideal" expression system for gene therapy. In practice, S/MAR-based vectors stably modify mammalian cells with efficiencies far below those of virus-based constructs. Consequently, they have not yet found application in gene therapy trials. Furthermore, S/MAR vector systems are not trivial to handle and several critical technical issues have to be considered when modifying these vectors for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hagedorn
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Witten/Herdecke, 58453 Witten, Germany
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Hagedorn C, Wong SP, Harbottle R, Lipps HJ. Scaffold/Matrix Attached Region-Based Nonviral Episomal Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:915-23. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2011.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hagedorn
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University Witten/Herdecke, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Suet-Ping Wong
- Gene Therapy Research Group, Section of Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Harbottle
- Gene Therapy Research Group, Section of Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Hans J. Lipps
- Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Institute of Cell Biology, University Witten/Herdecke, 58453 Witten, Germany
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14
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She W, Lin W, Zhu Y, Chen Y, Jin W, Yang Y, Han N, Bian H, Zhu M, Wang J. The gypsy insulator of Drosophila melanogaster, together with its binding protein suppressor of Hairy-wing, facilitate high and precise expression of transgenes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genetics 2010; 185:1141-50. [PMID: 20516496 PMCID: PMC2922898 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.110.117960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The variation of expression pattern exhibited by a transgene as a result of random integration, known as position effect, is, among other mechanisms, a particular challenge to reverse genetics. We present a strategy to counteract position effect in Arabidopsis thaliana by flanking the transgenes with the gypsy insulator from Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)], the binding protein of the gypsy insulator, was coexpressed. Results indicated that the gypsy insulators could efficiently improve the expression levels of reporter genes driven by various kinds of promoters by 8- to 13-fold. Coexpression of the Su(Hw) protein led to a more uniform expression level of transgenes, as the coefficient of variation of expression levels was reduced further. The gypsy-Su(Hw) system enhanced expression levels, but did not alter the specificity of promoter activities, as experimentally evidenced by the promoters of the PIN and the AFB gene families. Interestingly, the gypsy insulator was also able to improve the expression of a selectable marker gene outside the insulated region, which facilitated the screen of transformants. Our system will likely decrease the number of lines that experimenters need to create and examine for a given transgene by contributing to relatively high and precise expression of transgenes in plants. Certain features of the gypsy insulator in Arabidopsis also provide new perspectives on the insulator field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Junhui Wang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Broll S, Oumard A, Hahn K, Schambach A, Bode J. Minicircle performance depending on S/MAR-nuclear matrix interactions. J Mol Biol 2009; 395:950-65. [PMID: 20004666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2009] [Revised: 11/14/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The ideal vector for cell and tissue modification does not depend on integration but rather behaves as an independent functional unit that replicates as an episome. Based on a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR), we have introduced, in 2006, an approximately 4-kb replicating nonviral minicircle able to exploit the cellular replication machinery in a way reminiscent of ARS vectors. Consisting of only one active transcription unit and the S/MAR, it resists silencing as it is free of prokaryotic vector parts and drug selection markers. The rate of final establishment in the nuclear architecture is moderate but comparable to Epstein-Barr virus-based episomes (<5%). Here, we demonstrate that this parameter can be improved if the host cell chromatin is opened by histone hyperacetylation prior to transfection. It remains unaffected, however, by cell cycle position. Still, this class of episomes revealed intrinsic instability and integration after 5 months of continuous culture. In vivo evolution enabled the effective reduction of S/MAR size from 2 kb to 733 bp (resulting in a minicircle of approximately 3 kb) with largely improved stability and cloning capacity. Investigation of individual clones served to prove persistent and homogenous expression, which is ascribed to stable association with nuclear attachment sites. Optimum expression levels were shown to depend on the authentic usage of a polyadenylation site 3' from the S/MAR as anticipated by the stress-induced duplex destabilization algorithm, which finds increasing use to predict the functional parameters of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Broll
- Department Molecular Biotechnology/Epigenetic Regulation, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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