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Lu B, Lim JM, Yu B, Song S, Neeli P, Sobhani N, K P, Bonam SR, Kurapati R, Zheng J, Chai D. The next-generation DNA vaccine platforms and delivery systems: advances, challenges and prospects. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332939. [PMID: 38361919 PMCID: PMC10867258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines have proven effective in the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases. However, traditional attenuated and inactivated vaccines suffer from certain drawbacks such as complex preparation, limited efficacy, potential risks and others. These limitations restrict their widespread use, especially in the face of an increasingly diverse range of diseases. With the ongoing advancements in genetic engineering vaccines, DNA vaccines have emerged as a highly promising approach in the treatment of both genetic diseases and acquired diseases. While several DNA vaccines have demonstrated substantial success in animal models of diseases, certain challenges need to be addressed before application in human subjects. The primary obstacle lies in the absence of an optimal delivery system, which significantly hampers the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. We conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current status and limitations of DNA vaccines by focusing on both viral and non-viral DNA delivery systems, as they play crucial roles in the exploration of novel DNA vaccines. We provide an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses based on our critical assessment. Additionally, the review summarizes the most recent advancements and breakthroughs in pre-clinical and clinical studies, highlighting the need for further clinical trials in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Lu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Ming Lim
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Boyue Yu
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Siyuan Song
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Praveen Neeli
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Navid Sobhani
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pavithra K
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rajendra Kurapati
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dafei Chai
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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Thampi P, Samulski RJ, Grieger JC, Phillips JN, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR. Gene therapy approaches for equine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:962898. [PMID: 36246316 PMCID: PMC9558289 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.962898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With an intrinsically low ability for self-repair, articular cartilage injuries often progress to cartilage loss and joint degeneration resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and the associated articular cartilage changes can be debilitating, resulting in lameness and functional disability both in human and equine patients. While articular cartilage damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OA, the contribution of other joint tissues to the pathogenesis of OA has increasingly been recognized thus prompting a whole organ approach for therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy methods have generated significant interest in OA therapy in recent years. These utilize viral or non-viral vectors to deliver therapeutic molecules directly into the joint space with the goal of reprogramming the cells' machinery to secrete high levels of the target protein at the site of injection. Several viral vector-based approaches have demonstrated successful gene transfer with persistent therapeutic levels of transgene expression in the equine joint. As an experimental model, horses represent the pathology of human OA more accurately compared to other animal models. The anatomical and biomechanical similarities between equine and human joints also allow for the use of similar imaging and diagnostic methods as used in humans. In addition, horses experience naturally occurring OA and undergo similar therapies as human patients and, therefore, are a clinically relevant patient population. Thus, further studies utilizing this equine model would not only help advance the field of human OA therapy but also benefit the clinical equine patients with naturally occurring joint disease. In this review, we discuss the advancements in gene therapeutic approaches for the treatment of OA with the horse as a relevant patient population as well as an effective and commonly utilized species as a translational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy Thampi
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joshua C. Grieger
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer N. Phillips
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - C. Wayne McIlwraith
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Laurie R. Goodrich
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States,*Correspondence: Laurie R. Goodrich
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3
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Córdoba KM, Jericó D, Sampedro A, Jiang L, Iraburu MJ, Martini PGV, Berraondo P, Avila MA, Fontanellas A. Messenger RNA as a personalized therapy: The moment of truth for rare metabolic diseases. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 372:55-96. [PMID: 36064267 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) encompass a group of monogenic diseases affecting both pediatric and adult populations and currently lack effective treatments. Some IEM such as familial hypercholesterolemia or X-linked protoporphyria are caused by gain of function mutations, while others are characterized by an impaired protein function, causing a metabolic pathway blockage. Pathophysiology classification includes intoxication, storage and energy-related metabolic disorders. Factors specific to each disease trigger acute metabolic decompensations. IEM require prompt and effective care, since therapeutic delay has been associated with the development of fatal events including severe metabolic acidosis, hyperammonemia, cerebral edema, and death. Rapid expression of therapeutic proteins can be achieved hours after the administration of messenger RNAs (mRNA), representing an etiological solution for acute decompensations. mRNA-based therapy relies on modified RNAs with enhanced stability and translatability into therapeutic proteins. The proteins produced in the ribosomes can be targeted to specific intracellular compartments, the cell membrane, or be secreted. Non-immunogenic lipid nanoparticle formulations have been optimized to prevent RNA degradation and to allow safe repetitive administrations depending on the disease physiopathology and clinical status of the patients, thus, mRNA could be also an effective chronic treatment for IEM. Given that the liver plays a key role in most of metabolic pathways or can be used as bioreactor for excretable proteins, this review focuses on the preclinical and clinical evidence that supports the implementation of mRNA technology as a promising personalized strategy for liver metabolic disorders such as acute intermittent porphyria, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or glycogen storage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol M Córdoba
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Daniel Jericó
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Sampedro
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lei Jiang
- Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - María J Iraburu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics. School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Pedro Berraondo
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Hepatology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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4
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Longo M, Paolini E, Meroni M, Dongiovanni P. Cutting-Edge Therapies and Novel Strategies for Acute Intermittent Porphyria: Step-by-Step towards the Solution. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030648. [PMID: 35327450 PMCID: PMC8945550 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by the hepatic deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) and the slowdown of heme biosynthesis. AIP symptomatology includes life-threatening, acute neurovisceral or neuropsychiatric attacks manifesting in response to precipitating factors. The latter promote the upregulation of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1), the first enzyme of heme biosynthesis, which promotes the overload of neurotoxic porphyrin precursors. Hemin or glucose infusions are the first-line therapies for the reduction of ALAS1 levels in patients with mild to severe AIP, while liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for refractory patients. Recently, the RNA-interference against ALAS1 was approved as a treatment for adult and adolescent patients with AIP. These emerging therapies aim to substitute dysfunctional PBGD with adeno-associated vectors for genome editing, human PBGD mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, or PBGD protein linked to apolipoprotein A1. Finally, the impairment of glucose metabolism linked to insulin resistance, and mitochondrial aberrations during AIP pathophysiology provided new therapeutic targets. Therefore, the use of liver-targeted insulin and insulin-mimetics such as α-lipoic acid may be useful for overcoming metabolic dysfunction in these subjects. Herein, the present review aims to provide an overview of AIP pathophysiology and management, focusing on conventional and recent therapeutical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Longo
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Paolini
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-5503-3467; Fax: +39-02-5503-4229
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5
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Abstract
Pre-existing immune response against adenovirus could diminish transgene expression efficiency when Ad is employed in humans as gene therapy vector. We previously used Ad-hΔuPA (Recombinant adenovirus expressing human urokinase-type plasminogen activator) as antifibrotic gene therapy in cirrhosis models and demonstrated its effectiveness. As a further clinical approach, transient Cyclosporine A (CsA) immunosuppression was induced in cirrhotic animals to determine whether Ad-hΔuPA administration retained efficacy. Adenovirus sensitization was achieved by systemic administration of non-therapeutic Ad-βGal (Recombinant adenovirus expressing beta-galactosidase) after 4 weeks of intraperitoneal carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) regimen. Cirrhosis induction continued up to 8 weeks. At the end of CCl4 intoxication, immunosuppression was achieved with three CsA doses (40 mg/kg) as follows: 24 h before administration of Ad-hΔuPA, at the moment of Ad-hΔuPA injection and finally, 24 h after Ad-hΔuPA inoculation. At 2 and 72 h after Ad-hΔuPA injection, animals were sacrificed. Liver, spleen, lung, kidney, heart, brain, and testis were analyzed for Ad-biodistribution and transgene expression. In naïve animals, Ad-hΔuPA genomes prevailed in liver and spleen, while Ad-sensitized rats showed Ad genomes also in their kidney and heart. Cirrhosis and Ad preimmunization status notably diminished transgene liver expression compared to healthy livers. CsA immunosuppression in cirrhotic animals has no effect on Ad-hΔuPA biodistribution, but increments survival.
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Ricobaraza A, Gonzalez-Aparicio M, Mora-Jimenez L, Lumbreras S, Hernandez-Alcoceba R. High-Capacity Adenoviral Vectors: Expanding the Scope of Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3643. [PMID: 32455640 PMCID: PMC7279171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation of adenoviruses as gene delivery tools has resulted in the development of high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdVs), also known, helper-dependent or "gutless". Compared with earlier generations (E1/E3-deleted vectors), HC-AdVs retain relevant features such as genetic stability, remarkable efficacy of in vivo transduction, and production at high titers. More importantly, the lack of viral coding sequences in the genomes of HC-AdVs extends the cloning capacity up to 37 Kb, and allows long-term episomal persistence of transgenes in non-dividing cells. These properties open a wide repertoire of therapeutic opportunities in the fields of gene supplementation and gene correction, which have been explored at the preclinical level over the past two decades. During this time, production methods have been optimized to obtain the yield, purity, and reliability required for clinical implementation. Better understanding of inflammatory responses and the implementation of methods to control them have increased the safety of these vectors. We will review the most significant achievements that are turning an interesting research tool into a sound vector platform, which could contribute to overcome current limitations in the gene therapy field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ruben Hernandez-Alcoceba
- Gene Therapy Program. University of Navarra-CIMA. Navarra Institute of Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (A.R.); (M.G.-A.); (L.M.-J.); (S.L.)
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7
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Zabaleta N, Hommel M, Salas D, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Genetic-Based Approaches to Inherited Metabolic Liver Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1190-1203. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Zabaleta
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Hommel
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Salas
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Vivet Therapeutics, Pamplona, Spain
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8
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Serrano-Mendioroz I, Sampedro A, Serna N, de Salamanca RE, Sanz-Parra A, Corrales F, Berraondo P, Millet O, Fontanellas A. Bioengineered PBGD variant improves the therapeutic index of gene therapy vectors for acute intermittent porphyria. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3688-3696. [PMID: 30085095 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A first-in-human gene therapy trial using a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector for acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) reveals that higher doses would be required to reach therapeutic levels of the porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) transgene. We developed a hyperfunctional PBGD protein to improve the therapeutic index without increasing vector dose. A consensus protein sequence from 12 mammal species was compared to the human PBGD sequence, and eight amino acids were selected. I291M and N340S variants showed the highest increase in enzymatic activity when expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. In silico analysis indicates that isoleucine 291 to methionine and asparagine 340 to serine variants did not affect the active site of the enzyme. In vitro analysis indicated a synergistic interaction between these two substitutions that improve kinetic stability. Finally, full protection against a phenobarbital-induced attack was achieved in AIP mice after the administration of 1 × 1011 gc/kg of rAAV2/8-PBGD-I291M/N340S vector; three times lower than the dose required to achieve full protection with the control rAAV2/8-hPBGD vector. In conclusion, we have developed and characterized a hyperfunctional PBGD protein. The inclusion of this variant sequence in a rAAV2/8 vector allows the effective dose to be lowered in AIP mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irantzu Serrano-Mendioroz
- Hepatology Program, CIMA-University of Navarra, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Sampedro
- Hepatology Program, CIMA-University of Navarra, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193 Spain
| | | | - Arantza Sanz-Parra
- Protein Stability and Inherited Disease Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Derio, Spain
| | - Fernando Corrales
- Proteomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Oscar Millet
- Protein Stability and Inherited Disease Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Derio, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Hepatology Program, CIMA-University of Navarra, Spain.,Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
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9
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Abstract
Viral vectors are a promising tool for effective delivery of genetic material into cells. They take advantage of the natural ability of a virus to deliver a genetic payload into cells while being genetically modified such that their ability to replicate is crippled or removed. Here, an updated overview of routinely used viral vectors, including adeno-associated viruses (AAV), retroviruses/lentiviruses, and adenoviruses (Ads), is provided, as well as perspectives on their advantages and disadvantages in research and gene therapy. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hong Chen
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Megan S Keiser
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Beverly L Davidson
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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10
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Systemic messenger RNA as an etiological treatment for acute intermittent porphyria. Nat Med 2018; 24:1899-1909. [PMID: 30297912 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) results from haploinsufficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), the third enzyme in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Patients with AIP have neurovisceral attacks associated with increased hepatic heme demand. Phenobarbital-challenged mice with AIP recapitulate the biochemical and clinical characteristics of patients with AIP, including hepatic overproduction of the potentially neurotoxic porphyrin precursors. Here we show that intravenous administration of human PBGD (hPBGD) mRNA (encoded by the gene HMBS) encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles induces dose-dependent protein expression in mouse hepatocytes, rapidly normalizing urine porphyrin precursor excretion in ongoing attacks. Furthermore, hPBGD mRNA protected against mitochondrial dysfunction, hypertension, pain and motor impairment. Repeat dosing in AIP mice showed sustained efficacy and therapeutic improvement without evidence of hepatotoxicity. Finally, multiple administrations to nonhuman primates confirmed safety and translatability. These data provide proof-of-concept for systemic hPBGD mRNA as a potential therapy for AIP.
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11
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Serrano-Mendioroz I, Sampedro A, Alegre M, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Berraondo P, Fontanellas A. An Inducible Promoter Responsive to Different Porphyrinogenic Stimuli Improves Gene Therapy Vectors for Acute Intermittent Porphyria. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:480-491. [PMID: 28990424 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) gene therapy represents a promising therapeutic option for acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) patients suffering recurrent acute attacks. A first-in-human Phase I clinical trial confirmed the safety and tolerability of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-AAT-PBGD gene therapy, but higher doses and/or more efficient vectors are needed to achieve therapeutic expression of the transgene. This study assayed the insertion into the promoter of a short enhancer element able to induce transgene expression during exposure to endogenous and exogenous stimuli related to the pathology of the disease. The inclusion in tandem of two elements of the minimal functional sequence of human δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase drug-responsive enhancing sequence (ADRES) positioned upstream of the promoter strongly induced transgene expression in the presence of estrogens, starvation, and certain drugs known to trigger attacks in porphyria patients. The inclusion of two ADRES motives in an AAV vector improved therapeutic efficacy, reducing 10-fold the effective dose in AIP mice. In conclusion, the inclusion of specific enhancer elements in the promoter of gene therapy vectors for AIP was able to overexpress the therapeutic transgene when it is most needed, at the time when porphyrinogenic factors increase the demand for hepatic heme and precipitate acute porphyria attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Sampedro
- 1 Hepatology Program, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuel Alegre
- 2 Neurophysiology Laboratory, Neuroscience Area, Centre for Applied Medical Research and University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Pedro Berraondo
- 4 Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain .,5 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain .,6 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- 1 Hepatology Program, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain .,5 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain .,7 CIBEREHD. University Clinic Navarra , Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pamplona, Spain
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12
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Brunetti-Pierri N, Ng P. Gene therapy with helper-dependent adenoviral vectors: lessons from studies in large animal models. Virus Genes 2017; 53:684-691. [PMID: 28593513 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-017-1471-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAd) are deleted of all viral genes and they can efficiently transduce a wide variety of dividing and non-dividing cells to mediate high transgene expression levels. Unlike early generation adenoviral vectors, the absence of viral genes in HDAd results in long-term transgene expression without chronic toxicity and permits a large cloning capacity of 36 kb. Moreover, HDAd genomes exist extra-chromosomally thus minimizing the risks of germline transmission and insertional mutagenesis. For these reasons, HDAd offers tremendous potential for in vivo gene therapy. This chapter reviews preclinical studies using HDAd in large animal models to assess safety and efficacy in a wide variety of gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Philip Ng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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13
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Abstract
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal dominant metabolic disease caused by hepatic deficiency of hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), the third enzyme of the heme synthesis pathway. The dominant clinical feature is acute neurovisceral attack associated with high production of potentially neurotoxic porphyrin precursors due to increased hepatic heme consumption. Current Standard of Care is based on a down-regulation of hepatic heme synthesis using heme therapy. Recurrent hyper-activation of the hepatic heme synthesis pathway affects about 5% of patients and can be associated with neurological and metabolic manifestations and long-term complications including chronic kidney disease and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Prophylactic heme infusion is an effective strategy in some of these patients, but it induces tolerance and its frequent application may be associated with thromboembolic disease and hepatic siderosis. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the only curative treatment in patients with recurrent acute attacks. Emerging therapies including replacement enzyme therapy or gene therapies (HMBS-gene transfer and ALAS1-gene expression inhibition) are being developed to improve quality of life, reduce the significant morbidity associated with current therapies and prevent late complications such as hepatocellular cancer or kidney failure in HMBS mutation carriers with long-standing high production of noxious heme precursors. Herein, we provide a critical digest of the recent literature on the topic and a summary of recently developed approaches to AIP treatment and their clinical implications.
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