1
|
Zhao Y, Liu W, Li Y, Ma J, Liu T, Cui H, Deng Y, Liao X, Wang Z. Human Bocavirus 1 NP1 acts as an ssDNA-binding protein to help AAV2 DNA replication and cooperates with RPA to regulate AAV2 capsid expression. J Virol 2024; 98:e0151523. [PMID: 38323812 PMCID: PMC10949510 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01515-23] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) requires co-infection with helper virus for efficient replication. We previously reported that Human Bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) genes, including NP1, NS2, and BocaSR, were critical for AAV2 replication. Here, we first demonstrate the essential roles of the NP1 protein in AAV2 DNA replication and protein expression. We show that NP1 binds to single-strand DNA (ssDNA) at least 30 nucleotides (nt) in length in a sequence-independent manner. Furthermore, NP1 colocalized with the BrdU-labeled AAV2 DNA replication center, and the loss of the ssDNA-binding ability of NP1 by site-directed mutation completely abolished AAV2 DNA replication. We used affinity-tagged NP1 protein to identify host cellular proteins associated with NP1 in cells cotransfected with the HBoV1 helper genes and AAV2 duplex genome. Of the identified proteins, we demonstrate that NP1 directly binds to the DBD-F domain of the RPA70 subunit with a high affinity through the residues 101-121. By reconstituting the heterotrimer protein RPA in vitro using gel filtration, we demonstrate that NP1 physically associates with RPA to form a heterologous complex characterized by typical fast-on/fast-off kinetics. Following a dominant-negative strategy, we found that NP1-RPA complex mainly plays a role in expressing AAV2 capsid protein by enhancing the transcriptional activity of the p40 promoter. Our study revealed a novel mechanism by which HBoV1 NP1 protein supports AAV2 DNA replication and capsid protein expression through its ssDNA-binding ability and direct interaction with RPA, respectively.IMPORTANCERecombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have been extensively used in clinical gene therapy strategies. However, a limitation of these gene therapy strategies is the efficient production of the required vectors, as AAV alone is replication-deficient in the host cells. HBoV1 provides the simplest AAV2 helper genes consisting of NP1, NS2, and BocaSR. An important question regarding the helper function of HBoV1 is whether it provides any direct function that supports AAV2 DNA replication and protein expression. Also of interest is how HBoV1 interplays with potential host factors to constitute a permissive environment for AAV2 replication. Our studies revealed that the multifunctional protein NP1 plays important roles in AAV2 DNA replication via its sequence-independent ssDNA-binding ability and in regulating AAV2 capsid protein expression by physically interacting with host protein RPA. Our findings present theoretical guidance for the future application of the HBoV1 helper genes in the rAAV vector production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqun Zhao
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yanjie Li
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Huichan Cui
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yongheng Deng
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Xiaochen Liao
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Zekun Wang
- Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tyszkiewicz C, Hwang SK, DaSilva JK, Kovi RC, Fader KA, Sirivelu MP, Liu J, Somps C, Cook J, Liu CN, Wang H. Absence of functional deficits in rats following systemic administration of an AAV9 vector despite moderate peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglia findings: A clinically silent peripheral neuropathy. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:46-53. [PMID: 38316190 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.02.001] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors are commonly used for delivering transgenes in gene therapy studies, but they are also known to cause dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and peripheral nerve toxicities in animals. However, the functional implications of these pathologic findings and their time course remain unclear. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks following a single dose of an AAV9 vector carrying human frataxin transgene in rats, non-standard functional assessments, including von Frey filament, electrophysiology, and Rotarod tests, were conducted longitudinally to measure allodynia, nerve conduction velocity, and coordination, respectively. Additionally, DRGs, peripheral nerves, brain and spinal cord were evaluated histologically and circulating neurofilament light chain (NfL) was quantified at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. At 2 and 4 weeks after dosing, minimal-to-moderate nerve fiber degeneration and neuronal degeneration were observed in the DRGs in some of the AAV9 vector-dosed animals. At 8 weeks, nerve fiber degeneration was observed in DRGs, with or without neuronal degeneration, and in sciatic nerves of all AAV9 vector-dosed animals. NfL values were higher in AAV9 vector-treated animals at weeks 4 and 8 compared with controls. However, there were no significant differences in the three functional endpoints evaluated between the AAV9 vector- and vehicle-dosed animals, or in a longitudinal comparison between baseline (predose), 4, and 8 week values in the AAV9 vector-dose animals. These findings demonstrate that there is no detectable functional consequence to the minimal-to-moderate neurodegeneration observed with our AAV9 vector treatment in rats, suggesting a functional tolerance or reserve for loss of DRG neurons after systemic administration of AAV9 vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Tyszkiewicz
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Seo-Kyoung Hwang
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jamie K DaSilva
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Ramesh C Kovi
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kelly A Fader
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Madhu P Sirivelu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - June Liu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Chris Somps
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jon Cook
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Chang-Ning Liu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA.
| | - Helen Wang
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Silver E, Argiro A, Hong K, Adler E. Gene therapy vector-related myocarditis. Int J Cardiol 2024; 398:131617. [PMID: 38030043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a technique to correct genetic abnormalities, through introduction of a functional gene or through direct genome editing. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene replacement shows promise for targeted therapies in treatment of inherited cardiomyopathies and is the most used approach in clinical trials. However, immune responses from the host to the virus and gene product pose delivery and safety challenges. This review explores the immunological reactions to AAV-based gene therapy, their potential toxic effects, with a focus on myocarditis, and future directions for gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Silver
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States; School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States.
| | - Alessia Argiro
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Kimberly Hong
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Eric Adler
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Han S, Xu Z, Wang S, Tang H, Hu S, Wang H, Guan G, Shu Y. Distributional comparison of different AAV vectors after unilateral cochlear administration. Gene Ther 2024; 31:154-164. [PMID: 38097651 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00431-z] [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] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
The adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy has been widely applied to mouse models for deafness. But, AAVs could transduce non-targeted organs after inner ear delivery due to their low cell-type specificity. This study compares transgene expression and biodistribution of AAV1, AAV2, Anc80L65, AAV9, AAV-PHP.B, and AAV-PHP.eB after round window membrane (RWM) injection in neonatal mice. The highest virus concentration was detected in the injected cochlea. AAV2, Anc80L65, AAV9, AAV-PHP.B, and AAV-PHP.eB transduced both inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) with high efficiency, while AAV1 transduced IHCs with high efficiency but OHCs with low efficiency. All AAV subtypes finitely transduced contralateral inner ear, brain, heart, and liver compared with the injected cochlea. In most brain regions, the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression of AAV1 and AAV2 was lower than that of other four subtypes. We suggested the cochlear aqueduct might be one of routes for vectors instantaneously infiltrating into the brain from the cochlea through a dye tracking test. In summary, our results provide available data for further investigating the biodistribution of vectors through local inner ear injection and afford a reference for selecting AAV serotypes for gene therapy toward deafness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Han
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, PR China
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Zhijiao Xu
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Shengyi Wang
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Honghai Tang
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Shaowei Hu
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China
| | - Guofang Guan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, PR China.
| | - Yilai Shu
- ENT institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, PR China.
- Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200031, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Argiro A, Bui Q, Hong KN, Ammirati E, Olivotto I, Adler E. Applications of Gene Therapy in Cardiomyopathies. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2024; 12:248-260. [PMID: 37966402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is defined by the introduction of new genes or the genetic modification of existing genes and/or their regulatory portions via gene replacement and gene editing strategies, respectively. The genetic material is usually delivered though cardiotropic vectors such as adeno-associated virus 9 or engineered capsids. The enthusiasm for gene therapy has been hampered somewhat by adverse events observed in clinical trials, including dose-dependent immunologic reactions such as hepatotoxicity, acquired hemolytic uremic syndrome and myocarditis. Notably, gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has recently been approved and pivotal clinical trials are testing gene therapy approaches in rare myocardial conditions such as Danon disease and Fabry disease. Furthermore, promising results have been shown in animal models of gene therapy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. This review summarizes the gene therapy techniques, the toxicity risk associated with adeno-associated virus delivery, the ongoing clinical trials, and future targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Argiro
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Quan Bui
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Kimberly N Hong
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Enrico Ammirati
- De Gasperis Cardio Center, Transplant Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Iacopo Olivotto
- Cardiomyopathy Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Meyer University Children Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Eric Adler
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sauter MM, Noel H, Brandt CR. The RLR intrinsic antiviral system is expressed in neural retina and restricts lentiviral transduction of human Mueller cells. Exp Eye Res 2023; 236:109647. [PMID: 37689341 PMCID: PMC10834037 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG)-I-like receptor (RLR) family of RNA sensor proteins plays a key role in the innate immune response to viral nucleic acids, including viral gene delivery vectors, but little is known about the expression of RLR proteins in the retina. The purpose of this study was to characterize cell-specific expression patterns of RLR proteins in non-human primate (NHP) neural retina tissue and to examine if RLR pathway signaling restricts viral gene delivery transduction. Since RLR protein signaling converges at the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), experiments were performed to determine if knockdown of MAVS affected FIVGFP transduction efficiency in the human Mueller cell line MIO-M1. Immunoblotting confirmed expression of RIG-I, melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2), and MAVS proteins in MIO-M1 cells and NHP retina tissue. Double label immunofluorescence (IF) studies revealed RIG-I, LGP2, and MAVS were expressed in Mueller microglial cells in the NHP retina. In addition, LGP2 and MDA5 proteins were detected in cone and retinal ganglion cells (RGC). MDA5 was also present in a subset of calretinin positive amacrine cells, and in nuclei within the inner nuclear layer (INL). Knockdown of MAVS significantly increased the transduction efficiency of the lentiviral vector FIVGFP in MIO-M1 cells, compared to control cells. FIVGFP or AAVGFP challenge did not alter expression of the LGP2, MAVS, MDA5 or RIG-I genes in MIO-M1 cells or NHP retina tissue compared to media treated controls. Our data demonstrate that innate immune response proteins involved in viral RNA sensing, including MDA5, RIG-I, LGP2, and MAVS, are expressed in several cell types within the NHP neural retina. In addition, the MAVS protein restricts non-human lentiviral transduction efficiency in MIO-M1 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica M Sauter
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Hongyu Noel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Curtis R Brandt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pascual JM, Jakkamsetti V, Málaga I, Noble D. Impoverished Conceptions of Gene Causation and Therapy in Developmental Neurology. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 148:198-205. [PMID: 37652816 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
We offer a primer to the modifiability of genetic neurological disease, particularly during development. One goal is to harness several unexpected observations made in the course of experimental gene modification or therapy into an explanatory conceptual context based on biological first principles. To this end, we anchor growing, disparate reports of unusual or untoward effects to a plausible framework wherein genes exhibit different degrees of modifiability and may result, when mutated or therapeutically modified, in unsuspected consequences. We propose that genetic pathogenic variant effects and modifiability depend on the number and complexity of associated protein-protein or higher-order interactions. Thus, gene malleability may range from that characteristic of the favorably modifiable primarily structural genes that subserve relatively invariant or circumscribed phenomena such as cell shape to that typical of some transcription factors, which are less functionally predictable when altered. The latter may be expressed developmentally, in compartmentalized manner, or only intermittently and yet exert vastly ramified influences sometimes circumscribed only to select species. We also argue that genetic diseases may steer the organism toward often poorly understood biological end points and co-opt multiple processes into hardly modifiable biology. Addition or modification of genes to approximate a normal state not previously experienced by the organism may lead to further aberration due to extraneous interference with the native biology of the disease state. Therefore, an understanding as perspicuous as possible of gene function, regulation, modifiability, and biological directionality down to seemingly minute but disease-relevant consequences is a prerequisite to intervention. Although we provide some groundwork steps to such an understanding, this may occasionally prove unattainable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Pascual
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth & Development/Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
| | - Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ignacio Málaga
- Rare Brain Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Denis Noble
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rojsajjakul T, Hordeaux JJ, Choudhury GR, Hinderer CJ, Mesaros C, Wilson JM, Blair IA. Quantification of human mature frataxin protein expression in nonhuman primate hearts after gene therapy. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1093. [PMID: 37891254 PMCID: PMC10611776 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05472-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiency in human mature frataxin (hFXN-M) protein is responsible for the devastating neurodegenerative and cardiodegenerative disease of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). It results primarily through epigenetic silencing of the FXN gene by GAA triplet repeats on intron 1 of both alleles. GAA repeat lengths are most commonly between 600 and 1200 but can reach 1700. A subset of approximately 3% of FRDA patients have GAA repeats on one allele and a mutation on the other. FRDA patients die most commonly in their 30s from heart disease. Therefore, increasing expression of heart hFXN-M using gene therapy offers a way to prevent early mortality in FRDA. We used rhesus macaque monkeys to test the pharmacology of an adeno-associated virus (AAV)hu68.CB7.hFXN therapy. The advantage of using non-human primates for hFXN-M gene therapy studies is that hFXN-M and monkey FXN-M (mFXN-M) are 98.5% identical, which limits potential immunologic side-effects. However, this presented a formidable bioanalytical challenge in quantification of proteins with almost identical sequences. This could be overcome by the development of a species-specific quantitative mass spectrometry-based method, which has revealed for the first time, robust transgene-specific human protein expression in monkey heart tissue. The dose response is non-linear resulting in a ten-fold increase in monkey heart hFXN-M protein expression with only a three-fold increase in dose of the vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teerapat Rojsajjakul
- Penn/CHOP Friedreich's Ataxia Center of Excellence and Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Juliette J Hordeaux
- Gene Therapy Program, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gourav R Choudhury
- Gene Therapy Program, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Christian J Hinderer
- Gene Therapy Program, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Clementina Mesaros
- Penn/CHOP Friedreich's Ataxia Center of Excellence and Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - James M Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Ian A Blair
- Penn/CHOP Friedreich's Ataxia Center of Excellence and Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pisciotta C, Pareyson D. Gene therapy and other novel treatment approaches for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:627-635. [PMID: 37455204 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
There is still no effective drug treatment available for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Current management relies on rehabilitation therapy, surgery for skeletal deformities, and symptomatic treatment. The challenge is to find disease-modifying therapies. Several approaches, including gene silencing (by means of ASO, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, CRISPR-Cas9 editing), to counteract the PMP22 gene overexpression in the most frequent CMT1A type are under investigation. PXT3003 is the compound in the most advanced phase for CMT1A, as a second phase-III trial is ongoing. Gene therapy to substitute defective genes (particularly in recessive forms associated with loss-of-function mutations) or insert novel ones (e.g., NT3 gene) are being developed and tested in animal models and in still exceptional cases have reached the clinical trial phase in humans. Novel treatment approaches are also aimed at developing compounds acting on pathways important for different CMT types. Modulation of the neuregulin pathway determining myelin thickness is promising for both hypo-demyelinating and hypermyelinating neuropathies; intervention on Unfolded Protein Response seems effective for rescuing misfolded myelin proteins such as MPZ in CMT1B. HDAC6 inhibitors improved axonal transport and ameliorated phenotypes in different CMT models. Other potential therapeutic strategies include targeting macrophages, lipid metabolism, and Nav1.8 sodium channel in demyelinating CMT and the P2×7 receptor, which regulates calcium influx into Schwann cells, in CMT1A. Further approaches are aimed at correcting metabolic abnormalities, including the accumulation of sorbitol caused by biallelic mutations in the sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) gene and of neurotoxic glycosphingolipids in HSN1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pisciotta
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurological Diseases, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Blair I, Rojsajjakul T, Hordeaux J, Chaudhary G, Hinderer C, Mesaros C, Wilson J. Quantification of human mature frataxin protein expression in nonhuman primate hearts after gene therapy. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3121549. [PMID: 37461697 PMCID: PMC10350221 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3121549/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Deficiency in human mature frataxin (hFXN-M) protein is responsible for the devastating neurodegenerative and cardiodegenerative disease of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). It results primarily by epigenetic silencing the FXN gene due to up to 1400 GAA triplet repeats in intron 1 of both alleles of the gene; a subset of approximately 3% of FRDA patients have a mutation on one allele. FRDA patients die most commonly in their 30s from heart disease. Therefore, increasing expression of heart hFXN-M using gene therapy offers a way to prevent early mortality in FRDA. We used rhesus macaque monkeys to test the pharmacology of an adeno-associated virus (AAV)hu68.CB7.hFXN therapy. The advantage of using non-human primates for hFXN-M gene therapy studies is that hFXN-M and monkey FXN-M (mFXN-M) are 98.5% identical, which limits potential immunologic side-effects. However, this presented a formidable bioanalytical challenge in quantification of proteins with almost identical sequences. This was overcome by development of a species-specific quantitative mass spectrometry-based method, which revealed for the first time, robust transgene-specific human protein expression in monkey heart tissue. The dose response was non-linear resulting in a ten-fold increase in monkey heart hFXN-M protein expression with only a three-fold increase in dose of the vector.
Collapse
|
11
|
Veenstra-VanderWeele J, O'Reilly KC, Dennis MY, Uribe-Salazar JM, Amaral DG. Translational Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Autism. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:265-276. [PMID: 37002692 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
While autism spectrum disorder affects nearly 2% of children in the United States, little is known with certainty concerning the etiologies and brain systems involved. This is due, in part, to the substantial heterogeneity in the presentation of the core symptoms of autism as well as the great number of co-occurring conditions that are common in autistic individuals. Understanding the neurobiology of autism is further hampered by the limited availability of postmortem brain tissue to determine the cellular and molecular alterations that take place in the autistic brain. Animal models therefore provide great translational value in helping to define the neural systems that constitute the social brain and mediate repetitive behaviors or interests. If they are based on genetic or environmental factors that contribute to autism, organisms from flies to nonhuman primates may serve as models of the neural structure or function of the autistic brain. Ultimately, successful models can also be employed to test the safety and effectiveness of potential therapeutics. This is an overview of the major animal species that are currently used as models of autism, including an appraisal of the advantages and limitations of each.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Veenstra-VanderWeele, O'Reilly); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar), MIND Institute (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar, Amaral), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Amaral), University of California, Davis
| | - Kally C O'Reilly
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Veenstra-VanderWeele, O'Reilly); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar), MIND Institute (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar, Amaral), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Amaral), University of California, Davis
| | - Megan Y Dennis
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Veenstra-VanderWeele, O'Reilly); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar), MIND Institute (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar, Amaral), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Amaral), University of California, Davis
| | - José M Uribe-Salazar
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Veenstra-VanderWeele, O'Reilly); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar), MIND Institute (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar, Amaral), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Amaral), University of California, Davis
| | - David G Amaral
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Veenstra-VanderWeele, O'Reilly); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Genome Center (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar), MIND Institute (Dennis, Uribe-Salazar, Amaral), and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Amaral), University of California, Davis
| |
Collapse
|