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Smith TJ, Elmore ZC, Fusco RM, Hull JA, Rosales A, Martinez M, Tarantal AF, Asokan A. Engineered IgM and IgG cleaving enzymes for mitigating antibody neutralization and complement activation in AAV gene transfer. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2080-2093. [PMID: 38715362 PMCID: PMC11286816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.004] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic dosing of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors poses potential risk of adverse side effects including complement activation triggered by anti-capsid immunity. Due to the multifactorial nature of toxicities observed in this setting, a wide spectrum of immune modulatory regimens are being investigated in the clinic. Here, we discover an IgM cleaving enzyme (IceM) that degrades human IgM, a key trigger in the anti-AAV immune cascade. We then engineer a fusion enzyme (IceMG) with dual proteolytic activity against human IgM and IgG. IceMG cleaves B cell surface antigen receptors and inactivates phospholipase gamma signaling in vitro. Importantly, IceMG is more effective at inhibiting complement activation compared with an IgG cleaving enzyme alone. Upon IV dosing, IceMG rapidly and reversibly clears circulating IgM and IgG in macaques. Antisera from these animals treated with IceMG shows decreased ability to neutralize AAV and activate complement. Consistently, pre-conditioning with IceMG restores AAV transduction in mice passively immunized with human antisera. Thus, IgM cleaving enzymes show promise in simultaneously addressing multiple aspects of anti-AAV immunity mediated by B cells, circulating antibodies and complement. These studies have implications for improving safety of AAV gene therapies and possibly broader applications including organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Smith
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zachary C Elmore
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert M Fusco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Joshua A Hull
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Alan Rosales
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michele Martinez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alice F Tarantal
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Schwotzer N, El Sissy C, Desguerre I, Frémeaux-Bacchi V, Servais L, Fakhouri F. Thrombotic Microangiopathy as an Emerging Complication of Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:1995-2005. [PMID: 39081755 PMCID: PMC11284364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.04.024] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has brought tremendous hope for patients with severe life-threatening monogenic diseases. Although studies have shown the efficacy of gene therapy, serious adverse events have also emerged, including thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) following viral vector-based gene therapy. In this review, we briefly summarize the concept of gene therapy, and the immune response triggered by viral vectors. We also discuss the incidence, presentation, and potential underlying mechanisms, including complement activation, of gene therapy-associated TMA. Further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of this severe complication of gene therapy, and the optimal measures to prevent it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Schwotzer
- Service of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carine El Sissy
- Department of Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Paediatric Neurology Department, Necker Hospital, APHP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Frémeaux-Bacchi
- Department of Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
- Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Servais
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Center, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Liege and University Hospital of Liege, Belgium
| | - Fadi Fakhouri
- Service of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wang JH, Gessler DJ, Zhan W, Gallagher TL, Gao G. Adeno-associated virus as a delivery vector for gene therapy of human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:78. [PMID: 38565561 PMCID: PMC10987683 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01780-w] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a pivotal delivery tool in clinical gene therapy owing to its minimal pathogenicity and ability to establish long-term gene expression in different tissues. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) has been engineered for enhanced specificity and developed as a tool for treating various diseases. However, as rAAV is being more widely used as a therapy, the increased demand has created challenges for the existing manufacturing methods. Seven rAAV-based gene therapy products have received regulatory approval, but there continue to be concerns about safely using high-dose viral therapies in humans, including immune responses and adverse effects such as genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy, and neurotoxicity. In this review, we explore AAV biology with an emphasis on current vector engineering strategies and manufacturing technologies. We discuss how rAAVs are being employed in ongoing clinical trials for ocular, neurological, metabolic, hematological, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers. We outline immune responses triggered by rAAV, address associated side effects, and discuss strategies to mitigate these reactions. We hope that discussing recent advancements and current challenges in the field will be a helpful guide for researchers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving landscape of rAAV-based gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Hui Wang
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Thomas L Gallagher
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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Baruteau J, Brunetti-Pierri N, Gissen P. Liver-directed gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:9-21. [PMID: 38171926 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12709] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy clinical trials are rapidly expanding for inherited metabolic liver diseases whilst two gene therapy products have now been approved for liver based monogenic disorders. Liver-directed gene therapy has recently become an option for treatment of haemophilias and is likely to become one of the favoured therapeutic strategies for inherited metabolic liver diseases in the near future. In this review, we present the different gene therapy vectors and strategies for liver-targeting, including gene editing. We highlight the current development of viral and nonviral gene therapy for a number of inherited metabolic liver diseases including urea cycle defects, organic acidaemias, Crigler-Najjar disease, Wilson disease, glycogen storage disease Type Ia, phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease. We describe the main limitations and open questions for further gene therapy development: immunogenicity, inflammatory response, genotoxicity, gene therapy administration in a fibrotic liver. The follow-up of a constantly growing number of gene therapy treated patients allows better understanding of its benefits and limitations and provides strategies to design safer and more efficacious treatments. Undoubtedly, liver-targeting gene therapy offers a promising avenue for innovative therapies with an unprecedented potential to address the unmet needs of patients suffering from inherited metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Baruteau
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM, School of Advanced Studies), Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paul Gissen
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
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Voermans NC, Ferreiro A, Aartsema-Rus A, Jungbluth H. Gene therapy for X-linked myotubular myopathy: the challenges. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:1089-1091. [PMID: 37977700 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Ana Ferreiro
- Basic and Translational Myology Laboratory, Université Paris Cité, BFA, CNRS UMR8251, Paris, France; Reference Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Institut of Myology, Neuromyology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Heinz Jungbluth
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Neuromuscular Service, Evelina Children Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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