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Williams JA, Paez PA. Improving cell and gene therapy safety and performance using next-generation Nanoplasmid vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:494-503. [PMID: 37346980 PMCID: PMC10280095 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
The cell and gene therapy industry has employed the same plasmid technology for decades in vaccination, cell and gene therapy, and as a raw material in viral vector and RNA production. While canonical plasmids contain antibiotic resistance markers in bacterial backbones greater than 2,000 base pairs, smaller backbones increase expression level and durability and reduce the cell-transfection-associated toxicity and transgene silencing that can occur with canonical plasmids. Therefore, the small backbone and antibiotic-free selection method of Nanoplasmid vectors have proven to be a transformative replacement in a wide variety of applications, offering a greater safety profile and efficiency than traditional plasmids. This review provides an overview of the Nanoplasmid technology and highlights its specific benefits for various applications with examples from recent publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A. Williams
- Research & Development, Aldevron, 4055 41st Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, USA
| | - Patrick A. Paez
- Research & Development, Aldevron, 4055 41st Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, USA
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2
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Moretti A, Ponzo M, Nicolette CA, Tcherepanova IY, Biondi A, Magnani CF. The Past, Present, and Future of Non-Viral CAR T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867013. [PMID: 35757746 PMCID: PMC9218214 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T lymphocytes is a powerful technology that has revolutionized the way we conceive immunotherapy. The impressive clinical results of complete and prolonged response in refractory and relapsed diseases have shifted the landscape of treatment for hematological malignancies, particularly those of lymphoid origin, and opens up new possibilities for the treatment of solid neoplasms. However, the widening use of cell therapy is hampered by the accessibility to viral vectors that are commonly used for T cell transfection. In the era of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-CRISPR-associated) precise genome editing, novel and virus-free methods for T cell engineering are emerging as a more versatile, flexible, and sustainable alternative for next-generation CAR T cell manufacturing. Here, we discuss how the use of non-viral vectors can address some of the limitations of the viral methods of gene transfer and allow us to deliver genetic information in a stable, effective and straightforward manner. In particular, we address the main transposon systems such as Sleeping Beauty (SB) and piggyBac (PB), the utilization of mRNA, and innovative approaches of nanotechnology like Lipid-based and Polymer-based DNA nanocarriers and nanovectors. We also describe the most relevant preclinical data that have recently led to the use of non-viral gene therapy in emerging clinical trials, and the related safety and efficacy aspects. We will also provide practical considerations for future trials to enable successful and safe cell therapy with non-viral methods for CAR T cell generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Moretti
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma (MBBM), Monza, Italy
| | - Marianna Ponzo
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma (MBBM), Monza, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Biondi
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma (MBBM), Monza, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Clinica Pediatrica, University of Milano - Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara F. Magnani
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma (MBBM), Monza, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Duncan CJA, Skouboe MK, Howarth S, Hollensen AK, Chen R, Børresen ML, Thompson BJ, Stremenova Spegarova J, Hatton CF, Stæger FF, Andersen MK, Whittaker J, Paludan SR, Jørgensen SE, Thomsen MK, Mikkelsen JG, Heilmann C, Buhas D, Øbro NF, Bay JT, Marquart HV, de la Morena MT, Klejka JA, Hirschfeld M, Borgwardt L, Forss I, Masmas T, Poulsen A, Noya F, Rouleau G, Hansen T, Zhou S, Albrechtsen A, Alizadehfar R, Allenspach EJ, Hambleton S, Mogensen TH. Life-threatening viral disease in a novel form of autosomal recessive IFNAR2 deficiency in the Arctic. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20212427. [PMID: 35442417 PMCID: PMC9026249 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20212427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) play a critical role in human antiviral immunity, as demonstrated by the exceptionally rare deleterious variants of IFNAR1 or IFNAR2. We investigated five children from Greenland, Canada, and Alaska presenting with viral diseases, including life-threatening COVID-19 or influenza, in addition to meningoencephalitis and/or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis following live-attenuated viral vaccination. The affected individuals bore the same homozygous IFNAR2 c.157T>C, p.Ser53Pro missense variant. Although absent from reference databases, p.Ser53Pro occurred with a minor allele frequency of 0.034 in their Inuit ancestry. The serine to proline substitution prevented cell surface expression of IFNAR2 protein, small amounts of which persisted intracellularly in an aberrantly glycosylated state. Cells exclusively expressing the p.Ser53Pro variant lacked responses to recombinant IFN-I and displayed heightened vulnerability to multiple viruses in vitro-a phenotype rescued by wild-type IFNAR2 complementation. This novel form of autosomal recessive IFNAR2 deficiency reinforces the essential role of IFN-I in viral immunity. Further studies are warranted to assess the need for population screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J A Duncan
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Morten K Skouboe
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sophie Howarth
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne K Hollensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rui Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Malene L Børresen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin J Thompson
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jarmila Stremenova Spegarova
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Catherine F Hatton
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Frederik F Stæger
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette K Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Whittaker
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Søren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sofie E Jørgensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Carsten Heilmann
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Medical Department, Pediatric Section, Dronning Ingrid Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Daniela Buhas
- Division of Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nina F Øbro
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob T Bay
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne V Marquart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Teresa de la Morena
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Line Borgwardt
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Isabel Forss
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tania Masmas
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anja Poulsen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francisco Noya
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guy Rouleau
- The Neuro, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sirui Zhou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reza Alizadehfar
- Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eric J Allenspach
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Sophie Hambleton
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Trine H Mogensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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CARAMBA: a first-in-human clinical trial with SLAMF7 CAR-T cells prepared by virus-free Sleeping Beauty gene transfer to treat multiple myeloma. Gene Ther 2021; 28:560-571. [PMID: 33846552 PMCID: PMC8455317 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has been enabled by advances in synthetic biology, genetic engineering, clinical-grade manufacturing, and complex logistics to distribute the drug product to treatment sites. A key ambition of the CARAMBA project is to provide clinical proof-of-concept for virus-free CAR gene transfer using advanced Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon technology. SB transposition in CAR-T engineering is attractive due to the high rate of stable CAR gene transfer enabled by optimized hyperactive SB100X transposase and transposon combinations, encoded by mRNA and minicircle DNA, respectively, as preferred vector embodiments. This approach bears the potential to facilitate and expedite vector procurement, CAR-T manufacturing and distribution, and the promise to provide a safe, effective, and economically sustainable treatment. As an exemplary and novel target for SB-based CAR-T cells, the CARAMBA consortium has selected the SLAMF7 antigen in multiple myeloma. SLAMF7 CAR-T cells confer potent and consistent anti-myeloma activity in preclinical assays in vitro and in vivo. The CARAMBA clinical trial (Phase-I/IIA; EudraCT: 2019-001264-30) investigates the feasibility, safety, and anti-myeloma efficacy of autologous SLAMF7 CAR-T cells. CARAMBA is the first clinical trial with virus-free CAR-T cells in Europe, and the first clinical trial that uses advanced SB technology worldwide.
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Clauss J, Obenaus M, Miskey C, Ivics Z, Izsvák Z, Uckert W, Bunse M. Efficient Non-Viral T-Cell Engineering by Sleeping Beauty Minicircles Diminishing DNA Toxicity and miRNAs Silencing the Endogenous T-Cell Receptors. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 29:569-584. [PMID: 29562762 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposon-based vectors have entered clinical trials as an alternative to viral vectors for genetic engineering of T cells. However, transposon vectors require DNA transfection into T cells, which were found to cause adverse effects. T-cell viability was decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and DNA-transfected T cells showed a delayed response upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation with regard to blast formation, proliferation, and surface expression of CD25 and CD28. Gene expression analysis demonstrated a DNA-dependent induction of a type I interferon response and interferon-β upregulation. By combining Sleeping Beauty transposon minicircle vectors with SB100X transposase-encoding RNA, it was possible to reduce the amount of total DNA required, and stable expression of therapeutic TCRs was achieved in >50% of human T cells without enrichment. The TCR-engineered T cells mediated effective tumor cell killing and cytokine secretion upon antigen-specific stimulation. Additionally, the Sleeping Beauty transposon system was further improved by miRNAs silencing the endogenous TCR chains. These miRNAs increased the surface expression of the transgenic TCR, diminished mispairing with endogenous TCR chains, and enhanced antigen-specific T-cell functionality. This approach facilitates the rapid non-viral generation of highly functional, engineered T cells for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Clauss
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Obenaus
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,2 Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- 3 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- 3 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,4 Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Uckert
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,4 Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany .,5 Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
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Enhanced Tailored MicroRNA Sponge Activity of RNA Pol II-Transcribed TuD Hairpins Relative to Ectopically Expressed ciRS7-Derived circRNAs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:365-375. [PMID: 30347350 PMCID: PMC6198105 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As key regulators of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as targets in basic experimentation and therapy. Administration of DNA-encoded RNA molecules, targeting miRNAs through base pairing, is one viable strategy for inhibiting specific miRNAs. A naturally occurring circular RNA (circRNA), ciRS-7, serving as a miRNA-7 (miR-7) sponge was recently identified. This has sparked tremendous interest in adapting circRNAs for suppressing miRNA function. In parallel, we and others have demonstrated efficacy of expressed anti-miRNA Tough Decoy (TuD) hairpins. To compare properties of such inhibitors, we express ciRS-7 and TuD-containing miRNA suppressor transcripts from identical vector formats adapted from RNA polymerase II-directed expression plasmids previously used for production of ciRS-7. In general, markedly higher levels of miR-7 suppression with TuD transcripts relative to ciRS-7 are observed, leading to superior miRNA sponge effects using expressed TuD hairpins. Notably however, we find that individual ciRS-7 transcripts are more potent inhibitors of miR-7 activity than individual TuD7-containing transcripts, although each miR-7 seed match target site in ciRS-7 is, on average, less potent than the perfectly matched target sites in the TuD motif. All together, our studies call for improved means of designing and producing circRNAs for customized miRNA targeting to match TuD hairpins for tailored miRNA suppression.
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7
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Hodge R, Narayanavari SA, Izsvák Z, Ivics Z. Wide Awake and Ready to Move: 20 Years of Non-Viral Therapeutic Genome Engineering with the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 28:842-855. [PMID: 28870121 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies will only become a widespread tool in the clinical treatment of human diseases with the advent of gene transfer vectors that integrate genetic information stably, safely, effectively, and economically. Two decades after the discovery of the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon, it has been transformed into a vector system that is fulfilling these requirements. SB may well overcome some of the limitations associated with viral gene transfer vectors and transient non-viral gene delivery approaches that are being used in the majority of ongoing clinical trials. The SB system has achieved a high level of stable gene transfer and sustained transgene expression in multiple primary human somatic cell types, representing crucial steps that may permit its clinical use in the near future. This article reviews the most important aspects of SB as a tool for gene therapy, including aspects of its vectorization and genomic integration. As an illustration, the clinical development of the SB system toward gene therapy of age-related macular degeneration and cancer immunotherapy is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russ Hodge
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Suneel A Narayanavari
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- 2 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute , Langen, Germany
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Holstein M, Mesa-Nuñez C, Miskey C, Almarza E, Poletti V, Schmeer M, Grueso E, Ordóñez Flores JC, Kobelt D, Walther W, Aneja MK, Geiger J, Bonig HB, Izsvák Z, Schleef M, Rudolph C, Mavilio F, Bueren JA, Guenechea G, Ivics Z. Efficient Non-viral Gene Delivery into Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Minicircle Sleeping Beauty Transposon Vectors. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1137-1153. [PMID: 29503198 PMCID: PMC6079369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system is a non-viral gene delivery platform that combines simplicity, inexpensive manufacture, and favorable safety features in the context of human applications. However, efficient correction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with non-viral vector systems, including SB, demands further refinement of gene delivery techniques. We set out to improve SB gene transfer into hard-to-transfect human CD34+ cells by vectorizing the SB system components in the form of minicircles that are devoid of plasmid backbone sequences and are, therefore, significantly reduced in size. As compared to conventional plasmids, delivery of the SB transposon system as minicircle DNA is ∼20 times more efficient, and it is associated with up to a 50% reduction in cellular toxicity in human CD34+ cells. Moreover, providing the SB transposase in the form of synthetic mRNA enabled us to further increase the efficacy and biosafety of stable gene delivery into hematopoietic progenitors ex vivo. Genome-wide insertion site profiling revealed a close-to-random distribution of SB transposon integrants, which is characteristically different from gammaretroviral and lentiviral integrations in HSPCs. Transplantation of gene-marked CD34+ cells in immunodeficient mice resulted in long-term engraftment and hematopoietic reconstitution, which was most efficient when the SB transposase was supplied as mRNA and nucleofected cells were maintained for 4–8 days in culture before transplantation. Collectively, implementation of minicircle and mRNA technologies allowed us to further refine the SB transposon system in the context of HSPC gene delivery to ultimately meet clinical demands of an efficient and safe non-viral gene therapy protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Holstein
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Cristina Mesa-Nuñez
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Elena Almarza
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Esther Grueso
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Ordóñez Flores
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Dennis Kobelt
- Translational Oncology, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Translational Oncology, Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Halvard B Bonig
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Rudolph
- ethris GmbH, Planegg, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Fulvio Mavilio
- Genethon, Evry, France; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Juan A Bueren
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Guenechea
- Division of Hematopoietic Innovative Therapies, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIEMAT/CIBERER), Madrid, Spain; Advanced Therapies Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD, UAM) Madrid, Spain
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany.
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Preclinical and clinical advances in transposon-based gene therapy. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20160614. [PMID: 29089466 PMCID: PMC5715130 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposons derived from Sleeping Beauty (SB), piggyBac (PB), or Tol2 typically require cotransfection of transposon DNA with a transposase either as an expression plasmid or mRNA. Consequently, this results in genomic integration of the potentially therapeutic gene into chromosomes of the desired target cells, and thus conferring stable expression. Non-viral transfection methods are typically preferred to deliver the transposon components into the target cells. However, these methods do not match the efficacy typically attained with viral vectors and are sometimes associated with cellular toxicity evoked by the DNA itself. In recent years, the overall transposition efficacy has gradually increased by codon optimization of the transposase, generation of hyperactive transposases, and/or introduction of specific mutations in the transposon terminal repeats. Their versatility enabled the stable genetic engineering in many different primary cell types, including stem/progenitor cells and differentiated cell types. This prompted numerous preclinical proof-of-concept studies in disease models that demonstrated the potential of DNA transposons for ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy. One of the merits of transposon systems relates to their ability to deliver relatively large therapeutic transgenes that cannot readily be accommodated in viral vectors such as full-length dystrophin cDNA. These emerging insights paved the way toward the first transposon-based phase I/II clinical trials to treat hematologic cancer and other diseases. Though encouraging results were obtained, controlled pivotal clinical trials are needed to corroborate the efficacy and safety of transposon-based therapies.
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Tipanee J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Transposons: Moving Forward from Preclinical Studies to Clinical Trials. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1087-1104. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Kebriaei P, Izsvák Z, Narayanavari SA, Singh H, Ivics Z. Gene Therapy with the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System. Trends Genet 2017; 33:852-870. [PMID: 28964527 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The widespread clinical implementation of gene therapy requires the ability to stably integrate genetic information through gene transfer vectors in a safe, effective, and economical manner. The latest generation of Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon vectors fulfills these requirements, and may overcome limitations associated with viral gene transfer vectors and transient nonviral gene delivery approaches that are prevalent in ongoing clinical trials. The SB system enables high-level stable gene transfer and sustained transgene expression in multiple primary human somatic cell types, thereby representing a highly attractive gene transfer strategy for clinical use. Here, we review the most important aspects of using SB for gene therapy, including vectorization as well as genomic integration features. We also illustrate the path to successful clinical implementation by highlighting the application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partow Kebriaei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Suneel A Narayanavari
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Harjeet Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany.
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12
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Hudecek M, Izsvák Z, Johnen S, Renner M, Thumann G, Ivics Z. Going non-viral: the Sleeping Beauty transposon system breaks on through to the clinical side. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 52:355-380. [PMID: 28402189 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2017.1304354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular medicine has entered a high-tech age that provides curative treatments of complex genetic diseases through genetically engineered cellular medicinal products. Their clinical implementation requires the ability to stably integrate genetic information through gene transfer vectors in a safe, effective and economically viable manner. The latest generation of Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon vectors fulfills these requirements, and may overcome limitations associated with viral gene transfer vectors and transient non-viral gene delivery approaches that are prevalent in ongoing pre-clinical and translational research. The SB system enables high-level stable gene transfer and sustained transgene expression in multiple primary human somatic cell types, thereby representing a highly attractive gene transfer strategy for clinical use. Here we review several recent refinements of the system, including the development of optimized transposons and hyperactive SB variants, the vectorization of transposase and transposon as mRNA and DNA minicircles (MCs) to enhance performance and facilitate vector production, as well as a detailed understanding of SB's genomic integration and biosafety features. This review also provides a perspective on the regulatory framework for clinical trials of gene delivery with SB, and illustrates the path to successful clinical implementation by using, as examples, gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the engineering of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hudecek
- a Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II , Universitätsklinikum Würzburg , Würzburg , Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- b Mobile DNA , Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin , Germany
| | - Sandra Johnen
- c Department of Ophthalmology , University Hospital RWTH Aachen , Aachen , Germany
| | - Matthias Renner
- d Division of Medical Biotechnology , Paul Ehrlich Institute , Langen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Thumann
- e Département des Neurosciences Cliniques Service d'Ophthalmologie , Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève , Genève , Switzerland
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- d Division of Medical Biotechnology , Paul Ehrlich Institute , Langen, Germany
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13
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Šimčíková M, Prather KLJ, Prazeres DMF, Monteiro GA. Towards effective non-viral gene delivery vector. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2017; 31:82-107. [PMID: 27160661 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2016.1178011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite very good safety records, clinical trials using plasmid DNA failed due to low transfection efficiency and brief transgene expression. Although this failure is both due to poor plasmid design and to inefficient delivery methods, here we will focus on the former. The DNA elements like CpG motifs, selection markers, origins of replication, cryptic eukaryotic signals or nuclease-susceptible regions and inverted repeats showed detrimental effects on plasmids' performance as biopharmaceuticals. On the other hand, careful selection of promoter, polyadenylation signal, codon optimization and/or insertion of introns or nuclear-targeting sequences for therapeutic protein expression can enhance the clinical efficacy. Minimal vectors, which are devoid of the bacterial backbone and consist exclusively of the eukaryotic expression cassette, demonstrate better performance in terms of expression levels, bioavailability, transfection rates and increased therapeutic effects. Although the results are promising, minimal vectors have not taken over the conventional plasmids in clinical trials due to challenging manufacturing issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Šimčíková
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,b iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Kristala L J Prather
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Duarte M F Prazeres
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA.,d Department of Bioengineering , Instituto Superior Técnico , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Gabriel A Monteiro
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA.,d Department of Bioengineering , Instituto Superior Técnico , Lisbon , Portugal
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14
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Vargas JE, Chicaybam L, Stein RT, Tanuri A, Delgado-Cañedo A, Bonamino MH. Retroviral vectors and transposons for stable gene therapy: advances, current challenges and perspectives. J Transl Med 2016; 14:288. [PMID: 27729044 PMCID: PMC5059932 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1047-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy protocols require robust and long-term gene expression. For two decades, retrovirus family vectors have offered several attractive properties as stable gene-delivery vehicles. These vectors represent a technology with widespread use in basic biology and translational studies that require persistent gene expression for treatment of several monogenic diseases. Immunogenicity and insertional mutagenesis represent the main obstacles to a wider clinical use of these vectors. Efficient and safe non-viral vectors are emerging as a promising alternative and facilitate clinical gene therapy studies. Here, we present an updated review for beginners and expert readers on retro and lentiviruses and the latest generation of transposon vectors (sleeping beauty and piggyBac) used in stable gene transfer and gene therapy clinical trials. We discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of these systems such as cellular responses (immunogenicity or genome modification of the target cell) following exogenous DNA integration. Additionally, we discuss potential implications of these genome modification tools in gene therapy and other basic and applied science contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Eduardo Vargas
- Centro Infantil-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul-PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Chicaybam
- Programa de Carcinogênese Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rua Andre Cavalcanti 37/6º andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, 20231-050, Brazil.,Vice-presidência de Pesquisa e Laboratórios de Referência, Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renato Tetelbom Stein
- Centro Infantil-Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul-PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Martin H Bonamino
- Programa de Carcinogênese Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rua Andre Cavalcanti 37/6º andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, 20231-050, Brazil. .,Vice-presidência de Pesquisa e Laboratórios de Referência, Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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15
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Narayanavari SA, Chilkunda SS, Ivics Z, Izsvák Z. Sleeping Beauty transposition: from biology to applications. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 52:18-44. [PMID: 27696897 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2016.1237935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Sleeping Beauty (SB) is the first synthetic DNA transposon that was shown to be active in a wide variety of species. Here, we review studies from the last two decades addressing both basic biology and applications of this transposon. We discuss how host-transposon interaction modulates transposition at different steps of the transposition reaction. We also discuss how the transposon was translated for gene delivery and gene discovery purposes. We critically review the system in clinical, pre-clinical and non-clinical settings as a non-viral gene delivery tool in comparison with viral technologies. We also discuss emerging SB-based hybrid vectors aimed at combining the attractive safety features of the transposon with effective viral delivery. The success of the SB-based technology can be fundamentally attributed to being able to insert fairly randomly into genomic regions that allow stable long-term expression of the delivered transgene cassette. SB has emerged as an efficient and economical toolkit for safe and efficient gene delivery for medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneel A Narayanavari
- a Mobile DNA , Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin , Germany
| | - Shreevathsa S Chilkunda
- a Mobile DNA , Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin , Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- b Division of Medical Biotechnology , Paul Ehrlich Institute , Langen , Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- a Mobile DNA , Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) , Berlin , Germany
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16
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Enhanced CAR T-cell engineering using non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposition from minicircle vectors. Leukemia 2016; 31:186-194. [PMID: 27491640 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy with T cell modified with gamma-retroviral or lentiviral (LV) vectors to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials. However, the potential for insertional mutagenesis and genotoxicity of viral vectors is a safety concern, and their cost and regulatory demands a roadblock for rapid and broad clinical translation. Here, we demonstrate that CAR T cells can be engineered through non-viral Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposition of CAR genes from minimalistic DNA vectors called minicircles (MCs). We analyzed genomic distribution of SB and LV integrations and show that a significantly higher proportion of MC-derived CAR transposons compared with LV integrants had occurred outside of highly expressed and cancer-related genes into genomic safe harbor loci that are not expected to cause mutagenesis or genotoxicity. CD19-CAR T cells engineered with our enhanced SB approach conferred potent reactivity in vitro and eradicated lymphoma in a xenograft model in vivo. Intriguingly, electroporation of SB MCs is substantially more effective and less toxic compared with conventional plasmids, and enables cost-effective rapid preparation of therapeutic CAR T-cell doses. This approach sets a new standard in advanced cellular and gene therapy and will accelerate and increase the availability of CAR T-cell therapy to treat hematologic malignancies.
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17
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Loperfido M, Jarmin S, Dastidar S, Di Matteo M, Perini I, Moore M, Nair N, Samara-Kuko E, Athanasopoulos T, Tedesco FS, Dickson G, Sampaolesi M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. piggyBac transposons expressing full-length human dystrophin enable genetic correction of dystrophic mesoangioblasts. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:744-60. [PMID: 26682797 PMCID: PMC4737162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin. We developed a novel gene therapy approach based on the use of the piggyBac (PB) transposon system to deliver the coding DNA sequence (CDS) of either full-length human dystrophin (DYS: 11.1 kb) or truncated microdystrophins (MD1: 3.6 kb; MD2: 4 kb). PB transposons encoding microdystrophins were transfected in C2C12 myoblasts, yielding 65±2% MD1 and 66±2% MD2 expression in differentiated multinucleated myotubes. A hyperactive PB (hyPB) transposase was then deployed to enable transposition of the large-size PB transposon (17 kb) encoding the full-length DYS and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Stable GFP expression attaining 78±3% could be achieved in the C2C12 myoblasts that had undergone transposition. Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of the full-length human DYS protein in myotubes. Subsequently, dystrophic mesoangioblasts from a Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dog were transfected with the large-size PB transposon resulting in 50±5% GFP-expressing cells after stable transposition. This was consistent with correction of the differentiated dystrophic mesoangioblasts following expression of full-length human DYS. These results pave the way toward a novel non-viral gene therapy approach for DMD using PB transposons underscoring their potential to deliver large therapeutic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Loperfido
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Susan Jarmin
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | | | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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18
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Foldvari M, Chen DW, Nafissi N, Calderon D, Narsineni L, Rafiee A. Non-viral gene therapy: Gains and challenges of non-invasive administration methods. J Control Release 2015; 240:165-190. [PMID: 26686079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is becoming an influential part of the rapidly increasing armamentarium of biopharmaceuticals for improving health and combating diseases. Currently, three gene therapy treatments are approved by regulatory agencies. While these treatments utilize viral vectors, non-viral alternative technologies are also being developed to improve the safety profile and manufacturability of gene carrier formulations. We present an overview of gene-based therapies focusing on non-viral gene delivery systems and the genetic therapeutic tools that will further revolutionize medical treatment with primary focus on the range and development of non-invasive delivery systems for dermal, transdermal, ocular and pulmonary administrations and perspectives on other administration methods such as intranasal, oral, buccal, vaginal, rectal and otic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Foldvari
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Ding Wen Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Nafiseh Nafissi
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Daniella Calderon
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lokesh Narsineni
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Amirreza Rafiee
- School of Pharmacy, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Center for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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19
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Nafissi N, Foldvari M. Neuroprotective therapies in glaucoma: II. Genetic nanotechnology tools. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:355. [PMID: 26528114 PMCID: PMC4604245 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophic factor genome engineering could have many potential applications not only in the deeper understanding of neurodegenerative disorders but also in improved therapeutics. The fields of nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, and gene/cell-based therapy have been revolutionized by the development of safer and efficient non-viral technologies for gene delivery and genome editing with modern techniques for insertion of the neurotrophic factors into clinically relevant cells for a more sustained pharmaceutical effect. It has been suggested that the long-term expression of neurotrophic factors is the ultimate approach to prevent and/or treat neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma in patients who do not respond to available treatments or are at the progressive stage of the disease. Recent preclinical research suggests that novel neuroprotective gene and cell therapeutics could be promising approaches for both non-invasive neuroprotection and regenerative functions in the eye. Several progenitor and retinal cell types have been investigated as potential candidates for glaucoma neurotrophin therapy either as targets for gene therapy, options for cell replacement therapy, or as vehicles for gene delivery. Therefore, in parallel with deeper understanding of the specific protective effects of different neurotrophic factors and the potential therapeutic cell candidates for glaucoma neuroprotection, the development of non-invasive and highly specific gene delivery methods with safe and effective technologies to modify cell candidates for life-long neuroprotection in the eye is essential before investing in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Foldvari
- School of Pharmacy and Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON, Canada
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20
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Skipper KA, Mikkelsen JG. Delivering the Goods for Genome Engineering and Editing. Hum Gene Ther 2015; 26:486-97. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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21
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Kacherovsky N, Liu GW, Jensen MC, Pun SH. Multiplexed gene transfer to a human T-cell line by combining Sleeping Beauty transposon system with methotrexate selection. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 112:1429-36. [PMID: 25808830 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Engineered human T-cells are a promising therapeutic modality for cancer immunotherapy. T-cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors combined with additional genes to enhance T-cell proliferation, survival, or tumor targeting may further improve efficacy but require multiple stable gene transfer events. Methods are therefore needed to increase production efficiency for multiplexed engineered cells. In this work, we demonstrate multiplexed, non-viral gene transfer to a human T-cell line with efficient selection (∼ 50%) of cells expressing up to three recombinant open reading frames. The efficient introduction of multiple genes to T-cells was achieved using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system delivered in minicircles by nucleofection. We demonstrate rapid selection for engineered cells using methotrexate (MTX) and a mutant human dihydrofolate reductase resistant to methotrexate-induced metabolic inhibition. Preferential amplification of cells expressing multiple transgenes was achieved by two successive rounds of increasing MTX concentration. This non-viral gene transfer method with MTX step selection can potentially be used in the generation of clinical-grade T-cells housing multiplexed genetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataly Kacherovsky
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Gary W Liu
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael C Jensen
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. .,Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
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22
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Cai Y, Mikkelsen JG. Driving DNA transposition by lentiviral protein transduction. Mob Genet Elements 2014; 4:e29591. [PMID: 25057443 PMCID: PMC4092313 DOI: 10.4161/mge.29591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene vectors derived from DNA transposable elements have become powerful molecular tools in biomedical research and are slowly moving into the clinic as carriers of therapeutic genes. Conventional uses of DNA transposon-based gene vehicles rely on the intracellular production of the transposase protein from transfected nucleic acids. The transposase mediates mobilization of the DNA transposon, which is typically provided in the context of plasmid DNA. In recent work, we established lentiviral protein transduction from Gag precursors as a new strategy for direct delivery of the transposase protein. Inspired by the natural properties of infecting viruses to carry their own enzymes, we loaded lentivirus-derived particles not only with vector genomes carrying the DNA transposon vector but also with hundreds of transposase subunits. Such particles were found to drive efficient transposition of the piggyBac transposable element in a range of different cell types, including primary cells, and offer a new transposase delivery approach that guarantees short-term activity and limits potential cytotoxicity. DNA transposon vectors, originally developed and launched as a non-viral alternative to viral integrating vectors, have truly become viral. Here, we briefly review our findings and speculate on the perspectives and potential advantages of transposase delivery by lentiviral protein transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Cai
- Department of Biomedicine; Aarhus University; Aarhus C, Denmark
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23
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Bak RO, Mikkelsen JG. miRNA sponges: soaking up miRNAs for regulation of gene expression. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2013; 5:317-33. [PMID: 24375960 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that act in an entangled web of interactions with target mRNAs to shape the cellular protein landscape by post-transcriptional control of mRNA decay and translation. miRNAs are themselves subject to numerous regulatory mechanisms that adjust their prevalence and activity. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are themselves targeted by regulatory RNA species, and the identification of several classes of noncoding RNA molecules carrying miRNA binding sites has added a new intricate dimension to miRNA regulation. Such miRNA 'sponges' bind miRNAs and competitively sequester them from their natural targets. Endogenous miRNA sponges, also termed competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), act to buffer the activity of miRNAs on physiologically relevant targets. This class of sponges includes endogenously transcribed pseudogenes, long noncoding RNAs, and recently discovered circular RNAs and may act in large complex networks in conjunction with miRNAs to regulate the output of protein. With the growing demand of regulating miRNA activity for experimental purposes and potential future clinical use, naturally occurring miRNA sponges are providing inspiration for engineering of gene vector-encoded sponges as potent inhibitors of miRNA activity. Combined with potent and versatile vector technologies, expression of custom-designed sponges provides new means of managing miRNAs and soaking up miRNAs for therapeutic regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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24
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Skipper KA, Andersen PR, Sharma N, Mikkelsen JG. DNA transposon-based gene vehicles - scenes from an evolutionary drive. J Biomed Sci 2013; 20:92. [PMID: 24320156 PMCID: PMC3878927 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-20-92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA transposons are primitive genetic elements which have colonized living organisms from plants to bacteria and mammals. Through evolution such parasitic elements have shaped their host genomes by replicating and relocating between chromosomal loci in processes catalyzed by the transposase proteins encoded by the elements themselves. DNA transposable elements are constantly adapting to life in the genome, and self-suppressive regulation as well as defensive host mechanisms may assist in buffering ‘cut-and-paste’ DNA mobilization until accumulating mutations will eventually restrict events of transposition. With the reconstructed Sleeping Beauty DNA transposon as a powerful engine, a growing list of transposable elements with activity in human cells have moved into biomedical experimentation and preclinical therapy as versatile vehicles for delivery and genomic insertion of transgenes. In this review, we aim to link the mechanisms that drive transposon evolution with the realities and potential challenges we are facing when adapting DNA transposons for gene transfer. We argue that DNA transposon-derived vectors may carry inherent, and potentially limiting, traits of their mother elements. By understanding in detail the evolutionary journey of transposons, from host colonization to element multiplication and inactivation, we may better exploit the potential of distinct transposable elements. Hence, parallel efforts to investigate and develop distinct, but potent, transposon-based vector systems will benefit the broad applications of gene transfer. Insight and clever optimization have shaped new DNA transposon vectors, which recently debuted in the first DNA transposon-based clinical trial. Learning from an evolutionary drive may help us create gene vehicles that are safer, more efficient, and less prone for suppression and inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilh, Meyers Allé 4, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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25
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Cai Y, Bak RO, Krogh LB, Staunstrup NH, Moldt B, Corydon TJ, Schrøder LD, Mikkelsen JG. DNA transposition by protein transduction of the piggyBac transposase from lentiviral Gag precursors. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:e28. [PMID: 24270790 PMCID: PMC3936723 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA transposon-based vectors have emerged as gene vehicles with a wide biomedical and therapeutic potential. So far, genomic insertion of such vectors has relied on the co-delivery of genetic material encoding the gene-inserting transposase protein, raising concerns related to persistent expression, insertional mutagenesis and cytotoxicity. This report describes potent DNA transposition achieved by direct delivery of transposase protein. By adapting integrase-deficient lentiviral particles (LPs) as carriers of the hyperactive piggyBac transposase protein (hyPBase), we demonstrate rates of DNA transposition that are comparable with the efficiency of a conventional plasmid-based strategy. Embedded in the Gag polypeptide, hyPBase is robustly incorporated into LPs and liberated from the viral proteins by the viral protease during particle maturation. We demonstrate lentiviral co-delivery of the transposase protein and vector RNA carrying the transposon sequence, allowing robust DNA transposition in a variety of cell types. Importantly, this novel delivery method facilitates a balanced cellular uptake of hyPBase, as shown by confocal microscopy, and allows high-efficiency production of clones harboring a single transposon insertion. Our findings establish engineered LPs as a new tool for transposase delivery. We believe that protein transduction methods will increase applicability and safety of DNA transposon-based vector technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Cai
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark and Department of Immunology and Microbial Science and IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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