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Ismail AM, Witt E, Bouwman T, Clark W, Yates B, Franco M, Fong S. The longitudinal kinetics of AAV5 vector integration profiles and evaluation of clonal expansion in mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101294. [PMID: 39104575 PMCID: PMC11298592 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors are used clinically for gene transfer and persist as extrachromosomal episomes. A small fraction of vector genomes integrate into the host genome, but the theoretical risk of tumorigenesis depends on vector regulatory features. A mouse model was used to investigate integration profiles of an AAV serotype 5 (AAV5) vector produced using Sf and HEK293 cells that mimic key features of valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ), a gene therapy for severe hemophilia A. The majority (95%) of vector genome reads were derived from episomes, and mean (± standard deviation) integration frequency was 2.70 ± 1.26 and 1.79 ± 0.86 integrations per 1,000 cells for Sf- and HEK293-produced vector. Longitudinal integration analysis suggested integrations occur primarily within 1 week, at low frequency, and their abundance was stable over time. Integration profiles were polyclonal and randomly distributed. No major differences in integration profiles were observed for either vector production platform, and no integrations were associated with clonal expansion. Integrations were enriched near transcription start sites of genes highly expressed in the liver (p = 1 × 10-4) and less enriched for genes of lower expression. We found no evidence of tumorigenesis or fibrosis caused by the vector integrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evan Witt
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, CA 94949, USA
| | | | - Wyatt Clark
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, CA 94949, USA
| | | | - Matteo Franco
- ProtaGene CGT GmbH, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- ProtaGene Inc., Burlington, MA 01803, USA
| | - Sylvia Fong
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, CA 94949, USA
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2
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Goraltchouk A, Lourie J, Hollander JM, Grace Rosen H, Fujishiro AA, Luppino F, Zou K, Seregin A. Development and characterization of a first-in-class adjustable-dose gene therapy system. Gene 2024; 919:148500. [PMID: 38663689 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148500] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite significant potential, gene therapy has been relegated to the treatment of rare diseases, due in part to an inability to adjust dosage following initial administration. Other significant constraints include cost, specificity, antigenicity, and systemic toxicity of current generation technologies. To overcome these challenges, we developed a first-in-class adjustable-dose gene therapy system, with optimized biocompatibility, localization, durability, and cost. METHODS A lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system was developed and characterized by dynamic light scattering for size, zeta potential, and polydispersity. Cytocompatibility and transfection efficiency were optimized in vitro using primary human adipocytes and preadipocytes. Durability, immunogenicity, and adjustment of expression were evaluated in C57BL/6 and B6 albino mice using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Biodistribution was assessed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry; therapeutic protein expression was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS Following LNP optimization, in vitro transfection efficiency of primary human adipocytes reached 81.3 % ± 8.3 % without compromising cytocompatibility. Critical physico-chemical properties of the system (size, zeta potential, polydispersity) remained stable over a broad range of genetic cassette sizes (1,871-6,203 bp). Durable expression was observed in vivo over 6 months, localizing to subcutaneous adipose tissues at the injection site with no detectable transgene in the liver, heart, spleen, or kidney. Gene expression was adjustable using several physical and pharmacological approaches, including cryolipolysis, focused ultrasound, and pharmacologically inducible apoptosis. The ability of transfected adipocytes to express therapeutic transgenes ranging from peptides to antibodies, at potentially clinically relevant levels, was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION We report the development of a novel, low-cost therapeutic platform, designed to enable the replacement of subcutaneously administered protein treatments with a single-injection, adjustable-dose gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Goraltchouk
- Remedium Bio, Inc. 1116 Great Plain Ave, Suite 203, Needham, MA 02492, United States of America
| | - Jared Lourie
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, United States of America
| | - Judith M Hollander
- Remedium Bio, Inc. 1116 Great Plain Ave, Suite 203, Needham, MA 02492, United States of America
| | - H Grace Rosen
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, United States of America
| | - Atsutaro A Fujishiro
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, United States of America
| | - Francesco Luppino
- Remedium Bio, Inc. 1116 Great Plain Ave, Suite 203, Needham, MA 02492, United States of America
| | - Kai Zou
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, United States of America
| | - Alexey Seregin
- Remedium Bio, Inc. 1116 Great Plain Ave, Suite 203, Needham, MA 02492, United States of America.
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3
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Lek A, Atas E, Lin B, Hesterlee SE, Abbott JK, Byrne BJ, Bönnemann CG. Meeting Report: 2023 Muscular Dystrophy Association Summit on 'Safety and Challenges in Gene Therapy of Neuromuscular Diseases'. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024:JND240002. [PMID: 39121133 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-240002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2024]
Abstract
This meeting report summarizes the presentations and discussions held at the summit on Challenges in Gene Therapy hosted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in 2023. Topics covered include safety issues, mitigation strategies and practical considerations pertaining to the clinical translation of gene therapies for neuromuscular disease. The listing of actionable recommendations will assist in overall efforts in the field to achieve safe and efficacious translation of gene therapies for neuromuscular disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lek
- Muscular Dystrophy Association, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evrim Atas
- Muscular Dystrophy Association, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian Lin
- Muscular Dystrophy Association, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Jordan K Abbott
- Section of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Barry J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Carsten G Bönnemann
- Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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4
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Pekrun K, Stephens CJ, Gonzalez-Sandoval A, Goswami A, Zhang F, Tarantal AF, Blouse G, Kay MA. Correlation of antigen expression with epigenetic modifications after rAAV delivery of a human factor IX variant in mice and rhesus macaques. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2064-2079. [PMID: 38715361 PMCID: PMC11286812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.005] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated long-term human coagulation factor IX (huFIX) expression of a novel variant when delivered into mice and rhesus macaques and compared transduction efficiencies using two different adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids. In hemophilic mice injected with KP1-packaged recombinant AAV (rAAV) expressing the hyperactive FIX variant specific activity plasma levels were 10-fold or 2-fold enhanced when compared with wild-type or Padua huFIX injected mice, respectively. In rhesus macaques AAV-LK03 capsid outperformed AAV-KP1 in terms of antigen expression and liver transduction. Two animals from each group showed sustained low-level huFIX expression at 3 months after administration, while one animal from each group lost huFIX mRNA and protein expression over time, despite comparable vector copies. We investigated whether epigenetic differences in the vector episomes could explain this loss of transcription. Cut&Tag analysis revealed lower levels of activating histone marks in the two animals that lost expression. When comparing rAAV genome associated histone modifications in rhesus macaques with those in mice injected with the same vector, the activating histone marks were starkly decreased in macaque-derived episomes. Differential epigenetic marking of AAV genomes may explain different expression profiles in mice and rhesus macaques, as well as the wide dose response variation observed in primates in both preclinical and human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Pekrun
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Calvin J Stephens
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Aranyak Goswami
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 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, USA
| | - Grant Blouse
- Catalyst Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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5
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Pierce GF, Fong S, Long BR, Kaczmarek R. Deciphering conundrums of adeno-associated virus liver-directed gene therapy: focus on hemophilia. J Thromb Haemost 2024; 22:1263-1289. [PMID: 38103734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus gene therapy has been the subject of intensive investigation for monogenic disease gene addition therapy for more than 25 years, yet few therapies have been approved by regulatory agencies. Most have not progressed beyond phase 1/2 due to toxicity, lack of efficacy, or both. The liver is a natural target for adeno-associated virus since most serotypes have a high degree of tropism for hepatocytes due to cell surface receptors for the virus and the unique liver sinusoidal geometry facilitating high volumes of blood contact with hepatocyte cell surfaces. Recessive monogenic diseases such as hemophilia represent promising targets since the defective proteins are often synthesized in the liver and secreted into the circulation, making them easy to measure, and many do not require precise regulation. Yet, despite initiation of many disease-specific clinical trials, therapeutic windows are often nonexistent, resulting in excess toxicity and insufficient efficacy. Iterative progress built on these attempts is best illustrated by hemophilia, with the first regulatory approvals for factor IX and factor VIII gene therapies eventually achieved 25 years after the first gene therapy studies in humans. Although successful gene transfer may result in the production of sufficient transgenic protein to modify the disease, many emerging questions on durability, predictability, reliability, and variability of response have not been answered. The underlying biology accounting for these heterogeneous responses and the interplay between host and virus is the subject of intense investigation and the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn F Pierce
- World Federation of Hemophilia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Sylvia Fong
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc, Research and Early Development, Novato, California, USA
| | - Brian R Long
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc, Research and Early Development, Novato, California, USA
| | - Radoslaw Kaczmarek
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana, USA; Laboratory of Glycobiology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Wroclaw, Poland
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Rana J, Herzog RW, Muñoz-Melero M, Yamada K, Kumar SR, Lam AK, Markusic DM, Duan D, Terhorst C, Byrne BJ, Corti M, Biswas M. B cell focused transient immune suppression protocol for efficient AAV readministration to the liver. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101216. [PMID: 38440160 PMCID: PMC10911854 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101216] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are used for correcting multiple genetic disorders. Although the goal is to achieve lifelong correction with a single vector administration, the ability to redose would enable the extension of therapy in cases in which initial gene transfer is insufficient to achieve a lasting cure, episomal vector forms are lost in growing organs of pediatric patients, or transgene expression is diminished over time. However, AAV typically induces potent and long-lasting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against capsid that prevents re-administration. To prevent NAb formation in hepatic AAV8 gene transfer, we developed a transient B cell-targeting protocol using a combination of monoclonal Ab therapy against CD20 (for B cell depletion) and BAFF (to slow B cell repopulation). Initiation of immunosuppression before (rather than at the time of) vector administration and prolonged anti-BAFF treatment prevented immune responses against the transgene product and abrogated prolonged IgM formation. As a result, vector re-administration after immune reconstitution was highly effective. Interestingly, re-administration before the immune system had fully recovered achieved further elevated levels of transgene expression. Finally, this immunosuppression protocol reduced Ig-mediated AAV uptake by immune cell types with implications to reduce the risk of immunotoxicities in human gene therapy with AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Roland W. Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Maite Muñoz-Melero
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sandeep R.P. Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Anh K. Lam
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - David M. Markusic
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Barry J. Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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7
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Symington E, Rangarajan S, Lester W, Madan B, Pierce GF, Raheja P, Robinson TM, Osmond D, Russell CB, Vettermann C, Agarwal SK, Li M, Wong WY, Laffan M. Long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene transfer up to 6 years post-treatment. Haemophilia 2024; 30:320-330. [PMID: 38317480 DOI: 10.1111/hae.14936] [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] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Valoctocogene roxaparvovec uses an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5) vector to transfer a factor VIII (FVIII) coding sequence to individuals with severe haemophilia A, providing bleeding protection. AIM To assess safety and efficacy of valoctocogene roxaparvovec 5-6 years post-treatment. METHODS In a phase 1/2 trial, adult male participants with severe haemophilia A (FVIII ≤1 IU/dL) without FVIII inhibitors or anti-AAV5 antibodies received valoctocogene roxaparvovec and were followed for 6 (6 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 7) and 5 (4 × 1013 vg/kg; n = 6) years. Safety, including investigation of potential associations between a malignancy and gene therapy, and efficacy are reported. RESULTS No new treatment-related safety signals emerged. During year 6, a participant in the 6 × 1013 vg/kg cohort was diagnosed with grade 2 parotid gland acinar cell carcinoma; definitive treatment was uncomplicated parotidectomy with lymph node dissection. Target enrichment sequencing of tumour and adjacent healthy tissue revealed low vector integration (8.25 × 10-5 per diploid cell). Integrations were not elevated in tumour samples, no insertions appeared to drive tumorigenesis, and no clonal expansion of integration-containing cells occurred. During all follow-ups, >90% decreases from baseline in annualised treated bleeds and FVIII infusion rates were maintained. At the end of years 6 and 5, mean FVIII activity (chromogenic assay) was 9.8 IU/dL (median, 5.6 IU/dL) and 7.6 IU/dL (median, 7.1 IU/dL) for the 6 × 1013 and 4 × 1013 vg/kg cohorts, respectively, representing proportionally smaller year-over-year declines than earlier timepoints. CONCLUSIONS Valoctocogene roxaparvovec safety and efficacy profiles remain largely unchanged; genomic investigations showed no association with a parotid tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Symington
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Will Lester
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Bella Madan
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Priyanka Raheja
- Haemophilia Centre Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Dane Osmond
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mingjin Li
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | - Wing Yen Wong
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | - Michael Laffan
- Centre for Haematology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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8
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Mücke MM, Fong S, Foster GR, Lillicrap D, Miesbach W, Zeuzem S. Adeno-associated viruses for gene therapy - clinical implications and liver-related complications, a guide for hepatologists. J Hepatol 2024; 80:352-361. [PMID: 37890721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has garnered increasing interest over recent decades. Several therapies employing gene transfer mechanisms have been developed, and, of these, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have demonstrated viability for use with in vivo gene therapy. Several AAV-based therapeutics have received regulatory approval in the last few years including those for retinal disease, spinal muscular atrophy or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. Lately, with the introduction of novel liver-directed AAV vector-based therapeutics for the treatment of haemophilia A and B, gene therapy has attracted significant attention in the hepatology community, with the liver increasingly recognised as a target for gene therapy. However, the introduction of foreign DNA into hepatocytes is associated with a risk of hepatic reactions, with raised ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) being - so far - the most commonly reported side effects. The complete mechanisms underlying the ALT flairs remain to be determined and the long-term risks associated with these new treatments is not yet known. The liver community is increasingly being asked to support liver-directed gene therapy to mitigate potential liver associated harm. In this review, we focus on AAV vector-based gene therapy, shedding light on this promising technique and its remarkable success in haemophilia, with a special focus on hepatic complications and their management in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Maximilian Mücke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sylvia Fong
- Research and Early Development, BioMarin Pharmaceutical. Inc, San Rafael, United States
| | - Graham R Foster
- Barts Liver Centre, Blizard Institute, QMUL, London, United Kingdom.
| | - David Lillicrap
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Miesbach
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Haemostaseology and Haemophilia Centre, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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9
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Liu S, Li J, Peraramelli S, Luo N, Chen A, Dai M, Liu F, Yu Y, Leib RD, Li Y, Lin K, Huynh D, Li S, Ou L. Systematic comparison of rAAV vectors manufactured using large-scale suspension cultures of Sf9 and HEK293 cells. Mol Ther 2024; 32:74-83. [PMID: 37990495 PMCID: PMC10787191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors could be manufactured by plasmid transfection into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells or baculovirus infection of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells. However, systematic comparisons between these systems using large-scale, high-quality AAV vectors are lacking. rAAV from Sf9 cells (Sf9-rAAV) at 2-50 L and HEK293 cells (HEK-rAAV) at 2-200 L scales were characterized. HEK-rAAV had ∼40-fold lower yields but ∼10-fold more host cell DNA measured by droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing, respectively. The electron microscope observed a lower full/empty capsid ratio in HEK-rAAV (70.8%) than Sf9-rAAV (93.2%), while dynamic light scattering and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that HEK-rAAV had more aggregation. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry identified different post-translational modification profiles between Sf9-rAAV and HEK-rAAV. Furthermore, Sf9-rAAV had a higher tissue culture infectious dose/viral genome than HEK-rAAV, indicating better infectivity. Additionally, Sf9-rAAV achieved higher in vitro transgene expression, as measured by ELISA. Finally, after intravitreal dosing into a mouse laser choroidal neovascularization model, Sf9-rAAV and HEK-rAAV achieved similar efficacy. Overall, this study detected notable differences in the physiochemical characteristics of HEK-rAAV and Sf9-rAAV. However, the in vitro and in vivo biological functions of the rAAV from these systems were highly comparable. Sf9-rAAV may be preferred over HEK293-rAAV for advantages in yields, full/empty ratio, scalability, and cost.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jinzhong Li
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | | | | | - Alan Chen
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | - Minghua Dai
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | - Fang Liu
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yanbao Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Ryan D Leib
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | - Kevin Lin
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | | | - Shuyi Li
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
| | - Li Ou
- Avirmax Biopharma Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA
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10
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Chen Z, Herzog RW, Kaufman RJ. Cellular stress and coagulation factor production: when more is not necessarily better. J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:3329-3341. [PMID: 37839613 PMCID: PMC10760459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.10.005] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Remarkably, it has been 40 years since the isolation of the 2 genes involved in hemophilia A (HA) and hemophilia B (HB), encoding clotting factor (F) VIII (FVIII) and FIX, respectively. Over the years, these advances led to the development of purified recombinant protein factors that are free of contaminating viruses from human pooled plasma for hemophilia treatments, reducing the morbidity and mortality previously associated with human plasma-derived clotting factors. These discoveries also paved the way for modified factors that have increased plasma half-lives. Importantly, more recent advances have led to the development and Food and Drug Administration approval of a hepatocyte-targeted, adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene transfer approach for HA and HB. However, major concerns regarding the durability and safety of HA gene therapy remain to be resolved. Compared with FIX, FVIII is a much larger protein that is prone to misfolding and aggregation in the endoplasmic reticulum and is poorly secreted by the mammalian cells. Due to the constraint of the packaging capacity of adeno-associated viral vector, B-domain deleted FVIII rather than the full-length protein is used for HA gene therapy. Like full-length FVIII, B-domain deleted FVIII misfolds and is inefficiently secreted. Its expression in hepatocytes activates the cellular unfolded protein response, which is deleterious for hepatocyte function and survival and has the potential to drive hepatocellular carcinoma. This review is focused on our current understanding of factors limiting FVIII secretion and the potential pathophysiological consequences upon expression in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouji Chen
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Center for Genetic Diseases and Aging Research, SBP Medical Discovery Institute, California, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Randal J Kaufman
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Center for Genetic Diseases and Aging Research, SBP Medical Discovery Institute, California, USA.
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11
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Maurer AC, Benyamini B, Fan VB, Whitney ON, Dailey GM, Darzacq X, Weitzman MD, Tjian R. Double-Strand Break Repair Pathways Differentially Affect Processing and Transduction by Dual AAV Vectors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558438. [PMID: 37790316 PMCID: PMC10542147 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) are a powerful tool for gene delivery but have a limited DNA carrying capacity. Efforts to expand this genetic payload have focused on engineering the vector components, such as dual trans-splicing vectors which double the delivery size by exploiting the natural concatenation of rAAV genomes in host nuclei. We hypothesized that inefficient dual vector transduction could be improved by modulating host factors which affect concatenation. Since factors mediating concatenation are not well defined, we performed a genome-wide screen to identify host cell regulators. We discovered that Homologous Recombination (HR) is inhibitory to dual vector transduction. We demonstrate that depletion or inhibition of HR factors BRCA1 and Rad51 significantly increase reconstitution of a large split transgene by increasing both concatenation and expression from rAAVs. Our results define new roles for DNA damage repair in rAAV transduction and highlight the potential for pharmacological intervention to increase genetic payload of rAAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Maurer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- CIRM Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, CA
| | - Brian Benyamini
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Vinson B. Fan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Oscar N. Whitney
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gina M. Dailey
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical & Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Xavier Darzacq
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical & Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Matthew D. Weitzman
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Tjian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical & Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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12
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De Wolf D, Singh K, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Hemophilia Gene Therapy: The End of the Beginning? Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:782-792. [PMID: 37672530 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive preclinical research over the past 30 years has culminated in the recent regulatory approval of several gene therapy products for hemophilia. Based on the efficacy and safety data in a recently conducted phase III clinical trial, Roctavian® (valoctocogene roxaparvovec), an adeno-associated viral (AAV5) vector expressing a B domain deleted factor VIII (FVIII) complementary DNA, was approved by the European Commission and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia A. In addition, Hemgenix® (etranacogene dezaparvovec) was also recently approved by the European Medicines Agency and the FDA for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia B. This product is based on an AAV5 vector expressing a hyper-active factor IX (FIX) transgene (FIX-Padua) transgene. All AAV-based phase III clinical trials to date show a significant increase in FVIII or FIX levels in the majority of treated patients, consistent with a substantial decrease in bleeding episodes and a concomitant reduction in factor usage obviating the need for factor prophylaxis in most patients. However, significant interpatient variability remains that is not fully understood. Moreover, most patients encountered short-term asymptomatic liver inflammation that was treated by immune suppression with corticosteroids or other immune suppressants. In all phase III trials to date, FIX expression has appeared relatively more stable than FVIII, though individual patients also had prolonged FVIII expression. Whether lifelong expression of clotting factors can be realized after gene therapy requires longer follow-up studies. Further preclinical development of next-generation gene editing technologies offers new prospects for the development of a sustained cure for hemophilia, not only in adults, but ultimately in children with hemophilia too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries De Wolf
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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13
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Gonzalez-Sandoval A, Pekrun K, Tsuji S, Zhang F, Hung KL, Chang HY, Kay MA. The AAV capsid can influence the epigenetic marking of rAAV delivered episomal genomes in a species dependent manner. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2448. [PMID: 37117181 PMCID: PMC10147666 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAVs) are among the most commonly used vehicles for in vivo based gene therapies. However, it is hard to predict which AAV capsid will provide the most robust expression in human subjects due to the observed discordance in vector-mediated transduction between species. In our study, we use a primate specific capsid, AAV-LK03, to demonstrate that the limitation of this capsid towards transduction of mouse cells is unrelated to cell entry and nuclear transport but rather due to depleted histone H3 chemical modifications related to active transcription, namely H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, on the vector DNA itself. A single-amino acid insertion into the AAV-LK03 capsid enables efficient transduction and the accumulation of active-related epigenetic marks on the vector chromatin in mouse without compromising transduction efficiency in human cells. Our study suggests that the capsid protein itself is involved in driving the epigenetic status of the vector genome, most likely during the process of uncoating. Programming viral chromatin states by capsid design may enable facile DNA transduction between vector and host species and ultimately lead to rational selection of AAV capsids for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Gonzalez-Sandoval
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Encoded Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katja Pekrun
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shinnosuke Tsuji
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Specialty Medicine Research Laboratories I, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - King L Hung
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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14
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Pierce GF, Herzog RW. Two gene therapies for hemophilia available: Now what? Mol Ther 2023; 31:919-920. [PMID: 36931266 PMCID: PMC10124068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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15
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VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Hemophilia "A" gene therapy: Lost in translation. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3508-3509. [PMID: 36417911 PMCID: PMC9734077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Thierry VandenDriessche, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Marinee K. Chuah, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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