1
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Jagadisan B, Dhawan A. Adeno-associated viral vector gene therapy: Challenges for the paediatric hepatologist. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2024. [PMID: 39073133 DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Hepatoxicity associated with recombinant adeno-associated virus gene therapy is being increasingly encountered by hepatologists in tertiary and quaternary referral units due to the recent increase of these therapies for neuromuscular and haematological disorders. The challenges in managing the condition stem from a lack of good-quality evidence on the appropriate protocols for immunosuppressants due to lack of representative animal models. There is a need for protocols for diagnosing and treating hepatotoxicity and this possible with further research to understand the problem and its management. The review also highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team in managing hepatotoxicity and recommends further research to better identify at-risk individuals, define the extent of the problem and assess the long-term effects of liver injury and immunosuppressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barath Jagadisan
- Paediatric Liver GI and Nutrition Centre and Mowat Labs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anil Dhawan
- Paediatric Liver GI and Nutrition Centre and Mowat Labs, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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2
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Chen K, Ernst P, Kim S, Si Y, Varadkar T, Ringel MD, Liu X“M, Zhou L. An Innovative Mitochondrial-targeted Gene Therapy for Cancer Treatment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.24.584499. [PMID: 38585739 PMCID: PMC10996521 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.24.584499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Targeting cancer cell mitochondria holds great therapeutic promise, yet current strategies to specifically and effectively destroy cancer mitochondria in vivo are limited. Here, we introduce mLumiOpto, an innovative mitochondrial-targeted luminoptogenetics gene therapy designed to directly disrupt the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) potential and induce cancer cell death. We synthesize a blue light-gated channelrhodopsin (CoChR) in the IMM and co-express a blue bioluminescence-emitting Nanoluciferase (NLuc) in the cytosol of the same cells. The mLumiOpto genes are selectively delivered to cancer cells in vivo by using adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a cancer-specific promoter or cancer-targeted monoclonal antibody-tagged exosome-associated AAV. Induction with NLuc luciferin elicits robust endogenous bioluminescence, which activates mitochondrial CoChR, triggering cancer cell IMM permeability disruption, mitochondrial damage, and subsequent cell death. Importantly, mLumiOpto demonstrates remarkable efficacy in reducing tumor burden and killing tumor cells in glioblastoma or triple-negative breast cancer xenografted mouse models. These findings establish mLumiOpto as a novel and promising therapeutic strategy by targeting cancer cell mitochondria in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick Ernst
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Seulhee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Yingnan Si
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tanvi Varadkar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Xiaoguang “Margaret” Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lufang Zhou
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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3
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Rana J, Herzog RW, Muñoz-Melero M, Yamada K, Kumar SR, Lam AK, Markusic DM, Duan D, Terhorst C, Byrne BJ, Corti M, Biswas M. B cell focused transient immune suppression protocol for efficient AAV readministration to the liver. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101216. [PMID: 38440160 PMCID: PMC10911854 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are used for correcting multiple genetic disorders. Although the goal is to achieve lifelong correction with a single vector administration, the ability to redose would enable the extension of therapy in cases in which initial gene transfer is insufficient to achieve a lasting cure, episomal vector forms are lost in growing organs of pediatric patients, or transgene expression is diminished over time. However, AAV typically induces potent and long-lasting neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against capsid that prevents re-administration. To prevent NAb formation in hepatic AAV8 gene transfer, we developed a transient B cell-targeting protocol using a combination of monoclonal Ab therapy against CD20 (for B cell depletion) and BAFF (to slow B cell repopulation). Initiation of immunosuppression before (rather than at the time of) vector administration and prolonged anti-BAFF treatment prevented immune responses against the transgene product and abrogated prolonged IgM formation. As a result, vector re-administration after immune reconstitution was highly effective. Interestingly, re-administration before the immune system had fully recovered achieved further elevated levels of transgene expression. Finally, this immunosuppression protocol reduced Ig-mediated AAV uptake by immune cell types with implications to reduce the risk of immunotoxicities in human gene therapy with AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Roland W. Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Maite Muñoz-Melero
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sandeep R.P. Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Anh K. Lam
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - David M. Markusic
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Barry J. Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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4
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Kistner A, Chichester JA, Wang L, Calcedo R, Greig JA, Cardwell LN, Wright MC, Couthouis J, Sethi S, McIntosh BE, McKeever K, Wadsworth S, Wilson JM, Kakkis E, Sullivan BA. Prednisolone and rapamycin reduce the plasma cell gene signature and may improve AAV gene therapy in cynomolgus macaques. Gene Ther 2024; 31:128-143. [PMID: 37833563 PMCID: PMC10940161 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector gene therapy is a promising approach to treat rare genetic diseases; however, an ongoing challenge is how to best modulate host immunity to improve transduction efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. This report presents two studies characterizing multiple prophylactic immunosuppression regimens in male cynomolgus macaques receiving an AAVrh10 gene therapy vector expressing human coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII). In study 1, no immunosuppression was compared with prednisolone, rapamycin (or sirolimus), rapamycin and cyclosporin A in combination, and cyclosporin A and azathioprine in combination. Prednisolone alone demonstrated higher mean peripheral blood hFVIII expression; however, this was not sustained upon taper. Anti-capsid and anti-hFVIII antibody responses were robust, and vector genomes and transgene mRNA levels were similar to no immunosuppression at necropsy. Study 2 compared no immunosuppression with prednisolone alone or in combination with rapamycin or methotrexate. The prednisolone/rapamycin group demonstrated an increase in mean hFVIII expression and a mean delay in anti-capsid IgG development until after rapamycin taper. Additionally, a significant reduction in the plasma cell gene signature was observed with prednisolone/rapamycin, suggesting that rapamycin's tolerogenic effects may include plasma cell differentiation blockade. Immunosuppression with prednisolone and rapamycin in combination could improve therapeutic outcomes in AAV vector gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica A Chichester
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roberto Calcedo
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Affinia Therapeutics, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Jenny A Greig
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leah N Cardwell
- Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Samuel Wadsworth
- Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James M Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emil Kakkis
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, CA, USA
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5
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Dhungel BP, Winburn I, Pereira CDF, Huang K, Chhabra A, Rasko JEJ. Understanding AAV vector immunogenicity: from particle to patient. Theranostics 2024; 14:1260-1288. [PMID: 38323309 PMCID: PMC10845199 DOI: 10.7150/thno.89380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy holds promise for patients with inherited monogenic disorders, cancer, and rare genetic diseases. Naturally occurring adeno-associated virus (AAV) offers a well-suited vehicle for clinical gene transfer due to its lack of significant clinical pathogenicity and amenability to be engineered to deliver therapeutic transgenes in a variety of cell types for long-term sustained expression. AAV has been bioengineered to produce recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors for many gene therapies that are approved or in late-stage development. However, ongoing challenges hamper wider use of rAAV vector-mediated therapies. These include immunity against rAAV vectors, limited transgene packaging capacity, sub-optimal tissue transduction, potential risks of insertional mutagenesis and vector shedding. This review focuses on aspects of immunity against rAAV, mediated by anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) arising after natural exposure to AAVs or after rAAV vector administration. We provide an in-depth analysis of factors determining AAV seroprevalence and examine clinical approaches to managing anti-AAV NAbs pre- and post-vector administration. Methodologies used to quantify anti-AAV NAb levels and strategies to overcome pre-existing AAV immunity are also discussed. The broad adoption of rAAV vector-mediated gene therapies will require wider clinical appreciation of their current limitations and further research to mitigate their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijay P. Dhungel
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - John E. J. Rasko
- Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Kohn DB, Chen YY, Spencer MJ. Successes and challenges in clinical gene therapy. Gene Ther 2023; 30:738-746. [PMID: 37935854 PMCID: PMC10678346 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00390-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ups and downs in the field over three decades, the science of gene therapy has continued to advance and provide enduring treatments for increasing number of diseases. There are active clinical trials approaching a variety of inherited and acquired disorders of different organ systems. Approaches include ex vivo modification of hematologic stem cells (HSC), T lymphocytes and other immune cells, as well as in vivo delivery of genes or gene editing reagents to the relevant target cells by either local or systemic administration. In this article, we highlight success and ongoing challenges in three areas of high activity in gene therapy: inherited blood cell diseases by targeting hematopoietic stem cells, malignant disorders using immune effector cells genetically modified with chimeric antigen receptors, and ophthalmologic, neurologic, and coagulation disorders using in vivo administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. In recent years, there have been true cures for many of these diseases, with sustained clinical benefit that exceed those from other medical approaches. Each of these treatments faces ongoing challenges, namely their high one-time costs and the complexity of manufacturing the therapeutic agents, which are biological viruses and cell products, at pharmacologic standards of quality and consistency. New models of reimbursement are needed to make these innovative treatments widely available to patients in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald B Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Yvonne Y Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melissa J Spencer
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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7
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Logan GJ, Mietzsch M, Khandekar N, D'Silva A, Anderson D, Mandwie M, Hsi J, Nelson AR, Chipman P, Jackson J, Schofield P, Christ D, Goodnow CC, Reed JH, Farrar MA, McKenna R, Alexander IE. Structural and functional characterization of capsid binding by anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies from infants after SMA gene therapy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1979-1993. [PMID: 37012705 PMCID: PMC10362397 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Success in the treatment of infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) underscores the potential of vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV). However, a major obstacle to the full realization of this potential is pre-existing natural and therapy-induced anti-capsid humoral immunity. Structure-guided capsid engineering is one possible approach to surmounting this challenge but necessitates an understanding of capsid-antibody interactions at high molecular resolution. Currently, only mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are available to structurally map these interactions, which presupposes that mouse and human-derived antibodies are functionally equivalent. In this study, we have characterized the polyclonal antibody responses of infants following AAV9-mediated gene therapy for SMA and recovered 35 anti-capsid mAbs from the abundance of switched-memory B (smB) cells present in these infants. For 21 of these mAbs, seven from each of three infants, we have undertaken functional and structural analysis measuring neutralization, affinities, and binding patterns by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). Four distinct patterns were observed akin to those reported for mouse-derived mAbs, but with early evidence of differing binding pattern preference and underlying molecular interactions. This is the first human and largest series of anti-capsid mAbs to have been comprehensively characterized and will prove to be powerful tools for basic discovery and applied purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, NSW, Australia
| | - Mario Mietzsch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Neeta Khandekar
- 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, NSW, Australia
| | - Arlene D'Silva
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Anderson
- 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, NSW, Australia
| | - Mawj Mandwie
- 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, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Hsi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Austin R Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul Chipman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer Jackson
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Schofield
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Christ
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher C Goodnow
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Joanne H Reed
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - 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, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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8
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Srivastava A. Rationale and strategies for the development of safe and effective optimized AAV vectors for human gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:949-959. [PMID: 37293185 PMCID: PMC10244667 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been, or are currently in use, in 332 phase I/II/III clinical trials in a number of human diseases, and in some cases, remarkable clinical efficacy has also been achieved. There are now three US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved AAV "drugs," but it has become increasingly clear that the first generation of AAV vectors are not optimal. In addition, relatively large vector doses are needed to achieve clinical efficacy, which has been shown to provoke host immune responses culminating in serious adverse events and, more recently, in the deaths of 10 patients to date. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of the next generation of AAV vectors that are (1) safe, (2) effective, and (3) human tropic. This review describes the strategies to potentially overcome each of the limitations of the first generation of AAV vectors and the rationale and approaches for the development of the next generation of AAV serotype vectors. These vectors promise to be efficacious at significant reduced doses, likely to achieve clinical efficacy, thereby increasing the safety as well as reducing vector production costs, ensuring translation to the clinic with higher probability of success, without the need for the use of immune suppression, for gene therapy of a wide variety of diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Departments of Pediatrics, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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9
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Arjomandnejad M, Dasgupta I, Flotte TR, Keeler AM. Immunogenicity of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors for Gene Transfer. BioDrugs 2023; 37:311-329. [PMID: 36862289 PMCID: PMC9979149 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00585-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have emerged as promising gene delivery vehicles resulting in three US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and one European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved AAV-based gene therapies. Despite being a leading platform for therapeutic gene transfer in several clinical trials, host immune responses against the AAV vector and transgene have hampered their widespread application. Multiple factors, including vector design, dose, and route of administration, contribute to the overall immunogenicity of AAVs. The immune responses against the AAV capsid and transgene involve an initial innate sensing. The innate immune response subsequently triggers an adaptive immune response to elicit a robust and specific response against the AAV vector. AAV gene therapy clinical trials and preclinical studies provide important information about the immune-mediated toxicities associated with AAV, yet studies suggest preclinical models fail to precisely predict the outcome of gene delivery in humans. This review discusses the contribution of the innate and adaptive immune response against AAVs, highlighting the challenges and potential strategies to mitigate these responses, thereby enhancing the therapeutic potential of AAV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Arjomandnejad
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 386 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Ishani Dasgupta
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 386 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Terence R Flotte
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 386 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Allison M Keeler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 386 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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10
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Ertl HCJ. Mitigating Serious Adverse Events in Gene Therapy with AAV Vectors: Vector Dose and Immunosuppression. Drugs 2023; 83:287-298. [PMID: 36715794 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gene transfer with high doses of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has resulted in serious adverse events and even death of the recipients. Toxicity could most likely be circumvented by repeated injections of lower and less toxic doses of vectors. This has not been pursued as AAV vectors induce potent neutralizing antibodies, which prevent cell transduction upon reinjection of the same vector. This review discusses different types of immune responses against AAV vectors and how they offer targets for the elimination or inhibition of vector-specific neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies can be circumvented by using different virus serotypes for sequential injections, they can be removed by plasmapheresis, or they can be destroyed by enzymatic degradation. Antibody producing cells can be eliminated by proteasome inhibitors. Drugs that inhibit T-cell responses, B-cell signaling, or presentation of the vector's antigens to B cells can prevent or reduce induction of AAV-specific antibodies. Combinations of different approaches and drugs are likely needed to suppress or eliminate neutralizing antibodies, which would then allow for repeated dosing. Alternatively, novel AAV vectors with higher transduction efficacy are being developed and may allow for a dose reduction, although it remains unknown if this will completely address the problem of high-dose adverse events.
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11
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Schulz M, Levy DI, Petropoulos CJ, Bashirians G, Winburn I, Mahn M, Somanathan S, Cheng SH, Byrne BJ. Binding and neutralizing anti-AAV antibodies: Detection and implications for rAAV-mediated gene therapy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:616-630. [PMID: 36635967 PMCID: PMC10014285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessment of anti-adeno-associated virus (AAV) antibodies in patients prior to systemic gene therapy administration is an important consideration regarding efficacy and safety of the therapy. Approximately 30%-60% of individuals have pre-existing anti-AAV antibodies. Seroprevalence is impacted by multiple factors, including geography, age, capsid serotype, and assay type. Anti-AAV antibody assays typically measure (1) transduction inhibition by detecting the neutralizing capacity of antibodies and non-antibody neutralizing factors, or (2) total anti-capsid binding antibodies, regardless of neutralizing activity. Presently, there is a paucity of head-to-head data and standardized approaches associating assay results with clinical outcomes. In addition, establishing clinically relevant screening titer cutoffs is complex. Thus, meaningful comparisons across assays are nearly impossible. Although complex, establishing screening assays in routine clinical practice to identify patients with antibody levels that may impact favorable treatment outcomes is achievable for both transduction inhibition and total antibody assays. Formal regulatory approval of such assays as companion diagnostic tests will confirm their suitability for specific recombinant AAV gene therapies. This review covers current approaches to measure anti-AAV antibodies in patient plasma or serum, their potential impact on therapeutic safety and efficacy, and investigative strategies to mitigate the effects of pre-existing anti-AAV antibodies in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schulz
- Pfizer, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Daniel I Levy
- Pfizer, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | | | | | - Ian Winburn
- Pfizer, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Matthias Mahn
- Pfizer, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | | | - Seng H Cheng
- Pfizer, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Barry J Byrne
- University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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12
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AAV vectors applied to the treatment of CNS disorders: Clinical status and challenges. J Control Release 2023; 355:458-473. [PMID: 36736907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has become the most important vector for central nervous system (CNS) gene therapy. AAV has already shown promising results in the clinic, for several CNS diseases that cannot be treated with drugs, including neurodegenerative diseases, neuromuscular diseases, and lysosomal storage disorders. Currently, three of the four commercially available AAV-based drugs focus on neurological disorders, including Upstaza for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, Luxturna for hereditary retinal dystrophy, and Zolgensma for spinal muscular atrophy. All these studies have provided paradigms for AAV-based therapeutic intervention platforms. AAV gene therapy, with its dual promise of targeting disease etiology and enabling 'long-term correction' of disease processes, has the advantages of immune privilege, high delivery efficiency, tissue specificity, and cell tropism in the CNS. Although AAV-based gene therapy has been shown to be effective in most CNS clinical trials, limitations have been observed in its clinical applications, which are often associated with side effects. In this review, we summarized the therapeutic progress, challenges, limitations, and solutions for AAV-based gene therapy in 14 types of CNS diseases. We focused on viral vector technologies, delivery routes, immunosuppression, and other relevant clinical factors. We also attempted to integrate several hurdles faced in clinical and preclinical studies with their solutions, to seek the best path forward for the application of AAV-based gene therapy in the context of CNS diseases. We hope that these thoughtful recommendations will contribute to the efficient translation of preclinical studies and wide application of clinical trials.
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13
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Heller G, Bradbury AM, Sands MS, Bongarzone ER. Preclinical studies in Krabbe disease: A model for the investigation of novel combination therapies for lysosomal storage diseases. Mol Ther 2023; 31:7-23. [PMID: 36196048 PMCID: PMC9840155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease (KD) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by mutations in the galc gene. There are over 50 monogenetic LSDs, which largely impede the normal development of children and often lead to premature death. At present, there are no cures for LSDs and the available treatments are generally insufficient, short acting, and not without co-morbidities or long-term side effects. The last 30 years have seen significant advances in our understanding of LSD pathology as well as treatment options. Two gene therapy-based clinical trials, NCT04693598 and NCT04771416, for KD were recently started based on those advances. This review will discuss how our knowledge of KD got to where it is today, focusing on preclinical investigations, and how what was discovered may prove beneficial for the treatment of other LSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Heller
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Allison M Bradbury
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Abigail Wexner Research Institute Nationwide Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
| | - Mark S Sands
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ernesto R Bongarzone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
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14
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Pupo A, Fernández A, Low SH, François A, Suárez-Amarán L, Samulski RJ. AAV vectors: The Rubik's cube of human gene therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3515-3541. [PMID: 36203359 PMCID: PMC9734031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective genes account for ∼80% of the total of more than 7,000 diseases known to date. Gene therapy brings the promise of a one-time treatment option that will fix the errors in patient genetic coding. Recombinant viruses are highly efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer unique advantages, such as tissue tropism, specificity in transduction, eliciting of a relatively low immune responses, no incorporation into the host chromosome, and long-lasting delivered gene expression, making them the most popular viral gene delivery system in clinical trials, with three AAV-based gene therapy drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the success of AAV vectors, their usage in particular scenarios is still limited due to remaining challenges, such as poor transduction efficiency in certain tissues, low organ specificity, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids, and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. In the present review, we address the different approaches to improve AAV vectors for gene therapy with a focus on AAV capsid selection and engineering, strategies to overcome anti-AAV immune response, and vector genome design, ending with a glimpse at vector production methods and the current state of recombinant AAV (rAAV) at the clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Pupo
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Audry Fernández
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Siew Hui Low
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Achille François
- Viralgen. Parque Tecnológico de Guipuzkoa, Edificio Kuatro, Paseo Mikeletegui, 83, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Richard Jude Samulski
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Corresponding author: Richard Jude Samulski, R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, NC 27709, USA.
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15
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Earley J, Piletska E, Ronzitti G, Piletsky S. Evading and overcoming AAV neutralization in gene therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 41:836-845. [PMID: 36503641 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-derived viral vectors are a promising platform for the delivery of curative, life-changing therapies to a huge number of patients with monogenic disorders. There are currently over 250 clinical trials ongoing worldwide. However, for these therapies to benefit as many patients as possible, techniques must be developed to treat those with pre-existing immunity and to potentially allow re-administration of a dose in the future, should efficacy wane over time. This review discusses the current state and prospects of technologies to evade and overcome these immune responses and allow successful treatment of the greatest number of patients possible.
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16
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Immune profiling of adeno-associated virus response identifies B cell-specific targets that enable vector re-administration in mice. Gene Ther 2022; 30:429-442. [PMID: 36372846 PMCID: PMC10183056 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00371-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapies can be applied to a wide range of diseases. AAV expression can last for months to years, but vector re-administration may be necessary to achieve life-long treatment. Unfortunately, immune responses against these vectors are potentiated after the first administration, preventing the clinical use of repeated administration of AAVs. Reducing the immune response against AAVs while minimizing broad immunosuppression would improve gene delivery efficiency and long-term safety. In this study, we quantified the contributions of multiple immune system components of the anti-AAV response in mice. We identified B-cell-mediated immunity as a critical component preventing vector re-administration. Additionally, we found that IgG depletion alone was insufficient to enable re-administration, suggesting IgM antibodies play an important role in the immune response against AAV. Further, we found that AAV-mediated transduction is improved in µMT mice that lack functional IgM heavy chains and cannot form mature B-cells relative to wild-type mice. Combined, our results suggest that B-cells, including non-class switched B-cells, are a potential target for therapeutics enabling AAV re-administration. Our results also suggest that the µMT mice are a potentially useful experimental model for gene delivery studies since they allow repeated dosing for more efficient gene delivery from AAVs.
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17
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Sui H, Xu X, Su Y, Gong Z, Yao M, Liu X, Zhang T, Jiang Z, Bai T, Wang J, Zhang J, Xu C, Luo M. Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis: Challenges and prospects. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1015926. [PMID: 36304167 PMCID: PMC9592762 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1015926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening autosomal-recessive disease caused by mutations in a single gene encoding cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CF effects multiple organs, and lung disease is the primary cause of mortality. The median age at death from CF is in the early forties. CF was one of the first diseases to be considered for gene therapy, and efforts focused on treating CF lung disease began shortly after the CFTR gene was identified in 1989. However, despite the quickly established proof-of-concept for CFTR gene transfer in vitro and in clinical trials in 1990s, to date, 36 CF gene therapy clinical trials involving ∼600 patients with CF have yet to achieve their desired outcomes. The long journey to pursue gene therapy as a cure for CF encountered more difficulties than originally anticipated, but immense progress has been made in the past decade in the developments of next generation airway transduction viral vectors and CF animal models that reproduced human CF disease phenotypes. In this review, we look back at the history for the lessons learned from previous clinical trials and summarize the recent advances in the research for CF gene therapy, including the emerging CRISPR-based gene editing strategies. We also discuss the airway transduction vectors, large animal CF models, the complexity of CF pathogenesis and heterogeneity of CFTR expression in airway epithelium, which are the major challenges to the implementation of a successful CF gene therapy, and highlight the future opportunities and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshu Sui
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Hongshu Sui, ; Changlong Xu, ; Mingjiu Luo,
| | - Xinghua Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yanping Su
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaoqing Gong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Minhua Yao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaocui Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ziyao Jiang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tianhao Bai
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Junzuo Wang
- The Affiliated Tai’an City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
| | - Changlong Xu
- The Reproductive Medical Center of Nanning Second People’s Hospital, Nanning, China
- National Center for International Research of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Hongshu Sui, ; Changlong Xu, ; Mingjiu Luo,
| | - Mingjiu Luo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
- *Correspondence: Hongshu Sui, ; Changlong Xu, ; Mingjiu Luo,
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18
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Shoti J, Qing K, Srivastava A. Development of an AAV DNA-based synthetic vector for the potential gene therapy of hemophilia in children. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1033615. [PMID: 36274690 PMCID: PMC9583144 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1033615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant AAV serotype vectors and their variants have been or are currently being used for gene therapy for hemophilia in several phase I/II/III clinical trials in humans. However, none of these trials have included children with hemophilia since the traditional liver-directed AAV gene therapy will not work in these patients because of the following reasons: (i) Up until age 10–12, the liver is still growing and dividing, and with every cell division, the AAV vector genomes will be diluted out due to their episomal nature; and (ii) Repeated gene delivery will be needed, but repeat dosing, even with an ideal AAV vector is not an option because of pre-existing antibodies to AAV vectors following the first administration. Here we describe the development of an optimized human Factor IX (hF.IX) gene expression cassette under the control of a human liver-specific transthyretin promoter covalently flanked by AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) with no open ends (optNE-TTR-hF.IX), which mediated ~sixfold higher hF.IX levels than that from a linear TTR-hF.IX DNA construct in human hepatoma cells up to four-weeks post-transfection. In future studies, encapsidation of the optNE-TTR-hF.IX DNA in liver-targeted synthetic liposomes, may provide a viable approach for the potential gene therapy for hemophilia in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Shoti
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Keyun Qing
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Arun Srivastava,
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19
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Smith CJ, Ross N, Kamal A, Kim KY, Kropf E, Deschatelets P, Francois C, Quinn WJ, Singh I, Majowicz A, Mingozzi F, Kuranda K. Pre-existing humoral immunity and complement pathway contribute to immunogenicity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector in human blood. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999021. [PMID: 36189251 PMCID: PMC9523746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AAV gene transfer is a promising treatment for many patients with life-threatening genetic diseases. However, host immune response to the vector poses a significant challenge for the durability and safety of AAV-mediated gene therapy. Here, we characterize the innate immune response to AAV in human whole blood. We identified neutrophils, monocyte-related dendritic cells, and monocytes as the most prevalent cell subsets able to internalize AAV particles, while conventional dendritic cells were the most activated in terms of the CD86 co-stimulatory molecule upregulation. Although low titers (≤1:10) of AAV neutralizing antibodies (NAb) in blood did not have profound effects on the innate immune response to AAV, higher NAb titers (≥1:100) significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine secretion, vector uptake by antigen presenting cells (APCs) and complement activation. Interestingly, both full and empty viral particles were equally potent in inducing complement activation and cytokine secretion. By using a compstatin-based C3 and C3b inhibitor, APL-9, we demonstrated that complement pathway inhibition lowered CD86 levels on APCs, AAV uptake, and cytokine/chemokine secretion in response to AAV. Together these results suggest that the pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV may contribute to trigger adverse immune responses observed in AAV-based gene therapy, and that blockade of complement pathway may warrant further investigation as a potential strategy for decreasing immunogenicity of AAV-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne J. Smith
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nikki Ross
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ali Kamal
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin Y. Kim
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Kropf
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Cedric Francois
- Research Department, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - William J. Quinn
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Inderpal Singh
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anna Majowicz
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Klaudia Kuranda
- Immunology Department, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Klaudia Kuranda,
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20
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Roger AL, Sethi R, Huston ML, Scarrow E, Bao-Dai J, Lai E, Biswas DD, Haddad LE, Strickland LM, Kishnani PS, ElMallah MK. What's new and what's next for gene therapy in Pompe disease? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1117-1135. [PMID: 35428407 PMCID: PMC10084869 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2067476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of acid-α-glucosidase (GAA), an enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing lysosomal glycogen. A lack of GAA leads to accumulation of glycogen in the lysosomes of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells, as well as in the central and peripheral nervous system. Enzyme replacement therapy has been the standard of care for 15 years and slows disease progression, particularly in the heart, and improves survival. However, there are limitations of ERT success, which gene therapy can overcome. AREAS COVERED Gene therapy offers several advantages including prolonged and consistent GAA expression and correction of skeletal muscle as well as the critical CNS pathology. We provide a systematic review of the preclinical and clinical outcomes of adeno-associated viral mediated gene therapy and alternative gene therapy strategies, highlighting what has been successful. EXPERT OPINION Although the preclinical and clinical studies so far have been promising, barriers exist that need to be addressed in gene therapy for Pompe disease. New strategies including novel capsids for better targeting, optimized DNA vectors, and adjuctive therapies will allow for a lower dose, and ameliorate the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L. Roger
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Ronit Sethi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Meredith L. Huston
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Evelyn Scarrow
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Joy Bao-Dai
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Elias Lai
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Debolina D. Biswas
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Léa El Haddad
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Laura M. Strickland
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Priya S. Kishnani
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina USA
| | - Mai K. ElMallah
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center Box 2644, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
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21
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McLachlan G, Alton EWFW, Boyd AC, Clarke NK, Davies JC, Gill DR, Griesenbach U, Hickmott JW, Hyde SC, Miah KM, Molina CJ. Progress in Respiratory Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:893-912. [PMID: 36074947 PMCID: PMC7615302 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prospect of gene therapy for inherited and acquired respiratory disease has energized the research community since the 1980s, with cystic fibrosis, as a monogenic disorder, driving early efforts to develop effective strategies. The fact that there are still no approved gene therapy products for the lung, despite many early phase clinical trials, illustrates the scale of the challenge: In the 1990s, first-generation non-viral and viral vector systems demonstrated proof-of-concept but low efficacy. Since then, there has been steady progress toward improved vectors with the capacity to overcome at least some of the formidable barriers presented by the lung. In addition, the inclusion of features such as codon optimization and promoters providing long-term expression have improved the expression characteristics of therapeutic transgenes. Early approaches were based on gene addition, where a new DNA copy of a gene is introduced to complement a genetic mutation: however, the advent of RNA-based products that can directly express a therapeutic protein or manipulate gene expression, together with the expanding range of tools for gene editing, has stimulated the development of alternative approaches. This review discusses the range of vector systems being evaluated for lung delivery; the variety of cargoes they deliver, including DNA, antisense oligonucleotides, messenger RNA (mRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and peptide nucleic acids; and exemplifies progress in selected respiratory disease indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerry McLachlan
- The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eric W F W Alton
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Christopher Boyd
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nora K Clarke
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C Davies
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah R Gill
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Medicine Group, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (NDCLS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Uta Griesenbach
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jack W Hickmott
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen C Hyde
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Medicine Group, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (NDCLS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kamran M Miah
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Medicine Group, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (NDCLS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Juarez Molina
- UK Respiratory Gene Therapy Consortium, London, United Kingdom
- Gene Therapy Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Gao Q, DeLaura IF, Anwar IJ, Kesseli SJ, Kahan R, Abraham N, Asokan A, Barbas AS, Hartwig MG. Gene Therapy: Will the Promise of Optimizing Lung Allografts Become Reality? Front Immunol 2022; 13:931524. [PMID: 35844566 PMCID: PMC9283701 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.931524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung transplantation is the definitive therapy for patients living with end-stage lung disease. Despite significant progress made in the field, graft survival remains the lowest of all solid organ transplants. Additionally, the lung has among the lowest of organ utilization rates-among eligible donors, only 22% of lungs from multi-organ donors were transplanted in 2019. Novel strategies are needed to rehabilitate marginal organs and improve graft survival. Gene therapy is one promising strategy in optimizing donor allografts. Over-expression or inhibition of specific genes can be achieved to target various pathways of graft injury, including ischemic-reperfusion injuries, humoral or cellular rejection, and chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Experiments in animal models have historically utilized adenovirus-based vectors and the majority of literature in lung transplantation has focused on overexpression of IL-10. Although several strategies were shown to prevent rejection and prolong graft survival in preclinical models, none have led to clinical translation. The past decade has seen a renaissance in the field of gene therapy and two AAV-based in vivo gene therapies are now FDA-approved for clinical use. Concurrently, normothermic ex vivo machine perfusion technology has emerged as an alternative to traditional static cold storage. This preservation method keeps organs physiologically active during storage and thus potentially offers a platform for gene therapy. This review will explore the advantages and disadvantages of various gene therapy modalities, review various candidate genes implicated in various stages of allograft injury and summarize the recent efforts in optimizing donor lungs using gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimeng Gao
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Isabel F. DeLaura
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Imran J. Anwar
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Samuel J. Kesseli
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Riley Kahan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nader Abraham
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Andrew S. Barbas
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Matthew G. Hartwig
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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23
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Pontoizeau C, Simon-Sola M, Gaborit C, Nguyen V, Rotaru I, Tual N, Colella P, Girard M, Biferi MG, Arnoux JB, Rötig A, Ottolenghi C, de Lonlay P, Mingozzi F, Cavazzana M, Schiff M. Neonatal gene therapy achieves sustained disease rescue of maple syrup urine disease in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3278. [PMID: 35672312 PMCID: PMC9174284 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30880-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare recessively inherited metabolic disorder causing accumulation of branched chain amino acids leading to neonatal death, if untreated. Treatment for MSUD represents an unmet need because the current treatment with life-long low-protein diet is challenging to maintain, and despite treatment the risk of acute decompensations and neuropsychiatric symptoms remains. Here, based on significant liver contribution to the catabolism of the branched chain amino acid leucine, we develop a liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV8) gene therapy for MSUD. We establish and characterize the Bckdha (branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase a)−/− mouse that exhibits a lethal neonatal phenotype mimicking human MSUD. Animals were treated at P0 with intravenous human BCKDHA AAV8 vectors under the control of either a ubiquitous or a liver-specific promoter. BCKDHA gene transfer rescued the lethal phenotype. While the use of a ubiquitous promoter fully and sustainably rescued the disease (long-term survival, normal phenotype and correction of biochemical abnormalities), liver-specific expression of BCKDHA led to partial, though sustained rescue. Here we show efficacy of gene therapy for MSUD demonstrating its potential for clinical translation. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism, which is currently treated with life-long low-protein diet that can be challenging to maintain. Here the authors develop an AAV8-directed gene therapy providing sustainable disease rescue in a mouse model of MSUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Pontoizeau
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, Paris Cité University, Paris, France. .,Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France. .,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | | - Irina Rotaru
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Nolan Tual
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Muriel Girard
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Paris, France.,Inserm U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Maria-Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne University, Inserm, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Arnoux
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Rötig
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Chris Ottolenghi
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, Paris Cité University, Paris, France.,Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France.,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Pascale de Lonlay
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France.,Inserm U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | | | - Marina Cavazzana
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Necker Hospital, APHP, Biotherapies Department, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France. .,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.
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24
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Gross DA, Tedesco N, Leborgne C, Ronzitti G. Overcoming the Challenges Imposed by Humoral Immunity to AAV Vectors to Achieve Safe and Efficient Gene Transfer in Seropositive Patients. Front Immunol 2022; 13:857276. [PMID: 35464422 PMCID: PMC9022790 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.857276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major goals of in vivo gene transfer is to achieve long-term expression of therapeutic transgenes in terminally differentiated cells. The extensive clinical experience and the recent approval of Luxturna® (Spark Therapeutics, now Roche) and Zolgensma® (AveXis, now Novartis) place vectors derived from adeno-associated viruses (AAV) among the best options for gene transfer in multiple tissues. Despite these successes, limitations remain to the application of this therapeutic modality in a wider population. AAV was originally identified as a promising virus to derive gene therapy vectors because, despite infecting humans, it was not associated with any evident disease. Thee large proportion of AAV infections in the human population is now revealing as a limitation because after exposure to wild-type AAV, anti-AAV antibodies develops and may neutralize the vectors derived from the virus. Injection of AAV in humans is generally well-tolerated although the immune system can activate after the recognition of AAV vectors capsid and genome. The formation of high-titer neutralizing antibodies to AAV after the first injection precludes vector re-administration. Thus, both pre-existing and post-treatment humoral responses to AAV vectors greatly limit a wider application of this gene transfer modality. Different methods were suggested to overcome this limitation. The extensive preclinical data available and the large clinical experience in the control of AAV vectors immunogenicity are key to clinical translation and to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of these methods and ultimately bring a curative treatment to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David-Alexandre Gross
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
| | - Novella Tedesco
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
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25
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Tukov FF, Mansfield K, Milton M, Meseck E, Penraat K, Chand D, Hartmann A. Single-Dose Intrathecal Dorsal Root Ganglia Toxicity of Onasemnogene Abeparvovec in Cynomolgus Monkeys. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:740-756. [PMID: 35331006 PMCID: PMC9347375 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intravenous onasemnogene abeparvovec is approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in children < 2 years. For later-onset patients, intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec may be advantageous over intravenous administration. Recently, microscopic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) changes were observed in nonhuman primates (NHPs) following intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec administration. To characterize these DRG findings, two NHP studies evaluating intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec administration were conducted: a 12-month study with a 6-week interim cohort and a 13-week study with a 2-week interim cohort. The latter investigated the potential impact of prednisolone or rituximab plus everolimus on DRG toxicity. An additional 6-month, single-dose, intravenous NHP study conducted in parallel evaluated onasemnogene abeparvovec safety (including DRG toxicity) with or without prednisolone coadministration. Intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec administration was well tolerated and not associated with clinical observations. Microscopic onasemnogene abeparvovec-related changes were observed in the DRG and trigeminal ganglion (TG) and included mononuclear cell inflammation and/or neuronal degeneration, which was colocalized with high vector transcript expression at 6 weeks postdose. Incidence and severity of DRG changes were generally decreased after 52 weeks compared with 6 weeks postdose. Other onasemnogene abeparvovec-related microscopic findings of axonal degeneration, mononuclear cell infiltrates and/or gliosis in the spinal cord, dorsal spinal nerve root/spinal nerves, and/or peripheral nerves were absent or found at decreased incidences and/or severities after 52 weeks. DRG and/or TG microscopic findings following intravenous onasemnogene abeparvovec dosing included minimal to slight neuronal degeneration and mononuclear cell inflammation at 6 weeks and 6 months postdose. Nervous system microscopic findings following intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec (≥1.2 × 1013 vg/animal) trended toward resolution after 52 weeks, supporting nonprogression of changes, including in the DRG. Onasemnogene abeparvovec-related DRG findings were not associated with electrophysiology changes and were not ameliorated by prednisolone or rituximab plus everolimus coadministration. The pathogenesis is possibly a consequence of increased vector genome transduction and/or transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Mansfield
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc, 33413, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States;
| | - Mark Milton
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc, 33413, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States;
| | - Emily Meseck
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp, 33412, East Hanover, New Jersey, United States;
| | - Kelley Penraat
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc, 33413, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States;
| | - Deepa Chand
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., Bannockburn, United States.,Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, 12275, St Louis, Missouri, United States;
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26
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Xiang Z, Kuranda K, Quinn W, Chekaoui A, Ambrose R, Hasanpourghadi M, Novikov M, Newman D, Cole C, Zhou X, Mingozzi F, Ertl HCJ. The effect of rapamycin and ibrutinib on antibody responses to adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene transfer. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:614-624. [PMID: 35229644 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene transfer is lessening the impact of monogenetic disorders. Human AAV gene therapy recipients commonly mount immune responses to AAV or the encoded therapeutic protein, which requires transient immunosuppression. Most efforts to date have focused on blunting AAV capsid-specific T cell responses, which have been implicated in elimination of AAV transduced cells. Here we explore the use of immunosuppressants, rapamycin given alone or in combination with ibrutinib to inhibit AAV vector- or transgene product-specific antibody responses. Our results show that rapamycin or ibrutinib given alone reduce primary antibody responses against AAV capsid but the combination of rapamycin and ibrutinib is more effective, blunts recall responses, and reduces numbers of circulating antibody-secreting plasma cells. The drugs fail to lower B cell memory formation or to reduce the inhibitory effects of pre-existing AAV capsid-specific antibodies on transduction efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZhiQuan Xiang
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Klaudia Kuranda
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, 538392, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - William Quinn
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, 538392, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Arezki Chekaoui
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Robert Ambrose
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Mohadeseh Hasanpourghadi
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Mikhail Novikov
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.,YTY Industry Sdn Bhd, R&D Department, Perak, Malaysia;
| | - Dakota Newman
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Christina Cole
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Xiangyang Zhou
- Wistar Institute, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, 538392, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.,Spark Therapeutics Inc, 538392, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Hildegund C J Ertl
- Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, 36586, Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center, 3601 Spruce St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104-4205;
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27
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Muhuri M, Levy DI, Schulz M, McCarty D, Gao G. Durability of transgene expression after rAAV gene therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1364-1380. [PMID: 35283274 PMCID: PMC9077371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene therapy has the potential to transform the lives of patients with certain genetic disorders by increasing or restoring function to affected tissues. Following the initial establishment of transgene expression, it is unknown how long the therapeutic effect will last, although animal and emerging human data show that expression can be maintained for more than 10 years. The durability of therapeutic response is key to long-term treatment success, especially since immune responses to rAAV vectors may prevent re-dosing with the same therapy. This review explores the non-immunological and immunological processes that may limit or improve durability and the strategies that can be used to increase the duration of the therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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28
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Flotte TR, Cataltepe O, Puri A, Batista AR, Moser R, McKenna-Yasek D, Douthwright C, Gernoux G, Blackwood M, Mueller C, Tai PWL, Jiang X, Bateman S, Spanakis SG, Parzych J, Keeler AM, Abayazeed A, Rohatgi S, Gibson L, Finberg R, Barton BA, Vardar Z, Shazeeb MS, Gounis M, Tifft CJ, Eichler FS, Brown RH, Martin DR, Gray-Edwards HL, Sena-Esteves M. AAV gene therapy for Tay-Sachs disease. Nat Med 2022; 28:251-259. [PMID: 35145305 PMCID: PMC10786171 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01664-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is an inherited neurological disorder caused by deficiency of hexosaminidase A (HexA). Here, we describe an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy expanded-access trial in two patients with infantile TSD (IND 18225) with safety as the primary endpoint and no secondary endpoints. Patient TSD-001 was treated at 30 months with an equimolar mix of AAVrh8-HEXA and AAVrh8-HEXB administered intrathecally (i.t.), with 75% of the total dose (1 × 1014 vector genomes (vg)) in the cisterna magna and 25% at the thoracolumbar junction. Patient TSD-002 was treated at 7 months by combined bilateral thalamic (1.5 × 1012 vg per thalamus) and i.t. infusion (3.9 × 1013 vg). Both patients were immunosuppressed. Injection procedures were well tolerated, with no vector-related adverse events (AEs) to date. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HexA activity increased from baseline and remained stable in both patients. TSD-002 showed disease stabilization by 3 months after injection with ongoing myelination, a temporary deviation from the natural history of infantile TSD, but disease progression was evident at 6 months after treatment. TSD-001 remains seizure-free at 5 years of age on the same anticonvulsant therapy as before therapy. TSD-002 developed anticonvulsant-responsive seizures at 2 years of age. This study provides early safety and proof-of-concept data in humans for treatment of patients with TSD by AAV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence R Flotte
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Oguz Cataltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ajit Puri
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ana Rita Batista
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Richard Moser
- Department of Neurosurgery, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Gwladys Gernoux
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Meghan Blackwood
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christian Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Phillip W L Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Xuntian Jiang
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Scot Bateman
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Spiro G Spanakis
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julia Parzych
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Allison M Keeler
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Aly Abayazeed
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Saurabh Rohatgi
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Laura Gibson
- Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Robert Finberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Bruce A Barton
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Zeynep Vardar
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - Matthew Gounis
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia J Tifft
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Florian S Eichler
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Douglas R Martin
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Heather L Gray-Edwards
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Horae Gene Therapy Center and The Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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29
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Yanda MK, Tomar V, Cebotaru CV, Guggino WB, Cebotaru L. Short-Term Steroid Treatment of Rhesus Macaque Increases Transduction. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:131-147. [PMID: 34806411 PMCID: PMC8885436 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeat dosing poses a major hurdle for the development of an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy for cystic fibrosis, in part because of the potential for development of an immune reaction to the AAV1 capsid proteins. Here, to dampen the immune response to AAV1, we treated Rhesus monkeys with methylprednisolone before and after the instillation of two doses of AAV1Δ27-264-CFTR into their airways at 0 and 30 days, followed by a single dose of AAV1-GFP on day 60. Animals were euthanized on day 90, except for one monkey that was sacrificed at 1 year. No adverse events occurred, indicating that the two AAV1 vectors are safe. rAAV1-CFTR and AAV1-GFP vector genomes and mRNA transcripts were detectable in all lung sections and in the liver and pancreas at day 90 and after 1 year at levels comparable with animals necropsied at 90 days. The numbers of vector genomes for cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) detected here were higher than those found in the monkeys infected without methylprednisolone treatment that we tested previously.1 Also, lung surface and keratin 5-positive basal cells showed higher CFTR and GFP staining than did the cells from the uninfected monkey control. Positive immunostaining, also detected in the liver and pancreas, remained stable for at least a year. All animals seroconverted for anticapsid antibodies by 90 days post-treatment. The neutralizing antibody titer declined in the animal necropsied at 1 year. Conclusion: AAV1 safely and effectively transduces monkey airway and basal cells. Both the presence of vector genomes and transduction from AAV1-CFTR and AAV1-GFP virus seen in the monkeys 4 months to 1 year after the first instillation suggest that repeat dosing with AAV1-based vectors is achievable, particularly after methylprednisolone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murali K. Yanda
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vartika Tomar
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cristina Valeria Cebotaru
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - William B. Guggino
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Liudmila Cebotaru
- Department of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Correspondence: Dr. Liudmila Cebotaru, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Hunterian 415, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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30
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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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31
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Structurally Mapping Antigenic Epitopes of Adeno-Associated Virus 9: Development of Antibody Escape Variants. J Virol 2021; 96:e0125121. [PMID: 34757842 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01251-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) serve as vectors for therapeutic gene delivery. AAV9 vectors have been FDA approved, as Zolgensma®, for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy and is being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of neurotropic and musculotropic diseases. A major hurdle for AAV-mediated gene delivery is the presence of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies in 40 to 80% of the general population. These pre-existing antibodies can reduce therapeutic efficacy through viral neutralization, and the size of the patient cohort eligible for treatment. In this study, cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction was used to define the epitopes of five anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); ADK9, HL2368, HL2370, HL2372, and HL2374, on the capsid surface. Three of these, ADK9, HL2370, and HL2374, bound on or near the icosahedral 3-fold axes, HL2368 to the 2/5-fold wall, and HL2372 to the region surrounding the 5-fold axes. Pseudo-atomic modeling enabled the mapping and identification of antibody contact amino acids on the capsid, including S454 and P659. These epitopes overlap with previously defined parvovirus antigenic sites. Capsid amino acids critical for the interactions were confirmed by mutagenesis followed by biochemical assays testing recombinant AAV9 (rAAV9) variants capable of escaping recognition and neutralization by the parental MAbs. These variants retained parental tropism and had similar or improved transduction efficiency compared to AAV9. These engineered rAAV9 variants could expand the patient cohort eligible for AAV9-mediated gene delivery by avoiding pre-existing circulating neutralizing antibodies. IMPORTANCE The use of recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) as delivery vectors for therapeutic genes is becoming increasingly popular, especially following the FDA approval of Luxturna® and Zolgensma®, based on serotypes AAV2 and AAV9, respectively. However, high titer anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies in the general population, exempts patients from treatment. The goal of this study is to circumvent this issue by creating AAV variant vectors not recognized by pre-existing neutralizing antibodies. The mapping of the antigenic epitopes of five different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on AAV9, to recapitulate a polyclonal response, enabled the rational design of escape variants with minimal disruption to cell tropism and gene expression. This study, which included four newly developed and now commercially available MAbs, provides a platform for the engineering of rAAV9 vectors that can be used to deliver genes to patients with pre-exiting AAV antibodies.
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Costa-Verdera H, Collaud F, Riling CR, Sellier P, Nordin JML, Preston GM, Cagin U, Fabregue J, Barral S, Moya-Nilges M, Krijnse-Locker J, van Wittenberghe L, Daniele N, Gjata B, Cosette J, Abad C, Simon-Sola M, Charles S, Li M, Crosariol M, Antrilli T, Quinn WJ, Gross DA, Boyer O, Anguela XM, Armour SM, Colella P, Ronzitti G, Mingozzi F. Hepatic expression of GAA results in enhanced enzyme bioavailability in mice and non-human primates. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6393. [PMID: 34737297 PMCID: PMC8568898 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26744-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). PD is currently treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with intravenous infusions of recombinant human GAA (rhGAA). Although the introduction of ERT represents a breakthrough in the management of PD, the approach suffers from several shortcomings. Here, we developed a mouse model of PD to compare the efficacy of hepatic gene transfer with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing secretable GAA with long-term ERT. Liver expression of GAA results in enhanced pharmacokinetics and uptake of the enzyme in peripheral tissues compared to ERT. Combination of gene transfer with pharmacological chaperones boosts GAA bioavailability, resulting in improved rescue of the PD phenotype. Scale-up of hepatic gene transfer to non-human primates also successfully results in enzyme secretion in blood and uptake in key target tissues, supporting the ongoing clinical translation of the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Costa-Verdera
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France.,Sorbonne University Paris and INSERM U974, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | - Pauline Sellier
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | | | - Umut Cagin
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Julien Fabregue
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Simon Barral
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Catalina Abad
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183, Rouen, France
| | - Marcelo Simon-Sola
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Mathew Li
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Tom Antrilli
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - David A Gross
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Olivier Boyer
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183, Rouen, France
| | | | | | - Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France. .,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France. .,Sorbonne University Paris and INSERM U974, 75013, Paris, France. .,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Gene Therapy for Neuronopathic Mucopolysaccharidoses: State of the Art. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179200. [PMID: 34502108 PMCID: PMC8430935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The need for long-lasting and transformative therapies for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) cannot be understated. Currently, many forms of MPS lack a specific treatment and in other cases available therapies, such as enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), do not reach important areas such as the central nervous system (CNS). The advent of newborn screening procedures represents a major step forward in early identification and treatment of individuals with MPS. However, the treatment of brain disease in neuronopathic MPS has been a major challenge to date, mainly because the blood brain barrier (BBB) prevents penetration of the brain by large molecules, including enzymes. Over the last years several novel experimental therapies for neuronopathic MPS have been investigated. Gene therapy and gene editing constitute potentially curative treatments. However, despite recent progress in the field, several considerations should be taken into account. This review focuses on the state of the art of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy-based approaches targeting the CNS in neuronopathic MPS, discusses clinical trials conducted to date, and provides a vision for the future implications of these therapies for the medical community. Recent advances in the field, as well as limitations relating to efficacy, potential toxicity, and immunogenicity, are also discussed.
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Sherpa C, Le Grice SFJ. Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Mediated Expression of Broadly- Neutralizing Antibodies Against HIV-Hitting a Fast-Moving Target. Curr HIV Res 2021; 18:114-131. [PMID: 32039686 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666200210121339] [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: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The vast genetic variability of HIV has impeded efforts towards a cure for HIV. Lifelong administration of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is highly effective against HIV and has markedly increased the life expectancy of HIV infected individuals. However, the long-term usage of cART is associated with co-morbidities and the emergence of multidrug-resistant escape mutants necessitating the development of alternative approaches to combat HIV/AIDS. In the past decade, the development of single-cell antibody cloning methods has facilitated the characterization of a diverse array of highly potent neutralizing antibodies against a broad range of HIV strains. Although the passive transfer of these broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in both animal models and humans has been shown to elicit significant antiviral effects, long term virologic suppression requires repeated administration of these antibodies. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated antibody gene transfer provides a long-term expression of these antibodies from a single administration of the recombinant vector. Therefore, this vectored approach holds promises in the treatment and prevention of a chronic disease like HIV infection. Here, we provide an overview of HIV genetic diversity, AAV vectorology, and anti-HIV bnAbs and summarize the promises and challenges of the application of AAV in the delivery of bnAbs for HIV prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chringma Sherpa
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, United States
| | - Stuart F J Le Grice
- Basic Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, United States
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Emerging Immunogenicity and Genotoxicity Considerations of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Gene Therapy for Hemophilia. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112471. [PMID: 34199563 PMCID: PMC8199697 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector gene therapy has shown promise as a possible cure for hemophilia. However, immune responses directed against AAV vectors remain a hurdle to the broader use of this gene transfer platform. Both innate and adaptive immune responses can affect the safety and efficacy of AAV vector-mediated gene transfer in humans. These immune responses may be triggered by the viral capsid, the vector's nucleic acid payload, or other vector contaminants or excipients, or by the transgene product encoded by the vector itself. Various preclinical and clinical strategies have been explored to overcome the issues of AAV vector immunogenicity and transgene-related immune responses. Although results of these strategies are encouraging, more efficient approaches are needed to deliver safe, predictable, and durable outcomes for people with hemophilia. In addition to durability, long-term follow-up of gene therapy trial participants will allow us to address potential safety concerns related to vector integration. Herein, we describe the challenges with current methodologies to deliver optimal outcomes for people with hemophilia who choose to undergo AAV vector gene therapy and the potential opportunities to improve on the results.
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Hamilton BA, Wright JF. Challenges Posed by Immune Responses to AAV Vectors: Addressing Root Causes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:675897. [PMID: 34084173 PMCID: PMC8168460 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.675897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Host immune responses that limit durable therapeutic gene expression and cause clinically significant inflammation remain a major barrier to broadly successful development of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based human gene therapies. In this article, mechanisms of humoral and cellular immune responses to the viral vector are discussed. A perspective is provided that removal of pathogen-associated molecular patterns in AAV vector genomes to prevent the generation of innate immune danger signals following administration is a key strategy to overcome immunological barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley A Hamilton
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - J Fraser Wright
- Center for Definitive and Curative Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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37
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Phenotypic implications of pathogenic variant types in Pompe disease. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:1089-1099. [PMID: 33972680 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-021-00935-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Newborn screening and therapies for Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II, acid maltase deficiency) will continue to expand in the future. It is thus important to determine whether enzyme activity or type of pathogenic genetic variant in GAA can best predict phenotypic severity, particularly the presence of infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) versus late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). We performed a retrospective analysis of 23 participants with genetically-confirmed cases of Pompe disease. The following data were collected: clinical details including presence or absence of cardiomyopathy, enzyme activity levels, and features of GAA variants including exon versus intron location and splice site versus non-splice site. Several combinations of GAA variant types for individual participants had significant associations with disease subtype, cardiomyopathy, age at diagnosis, gross motor function scale (GMFS), and stability of body weight. The presence of at least one splice site variant (c.546 G > C/p.T182 = , c.1076-22 T > G, c.2646 + 2 T > A, and the classic c.-32-13T > G variant) was associated with LOPD, while the presence of non-splice site variants on both alleles was associated with IOPD. Enzyme activity levels in isolation were not sufficient to predict disease subtype or other major clinical features. To extend the findings of prior studies, we found that multiple types of splice site variants beyond the classic c.-32-13T > G variant are often associated with a milder phenotype. Enzyme activity levels continue to have utility for supporting the diagnosis when the genetic variants are ambiguous. It is important for newly diagnosed patients with Pompe disease to have complete genetic, cardiac, and neurological evaluations.
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38
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Odiba AS, Okoro NO, Durojaye OA, Wu Y. Gene therapy in PIDs, hemoglobin, ocular, neurodegenerative, and hemophilia B disorders. Open Life Sci 2021; 16:431-441. [PMID: 33987480 PMCID: PMC8093481 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2021-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A new approach is adopted to treat primary immunodeficiency disorders, such as the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID; e.g., adenosine deaminase SCID [ADA-SCID] and IL-2 receptor X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency [SCID-X1]). The success, along with the feasibility of gene therapy, is undeniable when considering the benefits recorded for patients with different classes of diseases or disorders needing treatment, including SCID-X1 and ADA-SCID, within the last two decades. β-Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are two prominent monogenic blood hemoglobin disorders for which a solution has been sought using gene therapy. For instance, transduced autologous CD34+ HSCs via a self-inactivating (SIN)-Lentivirus (LV) coding for a functional copy of the β-globin gene has become a feasible procedure. adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have found application in ocular gene transfer in retinal disease gene therapy (e.g., Leber's congenital amaurosis type 2), where no prior treatment existed. In neurodegenerative disorders, successes are now reported for cases involving metachromatic leukodystrophy causing severe cognitive and motor damage. Gene therapy for hemophilia also remains a viable option because of the amount of cell types that are capable of synthesizing biologically active FVIII and FIX following gene transfer using AAV vectors in vivo to correct hemophilia B (FIX deficiency), and it is considered an ideal target, as proven in preclinical studies. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 gene-editing tool has taken a center stage in gene therapy research and is reported to be efficient and highly precise. The application of gene therapy to these areas has pushed forward the therapeutic clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arome Solomon Odiba
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center for Non-food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Nkwachukwu Oziamara Okoro
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center for Non-food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical and medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Olanrewaju Ayodeji Durojaye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanjun Wu
- Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.,Institute for Laboratory Animal, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
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Wagner HJ, Weber W, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Emerging Concepts to Design and Advance Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004018. [PMID: 33977059 PMCID: PMC8097373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Three recent approvals and over 100 ongoing clinical trials make adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors the leading gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy. Pharmaceutical companies are investing in this small and nonpathogenic gene shuttle to increase the therapeutic portfolios within the coming years. This prospect of marking a new era in gene therapy has fostered both investigations of the fundamental AAV biology as well as engineering studies to enhance delivery vehicles. Driven by the high clinical potential, a new generation of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors is on the rise. Concepts from synthetic biology enable the control and fine-tuning of vector function at different stages of cellular transduction and gene expression. It is anticipated that the emerging field of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors can shape future gene therapeutic approaches and thus the design of tomorrow's gene delivery vectors. This review describes and discusses the recent trends in capsid and vector genome engineering, with particular emphasis on synthetic-biological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J. Wagner
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50Basel4056Switzerland
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40
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Whitehead M, Osborne A, Yu-Wai-Man P, Martin K. Humoral immune responses to AAV gene therapy in the ocular compartment. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1616-1644. [PMID: 33837614 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Viral vectors can be utilised to deliver therapeutic genes to diseased cells. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a commonly used viral vector that is favoured for its ability to infect a wide range of tissues whilst displaying limited toxicity and immunogenicity. Most humans harbour anti-AAV neutralising antibodies (NAbs) due to subclinical infections by wild-type virus during infancy and these pre-existing NAbs can limit the efficiency of gene transfer depending on the target cell type, route of administration and choice of serotype. Vector administration can also result in de novo NAb synthesis that could limit the opportunity for repeated gene transfer to diseased sites. A number of strategies have been described in preclinical models that could circumvent NAb responses in humans, however, the successful translation of these innovations into the clinical arena has been limited. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the humoral immune response to AAV gene therapy in the ocular compartment. We cover basic AAV biology and clinical application, the role of pre-existing and induced NAbs, and possible approaches to overcoming antibody responses. We conclude with a framework for a comprehensive strategy for circumventing humoral immune responses to AAV in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Whitehead
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K
| | - Andrew Osborne
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K
| | - Patrick Yu-Wai-Man
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.,MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, U.K
| | - Keith Martin
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.,Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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41
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Ilyinskii PO, Michaud AM, Roy CJ, Rizzo GL, Elkins SL, Capela T, Chowdhury AC, Leung SS, Kishimoto TK. Enhancement of liver-directed transgene expression at initial and repeat doses of AAV vectors admixed with ImmTOR nanoparticles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/9/eabd0321. [PMID: 33627416 PMCID: PMC7904260 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd0321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Systemic AAV (adeno-associated virus) gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of inborn errors of metabolism, but questions remain regarding its potency and durability. Tolerogenic ImmTOR nanoparticles encapsulating rapamycin have been shown to block the formation of neutralizing anti-capsid antibodies, thereby enabling vector re-administration. Here, we further demonstrate that ImmTOR admixed with AAV vectors also enhances hepatic transgene expression at the initial dose of AAV vector, independent of its effects on adaptive immunity. ImmTOR enhances AAV trafficking to the liver, resulting in increased hepatic vector copy numbers and transgene mRNA expression. Enhanced transgene expression occurs through a mechanism independent of the AAV receptor and cannot be replicated in vivo with free rapamycin or empty nanoparticles. The multipronged mechanism of ImmTOR action makes it an attractive candidate to enable more efficient transgene expression at first dose while simultaneously inhibiting adaptive responses against AAV to enable repeat dosing.
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42
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Mendell JR, Al-Zaidy SA, Rodino-Klapac LR, Goodspeed K, Gray SJ, Kay CN, Boye SL, Boye SE, George LA, Salabarria S, Corti M, Byrne BJ, Tremblay JP. Current Clinical Applications of In Vivo Gene Therapy with AAVs. Mol Ther 2020; 29:464-488. [PMID: 33309881 PMCID: PMC7854298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary diseases are caused by mutations in genes, and more than 7,000 rare diseases affect over 30 million Americans. For more than 30 years, hundreds of researchers have maintained that genetic modifications would provide effective treatments for many inherited human diseases, offering durable and possibly curative clinical benefit with a single treatment. This review is limited to gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) because the gene delivered by this vector does not integrate into the patient genome and has a low immunogenicity. There are now five treatments approved for commercialization and currently available, i.e., Luxturna, Zolgensma, the two chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies (Yescarta and Kymriah), and Strimvelis (the gammaretrovirus approved for adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency [ADA-SCID] in Europe). Dozens of other treatments are under clinical trials. The review article presents a broad overview of the field of therapy by in vivo gene transfer. We review gene therapy for neuromuscular disorders (spinal muscular atrophy [SMA]; Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD]; X-linked myotubular myopathy [XLMTM]; and diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Canavan disease, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase [AADC] deficiency, and giant axonal neuropathy), ocular disorders (Leber congenital amaurosis, age-related macular degeneration [AMD], choroideremia, achromatopsia, retinitis pigmentosa, and X-linked retinoschisis), the bleeding disorder hemophilia, and lysosomal storage disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry R Mendell
- Center of Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Kimberly Goodspeed
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Sanford L Boye
- Department of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lindsey A George
- Division of Hematology and the Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie Salabarria
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barry J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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43
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Abstract
Gene therapy is at an inflection point. Recent successes in genetic medicine have paved the path for a broader second wave of therapies and laid the foundation for next-generation technologies. This comment summarizes recent advances and expectations for the near future.
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Rghei AD, van Lieshout LP, Santry LA, Guilleman MM, Thomas SP, Susta L, Karimi K, Bridle BW, Wootton SK. AAV Vectored Immunoprophylaxis for Filovirus Infections. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5040169. [PMID: 33182447 PMCID: PMC7709665 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Filoviruses are among the deadliest infectious agents known to man, causing severe hemorrhagic fever, with up to 90% fatality rates. The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa resulted in over 28,000 infections, demonstrating the large-scale human health and economic impact generated by filoviruses. Zaire ebolavirus is responsible for the greatest number of deaths to date and consequently there is now an approved vaccine, Ervebo, while other filovirus species have similar epidemic potential and remain without effective vaccines. Recent clinical success of REGN-EB3 and mAb-114 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies supports further investigation of this treatment approach for other filoviruses. While efficacious, protection from passive mAb therapies is short-lived, requiring repeat dosing to maintain therapeutic concentrations. An alternative strategy is vectored immunoprophylaxis (VIP), which utilizes an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to generate sustained expression of selected mAbs directly in vivo. This approach takes advantage of validated mAb development and enables vectorization of the top candidates to provide long-term immunity. In this review, we summarize the history of filovirus outbreaks, mAb-based therapeutics, and highlight promising AAV vectorized approaches to providing immunity against filoviruses where vaccines are not yet available.
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Stone D, Kenkel EJ, Loprieno MA, Tanaka M, De Silva Feelixge HS, Kumar AJ, Stensland L, Obenza WM, Wangari S, Ahrens CY, Murnane RD, Peterson CW, Kiem HP, Huang ML, Aubert M, Hu SL, Jerome KR. Gene Transfer in Adeno-Associated Virus Seropositive Rhesus Macaques Following Rapamycin Treatment and Subcutaneous Delivery of AAV6, but Not Retargeted AAV6 Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 32:96-112. [PMID: 32998579 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors such as AAV6, which shows tropism for primary human CD4+ T cells in vitro, are being explored for delivery of anti-HIV therapeutic modalities in vivo. However, pre-existing immunity and sequestration in nontarget organs can significantly hinder their performance. To overcome these challenges, we investigated whether immunosuppression would allow gene delivery by AAV6 or targeted AAV6 derivatives in seropositive rhesus macaques. Animals were immune suppressed with rapamycin before intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) delivery of AAV, and we monitored vector biodistribution, gene transfer, and safety. Macaques received phosphate-buffered saline, AAV6 alone, or an equal dose of AAV6 and an AAV6-55.2 vector retargeted to CD4 through a direct ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin). AAV6 and AAV6-55.2 vector genomes were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and most organs up to 28 days postadministration, with the highest levels seen in liver, spleen, lymph nodes (LNs), and muscle, suggesting that retargeting did not prevent vector sequestration. Despite vector genome detection, gene expression from AAV6-55.2 was not detected in any tissue. SC injection of AAV6 facilitated efficient gene expression in muscle adjacent to the injection site, plus low-level gene expression in spleen, LNs, and liver, whereas gene expression following IV injection of AAV6 was predominantly seen in the spleen. AAV vectors were well tolerated, although elevated liver enzymes were detected in three of four AAV-treated animals 14 days after rapamycin withdrawal. One SC-injected animal had muscle inflammation proximal to the injection site, plus detectable T cell responses against transgene and AAV6 capsid at study finish. Overall, our data suggest that rapamycin treatment may offer a possible strategy to express anti-HIV therapeutics such as broadly neutralizing antibodies from muscle. This study provides important safety and efficacy data that will aid study design for future anti-HIV gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Stone
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Kenkel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle A Loprieno
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Motoko Tanaka
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Arjun J Kumar
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laurence Stensland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willimark M Obenza
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Solomon Wangari
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chul Y Ahrens
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert D Murnane
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher W Peterson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Kiem
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Meei-Li Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Martine Aubert
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shiu-Lok Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Keith R Jerome
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Salabarria SM, Nair J, Clement N, Smith BK, Raben N, Fuller DD, Byrne BJ, Corti M. Advancements in AAV-mediated Gene Therapy for Pompe Disease. J Neuromuscul Dis 2020; 7:15-31. [PMID: 31796685 PMCID: PMC7029369 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-190426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II) is caused by mutations in acid α-glucosidase (GAA) resulting in lysosomal pathology and impairment of the muscular and cardio-pulmonary systems. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), the only approved therapy for Pompe disease, improves muscle function by reducing glycogen accumulation but this approach entails several limitations including a short drug half-life and an antibody response that results in reduced efficacy. To address these limitations, new treatments such as gene therapy are under development to increase the intrinsic ability of the affected cells to produce GAA. Key components to gene therapy strategies include the choice of vector, promoter, and the route of administration. The efficacy of gene therapy depends on the ability of the vector to drive gene expression in the target tissue and also on the recipient's immune tolerance to the transgene protein. In this review, we discuss the preclinical and clinical studies that are paving the way for the development of a gene therapy strategy for patients with early and late onset Pompe disease as well as some of the challenges for advancing gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Salabarria
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Floria, USA
| | - J Nair
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Floria, USA
| | - N Clement
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Floria, USA
| | - B K Smith
- Department of Physical Therapy and Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - N Raben
- Laboratory of Protein Trafficking and Organelle Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - D D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy and Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - B J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Floria, USA
| | - M Corti
- Department of Pediatrics and Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Floria, USA
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Angelini C, Marozzo R, Pegoraro V, Sacconi S. Diagnostic challenges in metabolic myopathies. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1287-1298. [PMID: 32941087 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1825943] [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: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metabolic myopathies comprise a clinically etiological diverse group of disorders caused by defects in cellular energy metabolism including the breakdown of carbohydrates and fatty acids, which include glycogen storage diseases and fatty acid oxidation disorders. Their wide clinical spectrum ranges from infantile severe multisystemic disorders to adult-onset myopathies. To suspect in adults these disorders, clinical features such as exercise intolerance and recurrent myoglobinuria need investigation while another group presents fixed weakness and cardiomyopathy as a clinical pattern. AREAS COVERED In metabolic myopathies, clinical manifestations are important to guide diagnostic tests used in order to lead to the correct diagnosis. The authors searched in literature the most recent techniques developed. The authors present an overview of the most common phenotypes of Pompe disease and what is currently known about the mechanism of ERT treatment. The most common disorders of lipid metabolism are overviewed, with their possible dietary or supplementary treatments. EXPERT COMMENTARY The clinical suspicion is the clue to conduct in-depth investigations in suspected cases of metabolic myopathies that lead to the final diagnosis with biochemical molecular studies and often nowadays by the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to determine gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Angelini
- Neuromuscular Center, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital , Venice, Italy
| | - Roberta Marozzo
- Neuromuscular Center, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital , Venice, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Sacconi
- Peripheral Nervous System and Muscle Department, Université Cote d'Azur, CHU , Nice, France
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Elmore ZC, Oh DK, Simon KE, Fanous MM, Asokan A. Rescuing AAV gene transfer from neutralizing antibodies with an IgG-degrading enzyme. JCI Insight 2020; 5:139881. [PMID: 32941184 PMCID: PMC7566709 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.139881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Preexisting humoral immunity to recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors restricts the treatable patient population and efficacy of human gene therapies. Approaches to clear neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), such as plasmapheresis and immunosuppression, are either ineffective or cause undesirable side effects. Here, we describe a clinically relevant strategy to rapidly and transiently degrade NAbs before AAV administration using an IgG-degrading enzyme (IdeZ). We demonstrate that recombinant IdeZ efficiently cleaved IgG in dog, monkey, and human antisera. Prophylactically administered IdeZ cleaved circulating human IgG in mice and prevented AAV neutralization in vivo. In macaques, a single intravenous dose of IdeZ rescued AAV transduction by transiently reversing seropositivity. Importantly, IdeZ efficiently cleaved NAbs and rescued AAV transduction in mice passively immunized with individual human donor sera representing a diverse population. Our antibody clearance approach presents a potentially new paradigm for expanding the prospective patient cohort and improving efficacy of AAV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery and
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, and
- Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Pei X, Shao W, Xing A, Askew C, Chen X, Cui C, Abajas YL, Gerber DA, Merricks EP, Nichols TC, Li W, Samulski RJ, Li C. Development of AAV Variants with Human Hepatocyte Tropism and Neutralizing Antibody Escape Capacity. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 18:259-268. [PMID: 32637455 PMCID: PMC7329936 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been successfully used in patients with bleeding disorders and blindness. For human liver targeting, two major factors restrict effective AAV transduction after systemic administration of AAV vectors: human hepatocyte tropism and neutralizing antibodies (Nabs). In this study, we attempted to isolate AAV variants with the ability to transduce human hepatocytes and escape Nabs using a directed evolution approach in vivo. After four cycles of selection, 14 AAV capsid mutants were identified from a capsid shuffling library selected in the presence of human Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and isolated from human hepatocytes xenografted into chimeric mice. AAV neutralization assays using IVIG showed that most of the mutants showed the Nab escape pattern in a manner similar to that of AAV8 or AAV9 and better than that of other AAV serotypes. Different mutants displayed varying capacities to escape Nab activity from individual serum samples collected from healthy subjects or hemophilia patients. The mutant AAV LP2-10 was found in 12 colonies out of 25, which was composed of capsids from AAV serotypes 2, 6, 8, and 9, with VP3 subunits derived from AAV8 swapped with AAV6 from residues 261 to 272. The mutant AAV LP2-10 manifested a higher ability than that of other serotypes to escape Nabs in IVIG and most human serum samples. After injection of AAV vectors encoding a self-complementary GFP cassette into chimeric mice, LP2-10 transduced human hepatocytes with efficiency similar to that of AAV8. In summary, AAV mutants can be isolated in humanized mice with both human hepatocyte tropism and the ability to evade Nab activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Pei
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Wenwei Shao
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Allene Xing
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Charles Askew
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Xiaojing Chen
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Caibin Cui
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yasmina L. Abajas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - David A. Gerber
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth P. Merricks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Timothy C. Nichols
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Wuping Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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50
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The evolving landscape of gene therapy for congenital haemophilia: An unprecedented, problematic but promising opportunity for worldwide clinical studies. Blood Rev 2020; 46:100737. [PMID: 32739122 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
With liver-directed gene therapy, congenital haemophilia has the potential to progress from an incurable to a phenotypically curable condition. However, the proportion of haemophilia population likely to benefit from gene therapy remains to be established. Achieving a phenotypic curative goal is presently hampered by: 1) availability of effective treatments (e.g. extended half-life products, non-factor therapies) that address major unmet needs in haemophilia; 2) key differences between hope and reality that patients undergoing gene therapy face (e.g. unknown risks and long-term follow-up, durability of the therapeutic effect, possibility of re-administering the vector), 3) lack of expertise of health care professionals (HCP) in managing/monitoring unexpected side effects in patients, and 4) lack of expertise of HCP in advising payers on key issues for cost-effectiveness analyses of gene therapy (e.g., eligibility criteria, predictability of response, unknown risks, long-term complications). There is also uncertainty about the possibility to absorb the cost of the "one-time, one-dose cure" by payers that are used to different payment models. An active partnership between regulators, payers, patients and health care professionals is key to identify patient sub-populations that might benefit the most from gene therapy, and to align the interests of patients (needing effective disease correction and improved quality of life) and pharma companies (reluctant to lose the profitability of lifelong repeated treatments). Educational programs will provide the healthcare chain with information on the strategy that is expected to transform morbidity and mortality patterns and how it should be regarded as part of the future therapeutic options in haemophilia.
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