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Ruzycki CA, Montoya D, Irshad H, Cox J, Zhou Y, McDonald JD, Kuehl PJ. Inhalation delivery of nucleic acid gene therapies in preclinical drug development. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1097-1113. [PMID: 37732957 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2261369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inhaled gene therapy programs targeting diseases of the lung have seen increasing interest in recent years, though as of yet no product has successfully entered the market. Preclinical research to support such programs is critically important in maximizing the chances of developing successful candidates. AREAS COVERED Aspects of inhalation delivery of gene therapies are reviewed, with a focus on preclinical research in animal models. Various barriers to inhalation delivery of gene therapies are discussed, including aerosolization stresses, aerosol behavior in the respiratory tract, and disposition processes post-deposition. Important aspects of animal models are considered, including determinations of biologically relevant determinations of dose and issues related to translatability. EXPERT OPINION Development of clinically-efficacious inhaled gene therapies has proven difficult owing to numerous challenges. Fit-for-purpose experimental and analytical methods are necessary for determinations of biologically relevant doses in preclinical animal models. Further developments in disease-specific animal models may aid in improving the translatability of results in future work, and we expect to see accelerated interests in inhalation gene therapies for various diseases. Sponsors, researchers, and regulators are encouraged to engage in early and frequent discussion regarding candidate therapies, and additional dissemination of preclinical methodologies would be of immense value in avoiding common pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor A Ruzycki
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Derek Montoya
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Hammad Irshad
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jason Cox
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Yue Zhou
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Philip J Kuehl
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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2
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Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells sense succinate to stimulate myoepithelial cell contraction. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2221-2236.e5. [PMID: 36108628 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) are rare airway cells with potential sensory capacity linked to vagal neurons and immune cells. How PNECs sense and respond to external stimuli remains poorly understood. We discovered PNECs located within pig and human submucosal glands, a tissue that produces much of the mucus that defends the lung. These PNECs sense succinate, an inflammatory molecule in liquid lining the airway surface. The results indicate that succinate migrates down the submucosal gland duct to the acinus, where it triggers apical succinate receptors, causing PNECs to release ATP. The short-range ATP signal stimulates the contraction of myoepithelial cells wrapped tightly around the submucosal glands. Succinate-triggered gland contraction may complement the action of neurotransmitters that induce mucus release but not gland contraction to promote mucus ejection onto the airway surface. These findings identify a local circuit in which rare PNECs within submucosal glands sense an environmental cue to orchestrate the function of airway glands.
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3
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Effective viral-mediated lung gene therapy: is airway surface preparation necessary? Gene Ther 2022:10.1038/s41434-022-00332-7. [DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractGene-based therapeutics are actively being pursued for the treatment of lung diseases. While promising advances have been made over the last decades, the absence of clinically available lung-directed genetic therapies highlights the difficulties associated with this effort. Largely, progress has been hindered by the presence of inherent physical and physiological airway barriers that significantly reduce the efficacy of gene transfer. These barriers include surface mucus, mucociliary action, cell-to-cell tight junctions, and the basolateral cell membrane location of viral receptors for many commonly used gene vectors. Accordingly, airway surface preparation methods have been developed to disrupt these barriers, creating a more conducive environment for gene uptake into the target airway cells. The two major approaches have been chemical and physical methods. Both have proven effective for increasing viral-mediated gene transfer pre-clinically, although with variable effect depending on the specific strategy employed. While such methods have been explored extensively in experimental settings, they have not been used clinically. This review covers the airway surface preparation strategies reported in the literature, the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as a discussion about applying this concept in the clinic.
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4
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Lee JA, Cho A, Huang EN, Xu Y, Quach H, Hu J, Wong AP. Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis: new tools for precision medicine. J Transl Med 2021; 19:452. [PMID: 34717671 PMCID: PMC8556969 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the Cystic fibrosis (CF) gene in 1989 has paved the way for incredible progress in treating the disease such that the mean survival age of individuals living with CF is now ~58 years in Canada. Recent developments in gene targeting tools and new cell and animal models have re-ignited the search for a permanent genetic cure for all CF. In this review, we highlight some of the more recent gene therapy approaches as well as new models that will provide insight into personalized therapies for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-A Lee
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, PGCRL 16-9420, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
| | - Alex Cho
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elena N Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yiming Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Henry Quach
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Program in Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
| | - Amy P Wong
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, PGCRL 16-9420, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada. .,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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5
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Farrow N, Cmielewski P, Delhove J, Rout-Pitt N, Vaughan L, Kuchel T, Christou C, Finnie J, Smith M, Knight E, Donnelley M, Parsons D. Towards Human Translation of Lentiviral Airway Gene Delivery for Cystic Fibrosis: A One-Month CFTR and Reporter Gene Study in Marmosets. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:806-816. [PMID: 33446042 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy continues to be a promising contender for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease. We have previously demonstrated that airway conditioning with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) followed by delivery of a HIV-1-based lentiviral (LV) vector functionally corrects the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) defect in the nasal airways of CF mice. In our earlier pilot study we showed that our technique can transduce marmoset lungs acutely; this study extends that work to examine gene expression in this nonhuman primate (NHP) 1 month after gene vector treatment. A mixture of three separate HIV-1 vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G)-pseudotyped LV vectors containing the luciferase (Luc), LacZ, and hCFTR transgenes was delivered into the trachea through a miniature bronchoscope. We examined whether a single-dose delivery of LV vector after LPC conditioning could increase levels of transgene expression in the trachea and lungs compared with control (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]) conditioning. At 1 month, bioluminescence was detected in vivo in the trachea of three of the six animals within the PBS control group, compared with five of the six LPC-treated animals. When examined ex vivo there was weak evidence that LPC improves tracheal Luc expression levels. In the lungs, bioluminescence was detected in vivo in four of the six PBS-treated animals, compared with five of the six LPC-treated animals; however, bioluminescence was present in all lungs when imaged ex vivo. LacZ expression was predominantly observed in the alveolar regions of the lung. hCFTR was detected by qPCR in the lungs of five animals. Basal cells were successfully isolated and expanded from marmoset tracheas, but no LacZ-positive colonies were detected. There was no evidence of an inflammatory response toward the LV vector at 1 month postdelivery, with cytokines remaining at baseline levels. In conclusion, we found weak evidence that LPC conditioning improved gene transduction in the trachea, but not in the marmoset lungs. We also highlight some of the challenges associated with translational lung gene therapy studies in NHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Farrow
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Patricia Cmielewski
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Juliette Delhove
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nathan Rout-Pitt
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Lewis Vaughan
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tim Kuchel
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Chris Christou
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - John Finnie
- Adelaide Medical School.,SA Pathology, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Matthew Smith
- Surgical Specialties, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Emma Knight
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Adelaide, Australia.,School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - David Parsons
- Robinson Research Institute.,Adelaide Medical School.,Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
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6
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McCarron A, Farrow N, Cmielewski P, Knight E, Donnelley M, Parsons D. Breaching the Delivery Barrier: Chemical and Physical Airway Epithelium Disruption Strategies for Enhancing Lentiviral-Mediated Gene Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:669635. [PMID: 33981244 PMCID: PMC8107471 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.669635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The lungs have evolved complex physical, biological and immunological defences to prevent foreign material from entering the airway epithelial cells. These mechanisms can also affect both viral and non-viral gene transfer agents, and significantly diminish the effectiveness of airway gene-addition therapies. One strategy to overcome the physical barrier properties of the airway is to transiently disturb the integrity of the epithelium prior to delivery of the gene transfer vector. In this study, chemical (lysophosphatidylcholine, LPC) and physical epithelium disruption using wire abrasion were compared for their ability to improve airway-based lentiviral (LV) vector mediated transduction and reporter gene expression in rats. When luciferase expression was assessed at 1-week post LV delivery, LPC airway conditioning significantly enhanced gene expression levels in rat lungs, while a long-term assessment in a separate cohort of rats at 12 months revealed that LPC conditioning did not improve gene expression longevity. In rats receiving physical perturbation to the trachea prior to gene delivery, significantly higher LacZ gene expression levels were found when compared to LPC-conditioned or LV-only control rats when evaluated 1-week post gene transfer. This proof-of-principle study has shown that airway epithelial disruption strategies based on physical perturbation substantially enhanced LV-mediated airway gene transfer in the trachea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra McCarron
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nigel Farrow
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Patricia Cmielewski
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emma Knight
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David Parsons
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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7
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Cao H, Ouyang H, Laselva O, Bartlett C, Zhou ZP, Duan C, Gunawardena T, Avolio J, Bear CE, Gonska T, Hu J, Moraes TJ. A helper-dependent adenoviral vector rescues CFTR to wild-type functional levels in cystic fibrosis epithelial cells harbouring class I mutations. Eur Respir J 2020; 56:13993003.00205-2020. [PMID: 32457197 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00205-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the pancreas, hepatobiliary system and reproductive organs; however, lung disease is responsible for the majority of morbidity and mortality. Management of CF involves CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator agents including corrector drugs to augment cellular trafficking of mutant CFTR as well as potentiators that open defective CFTR channels. These therapies are poised to help most individuals with CF, with the notable exception of individuals with class I mutations where full-length CFTR protein is not produced. For these mutations, gene replacement has been suggested as a potential solution.In this work, we used a helper-dependent adenoviral vector (HD-CFTR) to express CFTR in nasal epithelial cell cultures derived from CF subjects with class I CFTR mutations.CFTR function was significantly restored in CF cells by HD-CFTR and reached healthy control functional levels as detected by Ussing chamber and membrane potential (FLIPR) assay. A dose-response relationship was observed between the amount of vector used and subsequent functional outcomes; small amounts of HD-CFTR were sufficient to correct CFTR function. At higher doses, HD-CFTR did not increase CFTR function in healthy control cells above baseline values. This latter observation allowed us to use this vector to benchmark in vitro efficacy testing of CFTR-modulator drugs.In summary, we demonstrate the potential for HD-CFTR to inform in vitro testing and to restore CFTR function to healthy control levels in airway cells with class I or CFTR nonsense mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibi Cao
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Both authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Both authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Onofrio Laselva
- Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dept of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Claire Bartlett
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhichang Peter Zhou
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cathleen Duan
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tarini Gunawardena
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Avolio
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christine E Bear
- Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dept of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dept of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tanja Gonska
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dept of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Both senior authors contributed equally to this article as lead authors and jointly supervised the work
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Programmes in Translational Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada .,Dept of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dept of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Both senior authors contributed equally to this article as lead authors and jointly supervised the work
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8
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Erwood S, Laselva O, Bily TM, Brewer RA, Rutherford AH, Bear CE, Ivakine EA. Allele-Specific Prevention of Nonsense-Mediated Decay in Cystic Fibrosis Using Homology-Independent Genome Editing. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 17:1118-1128. [PMID: 32490033 PMCID: PMC7256445 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is a major pathogenic mechanism underlying a diversity of genetic disorders. Nonsense variants tend to lead to more severe disease phenotypes and are often difficult targets for small molecule therapeutic development as a result of insufficient protein production. The treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, exemplifies the challenge of therapeutically addressing nonsense mutations in human disease. Therapeutic development in CF has led to multiple, highly successful protein modulatory interventions, yet no targeted therapies have been approved for nonsense mutations. Here, we have designed a CRISPR-Cas9-based strategy for the targeted prevention of NMD of CFTR transcripts containing the second most common nonsense variant listed in CFTR2, W1282X. By introducing a deletion of the downstream genic region following the premature stop codon, we demonstrate significantly increased protein expression of this mutant variant. Notably, in combination with protein modulators, genome editing significantly increases the potentiated channel activity of W1282X-CFTR in human bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, we show how the outlined approach can be modified to permit allele-specific editing. The described approach can be extended to other late-occurring nonsense mutations in the CFTR gene or applied as a generalized approach for gene-specific prevention of NMD in disorders where a truncated protein product retains full or partial functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Erwood
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Onofrio Laselva
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Teija M.I. Bily
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reid A. Brewer
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexandra H. Rutherford
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christine E. Bear
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Evgueni A. Ivakine
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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9
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Ricobaraza A, Gonzalez-Aparicio M, Mora-Jimenez L, Lumbreras S, Hernandez-Alcoceba R. High-Capacity Adenoviral Vectors: Expanding the Scope of Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103643. [PMID: 32455640 PMCID: PMC7279171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation of adenoviruses as gene delivery tools has resulted in the development of high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdVs), also known, helper-dependent or “gutless”. Compared with earlier generations (E1/E3-deleted vectors), HC-AdVs retain relevant features such as genetic stability, remarkable efficacy of in vivo transduction, and production at high titers. More importantly, the lack of viral coding sequences in the genomes of HC-AdVs extends the cloning capacity up to 37 Kb, and allows long-term episomal persistence of transgenes in non-dividing cells. These properties open a wide repertoire of therapeutic opportunities in the fields of gene supplementation and gene correction, which have been explored at the preclinical level over the past two decades. During this time, production methods have been optimized to obtain the yield, purity, and reliability required for clinical implementation. Better understanding of inflammatory responses and the implementation of methods to control them have increased the safety of these vectors. We will review the most significant achievements that are turning an interesting research tool into a sound vector platform, which could contribute to overcome current limitations in the gene therapy field.
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10
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Overcoming Immunological Challenges to Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Vector-Mediated Long-Term CFTR Expression in Mouse Airways. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050565. [PMID: 32443586 PMCID: PMC7291004 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and CF patients require life-long treatment. Although CFTR modulators show a great potential for treating most CF patients, some individuals may not tolerate the treatment. In addition, there is no effective therapy for patients with some rare CFTR mutations, such as class I CF mutations, which lead to a lack of CFTR protein production. Therefore, other therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy, have to be investigated. Currently, immune responses to gene therapy vectors and transgene products are a major obstacle to applying CF gene therapy to clinical applications. In this study, we examined the effects of cyclophosphamide on the modulation of host immune responses and for the improvement of the CFTR transgene expression in the repeated delivery of helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vectors to mouse lungs. We have found that cyclophosphamide significantly decreased the expression of T cell genes, such as CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3) and CD4, and reduced their infiltration into mouse lung tissues. We have also found that the levels of the anti-adenoviral antibody and neutralizing activity as well as B-cell infiltration into the mouse lung tissues were significantly reduced with this treatment. Correspondingly, the expression of the human CFTR transgene has been significantly improved with cyclophosphamide administration compared to the group with no treatment. These data suggest that the sustained expression of the human CFTR transgene in mouse lungs through repeated vector delivery can be achieved by transient immunosuppression.
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11
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Li N, Cooney AL, Zhang W, Ehrhardt A, Sinn PL. Enhanced Tropism of Species B1 Adenoviral-Based Vectors for Primary Human Airway Epithelial Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 14:228-236. [PMID: 31417941 PMCID: PMC6690641 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses are efficient vehicles for transducing airway epithelial cells. Human adenoviruses (Ads) are classified into seven species termed A–G. Most species use the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) as a primary cellular receptor. Ad group B is notable because it is further divided into groups B1 and B2 and its members use CD46 or desmoglein 2 (DSG2) as cellular receptors. To date, human Ad types 2 and 5 have been the predominant choices for preclinical and clinical trials using Ad-based viral vectors in the airways. In this study, we screened 14 Ad types representing species C, B1, B2, D, and E. Using well-differentiated primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells (HAEs), we examined transduction efficiency. Based on GFP or nanoluciferase expression, multiple Ad types transduced HAEs as well as or better than Ad5. Ad3, Ad21, and Ad14 belong to species B and had notable transduction properties. We further examined the transduction properties of conditionally reprogrammed airway basal cells and primary basal cells from human lung donors. Again, the transduction efficiency of species B members outperformed the other types. These data suggest that adenoviral vectors based on species B transduce fully differentiated epithelial cells and progenitor cells in the human airways better than Ad5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ashley L Cooney
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Wenli Zhang
- Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Health, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Anja Ehrhardt
- Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Health, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Patrick L Sinn
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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12
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Cooney AL, Singh BK, Loza LM, Thornell IM, Hippee CE, Powers LS, Ostedgaard LS, Meyerholz DK, Wohlford-Lenane C, Stoltz DA, B McCray P, Sinn PL. Widespread airway distribution and short-term phenotypic correction of cystic fibrosis pigs following aerosol delivery of piggyBac/adenovirus. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:9591-9600. [PMID: 30165523 PMCID: PMC6182177 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene coding for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Although CF affects multiple organ systems, chronic bacterial infections and inflammation in the lung are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in people with CF. Complementation with a functional CFTR gene repairs this defect, regardless of the disease-causing mutation. In this study, we used a gene delivery system termed piggyBac/adenovirus (Ad), which combines the delivery efficiency of an adenoviral-based vector with the persistent expression of a DNA transposon-based vector. We aerosolized piggyBac/Ad to the airways of pigs and observed widespread pulmonary distribution of vector. We quantified the regional distribution in the airways and observed transduction of large and small airway epithelial cells of non-CF pigs, with ∼30–50% of surface epithelial cells positive for GFP. We transduced multiple cell types including ciliated, non-ciliated, basal, and submucosal gland cells. In addition, we phenotypically corrected CF pigs following delivery of piggyBac/Ad expressing CFTR as measured by anion channel activity, airway surface liquid pH, and bacterial killing ability. Combining an integrating DNA transposon with adenoviral vector delivery is an efficient method for achieving functional CFTR correction from a single vector administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Cooney
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Brajesh K Singh
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Laura Marquez Loza
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ian M Thornell
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Camilla E Hippee
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Linda S Powers
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Lynda S Ostedgaard
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David K Meyerholz
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Chris Wohlford-Lenane
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David A Stoltz
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Paul B McCray
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Patrick L Sinn
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Pappajohn Biomedical Institute and the Center for Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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13
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TALEN-Mediated Gene Targeting for Cystic Fibrosis-Gene Therapy. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10010039. [PMID: 30641980 PMCID: PMC6356284 DOI: 10.3390/genes10010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited monogenic disorder, amenable to gene-based therapies. Because CF lung disease is currently the major cause of mortality and morbidity, and the lung airway is readily accessible to gene delivery, the major CF gene therapy effort at present is directed to the lung. Although airway epithelial cells are renewed slowly, permanent gene correction through gene editing or targeting in airway stem cells is needed to perpetuate the therapeutic effect. Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) has been utilized widely for a variety of gene editing applications. The stringent requirement for nuclease binding target sites allows for gene editing with precision. In this study, we engineered helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vectors to deliver a pair of TALENs together with donor DNA targeting the human AAVS1 locus. With homology arms of 4 kb in length, we demonstrated precise insertion of either a LacZ reporter gene or a human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) minigene (cDNA) into the target site. Using the LacZ reporter, we determined the efficiency of gene integration to be about 5%. In the CFTR vector transduced cells, we were able to detect CFTR mRNA expression using qPCR and function correction using fluorometric image plate reader (FLIPR) and iodide efflux assays. Taken together, these findings suggest a new direction for future in vitro and in vivo studies in CF gene editing.
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14
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Donnelley M, Parsons DW. Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease: Overcoming the Barriers to Translation to the Clinic. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1381. [PMID: 30538635 PMCID: PMC6277470 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive, chronic and debilitating genetic disease caused by mutations in the CF Transmembrane-Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. Unrelenting airway disease begins in infancy and produces a steady deterioration in quality of life, ultimately leading to premature death. While life expectancy has improved, current treatments for CF are neither preventive nor curative. Since the discovery of CFTR the vision of correcting the underlying genetic defect - not just treating the symptoms - has been developed to where it is poised to become a transformative technology. Addition of a properly functioning CFTR gene into defective airway cells is the only biologically rational way to prevent or treat CF airway disease for all CFTR mutation classes. While new gene editing approaches hold exciting promise, airway gene-addition therapy remains the most encouraging therapeutic approach for CF. However, early work has not yet progressed to large-scale clinical trials. For clinical trials to begin in earnest the field must demonstrate that gene therapies are safe in CF lungs; can provide clear health benefits and alter the course of lung disease; can be repeatedly dosed to boost effect; and can be scaled effectively from small animal models into human-sized lungs. Demonstrating the durability of these effects demands relevant CF animal models and accurate and reliable techniques to measure benefit. In this review, illustrated with data from our own studies, we outline recent technological developments and discuss these key questions that we believe must be answered to progress CF airway gene-addition therapies to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Donnelley
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David W. Parsons
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
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15
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Cooney AL, McCray PB, Sinn PL. Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy: Looking Back, Looking Forward. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9110538. [PMID: 30405068 PMCID: PMC6266271 DOI: 10.3390/genes9110538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that encodes a cAMP-regulated anion channel. Although CF is a multi-organ system disease, most people with CF die of progressive lung disease that begins early in childhood and is characterized by chronic bacterial infection and inflammation. Nearly 90% of people with CF have at least one copy of the ΔF508 mutation, but there are hundreds of CFTR mutations that result in a range of disease severities. A CFTR gene replacement approach would be efficacious regardless of the disease-causing mutation. After the discovery of the CFTR gene in 1989, the in vitro proof-of-concept for gene therapy for CF was quickly established in 1990. In 1993, the first of many gene therapy clinical trials attempted to rescue the CF defect in airway epithelia. Despite the initial enthusiasm, there is still no FDA-approved gene therapy for CF. Here we discuss the history of CF gene therapy, from the discovery of the CFTR gene to current state-of-the-art gene delivery vector designs. While implementation of CF gene therapy has proven more challenging than initially envisioned; thanks to continued innovation, it may yet become a reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Cooney
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Paul B McCray
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Patrick L Sinn
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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16
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Cao H, Ouyang H, Grasemann H, Bartlett C, Du K, Duan R, Shi F, Estrada M, Seigel KE, Coates AL, Yeger H, Bear CE, Gonska T, Moraes TJ, Hu J. Transducing Airway Basal Cells with a Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Vector for Lung Gene Therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:643-652. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huibi Cao
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hartmut Grasemann
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire Bartlett
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kai Du
- Program of Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rongqi Duan
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fushan Shi
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marvin Estrada
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyle E Seigel
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allan L Coates
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Herman Yeger
- Program of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine E Bear
- Program of Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tanja Gonska
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Program of Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Sondhi D, Stiles KM, De BP, Crystal RG. Genetic Modification of the Lung Directed Toward Treatment of Human Disease. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:3-84. [PMID: 27927014 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic modification therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for many diseases of the lung intractable to other treatments. Lung gene therapy has been the subject of numerous preclinical animal experiments and human clinical trials, for targets including genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and α1-antitrypsin deficiency, complex disorders such as asthma, allergy, and lung cancer, infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Pseudomonas, as well as pulmonary arterial hypertension, transplant rejection, and lung injury. A variety of viral and non-viral vectors have been employed to overcome the many physical barriers to gene transfer imposed by lung anatomy and natural defenses. Beyond the treatment of lung diseases, the lung has the potential to be used as a metabolic factory for generating proteins for delivery to the circulation for treatment of systemic diseases. Although much has been learned through a myriad of experiments about the development of genetic modification of the lung, more work is still needed to improve the delivery vehicles and to overcome challenges such as entry barriers, persistent expression, specific cell targeting, and circumventing host anti-vector responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Katie M Stiles
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Bishnu P De
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York, New York
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18
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Brunetti-Pierri N, Ng P. Gene therapy with helper-dependent adenoviral vectors: lessons from studies in large animal models. Virus Genes 2017; 53:684-691. [PMID: 28593513 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-017-1471-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAd) are deleted of all viral genes and they can efficiently transduce a wide variety of dividing and non-dividing cells to mediate high transgene expression levels. Unlike early generation adenoviral vectors, the absence of viral genes in HDAd results in long-term transgene expression without chronic toxicity and permits a large cloning capacity of 36 kb. Moreover, HDAd genomes exist extra-chromosomally thus minimizing the risks of germline transmission and insertional mutagenesis. For these reasons, HDAd offers tremendous potential for in vivo gene therapy. This chapter reviews preclinical studies using HDAd in large animal models to assess safety and efficacy in a wide variety of gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Philip Ng
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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19
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Cao H, Wu J, Duan C, Du K, Lee CM, Yeger H, Hu J. Long-Term Expression of the Human CFTR Gene in Mouse Airway via Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Vector Delivery and Transient Immunosuppression. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 27:83-91. [PMID: 26710934 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained expression of the CFTR gene is a major challenge to gene therapy with either viral or nonviral vectors with immune response to vector and transgene products. One strategy to achieve sustained CFTR expression is to modulate the host immune system through transient immunosuppression. In this study, we examined cyclophosphamide (cytoxan), dexamethasone (Dex), and a combination of cyclosporin, methylprednisolone, and azathioprine (combination) for their effects on long-term expression of the human CFTR delivered with helper-dependent adenoviral vectors in mouse airways. We found that cyclophosphamide significantly enhanced long-term expression of the transgenic human CFTR and the reporter gene LacZ by reducing host immune responses. Dex administration greatly reduced neutralizing antibody production but had no effect on transgene expression. Treatment with a combination of cyclosporin A, azathioprine, and methylprednisolone affected neither CFTR gene expression nor inflammation. Our data suggest that transient immunosuppression might be a strategy to improve sustained expression in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibi Cao
- 1 Program of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jing Wu
- 1 Program of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cathleen Duan
- 1 Program of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kai Du
- 2 Program of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chan Mi Lee
- 1 Program of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Herman Yeger
- 2 Program of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,3 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- 1 Program of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,3 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Harrison PT, Sanz DJ, Hollywood JA. Impact of gene editing on the study of cystic fibrosis. Hum Genet 2016; 135:983-92. [PMID: 27325484 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-016-1693-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic and progressive autosomal recessive disorder of secretory epithelial cells, which causes obstructions in the lung airways and pancreatic ducts of 70,000 people worldwide (for recent review see Cutting Nat Rev Genet 16(1):45-56, 2015). The finding that mutations in the CFTR gene cause CF (Kerem et al. Science 245(4922):1073-1080, 1989; Riordan et al. Science 245(4922):1066-1073, 1989; Rommens et al. Science 245(4922):1059-1065, 1989), was hailed as the very happy middle of a story whose end is a cure for a fatal disease (Koshland Science 245(4922):1029, 1989). However, despite two licensed drugs (Ramsey et al. N Engl J Med 365(18):1663-1672, 2011; Wainwright et al. N Engl J Med 373(3):220-231, 2015), and a formal demonstration that repeated administration of CFTR cDNA to patients is safe and effects a modest but significant stabilisation of disease (Alton et al. Lancet Respir Med 3(9):684-691, 2015), we are still a long way from a cure, with many patients taking over 100 tablets per day, and a mean age at death of 28 years. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact on the study of CF of gene-editing techniques as they have developed over the last 30 years, up to and including the possibility of editing as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer A Hollywood
- University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Lee CM, Gupta S, Wang J, Johnson EM, Crofford LJ, Marshall JC, Kapoor M, Hu J. Epithelium-specific Ets transcription factor-1 acts as a negative regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. Cell Biosci 2016; 6:43. [PMID: 27313839 PMCID: PMC4910355 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-016-0105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by excessive synovial inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) into prostaglandins. Epithelium-specific Ets transcription factor-1 (ESE-1) was previously demonstrated to upregulate COX-2 in co-operation with nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) in macrophages and chondrocytes. However, the role of ESE-1 in RA pathology has remained unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between ESE-1 and COX-2 in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) using a HD-Ad-mediated knockdown approach. Results ESE-1 and COX-2 were induced by IL-1β in RASFs that corresponded with an increase in PGE2. Endogenous levels of ESE-1 and COX-2 in human RASFs were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and PGE2 was quantified using competitive ELISA. Interestingly, knockdown of ESE-1 using helper-dependent adenovirus (HD-Ad) led to a significant upregulation of COX-2 at a later phase of IL-1β stimulation. Examination of ESE-1 intracellular localization by nuclear fractionation revealed that ESE-1 was localized in the nucleus, occupying disparate cellular compartments to NFκB when COX-2 was increased. To confirm the ESE-1-COX-2 relationship in other cellular systems, COX-2 was also measured in SW982 synovial sarcoma cell line and ESE-1 knockout (KO) murine macrophages. Similarly, knockdown of ESE-1 transcriptionally upregulated COX-2 in SW982 and ESE-1 KO murine macrophages, suggesting that ESE-1 may be involved in the resolution of inflammation. Conclusion ESE-1 acts as a negative regulator of COX-2 in human RASFs and its effect on COX-2 is NFκB-independent. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13578-016-0105-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Mi Lee
- SickKids Research Institute, Program in Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 9th floor, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Sahil Gupta
- The Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- The Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada ; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, The Second Military Medical University, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Elizabeth M Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 1161 21st Ave S, MCN T-3113, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - Leslie J Crofford
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, 1161 21st Ave S, MCN T-3113, Nashville, TN 37232 USA
| | - John C Marshall
- The Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada ; Department of Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Mohit Kapoor
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada ; Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network (UHN), 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8 Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- SickKids Research Institute, Program in Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 9th floor, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada ; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
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22
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Kim N, Duncan GA, Hanes J, Suk JS. Barriers to inhaled gene therapy of obstructive lung diseases: A review. J Control Release 2016; 240:465-488. [PMID: 27196742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of genetic origins of obstructive lung diseases has made inhaled gene therapy an attractive alternative to the current standards of care that are limited to managing disease symptoms. Initial lung gene therapy clinical trials occurred in the early 1990s following the discovery of the genetic defect responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF), a monogenic disorder. However, despite over two decades of intensive effort, gene therapy has yet to help patients with CF or any other obstructive lung disease. The slow progress is due in part to poor understanding of the biological barriers to inhaled gene therapy. Encouragingly, clinical trials have shown that inhaled gene therapy with various viral vectors and non-viral gene vectors is well tolerated by patients, and continued research has provided valuable lessons and resources that may lead to future success of this therapeutic strategy. In this review, we first introduce representative obstructive lung diseases and examine limitations of currently available therapeutic options. We then review key components for successful execution of inhaled gene therapy, including gene delivery systems, primary physiological barriers and strategies to overcome them, and advances in preclinical disease models with which the most promising systems may be identified for human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namho Kim
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Gregg A Duncan
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Justin Hanes
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Environmental and Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jung Soo Suk
- The Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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23
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Afkhami S, Yao Y, Xing Z. Methods and clinical development of adenovirus-vectored vaccines against mucosal pathogens. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16030. [PMID: 27162933 PMCID: PMC4847555 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses represent the most widely used viral-vectored platform for vaccine design, showing a great potential in the fight against intracellular infectious diseases to which either there is a lack of effective vaccines or the traditional vaccination strategy is suboptimal. The extensive understanding of the molecular biology of adenoviruses has made the new technologies and reagents available to efficient generation of adenoviral-vectored vaccines for both preclinical and clinical evaluation. The novel adenoviral vectors including nonhuman adenoviral vectors have emerged to be the further improved vectors for vaccine design. In this review, we discuss the latest adenoviral technologies and their utilization in vaccine development. We particularly focus on the application of adenoviral-vectored vaccines in mucosal immunization strategies against mucosal pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, flu virus, and human immunodeficiency virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Afkhami
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yushi Yao
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhou Xing
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University , Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Klymiuk N, Seeliger F, Bohlooly-Y M, Blutke A, Rudmann DG, Wolf E. Tailored Pig Models for Preclinical Efficacy and Safety Testing of Targeted Therapies. Toxicol Pathol 2015; 44:346-57. [PMID: 26511847 DOI: 10.1177/0192623315609688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite enormous advances in translational biomedical research, there remains a growing demand for improved animal models of human disease. This is particularly true for diseases where rodent models do not reflect the human disease phenotype. Compared to rodents, pig anatomy and physiology are more similar to humans in cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, skeletal muscle, and metabolic systems. Importantly, efficient and precise techniques for genetic engineering of pigs are now available, facilitating the creation of tailored large animal models that mimic human disease mechanisms at the molecular level. In this article, the benefits of genetically engineered pigs for basic and translational research are exemplified by a novel pig model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and by porcine models of cystic fibrosis. Particular emphasis is given to potential advantages of using these models for efficacy and safety testing of targeted therapies, such as exon skipping and gene editing, for example, using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated system. In general, genetically tailored pig models have the potential to bridge the gap between proof-of-concept studies in rodents and clinical trials in patients, thus supporting translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Klymiuk
- Gene Center and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Seeliger
- Pathology Science, DSM, Transgenic, AstraZeneca RD, Mölndal, Sweden
| | | | - Andreas Blutke
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel G Rudmann
- Pathology Science, DSM, Transgenic, AstraZeneca RD, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Gene Center and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Cao H, Ouyang H, Ip W, Du K, Duan W, Avolio J, Wu J, Duan C, Yeger H, Bear CE, Gonska T, Hu J, Moraes TJ. Testing gene therapy vectors in human primary nasal epithelial cultures. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2015; 2:15034. [PMID: 26730394 PMCID: PMC4685663 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2015.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) results from mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which codes for a chloride/bicarbonate channel in the apical epithelial membranes. CFTR dysfunction results in a multisystem disease including the development of life limiting lung disease. The possibility of a cure for CF by replacing defective CFTR has led to different approaches for CF gene therapy; all of which ultimately have to be tested in preclinical model systems. Primary human nasal epithelial cultures (HNECs) derived from nasal turbinate brushing were used to test the efficiency of a helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vector expressing CFTR. HD-Ad-CFTR transduction resulted in functional expression of CFTR at the apical membrane in nasal epithelial cells obtained from CF patients. These results suggest that HNECs can be used for preclinical testing of gene therapy vectors in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibi Cao
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Wan Ip
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Kai Du
- Programme in Molecular Structure & Function, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wenming Duan
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Julie Avolio
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Jing Wu
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Cathleen Duan
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Herman Yeger
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Onatrio, Canada
| | - Christine E Bear
- Programme in Molecular Structure & Function, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tanja Gonska
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Canada; Programme in Molecular Structure & Function, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theo J Moraes
- Programme in Physiology & Experimental Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ankathatti Munegowda M, Hu J. Transient blocking of NK cell function with small molecule inhibitors for helper dependant adenoviral vector-mediated gene delivery. Cell Biosci 2015; 5:29. [PMID: 26085921 PMCID: PMC4470062 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-015-0023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
One major challenge in gene therapy is the host immune responses against viral vectors. Previous studies indicate the involvement of NK cells in stunted gene expression in viral vector mediated gene therapy. To understand the problem of the immune responses, we have developed an in-vitro co-culture system with human NK cell line, macrophages and airway epithelial cells. We showed that small molecule blockers, CAPE and ruxolitinib, for NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways, respectively, significantly inhibited cytokine secretion by macrophages. When NK cells are co-cultured with helper-dependent adenoviral (HD-Ad) vector activated macrophages, IFN-γ cytokine expression by NK cells increased significantly, which was inhibited effectively by ruxolitinib and CAPE, and there was an additive effect when both inhibitors were used. We demonstrated that NK cells activated by cytokines produced by HD-Ad-activated macrophages kill HD-Ad vector transduced bronchial epithelial cells. This cell killing activity was significantly reduced by CAPE and ruxolitinib. Combination of these two inhibitors had an additive effect on inhibiting NK cell mediate killing of gene transduced cells. Transient inhibition of NK cell response at its peak may enhance sustained gene expression. Our data suggest that combination of CAPE and ruxolitinib may help in protecting gene transduced airway epithelial cells to prolong transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjunatha Ankathatti Munegowda
- Department of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), 9th floor, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Department of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), 9th floor, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada ; University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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Gui L, Qian H, Rocco KA, Grecu L, Niklason LE. Efficient intratracheal delivery of airway epithelial cells in mice and pigs. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2015; 308:L221-8. [PMID: 25416381 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00147.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapy via direct intratracheal delivery has gained interest as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating various pulmonary diseases including cystic fibrosis lung disease. However, concerns such as insufficient cell engraftment in lungs and lack of large animal model data remain to be resolved. This study aimed to establish a simple method for evaluating cell retention in lungs and to develop reproducible approaches for efficient cell delivery into mouse and pig lungs. Human lung epithelial cells including normal human bronchial/tracheal epithelial (NHBE) cells and human lung epithelial cell line A549 were infected with pSicoR-green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentivirus. GFP-labeled NHBE cells were delivered via a modified intratracheal cell instillation method into the lungs of C57BL/6J mice. Two days following cell delivery, GFP ELISA-based assay revealed a substantial cell-retention efficiency (10.48 ± 2.86%, n = 7) in mouse lungs preinjured with 2% polidocanol. When GFP-labeled A549 cells were transplanted into Yorkshire pig lungs with a tracheal intubation fiberscope, a robust initial cell attachment (22.32% efficiency) was observed at 24 h. In addition, a lentiviral vector was developed to induce the overexpression and apical localization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-GFP fusion proteins in NHBE cells as a means of ex vivo CFTR gene transfer in nonprogenitor (relatively differentiated) lung epithelial cells. These results have demonstrated the convenience and efficiency of direct delivery of exogenous epithelial cells to lungs in mouse and pig models and provided important background for future preclinical evaluation of intratracheal cell transplantation to treat lung diseases.
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Yan Z, Stewart ZA, Sinn PL, Olsen JC, Hu J, McCray PB, Engelhardt JF. Ferret and pig models of cystic fibrosis: prospects and promise for gene therapy. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2015; 26:38-49. [PMID: 25675143 PMCID: PMC4367511 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2014.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large animal models of genetic diseases are rapidly becoming integral to biomedical research as technologies to manipulate the mammalian genome improve. The creation of cystic fibrosis (CF) ferrets and pigs is an example of such progress in animal modeling, with the disease phenotypes in the ferret and pig models more reflective of human CF disease than mouse models. The ferret and pig CF models also provide unique opportunities to develop and assess the effectiveness of gene and cell therapies to treat affected organs. In this review, we examine the organ disease phenotypes in these new CF models and the opportunities to test gene therapies at various stages of disease progression in affected organs. We then discuss the progress in developing recombinant replication-defective adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, and lentiviral vectors to target genes to the lung and pancreas in ferrets and pigs, the two most affected organs in CF. Through this review, we hope to convey the potential of these new animal models for developing CF gene and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Center for Gene Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Zoe A. Stewart
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Patrick L. Sinn
- Center for Gene Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - John C. Olsen
- Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Jim Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Paul B. McCray
- Center for Gene Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - John F. Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Center for Gene Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Yan Z, Stewart ZA, Sinn PL, Olsen JC, Hu J, McCray, Jr. PB, Engelhardt JF. Ferret and Pig Models of Cystic Fibrosis: Prospects and Promise for Gene Therapy. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2014.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Cmielewski P, Farrow N, Donnelley M, McIntyre C, Penny-Dimri J, Kuchel T, Parsons D. Transduction of ferret airway epithelia using a pre-treatment and lentiviral gene vector. BMC Pulm Med 2014; 14:183. [PMID: 25413892 PMCID: PMC4258949 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2466-14-183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The safety and efficiency of gene therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF) need to be assessed in pre-clinical models. Using the normal ferret, this study sought to determine whether ferret airway epithelia could be transduced with a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) pre-treatment followed by a VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1 based lentiviral (LV) vector, in preparation for future studies in CF ferrets. Methods Six normal ferrets (7 -8 weeks old) were treated with a 150 μL LPC pre-treatment, followed one hour later by a 500 μL LV vector dose containing the LacZ transgene. LacZ gene expression in the conducting airways and lung was assessed by X-gal staining after 7 days. The presence of transduction in the lung, as well as off-target transduction in the liver, spleen and gonads, were assessed by qPCR. The levels of LV vector p24 protein bio-distribution in blood sera were assessed by ELISA at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Results The dosing protocol was well tolerated. LacZ gene expression was observed en face in the trachea of all animals. Histology showed that ciliated and basal cells were transduced in the trachea, with rare LacZ transduced single cells noted in lung. p24 levels was not detectable in the sera of 5 of the 6 animals. The LacZ gene was not detected in the lung tissue and no off-target transduction was detected by qPCR. Conclusions This study shows that ferret airway epithelia are transducible using our unique two-step pre-treatment and LV vector dosing protocol. We have identified a number of unusual anatomical factors that are likely to influence the level of transduction that can be achieved in ferret airways. The ability to transduce ferret airway epithelium is a promising step towards therapeutic LV-CFTR testing in a CF ferret model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cmielewski
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia.
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Abstract
Gene therapy has been considered as the most ideal medical intervention for genetic diseases because it is intended to target the cause of diseases instead of disease symptoms. Availability of techniques for identification of genetic mutations and for in vitro manipulation of genes makes it practical and attractive. After the initial hype in 1990s and later disappointments in clinical trials for more than a decade, light has finally come into the tunnel in recent years, especially in the field of eye gene therapy where it has taken big strides. Clinical trials in gene therapy for retinal degenerative diseases such as Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) and choroideremia demonstrated clear therapeutic efficacies without apparent side effects. Although these successful examples are still rare and sporadic in the field, they provide the proof of concept for harnessing the power of gene therapy to treat genetic diseases and to modernize our medication. In addition, those success stories illuminate the path for the development of gene therapy treating other genetic diseases. Because of the differences in target organs and cells, distinct barriers to gene delivery exist in gene therapy for each genetic disease. It is not feasible for authors to review the current development in the entire field. Thus, in this article, we will focus on what we can learn from the current success in gene therapy for retinal degenerative diseases to speed up the gene therapy development for lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.
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