1
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Han R, Zhou Y, Zhang C, Xiao W, Herzog R. Systemic Delivery of Full-Length Dystrophin in DMD Mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3867299. [PMID: 38746161 PMCID: PMC11092816 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3867299/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Current gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) utilizes adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver miniaturized dystrophin (micro-dystrophin or µDys), which does not provide full protection for striated muscles as it lacks many important functional domains within full-length (FL) dystrophin. Here we develop a triple vector system to deliver FL-dystrophin into skeletal and cardiac muscles. We rationally split FL-dystrophin into three fragments (N, M, and C) linked to two orthogonal pairs of split intein, allowing efficient, unidirectional assembly of FL-dystrophin. The three fragments packaged in myotropic AAV (MyoAAV4A) restore FL-dystrophin expression in both skeletal and cardiac muscles in male mdx 4cv mice. Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex components are also restored in the sarcolemma of dystrophic muscles. MyoAAV4A-delivered FL-dystrophin significantly improves muscle histopathology, contractility, and overall strength comparable to µDys, but unlike µDys, it also restores defective ERK signaling in heart. The FL-dystrophin gene therapy therefore promises to offer superior protection for DMD.
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2
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Pupo A, Fernández A, Low SH, François A, Suárez-Amarán L, Samulski RJ. AAV vectors: The Rubik's cube of human gene therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3515-3541. [PMID: 36203359 PMCID: PMC9734031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective genes account for ∼80% of the total of more than 7,000 diseases known to date. Gene therapy brings the promise of a one-time treatment option that will fix the errors in patient genetic coding. Recombinant viruses are highly efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer unique advantages, such as tissue tropism, specificity in transduction, eliciting of a relatively low immune responses, no incorporation into the host chromosome, and long-lasting delivered gene expression, making them the most popular viral gene delivery system in clinical trials, with three AAV-based gene therapy drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the success of AAV vectors, their usage in particular scenarios is still limited due to remaining challenges, such as poor transduction efficiency in certain tissues, low organ specificity, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids, and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. In the present review, we address the different approaches to improve AAV vectors for gene therapy with a focus on AAV capsid selection and engineering, strategies to overcome anti-AAV immune response, and vector genome design, ending with a glimpse at vector production methods and the current state of recombinant AAV (rAAV) at the clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Pupo
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Audry Fernández
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Siew Hui Low
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Achille François
- Viralgen. Parque Tecnológico de Guipuzkoa, Edificio Kuatro, Paseo Mikeletegui, 83, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Richard Jude Samulski
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Corresponding author: Richard Jude Samulski, R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, NC 27709, USA.
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3
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Esposito F, Lyubenova H, Tornabene P, Auricchio S, Iuliano A, Nusco E, Merlin S, Olgasi C, Manni G, Gargaro M, Fallarino F, Follenzi A, Auricchio A. Liver gene therapy with intein-mediated F8 trans-splicing corrects mouse haemophilia A. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15199. [PMID: 35491676 PMCID: PMC9174883 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver gene therapy with adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vectors is under clinical investigation for haemophilia A (HemA), the most common inherited X‐linked bleeding disorder. Major limitations are the large size of the F8 transgene, which makes packaging in a single AAV vector a challenge, as well as the development of circulating anti‐F8 antibodies which neutralise F8 activity. Taking advantage of split‐intein‐mediated protein trans‐splicing, we divided the coding sequence of the large and highly secreted F8‐N6 variant in two separate AAV‐intein vectors whose co‐administration to HemA mice results in the expression of therapeutic levels of F8 over time. This occurred without eliciting circulating anti‐F8 antibodies unlike animals treated with the single oversized AAV‐F8 vector under clinical development. Therefore, liver gene therapy with AAV‐F8‐N6 intein should be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for HemA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Esposito
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Antonella Iuliano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Edoardo Nusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Simone Merlin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Cristina Olgasi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Manni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gargaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara, Italy
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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4
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BIVV001, a new class of factor VIII replacement for hemophilia A that is independent of von Willebrand factor in primates and mice. Blood 2020; 135:1484-1496. [PMID: 32078672 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019001292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement products enable comprehensive care in hemophilia A. Treatment goals in severe hemophilia A are expanding beyond low annualized bleed rates to include long-term outcomes associated with high sustained FVIII levels. Endogenous von Willebrand factor (VWF) stabilizes and protects FVIII from degradation and clearance, but it also subjects FVIII to a half-life ceiling of ∼15 to 19 hours. Increasing recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) half-life further is ultimately dependent upon uncoupling rFVIII from endogenous VWF. We have developed a new class of FVIII replacement, rFVIIIFc-VWF-XTEN (BIVV001), that is physically decoupled from endogenous VWF and has enhanced pharmacokinetic properties compared with all previous FVIII products. BIVV001 was bioengineered as a unique fusion protein consisting of a VWF-D'D3 domain fused to rFVIII via immunoglobulin-G1 Fc domains and 2 XTEN polypeptides (Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Mountain View, CA). Plasma FVIII half-life after BIVV001 administration in mice and monkeys was 25 to 31 hours and 33 to 34 hours, respectively, representing a three- to fourfold increase in FVIII half-life. Our results showed that multifaceted protein engineering, far beyond a few amino acid substitutions, could significantly improve rFVIII pharmacokinetic properties while maintaining hemostatic function. BIVV001 is the first rFVIII with the potential to significantly change the treatment paradigm for severe hemophilia A by providing optimal protection against all bleed types, with less frequent doses. The protein engineering methods described herein can also be applied to other complex proteins.
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5
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Cao W, Dong B, Horling F, Firrman JA, Lengler J, Klugmann M, de la Rosa M, Wu W, Wang Q, Wei H, Moore AR, Roberts SA, Booth CJ, Hoellriegl W, Li D, Konkle B, Miao C, Reipert BM, Scheiflinger F, Rottensteiner H, Xiao W. Minimal Essential Human Factor VIII Alterations Enhance Secretion and Gene Therapy Efficiency. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 19:486-495. [PMID: 33313336 PMCID: PMC7708868 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One important limitation for achieving therapeutic expression of human factor VIII (FVIII) in hemophilia A gene therapy is inefficient secretion of the FVIII protein. Substitution of five amino acids in the A1 domain of human FVIII with the corresponding porcine FVIII residues generated a secretion-enhanced human FVIII variant termed B-domain-deleted (BDD)-FVIII-X5 that resulted in 8-fold higher FVIII activity levels in the supernatant of an in vitro cell-based assay system than seen with unmodified human BDD-FVIII. Analysis of purified recombinant BDD-FVIII-X5 and BDD-FVIII revealed similar specific activities for both proteins, indicating that the effect of the X5 alteration is confined to increased FVIII secretion. Intravenous delivery in FVIII-deficient mice of liver-targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors designed to express BDD-FVIII-X5 or BDD-FVIII achieved substantially higher plasma FVIII activity levels for BDD-FVIII-X5, even when highly efficient codon-optimized F8 nucleotide sequences were employed. A comprehensive immunogenicity assessment using in vitro stimulation assays and various in vivo preclinical models of hemophilia A demonstrated that the BDD-FVIII-X5 variant does not exhibit an increased immunogenicity risk compared to BDD-FVIII. In conclusion, BDD-FVIII-X5 is an effective FVIII variant molecule that can be further developed for use in gene- and protein-based therapeutics for patients with hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Cao
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Biao Dong
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Franziska Horling
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Jenni A. Firrman
- Dairy and Functional Foods Research Unit, ARS, USDA, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA
| | - Johannes Lengler
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Maurus de la Rosa
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Wenman Wu
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Qizhao Wang
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Hongying Wei
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Andrea R. Moore
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Sean A. Roberts
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Carmen J. Booth
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar St., BML 330, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Werner Hoellriegl
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Dong Li
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University Medical School, 3400 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Barbara Konkle
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, 1900 9 Ave, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Carol Miao
- Department of Medicine/Hematology, University of Washington, 1900 9 Ave, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Birgit M. Reipert
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Friedrich Scheiflinger
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Hanspeter Rottensteiner
- Drug Discovery Austria, Baxalta Innovations GmbH (now part of Takeda), Donau-City Str. 7, Vienna 1220, Austria
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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6
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Zhang W, Mao J, Shen Y, Zhang G, Shao Y, Ruan Z, Wang Y, Wu W, Wang X, Zhu J, Chen S, Xiao W, Xi X. Evaluation of the activity levels of rat FVIII and human FVIII delivered by adeno-associated viral vectors both in vitro and in vivo. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2018; 73:47-54. [PMID: 30249384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of a novel coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) expression cassette with an enhanced activity for gene therapy of hemophilia A (HA) is essential. The biological properties of several non-human FVIII sequences, such as porcine and canine, have been evaluated. Here, we compared the activity level of rat FVIII (rFVIII) and human FVIII (hFVIII) by using single-chain and dual-chain strategies in 293 T cells and the HA mice. In both in vitro and hydrodynamic injection studies, the activity of rFVIII detected by the activated partial thromboplastin time assay was higher than that of hFVIII both by single-chain (~2.96-fold and ~1.72-fold, respectively) and dual-chain (~7.69-fold and ~2.35-fold, respectively). Moreover, the dual chain exerted a potentially higher delivery efficacy compared with the single chain (~4.96-fold and ~2.99-fold, respectively). The blood loss of HA mice administrated with rFVIII was less than those with hFVIII. AAV-delivered rFVIII and hFVIII also exerted long-term therapeutic effects on HA mice and caused a transient ALT elevation. These data might help to the development of novel, optimized FVIII expression cassettes based on the amino acid difference between rFVIII and hFVIII. These data indicate that the dual-chain strategy would likely enhance the delivery efficiency of the AAV-mediated FVIII gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jianhua Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Yan Shen
- Research center for experimental medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Guowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; The School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Yanyan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zheng Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wenman Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Saijuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaodong Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Road II, Shanghai 200025, China.
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7
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Nathwani AC, Davidoff AM, Tuddenham EGD. Advances in Gene Therapy for Hemophilia. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1004-1012. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amit C. Nathwani
- Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Watford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M. Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Tennessee
| | - Edward G. D. Tuddenham
- Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Abstract
The best currently available treatments for hemophilia A and B (factor VIII or factor IX deficiency, respectively) require frequent intravenous infusion of highly expensive proteins that have short half-lives. Factor levels follow a saw-tooth pattern that is seldom in the normal range and falls so low that breakthrough bleeding occurs. Most hemophiliacs worldwide do not have access to even this level of care. In stark contrast, gene therapy holds out the hope of a cure by inducing continuous endogenous expression of factor VIII or factor IX following transfer of a functional gene to replace the hemophilic patient's own defective gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit C Nathwani
- Department of Academic Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom; National Health Service Blood and Transplant, Oak House, Reeds Crescent, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4QN, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Edward G D Tuddenham
- Department of Academic Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, Katharine Dormandy Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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9
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Wang Q, Dong B, Firrman J, Wu W, Roberts S, Moore AR, Liu LS, Chin MPS, Diao Y, Kost J, Xiao W. Evaluation of the biological differences of canine and human factor VIII in gene delivery: implications in human hemophilia treatment. Gene Ther 2016; 23:597-605. [PMID: 27064790 PMCID: PMC4936945 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2016.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The canine is the most important large animal model for testing novel hemophilia A (HA) treatment. It is often necessary to use canine factor VIII (cFIII) gene or protein for the evaluation of HA treatment in the canine model. However, different biological properties between cFVIII and human FVIII (hFVIII) indicated that the development of novel HA treatment may require careful characterization of non-human FVIII. To investigate whether the data obtained using cFVIII can translate to HA treatment in human, we analyzed the differential biological properties of canine heavy chain (cHC) and light chain (cLC) by comparing with human heavy chain (hHC) and light chain (hLC). The secretion of cHC was 5-30-fold higher than hHC, with or without light chains (LCs). cHC+hLC group exhibited ~18-fold increase in coagulation activity compared with hHC+hLC delivery by recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors. Unlike hHC, the secretion of cHC was independent of LCs. cLC improves the specific activity of FVIII by two- to threefold compared with hLC. Moreover, the cLC, but not cHC, contributes to the higher stability of cFVIII. Our results suggested that the cFVIII expression results in the canine model should be interpreted with caution as the cHC secreted more efficiently than hHC and cLC exhibited a more active and stable phenotype than hLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.,Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - B Dong
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Firrman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,United States Department of Agriculture, ARS, ERRC, Wyndmoor, PA, USA
| | - W Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - S Roberts
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A R Moore
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L S Liu
- United States Department of Agriculture, ARS, ERRC, Wyndmoor, PA, USA
| | - M P S Chin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Y Diao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - J Kost
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - W Xiao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.,Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Cardiovascular Research Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Lheriteau E, Davidoff AM, Nathwani AC. Haemophilia gene therapy: Progress and challenges. Blood Rev 2015; 29:321-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Wang Q, Dong B, Firrman J, Roberts S, Moore AR, Cao W, Diao Y, Kapranov P, Xu R, Xiao W. Efficient production of dual recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors for factor VIII delivery. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2015; 25:261-8. [PMID: 25093498 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2014.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors have gained attention for human gene therapy because of their high safety and clinical efficacy profile. For factor VIII gene delivery, splitting the coding region between two AAV vectors remains a viable strategy to avoid the packaging capacity limitation (∼5.0 kb). However, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive to produce two rAAV vectors in separate batches. Here we demonstrated successful production of dual rAAV vectors for hemophilia A gene therapy in a single preparation. When the AAV vector plasmids carrying the human factor VIII heavy chain (hHC) and the light chain (hLC) expression cassettes were cotransfected into 293 cells along with the AAV rep&cap and mini-adenovirus helper plasmids, both rAAV-hHC and rAAV-hLC were produced at the desired ratio and in high titer. Interestingly, the rAAV-hHC vectors always yielded higher titers than rAAV-hLC vectors as a result of more efficient replication of rAAV-hHC genomes. The resulting vectors were effective in transducing the tissue culture cells in vitro. When these vectors were administered to hemophilia A mice, factor VIII was detected in the mouse plasma by both the activated partial thromboplastin time assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The functional activity as well as the antigen levels of secreted factor VIII were similar to those of vectors produced by the traditional method. The dual-vector production method has been successfully extended to both AAV2 and AAV8 serotypes. In conclusion, cotransfection of vector plasmids presents an efficient method for producing dual or multiple AAV vectors at significantly reduced cost and labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizhao Wang
- 1 Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University , Philadelphia, PA 19140
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12
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Abstract
Hemophilia is an X-linked inherited bleeding disorder consisting of two classifications, hemophilia A and hemophilia B, depending on the underlying mutation. Although the disease is currently treatable with intravenous delivery of replacement recombinant clotting factor, this approach represents a significant cost both monetarily and in terms of quality of life. Gene therapy is an attractive alternative approach to the treatment of hemophilia that would ideally provide life-long correction of clotting activity with a single injection. In this review, we will discuss the multitude of approaches that have been explored for the treatment of both hemophilia A and B, including both in vivo and ex vivo approaches with viral and nonviral delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey L Rogers
- University of Florida, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Roland W Herzog
- University of Florida, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Gainesville, FL 32610
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13
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Doering CB, Spencer HT. Advancements in gene transfer-based therapy for hemophilia A. Expert Rev Hematol 2014; 2:673-683. [PMID: 20577574 DOI: 10.1586/ehm.09.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has promised clinical benefit to those suffering with hemophilia A, but this benefit has not yet been realized. However, during the past two decades, basic and applied gene therapy research has progressed and the goal of gene therapy for hemophilia A is once again in our sights. The hemophilia A patient population suffers from a disease that requires invasive, lifelong management, is exorbitantly expensive to treat, has geographically limited treatment access and can become untreatable due to immune reactions to the treatment product. Subsequent to the cloning of the factor VIII gene and cDNA in the early 1980s, academic and commercial research laboratories began to pursue gene transfer-based therapies to supplement or supplant the available protein replacement therapy. However, to date, clinical trials for gene therapy of hemophilia A have been unsuccessful. Three trials have been conducted with each having tested a different gene-transfer strategy and each demonstrating that there is a considerable barrier to achieving sustained expression of therapeutic amounts of factor VIII. Recent progress has been made in gene-transfer technology and, relevant to hemophilia A, towards increasing the biosynthetic efficiency of factor VIII. These advances are now being combined to develop novel strategies to treat and possibly cure hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Doering
- Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, GA 30322, USA, Tel.: +1 404 727 7988
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Inter-chain disulfide bond improved protein trans-splicing increases plasma coagulation activity in C57BL/6 mice following portal vein FVIII gene delivery by dual vectors. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2013; 56:262-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-013-4455-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Therapeutic levels of FVIII following a single peripheral vein administration of rAAV vector encoding a novel human factor VIII variant. Blood 2013; 121:3335-44. [PMID: 23426947 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-10-462200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors encoding human factor VIII (hFVIII) were systematically evaluated for hemophilia A (HA) gene therapy. A 5.7-kb rAAV-expression cassette (rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII-N6) containing a codon-optimized hFVIII cDNA in which a 226 amino acid (aa) B-domain spacer replaced the entire B domain and a hybrid liver-specific promoter (HLP) mediated 10-fold higher hFVIII levels in mice compared with non-codon-optimized variants. A further twofold improvement in potency was achieved by replacing the 226-aa N6 spacer with a novel 17-aa peptide (V3) in which 6 glycosylation triplets from the B domain were juxtaposed. The resulting 5.2-kb rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII-V3 cassette was more efficiently packaged within AAV virions and mediated supraphysiologic hFVIII expression (732 ± 162% of normal) in HA knock-out mice following administration of 2 × 10(12) vector genomes/kg, a vector dose shown to be safe in subjects with hemophilia B. Stable hFVIII expression at 15 ± 4% of normal was observed at this dose in a nonhuman primate. hFVIII expression above 100% was observed in 3 macaques that received a higher dose of either this vector or the N6 variant. These animals developed neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies that were abrogated with transient immunosuppression. Therefore, rAAV-HLP-codop-hFVIII-V3 substantially improves the prospects of effective HA gene therapy.
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Intein-Fused Lucine Zippers Increase Plasma Coagulation Activity by Improving Protein Trans-Splicing in Dual-Vector Factor Ⅷ Gene Delivered Mice*. PROG BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2013. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1206.2012.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Markusic DM, Herzog RW. Liver-Directed Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Therapy for Hemophilia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 1:1-9. [PMID: 23565343 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7412.s1-009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are monogenic bleeding disorders resulting from loss of functional coagulation factors VIII or IX, respectively. Prophylactic treatment requires frequent intravenous injections of exogenous factor VIII (F.VIII) or factor IX (F.IX), due to the short half-life of both factors. Hemophilia patients are at risk of developing neutralizing antibodies to F.VIII (~25-30%) or F.IX (~2-4%), which require the use of expensive bypass agents and immune tolerance induction protocols. Viral vector mediated liver gene transfer of F.VIII or F.IX offers an alternative treatment for hemophilia with easily defined clinical endpoints and no need for strict regulation of coagulation factor expression, as both proteins circulate as inactive zymogens. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are derived from a non-pathogenic human virus that efficiently transduce non-dividing cells, such as hepatocytes, and provide stable transgene expression. In vivo liver gene transfer of AAV-F.VIII and -F.IX vectors has restored hemostasis in murine and canine hemophilia models long-term, and has also been shown to induce immune tolerance. Consequently, two Phase I/II clinical trials have been conducted, based on hepatic AAV-FIX gene transfer to patients with severe hemophilia B. The first trial, utilizing serotype 2, demonstrated transient correction, which was limited by a cellular immune response against the viral capsid. However, sustained therapeutic expression has been achieved in a second trial, using AAV8 for expression of a codon-optimized F.IX transgene. Translation of F.VIII gene transfer studies into the clinic may require additional optimization of gene transfer and vector to effectively express the larger cDNA of F.VIII.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Markusic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Cao W, Sabatino DE, Altynova E, Lange AM, Casina VC, Camire RM, Zheng XL. Light chain of factor VIII is sufficient for accelerating cleavage of von Willebrand factor by ADAMTS13 metalloprotease. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:32459-66. [PMID: 22854959 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.390690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) accelerates proteolytic cleavage of von Willebrand factor (VWF) by A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats (ADAMTS13) under fluid shear stress. In this study, the structural elements of FVIII required for the rate-enhancing effect and the biological relevance of this cofactor activity are determined using a murine model. An isolated light chain of human FVIII (hFVIII-LC) increases proteolytic cleavage of VWF by ADAMTS13 under shear in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal rate-enhancing effect of hFVIII-LC is ∼8-fold, which is comparable with human full-length FVIII and B-domain deleted FVIII (hFVIII-BDD). The heavy chain (hFVIII-HC) and the light chain lacking the acidic (a3) region (hFVIII-LCΔa3) have no effect in accelerating VWF proteolysis by ADAMTS13 under the same conditions. Although recombinant hFVIII-HC and hFVIII-LCΔa3 do not detectably bind immobilized VWF, recombinant hFVIII-LC binds VWF with high affinity (K(D), ∼15 nM). Moreover, ultra-large VWF multimers accumulate in the plasma of fVIII(-/-) mice after hydrodynamic challenge but not in those reconstituted with either hFVIII-BDD or hFVIII-LC. These results suggest that the light chain of FVIII, which is not biologically active for clot formation, is sufficient for accelerating proteolytic cleavage of VWF by ADAMTS13 under fluid shear stress and (patho) physiological conditions. Our findings provide novel insight into the molecular mechanism of how FVIII regulates VWF homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Cao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Zhu F, Liu Z, Miao J, Qu H, Chi X. Enhanced plasma factor VIII activity in mice via cysteine mutation using dual vectors. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2012; 55:521-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-012-4333-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Roberts SA, Dong B, Firrman JA, Moore AR, Sang N, Xiao W. Engineering Factor Viii for Hemophilia Gene Therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 1. [PMID: 23565342 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7412.s1-006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment of hemophilia A by intravenous infusion of factor VIII (fVIII) concentrates is very costly and has a potential adverse effect of developing inhibitors. Gene therapy, on the other hand, can potentially overcome these limitations associated with fVIII replacement therapy. Although hemophilia B gene therapy has achieved promising outcomes in human clinical trials, hemophilia A gene therapy lags far behind. Compared to factor IX, fVIII is a large protein which is difficult to express at sustaining therapeutic levels when delivered by either viral or non-viral vectors. To improve fVIII gene delivery, numerous strategies have been exploited to engineer the fVIII molecule and overcome the hurdles preventing long term and high level expression. Here we reviewed these strategies, and discussed their pros and cons in human gene therapy of hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Roberts
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Philadelphia PA 19140, USA
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Post-translational Ligation and Functional Multimerization of von Willebrand Factor After Intein-mediated Tri-fragmental Gene Delivery in Eukaryotic Cell*. PROG BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2011. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1206.2010.00399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Pellequer JL, Chen SWW, Saboulard D, Delcourt M, Négrier C, Plantier JL. Functional mapping of factor VIII C2 domain. Thromb Haemost 2011; 106:121-31. [PMID: 21614407 DOI: 10.1160/th10-09-0572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The factor VIII (FVIII) is a cofactor of the coagulation cascade. The FVIII C2 domain is a critical domain that participates in the interactions with the von Willebrand factor and the phospholipidic surfaces. To assess the importance of each residue of this domain in the maintenance of the structure and the function of FVIII, a number (n=139) of mutants were generated by substituting the original residues, from Ser2173 to Gly2325, by an alanine. Mutants were built within a complete B domain-deleted FVIII and expressed in COS-1 cells. Mutant antigen levels and procoagulant activities were measured. Two in silico analyses, a sliding average procedure and an analysis of the mutation energy cost were conducted in parallel on the FVIII structure. Both results were in agreement with the functional data, and illustrated the benefit of using such strategies prior to targeting specific residues in the aim of generating active recombinant molecules. The functional assays identify the residues that are important to maintaining the structure of the C2 domain, mainly those forming β-sheet, and those that can afford substitution, establishing a detailed functional relation with the available crystallographic data. This study provided a comprehensive functional mapping of the FVIII C2 domain and discussed the implication of specific residues in respect to the maintenance in the activity and structure stability, the efficiency in secretion, the binding to phospholipids and the formation of epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc Pellequer
- CEA, iBEB, Service de Biochimie et Toxicologie Nucléaire, Bagnols sur Cèze, France. France
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Zhu F, Yang S, Liu Z, Miao J, Qu H, Chi X. The effect of a secretion-enhanced heavy chain on improving intein-based dual-vector co-delivery of a full-length factor VIII gene. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-010-4244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Monahan PE, Lothrop CD, Sun J, Hirsch ML, Kafri T, Kantor B, Sarkar R, Tillson DM, Elia JR, Samulski RJ. Proteasome inhibitors enhance gene delivery by AAV virus vectors expressing large genomes in hemophilia mouse and dog models: a strategy for broad clinical application. Mol Ther 2010; 18:1907-16. [PMID: 20700109 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Delivery of genes that are larger than the wild-type adeno-associated virus (AAV) 4,681 nucleotide genome is inefficient using AAV vectors. We previously demonstrated in vitro that concurrent proteasome inhibitor (PI) treatment improves transduction by AAV vectors encoding oversized transgenes. In this study, an AAV vector with a 5.6 kilobase (kb) factor VIII expression cassette was used to test the effect of an US Food and Drug Administration-approved PI (bortezomib) treatment concurrent with vector delivery in vivo. Intrahepatic vector delivery resulted in factor VIII expression that persisted for >1 year in hemophilia mice. Single-dose bortezomib given with AAV2 or AAV8 factor VIII vector enhanced expression on average ~600 and ~300%, respectively. Moreover, coadministration of AAV8.canineFVIII (1 × 10(13) vg/kg) and bortezomib in hemophilia A dogs (n = 4) resulted in normalization of the whole blood clotting time (WBCT) and 90% reduction in hemorrhages for >32 months compared to untreated hemophilia A dogs (n = 3) or dogs administered vector alone (n = 3). Demonstration of long-term phenotypic correction of hemophilia A dogs with combination adjuvant bortezomib and AAV vector expressing the oversized transgene establishes preclinical studies that support testing in humans and provides a working paradigm to facilitate a significant expansion of therapeutic targets for human gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Monahan
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7352, USA.
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Protein trans-splicing based dual-vector delivery of the coagulation factor VIII gene. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2010; 53:683-9. [PMID: 20602271 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-010-4011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2009] [Accepted: 07/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A dual-vector system was explored for the delivery of the coagulation factor VIII gene, using intein-mediated protein trans-splicing as a means to produce intact functional factor VIII post-translationally. A pair of eukaryotic expression vectors, expressing Ssp DnaB intein-fused heavy and light chain genes of B-domain deleted factor VIII (BDD-FVIII), was constructed. With transient co-transfection of the two vectors into 293 and COS-7 cells, the culture supernatants contained (137+/-23) and (109+/-22) ng mL(-1) spliced BDD-FVIII antigen with an activity of (1.05+/-0.16) and (0.79+/-0.23) IU mL(-1) for 293 and COS-7 cells, respectively. The spliced BDD-FVIII was also detected in supernatants from a mixture of cells transfected with inteinfused heavy and light chain genes. The spliced BDD-FVIII protein bands from cell lysates were visualized by Western blotting. The data demonstrated that intein could be used to transfer the split factor VIII gene and provided valuable information on factor VIII gene delivery by dual-adeno-associated virus in hemophilia A gene therapy.
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Dong B, Nakai H, Xiao W. Characterization of genome integrity for oversized recombinant AAV vector. Mol Ther 2009; 18:87-92. [PMID: 19904236 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Application of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) in gene therapy has been limited by its packaging capacity. Recent studies suggested that rAAV could achieve persistent transgene expression beyond 4.7-kb packaging limit. To clarify the mechanism leading to transgene expression from oversized rAAV vector, we constructed a series of rAAV vectors with genomes ranging from 2.9 to 7.2 kb. A plasmid replication origin and an ampicillin-resistant marker were included in the vector to facilitate the recovery of circularized, post-transduction AAV genome. Southern dot-blot analysis and silver staining confirmed that rAAVs could be produced at varying vector size. However, the vector yields decreased approximately tenfold for oversized vectors as compared to regular ones. Alkaline Southern blot hybridization suggested that the packaged genomes for oversized vectors were truncated. In the cells transduced by the above vectors, circularized rAAV monomers could be rescued at 24 hours after infection. Few recovered AAV genomes were >5 kb regardless of the initial vector size. In mice receiving the above vectors, larger circularized rAAV genomes could be recovered for oversized vectors at day 21 after vector administration. Our studies suggested that the partially packaged rAAV sequences may complement each other to restore full expression cassette.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Dong
- The Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA
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Nichols TC, Dillow AM, Franck HWG, Merricks EP, Raymer RA, Bellinger DA, Arruda VR, High KA. Protein replacement therapy and gene transfer in canine models of hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von willebrand disease, and factor VII deficiency. ILAR J 2009; 50:144-67. [PMID: 19293459 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.50.2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and factor VII deficiency faithfully recapitulate the severe bleeding phenotype that occurs in humans with these disorders. The first rational approach to diagnosing these bleeding disorders became possible with the development of reliable assays in the 1940s through research that used these dogs. For the next 60 years, treatment consisted of replacement of the associated missing or dysfunctional protein, first with plasma-derived products and subsequently with recombinant products. Research has consistently shown that replacement products that are safe and efficacious in these dogs prove to be safe and efficacious in humans. But these highly effective products require repeated administration and are limited in supply and expensive; in addition, plasma-derived products have transmitted bloodborne pathogens. Recombinant proteins have all but eliminated inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, but the other limitations persist. Thus, gene therapy is an attractive alternative strategy in these monogenic disorders and has been actively pursued since the early 1990s. To date, several modalities of gene transfer in canine hemophilia have proven to be safe, produced easily detectable levels of transgene products in plasma that have persisted for years in association with reduced bleeding, and correctly predicted the vector dose required in a human hemophilia B liver-based trial. Very recently, however, researchers have identified an immune response to adeno-associated viral gene transfer vector capsid proteins in a human liver-based trial that was not present in preclinical testing in rodents, dogs, or nonhuman primates. This article provides a review of the strengths and limitations of canine hemophilia, VWD, and factor VII deficiency models and of their historical and current role in the development of improved therapy for humans with these inherited bleeding disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Nichols
- Department of Pathology, Francis Owen Blood Research Laboratory, Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27516-3114, USA.
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Youjin S, Jun Y. The treatment of hemophilia A: from protein replacement to AAV-mediated gene therapy. Biotechnol Lett 2009; 31:321-8. [PMID: 18979215 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-008-9869-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Revised: 10/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Factor VIII (FVIII) is an essential component in blood coagulation, a deficiency of which causes the serious bleeding disorder hemophilia A. Recently, with the development of purification level and recombinant techniques, protein replacement treatment to hemophiliacs is relatively safe and can prolong their life expectancy. However, because of the possibility of unknown contaminants in plasma-derived FVIII and recombinant FVIII, and high cost for hemophiliacs to use these products, gene therapy for hemophilia A is an attractive alternative to protein replacement therapy. Thus far, the adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising vector for gene therapy. Further improvement of the virus for clinical application depends on better understanding of the molecular structure and fate of the vector genome. It is likely that hemophilia will be the first genetic disease to be cured by somatic cell gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Youjin
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 515041, Shantou, China.
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Abstract
Hemophilia A gene therapy using recombinant adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) vectors has been hampered by the size of the factor VIII (FVIII) cDNA. Previously, splitting the FVIII coding sequence into a heavy-chain (HC) fragment and a light-chain (LC) fragment for dual recombinant AAV vector delivery has been successfully explored. However, the main disadvantage of this approach is a "chain imbalance" problem in which LC secretion is approximately 1-2 logs higher than that of HC, and therefore, the majority of protein synthesized is nonfunctional. To improve HC secretion, we constructed alternate FVIII HCs based on our observation that LC facilitates HC secretion. To our surprise, most of the new HC molecules exhibited enhanced expression over the traditional HC molecule (HC(745)). The optimized HC mutein, HC(HL), including additional acidic-region-3 (ar3) sequences, exhibited three- to fivefold higher activity in both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay in in vitro testing. Further characterization suggested ar3 sequences increased HC secretion, rather than promoting HC synthesis. Intravenous delivery of AAV8-HC(HL)+AAV8-LC or AAV8-HC(745)+AAV8-LC achieved phenotypic correction in hemophilia A mice. Mice receiving AAV8-HC(HL)+AAV8-LC achieved three- to fourfold higher HC expression than AAV8-HC(745)+AAV8-LC, consistent with the FVIII functional assays. HC(HL) should be substituted for HC(745) in a dual AAV vector strategy due to its enhanced expression.
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Li J, Sun W, Wang B, Xiao X, Liu XQ. Protein trans-splicing as a means for viral vector-mediated in vivo gene therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2008; 19:958-64. [PMID: 18788906 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2008.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inteins catalyze protein splicing in a fashion similar to how self-splicing introns catalyze RNA splicing. Splitinteins catalyze precise ligation of two separate polypeptides through trans-splicing in a highly specific manner. Here we report a method of using protein trans-splicing to circumvent the packaging size limit of gene therapy vectors. To demonstrate this method, we chose a large dystrophin gene and an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, which has a small packaging size. A highly functional 6.3-kb Becker-form dystrophin cDNA was broken into two pieces and modified by adding appropriate split-intein coding sequences, resulting in splitgenes sufficiently small for packaging in AAV vectors. The two split-genes, after codelivery into target cells, produced two polypeptides that spontaneously trans-spliced to form the expected Becker-form dystrophin protein in cell culture in vitro. Delivering the split-genes by AAV1 vectors into the muscle of a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy rendered therapeutic gene expression and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Lu H, Chen L, Wang J, Huack B, Sarkar R, Zhou S, Xu R, Ding Q, Wang X, Wang H, Xiao W. Complete correction of hemophilia A with adeno-associated viral vectors containing a full-size expression cassette. Hum Gene Ther 2008; 19:648-54. [PMID: 18500941 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2007.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency in the factor VIII (FVIII) gene. Constrained by limited packaging capacity, even the 4.3-kb B domain-deleted FVIII remained a challenge for delivery by a single adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector. Studies have shown that up to a 6.6-kb vector sequence may be packaged into AAV virions, which suggested an alternative strategy for hemophilia A gene therapy. To explore the usefulness of AAV vectors carrying an oversized FVIII gene, we constructed the AAV-FVIII vector under the control of a beta-actin promoter with a cytomegalovirus enhancer (CB) and a bovine growth hormone (bGH) poly(A) sequence. The CB promoter plus bGH signal was shown to be 3- to 5-fold more potent than the mini-transthyretin (TTR) promoter with a synthetic poly(A) sequence for directing FVIII expression in the liver. Despite the 5.75-kb genome size of pAAV-CB-FVIII, sufficient AAV vectors were produced for in vivo testing. Approximately 3- to 5-fold more FVIII secretion was observed in animals receiving AAV-CB-FVIII vectors than in those receiving standard-sized AAV-TTR-FVIII vectors. Both the activated partial thromboplastin time assay and the whole blood thromboelastographic analysis confirmed that AAV-FVIII vectors fully corrected the bleeding phenotype of hemophilia mice. These results suggest that AAV vectors with an oversized genome should be useful for not only hemophilia A gene therapy but also other diseases with large cDNA such as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Xiao X, Li J, Sun W, Wang B, Liu XQ. Protein trans-splicing as a means for viral vector-mediated in vivo gene therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2008. [DOI: 10.1089/hgt.2008.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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