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Onji H, Tate S, Sakaue T, Fujiwara K, Nakano S, Kawaida M, Onishi N, Matsumoto T, Yamagami W, Sugiyama T, Higashiyama S, Pommier Y, Kobayashi Y, Murai J. Schlafen 11 further sensitizes BRCA-deficient cells to PARP inhibitors through single-strand DNA gap accumulation behind replication forks. Oncogene 2024:10.1038/s41388-024-03094-1. [PMID: 38961202 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The preferential response to PARP inhibitors (PARPis) in BRCA-deficient and Schlafen 11 (SLFN11)-expressing ovarian cancers has been documented, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. As the accumulation of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) gaps behind replication forks is key for the lethality effect of PARPis, we investigated the combined effects of SLFN11 expression and BRCA deficiency on PARPi sensitivity and ssDNA gap formation in human cancer cells. PARPis increased chromatin-bound RPA2 and ssDNA gaps in SLFN11-expressing cells and even more in cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency. SLFN11 was co-localized with chromatin-bound RPA2 under PARPis treatment, with enhanced recruitment in BRCA2-deficient cells. Notably, the chromatin-bound SLFN11 under PARPis did not block replication, contrary to its function under replication stress. SLFN11 recruitment was attenuated by the inactivation of MRE11. Hence, under PARPi treatment, MRE11 expression and BRCA deficiency lead to ssDNA gaps behind replication forks, where SLFN11 binds and increases their accumulation. As ovarian cancer patients who responded (progression-free survival >2 years) to olaparib maintenance therapy had a significantly higher SLFN11-positivity than short-responders (<6 months), our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the favorable responses to PARPis in SLFN11-expressing and BRCA-deficient tumors. It highlight the clinical implications of SLFN11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Onji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Sota Tate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Division of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Sakaue
- Division of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kohei Fujiwara
- Division of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Keio University, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Metabolomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiho Nakano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Miho Kawaida
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Keio University Hospital, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Onishi
- Department of Clinical Diagnostic Oncology, Clinical Research Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Showa University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsumoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Wataru Yamagami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Sugiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
| | - Shigeki Higashiyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Division of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Toon, Ehime, Japan
- Department of Oncogenesis and Tumor Regulation, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yusuke Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Junko Murai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Ehime, Japan.
- Division of Cell Growth and Tumor Regulation, Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Toon, Ehime, Japan.
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan.
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2
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Fujii T, Nakano Y, Hagita D, Onishi N, Endo A, Nakagawa M, Yoshiura T, Otsuka Y, Takeuchi S, Suzuki M, Shimizu Y, Toyooka T, Matsushita Y, Hibiya Y, Tomura S, Kondo A, Wada K, Ichimura K, Tomiyama A. KLC1-ROS1 Fusion Exerts Oncogenic Properties of Glioma Cells via Specific Activation of JAK-STAT Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:9. [PMID: 38201436 PMCID: PMC10778328 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we investigated the detailed molecular oncogenic mechanisms of a novel receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) fusion, KLC1-ROS1, with an adapter molecule, KLC1, and an RTK, ROS1, discovered in pediatric glioma, and we explored a novel therapeutic target for glioma that possesses oncogenic RTK fusion. When wild-type ROS1 and KLC1-ROS1 fusions were stably expressed in the human glioma cell lines A172 and U343MG, immunoblotting revealed that KLC1-ROS1 fusion specifically activated the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, a major RTK downstream signaling pathway, when compared with wild-type ROS1. Immunoprecipitation of the fractionated cell lysates revealed a more abundant association of the KLC1-ROS1 fusion with JAK2 than that observed for wild-type ROS1 in the cytosolic fraction. A mutagenesis study of the KLC1-ROS1 fusion protein demonstrated the fundamental roles of both the KLC1 and ROS1 domains in the constitutive activation of KLC1-ROS1 fusion. Additionally, in vitro assays demonstrated that KLC1-ROS1 fusion upregulated cell proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance when compared to wild-type ROS1. Combination treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide and an inhibitor of ROS1, JAK2, or a downstream target of STAT3, demonstrated antitumor effects against KLC1-ROS1 fusion-expressing glioma cells. Our results demonstrate that KLC1-ROS1 fusion exerts oncogenic activity through serum-independent constitutive activation, resulting in specific activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our data suggested that molecules other than RTKs may serve as novel therapeutic targets for RTK fusion in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Fujii
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Yoshiko Nakano
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan;
| | - Daichi Hagita
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Nobuyuki Onishi
- Department of Clinical Diagnostic Oncology, Clinical Research Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan;
| | - Arumu Endo
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Masaya Nakagawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Toru Yoshiura
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Yohei Otsuka
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Satoru Takeuchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Mario Suzuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Yuzaburo Shimizu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Terushige Toyooka
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Yuko Matsushita
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Yuko Hibiya
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Satoshi Tomura
- Division of Traumatology, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan;
| | - Akihide Kondo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Kojiro Wada
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
| | - Koichi Ichimura
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Arata Tomiyama
- Department of Brain Disease Translational Research, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (T.F.); (D.H.); (Y.M.); (Y.H.); (K.I.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Saitama, Japan; (A.E.); (M.N.); (T.Y.); (Y.O.); (S.T.); (T.T.); (K.W.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.S.); (A.K.)
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Tsai HC, Pietrobon V, Peng M, Wang S, Zhao L, Marincola FM, Cai Q. Current strategies employed in the manipulation of gene expression for clinical purposes. J Transl Med 2022; 20:535. [PMID: 36401279 PMCID: PMC9673226 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03747-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal gene expression level or expression of genes containing deleterious mutations are two of the main determinants which lead to genetic disease. To obtain a therapeutic effect and thus to cure genetic diseases, it is crucial to regulate the host's gene expression and restore it to physiological conditions. With this purpose, several molecular tools have been developed and are currently tested in clinical trials. Genome editing nucleases are a class of molecular tools routinely used in laboratories to rewire host's gene expression. Genome editing nucleases include different categories of enzymes: meganucleses (MNs), zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)- CRISPR associated protein (Cas) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALENs). Transposable elements are also a category of molecular tools which includes different members, for example Sleeping Beauty (SB), PiggyBac (PB), Tol2 and TcBuster. Transposons have been used for genetic studies and can serve as gene delivery tools. Molecular tools to rewire host's gene expression also include episomes, which are divided into different categories depending on their molecular structure. Finally, RNA interference is commonly used to regulate gene expression through the administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and bi-functional shRNA molecules. In this review, we will describe the different molecular tools that can be used to regulate gene expression and discuss their potential for clinical applications. These molecular tools are delivered into the host's cells in the form of DNA, RNA or protein using vectors that can be grouped into physical or biochemical categories. In this review we will also illustrate the different types of payloads that can be used, and we will discuss recent developments in viral and non-viral vector technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maoyu Peng
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Suning Wang
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Lihong Zhao
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | | | - Qi Cai
- Kite Pharma Inc, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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Serra M, Di Matteo M, Serneels J, Pal R, Cafarello ST, Lanza M, Sanchez-Martin C, Evert M, Castegna A, Calvisi DF, Mazzone M, Columbano A. Deletion of Lactate Dehydrogenase-A Impairs Oncogene-Induced Mouse Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:609-624. [PMID: 35714859 PMCID: PMC9307943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process whereby abnormally proliferating cancer cells undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic alterations in hepatocarcinogenesis depend on the activation of specific oncogenes, thus partially explaining HCC heterogeneity. c-Myc oncogene overexpression, frequently observed in human HCCs, leads to a metabolic rewiring toward a Warburg phenotype and production of lactate, resulting in the acidification of the extracellular space, favoring the emergence of an immune-permissive tumor microenvironment. Here, we investigated whether Ldha genetic ablation interferes with metabolic reprogramming and HCC development in the mouse. METHODS We characterized the metabolic reprogramming in tumors induced in C57BL/6J mice hydrodynamically cotransfected with c-Myc and h-Ras. Using the same experimental model, we investigated the effect of Ldha inhibition-gained through the inducible and hepatocyte-specific Ldha knockout-on cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, number and size of HCC lesions, and tumor microenvironment alterations. RESULTS c-Myc/h-Ras-driven tumors display a striking glycolytic metabolism, suggesting a switch to a Warburg phenotype. The tumors also exhibited enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity, the switch of glutamine to sustain glutathione synthesis instead of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, Ldha abrogation significantly hampered tumor number and size together with an evident inhibition of the Warburg-like metabolic feature and a remarkable increase of CD4+ lymphocytes compared with Ldha wild-type livers. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that Ldha deletion significantly impairs mouse HCC development and suggest lactate dehydrogenase as a potential target to enhance the efficacy of the current therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Serneels
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rajesh Pal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sarah Trusso Cafarello
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martina Lanza
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlos Sanchez-Martin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Castegna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium,Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Amedeo Columbano, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SP 8, Km 0.700, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy. fax: 070 666062.
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Kruse RL, Huang Y, Shum T, Bai L, Ding H, Wang ZZ, Selaru FM, Kumbhari V. Endoscopic-mediated, biliary hydrodynamic injection mediating clinically relevant levels of gene delivery in pig liver. Gastrointest Endosc 2021; 94:1119-1130.e4. [PMID: 34197834 PMCID: PMC8605992 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gene therapy could provide curative therapies to many inherited monogenic liver diseases. Clinical trials have largely focused on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for liver gene delivery. These vectors, however, are limited by small packaging size, capsid immune responses, and inability to redose. As an alternative, nonviral, hydrodynamic injection through vascular routes can successfully deliver plasmid DNA (pDNA) into mouse liver but has achieved limited success in large animal models. METHODS We explored hydrodynamic delivery of pDNA through the biliary system into the liver of pigs using ERCP and a power injector to supply hydrodynamic force. Human factor IX (hFIX), deficient in hemophilia B, was used as a model gene therapy. RESULTS Biliary hydrodynamic injection was well tolerated without significant changes in vital signs, liver enzymes, hematology, or histology. No off-target pDNA delivery to other organs was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry revealed that 50.19% of the liver stained positive for hFIX after hydrodynamic injection at 5.5 mg pDNA, with every hepatic lobule in all liver lobes demonstrating hFIX expression. hFIX-positive hepatocytes were concentrated around the central vein, radiating outward across all 3 metabolic zones. Biliary hydrodynamic injection in pigs resulted in significantly higher transfection efficiency than mouse vascular hydrodynamic injection at matched pDNA per liver weight dose (32.7%-51.9% vs 18.9%, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Biliary hydrodynamic injection using ERCP can achieve higher transfection efficiency into hepatocytes compared with AAVs at magnitudes of less cost in a clinically relevant human-sized large animal. This technology may serve as a platform for gene therapy of human liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Kruse
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuting Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Shum
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hui Ding
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zack Z Wang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Florin M Selaru
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vivek Kumbhari
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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He H, Liao Q, Zhao C, Zhu C, Feng M, Liu Z, Jiang L, Zhang L, Ding X, Yuan M, Zhang X, Xu J. Conditioned CAR-T cells by hypoxia-inducible transcription amplification (HiTA) system significantly enhances systemic safety and retains antitumor efficacy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002755. [PMID: 34615704 PMCID: PMC8496395 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hypoxia is a striking feature of most solid tumors and could be used to discriminate tumors from normoxic tissues. Therefore, the design of hypoxia-conditioned Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells is a promising strategy to reduce on-target off-tumor toxicity in adoptive cell therapy. However, existing hypoxia-conditioned CAR-T designs have been only partially successful in enhancing safety profile but accompanied with reduced cytotoxic efficacy. Our goal is to further improve safety profile with retained excellent antitumor efficacy. Methods In this study, we designed and constructed a hypoxia-inducible transcription amplification system (HiTA-system) to control the expression of CAR in T (HiTA-CAR-T) cells. CAR expression was determined by Flow cytometry, and the activation and cytotoxicity of HiTA-CAR-T cells in vitro were evaluated in response to antigenic stimulations under hypoxic or normoxic conditions. The safety of HiTA-CAR-T cells was profiled in a mouse model for its on-target toxicity to normal liver and other tissues, and antitumor efficacy in vivo was monitored in murine xenograft models. Results Our results showed that HiTA-CAR-T cells are highly restricted to hypoxia for their CAR expression, activation and cytotoxicity to tumor cells in vitro. In a mouse model in vivo, HiTA-CAR-T cells targeting Her2 antigen showed undetectable CAR expression in all different normoxic tissues including human Her2-expresing liver, accordingly, no liver and systemic toxicity were observed; In contrast, regular CAR-T cells targeting Her2 displayed significant toxicity on human Her2-expression liver. Importantly, HiTA-CAR-T cells were able to achieve significant tumor suppression in murine xenograft models. Conclusion Our HiTA system showed a remarkable improvement in hypoxia-restricted transgene expression in comparison with currently available systems. HiTA-CAR-T cells presented significant antitumor activities in absence of any significant liver or systemic toxicity in vivo. This approach could be also applied to design CAR-T cell targeting other tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan He
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qibin Liao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuisong Zhu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiqi Feng
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoqun Liu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lang Jiang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linxia Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangqing Ding
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Applications of piggyBac Transposons for Genome Manipulation in Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:3829286. [PMID: 34567130 PMCID: PMC8460389 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3829286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposons are mobile genetic elements in the genome. The piggyBac (PB) transposon system is increasingly being used for stem cell research due to its high transposition efficiency and seamless excision capacity. Over the past few decades, forward genetic screens based on PB transposons have been successfully established to identify genes associated with drug resistance and stem cell-related characteristics. Moreover, PB transposon is regarded as a promising gene therapy vector and has been used in some clinically relevant stem cells. Here, we review the recent progress on the basic biology of PB, highlight its applications in current stem cell research, and discuss its advantages and challenges.
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Maestro S, Weber ND, Zabaleta N, Aldabe R, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Novel vectors and approaches for gene therapy in liver diseases. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100300. [PMID: 34159305 PMCID: PMC8203845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is becoming an increasingly valuable tool to treat many genetic diseases with no or limited treatment options. This is the case for hundreds of monogenic metabolic disorders of hepatic origin, for which liver transplantation remains the only cure. Furthermore, the liver contains 10-15% of the body's total blood volume, making it ideal for use as a factory to secrete proteins into the circulation. In recent decades, an expanding toolbox has become available for liver-directed gene delivery. Although viral vectors have long been the preferred approach to target hepatocytes, an increasing number of non-viral vectors are emerging as highly efficient vehicles for the delivery of genetic material. Herein, we review advances in gene delivery vectors targeting the liver and more specifically hepatocytes, covering strategies based on gene addition and gene editing, as well as the exciting results obtained with the use of RNA as a therapeutic molecule. Moreover, we will briefly summarise some of the limitations of current liver-directed gene therapy approaches and potential ways of overcoming them.
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Key Words
- AAT, α1-antitrypsin
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- AHP, acute hepatic porphyrias
- AIP, acute intermittent porphyria
- ALAS1, aminolevulic synthase 1
- APCs, antigen-presenting cells
- ASGCT, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
- ASGPR, asialoglycoprotein receptor
- ASOs, antisense oligonucleotides
- Ad, adenovirus
- CBS, cystathionine β-synthase
- CN, Crigel-Najjar
- CRISPR, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
- CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR associated protein 9
- DSBs, double-strand breaks
- ERT, enzyme replacement therapy
- FH, familial hypercholesterolemia
- FSP27, fat-specific protein 27
- GO, glycolate oxidase
- GSD1a, glycogen storage disorder 1a
- GT, gene therapy
- GUSB, β-glucuronidase
- GalNAc, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine
- HDAd, helper-dependent adenovirus
- HDR, homology-directed repair
- HT, hereditary tyrosinemia
- HemA/B, haemophilia A/B
- IDS, iduronate 2-sulfatase
- IDUA, α-L-iduronidase
- IMLD, inherited metabolic liver diseases
- ITR, inverted terminal repetition
- LDH, lactate dehydrogenase
- LDLR, low-density lipoprotein receptor
- LNP, Lipid nanoparticles
- LTR, long terminal repeat
- LV, lentivirus
- MMA, methylmalonic acidemia
- MPR, metabolic pathway reprograming
- MPS type I, MPSI
- MPS type VII, MPSVII
- MPS, mucopolysaccharidosis
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- NHEJ, non-homologous end joining
- NHPs, non-human primates
- Non-viral vectors
- OLT, orthotopic liver transplantation
- OTC, ornithine transcarbamylase
- PA, propionic acidemia
- PB, piggyBac
- PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
- PEG, polyethylene glycol
- PEI, polyethyleneimine
- PFIC3, progressive familial cholestasis type 3
- PH1, Primary hyperoxaluria type 1
- PKU, phenylketonuria
- RV, retrovirus
- S/MAR, scaffold matrix attachment regions
- SB, Sleeping Beauty
- SRT, substrate reduction therapy
- STK25, serine/threonine protein kinase 25
- TALEN, transcription activator-like effector nucleases
- TTR, transthyretin
- UCD, urea cycle disorders
- VLDLR, very-low-density lipoprotein receptor
- WD, Wilson’s disease
- ZFN, zinc finger nucleases
- apoB/E, apolipoprotein B/E
- dCas9, dead Cas9
- efficacy
- gene addition
- gene editing
- gene silencing
- hepatocytes
- immune response
- lncRNA, long non-coding RNA
- miRNAs, microRNAs
- siRNA, small-interfering RNA
- toxicity
- viral vectors
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Maestro
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Nerea Zabaleta
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Corresponding authors. Address: CIMA, Universidad de Navarra. Av. Pio XII 55 31008 Pamplona. Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Vivet Therapeutics, Pamplona, Spain
- Corresponding authors. Address: CIMA, Universidad de Navarra. Av. Pio XII 55 31008 Pamplona. Spain
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Gene therapy for hemophilia B using CB 2679d-GT: a novel factor IX variant with higher potency than factor IX Padua. Blood 2021; 137:2902-2906. [PMID: 33735915 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained expression of therapeutic factor IX (FIX) levels has been achieved after adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-based gene therapy in patients with hemophilia B. Nevertheless, patients are still at risk of vector dose-limiting toxicity, particularly liver inflammation, justifying the need for more efficient vectors and a lower dosing regimen. A novel increased potency FIX (designated as CB 2679d-GT), containing 3 amino acid substitutions (R318Y, R338E, T343R), significantly outperformed the R338L-Padua variant after gene therapy. CB 2679d-GT demonstrated a statistically significant approximately threefold improvement in clotting activity when compared with R338L-Padua after AAV-based gene therapy in hemophilic mice. Moreover, CB 2679d-GT gene therapy showed significantly reduced bleeding time (approximately fivefold to eightfold) and total blood loss volume (approximately fourfold) compared with mice treated with the R338L-Padua, thus achieving more rapid and robust hemostatic correction. FIX expression was sustained for at least 20 weeks with both CB 2679d-GT and R338L-Padua whereas immunogenicity was not significantly increased. This is a novel gene therapy study demonstrating the superiority of CB 2679d-GT, highlighting its potential to obtain higher FIX activity levels and superior hemostatic efficacy following AAV-directed gene therapy in hemophilia B patients than what is currently achievable with the R338L-Padua variant.
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Epigenetic suppression of SLFN11 in germinal center B-cells during B-cell development. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0237554. [PMID: 33513156 PMCID: PMC7846023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SLFN11 has recently been reported to execute cancer cells harboring replicative stress induced by DNA damaging agents. However, the roles of SLFN11 under physiological conditions remain poorly understood. Germinal center B-cells (GCBs) undergo somatic hypermutations and class-switch recombination, which can cause physiological genotoxic stress. Hence, we tested whether SLFN11 expression needs to be suppressed in GCBs during B-cell development. Objective To clarify the expression profile of SLFN11 in different developmental stages of B-cells and B-cell-derived cancers. Methods We analyzed the expression of SLFN11 by mining cell line databases for different stages of normal B-cells and various types of B-cell-derived cancer cell lines. We performed dual immunohistochemical staining for SLFN11 and B-cell specific markers in normal human lymphatic tissues. We tested the effects of two epigenetic modifiers, an EZH2 inhibitor, tazemetostat (EPZ6438) and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, panobinostat (LBH589) on SLFN11 expression in GCB-derived lymphoma cell lines. We also examined the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in combination with cytosine arabinoside and the effects of SLFN11 on the efficacy of cytosine arabinoside in SLFN11-overexpressing cells. Results SLFN11 mRNA level was found low in both normal GCBs and GCB-DLBCL (GCB like-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). Immunohistochemical staining showed low SLFN11 expression in GCBs and high SLFN11 expression in plasmablasts and plasmacytes. The EZH2 and HDAC epigenetic modifiers upregulated SLFN11 expression in GCB-derived lymphoma cells and made them more susceptible to cytosine arabinoside. SLFN11 overexpression further sensitized GCB-derived lymphoma cells to cytosine arabinoside. Conclusions The expression of SLFN11 is epigenetically suppressed in normal GCBs and GCB-derived lymphomas. GCB-derived lymphomas with low SLFN11 expression can be treated by the combination of epigenetic modifiers and cytosine arabinoside.
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Moscoso CG, Steer CJ. The Evolution of Gene Therapy in the Treatment of Metabolic Liver Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080915. [PMID: 32785089 PMCID: PMC7463482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monogenic metabolic disorders of hepatic origin number in the hundreds, and for many, liver transplantation remains the only cure. Liver-targeted gene therapy is an attractive treatment modality for many of these conditions, and there have been significant advances at both the preclinical and clinical stages. Viral vectors, including retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenovirus-based vectors, adeno-associated viruses and simian virus 40, have differing safety, efficacy and immunogenic profiles, and several of these have been used in clinical trials with variable success. In this review, we profile viral vectors and non-viral vectors, together with various payloads, including emerging therapies based on RNA, that are entering clinical trials. Genome editing technologies are explored, from earlier to more recent novel approaches that are more efficient, specific and safe in reaching their target sites. The various curative approaches for the multitude of monogenic hepatic metabolic disorders currently at the clinical development stage portend a favorable outlook for this class of genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos G. Moscoso
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Correspondence: (C.G.M.); (C.J.S.); Tel.: +1-612-625-8999 (C.G.M. & C.J.S.); Fax: +1-612-625-5620 (C.G.M. & C.J.S.)
| | - Clifford J. Steer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Correspondence: (C.G.M.); (C.J.S.); Tel.: +1-612-625-8999 (C.G.M. & C.J.S.); Fax: +1-612-625-5620 (C.G.M. & C.J.S.)
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12
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Castellarin M, Sands C, Da T, Scholler J, Graham K, Buza E, Fraietta JA, Zhao Y, June CH. A rational mouse model to detect on-target, off-tumor CAR T cell toxicity. JCI Insight 2020; 5:136012. [PMID: 32544101 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Off-tumor targeting of human antigens is difficult to predict in preclinical animal studies and can lead to serious adverse effects in patients. To address this, we developed a mouse model with stable and tunable human Her2 (hHer2) expression on normal hepatic tissue and compared toxicity between affinity-tuned Her2 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CARTs). In mice with hHer2-high livers, both the high-affinity (HA) and low-affinity (LA) CARTs caused lethal liver damage due to immunotoxicity. In mice with hHer2-low livers, LA-CARTs exhibited less liver damage and lower systemic levels of IFN-γ than HA-CARTs. We then compared affinity-tuned CARTs for their ability to control a hHer2-positive tumor xenograft in our model. Surprisingly, the LA-CARTs outperformed the HA-CARTs with superior antitumor efficacy in vivo. We hypothesized that this was due, in part, to T cell trafficking differences between LA and HA-CARTs and found that the LA-CARTs migrated out of the liver and infiltrated the tumor sooner than the HA-CARTs. These findings highlight the importance of T cell targeting in reducing toxicity of normal tissue and also in preventing off-tumor sequestration of CARTs, which reduces their therapeutic potency. Our model may be useful to evaluate various CARTs that have conditional expression of more than 1 single-chain variable fragment (scFv).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Castellarin
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Caroline Sands
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and
| | - Tong Da
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and
| | - Kathleen Graham
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and
| | - Elizabeth Buza
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, and
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and.,Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yangbing Zhao
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Carl H June
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Abramson Cancer Center, and.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
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piggyBac-Based Non-Viral In Vivo Gene Delivery Useful for Production of Genetically Modified Animals and Organs. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12030277. [PMID: 32204422 PMCID: PMC7151002 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo gene delivery involves direct injection of nucleic acids (NAs) into tissues, organs, or tail-veins. It has been recognized as a useful tool for evaluating the function of a gene of interest (GOI), creating models for human disease and basic research targeting gene therapy. Cargo frequently used for gene delivery are largely divided into viral and non-viral vectors. Viral vectors have strong infectious activity and do not require the use of instruments or reagents helpful for gene delivery but bear immunological and tumorigenic problems. In contrast, non-viral vectors strictly require instruments (i.e., electroporator) or reagents (i.e., liposomes) for enhanced uptake of NAs by cells and are often accompanied by weak transfection activity, with less immunological and tumorigenic problems. Chromosomal integration of GOI-bearing transgenes would be ideal for achieving long-term expression of GOI. piggyBac (PB), one of three transposons (PB, Sleeping Beauty (SB), and Tol2) found thus far, has been used for efficient transfection of GOI in various mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we outline recent achievements of PB-based production of genetically modified animals and organs and will provide some experimental concepts using this system.
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Tipanee J, Di Matteo M, Tulalamba W, Samara-Kuko E, Keirsse J, Van Ginderachter JA, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Validation of miR-20a as a Tumor Suppressor Gene in Liver Carcinoma Using Hepatocyte-Specific Hyperactive piggyBac Transposons. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 19:1309-1329. [PMID: 32160703 PMCID: PMC7036702 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We established a semi-high-throughput in vivo screening platform using hyperactive piggyBac (hyPB) transposons (designated as PB-miR) to identify microRNAs (miRs) that inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in vivo, following miR overexpression in hepatocytes. PB-miRs encoding six different miRs from the miR-17-92 cluster and nine miRs from outside this cluster were transfected into mouse livers that were chemically induced to develop HCC. In this slow-onset HCC model, miR-20a significantly inhibited HCC. Next, we developed a more aggressive HCC model by overexpression of oncogenic Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (HRASG12V) and c-MYC oncogenes that accelerated HCC development after only 6 weeks. The tumor suppressor effect of miR-20a could be demonstrated even in this rapid-onset HRASG12V/c-MYC HCC model, consistent with significantly prolonged survival and decreased HCC tumor burden. Comprehensive RNA expression profiling of 95 selected genes typically associated with HCC development revealed differentially expressed genes and functional pathways that were associated with miR-20a-mediated HCC suppression. To our knowledge, this is the first study establishing a direct causal relationship between miR-20a overexpression and liver cancer inhibition in vivo. Moreover, these results demonstrate that hepatocyte-specific hyPB transposons are an efficient platform to screen and identify miRs that affect overall survival and HCC tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jiri Keirsse
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium; Lab of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee Khim Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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In Vivo Piggybac-Based Gene Delivery towards Murine Pancreatic Parenchyma Confers Sustained Expression of Gene of Interest. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133116. [PMID: 31247905 PMCID: PMC6651600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pancreas is a glandular organ that functions in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. The most common disorders involving the pancreas are diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. In vivo gene delivery targeting the pancreas is important for preventing or curing such diseases and for exploring the biological function of genes involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Our previous experiments demonstrated that adult murine pancreatic cells can be efficiently transfected by exogenous plasmid DNA following intraparenchymal injection and subsequent in vivo electroporation using tweezer-type electrodes. Unfortunately, the induced gene expression was transient. Transposon-based gene delivery, such as that facilitated by piggyBac (PB), is known to confer stable integration of a gene of interest (GOI) into host chromosomes, resulting in sustained expression of the GOI. In this study, we investigated the use of the PB transposon system to achieve stable gene expression when transferred into murine pancreatic cells using the above-mentioned technique. Expression of the GOI (coding for fluorescent protein) continued for at least 1.5 months post-gene delivery. Splinkerette-PCR-based analysis revealed the presence of the consensus sequence TTAA at the junctional portion between host chromosomes and the transgenes; however, this was not observed in all samples. This plasmid-based PB transposon system enables constitutive expression of the GOI in pancreas for potential therapeutic and biological applications.
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16
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Next-generation muscle-directed gene therapy by in silico vector design. Nat Commun 2019; 10:492. [PMID: 30700722 PMCID: PMC6353880 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08283-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop the next-generation vectors for gene therapy of muscle disorders, given the relatively modest advances in clinical trials. These vectors should express substantially higher levels of the therapeutic transgene, enabling the use of lower and safer vector doses. In the current study, we identify potent muscle-specific transcriptional cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), containing clusters of transcription factor binding sites, using a genome-wide data-mining strategy. These novel muscle-specific CRMs result in a substantial increase in muscle-specific gene transcription (up to 400-fold) when delivered using adeno-associated viral vectors in mice. Significantly higher and sustained human micro-dystrophin and follistatin expression levels are attained than when conventional promoters are used. This results in robust phenotypic correction in dystrophic mice, without triggering apoptosis or evoking an immune response. This multidisciplinary approach has potentially broad implications for augmenting the efficacy and safety of muscle-directed gene therapy. Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) are being developed for gene therapy of skeletal muscle, but it is a challenge to achieve robust gene expression. Here, the authors identify muscle-specific cisregulatory elements that lead to a substantial increase in micro-dystrophin and follistatin expression, resulting in a safe and sustainable rescue of the dystrophic phenotype in mouse models.
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17
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Protein-Engineered Coagulation Factors for Hemophilia Gene Therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:184-201. [PMID: 30705923 PMCID: PMC6349562 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hemophilia A (HA) and hemophilia B (HB) are X-linked bleeding disorders due to inheritable deficiencies in either coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX), respectively. Recently, gene therapy clinical trials with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and protein-engineered transgenes, B-domain deleted (BDD) FVIII and FIX-Padua, have reported near-phenotypic cures in subjects with HA and HB, respectively. Here, we review the biology and the clinical development of FVIII-BDD and FIX-Padua as transgenes. We also examine alternative bioengineering strategies for FVIII and FIX, as well as the immunological challenges of these approaches. Other engineered proteins and their potential use in gene therapy for hemophilia with inhibitors are also discussed. Continued advancement of gene therapy for HA and HB using protein-engineered transgenes has the potential to alleviate the substantial medical and psychosocial burdens of the disease.
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18
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Hodge R, Narayanavari SA, Izsvák Z, Ivics Z. Wide Awake and Ready to Move: 20 Years of Non-Viral Therapeutic Genome Engineering with the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:842-855. [PMID: 28870121 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies will only become a widespread tool in the clinical treatment of human diseases with the advent of gene transfer vectors that integrate genetic information stably, safely, effectively, and economically. Two decades after the discovery of the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon, it has been transformed into a vector system that is fulfilling these requirements. SB may well overcome some of the limitations associated with viral gene transfer vectors and transient non-viral gene delivery approaches that are being used in the majority of ongoing clinical trials. The SB system has achieved a high level of stable gene transfer and sustained transgene expression in multiple primary human somatic cell types, representing crucial steps that may permit its clinical use in the near future. This article reviews the most important aspects of SB as a tool for gene therapy, including aspects of its vectorization and genomic integration. As an illustration, the clinical development of the SB system toward gene therapy of age-related macular degeneration and cancer immunotherapy is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russ Hodge
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Suneel A Narayanavari
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- 2 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute , Langen, Germany
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19
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Greig JA, Nordin JML, White JW, Wang Q, Bote E, Goode T, Calcedo R, Wadsworth S, Wang L, Wilson JM. Optimized Adeno-Associated Viral-Mediated Human Factor VIII Gene Therapy in Cynomolgus Macaques. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1364-1375. [PMID: 29890905 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A is a common hereditary bleeding disorder that is characterized by a deficiency of human blood coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII). Previous studies with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors identified two liver-specific promoter and enhancer combinations (E03.TTR and E12.A1AT) that drove high level expression of a codon-optimized, B-domain-deleted hFVIII transgene in a mouse model of the disease. This study further evaluated these enhancer/promoter combinations in cynomolgus macaques using two different AAV capsids (AAVrh10 and AAVhu37). Each of the four vector combinations was administered intravenously at a dose of 1.2 × 1013 genome copy/kg into five macaques per group. Delivery of the hFVIII transgene via the AAVhu37 capsid resulted in a substantial increase in hFVIII expression compared to animals administered with AAVrh10 vectors. Two weeks after administration of E03.TTR packaged within the AAVhu37 capsid, average hFVIII expression was 20.2 ± 5.0% of normal, with one animal exhibiting peak expression of 37.1% of normal hFVIII levels. The majority of animals generated an anti-hFVIII antibody response by week 8-10 post vector delivery. However, two of the five macaques administered with AAVhu37.E03.TTR were free of a detectable antibody response for 30 weeks post vector administration. Overall, the study supports the continued development of AAV-based gene therapeutics for hemophilia A using the AAVhu37 capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A Greig
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jayme M L Nordin
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John W White
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qiang Wang
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Erin Bote
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tamara Goode
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Roberto Calcedo
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Lili Wang
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James M Wilson
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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20
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Evens H, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Haemophilia gene therapy: From trailblazer to gamechanger. Haemophilia 2018; 24 Suppl 6:50-59. [DOI: 10.1111/hae.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Evens
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Brussels Belgium
| | - M. K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Brussels Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - T. VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Brussels Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
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21
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Iyer PS, Mavoungou LO, Ronzoni F, Zemla J, Schmid-Siegert E, Antonini S, Neff LA, Dorchies OM, Jaconi M, Lekka M, Messina G, Mermod N. Autologous Cell Therapy Approach for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using PiggyBac Transposons and Mesoangioblasts. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1093-1108. [PMID: 29503200 PMCID: PMC6079556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal muscle-wasting disease currently without cure. We investigated the use of the PiggyBac transposon for full-length dystrophin expression in murine mesoangioblast (MABs) progenitor cells. DMD murine MABs were transfected with transposable expression vectors for full-length dystrophin and transplanted intramuscularly or intra-arterially into mdx/SCID mice. Intra-arterial delivery indicated that the MABs could migrate to regenerating muscles to mediate dystrophin expression. Intramuscular transplantation yielded dystrophin expression in 11%-44% of myofibers in murine muscles, which remained stable for the assessed period of 5 months. The satellite cells isolated from transplanted muscles comprised a fraction of MAB-derived cells, indicating that the transfected MABs may colonize the satellite stem cell niche. Transposon integration site mapping by whole-genome sequencing indicated that 70% of the integrations were intergenic, while none was observed in an exon. Muscle resistance assessment by atomic force microscopy indicated that 80% of fibers showed elasticity properties restored to those of wild-type muscles. As measured in vivo, transplanted muscles became more resistant to fatigue. This study thus provides a proof-of-principle that PiggyBac transposon vectors may mediate full-length dystrophin expression as well as functional amelioration of the dystrophic muscles within a potential autologous cell-based therapeutic approach of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavithra S Iyer
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lionel O Mavoungou
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Flavio Ronzoni
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joanna Zemla
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342 Krakow, Poland
| | | | | | - Laurence A Neff
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivier M Dorchies
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marisa Jaconi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Malgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Nicolas Mermod
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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22
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Aravalli RN, Steer CJ. CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics for liver diseases. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:4265-4278. [PMID: 29266637 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of innovative genome editing techniques in recent years has revolutionized the field of biomedicine. Among the novel approaches, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas9) technology has become the most popular, in part due to its matchless ability to carry out gene editing at the target site with great precision. With considerable successes in animal and preclinical studies, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing has paved the way for its use in human trials, including patients with a variety of liver diseases. Gene editing is a logical therapeutic approach for liver diseases because many metabolic and acquired disorders are caused by mutations within a single gene. In this review, we provide an overview on current and emerging therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver diseases using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal N Aravalli
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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23
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VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Hyperactive Factor IX Padua: A Game-Changer for Hemophilia Gene Therapy. Mol Ther 2017; 26:14-16. [PMID: 29274719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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24
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Preclinical and clinical advances in transposon-based gene therapy. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160614. [PMID: 29089466 PMCID: PMC5715130 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposons derived from Sleeping Beauty (SB), piggyBac (PB), or Tol2 typically require cotransfection of transposon DNA with a transposase either as an expression plasmid or mRNA. Consequently, this results in genomic integration of the potentially therapeutic gene into chromosomes of the desired target cells, and thus conferring stable expression. Non-viral transfection methods are typically preferred to deliver the transposon components into the target cells. However, these methods do not match the efficacy typically attained with viral vectors and are sometimes associated with cellular toxicity evoked by the DNA itself. In recent years, the overall transposition efficacy has gradually increased by codon optimization of the transposase, generation of hyperactive transposases, and/or introduction of specific mutations in the transposon terminal repeats. Their versatility enabled the stable genetic engineering in many different primary cell types, including stem/progenitor cells and differentiated cell types. This prompted numerous preclinical proof-of-concept studies in disease models that demonstrated the potential of DNA transposons for ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy. One of the merits of transposon systems relates to their ability to deliver relatively large therapeutic transgenes that cannot readily be accommodated in viral vectors such as full-length dystrophin cDNA. These emerging insights paved the way toward the first transposon-based phase I/II clinical trials to treat hematologic cancer and other diseases. Though encouraging results were obtained, controlled pivotal clinical trials are needed to corroborate the efficacy and safety of transposon-based therapies.
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25
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Endogenous Transposase Source in Human Cells Mobilizes piggyBac Transposons. Mol Ther 2017; 24:851-4. [PMID: 27198853 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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26
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VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Hemophilia Gene Therapy: Ready for Prime Time? Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1013-1023. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Tipanee J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Transposons: Moving Forward from Preclinical Studies to Clinical Trials. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1087-1104. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Klose D, Woitok M, Niesen J, Beerli RR, Grawunder U, Fischer R, Barth S, Fendel R, Nachreiner T. Generation of an artificial human B cell line test system using Transpo-mAbTM technology to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of novel antigen-specific fusion proteins. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180305. [PMID: 28704435 PMCID: PMC5509223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The antigen-specific targeting of autoreactive B cells via their unique B cell receptors (BCRs) is a novel and promising alternative to the systemic suppression of humoral immunity. We generated and characterized cytolytic fusion proteins based on an existing immunotoxin comprising tetanus toxoid fragment C (TTC) as the targeting component and the modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA') as the cytotoxic component. The immunotoxin was reconfigured to replace ETA' with either the granzyme B mutant R201K or MAPTau as human effector domains. The novel cytolytic fusion proteins were characterized with a recombinant human lymphocytic cell line developed using Transpo-mAb™ technology. Genes encoding a chimeric TTC-reactive immunoglobulin G were successfully integrated into the genome of the precursor B cell line REH so that the cells could present TTC-reactive BCRs on their surface. These cells were used to investigate the specific cytotoxicity of GrB(R201K)-TTC and TTC-MAPTau, revealing that the serpin proteinase inhibitor 9-resistant granzyme B R201K mutant induced apoptosis specifically in the lymphocytic cell line. Our data confirm that antigen-based fusion proteins containing granzyme B (R201K) are suitable candidates for the depletion of autoreactive B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Klose
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mira Woitok
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (Biology VII), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Judith Niesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (Biology VII), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Barth
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rolf Fendel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas Nachreiner
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapy, Institute for Applied Medical Engineering, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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29
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Manta S, Renault G, Delalande A, Couture O, Lagoutte I, Seguin J, Lager F, Houzé P, Midoux P, Bessodes M, Scherman D, Bureau MF, Marie C, Pichon C, Mignet N. Cationic microbubbles and antibiotic-free miniplasmid for sustained ultrasound-mediated transgene expression in liver. J Control Release 2017; 262:170-181. [PMID: 28710005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of clinical trials in gene therapy, no ideal methods still allow non-viral gene transfer in deep tissues such as the liver. We were interested in ultrasound (US)-mediated gene delivery to provide long term liver expression. For this purpose, new positively charged microbubbles were designed and complexed with pFAR4, a highly efficient small length miniplasmid DNA devoid of antibiotic resistance sequence. Sonoporation parameters, such as insonation time, acoustic pressure and duration of plasmid injection were controlled under ultrasound imaging guidance. The optimization of these various parameters was performed by bioluminescence optical imaging of luciferase reporter gene expression in the liver. Mice were injected with 50μg pFAR4-LUC either alone, or complexed with positively charged microbubbles, or co-injected with neutral MicroMarker™ microbubbles, followed by low ultrasound energy application to the liver. Injection of the pFAR4 encoding luciferase alone led to a transient transgene expression that lasted only for two days. The significant luciferase signal obtained with neutral microbubbles decreased over 2days and reached a plateau with a level around 1 log above the signal obtained with pFAR4 alone. With the newly designed positively charged microbubbles, we obtained a much stronger bioluminescence signal which increased over 2days. The 12-fold difference (p<0.05) between MicroMarker™ and our positively charged microbubbles was maintained over a period of 6months. Noteworthy, the positively charged microbubbles led to an improvement of 180-fold (p<0.001) as regard to free pDNA using unfocused ultrasound performed at clinically tolerated ultrasound amplitude. Transient liver damage was observed when using the cationic microbubble-pFAR4 complexes and the optimized sonoporation parameters. Immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to determine the nature of cells transfected. The pFAR4 miniplasmid complexed with cationic microbubbles allowed to transfect mostly hepatocytes compared to its co-injection with MicroMarker™ which transfected more preferentially endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Manta
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Gilles Renault
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Anthony Delalande
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire and Université d'Orléans, UPR 4301, F-45071 Orléans, France
| | - Olivier Couture
- Institut Langevin - Ondes et Images, ESPCI ParisTech, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR7587, INSERM U979, 1, rue Jussieu, 75238 Paris, Cedex 05, France
| | - Isabelle Lagoutte
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Johanne Seguin
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Franck Lager
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR8104, Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Pascal Houzé
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Midoux
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire and Université d'Orléans, UPR 4301, F-45071 Orléans, France
| | - Michel Bessodes
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Daniel Scherman
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Michel-Francis Bureau
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Corinne Marie
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Chantal Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire and Université d'Orléans, UPR 4301, F-45071 Orléans, France.
| | - Nathalie Mignet
- CNRS, UTCBS UMR 8258, F-75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, UTCBS, F-75006 Paris, France; Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, Unité de Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé (UTCBS), F-75005 Paris, France; INSERM, UTCBS U 1022, F-75006 Paris, France
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30
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Woodard LE, Cheng J, Welch RC, Williams FM, Luo W, Gewin LS, Wilson MH. Kidney-specific transposon-mediated gene transfer in vivo. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44904. [PMID: 28317878 PMCID: PMC5357952 DOI: 10.1038/srep44904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods enabling kidney-specific gene transfer in adult mice are needed to develop new therapies for kidney disease. We attempted kidney-specific gene transfer following hydrodynamic tail vein injection using the kidney-specific podocin and gamma-glutamyl transferase promoters, but found expression primarily in the liver. In order to achieve kidney-specific transgene expression, we tested direct hydrodynamic injection of a DNA solution into the renal pelvis and found that luciferase expression was strong in the kidney and absent from extra-renal tissues. We observed heterogeneous, low-level transfection of the collecting duct, proximal tubule, distal tubule, interstitial cells, and rarely glomerular cells following injection. To assess renal injury, we performed the renal pelvis injections on uninephrectomised mice and found that their blood urea nitrogen was elevated at two days post-transfer but resolved within two weeks. Although luciferase expression quickly decreased following renal pelvis injection, the use of the piggyBac transposon system improved long-term expression. Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide stabilised luciferase expression, suggesting immune clearance of the transfected cells occurs in immunocompetent animals. Injection of a transposon expressing erythropoietin raised the haematocrit, indicating that the developed injection technique can elicit a biologic effect in vivo. Hydrodynamic renal pelvis injection enables transposon mediated-kidney specific gene transfer in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Woodard
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN 37212 USA.,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jizhong Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard C Welch
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Felisha M Williams
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Wentian Luo
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Leslie S Gewin
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN 37212 USA.,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Matthew H Wilson
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN 37212 USA.,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232 USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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31
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Greig JA, Wang Q, Reicherter AL, Chen SJ, Hanlon AL, Tipper CH, Clark KR, Wadsworth S, Wang L, Wilson JM. Characterization of Adeno-Associated Viral Vector-Mediated Human Factor VIII Gene Therapy in Hemophilia A Mice. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:392-402. [PMID: 28056565 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are promising vehicles for hemophilia gene therapy, with favorable clinical trial data seen in the treatment of hemophilia B. In an effort to optimize the expression of human coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII) for the treatment of hemophilia A, an extensive study was performed with numerous combinations of liver-specific promoter and enhancer elements with a codon-optimized hFVIII transgene. After generating 42 variants of three reduced-size promoters and three small enhancers, transgene cassettes were packaged within a single AAV capsid, AAVrh10, to eliminate performance differences due to the capsid type. Each hFVIII vector was administered to FVIII knockout (KO) mice at a dose of 1010 genome copies (GC) per mouse. Criteria for distinguishing the performance of the different enhancer/promoter combinations were established prior to the initiation of the studies. These criteria included prominently the level of hFVIII activity (0.12-2.12 IU/mL) and the pattern of development of anti-hFVIII antibodies. In order to evaluate the impact of capsid on hFVIII expression and antibody formation, one of the enhancer and promoter combinations that exhibited high hFVIII immunogenicity was evaluated using AAV8, AAV9, AAVrh10, AAVhu37, and AAVrh64R1 capsids. The capsids subdivided into two groups: those that generated anti-hFVIII antibodies in ≤20% of mice (AAV8 and AAV9), and those that generated anti-hFVIII antibodies in >20% of mice (AAVrh10, AAVhu37, and AAVrh64R1). The results of this study, which entailed extensive vector optimization and in vivo testing, demonstrate the significant impact that transcriptional control elements and capsid can have on vector performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A Greig
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qiang Wang
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanda L Reicherter
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shu-Jen Chen
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alexandra L Hanlon
- 2 School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - K Reed Clark
- 3 Dimension Therapeutics , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Lili Wang
- 4 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James M Wilson
- 1 Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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32
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Levy C, Fusil F, Amirache F, Costa C, Girard-Gagnepain A, Negre D, Bernadin O, Garaulet G, Rodriguez A, Nair N, Vandendriessche T, Chuah M, Cosset FL, Verhoeyen E. Baboon envelope pseudotyped lentiviral vectors efficiently transduce human B cells and allow active factor IX B cell secretion in vivo in NOD/SCIDγc -/- mice. J Thromb Haemost 2016; 14:2478-2492. [PMID: 27685947 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Essentials B cells are attractive targets for gene therapy and particularly interesting for immunotherapy. A baboon envelope pseudotyped lentiviral vector (BaEV-LV) was tested for B-cell transduction. BaEV-LVs transduced mature and plasma human B cells with very high efficacy. BaEV-LVs allowed secretion of functional factor IX from B cells at therapeutic levels in vivo. SUMMARY Background B cells are attractive targets for gene therapy for diseases associated with B-cell dysfunction and particularly interesting for immunotherapy. Moreover, B cells are potent protein-secreting cells and can be tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells. Objective Evaluation of human B cells for secretion of clotting factors such as factor IX (FIX) as a possible treatment for hemophilia. Methods We tested here for the first time our newly developed baboon envelope (BaEV) pseudotyped lentiviral vectors (LVs) for human (h) B-cell transduction following their adaptive transfer into an NOD/SCIDγc-/- (NSG) mouse. Results Upon B-cell receptor stimulation, BaEV-LVs transduced up to 80% of hB cells, whereas vesicular stomatitis virus G protein VSV-G-LV only reached 5%. Remarkably, BaEVTR-LVs permitted efficient transduction of 20% of resting naive and 40% of resting memory B cells. Importantly, BaEV-LVs reached up to 100% transduction of human plasmocytes ex vivo. Adoptive transfer of BaEV-LV-transduced mature B cells into NOD/SCID/γc-/- (NSG) [non-obese diabetic (NOD), severe combined immuno-deficiency (SCID)] mice allowed differentiation into plasmablasts and plasma B cells, confirming a sustained high-level gene marking in vivo. As proof of principle, we assessed BaEV-LV for transfer of human factor IX (hFIX) into B cells. BaEV-LVs encoding FIX efficiently transduced hB cells and their transfer into NSG mice demonstrated for the first time secretion of functional hFIX from hB cells at therapeutic levels in vivo. Conclusions The BaEV-LVs might represent a valuable tool for therapeutic protein secretion from autologous B cells in vivo in the treatment of hemophilia and other acquired or inherited diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Levy
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - F Fusil
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - F Amirache
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - C Costa
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - A Girard-Gagnepain
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - D Negre
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - O Bernadin
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - G Garaulet
- Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - N Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology and Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Vandendriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology and Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Chuah
- Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology and Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - F-L Cosset
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - E Verhoeyen
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
- Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Inserm, U1065, Équipe 'contrôle métabolique des morts cellulaires', Nice, France
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Chira S, Jackson CS, Oprea I, Ozturk F, Pepper MS, Diaconu I, Braicu C, Raduly LZ, Calin GA, Berindan-Neagoe I. Progresses towards safe and efficient gene therapy vectors. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30675-703. [PMID: 26362400 PMCID: PMC4741561 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of genetic engineering at the beginning of the 1970′s opened the era of biomedical technologies, which aims to improve human health using genetic manipulation techniques in a clinical context. Gene therapy represents an innovating and appealing strategy for treatment of human diseases, which utilizes vehicles or vectors for delivering therapeutic genes into the patients' body. However, a few past unsuccessful events that negatively marked the beginning of gene therapy resulted in the need for further studies regarding the design and biology of gene therapy vectors, so that this innovating treatment approach can successfully move from bench to bedside. In this paper, we review the major gene delivery vectors and recent improvements made in their design meant to overcome the issues that commonly arise with the use of gene therapy vectors. At the end of the manuscript, we summarized the main advantages and disadvantages of common gene therapy vectors and we discuss possible future directions for potential therapeutic vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu Chira
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Carlo S Jackson
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Iulian Oprea
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ferhat Ozturk
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Canik Başari University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Department of Immunology and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Lajos-Zsolt Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Physiopathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - George A Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Immunology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, Oncological Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă", Cluj Napoca, Romania.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Efficient generation of transgenic cattle using the DNA transposon and their analysis by next-generation sequencing. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27185. [PMID: 27324781 PMCID: PMC4914850 DOI: 10.1038/srep27185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we efficiently generated transgenic cattle using two transposon systems (Sleeping Beauty and Piggybac) and their genomes were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Blastocysts derived from microinjection of DNA transposons were selected and transferred into recipient cows. Nine transgenic cattle have been generated and grown-up to date without any health issues except two. Some of them expressed strong fluorescence and the transgene in the oocytes from a superovulating one were detected by PCR and sequencing. To investigate genomic variants by the transgene transposition, whole genomic DNA were analyzed by NGS. We found that preferred transposable integration (TA or TTAA) was identified in their genome. Even though multi-copies (i.e. fifteen) were confirmed, there was no significant difference in genome instabilities. In conclusion, we demonstrated that transgenic cattle using the DNA transposon system could be efficiently generated, and all those animals could be a valuable resource for agriculture and veterinary science.
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Aravalli RN, Steer CJ. Gene editing technology as an approach to the treatment of liver diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 16:595-608. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2016.1158808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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36
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Loperfido M, Jarmin S, Dastidar S, Di Matteo M, Perini I, Moore M, Nair N, Samara-Kuko E, Athanasopoulos T, Tedesco FS, Dickson G, Sampaolesi M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. piggyBac transposons expressing full-length human dystrophin enable genetic correction of dystrophic mesoangioblasts. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:744-60. [PMID: 26682797 PMCID: PMC4737162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin. We developed a novel gene therapy approach based on the use of the piggyBac (PB) transposon system to deliver the coding DNA sequence (CDS) of either full-length human dystrophin (DYS: 11.1 kb) or truncated microdystrophins (MD1: 3.6 kb; MD2: 4 kb). PB transposons encoding microdystrophins were transfected in C2C12 myoblasts, yielding 65±2% MD1 and 66±2% MD2 expression in differentiated multinucleated myotubes. A hyperactive PB (hyPB) transposase was then deployed to enable transposition of the large-size PB transposon (17 kb) encoding the full-length DYS and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Stable GFP expression attaining 78±3% could be achieved in the C2C12 myoblasts that had undergone transposition. Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of the full-length human DYS protein in myotubes. Subsequently, dystrophic mesoangioblasts from a Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dog were transfected with the large-size PB transposon resulting in 50±5% GFP-expressing cells after stable transposition. This was consistent with correction of the differentiated dystrophic mesoangioblasts following expression of full-length human DYS. These results pave the way toward a novel non-viral gene therapy approach for DMD using PB transposons underscoring their potential to deliver large therapeutic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Loperfido
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Susan Jarmin
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | | | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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37
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Abstract
DNA transposons offer an efficient nonviral method of permanently modifying the genomes of mammalian cells. The piggyBac transposon system has proven effective in genomic engineering of mammalian cells for preclinical applications, including gene discovery, simultaneous multiplexed genome modification, animal transgenesis, gene transfer in vivo achieving long-term gene expression in animals, and the genetic modification of clinically relevant cell types, such as induced pluripotent stem cells and human T lymphocytes. piggyBac has many desirable features, including seamless excision of transposons from the genomic DNA and the potential to target integration events to desired DNA sequences. In this review, we explore these recent applications and also highlight the unique advantages of using piggyBac for developing new molecular therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Woodard
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health System, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Matthew H Wilson
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Health System, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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39
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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: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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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40
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Shi H, Niu M, Tan L, Liu T, Shao H, Fu C, Ren X, Ma T, Ren J, Li L, Liu H, Xu K, Wang J, Tang F, Meng X. A smart all-in-one theranostic platform for CT imaging guided tumor microwave thermotherapy based on IL@ZrO 2 nanoparticles. Chem Sci 2015; 6:5016-5026. [PMID: 30155006 PMCID: PMC6088435 DOI: 10.1039/c5sc00781j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper develops a simple multifunctional theranostic platform using an IL@ZrO2 nanostructure for CT imaging guided tumor microwave thermotherapy.
This study develops a simple hollow ZrO2 nanostructure as a carrier to encapsulate ionic liquid (IL), which integrates the CT imaging function of the ZrO2 shell and the microwave susceptibility function of the IL core. The simple nanostructure can be used as a multifunctional theranostic agent via combining diagnostic and therapeutic modalities into one “package”. Based on the microwave susceptibility properties, the tumor inhibiting ratio can be over 90% in mice models after one-time thermal therapy upon microwave irradiation. In vitro and in vivo imaging results prove the potential of CT imaging application for real-time monitoring of biodistribution and metabolic processes, and assessing therapeutic outcomes. To our best knowledge, our study is the first example to achieve CT imaging and microwave thermal therapy simultaneously through a simple nanostructure. We anticipate that the simple IL@ZrO2 nanostructure may build a useful platform for the clinical imaging guided therapy of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitang Shi
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Niu
- Department of Radiology , First Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang 110001 , People's Republic of China .
| | - Longfei Tan
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Tianlong Liu
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Haibo Shao
- Department of Radiology , First Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang 110001 , People's Republic of China .
| | - Changhui Fu
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Xiangling Ren
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Tengchuang Ma
- Department of Radiology , First Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang 110001 , People's Republic of China .
| | - Jun Ren
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Linlin Li
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Huiyu Liu
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Radiology , First Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang 110001 , People's Republic of China .
| | - Jianxin Wang
- Beijing M&Y Electronics Co. Ltd , Beijing 100015 , People's Republic of China
| | - Fangqiong Tang
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
| | - Xianwei Meng
- Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials , Center for Micro/nanomaterials and Technology , Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , People's Republic of China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-82543521
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41
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Rincon MY, Sarcar S, Danso-Abeam D, Keyaerts M, Matrai J, Samara-Kuko E, Acosta-Sanchez A, Athanasopoulos T, Dickson G, Lahoutte T, De Bleser P, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Genome-wide computational analysis reveals cardiomyocyte-specific transcriptional Cis-regulatory motifs that enable efficient cardiac gene therapy. Mol Ther 2015; 23:43-52. [PMID: 25195597 PMCID: PMC4426801 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising emerging therapeutic modality for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hereditary diseases that afflict the heart. Hence, there is a need to develop robust cardiac-specific expression modules that allow for stable expression of the gene of interest in cardiomyocytes. We therefore explored a new approach based on a genome-wide bioinformatics strategy that revealed novel cardiac-specific cis-acting regulatory modules (CS-CRMs). These transcriptional modules contained evolutionary-conserved clusters of putative transcription factor binding sites that correspond to a "molecular signature" associated with robust gene expression in the heart. We then validated these CS-CRMs in vivo using an adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 that drives a reporter gene from a quintessential cardiac-specific α-myosin heavy chain promoter. Most de novo designed CS-CRMs resulted in a >10-fold increase in cardiac gene expression. The most robust CRMs enhanced cardiac-specific transcription 70- to 100-fold. Expression was sustained and restricted to cardiomyocytes. We then combined the most potent CS-CRM4 with a synthetic heart and muscle-specific promoter (SPc5-12) and obtained a significant 20-fold increase in cardiac gene expression compared to the cytomegalovirus promoter. This study underscores the potential of rational vector design to improve the robustness of cardiac gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Y Rincon
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shilpita Sarcar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dina Danso-Abeam
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marleen Keyaerts
- Nuclear Medicine Department, UZ Brussel & In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Lab, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Janka Matrai
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abel Acosta-Sanchez
- Vesalius Research Center, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) & University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- Nuclear Medicine Department, UZ Brussel & In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Lab, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieter De Bleser
- Inflammation Research Center, Flanders Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) and Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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42
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Hackett PB, Aronovich EL. Rational design for enhanced gene therapy with DNA transposons. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1575-7. [PMID: 25186559 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Perry B Hackett
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elena L Aronovich
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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43
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Chuah MK, Petrus I, De Bleser P, Le Guiner C, Gernoux G, Adjali O, Nair N, Willems J, Evens H, Rincon MY, Matrai J, Di Matteo M, Samara-Kuko E, Yan B, Acosta-Sanchez A, Meliani A, Cherel G, Blouin V, Christophe O, Moullier P, Mingozzi F, VandenDriessche T. Liver-specific transcriptional modules identified by genome-wide in silico analysis enable efficient gene therapy in mice and non-human primates. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1605-13. [PMID: 24954473 PMCID: PMC4435486 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The robustness and safety of liver-directed gene therapy can be substantially
improved by enhancing expression of the therapeutic transgene in the liver. To
achieve this, we developed a new approach of rational in silico vector
design. This approach relies on a genome-wide bio-informatics strategy to
identify cis-acting regulatory modules (CRMs) containing
evolutionary conserved clusters of transcription factor binding site motifs that
determine high tissue-specific gene expression. Incorporation of these
CRMs into adeno-associated viral (AAV) and non-viral vectors
enhanced gene expression in mice liver 10 to 100-fold, depending on the promoter
used. Furthermore, these CRMs resulted in robust and sustained
liver-specific expression of coagulation factor IX (FIX), validating their
immediate therapeutic and translational relevance. Subsequent translational
studies indicated that therapeutic FIX expression levels could be attained
reaching 20–35% of normal levels after AAV-based liver-directed gene
therapy in cynomolgus macaques. This study underscores the potential of rational
vector design using computational approaches to improve their robustness and
therefore allows for the use of lower and thus safer vector doses for gene
therapy, while maximizing therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Inge Petrus
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter De Bleser
- Department for Molecular Biomedical Research (DMBR), VIB - Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Le Guiner
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Gwladys Gernoux
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Oumeya Adjali
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jessica Willems
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanneke Evens
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Melvin Y Rincon
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janka Matrai
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [3] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bing Yan
- 1] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [2] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abel Acosta-Sanchez
- 1] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [2] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amine Meliani
- 1] Genethon, Evry, France [2] University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Ghislaine Cherel
- 1] INSERM, U770, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France [2] Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Véronique Blouin
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Christophe
- 1] INSERM, U770, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France [2] Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Moullier
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- 1] Genethon, Evry, France [2] University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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