1
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Pham Q, Glicksman J, Chatterjee A. Chemical approaches to probe and engineer AAV vectors. NANOSCALE 2024. [PMID: 38978480 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01300j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as the most promising vector for in vivo human gene therapy, with several therapeutic approvals in the last few years and countless more under development. Underlying this remarkable success are several attractive features that AAV offers, including lack of pathogenicity, low immunogenicity, long-term gene expression without genomic integration, the ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, etc. However, the commonly used wild-type AAV capsids in therapeutic development present significant challenges, including inadequate tissue specificity and the need for large doses to attain therapeutic effectiveness, raising safety concerns. Additionally, significant preexisting adaptive immunity against most natural capsids, and the development of such anti-capsid immunity after the first treatment, represent major challenges. Strategies to engineer the AAV capsid are critically needed to address these challenges and unlock the full promise of AAV gene therapy. Chemical modification of the AAV capsid has recently emerged as a powerful new approach to engineer its properties. Unlike genetic strategies, which can be more disruptive to the delicate capsid assembly and packaging processes, "late-stage" chemical modification of the assembled capsid-whether at natural amino acid residues or site-specifically installed noncanonical amino acid residues-often enables a versatile approach to introducing new properties to the capsid. This review summarizes the significant recent progress in AAV capsid engineering strategies, with a particular focus on chemical modifications in advancing the next generation of AAV-based gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Pham
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Jake Glicksman
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
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2
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Siebart JC, Chan CS, Yao X, Su FY, Kwong GA. In vivo gene delivery to immune cells. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 88:103169. [PMID: 38972172 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Immune cell therapies are an emerging class of living drugs that rely on the delivery of therapeutic transgenes to enhance, modulate, or restore cell function, such as those that encode for tumor-targeting receptors or replacement proteins. However, many cellular immunotherapies are autologous treatments that are limited by high manufacturing costs, typical vein-to-vein time of 3-4 weeks, and severe immune-related adverse effects. To address these issues, different classes of gene delivery vehicles are being developed to target specific immune cell subsets in vivo to address the limitations of ex vivo manufacturing, modulate therapeutic responses in situ, and reduce on- and off-target toxicity. The success of in vivo gene delivery to immune cells - which is being tested at the preclinical and clinical stages of development for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity - is paramount for the democratization of cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamison C Siebart
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Ching S Chan
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Xinyi Yao
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Fang-Yi Su
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabriel A Kwong
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Integrated Cancer Research Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Georgia ImmunoEngineering Consortium, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
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3
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Hoffmann M, Gallant J, LeBeau A, Schmidt D. Unlocking precision gene therapy: harnessing AAV tropism with nanobody swapping at capsid hotspots. NAR MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2024; 1:ugae008. [PMID: 39022346 PMCID: PMC11250487 DOI: 10.1093/narmme/ugae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been remarkably successful in the clinic, but its broad tropism is a practical limitation of precision gene therapy. A promising path to engineer AAV tropism is the addition of binding domains to the AAV capsid that recognize cell surface markers present on a targeted cell type. We have recently identified two previously unexplored capsid regions near the 2/5-fold wall and 5-fold pore of the AAV capsid that are amenable to insertion of larger protein domains, including nanobodies. Here, we demonstrate that these hotspots facilitate AAV tropism switching through simple nanobody replacement without extensive optimization in both VP1 and VP2. Our data suggest that engineering VP2 is the preferred path for maintaining both virus production yield and infectivity. We demonstrate highly specific targeting of human cancer cells expressing fibroblast activating protein (FAP). Furthermore, we found that the combination of FAP nanobody insertion plus ablation of the heparin binding domain can reduce off-target infection to a minimum, while maintaining a strong infection of FAP receptor-positive cells. Taken together, our study shows that nanobody swapping at multiple capsid locations is a viable strategy for nanobody-directed cell-specific AAV targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike D Hoffmann
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joseph P Gallant
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Aaron M LeBeau
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Daniel Schmidt
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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4
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Rossi M, Breman E. Engineering strategies to safely drive CAR T-cells into the future. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1411393. [PMID: 38962002 PMCID: PMC11219585 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1411393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has proven a breakthrough in cancer treatment in the last decade, giving unprecedented results against hematological malignancies. All approved CAR T-cell products, as well as many being assessed in clinical trials, are generated using viral vectors to deploy the exogenous genetic material into T-cells. Viral vectors have a long-standing clinical history in gene delivery, and thus underwent iterations of optimization to improve their efficiency and safety. Nonetheless, their capacity to integrate semi-randomly into the host genome makes them potentially oncogenic via insertional mutagenesis and dysregulation of key cellular genes. Secondary cancers following CAR T-cell administration appear to be a rare adverse event. However several cases documented in the last few years put the spotlight on this issue, which might have been underestimated so far, given the relatively recent deployment of CAR T-cell therapies. Furthermore, the initial successes obtained in hematological malignancies have not yet been replicated in solid tumors. It is now clear that further enhancements are needed to allow CAR T-cells to increase long-term persistence, overcome exhaustion and cope with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To this aim, a variety of genomic engineering strategies are under evaluation, most relying on CRISPR/Cas9 or other gene editing technologies. These approaches are liable to introduce unintended, irreversible genomic alterations in the product cells. In the first part of this review, we will discuss the viral and non-viral approaches used for the generation of CAR T-cells, whereas in the second part we will focus on gene editing and non-gene editing T-cell engineering, with particular regard to advantages, limitations, and safety. Finally, we will critically analyze the different gene deployment and genomic engineering combinations, delineating strategies with a superior safety profile for the production of next-generation CAR T-cell.
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5
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Zhou D, Zhu X, Xiao Y. Advances in research on factors affecting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell efficacy. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7375. [PMID: 38864474 PMCID: PMC11167615 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7375] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is becoming an effective technique for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. After analyzing patients with tumor progression and sustained remission after CAR-T cell therapy, many factors were found to be associated with the efficacy of CAR-T therapy. This paper reviews the factors affecting the effect of CAR-T such as tumor characteristics, tumor microenvironment and immune function of patients, CAR-T cell structure, construction method and in vivo expansion values, lymphodepletion chemotherapy, and previous treatment, and provides a preliminary outlook on the corresponding therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delian Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Xiaojian Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubeiChina
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6
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Wang F, Huang Y, Li J, Zhou W, Wang W. Targeted gene delivery systems for T-cell engineering. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00954-6. [PMID: 38753155 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00954-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
T lymphocytes are indispensable for the host systems of defense against pathogens, tumors, and environmental threats. The therapeutic potential of harnessing the cytotoxic properties of T lymphocytes for antigen-specific cell elimination is both evident and efficacious. Genetically engineered T-cells, such as those employed in CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapies, have demonstrated significant clinical benefits in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. However, the current landscape of T-cell genetic engineering is dominated by strategies that necessitate in vitro T-cell isolation and modification, which introduce complexity and prolong the development timeline of T-cell based immunotherapies. This review explores the complexities of gene delivery systems designed for T cells, covering both viral and nonviral vectors. Viral vectors are known for their high transduction efficiency, yet they face significant limitations, such as potential immunogenicity and the complexities involved in large-scale production. Nonviral vectors, conversely, offer a safer profile and the potential for scalable manufacturing, yet they often struggle with lower transduction efficiency. The pursuit of gene delivery systems that can achieve targeted gene transfer to T cell without the need for isolation represents a significant advancement in the field. This review assesses the design principles and current research progress of such systems, highlighting the potential for in vivo gene modification therapies that could revolutionize T-cell based treatments. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these systems, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the future development of T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengling Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - JiaQian Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Short L, Holt RA, Cullis PR, Evgin L. Direct in vivo CAR T cell engineering. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:406-418. [PMID: 38614815 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.004] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
T cells modified to express intelligently designed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are exceptionally powerful therapeutic agents for relapsed and refractory blood cancers and have the potential to revolutionize therapy for many other diseases. To circumvent the complexity and cost associated with broad-scale implementation of ex vivo manufactured adoptive cell therapy products, alternative strategies to generate CAR T cells in vivo by direct infusion of nanoparticle-formulated nucleic acids or engineered viral vectors under development have received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Here, we outline the ex vivo manufacturing process as a motivating framework for direct in vivo strategies and discuss emerging data from preclinical models to highlight the potency of the in vivo approach, the applicability for new disease indications, and the remaining challenges associated with clinical readiness, including delivery specificity, long term efficacy, and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauralie Short
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Department, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert A Holt
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Department, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Pieter R Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Evgin
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Department, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Interdisciplinary Oncology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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8
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Hoffmann MD, Gallant JP, LeBeau AM, Schmidt D. Unlocking Precision Gene Therapy: Harnessing AAV Tropism with Nanobody Swapping at Capsid Hotspots. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.27.587049. [PMID: 38585985 PMCID: PMC10996663 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.27.587049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus has been remarkably successful in the clinic, but its broad tropism is a practical limitation of precision gene therapy. A promising path to engineer AAV tropism is the addition of binding domains to the AAV capsid that recognize cell surface markers present on a targeted cell type. We have recently identified two previously unexplored capsid regions near the 2-fold valley and 5-fold pore of the AAV capsid that are amenable to insertion of larger protein domains including nanobodies. Here, we demonstrate that these hotspots facilitate AAV tropism switching through simple nanobody replacement without extensive optimization in both VP1 and VP2. We demonstrate highly specific targeting of human cancer cells expressing fibroblast activating protein (FAP). Our data suggest that engineering VP2 is the preferred path for maintaining both virus production yield and infectivity. Our study shows that nanobody swapping at multiple capsid location is a viable strategy for nanobody-directed cell-specific AAV targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike D. Hoffmann
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Joseph P. Gallant
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Aaron M. LeBeau
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, United States
| | - Daniel Schmidt
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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9
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Erickson SB, Pham Q, Cao X, Glicksman J, Kelemen RE, Shahraeini SS, Bodkin S, Kiyam Z, Chatterjee A. Precise Manipulation of the Site and Stoichiometry of Capsid Modification Enables Optimization of Functional Adeno-Associated Virus Conjugates. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:64-71. [PMID: 38103182 PMCID: PMC10924286 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The ability to engineer adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for targeted transduction of specific cell types is critically important to fully harness their potential for human gene therapy. A promising approach to achieve this objective involves chemically attaching retargeting ligands onto the virus capsid. Site-specific incorporation of a bioorthogonal noncanonical amino acid (ncAA) into the AAV capsid proteins provides a particularly attractive strategy to introduce such modifications with exquisite precision. In this study, we show that using ncAA mutagenesis, it is possible to systematically alter the attachment site of a retargeting ligand (cyclic-RGD) on the AAV capsid to create diverse conjugate architectures and that the site of attachment heavily impacts the retargeting efficiency. We further demonstrate that the performance of these AAV conjugates is highly sensitive to the stoichiometry of capsid labeling (labels per capsid), with an intermediate labeling density providing optimal activity for cRGD-mediated retargeting. Finally, we developed a technology to more precisely control the number of attachment sites per AAV capsid by selectively incorporating an ncAA into the minor capsid proteins with high fidelity and efficiency, such that AAV conjugates with varying stoichiometry can be synthesized. Together, this platform provides unparalleled control over the site and stoichiometry of capsid modification, which will enable the development of next-generation AAV vectors tailored with desirable attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaofu Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Jake Glicksman
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Rachel E. Kelemen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Seyed S. Shahraeini
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Sebastian Bodkin
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Zainab Kiyam
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Abhishek Chatterjee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, 201 Merkert Chemistry Center, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
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10
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Hoffmann MD, Zdechlik AC, He Y, Nedrud D, Aslanidi G, Gordon W, Schmidt D. Multiparametric domain insertional profiling of adeno-associated virus VP1. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101143. [PMID: 38027057 PMCID: PMC10661864 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Several evolved properties of adeno-associated virus (AAV), such as broad tropism and immunogenicity in humans, are barriers to AAV-based gene therapy. Most efforts to re-engineer these properties have focused on variable regions near AAV's 3-fold protrusions and capsid protein termini. To comprehensively survey AAV capsids for engineerable hotspots, we determined multiple AAV fitness phenotypes upon insertion of six structured protein domains into the entire AAV-DJ capsid protein VP1. This is the largest and most comprehensive AAV domain insertion dataset to date. Our data revealed a surprising robustness of AAV capsids to accommodate large domain insertions. Insertion permissibility depended strongly on insertion position, domain type, and measured fitness phenotype, which clustered into contiguous structural units that we could link to distinct roles in AAV assembly, stability, and infectivity. We also identified engineerable hotspots of AAV that facilitate the covalent attachment of binding scaffolds, which may represent an alternative approach to re-direct AAV tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike D. Hoffmann
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alina C. Zdechlik
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yungui He
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David Nedrud
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Wendy Gordon
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel Schmidt
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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11
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Theuerkauf SA, Herrera-Carrillo E, John F, Zinser LJ, Molina MA, Riechert V, Thalheimer FB, Börner K, Grimm D, Chlanda P, Berkhout B, Buchholz CJ. AAV vectors displaying bispecific DARPins enable dual-control targeted gene delivery. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122399. [PMID: 37992599 PMCID: PMC10721713 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122399] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Precise delivery of genes to therapy-relevant cells is crucial for in vivo gene therapy. Receptor-targeting as prime strategy for this purpose is limited to cell types defined by a single cell-surface marker. Many target cells are characterized by combinations of more than one marker, such as the HIV reservoir cells. Here, we explored the tropism of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV2) displaying designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) mono- and bispecific for CD4 and CD32a. Cryo-electron tomography revealed an unaltered capsid structure in the presence of DARPins. Surprisingly, bispecific AAVs transduced CD4/CD32a double-positive cells at much higher efficiencies than single-positive cells, even if present in low amounts in cell mixtures or human blood. This preference was confirmed when vector particles were systemically administered into mice. Cell trafficking studies revealed an increased cell entry rate for bispecific over monospecific AAVs. When equipped with an HIV genome-targeting CRISPR/Cas cassette, the vectors prevented HIV replication in T cell cultures. The data provide proof-of-concept for high-precision gene delivery through tandem-binding regions on AAV. Reminiscent of biological products following Boolean logic AND gating, the data suggest a new option for receptor-targeted vectors to improve the specificity and safety of in vivo gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Theuerkauf
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Fabian John
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Luca J Zinser
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Vanessa Riechert
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Frederic B Thalheimer
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kathleen Börner
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petr Chlanda
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Schaller Research Groups, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Christian J Buchholz
- Gene Therapy and Molecular Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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12
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Günther DM, Kovacs R, Wildner F, Salivara A, Thalheimer FB, Fries P, Geiger JRP, Buchholz CJ. Substantially improved gene transfer to interneurons with second-generation glutamate receptor-targeted DART-AAV vectors. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 399:109981. [PMID: 37783350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109981] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) are a widely used gene transfer platform in neuroscience. Although naturally AAV serotypes can have preferences for certain tissues, selectivity for particular cell types in the CNS does not exist. Towards interneuron targeting, capsid engineering of AAV2 including display of the designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin) 2K19 specific for the glutamate receptor subunit 4 (GluA4) at the N-terminus of the VP2 capsid protein has been established. The resulting AAV-VP2N is highly specific for interneurons, but exhibits rather moderate transduction efficiencies. METHODS Two alternative insertion sites for 2K19 in the GH2/GH3 loop of capsid proteins VP1 (AAV-VP1L) or VP2 (AAV-VP2L) were exploited to yield second generation GluA4-AAVs. Having packaged reporter genes under ubiquitous promoters, the vectors were characterized for biochemical properties as well as gene delivery into cell lines and rat hippocampal slice cultures. Electrophysiological recordings monitored the functional properties of transduced cells. RESULTS Compared to AAV-VP2N, the second-generation vectors, especially AAV-VP1L, achieved about 2-fold higher genomic titers as well as a substantially improved GluA4 binding. Improvements in gene transfer activities were 18-fold on GluA4-overexpressing A549 cells and five-fold on rat hippocampal organotypic slice cultures reaching approximately 60 % of all parvalbumin positive interneurons upon a single administration. The spiking behaviour of transduced cells was unaltered and characteristic for a heterogeneous group of interneurons. CONCLUSION The substantially improved gene transfer activity of the second generation GluA4-targeted AAV combined with low toxicity makes this vector an attractive tool for interneuron-directed gene transfer with unrestricted promotor and transgene choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Günther
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - R Kovacs
- Institut für Neurophysiologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - F Wildner
- Institut für Neurophysiologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - A Salivara
- Institut für Neurophysiologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - F B Thalheimer
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - P Fries
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J R P Geiger
- Institut für Neurophysiologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - C J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany.
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13
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Liu J, Koay TW, Maiakovska O, Zayas ML, Grimm D. Progress in bioengineering of myotropic Adeno-associated viral (AAV) gene therapy vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:350-364. [PMID: 37082964 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to specifically, safely and efficiently transfer therapeutic payloads to the striated musculature via a minimally invasive delivery route remains one of the most important but also most ambitious aims in human gene therapy. Over the last two decades, a flurry of groups have harnessed recombinant Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) for this purpose, carrying cargoes that were packaged either in one of the various wild-type capsids or in a synthetic protein shell derived by molecular bioengineering. Here, we provide an overview over the most commonly used techniques for the enrichment of muscle-specific (myotropic) AAV capsids, typically starting off with the genetic diversification of one or more extant wild-type sequences, followed by the stratification of the ensuing capsid libraries in different muscle types in small or large animals. These techniques include the shuffling of multiple parental capsid genes, peptide display in exposed capsid loops, mutagenesis of individual capsid residues, creation of chimeras between two viral parents, or combinations thereof. Moreover, we highlight alternative experimental or bioinformatic strategies such as ancestral reconstruction or rational design, all of which have already been employed successfully to derive synthetic AAV capsids or vectors with unprecedented in vivo efficiency and/or specificity in the musculature. Most recently, these efforts have culminated in the isolation of unique clades of myotropic vectors called AAVMYO or MyoAAV that have in common the display of the amino-acid motif RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) on the capsid surface, and that exhibit the highest transduction rate in striated muscles of mice or non-human primates reported to date. Finally, we note essential looming improvements that will facilitate and accelerate clinical translation of these latest generations of myotropic AAVs, including the identification and utilization of capsid selection or validation schemes that promise optimal translation in humans, and continued efforts to enhance patient safety by minimizing hepatic off-targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Liu
- Heidelberg University, Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg, BW, Germany;
| | - Teng Wei Koay
- Heidelberg University, Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg, BW, Germany;
| | - Olena Maiakovska
- Heidelberg University, Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg, BW, Germany;
| | | | - Dirk Grimm
- Heidelberg University, Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, Heidelberg, BW, Germany, D-69120;
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14
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Hoffmann MD, Zdechlik AC, He Y, Nedrud D, Aslanidi G, Gordon W, Schmidt D. Multiparametric domain insertional profiling of Adeno-Associated Virus VP1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.19.537549. [PMID: 37131661 PMCID: PMC10153220 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.19.537549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Evolved properties of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), such as broad tropism and immunogenicity in humans, are barriers to AAV-based gene therapy. Previous efforts to re-engineer these properties have focused on variable regions near AAV’s 3-fold protrusions and capsid protein termini. To comprehensively survey AAV capsids for engineerable hotspots, we determined multiple AAV fitness phenotypes upon insertion of large, structured protein domains into the entire AAV-DJ capsid protein VP1. This is the largest and most comprehensive AAV domain insertion dataset to date. Our data revealed a surprising robustness of AAV capsids to accommodate large domain insertions. There was strong positional, domain-type, and fitness phenotype dependence of insertion permissibility, which clustered into correlated structural units that we could link to distinct roles in AAV assembly, stability, and infectivity. We also identified new engineerable hotspots of AAV that facilitate the covalent attachment of binding scaffolds, which may represent an alternative approach to re-direct AAV tropism.
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15
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Laomeephol C, Areecheewakul S, Tawinwung S, Suppipat K, Chunhacha P, Neves NM, Luckanagul JA. Potential roles of hyaluronic acid in in vivo CAR T cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17821-17840. [PMID: 36472072 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05949e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has recently shown unprecedented clinical efficacy for cancer treatment, particularly of hematological malignancies. However, the complex manufacturing processes that involve ex vivo genetic modification of autologous T cells limits its therapeutic application. CAR T cells generated in vivo provide a valid alternative immunotherapy, "off-the-shelf", for cancer treatment. This approach requires carriers for the delivery of CAR-encoding constructs, which are plasmid DNA or messenger RNA, to T cells for CAR expression to help eradicate the tumor. As such, there are a growing number of studies reporting gene delivery systems for in vivo CAR T cell therapy based on viral vectors and polymeric nanoparticles. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural biopolymer that can serve for gene delivery, because of its inherent properties of cell recognition and internalization, as well as its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and presence of functional groups for the chemical conjugation of targeting ligands. In this review, the potential of HA in the delivery of CAR constructs is discussed on the basis of previous experience of HA-based nanoparticles for gene therapy. Furthermore, current studies on CAR carriers for in vivo-generated CAR T cells are included, giving an idea of a rational design of HA-based systems for the more efficient delivery of CAR to circulating T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chavee Laomeephol
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Sudartip Areecheewakul
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Supannikar Tawinwung
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Chulalongkorn University Cancer Immunology Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Koramit Suppipat
- Chulalongkorn University Cancer Immunology Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Chulalongkorn University Stem Cell and Cell Therapy Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Preedakorn Chunhacha
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nuno M Neves
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jittima Amie Luckanagul
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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16
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In vivo engineered B cells secrete high titers of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies in mice. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1241-1249. [PMID: 35681059 PMCID: PMC7613293 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01328-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation of B cells engineered ex vivo to secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) has shown efficacy in disease models. However, clinical translation of this approach would require specialized medical centers, technically demanding protocols and major histocompatibility complex compatibility of donor cells and recipients. Here we report in vivo B cell engineering using two adeno-associated viral vectors, with one coding for Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (saCas9) and the other for 3BNC117, an anti-HIV bNAb. After intravenously injecting the vectors into mice, we observe successful editing of B cells leading to memory retention and bNAb secretion at neutralizing titers of up to 6.8 µg ml-1. We observed minimal clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 off-target cleavage as detected by unbiased CHANGE-sequencing analysis, whereas on-target cleavage in undesired tissues is reduced by expressing saCas9 from a B cell-specific promoter. In vivo B cell engineering to express therapeutic antibodies is a safe, potent and scalable method, which may be applicable not only to infectious diseases but also in the treatment of noncommunicable conditions, such as cancer and autoimmune disease.
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17
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Becker J, Fakhiri J, Grimm D. Fantastic AAV Gene Therapy Vectors and How to Find Them—Random Diversification, Rational Design and Machine Learning. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070756. [PMID: 35890005 PMCID: PMC9318892 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses are a diverse family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect a wide variety of species, tissues and cell types. For over half a century, their intriguing biology and pathophysiology has fueled intensive research aimed at dissecting the underlying viral and cellular mechanisms. Concurrently, their broad host specificity (tropism) has motivated efforts to develop parvoviruses as gene delivery vectors for human cancer or gene therapy applications. While the sum of preclinical and clinical data consistently demonstrates the great potential of these vectors, these findings also illustrate the importance of enhancing and restricting in vivo transgene expression in desired cell types. To this end, major progress has been made especially with vectors based on Adeno-associated virus (AAV), whose capsid is highly amenable to bioengineering, repurposing and expansion of its natural tropism. Here, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art approaches to create new AAV variants with higher specificity and efficiency of gene transfer in on-target cells. We first review traditional and novel directed evolution approaches, including high-throughput screening of AAV capsid libraries. Next, we discuss programmable receptor-mediated targeting with a focus on two recent technologies that utilize high-affinity binders. Finally, we highlight one of the latest stratagems for rational AAV vector characterization and optimization, namely, machine learning, which promises to facilitate and accelerate the identification of next-generation, safe and precise gene delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Becker
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Fakhiri
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
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18
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Michels A, Ho N, Buchholz CJ. Precision Medicine: In Vivo CAR Therapy as a Showcase for Receptor-Targeted Vector Platforms. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2401-2415. [PMID: 35598048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a cancer immunotherapy of extremes: Unprecedentedly effective, but complex and costly to manufacture, they are not yet a therapeutic option for all who would benefit. This disparity has motivated worldwide efforts to simplify treatment. Among the proposed solutions, the generation of CAR T cells directly in the patient, i.e. in vivo, is arguably simultaneously the most technically challenging and clinically useful approach to convert CAR therapy from a cell-based autologous medicinal product into a universally applicable off-the-shelf treatment. Here we review the current state-of-the-art of in vivo CAR therapy, focusing especially on the vector technologies used. These cover lentiviral vectors, adenovirus-associated vectors as well as synthetic polymer nanocarriers and lipid nanoparticles. Proof-of-concept, i.e. the generation of CAR cells directly in mouse models, has been demonstrated for all vector platforms. Receptor-targeting of vector particles is crucial, as it can prevent CAR gene delivery into off-target cells, thus reducing toxicities. We discuss the properties of the vector platforms, such as their immunogenicity, potency, and modes of CAR delivery (permanent versus transient). Finally, we outline the work required to advance in vivo CAR therapy from proof-of-concept to a robust, scalable technology for clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Michels
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Naphang Ho
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany;; Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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19
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Bauer A, Puglisi M, Nagl D, Schick JA, Werner T, Klingl A, El Andari J, Hornung V, Kessler H, Götz M, Grimm D, Brack‐Werner R. Molecular Signature of Astrocytes for Gene Delivery by the Synthetic Adeno-Associated Viral Vector rAAV9P1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104979. [PMID: 35398994 PMCID: PMC9165502 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes have crucial functions in the central nervous system (CNS) and are major players in many CNS diseases. Research on astrocyte-centered diseases requires efficient and well-characterized gene transfer vectors. Vectors derived from the Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) target astrocytes in the brains of rodents and nonhuman primates. A recombinant (r) synthetic peptide-displaying AAV9 variant, rAAV9P1, that efficiently and selectively transduces cultured human astrocytes, has been described previously. Here, it is shown that rAAV9P1 retains astrocyte-targeting properties upon intravenous injection in mice. Detailed analysis of putative receptors on human astrocytes shows that rAAV9P1 utilizes integrin subunits αv, β8, and either β3 or β5 as well as the AAV receptor AAVR. This receptor pattern is distinct from that of vectors derived from wildtype AAV2 or AAV9. Furthermore, a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-wide knockout screening revealed the involvement of several astrocyte-associated intracellular signaling pathways in the transduction of human astrocytes by rAAV9P1. This study delineates the unique receptor and intracellular pathway signatures utilized by rAAV9P1 for targeting human astrocytes. These results enhance the understanding of the transduction biology of synthetic rAAV vectors for astrocytes and can promote the development of advanced astrocyte-selective gene delivery vehicles for research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Bauer
- Institute of VirologyHelmholtz Center MunichNeuherberg85764Germany
| | - Matteo Puglisi
- Physiological GenomicsBiomedical Center (BMC)Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
- Institute for Stem Cell ResearchHelmholtz Center MunichBiomedical Center (BMC)Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
| | - Dennis Nagl
- Gene Center and Department of BiochemistryLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMunich81377Germany
| | - Joel A Schick
- Institute of Molecular Toxicology and PharmacologyGenetics and Cellular Engineering GroupHelmholtz Center MunichNeuherberg85764Germany
| | - Thomas Werner
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics & Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Andreas Klingl
- Plant Development and Electron MicroscopyDepartment Biology IBiocenterLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- BioQuant Center and Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks at Heidelberg UniversityHeidelberg69120Germany
- Department of Infectious DiseasesVirologyMedical FacultyHeidelberg UniversityHeidelberg69120Germany
| | - Veit Hornung
- Gene Center and Department of BiochemistryLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätMunich81377Germany
| | - Horst Kessler
- Institute for Advanced Study and Center of Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM)Department ChemieTechnische Universität MünchenGarching85748Germany
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Physiological GenomicsBiomedical Center (BMC)Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
- Institute for Stem Cell ResearchHelmholtz Center MunichBiomedical Center (BMC)Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
- Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology (SYNERGY)Munich81377Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- BioQuant Center and Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks at Heidelberg UniversityHeidelberg69120Germany
- Department of Infectious DiseasesVirologyMedical FacultyHeidelberg UniversityHeidelberg69120Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK)Partner site HeidelbergHeidelberg69120Germany
| | - Ruth Brack‐Werner
- Institute of VirologyHelmholtz Center MunichNeuherberg85764Germany
- Department of Biology IILudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)Planegg‐Martinsried82152Germany
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20
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Biophysical Characterization of Viral and Lipid-Based Vectors for Vaccines and Therapeutics with Light Scattering and Calorimetric Techniques. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 10:vaccines10010049. [PMID: 35062710 PMCID: PMC8780473 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel vaccine platforms for delivery of nucleic acids based on viral and non-viral vectors, such as recombinant adeno associated viruses (rAAV) and lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), hold great promise. However, they pose significant manufacturing and analytical challenges due to their intrinsic structural complexity. During product development and process control, their design, characterization, and quality control require the combination of fit-for-purpose complementary analytical tools. Moreover, an in-depth methodological expertise and holistic approach to data analysis are required for robust measurements and to enable an adequate interpretation of experimental findings. Here the combination of complementary label-free biophysical techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), multiangle-DLS (MADLS), Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), multiple detection SEC and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), have been successfully used for the characterization of physical and chemical attributes of rAAV and LNPs encapsulating mRNA. Methods' performance, applicability, dynamic range of detection and method optimization are discussed for the measurements of multiple critical physical-chemical quality attributes, including particle size distribution, aggregation propensity, polydispersity, particle concentration, particle structural properties and nucleic acid payload.
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