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Sripada SA, Hosseini M, Ramesh S, Wang J, Ritola K, Menegatti S, Daniele MA. Advances and opportunities in process analytical technologies for viral vector manufacturing. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 74:108391. [PMID: 38848795 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Viral vectors are an emerging, exciting class of biologics whose application in vaccines, oncology, and gene therapy has grown exponentially in recent years. Following first regulatory approval, this class of therapeutics has been vigorously pursued to treat monogenic disorders including orphan diseases, entering hundreds of new products into pipelines. Viral vector manufacturing supporting clinical efforts has spurred the introduction of a broad swath of analytical techniques dedicated to assessing the diverse and evolving panel of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of these products. Herein, we provide an overview of the current state of analytics enabling measurement of CQAs such as capsid and vector identities, product titer, transduction efficiency, impurity clearance etc. We highlight orthogonal methods and discuss the advantages and limitations of these techniques while evaluating their adaptation as process analytical technologies. Finally, we identify gaps and propose opportunities in enabling existing technologies for real-time monitoring from hardware, software, and data analysis viewpoints for technology development within viral vector biomanufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobhana A Sripada
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Mahshid Hosseini
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Srivatsan Ramesh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Junhyeong Wang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Kimberly Ritola
- North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Neuroscience Center, Brain Initiative Neurotools Vector Core, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stefano Menegatti
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA; North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, North Carolina State University, 890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Michael A Daniele
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; North Carolina Viral Vector Initiative in Research and Learning (NC-VVIRAL), North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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2
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Ball JB, Frank MG, Green-Fulgham SM, Watkins LR. Use of adeno-associated viruses for transgenic modulation of microglia structure and function: A review of technical considerations and challenges. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:368-379. [PMID: 38471576 PMCID: PMC11103248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a central role in the etiology of many neuropathologies. Transgenic tools are a powerful experiment approach to gain reliable and specific control over microglia function. Adeno-associated virus (AAVs) vectors are already an indispensable tool in neuroscience research. Despite ubiquitous use of AAVs and substantial interest in the role of microglia in the study of central nervous system (CNS) function and disease, transduction of microglia using AAVs is seldom reported. This review explores the challenges and advancements made in using AAVs for expressing transgenes in microglia. First, we will examine the functional anatomy of the AAV capsid, which will serve as a basis for subsequent discussions of studies exploring the relationship between capsid mutations and microglia transduction efficacy. After outlining the functional anatomy of AAVs, we will consider the experimental evidence demonstrating AAV-mediated transduction of microglia and microglia-like cell lines followed by an examination of the most promising experimental approaches identified in the literature. Finally, technical limitations will be considered in future applications of AAV experimental approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayson B Ball
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Matthew G Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Suzanne M Green-Fulgham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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3
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Tyszkiewicz C, Hwang SK, DaSilva JK, Kovi RC, Fader KA, Sirivelu MP, Liu J, Somps C, Cook J, Liu CN, Wang H. Absence of functional deficits in rats following systemic administration of an AAV9 vector despite moderate peripheral nerve and dorsal root ganglia findings: A clinically silent peripheral neuropathy. Neurotoxicology 2024; 101:46-53. [PMID: 38316190 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors are commonly used for delivering transgenes in gene therapy studies, but they are also known to cause dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and peripheral nerve toxicities in animals. However, the functional implications of these pathologic findings and their time course remain unclear. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks following a single dose of an AAV9 vector carrying human frataxin transgene in rats, non-standard functional assessments, including von Frey filament, electrophysiology, and Rotarod tests, were conducted longitudinally to measure allodynia, nerve conduction velocity, and coordination, respectively. Additionally, DRGs, peripheral nerves, brain and spinal cord were evaluated histologically and circulating neurofilament light chain (NfL) was quantified at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. At 2 and 4 weeks after dosing, minimal-to-moderate nerve fiber degeneration and neuronal degeneration were observed in the DRGs in some of the AAV9 vector-dosed animals. At 8 weeks, nerve fiber degeneration was observed in DRGs, with or without neuronal degeneration, and in sciatic nerves of all AAV9 vector-dosed animals. NfL values were higher in AAV9 vector-treated animals at weeks 4 and 8 compared with controls. However, there were no significant differences in the three functional endpoints evaluated between the AAV9 vector- and vehicle-dosed animals, or in a longitudinal comparison between baseline (predose), 4, and 8 week values in the AAV9 vector-dose animals. These findings demonstrate that there is no detectable functional consequence to the minimal-to-moderate neurodegeneration observed with our AAV9 vector treatment in rats, suggesting a functional tolerance or reserve for loss of DRG neurons after systemic administration of AAV9 vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Tyszkiewicz
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Seo-Kyoung Hwang
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jamie K DaSilva
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Ramesh C Kovi
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kelly A Fader
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Madhu P Sirivelu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - June Liu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Chris Somps
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jon Cook
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Chang-Ning Liu
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA.
| | - Helen Wang
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Singh S, Pandey AK, Malemnganba T, Prajapati VK. Technological advancements in viral vector designing and optimization for therapeutic applications. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 139:57-87. [PMID: 38448144 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Viral vector engineering is critical to the advancement of several sectors of biotechnology, gene therapy, and vaccine development. These vectors were produced from viruses, were employed to deliver therapeutic genes or to alter biological processes. The potential for viral vectors to improve the precision, safety, and efficiency of therapeutic interventions has boosted their demand. The dynamic interplay between technological advancements and computational tools in establishing the landscape of viral vector engineering and vector optimization for therapeutic reasons is discussed in this chapter. It also emphasizes the importance of in silico techniques in maximizing vector potential for therapeutics and many phases of viral vector engineering, from genomic analysis to computer modelling and advancements to improve precise gene delivery. High-throughput screening propels the expedited process of vector selection, and computational techniques to analyze complex omics data to further enhance vector capabilities have been discussed. As in silico models reveal insights into off-target effects and integration sites, vector safety (biodistribution and toxicity) remains a crucial part and bridges the gap between preclinical and clinical investigations. Despite the limitations, this chapter depicts a future in which technology and computing merge to catapult viral vector therapy into an era of boundless possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
| | - Anurag Kumar Pandey
- College of Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India.
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Singh M, Brooks A, Toofan P, McLuckie K. Selection of appropriate non-clinical animal models to ensure translatability of novel AAV-gene therapies to the clinic. Gene Ther 2024; 31:56-63. [PMID: 37612361 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00417-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Gene Therapy Medicinal Products consist of a recombinant nucleic acid intended for the modulation or manipulation of a genetic sequence. A single administration of a novel gene therapy has the potential to be curative, with a durable long-term benefit to patients. Adeno-associated viral vectors have become the viral vector of choice for in vivo delivery of therapeutic transgenes as they are mildly immunogenic, can effectively transduce a variety of human tissues and cells, and have low levels of genomic integration. Central to the effective translation of data generated in discovery studies to the clinic is the selection of appropriate animal species for pivotal non-clinical studies. This review aims to support the selection of appropriate animal models for non-clinical studies to advance the development of novel adeno-associated virus gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Singh
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, UK.
| | - Andrew Brooks
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
| | - Parto Toofan
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
| | - Keith McLuckie
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, 12th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, UK
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6
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Hahn R, Avraham KB. Gene Therapy for Inherited Hearing Loss: Updates and Remaining Challenges. Audiol Res 2023; 13:952-966. [PMID: 38131808 PMCID: PMC10740825 DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13060083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss stands as the most prevalent sensory deficit among humans, posing a significant global health challenge. Projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 10% of the world's population will grapple with disabling hearing impairment. While approximately half of congenital hearing loss cases have a genetic etiology, traditional interventions such as hearing aids and cochlear implants do not completely restore normal hearing. The absence of biological treatment has prompted significant efforts in recent years, with a strong focus on gene therapy to address hereditary hearing loss. Although several studies have exhibited promising recovery from common forms of genetic deafness in mouse models, existing challenges must be overcome to make gene therapy applicable in the near future. Herein, we summarize the primary gene therapy strategies employed over past years, provide an overview of the recent achievements in preclinical studies for genetic hearing loss, and outline the current key obstacles to cochlear gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen B. Avraham
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
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Szumska J, Grimm D. Boosters for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector (r)evolution. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:254-260. [PMID: 35999132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most exciting and most versatile templates for engineering of gene-delivery vectors for use in human gene therapy, owing to the existence of numerous naturally occurring capsid variants and their amenability to directed molecular evolution. As a result, the field has witnessed an explosion of novel "designer" AAV capsids and ensuing vectors over the last two decades, which have been isolated from comprehensive capsid libraries generated through technologies such as DNA shuffling or peptide display, and stratified under stringent positive and/or negative selection pressures. Here, we briefly highlight a panel of recent, innovative and transformative methodologies that we consider to have exceptional potential to advance directed AAV capsid evolution and to thereby accelerate AAV vector revolution. These avenues comprise original technologies for (i) barcoding and high-throughput screening of individual AAV variants or entire capsid libraries, (ii) selection of transduction-competent AAV vectors on the DNA level, (iii) enrichment of expression-competent AAV variants on the RNA level, as well as (iv) high-resolution stratification of focused AAV capsid libraries on the single-cell level. Together with other emerging AAV engineering stratagems, such as rational design or machine learning, these pioneering techniques promise to provide an urgently needed booster for AAV (r)evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szumska
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant Center and Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant Center and Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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8
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Dreismann AK, Hallam TM, Tam LC, Nguyen CV, Hughes JP, Ellis S, Harris CL. Gene targeting as a therapeutic avenue in diseases mediated by the complement alternative pathway. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:402-419. [PMID: 36369963 PMCID: PMC10099504 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The complement alternative pathway (AP) is implicated in numerous diseases affecting many organs, ranging from the rare hematological disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), to the common blinding disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Critically, the AP amplifies any activating trigger driving a downstream inflammatory response; thus, components of the pathway have become targets for drugs of varying modality. Recent validation from clinical trials using drug modalities such as inhibitory antibodies has paved the path for gene targeting of the AP or downstream effectors. Gene targeting in the complement field currently focuses on supplementation or suppression of complement regulators in AMD and PNH, largely because the eye and liver are highly amenable to drug delivery through local (eye) or systemic (liver) routes. Targeting the liver could facilitate treatment of numerous diseases as this organ generates most of the systemic complement pool. This review explains key concepts of RNA and DNA targeting and discusses assets in clinical development for the treatment of diseases driven by the alternative pathway, including the RNA-targeting therapeutics ALN-CC5, ARO-C3, and IONIS-FB-LRX, and the gene therapies GT005 and HMR59. These therapies are but the spearhead of potential drug candidates that might revolutionize the field in coming years.
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Liu Q, Wu Y, Wang H, Jia F, Xu F. Viral Tools for Neural Circuit Tracing. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:1508-1518. [PMID: 36136267 PMCID: PMC9723069 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00949-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits provide an anatomical basis for functional networks. Therefore, dissecting the structure of neural circuits is essential to understanding how the brain works. Recombinant neurotropic viruses are important tools for neural circuit tracing with many advantages over non-viral tracers: they allow for anterograde, retrograde, and trans-synaptic delivery of tracers in a cell type-specific, circuit-selective manner. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in the viral tools for neural circuit tracing, discuss the key principles of using viral tools in neuroscience research, and highlight innovations for developing and optimizing viral tools for neural circuit tracing across diverse animal species, including nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huadong Wang
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fan Jia
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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El Andari J, Renaud-Gabardos E, Tulalamba W, Weinmann J, Mangin L, Pham QH, Hille S, Bennett A, Attebi E, Bourges E, Leborgne C, Guerchet N, Fakhiri J, Krämer C, Wiedtke E, McKenna R, Guianvarc’h L, Toueille M, Ronzitti G, Hebben M, Mingozzi F, VandenDriessche T, Agbandje-McKenna M, Müller OJ, Chuah MK, Buj-Bello A, Grimm D. Semirational bioengineering of AAV vectors with increased potency and specificity for systemic gene therapy of muscle disorders. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn4704. [PMID: 36129972 PMCID: PMC9491714 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Bioengineering of viral vectors for therapeutic gene delivery is a pivotal strategy to reduce doses, facilitate manufacturing, and improve efficacy and patient safety. Here, we engineered myotropic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors via a semirational, combinatorial approach that merges AAV capsid and peptide library screens. We first identified shuffled AAVs with increased specificity in the murine skeletal muscle, diaphragm, and heart, concurrent with liver detargeting. Next, we boosted muscle specificity by displaying a myotropic peptide on the capsid surface. In a mouse model of X-linked myotubular myopathy, the best vectors-AAVMYO2 and AAVMYO3-prolonged survival, corrected growth, restored strength, and ameliorated muscle fiber size and centronucleation. In a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, our lead capsid induced robust microdystrophin expression and improved muscle function. Our pipeline is compatible with complementary AAV genome bioengineering strategies, as demonstrated here with two promoters, and could benefit many clinical applications beyond muscle gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad El Andari
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edith Renaud-Gabardos
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Louise Mangin
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Susanne Hille
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Antonette Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | - Julia Fakhiri
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chiara Krämer
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mavis Agbandje-McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Oliver J. Müller
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ana Buj-Bello
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Becker J, Fakhiri J, Grimm D. Fantastic AAV Gene Therapy Vectors and How to Find Them—Random Diversification, Rational Design and Machine Learning. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070756. [PMID: 35890005 PMCID: PMC9318892 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses are a diverse family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect a wide variety of species, tissues and cell types. For over half a century, their intriguing biology and pathophysiology has fueled intensive research aimed at dissecting the underlying viral and cellular mechanisms. Concurrently, their broad host specificity (tropism) has motivated efforts to develop parvoviruses as gene delivery vectors for human cancer or gene therapy applications. While the sum of preclinical and clinical data consistently demonstrates the great potential of these vectors, these findings also illustrate the importance of enhancing and restricting in vivo transgene expression in desired cell types. To this end, major progress has been made especially with vectors based on Adeno-associated virus (AAV), whose capsid is highly amenable to bioengineering, repurposing and expansion of its natural tropism. Here, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art approaches to create new AAV variants with higher specificity and efficiency of gene transfer in on-target cells. We first review traditional and novel directed evolution approaches, including high-throughput screening of AAV capsid libraries. Next, we discuss programmable receptor-mediated targeting with a focus on two recent technologies that utilize high-affinity binders. Finally, we highlight one of the latest stratagems for rational AAV vector characterization and optimization, namely, machine learning, which promises to facilitate and accelerate the identification of next-generation, safe and precise gene delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Becker
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Fakhiri
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
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12
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Becker J, Stanifer ML, Leist SR, Stolp B, Maiakovska O, West A, Wiedtke E, Börner K, Ghanem A, Ambiel I, Tse LV, Fackler OT, Baric RS, Boulant S, Grimm D. Ex vivo and in vivo suppression of SARS-CoV-2 with combinatorial AAV/RNAi expression vectors. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2005-2023. [PMID: 35038579 PMCID: PMC8758558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite rapid development and deployment of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), clinically relevant modalities to curb the pandemic by directly attacking the virus on a genetic level remain highly desirable and are urgently needed. Here we comprehensively illustrate the capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors co-expressing a cocktail of three short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs; RNAi triggers) directed against the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and N genes as versatile and effective antiviral agents. In cultured monkey cells and human gut organoids, our most potent vector, SAVIOR (SARS virus repressor), suppressed SARS-CoV-2 infection to background levels. Strikingly, in control experiments using single shRNAs, multiple SARS-CoV-2 escape mutants quickly emerged from infected cells within 24-48 h. Importantly, such adverse viral adaptation was fully prevented with the triple-shRNA AAV vector even during long-term cultivation. In addition, AAV-SAVIOR efficiently purged SARS-CoV-2 in a new model of chronically infected human intestinal cells. Finally, intranasal AAV-SAVIOR delivery using an AAV9 capsid moderately diminished viral loads and/or alleviated disease symptoms in hACE2-transgenic or wild-type mice infected with human or mouse SARS-CoV-2 strains, respectively. Our combinatorial and customizable AAV/RNAi vector complements ongoing global efforts to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and holds great potential for clinical translation as an original and flexible preventive or therapeutic antiviral measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Becker
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Megan Lynn Stanifer
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Molecular Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Sarah Rebecca Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, 3304 Michael Hooker Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bettina Stolp
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Integrative Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olena Maiakovska
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, 3304 Michael Hooker Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathleen Börner
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ali Ghanem
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Ambiel
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, 3304 Michael Hooker Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Longping Victor Tse
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, 3304 Michael Hooker Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Oliver Till Fackler
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Integrative Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Steven Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, 3304 Michael Hooker Research Building, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, BioQuant BQ0030, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Induction of Hepatitis E Virus Anti-ORF3 Antibodies from Systemic Administration of a Muscle-Specific Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vector. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020266. [PMID: 35215859 PMCID: PMC8878420 DOI: 10.3390/v14020266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major global health problem, leading to large outbreaks in the developing world and chronic infections in the developed world. HEV is a non-enveloped virus, which circulates in the blood in a quasi-enveloped form. The quasi-envelope protects HEV particles from neutralising anti-capsid antibodies in the serum; however, most vaccine approaches are designed to induce an immune response against the HEV capsid. In this study, we explored systemic in vivo administration of a novel synthetic and myotropic Adeno-associated virus vector (AAVMYO3) to express the small HEV phosphoprotein ORF3 (found on quasi-enveloped HEV) in the musculature of mice, resulting in the robust and dose-dependent formation of anti-ORF3 antibodies. Neutralisation assays using the serum of ORF3 AAV-transduced mice showed a modest inhibitory effect on the infection of quasi-enveloped HEV in vivo, comparable to previously characterised anti-ORF3 antibodies used as a control. The novel AAVMYO3 capsid used in this study can serve as a versatile platform for the continued development of vector-based vaccines against HEV and other infectious agents, which could complement traditional vaccines akin to the current positive experience with SARS-CoV-2.
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14
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Kremer LP, Cerrizuela S, Dehler S, Stiehl T, Weinmann J, Abendroth H, Kleber S, Laure A, El Andari J, Anders S, Marciniak-Czochra A, Grimm D, Martin-Villalba A. High throughput screening of novel AAV capsids identifies variants for transduction of adult NSCs within the subventricular zone. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:33-50. [PMID: 34553001 PMCID: PMC8427210 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The adult mammalian brain entails a reservoir of neural stem cells (NSCs) generating glial cells and neurons. However, NSCs become increasingly quiescent with age, which hampers their regenerative capacity. New means are therefore required to genetically modify adult NSCs for re-enabling endogenous brain repair. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are ideal gene-therapy vectors due to an excellent safety profile and high transduction efficiency. We thus conducted a high-throughput screening of 177 intraventricularly injected barcoded AAV variants profiled by RNA sequencing. Quantification of barcoded AAV mRNAs identified two synthetic capsids, peptide-modified derivative of wild-type AAV9 (AAV9_A2) and peptide-modified derivative of wild-type AAV1 (AAV1_P5), both of which transduce active and quiescent NSCs. Further optimization of AAV1_P5 by judicious selection of the promoter and dose of injected viral genomes enabled labeling of 30%–60% of the NSC compartment, which was validated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses and single-cell RNA sequencing. Importantly, transduced NSCs readily produced neurons. The present study identifies AAV variants with a high regional tropism toward the ventricular-subventricular zone (v-SVZ) with high efficiency in targeting adult NSCs, thereby paving the way for preclinical testing of regenerative gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas P.M. Kremer
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Santiago Cerrizuela
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Dehler
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stiehl
- Institute of Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing and BioQuant, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Abendroth
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kleber
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Laure
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Anders
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Marciniak-Czochra
- Institute of Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing and BioQuant, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ana Martin-Villalba
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Corresponding author: Ana Martin-Villalba, Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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15
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Fakhiri J, Grimm D. Best of most possible worlds: Hybrid gene therapy vectors based on parvoviruses and heterologous viruses. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3359-3382. [PMID: 33831556 PMCID: PMC8636155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses and especially the adeno-associated virus (AAV) species provide an exciting and versatile platform for the rational design or molecular evolution of human gene-therapy vectors, documented by literature from over half a century, hundreds of clinical trials, and the recent commercialization of multiple AAV gene therapeutics. For the last three decades, the power of these vectors has been further potentiated through various types of hybrid vectors created by intra- or inter-genus juxtaposition of viral DNA and protein cis elements or by synergistic complementation of parvoviral features with those of heterologous, prokaryotic, or eukaryotic viruses. Here, we provide an overview of the history and promise of this rapidly expanding field of hybrid parvoviral gene-therapy vectors, starting with early generations of chimeric particles composed of a recombinant AAV genome encapsidated in shells of synthetic AAVs or of adeno-, herpes-, baculo-, or protoparvoviruses. We then dedicate our attention to two newer, highly promising types of hybrid vectors created via (1) pseudotyping of AAV genomes with bocaviral serotypes and capsid mutants or (2) packaging of AAV DNA into, or tethering of entire vector particles to, bacteriophages. Finally, we conclude with an outlook summarizing critical requirements and improvements toward clinical translation of these original concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fakhiri
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Rapti K, Grimm D. Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV) and Host Immunity - A Race Between the Hare and the Hedgehog. Front Immunol 2021; 12:753467. [PMID: 34777364 PMCID: PMC8586419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.753467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have emerged as the lead vector in clinical trials and form the basis for several approved gene therapies for human diseases, mainly owing to their ability to sustain robust and long-term in vivo transgene expression, their amenability to genetic engineering of cargo and capsid, as well as their moderate toxicity and immunogenicity. Still, recent reports of fatalities in a clinical trial for a neuromuscular disease, although linked to an exceptionally high vector dose, have raised new caution about the safety of recombinant AAVs. Moreover, concerns linger about the presence of pre-existing anti-AAV antibodies in the human population, which precludes a significant percentage of patients from receiving, and benefitting from, AAV gene therapies. These concerns are exacerbated by observations of cellular immune responses and other adverse events, including detrimental off-target transgene expression in dorsal root ganglia. Here, we provide an update on our knowledge of the immunological and molecular race between AAV (the “hedgehog”) and its human host (the “hare”), together with a compendium of state-of-the-art technologies which provide an advantage to AAV and which, thus, promise safer and more broadly applicable AAV gene therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kleopatra Rapti
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, BQ0030, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, BQ0030, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Lam AK, Frabutt D, Li L, Xiao W. Chemical Modifications of the Capsid for Redirecting and Improving the Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1433-1438. [PMID: 34254844 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-directed gene therapy is one of the most exciting modalities of biotechnology as more applications enter clinical stage. Although AAV vectors generally feature low toxicity, high stability, and long-lasting transgene expression, potential challenging issues of AAV include high vector dose, limited tissue tropism, and the host immune response and inflammation, which are all related to the capsid protein. To overcome these challenges, various strategies have been developed to engineer AAV capsids. Apart from widely employed genetic engineering of capsid protein, powerful and versatile chemical modification strategies are underexploited. This minireview summarizes recent advances and our perspectives for future direction in AAV capsid chemical modification to enhance its therapeutic use for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh K Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Dylan Frabutt
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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18
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Völkner M, Pavlou M, Büning H, Michalakis S, Karl MO. Optimized Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Efficient Transduction of Human Retinal Organoids. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:694-706. [PMID: 33752467 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The most widely used vectors for gene delivery in the retina are recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors. They have proven to be safe and effective in retinal gene therapy studies aimed to treat inherited retinal dystrophies, although with various limitations in transduction efficiency. Novel variants with modified capsid sequences have been engineered to improve transduction and overcome limitations of naturally occurring variants. Although preclinical evaluation of rAAV vectors based on such novel capsids is mostly done in animal models, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived organoids offers an accessible and abundant human testing platform for rAAV evaluation. In this study, we tested the novel capsids, AAV9.GL and AAV9.NN, for their tropism and transduction efficiency in hiPSC-derived human retinal organoids (HROs) with all major neuronal and glial cell types in a laminated structure. These variants are based on the AAV9 capsid and were engineered to display specific surface-exposed peptide sequences, previously shown to improve the retinal transduction properties in the context of AAV2. To this end, HROs were transduced with increasing concentrations of rAAV9, rAAV9.GL, or rAAV9.NN carrying a self-complementary genome with a cytomegalovirus-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) cassette and were monitored for eGFP expression. The rAAV vectors transduced HROs in a dose-dependent manner, with rAAV9.NN achieving the highest efficiency and fastest onset kinetics, leading to detectable eGFP signals in photoreceptors, some interneurons, and Müller glia already at 2 days post-transduction. The potency-enhancing effect of the NN peptide insert was replicated when using the corresponding AAV2-based version (rAAV2.NN). Taken together, we report the application of an HRO system for screening novel AAV vectors and introduce novel vector candidates with enhanced transduction efficiency for human retinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Völkner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marina Pavlou
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy-Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy-Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany.,CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,TU Dresden, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
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19
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Koblan LW, Erdos MR, Gordon LB, Collins FS, Brown JD, Liu DR. Base editor treats progeria in mice. Nature 2021:10.1038/d41586-021-01114-8. [PMID: 34285403 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-021-01114-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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20
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Shen L, Estrada AH, Meurs KM, Sleeper M, Vulpe C, Martyniuk CJ, Pacak CA. A review of the underlying genetics and emerging therapies for canine cardiomyopathies. J Vet Cardiol 2021; 40:2-14. [PMID: 34147413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2021.05.003] [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: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies such as dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are common in large breed dogs and carry an overall poor prognosis. Research shows that these diseases have strong breed predilections, and selective breeding has historically been recommended to reduce the disease prevalence in affected breeds. Treatment of these diseases is typically palliative and aimed at slowing disease progression and managing clinical signs of heart failure as they develop. The discovery of specific genetic mutations underlying cardiomyopathies, such as the striatin mutation in Boxer arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and titin mutations in Doberman Pinschers, has strengthened our ability to screen and selectively breed individuals in an attempt to produce unaffected offspring. The discovery of these disease-linked mutations has also opened avenues for the development of gene therapies, including gene transfer and genome-editing approaches. This review article discusses the known genetics of cardiomyopathies in dogs, reviews existing gene therapy strategies and the status of their development in canines, and discusses ongoing challenges in the clinical translation of these technologies for treating heart disease. While challenges remain in using these emerging technologies, the exponential growth of the gene therapy field holds great promise for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shen
- Program for Applied Research and Development in Genomic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - A H Estrada
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - K M Meurs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - M Sleeper
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - C Vulpe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32603, USA
| | - C J Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 1333 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32603, USA
| | - C A Pacak
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 516 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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21
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Wu Y, Han Z, Duan M, Jiang L, Tian T, Jin D, Wang Q, Xu F. Popularizing Recombinant Baculovirus-derived OneBac System for Laboratory Production of all Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Vector Serotypes. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 21:167-176. [PMID: 33461466 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666210118111657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has been widely used as an efficient transgenic vector in biomedical research, as well as gene therapy. Serotype-associated transduction efficiency, tissue- or cell-type tropism and immunological profile are major considerations in the various applications of rAAVs. There are increasing needs for different serotypes of rAAV, either naturally isolated or artificially engineered. However, affordable and scalable production of a desired serotype of rAAV remains very difficult, especially for researchers lacking relevant experience. OBJECTIVE On the basis of our previously established single recombinant baculovirus expression vector (BEV)-derived OneBac system, we have optimized the process and expanded the rAAV production range to the full range of serotypes rAAV1-13. METHODS Firstly, the AAV Cap gene was optimized to translate by ribosome leaky scanning and the gene of interest (GOI) was cloned into the pFD/Cap-(ITR-GOI)-Rep2 shuttle plasmid. Following the classical Bac-to-Bac method, sufficient BEV stock containing all rAAV packaging elements can be quickly obtained. Finally, we can repeatedly scale up the production of rAAVs in one week by using a single BEV to infect suspension-cultured Sf9 cells. The rAAV1-13 shows relatively high yields ranging from 5×104 to 4×105 VG/cell. More than 1×1015 VG purified rAAVs can be easily obtained from 5 L suspension-cultured Sf9 cells. RESULTS As expected, rAAV serotypes 1-13 show different potencies for in vitro transduction and cell-type tropisms. CONCLUSION In summary, the single BEV-derived OneBac system should prove popular for laboratory scaling-up production of any serotype of rAAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zengpeng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Mingzhu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liangyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tiantian Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dingyu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qitian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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22
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Marques AD, Kummer M, Kondratov O, Banerjee A, Moskalenko O, Zolotukhin S. Applying machine learning to predict viral assembly for adeno-associated virus capsid libraries. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 20:276-286. [PMID: 33511242 PMCID: PMC7809249 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) can aid in novel discoveries in the field of viral gene therapy. Specifically, big data gathered through next-generation sequencing (NGS) of complex capsid libraries is an especially prominent source of lost potential in data analysis and prediction. Furthermore, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based capsid libraries are becoming increasingly popular as a tool to select candidates for gene therapy vectors. These higher complexity AAV capsid libraries have previously been created and selected in vivo; however, in silico analysis using ML computer algorithms may augment smarter and more robust libraries for selection. In this study, data of AAV capsid libraries gathered before and after viral assembly are used to train ML algorithms. We found that two ML computer algorithms, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and support vector machines (SVMs), can be trained to predict whether unknown capsid variants may assemble into viable virus-like structures. Using the most accurate models constructed, hypothetical mutation patterns in library construction were simulated to suggest the importance of N495, G546, and I554 in AAV2-derived capsids. Finally, two comparative libraries were generated using ML-derived data to biologically validate these findings and demonstrate the predictive power of ML in vector design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Marques
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Michael Kummer
- Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kondratov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Arunava Banerjee
- Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Oleksandr Moskalenko
- University of Florida Research Computing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
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23
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Current Status and Challenges Associated with CNS-Targeted Gene Delivery across the BBB. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12121216. [PMID: 33334049 PMCID: PMC7765480 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The era of the aging society has arrived, and this is accompanied by an increase in the absolute numbers of patients with neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Such neurological disorders are serious costly diseases that have a significant impact on society, both globally and socially. Gene therapy has great promise for the treatment of neurological disorders, but only a few gene therapy drugs are currently available. Delivery to the brain is the biggest hurdle in developing new drugs for the central nervous system (CNS) diseases and this is especially true in the case of gene delivery. Nanotechnologies such as viral and non-viral vectors allow efficient brain-targeted gene delivery systems to be created. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of the current status of the development of successful drug delivery to the CNS for the treatment of CNS-related disorders especially by gene therapy. We mainly address three aspects of this situation: (1) blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions; (2) adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, currently the most advanced gene delivery vector; (3) non-viral brain targeting by non-invasive methods.
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24
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Lugin ML, Lee RT, Kwon YJ. Synthetically Engineered Adeno-Associated Virus for Efficient, Safe, and Versatile Gene Therapy Applications. ACS NANO 2020; 14:14262-14283. [PMID: 33073995 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy directly targets mutations causing disease, allowing for a specific treatment at a molecular level. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been of increasing interest as a gene delivery vehicle, as AAV vectors are safe, effective, and capable of eliciting a relatively contained immune response. With the recent FDA approval of two AAV drugs for treating rare genetic diseases, AAV vectors are now on the market and are being further explored for other therapies. While showing promise in immune privileged tissue, the use of AAV for systemic delivery is still limited due to the high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). To avoid nAb-mediated inactivation, engineered AAV vectors with modified protein capsids, materials tethered to the capsid surface, or fully encapsulated in a second, larger carrier have been explored. Many of these engineered AAVs have added benefits, including avoided immune response, overcoming the genome size limit, targeted and stimuli-responsive delivery, and multimodal therapy of two or more therapeutic modalities in one platform. Native and engineered AAV vectors have been tested to treat a broad range of diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, retinal diseases, cancers, and tissue damage. This review will cover the benefits of AAV as a promising gene vector by itself, the progress and advantages of engineered AAV vectors, particularly synthetically engineered ones, and the current state of their clinical translation in therapy.
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25
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Sano H, Kobayashi K, Yoshioka N, Takebayashi H, Nambu A. Retrograde gene transfer into neural pathways mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-AAV receptor interaction. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 345:108887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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26
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Weinmann J, Weis S, Sippel J, Tulalamba W, Remes A, El Andari J, Herrmann AK, Pham QH, Borowski C, Hille S, Schönberger T, Frey N, Lenter M, VandenDriessche T, Müller OJ, Chuah MK, Lamla T, Grimm D. Identification of a myotropic AAV by massively parallel in vivo evaluation of barcoded capsid variants. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5432. [PMID: 33116134 PMCID: PMC7595228 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19230-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) forms the basis for several commercial gene therapy products and for countless gene transfer vectors derived from natural or synthetic viral isolates that are under intense preclinical evaluation. Here, we report a versatile pipeline that enables the direct side-by-side comparison of pre-selected AAV capsids in high-throughput and in the same animal, by combining DNA/RNA barcoding with multiplexed next-generation sequencing. For validation, we create three independent libraries comprising 183 different AAV variants including widely used benchmarks and screened them in all major tissues in adult mice. Thereby, we discover a peptide-displaying AAV9 mutant called AAVMYO that exhibits superior efficiency and specificity in the musculature including skeletal muscle, heart and diaphragm following peripheral delivery, and that holds great potential for muscle gene therapy. Our comprehensive methodology is compatible with any capsids, targets and species, and will thus facilitate and accelerate the stratification of optimal AAV vectors for human gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus is the basis of many gene therapies and gene transfer vectors. Here the authors report a pipeline to enable side-by-side comparison of pre-selected capsids in a high throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Weinmann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Weis
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josefine Sippel
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anca Remes
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Herrmann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Quang H Pham
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christopher Borowski
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanne Hille
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Lenter
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,University of Leuven, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Oliver J Müller
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,University of Leuven, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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27
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Tang Q, Keeler AM, Zhang S, Su Q, Lyu Z, Cheng Y, Gao G, Flotte TR. Two-Plasmid Packaging System for Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus. Biores Open Access 2020; 9:219-228. [PMID: 33117614 PMCID: PMC7590824 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2020.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of packaging systems are available for production of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors (rAAVs). Among these, the use of a two-plasmid cotransfection system, in which Rep and Cap genes and Ad helper genes are on the same plasmid, has not been frequently employed for good manufacturing practices (GMP) production, even though it presents some practical advantages over the common three-plasmid (triple) transfection method. To confirm and expand the utility of the two-plasmid system, we generated GMP-compatible versions of this system and used those package reporter genes in multiple capsid variants in direct comparison with triple transfection. Vector yields, purity, and empty-to-full ratios were comparable between double and triple transfection methods for all capsid variants tested. We performed an in vivo side-by-side comparison of double and triple transfection vectors following both intravenous injection and intramuscular injection in mice. Expression and transduction were evaluated in muscle and liver 4 weeks after injection. Additional studies of bioactivity were conducted in vivo using packaged vectors carrying a variety of cargos, including the therapeutic transgene, microRNA, and single- or double-stranded vector. Results showed that cargos packaged using double transfection were equivalently bioactive to those packaged using a triple transfection system. In conclusion, these data suggest the utility of midrange (1E12-1E16) GMP-compatible packaging of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for several AAV capsids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allison M. Keeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Songbo Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qin Su
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhuoyao Lyu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiology Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence R. Flotte
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiology Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Breaking the sound barrier: Towards next-generation AAV vectors for gene therapy of hearing disorders. Hear Res 2020; 413:108092. [PMID: 33268240 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.108092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the advances in transgenic animal technology and the advent of the next-generation sequencing era, over 120 genes causing hereditary hearing loss have been identified by now. In parallel, the field of human gene therapy continues to make exciting and rapid progress, culminating in the recent approval of several ex vivo and in vivo applications. Despite these encouraging developments and the growing interest in causative treatments for hearing disorders, gene therapeutic interventions in the inner ear remain in their infancy and await clinical translation. This review focuses on the adeno-associated virus (AAV), which nowadays represents one of the safest and most promising vectors in gene therapy. We first provide an overview of AAV biology and outline the principles of therapeutic gene transfer with recombinant AAV vectors, before pointing out major challenges and solutions for clinical translation including vector manufacturing and species translatability. Finally, we highlight seminal technologies for engineering and selection of next-generation "designer" AAV capsids, and illustrate their power and potential with recent examples of their application for inner ear gene transfer in animals.
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29
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El Andari J, Grimm D. Production, Processing, and Characterization of Synthetic AAV Gene Therapy Vectors. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000025. [PMID: 32975881 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, gene therapy vectors based on wild-type Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are safe and efficacious in numerous clinical trials and are translated into three approved gene therapy products. Concomitantly, a large body of preclinical work has illustrated the power and potential of engineered synthetic AAV capsids that often excel in terms of an organ or cell specificity, the efficiency of in vitro or in vivo gene transfer, and/or reactivity with anti-AAV immune responses. In turn, this has created a demand for new, scalable, easy-to-implement, and plug-and-play platform processes that are compatible with the rapidly increasing range of AAV capsid variants. Here, the focus is on recent advances in methodologies for downstream processing and characterization of natural or synthetic AAV vectors, comprising different chromatography techniques and thermostability measurements. To illustrate the breadth of this portfolio, two chimeric capsids are used as representative examples that are derived through forward- or backwards-directed molecular evolution, namely, AAV-DJ and Anc80. Collectively, this ever-expanding arsenal of technologies promises to facilitate the development of the next AAV vector generation derived from synthetic capsids and to accelerate their manufacturing, and to thus boost the field of human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad El Andari
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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30
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Biswas M, Marsic D, Li N, Zou C, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Zolotukhin I, Kumar SRP, Rana J, Butterfield JSS, Kondratov O, de Jong YP, Herzog RW, Zolotukhin S. Engineering and In Vitro Selection of a Novel AAV3B Variant with High Hepatocyte Tropism and Reduced Seroreactivity. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 19:347-361. [PMID: 33145371 PMCID: PMC7591349 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Limitations to successful gene therapy with adeno-associated virus (AAV) can comprise pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to the vector capsid that can block cellular entry, or inefficient transduction of target cells that can lead to sub-optimal expression of the therapeutic transgene. Recombinant serotype 3 AAV (AAV3) is an emerging candidate for liver-directed gene therapy. In this study, we integrated rational design by using a combinatorial library derived from AAV3B capsids with directed evolution by in vitro selection for liver-targeted AAV variants. The AAV3B-DE5 variant described herein was undetectable in the original viral library but gained a selective advantage upon in vitro passaging in human hepatocarcinoma spheroid cultures. AAV3B-DE5 contains 24 capsid amino acid substitutions compared with AAV3B, distributed among all five variable regions, with strong selective pressure on VR-IV, VR-V, and VR-VII. In vivo, AAV3B-DE5 demonstrated improved human hepatocyte tropism in a liver chimeric mouse model. Importantly, this variant exhibited reduced seroreactivity to human intravenous immunoglobulin (i.v. Ig), as well as individual serum samples from 100 healthy human donors. Therefore, molecular evolution using a combinatorial library platform generated a viral capsid with high hepatocyte tropism and enhanced evasion of pre-existing AAV neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Damien Marsic
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Porton Biologics, Building 3, Ascendas Park, No. 388 Xinping Street, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu 215021, China
| | - Ning Li
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chenhui Zou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Irene Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - John S S Butterfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kondratov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ype P de Jong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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31
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Ogden PJ, Kelsic ED, Sinai S, Church GM. Comprehensive AAV capsid fitness landscape reveals a viral gene and enables machine-guided design. Science 2020; 366:1139-1143. [PMID: 31780559 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw2900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids can deliver transformative gene therapies, but our understanding of AAV biology remains incomplete. We generated the complete first-order AAV2 capsid fitness landscape, characterizing all single-codon substitutions, insertions, and deletions across multiple functions relevant for in vivo delivery. We discovered a frameshifted gene in the VP1 region that expresses a membrane-associated accessory protein that limits AAV production through competitive exclusion. Mutant biodistribution revealed the importance of both surface-exposed and buried residues, with a few phenotypic profiles characterizing most variants. Finally, we algorithmically designed and experimentally verified a diverse in vivo targeted capsid library with viability far exceeding random mutagenesis approaches. These results demonstrate the power of systematic mutagenesis for deciphering complex genomes and the potential of empirical machine-guided protein engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierce J Ogden
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biomedically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Harvard Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric D Kelsic
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Wyss Institute for Biomedically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sam Sinai
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biomedically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - George M Church
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Wyss Institute for Biomedically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Harvard Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Dyno Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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32
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Pre-arrayed Pan-AAV Peptide Display Libraries for Rapid Single-Round Screening. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1016-1032. [PMID: 32105604 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Display of short peptides on the surface of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) is a powerful technology for the generation of gene therapy vectors with altered cell specificities and/or transduction efficiencies. Following its extensive prior use in the best characterized AAV serotype 2 (AAV2), recent reports also indicate the potential of other AAV isolates as scaffolds for peptide display. In this study, we systematically explored the respective capacities of 13 different AAV capsid variants to tolerate 27 peptides inserted on the surface followed by production of reporter-encoding vectors. Single-round screening in pre-arrayed 96-well plates permitted rapid and simple identification of superior vectors in >90 cell types, including T cells and primary cells. Notably, vector performance depended not only on the combination of capsid, peptide, and cell type, but also on the position of the inserted peptide and the nature of flanking residues. For optimal data availability and accessibility, all results were assembled in a searchable online database offering multiple output styles. Finally, we established a reverse-transduction pipeline based on vector pre-spotting in 96- or 384-well plates that facilitates high-throughput library panning. Our comprehensive illustration of the vast potential of alternative AAV capsids for peptide display should accelerate their in vivo screening and application as unique gene therapy vectors.
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33
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Ginn SL, Amaya AK, Liao SHY, Zhu E, Cunningham SC, Lee M, Hallwirth CV, Logan GJ, Tay SS, Cesare AJ, Pickett HA, Grompe M, Dilworth K, Lisowski L, Alexander IE. Efficient in vivo editing of OTC-deficient patient-derived primary human hepatocytes. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100065. [PMID: 32039406 PMCID: PMC7005564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2019.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Genome editing technology has immense therapeutic potential and is likely to rapidly supplant contemporary gene addition approaches. Key advantages include the capacity to directly repair mutant loci with resultant recovery of physiological gene expression and maintenance of durable therapeutic effects in replicating cells. In this study, we aimed to repair a disease-causing point mutation in the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) locus in patient-derived primary human hepatocytes in vivo at therapeutically relevant levels. Methods Editing reagents for precise CRISPR/SaCas9-mediated cleavage and homology-directed repair (HDR) of the human OTC locus were first evaluated against an OTC minigene cassette transposed into the mouse liver. The editing efficacy of these reagents was then tested on the native OTC locus in patient-derived primary human hepatocytes xenografted into the FRG (Fah-/-Rag2-/-Il2rg-/-) mouse liver. A highly human hepatotropic capsid (NP59) was used for adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer. Editing events were characterised using next-generation sequencing and restoration of OTC expression was evaluated using immunofluorescence. Results Following AAV-mediated delivery of editing reagents to patient-derived primary human hepatocytes in vivo, OTC locus-specific cleavage was achieved at efficiencies of up to 72%. Importantly, successful editing was observed in up to 29% of OTC alleles at clinically relevant vector doses. No off-target editing events were observed at the top 10 in silico-predicted sites in the genome. Conclusions We report efficient single-nucleotide correction of a disease-causing mutation in the OTC locus in patient-derived primary human hepatocytes in vivo at levels that, if recapitulated in the clinic, would provide benefit for even the most therapeutically challenging liver disorders. Key challenges for clinical translation include the cell cycle dependence of classical HDR and mitigation of unintended on- and off-target editing events. Lay summary The ability to efficiently and safely correct disease-causing mutations remains the holy grail of gene therapy. Herein, we demonstrate, for the first time, efficient in vivo correction of a patient-specific disease-causing mutation in the OTC gene in primary human hepatocytes, using therapeutically relevant vector doses. We also highlight the challenges that need to be overcome for this technology to be translated into clinical practice. Therapeutically relevant levels of single-nucleotide repair of the human OTC locus were achieved in vivo. Single-nucleotide editing of primary human hepatocytes was facilitated by a highly hepatotropic bioengineered AAV capsid. A novel human minigene platform proved highly effective for evaluation of human liver-specific genome editing reagents.
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Key Words
- 7 NGS, next-generation sequencing
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- BrdU, bromodeoxyuridine
- CRISPR-Cas9
- FRG, Fah-/-Rag2-/-Il2rg-/-
- HDR, homology-directed repair
- ITR, inverted terminal repeats
- InDels, insertions and deletions
- LSP1, liver-specific promoter
- NHEJ, non-homologous end joining
- NP59 capsid
- OTC deficiency
- PAM, protospacer adjacent motif
- PRE, mutant form of the Woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element
- RTA, Real Time Analysis
- SV40 pA, SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence
- SaCas9, Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 nuclease
- TBG, human thyroxine binding globulin promoter
- U6, RNA polymerase III promoter for human U6 snRNA
- WT, wild-type
- genome editing
- homology-directed repair
- humanised FRG mice
- pA, bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal sequence
- primary human hepatocytes
- rAAV, recombinant adeno-associated virus
- recombinant AAV
- sgRNA, single guide RNA
- synthetic capsid
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Ginn
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Anais K Amaya
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Sophia H Y Liao
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Sharon C Cunningham
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Michael Lee
- Telomere Length Regulation Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Claus V Hallwirth
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Grant J Logan
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Szun S Tay
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Anthony J Cesare
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Markus Grompe
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Kimberley Dilworth
- Translational Vectorology Group and Vector & Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Group and Vector & Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.,Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pulway, Poland
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
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Abstract
Initially discovered as a contaminant of adenovirus preparations, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has proved one of the most promising viral vectors for human gene therapy. The safety profile of AAV has been well-characterized in vivo studies, and the first gene therapy for patients with vision loss caused by Leber congenital amaurosis or retinitis pigmentosa was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017. This is an exciting era for investigators working on retina biology and treatments for blindness. In this chapter, we provide detailed methods for laboratory-scale production, purification, and characterization of AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyun Deng
- Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kazuhiro Oka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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35
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Lab-Scale Production of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV) for Expression of Optogenetic Elements. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2173:83-100. [PMID: 32651911 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0755-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Optogenetics, that is, the use of photoswitchable/-activatable moieties to precisely control or monitor the activity of cells and genes at unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, holds tremendous promise for a wide array of applications in fundamental and clinical research. To fully realize and harness this potential, the availability of gene transfer vehicles ("vectors") that are easily produced and that allow to deliver the essential components to desired target cells in an efficient manner is key. For in vivo applications, it is, moreover, important that these vectors exhibit a high degree of cell specificity in order to reduce the risk of adverse side effects in off-targets and to minimize manufacturing costs. Here, we describe a set of basic protocols for the cloning, production, purification, and quality control of a particular vector that can fulfill all these requirements, that is, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV). The latter are very attractive owing to their apathogenicity, their compatibility with the lowest biosafety level 1 conditions, their occurrence in multiple natural variants with distinct properties, and their exceptional amenability to engineering of the viral capsid and genome. The specific procedures reported here complement alternative protocols for AAV production described by others and us before, and, together, should enable any laboratory to generate these vectors on a small-to-medium scale for ex vivo or in vivo expression of optogenetic elements.
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36
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Maurer AC, Pacouret S, Cepeda Diaz AK, Blake J, Andres-Mateos E, Vandenberghe LH. The Assembly-Activating Protein Promotes Stability and Interactions between AAV's Viral Proteins to Nucleate Capsid Assembly. Cell Rep 2019; 23:1817-1830. [PMID: 29742436 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is a preferred delivery platform for in vivo gene therapy. Natural and engineered variations of the AAV capsid affect a plurality of phenotypes relevant to gene therapy, including vector production and host tropism. Fundamental to these aspects is the mechanism of AAV capsid assembly. Here, the role of the viral co-factor assembly-activating protein (AAP) was evaluated in 12 naturally occurring AAVs and 9 putative ancestral capsid intermediates. The results demonstrate increased capsid protein stability and VP-VP interactions in the presence of AAP. The capsid's dependence on AAP can be partly overcome by strengthening interactions between monomers within the assembly, as illustrated by the transfer of a minimal motif defined by a phenotype-to-phylogeny mapping method. These findings suggest that the emergence of AAP within the Dependovirus genus relaxes structural constraints on AAV assembly in favor of increasing the degrees of freedom for the capsid to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Maurer
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Simon Pacouret
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; INSERM UMR 1089, University of Nantes, Nantes University Hospital, 22 Boulevard Benoni Goullin, 44200 Nantes, France
| | - Ana Karla Cepeda Diaz
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jessica Blake
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eva Andres-Mateos
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Luk H Vandenberghe
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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37
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Tulalamba W, Weinmann J, Pham QH, El Andari J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Grimm D. Distinct transduction of muscle tissue in mice after systemic delivery of AAVpo1 vectors. Gene Ther 2019; 27:170-179. [PMID: 31624368 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human musculature is a promising and pivotal target for human gene therapy, owing to numerous diseases that affect this tissue and that are often monogenic, making them amenable to treatment and potentially cure on the genetic level. Particularly attractive would be the possibility to deliver clinically relevant DNA to muscle tissue from a minimally invasive, intravenous vector delivery. To date, this aim has been approximated by the use of Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) of different serotypes (rh.74, 8, 9) that are effective, but unfortunately not specific to the muscle and hence not ideal for use in patients. Here, we have thus studied the muscle tropism and activity of another AAV serotype, AAVpo1, that was previously isolated from pigs and found to efficiently transduce muscle following direct intramuscular injection in mice. The new data reported here substantiate the usefulness of AAVpo1 for muscle gene therapies by showing, for the first time, its ability to robustly transduce all major muscle tissues, including heart and diaphragm, from peripheral infusion. Importantly, in stark contrast to AAV9 that forms the basis for ongoing clinical gene therapy trials in the muscle, AAVpo1 is nearly completely detargeted from the liver, making it a very attractive and potentially safer option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Research Division, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 10700, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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38
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Abstract
In the past 10 years, there has been tremendous progress made in the field of gene therapy. Effective treatments of Leber congenital amaurosis, hemophilia, and spinal muscular atrophy have been largely based on the efficiency and safety of adeno-associated vectors. Myocardial gene therapy has been tested in patients with heart failure using adeno-associated vectors with no safety concerns but lacking clinical improvements. Cardiac gene therapy is adapting to the new developments in vectors, delivery systems, targets, and clinical end points and is poised for success in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyotake Ishikawa
- From the Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Thomas Weber
- From the Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- From the Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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39
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Domenger C, Grimm D. Next-generation AAV vectors—do not judge a virus (only) by its cover. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R3-R14. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRecombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are under intensive investigation in numerous clinical trials after they have emerged as a highly promising vector for human gene therapy. Best exemplifying their power and potential is the authorization of three gene therapy products based on wild-type AAV serotypes, comprising Glybera (AAV1), Luxturna (AAV2) and, most recently, Zolgensma (AAV9). Nonetheless, it has also become evident that the current AAV vector generation will require improvements in transduction potency, antibody evasion and cell/tissue specificity to allow the use of lower and safer vector doses. To this end, others and we devoted substantial previous research to the implementation and application of key technologies for engineering of next-generation viral capsids in a high-throughput ‘top-down’ or (semi-)rational ‘bottom-up’ approach. Here, we describe a set of recent complementary strategies to enhance features of AAV vectors that act on the level of the recombinant cargo. As examples that illustrate the innovative and synergistic concepts that have been reported lately, we highlight (i) novel synthetic enhancers/promoters that provide an unprecedented degree of AAV tissue specificity, (ii) pioneering genetic circuit designs that harness biological (microRNAs) or physical (light) triggers as regulators of AAV gene expression and (iii) new insights into the role of AAV DNA structures on vector genome stability, integrity and functionality. Combined with ongoing capsid engineering and selection efforts, these and other state-of-the-art innovations and investigations promise to accelerate the arrival of the next generation of AAV vectors and to solidify the unique role of this exciting virus in human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Domenger
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
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40
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Berns KI, Srivastava A. Next Generation of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Gene Therapy for Human Liver Diseases. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2019; 48:319-330. [PMID: 31046978 PMCID: PMC6501830 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant vectors based on a nonpathogenic parvovirus, the adeno-associated virus (AAV), have taken center stage in the past decade. The safety of AAV vectors in clinical trials and clinical efficacy in several human diseases are now well documented. Despite these achievements, it is increasingly clear that the full potential of AAV vectors composed of the naturally occurring capsids is unlikely to be realized. This article describes advances that have been made and challenges that remain in the optimal use of AAV vectors in human gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth I. Berns
- Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Road, Room 492-A, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Powell Gene Therapy Center, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Road, Room 492-A, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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41
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Hudry E, Vandenberghe LH. Therapeutic AAV Gene Transfer to the Nervous System: A Clinical Reality. Neuron 2019; 101:839-862. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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42
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Büning H, Srivastava A. Capsid Modifications for Targeting and Improving the Efficacy of AAV Vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 12:248-265. [PMID: 30815511 PMCID: PMC6378346 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, recombinant vectors based on a non-pathogenic parvovirus, the adeno-associated virus (AAV), have taken center stage as a gene delivery vehicle for the potential gene therapy for a number of human diseases. To date, the safety of AAV vectors in 176 phase I, II, and III clinical trials and their efficacy in at least eight human diseases are now firmly documented. Despite these remarkable achievements, it has also become abundantly clear that the full potential of first generation AAV vectors composed of naturally occurring capsids is not likely to be realized, since the wild-type AAV did not evolve for the purpose of therapeutic gene delivery. In this article, we provide a brief historical account of the progress that has been made in the development of capsid-modified, next-generation AAV vectors to ensure both the safety and efficacy of these vectors in targeting a wide variety of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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43
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Herrmann AK, Bender C, Kienle E, Grosse S, El Andari J, Botta J, Schürmann N, Wiedtke E, Niopek D, Grimm D. A Robust and All-Inclusive Pipeline for Shuffling of Adeno-Associated Viruses. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:194-206. [PMID: 30513195 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are attractive templates for engineering of synthetic gene delivery vectors. A particularly powerful technology for breeding of novel vectors with improved properties is DNA family shuffling, i.e., generation of chimeric capsids by homology-driven DNA recombination. Here, to make AAV DNA shuffling available to a wider community, we present a robust experimental and bioinformatical pipeline comprising: (i) standardized and partially codon-optimized plasmids carrying 12 different AAV capsid genes; (ii) a scalable protocol including troubleshooting guide for viral library production; and (iii) the freely available software SALANTO for comprehensive analysis of chimeric AAV DNA and protein sequences. Moreover, we describe a set of 12 premade and ready-to-use AAV libraries. Finally, we demonstrate the usefulness of DNA barcoding technology to trace AAV capsid libraries within a complex mixture. Our protocols and resources facilitate the implementation and tailoring of AAV evolution technology in any laboratory interested in customized viral gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Herrmann
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Christian Bender
- Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, 55131, Germany
| | - Eike Kienle
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Stefanie Grosse
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Julia Botta
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Synthetic Biology Group, Institute for Pharmacy and Biotechnology (IPMB) and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Nina Schürmann
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Dominik Niopek
- Synthetic Biology Group, Institute for Pharmacy and Biotechnology (IPMB) and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
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44
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Fakhiri J, Schneider MA, Puschhof J, Stanifer M, Schildgen V, Holderbach S, Voss Y, El Andari J, Schildgen O, Boulant S, Meister M, Clevers H, Yan Z, Qiu J, Grimm D. Novel Chimeric Gene Therapy Vectors Based on Adeno-Associated Virus and Four Different Mammalian Bocaviruses. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 12:202-222. [PMID: 30766894 PMCID: PMC6360332 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parvoviruses are highly attractive templates for the engineering of safe, efficient, and specific gene therapy vectors, as best exemplified by adeno-associated virus (AAV). Another candidate that currently garners increasing attention is human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1). Notably, HBoV1 capsids can cross-package recombinant (r)AAV2 genomes, yielding rAAV2/HBoV1 chimeras that specifically transduce polarized human airway epithelia (pHAEs). Here, we largely expanded the repertoire of rAAV/BoV chimeras, by assembling packaging plasmids encoding the capsid genes of four additional primate bocaviruses, HBoV2–4 and GBoV (Gorilla BoV). Capsid protein expression and efficient rAAV cross-packaging were validated by immunoblotting and qPCR, respectively. Interestingly, not only HBoV1 but also HBoV4 and GBoV transduced pHAEs as well as primary human lung organoids. Flow cytometry analysis of pHAEs revealed distinct cellular specificities between the BoV isolates, with HBoV1 targeting ciliated, club, and KRT5+ basal cells, whereas HBoV4 showed a preference for KRT5+ basal cells. Surprisingly, primary human hepatocytes, skeletal muscle cells, and T cells were also highly amenable to rAAV/BoV transduction. Finally, we adapted our pipeline for AAV capsid gene shuffling to all five BoV isolates. Collectively, our chimeric rAAV/BoV vectors and bocaviral capsid library represent valuable new resources to dissect BoV biology and to breed unique gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fakhiri
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc A Schneider
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Puschhof
- Hubrecht Institute and Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Megan Stanifer
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Research Group "Cellular Polarity of Viral Infection", German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Schildgen
- Institute for Pathology, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Hospital of the Private University Witten/Herdecke, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Holderbach
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yannik Voss
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schildgen
- Institute for Pathology, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Hospital of the Private University Witten/Herdecke, Cologne, Germany
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Research Group "Cellular Polarity of Viral Infection", German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Meister
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute and Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands.,University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Center for Gene Therapy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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45
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Mole SE, Anderson G, Band HA, Berkovic SF, Cooper JD, Kleine Holthaus SM, McKay TR, Medina DL, Rahim AA, Schulz A, Smith AJ. Clinical challenges and future therapeutic approaches for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Lancet Neurol 2019; 18:107-116. [PMID: 30470609 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(18)30368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, also known as Batten disease, is at the start of a new era because of diagnostic and therapeutic advances relevant to this group of inherited neurodegenerative and life-limiting disorders that affect children. Diagnosis has improved with the use of comprehensive DNA-based tests that simultaneously screen for many genes. The identification of disease-causing mutations in 13 genes provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, and for the development of targeted therapies. These targeted therapies include enzyme replacement therapies, gene therapies targeting the brain and the eye, cell therapies, and pharmacological drugs that could modulate defective molecular pathways. Such therapeutic developments have the potential to enable earlier diagnosis and better targeted therapeutic management. The first approved treatment is an intracerebroventricularly administered enzyme for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 disease that delays symptom progression. Efforts are underway to make similar progress for other forms of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Mole
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Glenn Anderson
- Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health & Northern Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan D Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Tristan R McKay
- Centre for Bioscience, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Diego L Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
| | - Ahad A Rahim
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Angela Schulz
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander J Smith
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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46
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Fakhiri J, Nickl M, Grimm D. Rapid and Simple Screening of CRISPR Guide RNAs (gRNAs) in Cultured Cells Using Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) Vectors. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1961:111-126. [PMID: 30912043 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9170-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing reagents including the recently introduced CRISPR/Cas9 system have become established and widely used molecular tools to answer fundamental biological questions and to target and treat genetic diseases. The CRISPR system, originally derived from bacteria and archaea, can be delivered into cells using different techniques, comprising (1) transfection of mRNA or plasmid DNA, (2) electroporation of plasmid DNA or the Cas9 protein in a complex with a g(uide)RNA, or (3) use of nonviral or viral vectors. Among the latter, Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are particularly attractive owing to many favorable traits: (1) their apathogenicity and episomal persistence, (2) the ease of virus production and purification, (3) the safe handling under lowest biosafety level 1 conditions, and (4) the availability of numerous natural serotypes and synthetic capsid variants with distinct cell specificities. Here, we describe a fast and simple protocol for small-scale packaging of CRISPR/Cas9 components into AAV vectors. To showcase its potential, we employ this method for screening of gRNAs targeting the murine miR-122 locus in Hepa1-6 cells (using AAV serotype 6, AAV6) or the 5'LTR of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in HeLaP4-NLtr cells (using a synthetic AAV9 variant). We furthermore provide a detailed protocol for large-scale production of purified AAV/CRISPR vector stocks that permit higher cleavage efficiencies in vitro and are suitable for direct in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Fakhiri
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuela Nickl
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, Heidelberg, Germany.
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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47
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Herrmann AK, Große S, Börner K, Krämer C, Wiedtke E, Gunkel M, Grimm D. Impact of the Assembly-Activating Protein on Molecular Evolution of Synthetic Adeno-Associated Virus Capsids. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 30:21-35. [PMID: 29978729 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.085] [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: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the role of the assembly-activating protein (AAP) has begun to be dissected for the formation of adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids based on different viral serotypes. Recently, the authors' group has specifically studied AAP's relevance during production of AAV gene therapy vectors in mammalian or insect cells, and AAP was found to be essential for capsid protein stabilization and generation of functional vector particles. Here, the lingering question is additionally addressed of whether molecular AAV evolution via DNA family shuffling of viral capsid genes would perturb AAP functionality due to concurrent and inadvertent recombination of the AAP open reading frame. To this end, a battery of complementary experiments was conducted in which: (1) the ability of chimeric AAP from AAVDJ, a hybrid of serotypes 2, 8, and 9, was tested to rescue AAP knockouts in the three parental serotypes; (2) the functionality of 60 chimeric AAPs extracted from five shuffled, unselected capsid libraries was measured; (3) whether production of different shuffled libraries, 10 wild-type serotypes or 25 individual chimeric capsids, can be enhanced by overexpression of AAP cocktails was assessed; and (4) the activity of 12 chimeric AAPs isolated from a shuffled library that was iteratively selected in vivo in mouse livers was studied. Collectively, the data demonstrate a remarkable tolerance of AAP for recombination via DNA family shuffling, evidenced by the findings that (1) all chimeric AAPs studied here retained at least partial activity, even in cases where the cognate hybrid capsid may be non-functional, and that (2) ectopic AAP overexpression did not enhance production of shuffled AAV chimeras or libraries, implying that the inherently encoded hybrid AAP variants are sufficiently active. Together, this work provides compelling evidence that AAP is not rate limiting during AAV capsid shuffling and thereby relieves a major concern in the field of AAV vector evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Herrmann
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Große
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathleen Börner
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,3 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chiara Krämer
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Gunkel
- 2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,4 CellNetworks Advanced Biological Screening Facility, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- 1 Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany.,2 BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,3 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Germany
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48
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Cabanes-Creus M, Ginn SL, Amaya AK, Liao SHY, Westhaus A, Hallwirth CV, Wilmott P, Ward J, Dilworth KL, Santilli G, Rybicki A, Nakai H, Thrasher AJ, Filip AC, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. Codon-Optimization of Wild-Type Adeno-Associated Virus Capsid Sequences Enhances DNA Family Shuffling while Conserving Functionality. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:71-84. [PMID: 30534580 PMCID: PMC6279885 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become one of the most widely used gene transfer tools in human gene therapy. Considerable effort is currently being focused on AAV capsid engineering strategies with the aim of developing novel variants with enhanced tropism for specific human cell types, decreased human seroreactivity, and increased manufacturability. Selection strategies based on directed evolution rely on the generation of highly variable AAV capsid libraries using methods such as DNA-family shuffling, a technique reliant on stretches of high DNA sequence identity between input parental capsid sequences. This identity dependence for reassembly of shuffled capsids is inherently limiting and results in decreased shuffling efficiency as the phylogenetic distance between parental AAV capsids increases. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel codon-optimization algorithm that exploits evolutionarily defined codon usage at each amino acid residue in the parental sequences. This method increases average sequence identity between capsids, while enhancing the probability of retaining capsid functionality, and facilitates incorporation of phylogenetically distant serotypes into the DNA-shuffled libraries. This technology will help accelerate the discovery of an increasingly powerful repertoire of AAV capsid variants for cell-type and disease-specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marti Cabanes-Creus
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Samantha L Ginn
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Anais K Amaya
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sophia H Y Liao
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Claus V Hallwirth
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Patrick Wilmott
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jason Ward
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kimberley L Dilworth
- Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Giorgia Santilli
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Arkadiusz Rybicki
- Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Hiroyuki Nakai
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian C Filip
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, The Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
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49
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Wang Z, Cheng F, Engelhardt JF, Yan Z, Qiu J. Development of a Novel Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Production System Using Human Bocavirus 1 Helper Genes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 11:40-51. [PMID: 30397626 PMCID: PMC6205362 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1), an autonomous parvovirus, is a helper virus supporting replication of wild-type adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2). In this study, we compared the helper functions from HBoV1 with those from adenovirus (Ad) for the production of recombinant AAV (rAAV) vector in HEK293 cells. We demonstrated that triple plasmids transfection of (1) a cloned HBoV1 helper minigenome (pBocaHelper) that expresses HBoV1 genes NP1, NS2, and BocaSR, (2) pAAV transfer plasmid, and (3) pAAVRepCap supports rAAV production in HEK293 cells. Despite a production yield of 1–2 log lower than that using pAdHelper (expressing Ad genes E2A, E4, and VA), rAAV vector produced using pBocaHelper transduced cells as efficiently as that produced using pAdHelper. The low vector production is largely due to the inefficient expression of the AAV Rep52 and capsid proteins, as well as reduced rAAV genome replication. When the AAV capsid proteins and Rep52 were ectopically expressed under strong promoters, the enhanced protein expression significantly improved the rAAV production using pBocaHelper, approaching a level of 50%–70% of that produced using pAdHelper. Through further dissection of the helper functions from pAdHelper in a five-plasmid transfection system, we found that the addition of the Ad E2A gene to the above HBoV1 helper system significantly increased rAAV DNA replication, which increased the rAAV vector production to a level of 3–7 times higher than that using pAdHelper. We finally combined HBoV1 NP1 and NS2 genes with Ad helper genes to create a novel dual helper plasmid (pABHelper) for rAAV vector production in the conventional three-plasmid transfection system. The pABHelper facilitated rAAV production at a yield ∼2 times higher than that using the pAdHelper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekun Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Fang Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John F Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Center for Gene Therapy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Center for Gene Therapy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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50
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Zhu H, Wang T, John Lye R, French BA, Annex BH. Neuraminidase-mediated desialylation augments AAV9-mediated gene expression in skeletal muscle. J Gene Med 2018; 20:e3049. [PMID: 30101537 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following systemic delivery, AAV9-mediated gene expression is significantly increased in ischemic versus non-ischemic muscle, suggesting that AAV9 is an attractive vector for treating peripheral arterial disease. Potential mechanisms underlying ischemia-augmented expression include: (i) increased vascular permeability and (ii) "unmasking" of endogenous AAV9 receptors. In the present study, we aimed to reconstitute the ischemic induction of AAV9 in vivo, using local injection of histamine (to increase vascular permeability) and neuraminidase (to desialylate cell surface glycans). METHODS Bioassays were performed to optimize the effects of histamine and neuraminidase after intramuscular injection. Histamine and/or neuraminidase were then injected intramuscularly shortly before intravenous injection of an AAV9 vector expressing luciferase. Luciferase expression was serially assessed with bioluminescence imaging. At the end of the study, tissues were harvested for assays of luciferase activity and AAV9 genome copy number aiming to assess AAV-mediated gene expression and transduction, respectively. RESULTS Intramuscular injection of either neuraminidase or neuraminidase plus histamine significantly increased both transduction and gene expression, whereas histamine alone had little effect. Pre-injection with neuraminidase increased AAV9-mediated gene delivery by four- to nine-fold and luciferase activity by 60-100-fold. Luciferase activity in neuraminidase-injected muscle was > 100-fold higher than in any off-target tissue (including heart, liver and brain). CONCLUSIONS The ischemic induction of AAV9-mediated gene expression in muscle can largely be reconstituted by pre-injecting neuraminidase intranmuscularly. This strategy may prove useful in future human gene therapy protocols as a quick and efficient means to selectively target systemically injected AAV9 to localized regions of muscle, thus decreasing the potential for adverse effects in off-target tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Robert John Lye
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brent A French
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brian H Annex
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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