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Phuphanitcharoenkun S, Bhukhai K, Phanthong P, Prasongtanakij S, Linn AK, Sutjarit N, Anurathapan U, Leboulch P, Payen E, Hongeng S, Borwornpinyo S. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction-based quantitation of therapeutic lentiviral vector copies in transduced hematopoietic stem cells. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:586-591. [PMID: 38551525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.018] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Gene therapy using lentiviral vectors (LVs) that harbor a functional β-globin gene provides a curative treatment for hemoglobinopathies including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Accurate quantification of the vector copy number (VCN) and/or the proportion of transduced cells is critical to evaluate the efficacy of transduction and stability of the transgene during treatment. Moreover, commonly used techniques for LV quantification, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting, require either a standard curve or expression of a reporter protein for the detection of transduced cells. In the present study, we describe a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) technique to measure the lentiviral VCN in transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). METHODS After HSPCs were transduced with an LV encoding the therapeutic β-globin (βA-T87Q) gene, the integrated lentiviral sequence in the host genome was amplified with primers that targeted a sequence within the vector and the human RPP30 gene. The dynamic range of ddPCR was between 5 × 10-3 ng and 5 × 10-6 ng of target copy per reaction. RESULTS We found that the ddPCR-based approach was able to estimate VCN with high sensitivity and a low standard deviation. Furthermore, ddPCR-mediated quantitation of lentiviral copy numbers in differentiated erythroblasts correlated with the level of βA-T87Q protein detected by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the ddPCR technique has the potential to precisely detect LV copy numbers in the host genome, which can be used for VCN estimation, calculation of infectious titer and multiplicity of infection for HSPC transduction in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kanit Bhukhai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phetcharat Phanthong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somsak Prasongtanakij
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aung Khine Linn
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nareerat Sutjarit
- Graduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- Harvard Medical School and Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INSERM, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto - immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Koniali L, Flouri C, Kostopoulou MI, Papaioannou NY, Papasavva PL, Naiisseh B, Stephanou C, Demetriadou A, Sitarou M, Christou S, Antoniou MN, Kleanthous M, Patsali P, Lederer CW. Evaluation of Mono- and Bi-Functional GLOBE-Based Vectors for Therapy of β-Thalassemia by HBBAS3 Gene Addition and Mutation-Specific RNA Interference. Cells 2023; 12:2848. [PMID: 38132168 PMCID: PMC10741507 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy via the gene addition of the anti-sickling βAS3-globin transgene is potentially curative for all β-hemoglobinopathies and therefore of particular clinical and commercial interest. This study investigates GLOBE-based lentiviral vectors (LVs) for βAS3-globin addition and evaluates strategies for an increased β-like globin expression without vector dose escalation. First, we report the development of a GLOBE-derived LV, GLV2-βAS3, which, compared to its parental vector, adds anti-sickling action and a transcription-enhancing 848-bp transcription terminator element, retains high vector titers and allows for superior β-like globin expression in primary patient-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Second, prompted by our previous correction of HBBIVSI-110(G>A) thalassemia based on RNApol(III)-driven shRNAs in mono- and combination therapy, we analyzed a series of novel LVs for the RNApol(II)-driven constitutive or late-erythroid expression of HBBIVSI-110(G>A)-specific miRNA30-embedded shRNAs (shRNAmiR). This included bifunctional LVs, allowing for concurrent βAS3-globin expression. LVs were initially compared for their ability to achieve high β-like globin expression in HBBIVSI-110(G>A)-transgenic cells, before the evaluation of shortlisted candidate LVs in HBBIVSI-110(G>A)-homozygous HSPCs. The latter revealed that β-globin promoter-driven designs for monotherapy with HBBIVSI-110(G>A)-specific shRNAmiRs only marginally increased β-globin levels compared to untransduced cells, whereas bifunctional LVs combining miR30-shRNA with βAS3-globin expression showed disease correction similar to that achieved by the parental GLV2-βAS3 vector. Our results establish the feasibility of high titers for LVs containing the full HBB transcription terminator, emphasize the importance of the HBB terminator for the high-level expression of HBB-like transgenes, qualify the therapeutic utility of late-erythroid HBBIVSI-110(G>A)-specific miR30-shRNA expression and highlight the exceptional potential of GLV2-βAS3 for the treatment of severe β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Koniali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Christina Flouri
- Gene Expression and Therapy Group, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; (C.F.); (M.N.A.)
| | - Markela I. Kostopoulou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Nikoletta Y. Papaioannou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Panayiota L. Papasavva
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Basma Naiisseh
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Coralea Stephanou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Anthi Demetriadou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Maria Sitarou
- Thalassemia Clinic Larnaca, Larnaca General Hospital, 6301 Larnaca, Cyprus;
| | - Soteroula Christou
- Thalassemia Clinic Nicosia, Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, 1474 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | - Michael N. Antoniou
- Gene Expression and Therapy Group, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; (C.F.); (M.N.A.)
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Petros Patsali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, 6 Iroon Avenue, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.I.K.); (N.Y.P.); (P.L.P.); (B.N.); (C.S.); (A.D.); (M.K.)
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Duarte F, Vachey G, Caron NS, Sipion M, Rey M, Perrier AL, Hayden MR, Déglon N. Limitations of Dual-Single Guide RNA CRISPR Strategies for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Genetic Disorders. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:958-974. [PMID: 37658843 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.109] [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] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a toxic gain-of-function CAG expansion in the first exon of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The monogenic nature of HD makes mutant HTT (mHTT) inactivation a promising therapeutic strategy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms frequently associated with CAG expansion have been explored to selectively inactivate mHTT allele using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. One of such allele-selective approaches consists of excising a region flanking the first exon of mHTT by inducing simultaneous double-strand breaks at upstream and downstream positions of the mHTT exon 1. The removal of the first exon of mHTT deletes the CAG expansion and important transcription regulatory sites, leading to mHTT inactivation. However, the frequency of deletion events is yet to be quantified either in vitro or in vivo. Here, we developed accurate quantitative digital polymerase chain reaction-based assays to assess HTT exon 1 deletion in vitro and in fully humanized HU97/18 mice. Our results demonstrate that dual-single guide RNA (sgRNA) strategies are efficient and that 67% of HTT editing events are leading to exon 1 deletion in HEK293T cells. In contrast, these sgRNA actively cleaved HTT in HU97/18 mice, but most editing events do not lead to exon 1 deletion (10% exon 1 deletion). We also showed that the in vivo editing pattern is not affected by CAG expansion but may potentially be due to the presence of multiple copies of wildtype (wt)/mHTT genes HU97/18 mice as well as the slow kinetics of AAV-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Duarte
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC)
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LCMN), Neuroscience Research Center (CRN); Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Vachey
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC)
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LCMN), Neuroscience Research Center (CRN); Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas S Caron
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital and Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melanie Sipion
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC)
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LCMN), Neuroscience Research Center (CRN); Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Rey
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC)
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LCMN), Neuroscience Research Center (CRN); Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anselme L Perrier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives: mécanismes, thérapies, imagerie, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Molecular Imaging Research Center, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital and Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC)
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LCMN), Neuroscience Research Center (CRN); Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Papasavva PL, Patsali P, Loucari CC, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Kleanthous M, Lederer CW. CRISPR Editing Enables Consequential Tag-Activated MicroRNA-Mediated Endogene Deactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1082. [PMID: 35163006 PMCID: PMC8834719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular therapies and functional studies greatly benefit from spatial and temporal precision of genetic intervention. We therefore conceived and explored tag-activated microRNA (miRNA)-mediated endogene deactivation (TAMED) as a research tool and potential lineage-specific therapy. For proof of principle, we aimed to deactivate γ-globin repressor BCL11A in erythroid cells by tagging the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of BCL11A with miRNA recognition sites (MRSs) for the abundant erythromiR miR-451a. To this end, we employed nucleofection of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles alongside double- or single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides for, respectively, non-homologous-end-joining (NHEJ)- or homology-directed-repair (HDR)-mediated MRS insertion. NHEJ-based tagging was imprecise and inefficient (≤6%) and uniformly produced knock-in- and indel-containing MRS tags, whereas HDR-based tagging was more efficient (≤18%), but toxic for longer donors encoding concatenated and thus potentially more efficient MRS tags. Isolation of clones for robust HEK293T cells tagged with a homozygous quadruple MRS resulted in 25% spontaneous reduction in BCL11A and up to 36% reduction after transfection with an miR-451a mimic. Isolation of clones for human umbilical cord blood-derived erythroid progenitor-2 (HUDEP-2) cells tagged with single or double MRS allowed detection of albeit weak γ-globin induction. Our study demonstrates suitability of TAMED for physiologically relevant modulation of gene expression and its unsuitability for therapeutic application in its current form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiota L. Papasavva
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (P.L.P.); (P.P.); (C.C.L.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Petros Patsali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (P.L.P.); (P.P.); (C.C.L.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos C. Loucari
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (P.L.P.); (P.P.); (C.C.L.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Research and Development Department, Central Blood Institute, Blood Service Headquarters, Japanese Red Cross Society, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8521, Japan;
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba 305-0074, Japan;
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (P.L.P.); (P.P.); (C.C.L.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (P.L.P.); (P.P.); (C.C.L.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
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Noguchi K, Ikawa Y, Takenaka M, Sakai Y, Fujiki T, Kuroda R, Wada T. Characterisation of two tumour cell populations in the small cell variant of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Br J Haematol 2021; 196:241-243. [PMID: 34420216 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Noguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mika Takenaka
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yuta Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Fujiki
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Rie Kuroda
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Taizo Wada
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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6
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Self-driving armored CAR-T cells overcome a suppressive milieu and eradicate CD19 + Raji lymphoma in preclinical models. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2691-2706. [PMID: 33974997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells typically use a strong constitutive promoter to ensure maximal long-term CAR expression. However, recent evidence suggests that restricting the timing and magnitude of CAR expression is functionally beneficial, whereas constitutive CAR activation may lead to exhaustion and loss of function. We created a self-driving CD19-targeting CAR, which regulates its own function based on the presence of a CD19 antigen engaged by the CAR itself, by placing self-driving CAR19 constructs under transcriptional control of synthetic activator protein 1 (AP1)-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) or signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5 promoters. CD19 antigen-regulated expression was observed for self-driving AP1-NFκB-CAR19, with CAR19 upregulation within 18 h after exposure to target CD19, and corresponded to the level of tumor burden. Self-driving CAR-T cells showed enhanced tumor-dependent activation, expansion, and low exhaustion in vitro as compared to constitutively expressed EF1α and murine stem cell virus (MSCV) CARs and mediated tumor regression and survival in Raji-bearing NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice. Long-term CAR function correlated with upregulated CAR expression within 24 h of exposure to tumor antigen. The self-driving AP1-NFκB-CAR19 circuit was also used to inducibly express dominant-negative transforming growth factor β receptor II (TGFBRIIdn), which effectively countered the negative effects of TGF-β on CAR-T activation. Thus, a self-driving CAR approach may offer a new modality to express CAR and auxiliary proteins by enhancing CAR-T functional activity and limiting exhaustion.
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Sweeney NP, Vink CA. The impact of lentiviral vector genome size and producer cell genomic to gag-pol mRNA ratios on packaging efficiency and titre. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:574-584. [PMID: 34095341 PMCID: PMC8141603 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors are showing success in the clinic, but producing enough vector to meet the growing demand is a major challenge. Furthermore, next-generation gene therapy vectors encode multiple genes resulting in larger genome sizes, which is reported to reduce titers. A packaging limit has not been defined. The aim of this work was to assess the impact of genome size on the production of lentiviral vectors with an emphasis on producer cell mRNA levels, packaging efficiency, and infectivity measures. Consistent with work by others, vector titers reduced as genome size increased. While genomic infectivity accounted for much of this effect, genome sizes exceeding that of clinical HIV-1 isolates result in low titers due to a combination of both low genomic infectivity and decreased packaging efficiency. Manipulating the relative level of genomic RNA to gag-pol mRNA in the producer cells revealed a direct relationship between producer cell mRNA levels and packaging efficiency yet could not rescue packaging of oversized genomes, implying a de facto packaging defect. However, independent of genome size, an equimolar ratio between wild-type gag-pol mRNA and vector genomic RNA in producer cells was optimal for titer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P Sweeney
- GlaxoSmithKline, Cell and Gene Therapy, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Conrad A Vink
- GlaxoSmithKline, Cell and Gene Therapy, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
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8
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Maximizing lentiviral vector gene transfer in the CNS. Gene Ther 2020; 28:75-88. [PMID: 32632267 PMCID: PMC7902268 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene transfer is a widely developed technique for studying and treating genetic diseases. However, the development of therapeutic strategies is challenging, due to the cellular and functional complexity of the central nervous system (CNS), its large size and restricted access. We explored two parameters for improving gene transfer efficacy and capacity for the selective targeting of subpopulations of cells with lentiviral vectors (LVs). We first developed a second-generation LV specifically targeting astrocytes for the efficient expression or silencing of genes of interest, and to better study the importance of cell subpopulations in neurological disorders. We then made use of the retrograde transport properties of a chimeric envelope to target brain circuits affected in CNS diseases and achieve a broad distribution. The combination of retrograde transport and specific tropism displayed by this LV provides opportunities for delivering therapeutic genes to specific cell populations and ensuring high levels of transduction in interconnected brain areas following local administration. This new LV and delivery strategy should be of greater therapeutic benefit and opens up new possibilities for the preclinical development of gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Lu A, Liu H, Shi R, Cai Y, Ma J, Shao L, Rong V, Gkitsas N, Lei H, Highfill SL, Panch S, Stroncek DF, Jin P. Application of droplet digital PCR for the detection of vector copy number in clinical CAR/TCR T cell products. J Transl Med 2020; 18:191. [PMID: 32384903 PMCID: PMC7206671 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetically engineered T cells have become an important therapy for B-cell malignancies. Measuring the efficiency of vector integration into the T cell genome is important for assessing the potency and safety of these cancer immunotherapies. Methods A digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay was developed and evaluated for assessing the average number of lenti- and retroviral vectors integrated into Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T Cell Receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. Results The ddPCR assay consistently measured the concentration of an empty vector in solution and the average number of CAR and TCR vectors integrated into T cell populations. There was a linear relationship between the average vector copy number per cell measured by ddPCR and the proportion of cells transduced as measured by flow cytometry. Similar vector copy number measurements were obtained by different staff using the ddPCR assay, highlighting the assays reproducibility among technicians. Analysis of fresh and cryopreserved CAR T and TCR engineered T cells yielded similar results. Conclusions ddPCR is a robust tool for accurate quantitation of average vector copy number in CAR and TCR engineered T cells. The assay is also applicable to other types of genetically engineered cells including Natural Killer cells and hematopoietic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Lu
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rongye Shi
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yihua Cai
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jinxia Ma
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lipei Shao
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Victor Rong
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nikolaos Gkitsas
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hong Lei
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven L Highfill
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandhya Panch
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David F Stroncek
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ping Jin
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Engineering, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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10
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Patsali P, Mussolino C, Ladas P, Floga A, Kolnagou A, Christou S, Sitarou M, Antoniou MN, Cathomen T, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. The Scope for Thalassemia Gene Therapy by Disruption of Aberrant Regulatory Elements. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8111959. [PMID: 31766235 PMCID: PMC6912506 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8111959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The common IVSI-110 (G>A) β-thalassemia mutation is a paradigm for intronic disease-causing mutations and their functional repair by non-homologous end joining-mediated disruption. Such mutation-specific repair by disruption of aberrant regulatory elements (DARE) is highly efficient, but to date, no systematic analysis has been performed to evaluate disease-causing mutations as therapeutic targets. Here, DARE was performed in highly characterized erythroid IVSI-110(G>A) transgenic cells and the disruption events were compared with published observations in primary CD34+ cells. DARE achieved the functional correction of β-globin expression equally through the removal of causative mutations and through the removal of context sequences, with disruption events and the restriction of indel events close to the cut site closely resembling those seen in primary cells. Correlation of DNA-, RNA-, and protein-level findings then allowed the extrapolation of findings to other mutations by in silico analyses for potential repair based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) 9, Cas12a, and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) platforms. The high efficiency of DARE and unexpected freedom of target design render the approach potentially suitable for 14 known thalassemia mutations besides IVSI-110(G>A) and put it forward for several prominent mutations causing other inherited diseases. The application of DARE, therefore, has a wide scope for sustainable personalized advanced therapy medicinal product development for thalassemia and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Patsali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (P.P.); (A.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Claudio Mussolino
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (C.M.); (T.C.)
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Petros Ladas
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (P.P.); (A.F.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Argyro Floga
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (P.P.); (A.F.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Annita Kolnagou
- Thalassemia Clinic Paphos, Paphos General Hospital, 8100 Paphos, Cyprus;
| | - Soteroula Christou
- Thalassemia Clinic Nicosia, Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, 1474 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | - Maria Sitarou
- Thalassemia Clinic Larnaca, Larnaca General Hospital, 6301 Larnaca, Cyprus;
| | - Michael N. Antoniou
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Toni Cathomen
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (C.M.); (T.C.)
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (P.P.); (A.F.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +357-22-392-764
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (P.P.); (A.F.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus
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11
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Fernández L, Fernández A, Mirones I, Escudero A, Cardoso L, Vela M, Lanzarot D, de Paz R, Leivas A, Gallardo M, Marcos A, Romero AB, Martínez-López J, Pérez-Martínez A. GMP-Compliant Manufacturing of NKG2D CAR Memory T Cells Using CliniMACS Prodigy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2361. [PMID: 31649672 PMCID: PMC6795760 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) is a natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptor that recognizes different stress-induced ligands that are overexpressed in a variety of childhood and adult tumors. NKG2D chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown potent anticancer effects against different cancer types. A second-generation NKG2D CAR was generated by fusing full-length human NKG2D to 4-1BB costimulatory molecule and CD3ζ signaling domain. Patient-derived CAR T cells show limitations including inability to manufacture CAR T cells from the patients' own T cells, disease progression, and death prior to return of engineered cells. The use of allogeneic T cells for CAR therapy could be an attractive alternative, although undesirable graft vs. host reactions may occur. To avoid such adverse effects, we used CD45RA− memory T cells, a T-cell subset with less alloreactivity, as effector cells to express NKG2D CAR. In this study, we developed a protocol to obtain large-scale NKG2D CAR memory T cells for clinical use by using CliniMACS Prodigy, an automated closed system compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. CD45RA+ fraction was depleted from healthy donors' non-mobilized apheresis using CliniMACS CD45RA Reagent and CliniMACS Plus device. A total of 108 CD45RA− cells were cultured in TexMACS media supplemented with 100 IU/mL IL-2 and activated at day 0 with T Cell TransAct. Then, we used NKG2D-CD8TM-4-1BB-CD3ζ lentiviral vector for cell transduction (MOI = 2). NKG2D CAR T cells expanded between 10 and 13 days. Final cell products were analyzed to comply with the specifications derived from the quality and complementary controls carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Spanish Regulatory Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) for the manufacture of investigational advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). We performed four validations. The manufacturing protocol here described achieved large numbers of viable NKG2D CAR memory T cells with elevated levels of NKG2D CAR expression and highly cytotoxic against Jurkat and 531MII tumor target cells. CAR T cell final products met release criteria, except for one showing myc overexpression and another with viral copy number higher than five. Manufacturing of clinical-grade NKG2D CAR memory T cells using CliniMACS Prodigy is feasible and reproducible, widening clinical application of CAR T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Fernández
- Hematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Fernández
- Hematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Mirones
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Escudero
- Pediatric Molecular Hemato-Oncology Department, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leila Cardoso
- Pediatric Molecular Hemato-Oncology Department, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Vela
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Lanzarot
- Applications Department, Miltenyi Biotec S.L., Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel de Paz
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Leivas
- Hematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Gallardo
- Hematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Marcos
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Romero
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- Hematological Malignancies H12O, Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Chen B, Dong Y, Zhang Y, Mao B, Pan X, Lai M, Chen Y, Bian G, Zhou Q, Nakahata T, Zhou J, Wu M, Ma F. Overexpression of GATA2 Enhances Development and Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Stem Cell-like Progenitors. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:31-47. [PMID: 31178416 PMCID: PMC6626852 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
GATA2 is essential for the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) and generation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It is poorly understood how GATA2 controls the development of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived HS-like cells. Here, using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in which GATA2 overexpression was induced by doxycycline (Dox), we elucidated the dual functions of GATA2 in definitive hematopoiesis before and after the emergence of CD34+CD45+CD90+CD38- HS-like cells. Specifically, GATA2 promoted expansion of hemogenic precursors via the EHT and then helped to maintain HS-like cells in a quiescent state by regulating cell cycle. RNA sequencing showed that hPSC-derived HS-like cells were very similar to human fetal liver-derived HSCs. Our findings will help to elucidate the mechanism that controls the early stages of human definitive hematopoiesis and may help to develop a strategy to generate hPSC-derived HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Zhou
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Yonggang Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China.
| | - Bo Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Yong Dong
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Yimeng Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Bin Mao
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Xu Pan
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Mowen Lai
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Yijin Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Guohui Bian
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Qiongxiu Zhou
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China
| | - Tatsutoshi Nakahata
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Jiaxi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks ND 58203, USA
| | - Feng Ma
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Application, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Chengdu 610052, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China.
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13
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Madrigal JL, Shams S, Stilhano RS, Silva EA. Characterizing the encapsulation and release of lentivectors and adeno-associated vectors from degradable alginate hydrogels. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:645-656. [PMID: 30534722 DOI: 10.1039/c8bm01218k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy using viral vectors has been licensed for clinical use both in the European Union and the United States. Lentivectors (LV) and adeno-associated vectors (AAV) are two promising and FDA approved gene-therapy viral vectors. Many future applications of these vectors will benefit from targeting specific regions of interest within the body. Therefore, building on the early success of these vectors may depend on finding effective delivery systems to localize therapeutic administration. Degradable alginate hydrogels have been tested as appealing delivery vehicles for the controlled delivery of vector payloads. In this study, we compare the ability of two different degradable alginate hydrogel formulations to efficiently deliver LV and AAV. We propose that release rates of viral vectors are dependent on the physical properties of both the hydrogels and vectors. Here, we demonstrate that the initial strength and degradation rate of alginate hydrogels provides levers of control for tuning LV release but do not provide control in the release of AAV. While both alginate formulations used showed sustained release of both LV and AAV, LV release was shown to be dependent on alginate hydrogel degradation, while AAV release was largely governed by diffusive mechanisms. Altogether, this study demonstrates alginate's use as a possible delivery platform for LV and, for the first time, AAV - highlighting the potential of injectable degradable alginate hydrogels to be used as a versatile delivery tool in gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin L Madrigal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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14
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Schiza N, Georgiou E, Kagiava A, Médard JJ, Richter J, Tryfonos C, Sargiannidou I, Heslegrave AJ, Rossor AM, Zetterberg H, Reilly MM, Christodoulou C, Chrast R, Kleopa KA. Gene replacement therapy in a model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 4C neuropathy. Brain 2019; 142:1227-1241. [PMID: 30907403 PMCID: PMC6487329 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4C is the most common recessively inherited demyelinating neuropathy that results from loss of function mutations in the SH3TC2 gene. Sh3tc2-/- mice represent a well characterized disease model developing early onset progressive peripheral neuropathy with hypo- and demyelination, slowing of nerve conduction velocities and disturbed nodal architecture. The aim of this project was to develop a gene replacement therapy for treating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4C to rescue the phenotype of the Sh3tc2-/- mouse model. We generated a lentiviral vector LV-Mpz.SH3TC2.myc to drive expression of the human SH3TC2 cDNA under the control of the Mpz promoter specifically in myelinating Schwann cells. The vector was delivered into 3-week-old Sh3tc2-/- mice by lumbar intrathecal injection and gene expression was assessed 4-8 weeks after injection. Immunofluorescence analysis showed presence of myc-tagged human SH3TC2 in sciatic nerves and lumbar roots in the perinuclear cytoplasm of a subset of Schwann cells, in a dotted pattern co-localizing with physiologically interacting protein Rab11. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed SH3TC2 mRNA expression in different peripheral nervous system tissues. A treatment trial was initiated in 3 weeks old randomized Sh3tc2-/- littermate mice which received either the full or mock (LV-Mpz.Egfp) vector. Behavioural analysis 8 weeks after injection showed improved motor performance in rotarod and foot grip tests in treated Sh3tc2-/- mice compared to mock vector-treated animals. Moreover, motor nerve conduction velocities were increased in treated Sh3tc2-/- mice. On a structural level, morphological analysis revealed significant improvement in g-ratios, myelin thickness, and ratios of demyelinated fibres in lumbar roots and sciatic nerves of treated Sh3tc2-/- mice. Finally, treated mice also showed improved nodal molecular architecture and reduction of blood neurofilament light levels, a clinically relevant biomarker for axonal injury/degeneration. This study provides a proof of principle for viral gene replacement therapy targeted to Schwann cells to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4C and potentially other similar demyelinating inherited neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Schiza
- Neuroscience Laboratory and Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Elena Georgiou
- Neuroscience Laboratory and Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexia Kagiava
- Neuroscience Laboratory and Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jean-Jacques Médard
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christina Tryfonos
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Irene Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Laboratory and Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Amanda J Heslegrave
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Alexander M Rossor
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Christina Christodoulou
- Department of Molecular Virology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Roman Chrast
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kleopas A Kleopa
- Neuroscience Laboratory and Neurology Clinics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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15
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Soni S, Kohn DB. Chemistry, manufacturing and controls for gene modified hematopoietic stem cells. Cytotherapy 2019; 21:358-366. [PMID: 30745225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene modification of hematopoietic stem cells is increasingly becoming popular as a therapeutic approach, given the recent approvals and the number of new applications for clinical trials targeting monogenetic and immunodeficiency disorders. Technological advances in stem cell selection, culture, transduction and gene editing now allow for efficient ex vivo genetic manipulation of stem cells. Gene-addition techniques using viral vectors (mainly retrovirus- and lentivirus-based) and gene editing using various targeted nuclease platforms (e.g., Zinc finger, TALEN and Crispr/Cas9) are being applied to the treatment of multiple genetic and immunodeficiency disorders. Herein, the current state of the art in manufacturing and critical assays that are required for ex vivo manipulation of stem cells are addressed. Important quality control and safety assays that need to be planned early in the process development phase of these products for regulatory approval are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Soni
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
| | - Donald B Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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16
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Patsali P, Papasavva P, Stephanou C, Christou S, Sitarou M, Antoniou MN, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. Short-hairpin RNA against aberrant HBBIVSI-110(G>A) mRNA restores β-globin levels in a novel cell model and acts as mono- and combination therapy for β-thalassemia in primary hematopoietic stem cells. Haematologica 2018; 103:e419-e423. [PMID: 29700171 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.189357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Petros Patsali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, UK
| | - Panayiota Papasavva
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Coralea Stephanou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Carsten W Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus .,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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17
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Loucari CC, Patsali P, van Dijk TB, Stephanou C, Papasavva P, Zanti M, Kurita R, Nakamura Y, Christou S, Sitarou M, Philipsen S, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. Rapid and Sensitive Assessment of Globin Chains for Gene and Cell Therapy of Hemoglobinopathies. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2018; 29:60-74. [PMID: 29325430 PMCID: PMC5806072 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2017.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The β-hemoglobinopathies sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia are the focus of many gene-therapy studies. A key disease parameter is the abundance of globin chains because it indicates the level of anemia, likely toxicity of excess or aberrant globins, and therapeutic potential of induced or exogenous β-like globins. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) allows versatile and inexpensive globin quantification, but commonly applied protocols suffer from long run times, high sample requirements, or inability to separate murine from human β-globin chains. The latter point is problematic for in vivo studies with gene-addition vectors in murine disease models and mouse/human chimeras. This study demonstrates HPLC-based measurements of globin expression (1) after differentiation of the commonly applied human umbilical cord blood-derived erythroid progenitor-2 cell line, (2) in erythroid progeny of CD34+ cells for the analysis of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9-mediated disruption of the globin regulator BCL11A, and (3) of transgenic mice holding the human β-globin locus. At run times of 8 min for separation of murine and human β-globin chains as well as of human γ-globin chains, and with routine measurement of globin-chain ratios for 12 nL of blood (tested for down to 0.75 nL) or of 300,000 in vitro differentiated cells, the methods presented here and any variant-specific adaptations thereof will greatly facilitate evaluation of novel therapy applications for β-hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos C. Loucari
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Petros Patsali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Thamar B. van Dijk
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coralea Stephanou
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Panayiota Papasavva
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Maria Zanti
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ryo Kurita
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | - Sjaak Philipsen
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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18
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Stephanou C, Papasavva P, Zachariou M, Patsali P, Epitropou M, Ladas P, Al-Abdulla R, Christou S, Antoniou MN, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. Suitability of small diagnostic peripheral-blood samples for cell-therapy studies. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:311-326. [PMID: 28088294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are key components of cell-based therapies for blood disorders and are thus the authentic substrate for related research. We propose that ubiquitous small-volume diagnostic samples represent a readily available and as yet untapped resource of primary patient-derived cells for cell- and gene-therapy studies. METHODS In the present study we compare isolation and storage methods for HSPCs from normal and thalassemic small-volume blood samples, considering genotype, density-gradient versus lysis-based cell isolation and cryostorage media with different serum contents. Downstream analyses include viability, recovery, differentiation in semi-solid media and performance in liquid cultures and viral transductions. RESULTS We demonstrate that HSPCs isolated either by ammonium-chloride potassium (ACK)-based lysis or by gradient isolation are suitable for functional analyses in clonogenic assays, high-level HSPC expansion and efficient lentiviral transduction. For cryostorage of cells, gradient isolation is superior to ACK lysis, and cryostorage in freezing media containing 50% fetal bovine serum demonstrated good results across all tested criteria. For assays on freshly isolated cells, ACK lysis performed similar to, and for thalassemic samples better than, gradient isolation, at a fraction of the cost and hands-on time. All isolation and storage methods show considerable variation within sample groups, but this is particularly acute for density gradient isolation of thalassemic samples. DISCUSSION This study demonstrates the suitability of small-volume blood samples for storage and preclinical studies, opening up the research field of HSPC and gene therapy to any blood diagnostic laboratory with corresponding bioethics approval for experimental use of surplus material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralea Stephanou
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Panayiota Papasavva
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Myria Zachariou
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Petros Patsali
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Marilena Epitropou
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Petros Ladas
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ruba Al-Abdulla
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Soteroulla Christou
- Thalassaemia Centre, Ministry of Health, Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Michael N Antoniou
- Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Carsten W Lederer
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Molecular Genetics Thalassaemia Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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19
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Lin HT, Okumura T, Yatsuda Y, Ito S, Nakauchi H, Otsu M. Application of Droplet Digital PCR for Estimating Vector Copy Number States in Stem Cell Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2017; 27:197-208. [PMID: 27763786 PMCID: PMC5111482 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2016.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Stable gene transfer into target cell populations via integrating viral vectors is widely used in stem cell gene therapy (SCGT). Accurate vector copy number (VCN) estimation has become increasingly important. However, existing methods of estimation such as real-time quantitative PCR are more restricted in practicality, especially during clinical trials, given the limited availability of sample materials from patients. This study demonstrates the application of an emerging technology called droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in estimating VCN states in the context of SCGT. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease were used as clonable target cells for transduction with alpharetroviral vectors harboring codon-optimized CYBB cDNA. Precise primer–probe design followed by multiplex analysis conferred assay specificity. Accurate estimation of per-cell VCN values was possible without reliance on a reference standard curve. Sensitivity was high and the dynamic range of detection was wide. Assay reliability was validated by observation of consistent, reproducible, and distinct VCN clustering patterns for clones of transduced iPSCs with varying numbers of transgene copies. Taken together, use of ddPCR appears to offer a practical and robust approach to VCN estimation with a wide range of clinical and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Ting Lin
- 1 Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan .,2 Division of Stem Cell Processing/Stem Cell Bank, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Okumura
- 2 Division of Stem Cell Processing/Stem Cell Bank, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Satoru Ito
- 3 Life Science Division, Bio-Rad Laboratories , Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- 1 Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan .,4 Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford, California
| | - Makoto Otsu
- 1 Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan .,2 Division of Stem Cell Processing/Stem Cell Bank, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo , Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Cambon K, Zimmer V, Martineau S, Gaillard MC, Jarrige M, Bugi A, Miniarikova J, Rey M, Hassig R, Dufour N, Auregan G, Hantraye P, Perrier AL, Déglon N. Preclinical Evaluation of a Lentiviral Vector for Huntingtin Silencing. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2017; 5:259-276. [PMID: 28603746 PMCID: PMC5453866 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) protein. There is currently no cure for this disease, but recent studies suggest that RNAi to downregulate the expression of both normal and mutant HTT is a promising therapeutic approach. We previously developed a small hairpin RNA (shRNA), vectorized in an HIV-1-derived lentiviral vector (LV), that reduced pathology in an HD rodent model. Here, we modified this vector for preclinical development by using a tat-independent third-generation LV (pCCL) backbone and removing the original reporter genes. We demonstrate that this novel vector efficiently downregulated HTT expression in vitro in striatal neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of HD patients. It reduced two major pathological HD hallmarks while triggering a minimal inflammatory response, up to 6 weeks after injection, when administered by stereotaxic surgery in the striatum of an in vivo rodent HD model. Further assessment of this shRNA vector in vitro showed proper processing by the endogenous silencing machinery, and we analyzed gene expression changes to identify potential off-targets. These preclinical data suggest that this new shRNA vector fulfills primary biosafety and efficiency requirements for further development in the clinic as a cure for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Cambon
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Virginie Zimmer
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Research Center, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Martineau
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Marie-Claude Gaillard
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Margot Jarrige
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR861, I-Stem, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE UMR861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Aurore Bugi
- CECS, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Jana Miniarikova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure, 1105 Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Rey
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Research Center, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raymonde Hassig
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Noelle Dufour
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Gwenaelle Auregan
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Philippe Hantraye
- CEA, DRF, Institute of Biology Francois Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
- CNRS, CEA, Paris-Sud University, University Paris-Saclay, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (UMR9199), F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anselme L. Perrier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR861, I-Stem, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
- UEVE UMR861, I-STEM, AFM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Research Center, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Corresponding author: Nicole Déglon, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies (LNCM), Pavillon 3, Avenue de Beaumont, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Canté-Barrett K, Mendes RD, Smits WK, van Helsdingen-van Wijk YM, Pieters R, Meijerink JPP. Lentiviral gene transfer into human and murine hematopoietic stem cells: size matters. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:312. [PMID: 27306375 PMCID: PMC4910193 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary biomedical research increasingly depends on techniques to induce or to inhibit expression of genes in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or other primary cells to assess their roles on cellular processes including differentiation, apoptosis and migration. Surprisingly little information is available to optimize lentiviral transduction of HSCs. We have therefore carefully optimized transduction of murine and human HSCs by optimizing vector design, serum-free virus production and virus quantitation. We conclude that the viral RNA length, even in relatively small vectors, is an important factor affecting the lentiviral gene transfer on the level of both the virus production and the cellular transduction efficiency. Efficient transfer of large gene sequences into difficult-to-transduce primary cells will benefit from reducing the lentiviral construct size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Canté-Barrett
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rui D Mendes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem K Smits
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yvette M van Helsdingen-van Wijk
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center of Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jules P P Meijerink
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Intrathecal gene therapy rescues a model of demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E2421-9. [PMID: 27035961 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1522202113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited demyelinating peripheral neuropathies are progressive incurable diseases without effective treatment. To develop a gene therapy approach targeting myelinating Schwann cells that can be translatable, we delivered a lentiviral vector using a single lumbar intrathecal injection and a myelin-specific promoter. The human gene of interest, GJB1, which is mutated in X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT1X), was delivered intrathecally into adult Gjb1-null mice, a genetically authentic model of CMT1X that develops a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. We obtained widespread, stable, and cell-specific expression of connexin32 in up to 50% of Schwann cells in multiple lumbar spinal roots and peripheral nerves. Behavioral and electrophysiological analysis revealed significantly improved motor performance, quadriceps muscle contractility, and sciatic nerve conduction velocities. Furthermore, treated mice exhibited reduced numbers of demyelinated and remyelinated fibers and fewer inflammatory cells in lumbar motor roots, as well as in the femoral motor and sciatic nerves. This study demonstrates that a single intrathecal lentiviral gene delivery can lead to Schwann cell-specific expression in spinal roots extending to multiple peripheral nerves. This clinically relevant approach improves the phenotype of an inherited neuropathy mouse model and provides proof of principle for treating inherited demyelinating neuropathies.
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