1
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Pekrun K, Stephens CJ, Gonzalez-Sandoval A, Goswami A, Zhang F, Tarantal AF, Blouse G, Kay MA. Correlation of antigen expression with epigenetic modifications after rAAV delivery of a human factor IX variant in mice and rhesus macaques. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2064-2079. [PMID: 38715361 PMCID: PMC11286812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated long-term human coagulation factor IX (huFIX) expression of a novel variant when delivered into mice and rhesus macaques and compared transduction efficiencies using two different adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids. In hemophilic mice injected with KP1-packaged recombinant AAV (rAAV) expressing the hyperactive FIX variant specific activity plasma levels were 10-fold or 2-fold enhanced when compared with wild-type or Padua huFIX injected mice, respectively. In rhesus macaques AAV-LK03 capsid outperformed AAV-KP1 in terms of antigen expression and liver transduction. Two animals from each group showed sustained low-level huFIX expression at 3 months after administration, while one animal from each group lost huFIX mRNA and protein expression over time, despite comparable vector copies. We investigated whether epigenetic differences in the vector episomes could explain this loss of transcription. Cut&Tag analysis revealed lower levels of activating histone marks in the two animals that lost expression. When comparing rAAV genome associated histone modifications in rhesus macaques with those in mice injected with the same vector, the activating histone marks were starkly decreased in macaque-derived episomes. Differential epigenetic marking of AAV genomes may explain different expression profiles in mice and rhesus macaques, as well as the wide dose response variation observed in primates in both preclinical and human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Pekrun
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Calvin J Stephens
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Aranyak Goswami
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alice F Tarantal
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, and California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Grant Blouse
- Catalyst Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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2
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Chuecos MA, Lagor WR. Liver directed adeno-associated viral vectors to treat metabolic disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:22-40. [PMID: 37254440 PMCID: PMC10687323 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the metabolic center of the body and an ideal target for gene therapy of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors can deliver transgenes to the liver with high efficiency and specificity and a favorable safety profile. Recombinant AAV vectors contain only the transgene cassette, and their payload is converted to non-integrating circular double-stranded DNA episomes, which can provide stable expression from months to years. Insights from cellular studies and preclinical animal models have provided valuable information about AAV capsid serotypes with a high liver tropism. These vectors have been applied successfully in the clinic, particularly in trials for hemophilia, resulting in the first approved liver-directed gene therapy. Lessons from ongoing clinical trials have identified key factors affecting efficacy and safety that were not readily apparent in animal models. Circumventing pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to the AAV capsid, and mitigating adaptive immune responses to transduced cells are critical to achieving therapeutic benefit. Combining the high efficiency of AAV delivery with genome editing is a promising path to achieve more precise control of gene expression. The primary safety concern for liver gene therapy with AAV continues to be the small risk of tumorigenesis from rare vector integrations. Hepatotoxicity is a key consideration in the safety of neuromuscular gene therapies which are applied at substantially higher doses. The current knowledge base and toolkit for AAV is well developed, and poised to correct some of the most severe IMDs with liver-directed gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel A. Chuecos
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - William R. Lagor
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
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3
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Zhao L, Yang Z, Zheng M, Shi L, Gu M, Liu G, Miao F, Chang Y, Huang F, Tang N. Recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 vector in gene therapy: Opportunities and challenges. Genes Dis 2024; 11:283-293. [PMID: 37588223 PMCID: PMC10425794 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been made in the field of gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most promising gene therapy vectors and a powerful tool for delivering the gene of interest. Among the AAV vectors, AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) has attracted much attention for its efficient and stable gene transfection into specific tissues. Currently, recombinant AAV8 has been widely used in gene therapy research on a variety of diseases, including genetic diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral diseases. This paper reviewed the applications and challenges of using AAV8 as a vector for gene therapy, with the aim of providing a valuable resource for those pursuing the application of viral vectors in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Zhao
- Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230000, China
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute, Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
- InnoStar Bio-tech Nantong Co., Ltd., Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
| | - Zixuan Yang
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Minhui Zheng
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengyun Gu
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gang Liu
- InnoStar Bio-tech Nantong Co., Ltd., Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
| | - Feng Miao
- InnoStar Bio-tech Nantong Co., Ltd., Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
| | - Yan Chang
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Fanghua Huang
- Center for Drug Evaluation, National Medical Products Administration, Beijing 100022, China
| | - Naping Tang
- Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute, Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
- Shanghai Innostar Bio-Technology Co., Ltd, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 201203, China
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4
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Deng M, Zhou H, He S, Qiu H, Wang Y, Zhao AY, Mu Y, Li F, Zhao AZ. Systematic gene therapy derived from an investigative study of AAV2/8 vector gene therapy for Fabry disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:275. [PMID: 37670350 PMCID: PMC10481556 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02894-0] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fabry disease (FD) is a progressive multisystemic disease characterized by a lysosomal enzyme deficiency. A lack of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity results in the progressive systemic accumulation of its substrates, including globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3), which results in renal, cardiac, and/or cerebrovascular disease and early death. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the current standard of care for FD; however, it has important limitations, including a low half-life, limited distribution, and requirement of lifelong biweekly infusions of recombinant enzymes. METHODS Herein, we evaluated a gene therapy approach using an episomal adeno-associated viral 2/8 (AAV2/8) vector that encodes the human GLA cDNA driven by a liver-specific expression cassette in a mouse model of FD that lacks α-Gal A activity and progressively accumulates Gb3 and Lyso-Gb3 in plasma and tissues. RESULTS A pharmacology and toxicology study showed that administration of AAV2/8-hGLA vectors (AAV2/8-hGLA) in FD mice without immunosuppression resulted in significantly increased plasma and tissue α-Gal A activity and substantially normalized Gb3 and Lyso-Gb3 content. CONCLUSIONS Moreover, the plasma enzymatic activity of α-Gal A continued to be stably expressed for up to 38 weeks and sometimes even longer, indicating that AAV2/8-hGLA is effective in treating FD mice, and that α-Gal A is continuously and highly expressed in the liver, secreted into plasma, and absorbed by various tissues. These findings provide a basis for the clinical development of AAV2/8-hGLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulan Deng
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaomei He
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoheng Qiu
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Wang
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - April Yuanyi Zhao
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunping Mu
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fanghong Li
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Allan Zijian Zhao
- The School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Mitra A, Ahmed MA, Krishna R, Sun K, Gibbons FD, Campagne O, Rayad N, Roman YM, Albusaysi S, Burian M, Younis IR. Model-Informed Approaches and Innovative Clinical Trial Design for Adeno-Associated Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy Product Development: A White Paper. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:515-529. [PMID: 37313953 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The promise of viral vector-based gene therapy (GT) as a transformative paradigm for treating severely debilitating and life-threatening diseases is slowly coming to fruition with the recent approval of several drug products. However, they have a unique mechanism of action often necessitating a tortuous clinical development plan. Expertise in such complex therapeutic modality is still fairly limited in this emerging class of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapies. Because of the irreversible mode of action and incomplete understanding of genotype-phenotype relationship and disease progression in rare diseases careful considerations should be given to GT product's benefit-risk profile. In particular, special attention needs to be paid to safe dose selection, reliable dose exposure response (including clinically relevant endpoints), or creative approaches in study design targeting small patient populations during clinical development. We believe that quantitative tools encompassed within model-informed drug development (MIDD) framework fits quite well in the development of such novel therapies, as they enable us to benefit from the totality of data approach in order to support dose selection as well as optimize clinical trial designs, end point selection, and patient enrichment. In this thought leadership paper, we provide our collective experiences, identify challenges, and suggest areas of improvement in applications of modeling and innovative trial design in development of AAV-based GT products and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for incorporating MIDD tools and more in rational development of these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitava Mitra
- Clinical Pharmacology, Kura Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mariam A Ahmed
- Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rajesh Krishna
- Integrated Drug Development, Certara USA, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kefeng Sun
- Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francis D Gibbons
- Quantitative Solutions, Preclinical and Translational Sciences, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olivia Campagne
- Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Noha Rayad
- Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling and Simulation, Parexel International (MA) Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Youssef M Roman
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Salwa Albusaysi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maria Burian
- Translational Medicine Neuroscience and Gene Therapy, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Islam R Younis
- Clinical Pharmacology Sciences, Gilead Science, Inc, Foster City, California, USA
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6
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AAV vectors applied to the treatment of CNS disorders: Clinical status and challenges. J Control Release 2023; 355:458-473. [PMID: 36736907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has become the most important vector for central nervous system (CNS) gene therapy. AAV has already shown promising results in the clinic, for several CNS diseases that cannot be treated with drugs, including neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular diseases, and lysosomal storage disorders. Currently, three of the four commercially available AAV-based drugs focus on neurological disorders, including Upstaza for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, Luxturna for hereditary retinal dystrophy, and Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy. All these studies have provided paradigms for AAV-based therapeutic intervention platforms. AAV gene therapy, with its dual promise of targeting disease etiology and enabling 'long-term correction' of disease processes, has the advantages of immune privilege, high delivery efficiency, tissue specificity, and cell tropism in the CNS. Although AAV-based gene therapy has been shown to be effective in most CNS clinical trials, limitations have been observed in its clinical applications, which are often associated with side effects. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic progress, challenges, limitations, and solutions for AAV-based gene therapy in 14 types of CNS diseases. We focused on viral vector technologies, delivery routes, immunosuppression, and other relevant clinical factors. We also attempted to integrate several hurdles faced in clinical and preclinical studies with their solutions, to seek the best path forward for the application of AAV-based gene therapy in the context of CNS diseases. We hope that these thoughtful recommendations will contribute to the efficient translation of preclinical studies and wide application of clinical trials.
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7
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Rosenberg JB, De BP, Greco A, Gorman N, Kooner V, Chen A, Yost-Bido M, Munoz-Zuluaga C, Kaminsky SM, Rostami M, Monette S, Crystal RG, Sondhi D. Safety of Intravenous Administration of an AAV8 Vector Coding for an Oxidation-Resistant Human α1-Antitrypsin for the Treatment of α1-Antitrypsin Deficiency. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:139-149. [PMID: 36606685 PMCID: PMC9963503 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.192] [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: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a common autosomal recessive hereditary disorder, with a high risk for the development of early-onset panacinar emphysema. AAT, produced primarily in the liver, functions to protect the lung from neutrophil protease; with AAT deficiency, unimpeded neutrophil proteases destroy the lung parenchyma. AAT is susceptible to oxidative damage resulting in an inability to inhibit its target proteases, neutrophil elastase, and cathepsin G. The major sites of oxidative modification on the AAT molecule are methionine residues 351 and 358. We have previously demonstrated that an engineered variant of AAT that resists oxidation by modifying both protein surface methionines (M351V and M358L) provides antiprotease protection, despite oxidative stress. In mice, intravenous delivery of the modified AAT(AVL) variant by AAV serotype 8, AAV8hAAT(AVL), primarily to the liver resulted in long-term expression of an AAT that resists oxidative inactivation. In this study, we evaluated the safety of intravenous administration of AAV8hAAT(AVL) in a dose-escalating, blinded, placebo-controlled toxicology study in wild-type mice. The study assessed organ histology and clinical pathology findings of mice, intravenously administered AAV8hAAT(AVL) at three doses (5.0 × 1011, 5.0 × 1012, and 5.0 × 1013 genome copies [gc]/kg), compared to control mice injected intravenously with phosphate-buffered saline. As previously demonstrated, administration of AAV8hAAT(AVL) resulted in dose-dependent expression of high, potentially therapeutic, levels of serum human AAT protein that persist for at least 6 months. Antibodies against the AAV8 capsid were elicited as expected, but there was no antibody detected against the AAT(AVL) protein generated by the AAV8hAAT(AVL) vector. There was no morbidity or mortality observed in the study. The data demonstrate that intravenous administration of AAV8hAAT(AVL) is safe with no significant adverse effect attributed to AAV8hAAT(AVL) vector at any dose. This study demonstrates that AAV8hAAT(AVL) has a safety profile consistent with the requirements for proceeding to a clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bishnu P. De
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alessandria Greco
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas Gorman
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vikrum Kooner
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alvin Chen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Melissa Yost-Bido
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Stephen M. Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mahboubeh Rostami
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sébastien Monette
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ronald G. Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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8
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Preclinical evaluation of FLT190, a liver-directed AAV gene therapy for Fabry disease. Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41434-022-00381-y. [PMID: 36631545 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00381-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by loss of alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity and is characterized by progressive accumulation of glycosphingolipids in multiple cells and tissues. FLT190, an investigational gene therapy, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with Fabry disease (NCT04040049). FLT190 consists of a potent, synthetic capsid (AAVS3) containing an expression cassette with a codon-optimized human GLA cDNA under the control of a liver-specific promoter FRE1 (AAV2/S3-FRE1-GLAco). For mouse studies FLT190 genome was pseudotyped with AAV8 for efficient transduction. Preclinical studies in a murine model of Fabry disease (Gla-deficient mice), and non-human primates (NHPs) showed dose-dependent increases in plasma α-Gal A with steady-state observed 2 weeks following a single intravenous dose. In Fabry mice, AAV8-FLT190 treatment resulted in clearance of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) in plasma, urine, kidney, and heart; electron microscopy analyses confirmed reductions in storage inclusion bodies in kidney and heart. In NHPs, α-Gal A expression was consistent with the levels of hGLA mRNA in liver, and no FLT190-related toxicities or adverse events were observed. Taken together, these studies demonstrate preclinical proof-of-concept of liver-directed gene therapy with FLT190 for the treatment of Fabry disease.
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9
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Shao W, Sun J, Chen X, Dobbins A, Merricks EP, Samulski RJ, Nichols TC, Li C. Chimeric Mice Engrafted With Canine Hepatocytes Exhibits Similar AAV Transduction Efficiency to Hemophilia B Dog. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:815317. [PMID: 35173619 PMCID: PMC8841897 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.815317] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated gene therapy has been successfully applied in clinical trials, including hemophilia. Novel AAV vectors have been developed with enhanced transduction and specific tissue tropism. Considering the difference in efficacy of AAV transduction between animal models and patients, the chimeric xenograft mouse model with human hepatocytes has unique advantages of studying AAV transduction efficiency in human hepatocytes. However, it is unclear whether the results in humanized mice can predict AAV transduction efficiency in human hepatocytes. To address this issue, we studied the AAV transduction efficacy in canine hepatocytes in both canine hepatocyte xenografted mice and real dogs. After administration of AAV vectors from different serotypes into canine hepatocyte xenograft mice, AAV8 induced the best canine hepatocyte transduction followed by AAV9, then AAV3, 7, 5 and 2. After administration of AAV/cFIX (cFIX-opt-R338L) vectors in hemophilia B dogs, consistent with the result in chimeric mice, AAV8 induced the highest cFIX protein expression and function, followed by AAV9 and then AAV2. These results suggest that mice xenografted with hepatocytes from different species could be used to predict the AAV liver transduction in real species and highlight this potential platform to explore novel AAV variants for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwei Shao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Junjiang Sun
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Xiaojing Chen
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amanda Dobbins
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth P Merricks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and The Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Timothy C Nichols
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and The Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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10
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Pagovich OE, Stiles KM, Camilleri AE, Russo AR, Nag S, Crystal RG. Gene therapy in a murine model of chronic eosinophilic leukemia-not otherwise specified (CEL-NOS). Leukemia 2022; 36:525-531. [PMID: 34545183 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01400-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia-not otherwise specified (CEL-NOS) is a rare, aggressive, fatal disease characterized by blood eosinophilia and dysfunction of organs infiltrated with eosinophils. Clinically, the disease manifests with weight loss, cough, weakness, diarrhea, and multi-organ dysfunction that is unresponsive to therapy. We developed a one-time gene therapy for CEL-NOS using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing an anti-eosinophil monoclonal antibody (AAVrh.10mAnti-Eos) to provide sustained suppression of eosinophil numbers in blood, thus reducing eosinophil tissue invasion and organ dysfunction. A novel CEL-NOS model was developed in NOD-scid IL2rγnull (NSG) mice by administration of AAV expressing the cytokine IL5 (AAVrh.10mIL5), resulting in marked peripheral and tissue eosinophilia of the heart, lung, liver, and spleen, and eventually death. Mice were administered AAVrh.10mAnti-Eos (1011 genome copies) 4 wk after administration of AAVrh.10mIL5 and evaluated for anti-eosinophil antibody expression, blood eosinophil counts, organ eosinophil invasion, and survival. AAVrh.10mAnti-Eos expressed persistent levels of the anti-eosinophil antibody for >24 wk. Strikingly, CEL-NOS treated mice had markedly lower blood eosinophil levels and reduced mortality when compared with control treated mice. These results suggest that a single treatment with AAVrh.10mAnti-Eos has the potential to provide substantial therapeutic benefit to patients with CEL-NOS, a fatal malignant disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odelya E Pagovich
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katie M Stiles
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna E Camilleri
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anthony R Russo
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Saparja Nag
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Domm JM, Wootton SK, Medin JA, West ML. Gene therapy for Fabry disease: Progress, challenges, and outlooks on gene-editing. Mol Genet Metab 2021; 134:117-131. [PMID: 34340879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is the delivery of a therapeutic gene for endogenous cellular expression with the goal of rescuing a disease phenotype. It has been used to treat an increasing number of human diseases with many strategies proving safe and efficacious in clinical trials. Gene delivery may be viral or non-viral, performed in vivo or ex vivo, and relies on gene integration or transient expression; all of these techniques have been applied to the treatment of Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a genetic disorder of the α-galactosidase A gene, GLA, that causes an accumulation of glycosphingolipids in cells leading to cardiac, renal and cerebrovascular damage and eventually death. Currently, there are no curative treatments available, and the therapies that are used have significant drawbacks. These treatment concerns have led to the advent of gene therapies for Fabry disease. The first Fabry patients to receive gene therapy were treated with recombinant lentivirus targeting their hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Adeno-associated virus treatments have also begun. Alternatively, the field of gene-editing is a new and rapidly growing field. Gene-editing has been used to repair disease-causing mutations or insert genes into cellular DNA. These techniques have the potential to be applied to the treatment of Fabry disease provided the concerns of gene-editing technology, such as safety and efficiency, were addressed. This review focuses on the current state of gene therapy as it is being developed for Fabry disease, including progresses and challenges as well as an overview of gene-editing and how it may be applied to correct Fabry disease-causing mutations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob M Domm
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Medin
- Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Michael L West
- Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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12
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Abulimiti A, Lai MSL, Chang RCC. Applications of adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene delivery for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric diseases: Progress, advances, and challenges. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 199:111549. [PMID: 34352323 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is the most common disease in the elderly population due to its slowly progressive nature of neuronal deterioration, eventually leading to executive dysfunction. The pathological markers of neurological disorders are relatively well-established, however, detailed molecular mechanisms of progression and therapeutic targets are needed to develop novel treatments in human patients. Treating known therapeutic targets of neurological diseases has been aided by recent advancements in adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology. AAVs are known for their low-immunogenicity, blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrating ability, selective neuronal tropism, stable transgene expression, and pleiotropy. In addition, the usage of AAVs has enormous potential to be optimized. Therefore, AAV can be a powerful tool used to uncover the underlying pathophysiology of neurological disorders and to increase the success in human gene therapy. This review summarizes different optimization approaches of AAV vectors with their current applications in disease modeling, neural tracing and gene therapy, hence exploring progressive mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases as well as effective therapy. Lastly, this review discusses the limitations and future perspectives of the AAV-mediated transgene delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Abulimiti
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Science, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Michael Siu-Lun Lai
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Science, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Science, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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13
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Gupta V, Lourenço SP, Hidalgo IJ. Development of Gene Therapy Vectors: Remaining Challenges. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:1915-1920. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Biferi MG, Cohen-Tannoudji M, García-Silva A, Souto-Rodríguez O, Viéitez-González I, San-Millán-Tejado B, Fernández-Carrera A, Pérez-Márquez T, Teijeira-Bautista S, Barrera S, Domínguez V, Marais T, González-Fernández Á, Barkats M, Ortolano S. Systemic Treatment of Fabry Disease Using a Novel AAV9 Vector Expressing α-Galactosidase A. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 20:1-17. [PMID: 33335943 PMCID: PMC7725667 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fabry disease is a rare X-linked disorder affecting α-galactosidase A, a rate-limiting enzyme in lysosomal catabolism of glycosphingolipids. Current treatments present important limitations, such as low half-life and limited distribution, which gene therapy can overcome. The aim of this work was to test a novel adeno-associated viral vector, serotype 9 (AAV9), ubiquitously expressing human α-galactosidase A to treat Fabry disease (scAAV9-PGK-GLA). The vector was preliminary tested in newborns of a Fabry disease mouse model. 5 months after treatment, α-galactosidase A activity was detectable in the analyzed tissues, including the central nervous system. Moreover, we tested the vector in adult animals of both sexes at two doses and disease stages (presymptomatic and symptomatic) by single intravenous injection. We found that the exogenous α-galactosidase A was active in peripheral tissues as well as the central nervous system and prevented glycosphingolipid accumulation in treated animals up to 5 months following injection. Antibodies against α-galactosidase A were produced in 9 out of 32 treated animals, although enzyme activity in tissues was not significantly affected. These results demonstrate that scAAV9-PGK-GLA can drive widespread and sustained expression of α-galactosidase A, cross the blood brain barrier after systemic delivery, and reduce pathological signs of the Fabry disease mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Cohen-Tannoudji
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Andrea García-Silva
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Olga Souto-Rodríguez
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Irene Viéitez-González
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Beatriz San-Millán-Tejado
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Andrea Fernández-Carrera
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Tania Pérez-Márquez
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Susana Teijeira-Bautista
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Soraya Barrera
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
| | - Vanesa Domínguez
- Bioexperimentation Service of the University of Vigo (Sbio), Campus Universitario Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- CINBIO, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidade de Vigo, Immunology Group, Campus Universitario Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Immunology Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
| | - Thibaut Marais
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - África González-Fernández
- CINBIO, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidade de Vigo, Immunology Group, Campus Universitario Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- Immunology Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
| | - Martine Barkats
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Saida Ortolano
- Rare Diseases and Pediatric Medicine Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain
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15
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Yasuda M, Huston MW, Pagant S, Gan L, St Martin S, Sproul S, Richards D, Ballaron S, Hettini K, Ledeboer A, Falese L, Cao L, Lu Y, Holmes MC, Meyer K, Desnick RJ, Wechsler T. AAV2/6 Gene Therapy in a Murine Model of Fabry Disease Results in Supraphysiological Enzyme Activity and Effective Substrate Reduction. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:607-619. [PMID: 32775495 PMCID: PMC7396970 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene, which encodes the exogalactosyl hydrolase, alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A). Deficient α-Gal A activity results in the progressive, systemic accumulation of its substrates, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3), leading to renal, cardiac, and/or cerebrovascular disease and early demise. The current standard treatment for Fabry disease is enzyme replacement therapy, which necessitates lifelong biweekly infusions of recombinant enzyme. A more long-lasting treatment would benefit Fabry patients. Here, a gene therapy approach using an episomal adeno-associated viral 2/6 (AAV2/6) vector that encodes the human GLA cDNA driven by a liver-specific expression cassette was evaluated in a Fabry mouse model that lacks α-Gal A activity and progressively accumulates Gb3 and Lyso-Gb3 in plasma and tissues. A detailed 3-month pharmacology and toxicology study showed that administration of a clinical-scale-manufactured AAV2/6 vector resulted in markedly increased plasma and tissue α-Gal A activities, and essentially normalized Gb3 and Lyso-Gb3 at key sites of pathology. Further optimization of vector design identified the clinical lead vector, ST-920, which produced several-fold higher plasma and tissue α-Gal A activity levels with a good safety profile. Together, these studies provide the basis for the clinical development of ST-920.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Yasuda
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Silvere Pagant
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lin Gan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Scott Sproul
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Brisbane, CA 94005, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Liching Cao
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Brisbane, CA 94005, USA
| | - Yanmei Lu
- Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., Brisbane, CA 94005, USA
| | | | | | - Robert J Desnick
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Engineering adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapy. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 21:255-272. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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17
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Immune Response Mechanisms against AAV Vectors in Animal Models. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 17:198-208. [PMID: 31970198 PMCID: PMC6965504 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Early preclinical studies in rodents and other species did not reveal that vector or transgene immunity would present a significant hurdle for sustained gene expression. While there was early evidence of mild immune responses to adeno-associated virus (AAV) in preclinical studies, it was generally believed that these responses were too weak and transient to negatively impact sustained transduction. However, translation of the cumulative success in treating hemophilia B in rodents and dogs with an AAV2-F9 vector to human studies was not as successful. Despite significant progress in recent clinical trials for hemophilia, new immunotoxicities to AAV and transgene are emerging in humans that require better animal models to assess and overcome these responses. The animal models designed to address these immune complications have provided critical information to assess how vector dose, vector capsid processing, vector genome, difference in serotypes, and variations in vector delivery route can impact immunity and to develop approaches for overcoming pre-existing immunity. Additionally, a comprehensive dissection of innate, adaptive, and regulatory responses to AAV vectors in preclinical studies has provided a framework that can be utilized for development of immunomodulatory therapies to overcome or bypass immune responses and for developing strategic approaches toward engineering stealth AAV vectors that can circumvent immunity.
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18
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Molecular Dynamics Simulation Reveals Exposed Residues in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor that Interacts with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-G Envelope. Viruses 2019; 11:v11111063. [PMID: 31731579 PMCID: PMC6893590 DOI: 10.3390/v11111063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease most often caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene, which consists of 18 exons spanning 45 kb and codes for a precursor protein of 860 amino acids. Mutations in the LDLR gene lead to a reduced hepatic clearance of LDL as well as a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Recently, LDLR transgenes have generated interest as potential therapeutic agents. However, LDLR packaging using a lentiviral vector (LVV) system pseudotyped with a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-G envelope is not efficient. In this study, we modified the LVV system to improve transduction efficiency and investigated the LDLR regions responsible for transduction inhibition. Transduction efficiency of 293T cells with a 5′-LDLReGFP-3′ fusion construct was only 1.55% compared to 42.32% for the eGFP construct. Moreover, co-expression of LDLR affected eGFP packaging. To determine the specific region of the LDLR protein responsible for packaging inhibition, we designed constructs with mutations or sequential deletions at the 3′ and 5′ ends of LDLR cDNA. All constructs except one without the ligand-binding domain (LBD) (pWoLBD–eGFP) resulted in low transduction efficiency, despite successful packaging of viral RNA in the VSV envelope, as confirmed through RT-PCR. When we evaluated a direct interaction between LDLR and the VSV envelope glycoprotein using MD simulation and protein–protein interactions, we uncovered Val119, Thr120, Thr67, and Thr118 as exposed residues in the LDLR receptor that interact with the VSV protein. Together, our results suggest that the LBD of LDLR interacts with the VSV-G protein during viral packaging, which significantly reduces transduction efficiency.
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19
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Superior human hepatocyte transduction with adeno-associated virus vector serotype 7. Gene Ther 2019; 26:504-514. [PMID: 31570819 PMCID: PMC6923567 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although therapeutic outcomes have been achieved in hemophilia patients after delivery of clotting factor genes to the liver using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, it is well known that the pre-clinical results generated from hemophilia animal models have not been directly predictive of successful translation in humans. To address this discrepancy humanized mouse models have recently been used to predict AAV transduction efficiency for human hepatocytes. In this study we evaluated AAV vector transduction from several serotypes in human liver hepatocytes xenografted into chimeric mice. After systemic administration of AAV vectors encoding a GFP transgene in humanized mice, the liver was harvested for either immunohistochemistry staining or flow cytometry assay for AAV human hepatocyte transduction analysis. We observed that AAV7 consistently transduced human hepatocytes more efficiently than other serotypes in both immunohistochemistry assay and flow cytometry analysis. To better assess the future application of AAV7 for systemic administration in the treatment of hemophilia or other liver diseases, we analyzed the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to AAV7 in sera from healthy subjects and patients with hemophilia. In the general population, the prevalence of NAbs to AAV7 was lower than that of AAV2 or AAV3B. However, a higher prevalence of AAV7 NAbs was found in patients with hemophilia. In summary, results from this study suggest that AAV7 vectors should be considered as an effective vehicle for human liver targeting in future clinical trials.
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20
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Qiu T, Chiuchiolo MJ, Whaley AS, Russo AR, Sondhi D, Kaminsky SM, Crystal RG, Pagovich OE. Gene therapy for C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency in a Murine Model of Hereditary angioedema. Allergy 2019; 74:1081-1089. [PMID: 30059156 DOI: 10.1111/all.13582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a life-threatening, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by unpredictable, episodic swelling of the face, upper airway, oropharynx, extremities, genitalia, and gastrointestinal tract. Almost all cases of HAE are caused by mutations in the SERPING1 gene resulting in a deficiency in functional plasma C1 esterase inhibitor (C1EI), a serine protease inhibitor that normally inhibits proteases in the contact, complement, and fibrinolytic systems. Current treatment of HAE includes long-term prophylaxis with attenuated androgens or human plasma-derived C1EI and management of acute attacks with human plasma-derived or recombinant C1EI, bradykinin, and kallikrein inhibitors, each of which requires repeated administration. As an approach to effectively treat HAE with a single treatment, we hypothesized that a one-time intravenous administration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vector expressing the genetic sequence of the normal human C1 esterase inhibitor (AAVrh.10hC1EI) would provide sustained circulating C1EI levels sufficient to prevent angioedema episodes. METHODS To study the efficacy of AAVrh.10hC1EI, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create a heterozygote C1EI-deficient mouse model (S63±) that shares characteristics associated with HAE in humans including decreased plasma C1EI and C4 levels. Phenotypically, these mice have increased vascular permeability of skin and internal organs. RESULTS Systemic administration of AAVrh.10hC1EI to the S63± mice resulted in sustained human C1EI activity levels above the predicted therapeutic levels and correction of the vascular leak in skin and internal organs. CONCLUSION A single treatment with AAVrh.10hC1EI has the potential to provide long-term protection from angioedema attacks in affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Qiu
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
- Department of Respiratory Medicine KunShan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Kunshan China
| | - Maria J. Chiuchiolo
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Adele S. Whaley
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Anthony R. Russo
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Stephen M. Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Ronald G. Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
| | - Odelya E. Pagovich
- Department of Genetic Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York
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21
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Nagree MS, Scalia S, McKillop WM, Medin JA. An update on gene therapy for lysosomal storage disorders. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:655-670. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1607837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Murtaza S. Nagree
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,
WI, USA
| | - Simone Scalia
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,
WI, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey A. Medin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,
WI, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee,
WI, USA
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22
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Colella P, Sellier P, Costa Verdera H, Puzzo F, van Wittenberghe L, Guerchet N, Daniele N, Gjata B, Marmier S, Charles S, Simon Sola M, Ragone I, Leborgne C, Collaud F, Mingozzi F. AAV Gene Transfer with Tandem Promoter Design Prevents Anti-transgene Immunity and Provides Persistent Efficacy in Neonate Pompe Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:85-101. [PMID: 30581888 PMCID: PMC6299151 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-restricted, AAV-mediated gene transfer is being used to provide sustained, tolerogenic transgene expression in gene therapy. However, given the episomal status of the AAV genome, this approach cannot be applied to pediatric disorders when hepatocyte proliferation may result in significant loss of therapeutic efficacy over time. In addition, many multi-systemic diseases require widespread expression of the therapeutic transgene that, when provided with ubiquitous or tissue-specific non-hepatic promoters, often results in anti-transgene immunity. Here we have developed tandem promoter monocistronic expression cassettes that, packaged in a single AAV, provide combined hepatic and extra-hepatic tissue-specific transgene expression and prevent anti-transgene immunity. We validated our approach in infantile Pompe disease, a prototype disease caused by lack of the ubiquitous enzyme acid-alpha-glucosidase (GAA), presenting multi-systemic manifestations and detrimental anti-GAA immunity. We showed that the use of efficient tandem promoters prevents immune responses to GAA following systemic AAV gene transfer in immunocompetent Gaa−/− mice. Then we demonstrated that neonatal gene therapy with either AAV8 or AAV9 in Gaa−/− mice resulted in persistent therapeutic efficacy when using a tandem liver-muscle promoter (LiMP) that provided high and persistent transgene expression in non-dividing extra-hepatic tissues. In conclusion, the tandem promoter design overcomes important limitations of AAV-mediated gene transfer and can be beneficial when treating pediatric conditions requiring persistent multi-systemic transgene expression and prevention of anti-transgene immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Pauline Sellier
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Helena Costa Verdera
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Puzzo
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | | | - Nicolas Guerchet
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Nathalie Daniele
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Bernard Gjata
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Solenne Marmier
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Isabella Ragone
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France.,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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23
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Puzzo F, Colella P, Biferi MG, Bali D, Paulk NK, Vidal P, Collaud F, Simon-Sola M, Charles S, Hardet R, Leborgne C, Meliani A, Cohen-Tannoudji M, Astord S, Gjata B, Sellier P, van Wittenberghe L, Vignaud A, Boisgerault F, Barkats M, Laforet P, Kay MA, Koeberl DD, Ronzitti G, Mingozzi F. Rescue of Pompe disease in mice by AAV-mediated liver delivery of secretable acid α-glucosidase. Sci Transl Med 2018; 9:9/418/eaam6375. [PMID: 29187643 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aam6375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen storage disease type II or Pompe disease is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the lysosomal enzyme, acid α-glucosidase (GAA), which result in pathological accumulation of glycogen throughout the body. Enzyme replacement therapy is available for Pompe disease; however, it has limited efficacy, has high immunogenicity, and fails to correct pathological glycogen accumulation in nervous tissue and skeletal muscle. Using bioinformatics analysis and protein engineering, we developed transgenes encoding GAA that could be expressed and secreted by hepatocytes. Then, we used adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors optimized for hepatic expression to deliver the GAA transgenes to Gaa knockout (Gaa-/-) mice, a model of Pompe disease. Therapeutic gene transfer to the liver rescued glycogen accumulation in muscle and the central nervous system, and ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy as well as muscle and respiratory dysfunction in the Gaa-/- mice; mouse survival was also increased. Secretable GAA showed improved therapeutic efficacy and lower immunogenicity compared to nonengineered GAA. Scale-up to nonhuman primates, and modeling of GAA expression in primary human hepatocytes using hepatotropic AAV vectors, demonstrated the therapeutic potential of AAV vector-mediated liver expression of secretable GAA for treating pathological glycogen accumulation in multiple tissues in Pompe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Puzzo
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.,Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Colella
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Maria G Biferi
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Deeksha Bali
- Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nicole K Paulk
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Patrice Vidal
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon-Sola
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Severine Charles
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Romain Hardet
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Amine Meliani
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | | | - Stephanie Astord
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Gjata
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Pauline Sellier
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | | | - Alban Vignaud
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Florence Boisgerault
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Martine Barkats
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Laforet
- Paris-Est Neuromuscular Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital and Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dwight D Koeberl
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France.
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France. .,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, Paris, France
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24
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Wang L, Smith J, Breton C, Clark P, Zhang J, Ying L, Che Y, Lape J, Bell P, Calcedo R, Buza EL, Saveliev A, Bartsevich VV, He Z, White J, Li M, Jantz D, Wilson JM. Meganuclease targeting of PCSK9 in macaque liver leads to stable reduction in serum cholesterol. Nat Biotechnol 2018; 36:717-725. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt.4182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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25
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De BP, Chen A, Salami CO, Van de Graaf B, Rosenberg JB, Pagovich OE, Sondhi D, Crystal RG, Kaminsky SM. In Vivo Potency Assay for Adeno-Associated Virus-Based Gene Therapy Vectors Using AAVrh.10 as an Example. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2018; 29:146-155. [PMID: 29706115 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2017.246] [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: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of a drug product requires rigorous methods of characterization and quality control to assure drug potency. Gene therapy products, a relatively new strategy for drug design with very few licensed examples, represent a unique challenge for the measure of potency. Unlike traditional drugs, potency for a gene therapeutic is a tally of the measures of multiple steps, including infectivity, transcription, translation, protein modifications, proper localization of the protein product, and protein function. This is particularly challenging for products based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform, which has poor in vitro infectivity, limiting the sensitivity and thus the usefulness of cell-based assays. A rigorous in vivo assay has been established that separately evaluates infection, transcription, and resulting protein levels with specifications for each based on real time polymerase chain reaction (DNA and RNA) and standard protein assays. For an acceptance criterion, an administered vector must have vector DNA, transgene mRNA, and transgene expressed protein each concurrently meet individual specifications or the production lot fails. Using the AAVrh.10 serotype as a model vector and three different transgenes as examples, the assay is based on intravenous administration of the vector to male mice. At 2 weeks, the harvested liver is homogenized and assessed for vector genome levels (to assess for vector delivery), mRNA (to assess vector infectivity and transcription), and protein in the liver or serum (to assess protein expression). For all AAV vectors, the assay is robust and reproducible: vector DNA (linearity 102-109 copies, coefficient of variation) intra-assay <0.8%, inter-assay <0.5%; mRNA intra-assay <3.3%, inter-assay <3.4%. The reproducibility of the assay for transgene expressed protein is product specific. This in vivo potency assay is a strategy for characterization and a quantitative lot release test, providing a path forward to meet regulatory drug requirements for any AAV gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishnu P De
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Alvin Chen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Christiana O Salami
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | | | - Jonathan B Rosenberg
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Odelya E Pagovich
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Stephen M Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
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26
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Pei X, He T, Hall NE, Gerber D, Samulski RJ, Li C. AAV8 virions hijack serum proteins to increase hepatocyte binding for transduction enhancement. Virology 2018; 518:95-102. [PMID: 29455066 PMCID: PMC5911186 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that human serum albumin (HSA) directly interacts with AAV virions and enhances AAV transduction. Several other proteins have also been identified a potential for enhancing AAV8 liver transduction. In our study, LDL or transferrin could enhance transduction in vitro and in vivo. We also found that any combination of two or three of these proteins (HSA, LDL, and transferrin) increased AAV8 transduction in Huh7 cells and in mice liver, which was similar to albumin alone. Pre-incubation of HSA with AAV8 virions prevented AAV8 virions from binding to other proteins. Furthermore, these serum protein receptors didn't impact AAV8 transduction but blocked the transduction enhancement from AAV8-serum protein complexes. These results indicate that serum proteins are hijacked by AAV8 vectors to increase hepatocyte binding, which shares same binding site. Importantly, the results could help us design an optimal formulation for effective AAV vector delivery in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Pei
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Ting He
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Nikita E Hall
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - David Gerber
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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27
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Rastall DPW, Amalfitano A. Current and Future Treatments for Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2017; 19:45. [PMID: 29101575 DOI: 10.1007/s11940-017-0481-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of review Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a class of genetic disorders that are a testing ground for the invention of novel therapeutics including enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), substrate reduction therapy (SRT), gene therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). This review summarizes recently approved drugs, then examines the successful clinical trials in gene therapy and HSCT. Recent findings The FDA has recently approved a second SRT by reversing an earlier FDA decision, suggesting a favorable regulatory landscape going forward. Adeno-associated virus therapies, adenovirus therapies, and HSCT have overcome limitations of earlier clinical and preclinical trials, suggesting that gene therapy may be a reality for LSDs in the near future. At the same time, the first EU-approved gene therapy drug, Glybera, has been discontinued, and other ex vivo-based therapies although approved for clinical use have failed to be widely adapted and are no longer economically viable. Summary There are now 11 ERTs and two SRTs approved for LSDs in the USA. Gene therapy approaches and HSCT have also demonstrated promising clinical trial results suggesting that these therapies are on the frontier. Challenges that remain include navigating immune responses, developing drugs capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), developing therapies that can reverse end-organ damage, and achieving these goals in a safe, ethical, and financially sustainable manner. The amount of active development and a track record of iterative progress suggest that treatments for LSDs will continue to be a field of innovation, problem solving, and success.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P W Rastall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Andrea Amalfitano
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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28
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Chai Z, Sun J, Rigsbee KM, Wang M, Samulski RJ, Li C. Application of polyploid adeno-associated virus vectors for transduction enhancement and neutralizing antibody evasion. J Control Release 2017; 262:348-356. [PMID: 28789965 PMCID: PMC5819605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been used successfully in clinical trials for patients with hemophilia or blindness, but pre-existing neutralizing antibodies (Nab) are common in the general population and exclude many patients from clinical trials. Exploration of effective strategies to enhance AAV transduction and escape from Nab activity is still imperative. Previous studies have shown the compatibility of capsids from AAV serotypes and homology of recognition sites of AAV Nab located on different capsid subunits from one virion. In this study, we co-transfected AAV2 and AAV8 helper plasmids at different ratios (3:1, 1:1 and 1:3) to assemble haploid capsids and study both their transduction efficiency and Nab escape activity. After muscular injection, all of the haploid viruses induced higher transduction than their parental AAV vectors (2- to 9-fold over AAV2), with the highest of these being the haploid vector AAV2/8 3:1. After systemic administration, a 4-fold higher transduction in the liver was observed with haploid AAV2/8 1:3 than that with AAV8 alone. We then packaged the therapeutic factor IX cassette into haploid AAV2/8 1:3 capsids and injected them into FIX knockout mice via the tail vein. Higher FIX expression and improved phenotypic correction were achieved with the haploid AAV2/8 1:3 virus vector when compared to that of AAV8. Additionally, the haploid virus AAV2/8 1:3 was able to escape AAV2 neutralization and did not increase capsid antigen presentation capacity when compared to AAV8. To improve the Nab evasion ability of the haploid virus, we produced the triploid vector AAV2/8/9 by co-transfecting AAV2, AAV8 and AAV9 helper plasmids at a ratio of 1:1:1. After systemic administration, a 2-fold higher transduction in the liver was observed with the triploid vector AAV2/8/9 than that with AAV8. Nab analysis demonstrated that the triploid AAV2/8/9 vector was able to escape Nab activity from mouse sera immunized with parental serotypes. These results indicate that polyploid viruses might potentially acquire advantages from parental serotypes for enhancement of AAV transduction and evasion of Nab recognition without increasing capsid antigen presentation in target cells. Polyploid AAV vectors can be generated from any AAV serotype, whether natural, rational, library derived or a combination thereof, providing a novel strategy that should be explored in future clinical trials in patients with neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Chai
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Junjiang Sun
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Kelly Michelle Rigsbee
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Mei Wang
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Institute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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29
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Abstract
After two decades of research, in vivo gene transfer with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has now resulted in successful treatments and even cures for several human diseases. However, the potential for immune responses against the therapeutic gene products remains one of the concerns as this approach is broadened to more patients, diverse diseases, and target organs. Immune responses following gene transfer of coagulation factor IX (FIX) for the treatment of the bleeding disorder hemophilia B has been extensively investigated in multiple animal models. Findings from these studies have not only influenced clinical trial design but have broader implications for other diseases. The impact of vector design and dose, as well as target organ/route of administration on humoral and cellular immune responses are reviewed. Furthermore, the potential for tolerance induction by hepatic gene transfer or combination with immune modulation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland W Herzog
- Dept. Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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30
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Mack DL, Poulard K, Goddard MA, Latournerie V, Snyder JM, Grange RW, Elverman MR, Denard J, Veron P, Buscara L, Le Bec C, Hogrel JY, Brezovec AG, Meng H, Yang L, Liu F, O'Callaghan M, Gopal N, Kelly VE, Smith BK, Strande JL, Mavilio F, Beggs AH, Mingozzi F, Lawlor MW, Buj-Bello A, Childers MK. Systemic AAV8-Mediated Gene Therapy Drives Whole-Body Correction of Myotubular Myopathy in Dogs. Mol Ther 2017; 25:839-854. [PMID: 28237839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) results from MTM1 gene mutations and myotubularin deficiency. Most XLMTM patients develop severe muscle weakness leading to respiratory failure and death, typically within 2 years of age. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic gene therapy in the p.N155K canine model of XLMTM by performing a dose escalation study. A recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (rAAV8) vector expressing canine myotubularin (cMTM1) under the muscle-specific desmin promoter (rAAV8-cMTM1) was administered by simple peripheral venous infusion in XLMTM dogs at 10 weeks of age, when signs of the disease are already present. A comprehensive analysis of survival, limb strength, gait, respiratory function, neurological assessment, histology, vector biodistribution, transgene expression, and immune response was performed over a 9-month study period. Results indicate that systemic gene therapy was well tolerated, prolonged lifespan, and corrected the skeletal musculature throughout the body in a dose-dependent manner, defining an efficacious dose in this large-animal model of the disease. These results support the development of gene therapy clinical trials for XLMTM.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biopsy
- Dependovirus/classification
- Dependovirus/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Dogs
- Gait
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Therapy/adverse effects
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Genetic Vectors/administration & dosage
- Genetic Vectors/adverse effects
- Genetic Vectors/genetics
- Genetic Vectors/pharmacokinetics
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Humoral
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Muscle Strength
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/ultrastructure
- Myopathies, Structural, Congenital/diagnosis
- Myopathies, Structural, Congenital/genetics
- Myopathies, Structural, Congenital/mortality
- Myopathies, Structural, Congenital/therapy
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Non-Receptor/genetics
- Recovery of Function
- Reflex
- Respiratory Function Tests
- Tissue Distribution
- Transgenes/genetics
- Transgenes/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Mack
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
| | - Karine Poulard
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Melissa A Goddard
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
| | | | - Jessica M Snyder
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Robert W Grange
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Matthew R Elverman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
| | | | - Philippe Veron
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Laurine Buscara
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France
| | | | - Jean-Yves Hogrel
- Neuromuscular Physiology and Evaluation Lab, Institut de Myologie, 75651 Paris, France
| | - Annie G Brezovec
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Hui Meng
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Fujun Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Nikhil Gopal
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98019, USA
| | - Valerie E Kelly
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Barbara K Smith
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jennifer L Strande
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Fulvio Mavilio
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Alan H Beggs
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France; Institut de Myologie, University Pierre and Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Michael W Lawlor
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ana Buj-Bello
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; INSERM, UMR_S951, 91002 Evry, France.
| | - Martin K Childers
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98107, USA.
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31
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Perrin GQ, Zolotukhin I, Sherman A, Biswas M, de Jong YP, Terhorst C, Davidoff AM, Herzog RW. Dynamics of antigen presentation to transgene product-specific CD4 + T cells and of Treg induction upon hepatic AAV gene transfer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16083. [PMID: 27933310 PMCID: PMC5142511 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The tolerogenic hepatic microenvironment impedes clearance of viral infections but is an advantage in viral vector gene transfer, which often results in immune tolerance induction to transgene products. Although the underlying tolerance mechanism has been extensively studied, our understanding of antigen presentation to transgene product-specific CD4+ T cells remains limited. To address this, we administered hepatotropic adeno-associated virus (AAV8) vector expressing cytoplasmic ovalbumin (OVA) into wt mice followed by adoptive transfer of transgenic OVA-specific T cells. We find that that the liver-draining lymph nodes (celiac and portal) are the major sites of MHC II presentation of the virally encoded antigen, as judged by in vivo proliferation of DO11.10 CD4+ T cells (requiring professional antigen-presenting cells, e.g., macrophages) and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg induction. Antigen presentation in the liver itself contributes to activation of CD4+ T cells egressing from the liver. Hepatic-induced Treg rapidly disseminate through the systemic circulation. By contrast, a secreted OVA transgene product is presented in multiple organs, and OVA-specific Treg emerge in both the thymus and periphery. In summary, liver draining lymph nodes play an integral role in hepatic antigen presentation and peripheral Treg induction, which results in systemic regulation of the response to viral gene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Q Perrin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Irene Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Alexandra Sherman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ype P de Jong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York, USA
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida, USA
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32
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Rastall DPW, Seregin SS, Aldhamen YA, Kaiser LM, Mullins C, Liou A, Ing F, Pereria-Hicks C, Godbehere-Roosa S, Palmer D, Ng P, Amalfitano A. Long-term, high-level hepatic secretion of acid α-glucosidase for Pompe disease achieved in non-human primates using helper-dependent adenovirus. Gene Ther 2016; 23:743-752. [PMID: 27367841 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2016.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II (GSD-II)) is a myopathy caused by a genetic deficiency of acid α-glucosidase (GAA) leading to lysosomal glycogen accumulation causing muscle weakness, respiratory insufficiency and death. We previously demonstrated in GSD-II mice that a single injection of a helper-dependent adenovirus (HD-Ad) expressing GAA resulted in at least 300 days of liver secretion of GAA, correction of the glycogen storage in cardiac and skeletal muscles and improved muscle strength. Recent reports suggest that gene therapy modeling for lysososomal storage diseases in mice fails to predict outcomes in larger animal models. We therefore evaluated an HD-Ad expressing GAA in non-human primates. The baboons not only tolerated the procedure well, but the results also confirmed that a single dose of the HD-Ad allowed the livers of the treated animals to express and secrete large amounts of GAA for at least 6 months, at levels similar to those achieved in mice. Moreover, we detected liver-derived GAA in the heart, diaphragm and skeletal muscles of the treated animals for the duration of the study at levels that corrected glycogen accumulation in mice. This work validates our proof-of-concept studies in mice, and justifies future efforts using Ad-based vectors in Pompe disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P W Rastall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - S S Seregin
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Y A Aldhamen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - L M Kaiser
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - C Mullins
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A Liou
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - F Ing
- Keck School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - C Pereria-Hicks
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - S Godbehere-Roosa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - D Palmer
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - P Ng
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A Amalfitano
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Wang L, Wang Z, Zhang F, Zhu R, Bi J, Wu J, Zhang H, Wu H, Kong W, Yu B, Yu X. Enhancing Transgene Expression from Recombinant AAV8 Vectors in Different Tissues Using Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Element. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:286-91. [PMID: 27076785 PMCID: PMC4829541 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.14152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been utilized extensively in gene therapy and gene function studies, as strong transgene expression is a prerequisite for positive outcomes. AAV8 was reported as the most efficient AAV serotype for transduction of the liver, brain and muscle compared with other serotypes. However, AAV8-mediated transduction of human hepatocytes is rather poor with approximately 20-fold lower efficiency compared with that of mouse hepatocytes. Therefore, we applied the woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element (WPRE) to enhance AAV8-mediated transgene expression driven by a combination promoter (CAG promoter) with a CMV-IE enhancer and chicken beta-actin promoter for a more efficient viral vector. Transgene expression from recombinant AAV8 (rAAV8) vectors harboring a red fluorescent protein (RFP) reporter gene with or without WPRE were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that WPRE improved AAV8-mediated RFP expression in different cell lines with clear increases of transgene expression in the liver, brain or muscle of animals. The findings of this study will help to substantially reduce the quantity of viral particles that must be injected in order to reach a therapeutic level of transgene expression in gene therapy. Consequently, such dose reductions may lessen the potential risks associated with high doses of viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizheng Wang
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Zixuan Wang
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Fangfang Zhang
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jinpeng Bi
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Haihong Zhang
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hui Wu
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Wei Kong
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- 2. Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Bin Yu
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xianghui Yu
- 1. National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
- 2. Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
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Grimm D, Zolotukhin S. E Pluribus Unum: 50 Years of Research, Millions of Viruses, and One Goal--Tailored Acceleration of AAV Evolution. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1819-31. [PMID: 26388463 PMCID: PMC4700111 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fifty years ago, a Science paper by Atchison et al. reported a newly discovered virus that would soon become known as adeno-associated virus (AAV) and that would subsequently emerge as one of the most versatile and most auspicious vectors for human gene therapy. A large part of its attraction stems from the ease with which the viral capsid can be engineered for particle retargeting to cell types of choice, evasion from neutralizing antibodies or other desirable properties. Particularly powerful and in the focus of the current review are high-throughput methods aimed at expanding the repertoire of AAV vectors by means of directed molecular evolution, such as random mutagenesis, DNA family shuffling, in silico reconstruction of ancestral capsids, or peptide display. Here, unlike the wealth of prior reviews on this topic, we especially emphasize and critically discuss the practical aspects of the different procedures that affect the ultimate outcome, including diversification protocols, combinatorial library complexity, and selection strategies. Our overall aim is to provide general guidance that should help users at any level, from novice to expert, to safely navigate through the rugged space of directed AAV evolution while avoiding the pitfalls that are associated with these challenging but promising technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Division of Cell and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Aravalli RN, Belcher JD, Steer CJ. Liver-targeted gene therapy: Approaches and challenges. Liver Transpl 2015; 21:718-37. [PMID: 25824605 PMCID: PMC9353592 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The liver plays a major role in many inherited and acquired genetic disorders. It is also the site for the treatment of certain inborn errors of metabolism that do not directly cause injury to the liver. The advancement of nucleic acid-based therapies for liver maladies has been severely limited because of the myriad untoward side effects and methodological limitations. To address these issues, research efforts in recent years have been intensified toward the development of targeted gene approaches using novel genetic tools, such as zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats as well as various nonviral vectors such as Sleeping Beauty transposons, PiggyBac transposons, and PhiC31 integrase. Although each of these methods uses a distinct mechanism of gene modification, all of them are dependent on the efficient delivery of DNA and RNA molecules into the cell. This review provides an overview of current and emerging therapeutic strategies for liver-targeted gene therapy and gene repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal N. Aravalli
- Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
| | - John D. Belcher
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
| | - Clifford J. Steer
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455,Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 54455
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Hinderer C, Bell P, Louboutin JP, Zhu Y, Yu H, Lin G, Choa R, Gurda BL, Bagel J, O'Donnell P, Sikora T, Ruane T, Wang P, Tarantal AF, Casal ML, Haskins ME, Wilson JM. Neonatal Systemic AAV Induces Tolerance to CNS Gene Therapy in MPS I Dogs and Nonhuman Primates. Mol Ther 2015; 23:1298-1307. [PMID: 26022732 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2015.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential host immune response to a nonself protein poses a fundamental challenge for gene therapies targeting recessive diseases. We demonstrate in both dogs and nonhuman primates that liver-directed gene transfer using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector in neonates induces a persistent state of immunological tolerance to the transgene product, substantially improving the efficacy of subsequent vector administration targeting the central nervous system (CNS). We applied this approach to a canine model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I), a progressive neuropathic lysosomal storage disease caused by deficient activity of the enzyme α-l-iduronidase (IDUA). MPS I dogs treated systemically in the first week of life with a vector expressing canine IDUA did not develop antibodies against the enzyme and exhibited robust expression in the CNS upon intrathecal AAV delivery at 1 month of age, resulting in complete correction of brain storage lesions. Newborn rhesus monkeys treated systemically with AAV vector expressing human IDUA developed tolerance to the transgene, resulting in high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IDUA expression and no antibody induction after subsequent CNS gene therapy. These findings suggest that inducing tolerance to the transgene product during a critical period in immunological development can improve the efficacy and safety of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hinderer
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter Bell
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Louboutin
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Yanqing Zhu
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hongwei Yu
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gloria Lin
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ruth Choa
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brittney L Gurda
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Current address: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica Bagel
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patricia O'Donnell
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tracey Sikora
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Therese Ruane
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alice F Tarantal
- Center for Fetal Monkey Gene Transfer for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases, California National Primate Research Center, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Margret L Casal
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark E Haskins
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James M Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Bradbury AM, Gurda BL, Casal ML, Ponder KP, Vite CH, Haskins ME. A review of gene therapy in canine and feline models of lysosomal storage disorders. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2015; 26:27-37. [PMID: 25671613 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2015.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are inherited diseases that result from the intracellular accumulation of incompletely degraded macromolecules. The majority of LSDs affect both the peripheral and central nervous systems and are not effectively treated by enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction therapy, or bone marrow transplantation. Advances in adeno-associated virus and retroviral vector development over the past decade have resurged gene therapy as a promising therapeutic intervention for these monogenic diseases. Animal models of LSDs provide a necessary intermediate to optimize gene therapy protocols and assess the safety and efficacy of treatment prior to initiating human clinical trials. Numerous LSDs are naturally occurring in large animal models and closely reiterate the lesions, biochemical defect, and clinical phenotype observed in human patients, and whose lifetime is sufficiently long to assess the effect on symptoms that develop later in life. Herein, we review that gene therapy in large animal models (dogs and cats) of LSDs improved many manifestations of disease, and may be used in patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Bradbury
- 1 Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA 19104
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38
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Hoffman BE, Herzog RW. Covert warfare against the immune system: decoy capsids, stealth genomes, and suppressors. Mol Ther 2014; 21:1648-50. [PMID: 24008618 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brad E Hoffman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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39
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Lisowski L, Dane AP, Chu K, Zhang Y, Cunningham SC, Wilson EM, Nygaard S, Grompe M, Alexander IE, Kay MA. Selection and evaluation of clinically relevant AAV variants in a xenograft liver model. Nature 2014; 506:382-6. [PMID: 24390344 PMCID: PMC3939040 DOI: 10.1038/nature12875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have shown early promise in clinical trials. The therapeutic transgene cassette can be packaged in different AAV capsid pseudotypes, each having a unique transduction profile. At present, rAAV capsid serotype selection for a specific clinical trial is based on effectiveness in animal models. However, preclinical animal studies are not always predictive of human outcome. Here, in an attempt to further our understanding of these discrepancies, we used a chimaeric human-murine liver model to compare directly the relative efficiency of rAAV transduction in human versus mouse hepatocytes in vivo. As predicted from preclinical and clinical studies, rAAV2 vectors functionally transduced mouse and human hepatocytes at equivalent but relatively low levels. However, rAAV8 vectors, which are very effective in many animal models, transduced human hepatocytes rather poorly-approximately 20 times less efficiently than mouse hepatocytes. In light of the limitations of the rAAV vectors currently used in clinical studies, we used the same murine chimaeric liver model to perform serial selection using a human-specific replication-competent viral library composed of DNA-shuffled AAV capsids. One chimaeric capsid composed of five different parental AAV capsids was found to transduce human primary hepatocytes at high efficiency in vitro and in vivo, and provided species-selected transduction in primary liver, cultured cells and a hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model. This vector is an ideal clinical candidate and a reagent for gene modification of human xenotransplants in mouse models of human diseases. More importantly, our results suggest that humanized murine models may represent a more precise approach for both selecting and evaluating clinically relevant rAAV serotypes for gene therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Lisowski
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allison P. Dane
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Children’s Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirk Chu
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sharon C. Cunningham
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Children’s Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Sean Nygaard
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ian E. Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Children’s Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark A. Kay
- Stanford University, School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, USA
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Sack BK, Herzog RW, Terhorst C, Markusic DM. Development of Gene Transfer for Induction of Antigen-specific Tolerance. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2014; 1:14013. [PMID: 25558460 PMCID: PMC4280786 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2014.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gene replacement therapies, like organ and cell transplantation are likely to introduce neo-antigens that elicit rejection via humoral and/or effector T cell immune responses. Nonetheless, thanks to an ever growing body of pre-clinical studies it is now well accepted that gene transfer protocols can be specifically designed and optimized for induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance. One approach is to specifically express a gene in a tissue with a tolerogenic microenvironment such as the liver or thymus. Another strategy is to transfer a particular gene into hematopoietic stem cells or immunological precursor cells thus educating the immune system to recognize the therapeutic protein as "self". In addition, expression of the therapeutic protein in pro-tolerogenic antigen presenting cells such as immature dendritic cells and B cells has proven to be promising. All three approaches have successfully prevented unwanted immune responses in pre-clinical studies aimed at the treatment of inherited protein deficiencies, e.g. lysosomal storage disorders and hemophilia, and of type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis. In this review we focus on current gene transfer protocols that induce tolerance, including gene delivery vehicles and target tissues, and discuss successes and obstacles in different disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K Sack
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115. USA
| | - David M Markusic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Ruiz de Garibay AP, Solinís MA, Rodríguez-Gascón A. Gene therapy for fabry disease: a review of the literature. BioDrugs 2013; 27:237-46. [PMID: 23575647 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-013-0032-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, α-galactosidase A. The lack of adequate enzymatic activity results in a systemic accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids, predominantly globotriaosylceramide, in the lysosomes of, especially, endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Enzyme replacement therapy is at present the only available specific treatment for Fabry disease; however, this therapy has important drawbacks. Gene-mediated enzyme replacement is a reasonable and highly promising approach for the treatment of Fabry disease. It corresponds to a single gene disorder in which moderately low levels of enzyme activity should be sufficient for clinical efficacy and, thanks to cross-correction mechanisms, the transfection of a small number of cells will potentially correct distant cells too. This article summarizes the studies that have been carried out concerning gene therapy for the treatment of Fabry disease. We briefly review the literature from earlier studies in the 1990s to the current achievements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritz Perez Ruiz de Garibay
- Pharmacokinetics, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group, Pharmacy Faculty, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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42
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Rafi MA, Rao HZ, Luzi P, Curtis MT, Wenger DA. Extended normal life after AAVrh10-mediated gene therapy in the mouse model of Krabbe disease. Mol Ther 2012; 20:2031-42. [PMID: 22850681 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) or Krabbe disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme galactocerebrosidase (GALC). This deficiency results in accumulation of certain galactolipids including psychosine which is cytotoxic for myelin-producing cells. Treatment of human patients at this time is limited to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) that appears to slow the progression of the disease when performed in presymptomatic patients. In this study, adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype rh10-(AAVrh10) expressing mouse GALC was used in treating twitcher (twi) mice, the mouse model of GLD. The combination of intracerebroventricular, intracerebellar, and intravenous (iv) injection of viral particles in neonate twi mice resulted in high GALC activity in brain and cerebellum and moderate to high GALC activity in spinal cord, sciatic nerve, and some peripheral organs. Successfully treated mice maintained their weight with no or very little twitching, living up to 8 months. The physical activities of the long-lived treated mice were comparable to wild type for most of their lives. Treated mice showed normal abilities to mate, to deliver pups, to nurse and to care for the newborns. This strategy alone or in combination with other therapeutic options may be applicable to treatment of human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Rafi
- Department of Neurology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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43
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The threefold protrusions of adeno-associated virus type 8 are involved in cell surface targeting as well as postattachment processing. J Virol 2012; 86:9396-408. [PMID: 22718833 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00209-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has attracted considerable interest as a vector for gene therapy owing its lack of pathogenicity and the wealth of available serotypes with distinct tissue tropisms. One of the most promising isolates for vector development, based on its superior gene transfer efficiency to the liver in small animals compared to AAV type 2 (AAV2), is AAV8. Comparison of the in vivo gene transduction of rAAV2 and rAAV8 in mice showed that single amino acid exchanges in the 3-fold protrusions of AAV8 in the surface loops comprised of residues 581 to 584 and 589 to 592 to the corresponding amino acids of AAV2 and vice versa had a strong influence on transduction efficiency and tissue tropism. Surprisingly, not only did conversion of AAV8 to AAV2 cap sequences increase the transduction efficiency and change tissue tropism but so did the reciprocal conversion of AAV2 to AAV8. Insertion of new peptide motifs at position 590 in AAV8 also enabled retargeting of AAV8 capsids to specific tissues, suggesting that these sequences can interact with receptors on the cell surface. However, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that binds to amino acids (588)QQNTA(592) of AAV8 does not prevent cell binding and virus uptake, indicating that this region is not necessary for receptor binding but rather that the antibody interferes with an essential step of postattachment processing in which the 3-fold protrusion is also involved. This study supports a multifunctional role of the 3-fold region of AAV capsids in the infection process.
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44
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Herzog RW, Davidoff AM, Markusic DM, Nathwani AC. AAV vector biology in primates: finding the missing link? Mol Ther 2012; 19:1923-4. [PMID: 22051598 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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