1
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Alfadhli A, Bates TA, Barklis RL, Romanaggi C, Tafesse FG, Barklis E. A Nanobody Interaction with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Allows the Versatile Targeting of Lentivirus Vectors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.06.597774. [PMID: 38895228 PMCID: PMC11185593 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.06.597774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
While investigating methods to target gene delivery vectors to specific cell types, we examined the potential of using a nanobody against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein receptor binding domain to direct lentivirus infection of Spike-expressing cells. Using three different approaches, we found that lentiviruses with surface-exposed nanobody domains selectively infect Spike-expressing cells. The targeting is dependent on the fusion function of Spike, and conforms to a model in which nanobody binding to the Spike protein triggers the Spike fusion machinery. The nanobody-Spike interaction also is capable of directing cell-cell fusion, and the selective infection of nanobody-expressing cells by Spike-pseudotyped lentivirus vectors. Significantly, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 are efficiently and selectively infected by lentivirus vectors pseudotyped with a chimeric nanobody protein. Our results suggest that cells infected by any virus that forms syncytia may be targeted for gene delivery using an appropriate nanobody or virus receptor mimic. Vectors modified in this fashion may prove useful in the delivery of immunomodulators to infected foci to mitigate the effects of viral infections. IMPORTANCE We have discovered that lentiviruses decorated on their surfaces with a nanobody against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein selectively infect Spike-expressing cells. Infection is dependent on the specificity of the nanobody and the fusion function of the Spike protein, and conforms to a reverse fusion model, in which nanobody binding to Spike triggers the Spike fusion machinery. The nanobody-Spike interaction also can drive cell-cell fusion, and infection of nanobody-expressing cells with viruses carrying the Spike protein. Importantly, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 are selectively infected with nanobody-decorated lentiviruses. These results suggest that cells infected by any virus that expresses an active receptor-binding fusion protein may be targeted by vectors for delivery of cargoes to mitigate infections.
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2
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Edelstein J, Fritz M, Lai SK. Challenges and opportunities in gene editing of B cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115285. [PMID: 36241097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
B cells have long been an underutilized target in immune cell engineering, despite a number of unique attributes that could address longstanding challenges in medicine. Notably, B cells evolved to secrete large quantities of antibodies for prolonged periods, making them suitable platforms for long-term protein delivery. Recent advances in gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas, have improved the precision and efficiency of engineering and expanded potential applications of engineered B cells. While most work on B cell editing has focused on ex vivo modification, a body of recent work has also advanced the possibility of in vivo editing applications. In this review, we will discuss both past and current approaches to B cell engineering, and its promising applications in immunology research and therapeutic gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Edelstein
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marshall Fritz
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samuel K Lai
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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3
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Adapter-Mediated Transduction with Lentiviral Vectors: A Novel Tool for Cell-Type-Specific Gene Transfer. Viruses 2022; 14:v14102157. [PMID: 36298713 PMCID: PMC9607492 DOI: 10.3390/v14102157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective gene delivery to a cell type of interest utilizing targeted lentiviral vectors (LVs) is an efficient and safe strategy for cell and gene therapy applications, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy. LVs pseudotyped with measles virus envelope proteins (MV-LVs) have been retargeted by ablating binding to natural receptors while fusing to a single-chain antibody specific for the antigen of choice. However, the broad application of MV-LVs is hampered by the laborious LV engineering required for every new target. Here, we report the first versatile targeting system for MV-LVs that solely requires mixing with biotinylated adapter molecules to enable selective gene transfer. The analysis of the selectivity in mixed cell populations revealed transduction efficiencies below the detection limit in the absence of an adapter and up to 5000-fold on-to-off-target ratios. Flexibility was confirmed by transducing cell lines and primary cells applying seven different adapter specificities in total. Furthermore, adapter mixtures were applied to generate CAR-T cells with varying CD4/CD8-ratios in a single transduction step. In summary, a selective and flexible targeting system was established that may serve to improve the safety and efficacy of cellular therapies. Compatibility with a wide range of readily available biotinylated molecules provides an ideal technology for a variety of applications.
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4
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Argaw T, Marino MP, Timmons A, Eldridge L, Takeda K, Li P, Kwilas A, Ou W, Reiser J. In vivo targeting of lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with the Tupaia paramyxovirus H glycoprotein bearing a cell-specific ligand. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:670-680. [PMID: 34141822 PMCID: PMC8166926 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite their exceptional capacity for transgene delivery ex vivo, lentiviral (LV) vectors have been slow to demonstrate clinical utility in the context of in vivo applications. Unresolved safety concerns related to broad LV vector tropism have limited LV vectors to ex vivo applications. Here, we report on a novel LV vector-pseudotyping strategy involving envelope glycoproteins of Tupaia paramyxovirus (TPMV) engineered to specifically target human cell-surface receptors. LV vectors pseudotyped with the TPMV hemagglutinin (H) protein bearing the interleukin (IL)-13 ligand in concert with the TPMV fusion (F) protein allowed efficient transduction of cells expressing the human IL-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Rα2). Immunodeficient mice bearing orthotopically implanted human IL-13Rα2 expressing NCI-H1299 non-small cell lung cancer cells were injected intravenously with a single dose of LV vector pseudotyped with the TPMV H-IL-13 glycoprotein. Vector biodistribution was monitored using bioluminescence imaging of firefly luciferase transgene expression, revealing specific transduction of tumor tissue. A quantitative droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) analysis of lung tissue samples revealed a >15-fold increase in the tumor transduction in mice treated with LV vectors displaying IL-13 relative to those without IL-13. Our results show that TPMV envelope glycoproteins can be equipped with ligands to develop targeted LV vectors for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takele Argaw
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Michael P. Marino
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Andrew Timmons
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Lindsey Eldridge
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Kazuyo Takeda
- Microscopy and Imaging Core Facility, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Pingjuan Li
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
- Vedere Bio, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anna Kwilas
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Wu Ou
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Jakob Reiser
- Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
- Corresponding author: Jakob Reiser, Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Building 52/72, Room 3106, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
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5
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Pseudotyping Lentiviral Vectors: When the Clothes Make the Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111311. [PMID: 33207797 PMCID: PMC7697029 DOI: 10.3390/v12111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivering transgenes to human cells through transduction with viral vectors constitutes one of the most encouraging approaches in gene therapy. Lentivirus-derived vectors are among the most promising vectors for these approaches. When the genetic modification of the cell must be performed in vivo, efficient specific transduction of the cell targets of the therapy in the absence of off-targeting constitutes the Holy Grail of gene therapy. For viral therapy, this is largely determined by the characteristics of the surface proteins carried by the vector. In this regard, an important property of lentiviral vectors is the possibility of being pseudotyped by envelopes of other viruses, widening the panel of proteins with which they can be armed. Here, we discuss how this is achieved at the molecular level and what the properties and the potentialities of the different envelope proteins that can be used for pseudotyping these vectors are.
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6
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Ebrahimabadi S, Shahbazi M, Akbari M, Golalipour M, Farazmandfar T. Design and construction of a recombinant lentiviral vector with specific tropism to human epidermal growth factor-overexpressed cancer cells: Developing a new retargeting system for lentivirus vectors. J Gene Med 2019; 21:e3095. [PMID: 31050357 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting of specific tissues and cells by viruses is one of the challenges faced by researchers. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are one of the most promising gene delivery systems in cancer gene therapy. Therefore, we aimed to design a novel lentiviral delivery system that expresses anti- human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) designed anykrin repeat protein (DARPin) on the vector envelope to create a pseudotyped lentivirus for targeting HER2-positive cancer cells. METHODS A helper plasmid producing the viral vector envelope containing anti-HER2 DARPin-G3 was constructed. LV was produced by transfer vector containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and helper plasmids in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The human breast cancer cell lines SKBR3 (normal and with inhibited endocytosis) (HER2-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (HER2-negative) were transduced by the recombinant viral vector. The GFP-based transduction rate was determined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS The anti-HER2 DARPin concentration in DARPin-LVs was significantly higher than the envelope G glycoprotein of the vesicular stomatitis virus-LVs (non-anti-HER2 control) (p < 0.0001). In flow cytometry assays, the percentage of transduction by recombinant LV was significantly higher in SKBR3 cells than in SKBR3 cells with inhibited endocytosis (p = 0.0074) and MDA-MB-231 cells (p = 0.0037). In fluorescence microscopy assays, the percentage of transduction by new LV was significantly higher in SKBR3 cells than in SKBR3 cells with inhibited endocytosis (p = 0.0026) and MDA-MB-231 cells (p = 0.0014). CONCLUSIONS We constructed a new recombinant LV with a defect in cell entry directly, containing an anti-HER2 DARPin on the vector envelope with specific tropism to HER2 receptor on HER2-positive cancer cells. We assumed that this viral vector transduces cells via an endocytosis-dependent process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Ebrahimabadi
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Majid Shahbazi
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mona Akbari
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Masoud Golalipour
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Touraj Farazmandfar
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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7
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Frank AM, Buchholz CJ. Surface-Engineered Lentiviral Vectors for Selective Gene Transfer into Subtypes of Lymphocytes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:19-31. [PMID: 30417026 PMCID: PMC6216101 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocytes have always been among the prime targets in gene therapy, even more so since chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have reached the clinic. However, other gene therapeutic approaches hold great promise as well. The first part of this review provides an overview of current strategies in lymphocyte gene therapy. The second part highlights the importance of precise gene delivery into B and T cells as well as distinct subtypes of lymphocytes. This can be achieved with lentiviral vectors (LVs) pseudotyped with engineered glycoproteins recognizing lymphocyte surface markers as entry receptors. Different strategies for envelope glycoprotein engineering and selection of the targeting ligand are discussed. With a CD8-targeted LV that was recently used to achieve proof of principle for the in vivo reprogramming of CAR T cells, these vectors are becoming a key tool to genetically engineer lymphocytes directly in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika M Frank
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany.,Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
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8
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Hartmann J, Münch RC, Freiling RT, Schneider IC, Dreier B, Samukange W, Koch J, Seeger MA, Plückthun A, Buchholz CJ. A Library-Based Screening Strategy for the Identification of DARPins as Ligands for Receptor-Targeted AAV and Lentiviral Vectors. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2018; 10:128-143. [PMID: 30101151 PMCID: PMC6077149 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Delivering genes selectively to the therapeutically relevant cell type is among the prime goals of vector development. Here, we present a high-throughput selection and screening process that identifies designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) optimally suited for receptor-targeted gene delivery using adeno-associated viral (AAV) and lentiviral (LV) vectors. In particular, the process includes expression, purification, and in situ biotinylation of the extracellular domains of target receptors as Fc fusion proteins in mammalian cells and the selection of high-affinity binders by ribosome display from DARPin libraries each covering more than 1012 variants. This way, DARPins specific for the glutamate receptor subunit GluA4, the endothelial surface marker CD105, and the natural killer cell marker NKp46 were generated. The identification of DARPins best suited for gene delivery was achieved by screening small-scale vector productions. Both LV and AAV particles displaying the selected DARPins transduced only cells expressing the corresponding target receptor. The data confirm that a straightforward process for the generation of receptor-targeted viral vectors has been established. Moreover, biochemical analysis of a panel of DARPins revealed that their functional cell-surface expression as fusion proteins is more relevant for efficient gene delivery by LV particles than functional binding affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hartmann
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Robert C. Münch
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Ruth-Therese Freiling
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Irene C. Schneider
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Birgit Dreier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Washington Samukange
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Joachim Koch
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Mainz Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus A. Seeger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian J. Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
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9
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Ungerechts G, Engeland CE, Buchholz CJ, Eberle J, Fechner H, Geletneky K, Holm PS, Kreppel F, Kühnel F, Lang KS, Leber MF, Marchini A, Moehler M, Mühlebach MD, Rommelaere J, Springfeld C, Lauer UM, Nettelbeck DM. Virotherapy Research in Germany: From Engineering to Translation. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:800-819. [PMID: 28870120 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Virotherapy is a unique modality for the treatment of cancer with oncolytic viruses (OVs) that selectively infect and lyse tumor cells, spread within tumors, and activate anti-tumor immunity. Various viruses are being developed as OVs preclinically and clinically, several of them engineered to encode therapeutic proteins for tumor-targeted gene therapy. Scientists and clinicians in German academia have made significant contributions to OV research and development, which are highlighted in this review paper. Innovative strategies for "shielding," entry or postentry targeting, and "arming" of OVs have been established, focusing on adenovirus, measles virus, parvovirus, and vaccinia virus platforms. Thereby, new-generation virotherapeutics have been derived. Moreover, immunotherapeutic properties of OVs and combination therapies with pharmacotherapy, radiotherapy, and especially immunotherapy have been investigated and optimized. German investigators are increasingly assessing their OV innovations in investigator-initiated and sponsored clinical trials. As a prototype, parvovirus has been tested as an OV from preclinical proof-of-concept up to first-in-human clinical studies. The approval of the first OV in the Western world, T-VEC (Imlygic), has further spurred the involvement of investigators in Germany in international multicenter studies. With the encouraging developments in funding, commercialization, and regulatory procedures, more German engineering will be translated into OV clinical trials in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Ungerechts
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany .,3 Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E Engeland
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- 4 Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany .,5 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Eberle
- 6 Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Skin Cancer Centre Charité , Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Fechner
- 7 Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology , Department of Applied Biochemistry, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Geletneky
- 8 Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Darmstadt , Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- 9 Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- 10 Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke (UW/H), Witten, Germany
| | - Florian Kühnel
- 11 Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl Sebastian Lang
- 12 Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen, Germany
| | - Mathias F Leber
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .,2 Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio Marchini
- 13 Department of Tumor Virology, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany .,14 Laboratory of Oncolytic Virus Immuno-Therapeutics (LOVIT), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Markus Moehler
- 15 University Medical Center Mainz , I. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael D Mühlebach
- 16 Product Testing of Immunological Veterinary Medicinal Products, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Jean Rommelaere
- 13 Department of Tumor Virology, Infection, Inflammation and Cancer Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich M Lauer
- 17 Department of Clinical Tumor Biology, Medical University Hospital , Tübingen, Germany .,18 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Germany
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10
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Kasaraneni N, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Wright GA, Chen Z. A simple strategy for retargeting lentiviral vectors to desired cell types via a disulfide-bond-forming protein-peptide pair. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10990. [PMID: 30030466 PMCID: PMC6054614 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29253-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent improvements in the engineering of viral envelope proteins, it remains a significant challenge to create lentiviral vectors that allow targeted transduction to specific cell populations of interest. In this study, we developed a simple ‘plug and play’ strategy to retarget lentiviral vectors to any desired cell types through in vitro covalent modification of the virions with specific cell-targeting proteins (CTPs). This strategy exploits a disulfide bond-forming protein-peptide pair PDZ1 and its pentapeptide ligand (ThrGluPheCysAla, TEFCA). PDZ1 was incorporated into an engineered Sindbis virus envelope protein (Sind-PDZ1) and displayed on lentiviral particles while the TEFCA pentapeptide ligand was genetically linked to the CTP. Her2/neu-binding designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPin) were used as our model CTPs. DARPin-functionalized unconcentrated lentiviral vectors harboring Sind-PDZ1 envelope protein (Sind-PDZ1-pp) exhibited >800-fold higher infectious titer in HER2+ cells than the unfunctionalized virions (8.5 × 106 vs. <104 IU/mL). Moreover, by virtue of the covalent disulfide bond interaction between PDZ1 and TEFCA, the association of the CTP with the virions is nonreversible under non-reducing conditions (e.g. serum), making these functionalized virions potentially stable in an in vivo setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagarjun Kasaraneni
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA
| | - Ana M Chamoun-Emanuelli
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA
| | - Gus A Wright
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Zhilei Chen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, 77843, USA.
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11
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Engeland CE, Bossow S, Hudacek AW, Hoyler B, Förster J, Veinalde R, Jäger D, Cattaneo R, Ungerechts G, Springfeld C. A Tupaia paramyxovirus vector system for targeting and transgene expression. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2248-2257. [PMID: 28809150 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses from the diverse family of Paramyxoviridae include important pathogens and are applied in gene therapy and for cancer treatment. The Tupaia paramyxovirus (TPMV), isolated from the kidney of a tree shrew, does not infect human cells and neutralizing antibodies against other Paramyxoviridae do not cross-react with TPMV. Here, we present a vector system for de novo generation of infectious TPMV that allows for insertion of additional genes as well as targeting using antibody single-chain variable fragments. We show that the recombinant TPMV specifically infect cells expressing the targeted receptor and replicate in human cells. This vector system provides a valuable tool for both basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Engeland
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Bossow
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Present address: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew W Hudacek
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Birgit Hoyler
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith Förster
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rūta Veinalde
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Cattaneo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Virology and Gene Therapy Track, Mayo Graduate School, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Chira S, Jackson CS, Oprea I, Ozturk F, Pepper MS, Diaconu I, Braicu C, Raduly LZ, Calin GA, Berindan-Neagoe I. Progresses towards safe and efficient gene therapy vectors. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30675-703. [PMID: 26362400 PMCID: PMC4741561 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of genetic engineering at the beginning of the 1970′s opened the era of biomedical technologies, which aims to improve human health using genetic manipulation techniques in a clinical context. Gene therapy represents an innovating and appealing strategy for treatment of human diseases, which utilizes vehicles or vectors for delivering therapeutic genes into the patients' body. However, a few past unsuccessful events that negatively marked the beginning of gene therapy resulted in the need for further studies regarding the design and biology of gene therapy vectors, so that this innovating treatment approach can successfully move from bench to bedside. In this paper, we review the major gene delivery vectors and recent improvements made in their design meant to overcome the issues that commonly arise with the use of gene therapy vectors. At the end of the manuscript, we summarized the main advantages and disadvantages of common gene therapy vectors and we discuss possible future directions for potential therapeutic vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu Chira
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Carlo S Jackson
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Iulian Oprea
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ferhat Ozturk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Canik Başari University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Lajos-Zsolt Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Physiopathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, Oncological Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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13
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Bender RR, Muth A, Schneider IC, Friedel T, Hartmann J, Plückthun A, Maisner A, Buchholz CJ. Receptor-Targeted Nipah Virus Glycoproteins Improve Cell-Type Selective Gene Delivery and Reveal a Preference for Membrane-Proximal Cell Attachment. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005641. [PMID: 27281338 PMCID: PMC4900575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor-targeted lentiviral vectors (LVs) can be an effective tool for selective transfer of genes into distinct cell types of choice. Moreover, they can be used to determine the molecular properties that cell surface proteins must fulfill to act as receptors for viral glycoproteins. Here we show that LVs pseudotyped with receptor-targeted Nipah virus (NiV) glycoproteins effectively enter into cells when they use cell surface proteins as receptors that bring them closely enough to the cell membrane (less than 100 Å distance). Then, they were flexible in receptor usage as demonstrated by successful targeting of EpCAM, CD20, and CD8, and as selective as LVs pseudotyped with receptor-targeted measles virus (MV) glycoproteins, the current standard for cell-type specific gene delivery. Remarkably, NiV-LVs could be produced at up to two orders of magnitude higher titers compared to their MV-based counterparts and were at least 10,000-fold less effectively neutralized than MV glycoprotein pseudotyped LVs by pooled human intravenous immunoglobulin. An important finding for NiV-LVs targeted to Her2/neu was an about 100-fold higher gene transfer activity when particles were targeted to membrane-proximal regions as compared to particles binding to a more membrane-distal epitope. Likewise, the low gene transfer activity mediated by NiV-LV particles bound to the membrane distal domains of CD117 or the glutamate receptor subunit 4 (GluA4) was substantially enhanced by reducing receptor size to below 100 Å. Overall, the data suggest that the NiV glycoproteins are optimally suited for cell-type specific gene delivery with LVs and, in addition, for the first time define which parts of a cell surface protein should be targeted to achieve optimal gene transfer rates with receptor-targeted LVs. Pseudotyping of lentiviral vectors (LVs) with glycoproteins from other enveloped viruses has not only often been revealing in mechanistic studies of particle assembly and entry, but is also of practical importance for gene delivery. LVs pseudotyped with engineered glycoproteins allowing free choice of receptor usage are expected to overcome current limitations in cell-type selectivity of gene transfer. Here we describe for the first time receptor-targeted Nipah virus glycoproteins as important step towards this goal. LV particles carrying the engineered Nipah virus glycoproteins were substantially more efficient in gene delivery than their state-of-the-art measles virus-based counterparts, now making the production of receptor-targeted LVs for clinical applications possible. Moreover, the data define for the first time the molecular requirements for membrane fusion with respect to the position of the receptor binding site relative to the cell membrane, a finding with implications for the molecular evolution of paramyxoviruses using proteinaceous receptors for cell entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben R Bender
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Anke Muth
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Irene C Schneider
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Friedel
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Jessica Hartmann
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Maisner
- Institute for Virology (BMFZ), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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14
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Lévy C, Verhoeyen E, Cosset FL. Surface engineering of lentiviral vectors for gene transfer into gene therapy target cells. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 24:79-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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15
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Zhou Q, Uhlig KM, Muth A, Kimpel J, Lévy C, Münch RC, Seifried J, Pfeiffer A, Trkola A, Coulibaly C, von Laer D, Wels WS, Hartwig UF, Verhoeyen E, Buchholz CJ. Exclusive Transduction of Human CD4+ T Cells upon Systemic Delivery of CD4-Targeted Lentiviral Vectors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:2493-501. [PMID: 26232436 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Playing a central role in both innate and adaptive immunity, CD4(+) T cells are a key target for genetic modifications in basic research and immunotherapy. In this article, we describe novel lentiviral vectors (CD4-LV) that have been rendered selective for human or simian CD4(+) cells by surface engineering. When applied to PBMCs, CD4-LV transduced CD4(+) but not CD4(-) cells. Notably, also unstimulated T cells were stably genetically modified. Upon systemic or intrasplenic administration into mice reconstituted with human PBMCs or hematopoietic stem cells, reporter gene expression was predominantly detected in lymphoid organs. Evaluation of GFP expression in organ-derived cells and blood by flow cytometry demonstrated exclusive gene transfer into CD4(+) human lymphocytes. In bone marrow and spleen, memory T cells were preferentially hit. Toward therapeutic applications, we also show that CD4-LV can be used for HIV gene therapy, as well as for tumor therapy, by delivering chimeric Ag receptors. The potential for in vivo delivery of the FOXP3 gene was also demonstrated, making CD4-LV a powerful tool for inducible regulatory T cell generation. In summary, our work demonstrates the exclusive gene transfer into a T cell subset upon systemic vector administration opening an avenue toward novel strategies in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhou
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Katharina M Uhlig
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Anke Muth
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Janine Kimpel
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Camille Lévy
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Virus Enveloppés, Vecteurs et Réponses Innées Équipe, INSERM U1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unités Mixtes de Recherche 5308, Université de Lyon-1, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Robert C Münch
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Janna Seifried
- Host Pathogen Interactions, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Anett Pfeiffer
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cheick Coulibaly
- Central Animal Unit, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Udo F Hartwig
- 3rd Department of Medicine-Hematology, Internal Oncology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Virus Enveloppés, Vecteurs et Réponses Innées Équipe, INSERM U1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unités Mixtes de Recherche 5308, Université de Lyon-1, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007 Lyon, France; INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Équipe 3, 06204 Nice, France; and
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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16
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Specific retrograde transduction of spinal motor neurons using lentiviral vectors targeted to presynaptic NMJ receptors. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1285-1298. [PMID: 24670531 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand how receptors are involved in neuronal trafficking and to be able to utilize them for specific targeting via the peripheral route would be of great benefit. Here, we describe the generation of novel lentiviral vectors with tropism to motor neurons that were made by coexpressing onto the lentiviral surface a fusogenic glycoprotein (mutated sindbis G) and an antibody against a cell-surface receptor (Thy1.1, p75(NTR), or coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor) on the presynaptic terminal of the neuromuscular junction. These vectors exhibit binding specificity and efficient transduction of receptor positive cell lines and primary motor neurons in vitro. Targeting of each of these receptors conferred to these vectors the capability of being transported retrogradely from the axonal tip, leading to transduction of motor neurons in vitro in compartmented microfluidic cultures. In vivo delivery of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor-targeted vectors in leg muscles of mice resulted in predicted patterns of motor neuron labeling in lumbar spinal cord. This opens up the clinical potential of these vectors for minimally invasive administration of central nervous system-targeted therapeutics in motor neuron diseases.
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17
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Preferential lentiviral targeting of astrocytes in the central nervous system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76092. [PMID: 24098426 PMCID: PMC3788778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to visualize and genetically manipulate specific cell populations of the central nervous system (CNS) is fundamental to a better understanding of brain functions at the cellular and molecular levels. Tools to selectively target cells of the CNS include molecular genetics, imaging, and use of transgenic animals. However, these approaches are technically challenging, time consuming, and difficult to control. Viral-mediated targeting of cells in the CNS can be highly beneficial for studying and treating neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, despite specific marking of numerous cell types in the CNS, in vivo selective targeting of astrocytes has not been optimized. In this study, preferential targeting of astrocytes in the CNS was demonstrated using engineered lentiviruses that were pseudotyped with a modified Sindbis envelope and displayed anti-GLAST IgG on their surfaces as an attachment moiety. Viral tropism for astrocytes was initially verified in vitro in primary mixed glia cultures. When injected into the brains of mice, lentiviruses that displayed GLAST IgG on their surface, exhibited preferential astrocyte targeting, compared to pseudotyped lentiviruses that did not incorporate any IgG or that expressed a control isotype IgG. Overall, this approach is highly flexible and can be exploited to selectively target astrocytes or other cell types of the CNS. As such, it can open a window to visualize and genetically manipulate astrocytes or other cells of the CNS as means of research and treatment.
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18
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Schambach A, Zychlinski D, Ehrnstroem B, Baum C. Biosafety features of lentiviral vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2013; 24:132-42. [PMID: 23311447 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2012.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, lentiviral vectors have evolved as a benchmark tool for stable gene transfer into cells with a high replicative potential. Their relatively flexible genome and ability to transduce many forms of nondividing cells, combined with the potential for cell-specific pseudotyping, provides a rich resource for numerous applications in experimental platforms and therapeutic settings. Here, we give an overview of important biosafety features of lentiviral vectors, with detailed discussion of (i) the principles of the lentiviral split-genome design used for the construction of packaging cells; (ii) the relevance of modifications introduced into the lentiviral long terminal repeat (deletion of enhancer/promoter sequences and introduction of insulators); (iii) the basic features of mRNA processing, including the Rev/Rev-responsive element (RRE) interaction and the modifications of the 3' untranslated region of lentiviral vectors with various post-transcriptional regulatory elements affecting transcriptional termination, polyadenylation, and differentiation-specific degradation of mRNA; and (iv) the characteristic integration pattern with the associated risk of transcriptional interference with cellular genes. We conclude with considerations regarding the importance of cell targeting via envelope modifications. Along this course, we address canonical biosafety issues encountered with any type of viral vector: the risks of shedding, mobilization, germline transmission, immunogenicity, and insertional mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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19
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Witting SR, Vallanda P, Gamble AL. Characterization of a third generation lentiviral vector pseudotyped with Nipah virus envelope proteins for endothelial cell transduction. Gene Ther 2013; 20:997-1005. [PMID: 23698741 PMCID: PMC3839624 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2013.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviruses are becoming progressively more popular as gene therapy vectors due to their ability to integrate into quiescent cells and recent clinical trial successes. Directing these vectors to specific cell types and limiting off-target transduction in vivo remains a challenge. Replacing the viral envelope proteins responsible for cellular binding, or pseudotyping, remains a common method to improve lentiviral targeting. Here, we describe the development of a high titer, 3rd generation lentiviral vector pseudotyped with Nipah virus fusion protein (NiV-F) and attachment protein (NiV-G). Critical to high titers was truncation of the cytoplasmic domains of both NiV-F and NiV-G. As known targets of wild-type Nipah virus, primary endothelial cells are shown to be effectively transduced by the Nipah pseudotype. In contrast, human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors were not significantly transduced. Additionally, the Nipah pseudotype has increased stability in human serum compared to VSV pseudotyped lentivirus. These findings suggest that the use of Nipah virus envelope proteins in 3rd generation lentiviral vectors would be a valuable tool for gene delivery targeted to endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Witting
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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20
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Vectofusin-1, a new viral entry enhancer, strongly promotes lentiviral transduction of human hematopoietic stem cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2013; 2:e90. [PMID: 23653154 PMCID: PMC4817938 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene transfer into hCD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs) using human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-based lentiviral vectors (LVs) has several promising therapeutic applications. Yet, efficiency, safety, and cost of LV gene therapy could be ameliorated by enhancing target cell transduction levels and reducing the amount of LV used on the cells. Several transduction enhancers already exist such as fibronectin fragments and cationic compounds, but all present limitations. In this study, we describe a new transduction enhancer called Vectofusin-1, which is a short cationic peptide, active on several LV pseudotypes. Vectofusin-1 is used as a soluble additive to safely increase the frequency of transduced HSCs and to augment the level of transduction to one or two copies of vector per cell in a vector dose-dependent manner. Vectofusin-1 acts at the entry step by promoting the adhesion and the fusion between viral and cellular membranes. Vectofusin-1 is therefore a promising additive that could significantly ameliorate hCD34+ cell-based gene therapy.
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21
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Development of measles virus-based shielded oncolytic vectors: suitability of other paramyxovirus glycoproteins. Cancer Gene Ther 2013; 20:109-16. [PMID: 23306608 PMCID: PMC3573219 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-mediated neutralization may interfere with the efficacy of measles virus (MV) oncolysis. To circumvent vector neutralization, we sought to exchange the envelope glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F), with those from the non-cross reactive Tupaia paramyxovirus (TPMV). To sustain efficient particle assembly, we generated hybrid glycoproteins with the MV cytoplasmic tails and the TPMV ectodomains. Hybrid F-proteins that partially retained fusion function, and hybrid H-proteins that retained fusion support activity, were generated. However, when used in combination, the hybrid proteins did not support membrane fusion. An alternative strategy was developed based on a hybrid F protein and a truncated H protein that supported cell-cell fusion. A hybrid virus expressing these two proteins was rescued, and was able to spread by cell fusion, however was only capable of producing minimal amounts of particles. Lack of specific interactions between the matrix and the H-protein, in combination with sub-optimal F-protein processing and inefficient glycoprotein transport in the rescue cells, accounted for inefficient particle production. Ultimately, this interferes with applications for oncolytic virotherapy. Alternative strategies for the generation of shielded MV are discussed.
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22
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Kneissl S, Abel T, Rasbach A, Brynza J, Schneider-Schaulies J, Buchholz CJ. Measles virus glycoprotein-based lentiviral targeting vectors that avoid neutralizing antibodies. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46667. [PMID: 23071609 PMCID: PMC3468630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are potent gene transfer vehicles frequently applied in research and recently also in clinical trials. Retargeting LV entry to cell types of interest is a key issue to improve gene transfer safety and efficacy. Recently, we have developed a targeting method for LVs by incorporating engineered measles virus (MV) glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin (H), responsible for receptor recognition, and the fusion protein into their envelope. The H protein displays a single-chain antibody (scFv) specific for the target receptor and is ablated for recognition of the MV receptors CD46 and SLAM by point mutations in its ectodomain. A potential hindrance to systemic administration in humans is pre-existing MV-specific immunity due to vaccination or natural infection. We compared transduction of targeting vectors and non-targeting vectors pseudotyped with MV glycoproteins unmodified in their ectodomains (MV-LV) in presence of α-MV antibody-positive human plasma. At plasma dilution 1:160 MV-LV was almost completely neutralized, whereas targeting vectors showed relative transduction efficiencies from 60% to 90%. Furthermore, at plasma dilution 1:80 an at least 4-times higher multiplicity of infection (MOI) of MV-LV had to be applied to obtain similar transduction efficiencies as with targeting vectors. Also when the vectors were normalized to their p24 values, targeting vectors showed partial protection against α-MV antibodies in human plasma. Furthermore, the monoclonal neutralizing antibody K71 with a putative epitope close to the receptor binding sites of H, did not neutralize the targeting vectors, but did neutralize MV-LV. The observed escape from neutralization may be due to the point mutations in the H ectodomain that might have destroyed antibody binding sites. Furthermore, scFv mediated cell entry via the target receptor may proceed in presence of α-MV antibodies interfering with entry via the natural MV receptors. These results are promising for in vivo applications of targeting vectors in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Kneissl
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (CJB)
| | - Tobias Abel
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Anke Rasbach
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Julia Brynza
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Christian J. Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (CJB)
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23
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Kaufmann JK, Nettelbeck DM. Virus chimeras for gene therapy, vaccination, and oncolysis: adenoviruses and beyond. Trends Mol Med 2012; 18:365-76. [PMID: 22633438 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Several challenges need to be addressed when developing viruses for clinical applications in gene therapy, vaccination, or viral oncolysis, including specific and efficient target cell transduction, virus delivery via the blood stream, and evasion of pre-existing immunity. With rising frequency, these goals are tackled by generating chimeric viruses containing nucleic acid fragments or proteins from two or more different viruses, thus combining different beneficial features of the parental viruses. These chimeras have boosted the development of virus-based treatment regimens for major inherited and acquired diseases, including cancer. Using adenoviruses as the paradigm and prominent examples from other virus families, we review the technological and functional advances in therapeutic virus chimera development and recent successful applications that can pave the way for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K Kaufmann
- Helmholtz University Group Oncolytic Adenoviruses, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Department of Dermatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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