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Perry C, Rayat ACME. Lentiviral Vector Bioprocessing. Viruses 2021; 13:268. [PMID: 33572347 PMCID: PMC7916122 DOI: 10.3390/v13020268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are potent tools for the delivery of genes of interest into mammalian cells and are now commonly utilised within the growing field of cell and gene therapy for the treatment of monogenic diseases and adoptive therapies such as chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. This is a comprehensive review of the individual bioprocess operations employed in LV production. We highlight the role of envelope proteins in vector design as well as their impact on the bioprocessing of lentiviral vectors. An overview of the current state of these operations provides opportunities for bioprocess discovery and improvement with emphasis on the considerations for optimal and scalable processing of LV during development and clinical production. Upstream culture for LV generation is described with comparisons on the different transfection methods and various bioreactors for suspension and adherent producer cell cultivation. The purification of LV is examined, evaluating different sequences of downstream process operations for both small- and large-scale production requirements. For scalable operations, a key focus is the development in chromatographic purification in addition to an in-depth examination of the application of tangential flow filtration. A summary of vector quantification and characterisation assays is also presented. Finally, the assessment of the whole bioprocess for LV production is discussed to benefit from the broader understanding of potential interactions of the different process options. This review is aimed to assist in the achievement of high quality, high concentration lentiviral vectors from robust and scalable processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Perry
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- Division of Advanced Therapies, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Andrea C. M. E. Rayat
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
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Inwood S, Xu H, Black MA, Betenbaugh MJ, Feldman S, Shiloach J. Continuous production process of retroviral vector for adoptive T- cell therapy. Biochem Eng J 2018; 132:145-151. [PMID: 29977134 DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T-Cell therapy is being considered as a promising method for cancer treatment. In this approach, patient's T cells are isolated, modified, expanded, and administered back to the patient. Modifications may include adding specific T cell receptors (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to the isolated cells by using retroviral vectors. PG13 cells, derivatives of NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts, are being used to stably produce retroviral vectors that transduce the T cells. PG13 cells are anchorage-dependent cells that grow in roller bottles or cell factories and lately also in fixed bed bioreactors to produce the needed viral vector. To scale up viral vector production, PG13 cells were propagated on microcarriers in a stirred tank bioreactor utilizing an alternating tangential flow perfusion system. Microcarriers are 10 µm - 0.5 mm beads that support the attachment of cells and are suspended in the bioreactor that provides controlled growth conditions. As a result, growth parameters, such as dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and nutrients are monitored and continuously controlled. There were no detrimental effects on the specific viral vector titer or on the efficacy of the vector in transducing the T cells of several patients. Viral vector titer increased throughout the 11 days perfusion period, a total of 4.8 × 1011 transducing units (TU) were obtained with an average titer of 4.4 × 107 TU/mL and average specific productivity of 10.3 (TU) per cell, suggesting that this method can be an efficient way to produce large quantities of active vector suitable for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Inwood
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory NIDDK, NIH Bethesda Maryland 20892, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Hui Xu
- Surgery Branch Vector Production Facility, Center For Cancer Research, NCI, NIH Bethesda Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Mary A Black
- Surgery Branch Vector Production Facility, Center For Cancer Research, NCI, NIH Bethesda Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Michael J Betenbaugh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Steven Feldman
- Surgery Branch Vector Production Facility, Center For Cancer Research, NCI, NIH Bethesda Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Joseph Shiloach
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory NIDDK, NIH Bethesda Maryland 20892, USA
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van der Loo JCM, Wright JF. Progress and challenges in viral vector manufacturing. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:R42-52. [PMID: 26519140 PMCID: PMC4802372 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Promising results in several clinical studies have emphasized the potential of gene therapy to address important medical needs and initiated a surge of investments in drug development and commercialization. This enthusiasm is driven by positive data in clinical trials including gene replacement for Hemophilia B, X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis Type 2 and in cancer immunotherapy trials for hematological malignancies using chimeric antigen receptor T cells. These results build on the recent licensure of the European gene therapy product Glybera for the treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficiency. The progress from clinical development towards product licensure of several programs presents challenges to gene therapy product manufacturing. These include challenges in viral vector-manufacturing capacity, where an estimated 1-2 orders of magnitude increase will likely be needed to support eventual commercial supply requirements for many of the promising disease indications. In addition, the expanding potential commercial product pipeline and the continuously advancing development of recombinant viral vectors for gene therapy require that products are well characterized and consistently manufactured to rigorous tolerances of purity, potency and safety. Finally, there is an increase in regulatory scrutiny that affects manufacturers of investigational drugs for early-phase clinical trials engaged in industry partnerships. Along with the recent increase in biopharmaceutical funding in gene therapy, industry partners are requiring their academic counterparts to meet higher levels of GMP compliance at earlier stages of clinical development. This chapter provides a brief overview of current progress in the field and discusses challenges in vector manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C M van der Loo
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA and
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Boeke A, Doumas P, Reeves L, McClurg K, Bischof D, Sego L, Auberry A, Tatikonda M, Cornetta K. Vector production in an academic environment: a tool to assess production costs. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2013; 24:49-57. [PMID: 23360377 PMCID: PMC4015083 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2012.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Generating gene and cell therapy products under good manufacturing practices is a complex process. When determining the cost of these products, researchers must consider the large number of supplies used for manufacturing and the personnel and facility costs to generate vector and maintain a cleanroom facility. To facilitate cost estimates, the Indiana University Vector Production Facility teamed with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to develop a costing tool that, in turn, provides pricing. The tool is designed in Microsoft Excel and is customizable to meet the needs of other core facilities. It is available from the National Gene Vector Biorepository. The tool allows cost determinations using three different costing methods and was developed in an effort to meet the A21 circular requirements for U.S. core facilities performing work for federally funded projects. The costing tool analysis reveals that the cost of vector production does not have a linear relationship with batch size. For example, increasing the production from 9 to18 liters of a retroviral vector product increases total costs a modest 1.2-fold rather than doubling in total cost. The analysis discussed in this article will help core facilities and investigators plan a cost-effective strategy for gene and cell therapy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Boeke
- Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Patrick Doumas
- Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Lilith Reeves
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Kyle McClurg
- Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Daniela Bischof
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Lina Sego
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Alisha Auberry
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Mohan Tatikonda
- Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Kenneth Cornetta
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202
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Rapid titration of retroviral vectors using a β-lactamase protein fragment complementation assay. Gene Ther 2012; 20:43-50. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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van der Loo JCM, Swaney WP, Grassman E, Terwilliger A, Higashimoto T, Schambach A, Baum C, Thrasher AJ, Williams DA, Nordling DL, Reeves L, Malik P. Scale-up and manufacturing of clinical-grade self-inactivating γ-retroviral vectors by transient transfection. Gene Ther 2011; 19:246-54. [PMID: 21753795 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The need for γ-retroviral (gRV) vectors with a self-inactivating (SIN) design for clinical application has prompted a shift in methodology of vector manufacturing from the traditional use of stable producer lines to transient transfection-based techniques. Herein, we set out to define and optimize a scalable manufacturing process for the production of gRV vectors using transfection in a closed-system bioreactor in compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). The process was based on transient transfection of 293T cells on Fibra-Cel disks in the Wave Bioreactor. Cells were harvested from tissue culture flasks and transferred to the bioreactor containing Fibra-Cel in the presence of vector plasmid, packaging plasmids and calcium-phosphate in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and 10% fetal bovine serum. Virus supernatant was harvested at 10-14 h intervals. Using optimized procedures, a total of five ecotropic cGMP-grade gRV vectors were produced (9 liters each) with titers up to 3.6 × 10(7) infectious units per milliliter on 3T3 cells. One GMP preparation of vector-like particles was also produced. These results describe an optimized process for the generation of SIN viral vectors by transfection using a disposable platform that allows for the generation of clinical-grade viral vectors without the need for cleaning validation in a cost-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C M van der Loo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.
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Mansilla-Soto J, Rivière I, Sadelain M. Genetic strategies for the treatment of sickle cell anaemia. Br J Haematol 2011; 154:715-27. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2011.08773.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Zimmermann K, Scheibe O, Kocourek A, Muelich J, Jurkiewicz E, Pfeifer A. Highly efficient concentration of lenti- and retroviral vector preparations by membrane adsorbers and ultrafiltration. BMC Biotechnol 2011; 11:55. [PMID: 21599966 PMCID: PMC3118112 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-11-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lentiviral vectors (LVs) can efficiently transduce a broad spectrum of cells and tissues, including dividing and non-dividing cells. So far the most widely used method for concentration of lentiviral particles is ultracentrifugation (UC).An important feature of vectors derived from lentiviruses and prototypic gamma-retroviruses is that the host range can be altered by pseudotypisation. The most commonly used envelope protein for pseudotyping is the glycoprotein of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV.G), which is also essential for successful concentration using UC. RESULTS Here, we describe a purification method that is based on membrane adsorbers (MAs). Viral particles are efficiently retained by the anionic exchange MAs and can be eluted with a high-salt buffer. Buffer exchange and concentration is then performed by utilizing ultrafiltration (UF) units of distinct molecular weight cut off (MWCO). With this combined approach similar biological titers as UC can be achieved (2 to 5×10⁹ infectious particles (IP)/ml). Lentiviral particles from small starting volumes (e.g. 40 ml) as well as large volumes (up to 1,000 ml) cell culture supernatant (SN) can be purified. Apart from LVs, vectors derived from oncoretroviruses can be efficiently concentrated as well. Importantly, the use of the system is not confined to VSV.G pseudotyped lenti- and retroviral particles and other pseudotypes can also be purified. CONCLUSIONS Taken together the method presented here offers an efficient alternative for the concentration of lenti- as well as retroviral vectors with different pseudotypes that needs no expensive equipment, is easy to handle and can be used to purify large quantities of viral vectors within a short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Zimmermann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Center, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
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Feldman SA, Goff SL, Xu H, Black MA, Kochenderfer JN, Johnson LA, Yang JC, Wang Q, Parkhurst MR, Cross S, Morgan RA, Cornetta K, Rosenberg SA. Rapid production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors in expanded surface roller bottles using a "modified" step-filtration process for clearance of packaging cells. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:107-15. [PMID: 20662590 PMCID: PMC3026655 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors for ex vivo gene delivery requires a scalable process that can rapidly generate large amounts of vector supernatant, clear large numbers of residual packaging cells with minimal decreases in vector titer, and satisfy all current regulatory guidelines regarding product biosafety. To that end, we have developed a simplified method that is compliant with current good manufacturing practices for the production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors in a clinical research environment. We validated a large-scale production platform utilizing 1,700-cm(2) expanded surface roller bottles and a "modified" step-filtration process consisting of a 40/150-μm dual-screen filter for aggregate removal followed by a Sepacell 500II leukocyte reduction filter for removal of residual packaging cells. This clarification process can clear at least 2 × 10(9) viable producer cells using a single filter set-up without any significant loss of titer post-filtration. This platform typically generates 18 liters of vector supernatant to support small-scale clinical trials, but can easily be scaled up to 70 liters during a single manufacturing run. To date, this platform has generated five clinical-grade gammaretroviral vector products, four of which are now being used in adoptive cell therapy clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Feldman
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Reuss S, Biese P, Cosset FL, Takeuchi Y, Uckert W. Suspension packaging cell lines for the simplified generation of T-cell receptor encoding retrovirus vector particles. Gene Ther 2007; 14:595-603. [PMID: 17235289 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The transfer of T-cell receptor (TCR) genes into primary human T-cells to endow their specificity toward virus-infected and tumor cells is becoming an interesting tool for immunotherapy. TCR-modified T cells are mainly generated by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. To produce TCR-retrovirus particles, fibroblast packaging cell lines are the most common tool. We constructed two packaging cell lines based on the human suspension T-cell lymphoma line Deltabeta-Jurkat, which lacks endogenous TCRbeta-chains and is therefore unable to express CD3 complexes on the cell surface. After supply of gag-pol (murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV)) and env (GALV or MLV-10A1) genes, a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding retrovirus vector was transduced into both packaging cell clones, which then stably produced GFP-retroviruses with titers of up to 4 x 10(5) infectious particles (IP)/ml. After transfer of a TCRalpha/beta-encoding retrovirus vector, Deltabeta-Jurkat/GALV and Deltabeta-Jurkat/10A1 cells expressed CD3 molecules on the cell surface. CD3-high expressing packaging cells were enriched by fluorescence-activated cell sorter sorting. In these cells, the CD3 expression level directly correlated with the titer of vector particles. TCR-retroviruses efficiently transduced human T-cell lines and primary T cells. In conclusion, the method allowed the fast and easy generation of high virus titer supernatants for TCR gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Reuss
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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Rodrigues T, Carrondo MJT, Alves PM, Cruz PE. Purification of retroviral vectors for clinical application: Biological implications and technological challenges. J Biotechnol 2007; 127:520-41. [PMID: 16950534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2006.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2006] [Revised: 07/12/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
For centuries mankind led a difficult battle against viruses, the smallest infectious agents at the surface of the earth. Nowadays it is possible to use viruses for our benefit, both at a prophylactic level in the production of vaccines and at a therapeutic level in the promising field of gene therapy. Retroviruses were discovered at the end of the 19th century and constitute one of the most effective entities for gene transfer and insertion into the genome of mammalian cells. This attractive feature has intensified research in retroviral vectors development and production over the past years, mainly due to the expectations raised by the concept of gene therapy. The demand for high quality retroviral vectors that meet standard requisites from the regulatory agencies (FDA and EMEA) is therefore increasing, as the technology has moved into clinical trials. The development of safer producer cell lines that can be used in large-scale production will result in the production of large quantities of retroviral stocks. Cost-efficient and scalable purification processes are essential for production of injectable-grade preparations to achieve final implementation of these vectors as therapeutics. Several preparative purification steps already established for proteins can certainly be applied to retroviral vectors, in particular membrane filtration and chromatographic methods. Nevertheless, the special properties of these complex products require technological improvement of the existing purification steps and/or development of particular purification steps to increase productivity and throughput, while maintaining biological activity of the final product. This review focuses on downstream process development in relation to the retroviral vectors characteristics and quality assessment of retroviral stocks for intended use in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Rodrigues
- IBET/ITQB, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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Baum C, Schambach A, Bohne J, Galla M. Retrovirus Vectors: Toward the Plentivirus? Mol Ther 2006; 13:1050-63. [PMID: 16632409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2005] [Revised: 03/16/2006] [Accepted: 03/16/2006] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant retroviral vectors based upon simple gammaretroviruses, complex lentiviruses, or potentially nonpathogenic spumaviruses represent relatively well characterized tools that are widely used for stable gene transfer. Different members of the Retroviridae family have developed distinct and potentially useful features related to their life cycle. These natural differences can be exploited for specialized applications in gene therapy and could conceivably be combined to create future retroviral hybrid vectors, ideally incorporating the following features: an efficient, noncytopathic packaging system with low likelihood of recombination; serum resistance; an ability to pseudotype with cell-specific envelopes; high-fidelity reverse transcription before cell entry; unrestricted cytoplasmic transport and nuclear import; an insulated expression cassette; specific chromosomal targeting; and physiologic or regulated levels of transgene expression. We envisage that, compared to contemporary vectors, a hybrid vector combining these properties would have increased therapeutic efficacy and an enhanced biosafety profile. Many of the above goals will require the inclusion of nonretroviral components into vector particles or transgenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Baum
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
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