1
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Hanlon KS, Cheng M, Ferrer RM, Ryu JR, Lee B, De La Cruz D, Patel N, Espinoza P, Santoscoy MC, Gong Y, Ng C, Nguyen DM, Nammour J, Clark SW, Heine VM, Sun W, Kozarsky K, Maguire CA. In vivo selection in non-human primates identifies AAV capsids for on-target CSF delivery to spinal cord. Mol Ther 2024:S1525-0016(24)00382-4. [PMID: 38845196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.040] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for spinal cord gene therapy has challenges including toxicity at high doses and pre-existing immunity that reduces efficacy. Intrathecal (IT) delivery of AAV vectors into cerebral spinal fluid can avoid many issues, although distribution of the vector throughout the spinal cord is limited, and vector entry to the periphery sometimes initiates hepatotoxicity. Here we performed biopanning in non-human primates (NHPs) with an IT injected AAV9 peptide display library. We identified top candidates by sequencing inserts of AAV DNA isolated from whole tissue, nuclei, or nuclei from transgene-expressing cells. These barcoded candidates were pooled with AAV9 and compared for biodistribution and transgene expression in spinal cord and liver of IT injected NHPs. Most candidates displayed increased retention in spinal cord compared with AAV9. Greater spread from the lumbar to the thoracic and cervical regions was observed for several capsids. Furthermore, several capsids displayed decreased biodistribution to the liver compared with AAV9, providing a high on-target/low off-target biodistribution. Finally, we tested top candidates in human spinal cord organoids and found them to outperform AAV9 in efficiency of transgene expression in neurons and astrocytes. These capsids have potential to serve as leading-edge delivery vehicles for spinal cord-directed gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian S Hanlon
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA; University College London, London, UK
| | - Ming Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Roberto Montoro Ferrer
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jae Ryun Ryu
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Demitri De La Cruz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Nikita Patel
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Paula Espinoza
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Miguel C Santoscoy
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Carrie Ng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Diane M Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Josette Nammour
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA
| | - Sean W Clark
- SwanBio Therapeutics, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19005, USA
| | - Vivi M Heine
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, the Netherland
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Casey A Maguire
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02116, USA.
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2
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Hanlon KS, Cheng M, De La Cruz D, Patel N, Santoscoy MC, Gong Y, Ng C, Nguyen DM, Nammour J, Clark SW, Kozarsky K, Maguire CA. In vivo selection in non-human primates identifies superior AAV capsids for on-target CSF delivery to spinal cord. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.13.557506. [PMID: 37745398 PMCID: PMC10515928 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.13.557506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Systemic administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for spinal cord gene therapy has challenges including toxicity at high doses and pre-existing immunity that reduces efficacy. Intrathecal delivery of AAV vectors into the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can avoid many of the issues of systemic delivery, although achieving broad distribution of the vector and transgene expression throughout the spinal cord is challenging and vector entry to the periphery occurs, sometimes initiating hepatotoxicity. Here we performed two rounds of in vivo biopanning in non-human primates (NHPs) with an AAV9 peptide display library injected intrathecally and performed insert sequencing on DNA isolated from either whole tissue (conventional selection), isolated nuclei, or nuclei from transgene-expressing cells. A subsequent barcoded pool of candidates and AAV9 was compared at the DNA (biodistribution) and RNA (expression) level in spinal cord and liver of intrathecally injected NHPs. Most of the candidates displayed enhanced biodistribution compared to AAV9 at all levels of spinal cord ranging from 2 to 265-fold. Nuclear isolation or expression-based selection yielded 4 of 7 candidate capsids with enhanced transgene expression in spinal cord (up to 2.4-fold), while no capsid obtained by conventional selection achieved that level. Furthermore, several capsids displayed lower biodistribution to the liver of up to 1,250-fold, compared to AAV9, providing a remarkable on target/off target biodistribution ratio. These capsids may have potential for gene therapy programs directed at the spinal cord and the selection method described here should be useful in clinically relevant large animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian S. Hanlon
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ming Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Demitri De La Cruz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nikita Patel
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Miguel C. Santoscoy
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Carrie Ng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Diane M. Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Josette Nammour
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Casey A. Maguire
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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3
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Martino RA, Wang Q, Xu H, Hu G, Bell P, Arroyo EJ, Sims JJ, Wilson JM. Vector Affinity and Receptor Distribution Define Tissue-Specific Targeting in an Engineered AAV Capsid. J Virol 2023; 97:e0017423. [PMID: 37199615 PMCID: PMC10308920 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00174-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Unbiased in vivo selections of diverse capsid libraries can yield engineered capsids that overcome gene therapy delivery challenges like traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but little is known about the parameters of capsid-receptor interactions that govern their improved activity. This hampers broader efforts in precision capsid engineering and is a practical impediment to ensuring the translatability of capsid properties between preclinical animal models and human clinical trials. In this work, we utilize the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PHP.B-Ly6a model system to better understand the targeted delivery and BBB penetration properties of AAV vectors. This model offers a defined capsid-receptor pair that can be used to systematically define relationships between target receptor affinity and in vivo activity of engineered AAV vectors. Here, we report a high-throughput method for quantifying capsid-receptor affinity and demonstrate that direct binding assays can be used to organize a vector library into families with varied affinity for their target receptor. Our data indicate that efficient central nervous system transduction requires high levels of target receptor expression at the BBB, but it is not a requirement for receptor expression to be limited to the target tissue. We observed that enhanced receptor affinity leads to reduced transduction of off-target tissues but can negatively impact on-target cellular transduction and penetration of endothelial barriers. Together, this work provides a set of tools for defining vector-receptor affinities and demonstrates how receptor expression and affinity interact to impact the performance of engineered AAV vectors in targeting the central nervous system. IMPORTANCE Novel methods for measuring adeno-associated virus (AAV)-receptor affinities, especially in relation to vector performance in vivo, would be useful to capsid engineers as they develop AAV vectors for gene therapy applications and characterize their interactions with native or engineered receptors. Here, we use the AAV-PHP.B-Ly6a model system to assess the impact of receptor affinity on the systemic delivery and endothelial penetration properties of AAV-PHP.B vectors. We discuss how receptor affinity analysis can be used to isolate vectors with optimized properties, improve the interpretation of library selections, and ultimately translate vector activities between preclinical animal models and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Alexander Martino
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qiang Wang
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hao Xu
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gui Hu
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter Bell
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edgardo J. Arroyo
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua J. Sims
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James M. Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Sell MC, Ramlogan-Steel CA, Steel JC, Dhungel BP. MicroRNAs in cancer metastasis: biological and therapeutic implications. Expert Rev Mol Med 2023; 25:e14. [PMID: 36927814 PMCID: PMC10407223 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. The seeding of primary tumours at a secondary site is a highly inefficient process requiring substantial alterations in the genetic architecture of cancer cells. These alterations include significant changes in global gene expression patterns. MicroRNAs are small, non-protein coding RNAs which play a central role in regulating gene expression. Here, we focus on microRNA determinants of cancer metastasis and examine microRNA dysregulation in metastatic cancer cells. We dissect the metastatic process in a step-wise manner and summarise the involvement of microRNAs at each step. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of different microRNA-based strategies that have been used to target metastasis in pre-clinical models. Finally, we highlight current clinical trials that use microRNA-based therapies to target advanced or metastatic tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. Sell
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Charmaine A. Ramlogan-Steel
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Jason C. Steel
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - Bijay P. Dhungel
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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5
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Gene-based therapeutics for rare genetic neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2416-2428. [PMID: 35585789 PMCID: PMC9263284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We are in an emerging era of gene-based therapeutics with significant promise for rare genetic disorders. The potential is particularly significant for genetic central nervous system disorders that have begun to achieve Food and Drug Administration approval for select patient populations. This review summarizes the discussions and presentations of the National Institute of Mental Health-sponsored workshop "Gene-Based Therapeutics for Rare Genetic Neurodevelopmental Psychiatric Disorders," which was held in January 2021. Here, we distill the points raised regarding various precision medicine approaches related to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders that may be amenable to gene-based therapies.
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6
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Meumann N, Schmithals C, Elenschneider L, Hansen T, Balakrishnan A, Hu Q, Hook S, Schmitz J, Bräsen JH, Franke AC, Olarewaju O, Brandenberger C, Talbot SR, Fangmann J, Hacker UT, Odenthal M, Ott M, Piiper A, Büning H. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is a Natural Target for Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) 2 Vectors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020427. [PMID: 35053588 PMCID: PMC8774135 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gene therapy is a novel approach to treat diseases by introducing corrective genetic information into target cells. Adeno-associated virus vectors are the most frequently applied gene delivery tools for in vivo gene therapy and are also studied as part of innovative anticancer strategies. Here, we report on the natural preference of AAV2 vectors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to nonmalignant liver cells in mice and human tissue. This preference in transduction is due to the improved intracellular processing of AAV2 vectors in HCC, resulting in significantly more vector genomes serving as templates for transcription in the cell nucleus. Based on this natural tropism for HCC, novel therapeutic strategies can be designed or existing therapeutic approaches can be strengthened as they currently result in only a minor improvement of the poor prognosis for most liver cancer patients. Abstract Although therapeutic options are gradually improving, the overall prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poor. Gene therapy-based strategies are developed to complement the therapeutic armamentarium, both in early and late-stage disease. For efficient delivery of transgenes with antitumor activity, vectors demonstrating preferred tumor tropism are required. Here, we report on the natural tropism of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2 vectors for HCC. When applied intravenously in transgenic HCC mouse models, similar amounts of vectors were detected in the liver and liver tumor tissue. In contrast, transduction efficiency, as indicated by the level of transgene product, was moderate in the liver but was elevated up to 19-fold in mouse tumor tissue. Preferred transduction of HCC compared to hepatocytes was confirmed in precision-cut liver slices from human patient samples. Our mechanistic studies revealed that this preference is due to the improved intracellular processing of AAV2 vectors in HCC, resulting, for example, in nearly 4-fold more AAV vector episomes that serve as templates for gene transcription. Given this background, AAV2 vectors ought to be considered to strengthen current—or develop novel—strategies for treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Meumann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Christian Schmithals
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (C.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Leroy Elenschneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (L.E.); (T.H.)
| | - Tanja Hansen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (L.E.); (T.H.)
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Qingluan Hu
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hook
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Schmitz
- Nephropathology Unit, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.S.); (J.H.B.)
| | - Jan Hinrich Bräsen
- Nephropathology Unit, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.S.); (J.H.B.)
| | - Ann-Christin Franke
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
| | - Olaniyi Olarewaju
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Brandenberger
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Research (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven R. Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Josef Fangmann
- KRH Klinikum Siloah, Liver Center Hannover (LCH), 30459 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ulrich T. Hacker
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- Department of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, and Infectious Diseases, University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Albrecht Piiper
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (C.S.); (A.P.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-5106
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7
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Muhuri M, Maeda Y, Ma H, Ram S, Fitzgerald KA, Tai PW, Gao G. Overcoming innate immune barriers that impede AAV gene therapy vectors. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143780. [PMID: 33393506 DOI: 10.1172/jci143780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has made considerable progress over the past several years. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have emerged as promising and attractive tools for in vivo gene therapy. Despite the recent clinical successes achieved with recombinant AAVs (rAAVs) for therapeutics, host immune responses against the vector and transgene product have been observed in numerous preclinical and clinical studies. These outcomes have hampered the advancement of AAV gene therapies, preventing them from becoming fully viable and safe medicines. The human immune system is multidimensional and complex. Both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system seem to play a concerted role in the response against rAAVs. While most efforts have been focused on the role of adaptive immunity and developing ways to overcome it, the innate immune system has also been found to have a critical function. Innate immunity not only mediates the initial response to the vector, but also primes the adaptive immune system to launch a more deleterious attack against the foreign vector. This Review highlights what is known about innate immune responses against rAAVs and discusses potential strategies to circumvent these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,VIDE Program
| | - Yukiko Maeda
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,VIDE Program.,Department of Medicine
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
| | | | - Phillip Wl Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,VIDE Program
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Wagner HJ, Weber W, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Biology: Emerging Concepts to Design and Advance Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004018. [PMID: 33977059 PMCID: PMC8097373 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Three recent approvals and over 100 ongoing clinical trials make adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors the leading gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy. Pharmaceutical companies are investing in this small and nonpathogenic gene shuttle to increase the therapeutic portfolios within the coming years. This prospect of marking a new era in gene therapy has fostered both investigations of the fundamental AAV biology as well as engineering studies to enhance delivery vehicles. Driven by the high clinical potential, a new generation of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors is on the rise. Concepts from synthetic biology enable the control and fine-tuning of vector function at different stages of cellular transduction and gene expression. It is anticipated that the emerging field of synthetic-biologically engineered AAV vectors can shape future gene therapeutic approaches and thus the design of tomorrow's gene delivery vectors. This review describes and discusses the recent trends in capsid and vector genome engineering, with particular emphasis on synthetic-biological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna J. Wagner
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 1Freiburg79104Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestraße 18Freiburg79104Germany
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichMattenstrasse 26Basel4058Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 50Basel4056Switzerland
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9
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Muhuri M, Zhan W, Maeda Y, Li J, Lotun A, Chen J, Sylvia K, Dasgupta I, Arjomandnejad M, Nixon T, Keeler AM, Manokaran S, He R, Su Q, Tai PWL, Gao G. Novel Combinatorial MicroRNA-Binding Sites in AAV Vectors Synergistically Diminish Antigen Presentation and Transgene Immunity for Efficient and Stable Transduction. Front Immunol 2021; 12:674242. [PMID: 33995418 PMCID: PMC8113644 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.674242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) platforms hold promise for in vivo gene therapy but are undermined by the undesirable transduction of antigen presenting cells (APCs), which in turn can trigger host immunity towards rAAV-expressed transgene products. In light of recent adverse events in patients receiving high systemic AAV vector doses that were speculated to be related to host immune responses, development of strategies to mute innate and adaptive immunity is imperative. The use of miRNA binding sites (miR-BSs) to confer endogenous miRNA-mediated regulation to detarget transgene expression from APCs has shown promise for reducing transgene immunity. Studies have shown that designing miR-142BSs into rAAV1 vectors were able to repress costimulatory signals in dendritic cells (DCs), blunt the cytotoxic T cell response, and attenuate clearance of transduced muscle cells in mice to allow sustained transgene expression in myofibers with negligible anti-transgene IgG production. In this study, we screened individual and combinatorial miR-BS designs against 26 miRNAs that are abundantly expressed in APCs, but not in skeletal muscle. The highly immunogenic ovalbumin (OVA) transgene was used as a proxy for foreign antigens. In vitro screening in myoblasts, mouse DCs, and macrophages revealed that the combination of miR-142BS and miR-652-5pBS strongly mutes transgene expression in APCs but maintains high myoblast and myocyte expression. Importantly, rAAV1 vectors carrying this novel miR-142/652-5pBS cassette achieve higher transgene levels following intramuscular injections in mice than previous detargeting designs. The cassette strongly inhibits cytotoxic CTL activation and suppresses the Th17 response in vivo. Our approach, thus, advances the efficiency of miRNA-mediated detargeting to achieve synergistic reduction of transgene-specific immune responses and the development of safe and efficient delivery vehicles for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Yukiko Maeda
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jia Li
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Anoushka Lotun
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer Chen
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Katelyn Sylvia
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ishani Dasgupta
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Motahareh Arjomandnejad
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Thomas Nixon
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Allison M. Keeler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sangeetha Manokaran
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ran He
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Qin Su
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Phillip W. L. Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Kraszewska I, Tomczyk M, Andrysiak K, Biniecka M, Geisler A, Fechner H, Zembala M, Stępniewski J, Dulak J, Jaźwa-Kusior A. Variability in Cardiac miRNA-122 Level Determines Therapeutic Potential of miRNA-Regulated AAV Vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:1190-1201. [PMID: 32518806 PMCID: PMC7270145 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemically delivered adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV9) effectively transduces murine heart, but provides transgene expression also in liver and skeletal muscles. Improvement of the selectivity of transgene expression can be achieved through incorporation of target sites (TSs) for miRNA-122 and miRNA-206 into the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the expression cassette. Here, we aimed to generate such miRNA-122- and miRNA-206-regulated AAV9 vector for a therapeutic, heart-specific overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). We successfully validated the vector functionality in murine cell lines corresponding to tissues targeted by AAV9. Next, we evaluated biodistribution of transgene expression following systemic vector delivery to HO-1-deficient mice of mixed C57BL/6J × FVB genetic background. Although AAV genomes were present in the hearts of these animals, HO-1 protein expression was either absent or significantly impaired. We found that miRNA-122, earlier described as liver specific, was present also in the hearts of C57BL/6J × FVB mice. Various levels of miRNA-122 expression were observed in the hearts of other mouse strains, in heart tissues of patients with cardiomyopathy, and in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in which we also confirmed such posttranscriptional regulation of transgene expression. Our data clearly indicate that therapeutic utilization of miRNA-based regulation strategy needs to consider inter-individual variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Kraszewska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz Tomczyk
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kalina Andrysiak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Anja Geisler
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Fechner
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michał Zembala
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heart and Lung Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Jacek Stępniewski
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Kardio-Med Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jaźwa-Kusior
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Corresponding author Agnieszka Jaźwa-Kusior, PhD, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa Str. 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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11
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Domenger C, Grimm D. Next-generation AAV vectors—do not judge a virus (only) by its cover. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:R3-R14. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRecombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are under intensive investigation in numerous clinical trials after they have emerged as a highly promising vector for human gene therapy. Best exemplifying their power and potential is the authorization of three gene therapy products based on wild-type AAV serotypes, comprising Glybera (AAV1), Luxturna (AAV2) and, most recently, Zolgensma (AAV9). Nonetheless, it has also become evident that the current AAV vector generation will require improvements in transduction potency, antibody evasion and cell/tissue specificity to allow the use of lower and safer vector doses. To this end, others and we devoted substantial previous research to the implementation and application of key technologies for engineering of next-generation viral capsids in a high-throughput ‘top-down’ or (semi-)rational ‘bottom-up’ approach. Here, we describe a set of recent complementary strategies to enhance features of AAV vectors that act on the level of the recombinant cargo. As examples that illustrate the innovative and synergistic concepts that have been reported lately, we highlight (i) novel synthetic enhancers/promoters that provide an unprecedented degree of AAV tissue specificity, (ii) pioneering genetic circuit designs that harness biological (microRNAs) or physical (light) triggers as regulators of AAV gene expression and (iii) new insights into the role of AAV DNA structures on vector genome stability, integrity and functionality. Combined with ongoing capsid engineering and selection efforts, these and other state-of-the-art innovations and investigations promise to accelerate the arrival of the next generation of AAV vectors and to solidify the unique role of this exciting virus in human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Domenger
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Merlin S, Follenzi A. Transcriptional Targeting and MicroRNA Regulation of Lentiviral Vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 12:223-232. [PMID: 30775404 PMCID: PMC6365353 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression regulation is the result of complex interactions between transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls, resulting in cell-type-specific gene expression patterns that are determined by the developmental and differentiation stage of pathophysiological conditions. Understanding the complexity of gene expression regulatory networks is fundamental to gene therapy, an approach which has the potential to treat and cure inherited disorders by delivering the correct gene to patient specific cells or tissues by means of both viral and non-viral vectors. Besides the issues of biosafety, in recent years efforts have focused on achieving a robust and sustained transgene expression, which attains a phenotypic correction in several diseases, while avoiding transgene-related adverse effects, such as overexpression-associated cytotoxicity and/or immune responses to the transgene. In this sense, the use of cell-type-specific promoters and microRNA target sequences (miRTs) in gene transfer expression cassettes have allowed for a restricted expression after gene transfer in several studies. This review will focus on the use of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation to achieve a highly specific and safe transgene expression, as well as their application in ex vivo and in vivo gene therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Merlin
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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