1
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Parameswaran P, Payne L, Powers J, Rashighi M, Orzalli MH. A viral E3 ubiquitin ligase produced by herpes simplex virus 1 inhibits the NLRP1 inflammasome. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20231518. [PMID: 38861480 PMCID: PMC11167375 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20231518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Guard proteins initiate defense mechanisms upon sensing pathogen-encoded virulence factors. Successful viral pathogens likely inhibit guard protein activity, but these interactions have been largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate that the human pathogen herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) stimulates and inhibits an antiviral pathway initiated by NLRP1, a guard protein that induces inflammasome formation and pyroptotic cell death when activated. Notably, HSV-1 infection of human keratinocytes promotes posttranslational modifications to NLRP1, consistent with MAPK-dependent NLRP1 activation, but does not result in downstream inflammasome formation. We identify infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) as the critical HSV-1 protein that is necessary and sufficient for inhibition of the NLRP1 pathway. Mechanistically, ICP0's cytoplasmic localization and function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase prevents proteasomal degradation of the auto-inhibitory NT-NLRP1 fragment, thereby preventing inflammasome formation. Further, we demonstrate that inhibiting this inflammasome is important for promoting HSV-1 replication. Thus, we have established a mechanism by which HSV-1 overcomes a guard-mediated antiviral defense strategy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Parameswaran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Laurellee Payne
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Powers
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mehdi Rashighi
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Megan H. Orzalli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Innate Immunity, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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2
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Epstein AL, Rabkin SD. Safety of non-replicative and oncolytic replication-selective HSV vectors. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00136-9. [PMID: 38886138 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.014] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a DNA virus and human pathogen used to construct promising therapeutic vectors. HSV-1 vectors fall into two classes: replication-selective oncolytic vectors for cancer therapy and defective non-replicative vectors for gene therapy. Vectors from each class can accommodate ≥30 kb of inserts, have been approved clinically, and demonstrate a relatively benign safety profile. Despite oncolytic HSV (oHSV) replication in tumors and elicited immune responses, the virus is well tolerated in cancer patients. Current non-replicative vectors elicit only limited immune responses. Seropositivity and immune responses against HSV-1 do not eliminate either the vector or infected cells, and the vectors can therefore be re-administered. In this review we highlight vectors that have been translated to the clinic and host-virus immune interactions that impact on the safety and efficacy of HSVs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel D Rabkin
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Huayamares SG, Loughrey D, Kim H, Dahlman JE, Sorscher EJ. Nucleic acid-based drugs for patients with solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:407-427. [PMID: 38589512 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of patients with advanced-stage solid tumours typically involves a multimodality approach (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy), which is often ultimately ineffective. Nucleic acid-based drugs, either as monotherapies or in combination with standard-of-care therapies, are rapidly emerging as novel treatments capable of generating responses in otherwise refractory tumours. These therapies include those using viral vectors (also referred to as gene therapies), several of which have now been approved by regulatory agencies, and nanoparticles containing mRNAs and a range of other nucleotides. In this Review, we describe the development and clinical activity of viral and non-viral nucleic acid-based treatments, including their mechanisms of action, tolerability and available efficacy data from patients with solid tumours. We also describe the effects of the tumour microenvironment on drug delivery for both systemically administered and locally administered agents. Finally, we discuss important trends resulting from ongoing clinical trials and preclinical testing, and manufacturing and/or stability considerations that are expected to underpin the next generation of nucleic acid agents for patients with solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian G Huayamares
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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4
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Kelishadi M, Shahsavarani H, Tabarraei A, Shokrgozar MA, Rahimi A, Teimoori-Toolabi L, Azadmanesh K. Exploiting non-permissive CHO cells as a rapid and efficient method for recombinant HSV-1 isolation. AMB Express 2024; 14:53. [PMID: 38722404 PMCID: PMC11082124 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-024-01709-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Using herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) as a therapeutic tool has recently emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the treatment of various cancers, particularly those associated with the nervous system, which is the virus's natural site of infection. These viruses are specifically engineered to infect and eradicate tumor cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. To introduce targeted mutations in specific viral genes, gene-modification techniques such as shuttle vector homologous recombination are commonly employed. Plaque purification is then utilized to select and purify the recombinant virus from the parental viruses. However, plaque purification becomes problematic when the insertion of the desired gene at the target site hampers progeny virus replication, resulting in a lower titer of cell-released virus than the parental virus. This necessitates a laborious initial screening process using approximately 10-15 tissue culture dishes (10 cm), making plaque purification time-consuming and demanding. Although the recently developed CRISPR-Cas9 system significantly enhances the efficiency of homologous integration and editing precision in viral genes, the purification of recombinant variants remains a tedious task. In this study, we propose a rapid and innovative method that employs non-permissive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, representing a remarkable improvement over the aforementioned arduous process. With this approach, only 1-2 rounds of plaque purification are required. Our proposed protocol demonstrates great potential as a viable alternative to current methods for isolating and purifying recombinant HSV-1 variants expressing fluorescent reporter genes using CHO cells and plaque assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mishar Kelishadi
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hosein Shahsavarani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Innovations, Pasteur Institute of Iran, National Cell Bank, Tehran, Iran
- The Iranian Biological Resources Center, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Alijan Tabarraei
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Shokrgozar
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Innovations, Pasteur Institute of Iran, National Cell Bank, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Rahimi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Teimoori-Toolabi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kayhan Azadmanesh
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasture Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Kandel MB, Zhuang GZ, Goins WF, Marzulli M, Zhang M, Glorioso JC, Kang Y, Levitt AE, Kwok WM, Levitt RC, Sarantopoulos KD. rdHSV-CA8 non-opioid analgesic gene therapy decreases somatosensory neuronal excitability by activating Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channels. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1398839. [PMID: 38783904 PMCID: PMC11112096 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1398839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is common and inadequately treated, making the development of safe and effective analgesics a high priority. Our previous data indicate that carbonic anhydrase-8 (CA8) expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) mediates analgesia via inhibition of neuronal ER inositol trisphosphate receptor-1 (ITPR1) via subsequent decrease in ER calcium release and reduction of cytoplasmic free calcium, essential to the regulation of neuronal excitability. This study tested the hypothesis that novel JDNI8 replication-defective herpes simplex-1 viral vectors (rdHSV) carrying a CA8 transgene (vHCA8) reduce primary afferent neuronal excitability. Whole-cell current clamp recordings in small DRG neurons showed that vHCA8 transduction caused prolongation of their afterhyperpolarization (AHP), an essential regulator of neuronal excitability. This AHP prolongation was completely reversed by the specific Kv7 channel inhibitor XE-991. Voltage clamp recordings indicate an effect via Kv7 channels in vHCA8-infected small DRG neurons. These data demonstrate for the first time that vHCA8 produces Kv7 channel activation, which decreases neuronal excitability in nociceptors. This suppression of excitability may translate in vivo as non-opioid dependent behavioral- or clinical analgesia, if proven behaviorally and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munal B. Kandel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Gerald Z. Zhuang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alexandra E. Levitt
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Wai-Meng Kwok
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Roy C. Levitt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Konstantinos D. Sarantopoulos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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6
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Ingusci S, Hall BL, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses designed for targeted treatment of EGFR-bearing tumors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200761. [PMID: 38596286 PMCID: PMC10869753 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) have emerged as leading cancer therapeutic agents. Effective oHSV virotherapy may ultimately require both intratumoral and systemic vector administration to target the primary tumor and distant metastases. An attractive approach to enhancing oHSV tumor specificity is engineering the virus envelope glycoproteins for selective recognition of and infection via tumor-specific cell surface proteins. We previously demonstrated that oHSVs could be retargeted to EGFR-expressing cells by the incorporation of a single-chain antibody (scFv) at the N terminus of glycoprotein D (gD). Here, we compared retargeted oHSVs generated by the insertion of scFv, affibody molecule, or VHH antibody ligands at different positions within the N terminus of gD. When compared to the scFv-directed oHSVs, VHH and affibody molecules mediated enhanced EGFR-specific tumor cell entry, spread and cell killing in vitro, and enabled long-term tumor-specific virus replication following intravenous delivery in vivo. Moreover, oHSVs retargeted via a VHH ligand reduced tumor growth upon intravenous injection and achieved complete tumor destruction after intratumoral injection. Systemic oHSV delivery is important for the treatment of metastatic disease, and our enhancements in targeted oHSV design are a critical step in creating an effective tumor-specific oHSVs for safe administration via the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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7
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Wal P, Aziz N, Singh CP, Rasheed A, Tyagi LK, Agrawal A, Wal A. Current Landscape of Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:356-376. [PMID: 38288826 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232268840231222035423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disorders (CVD) are the primary cause of death worldwide. Multiple factors have been accepted to cause cardiovascular diseases; among them, smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, age, and family history are flag-bearers. Individuals at risk of developing CVD are suggested to make drastic habitual changes as the primary intervention to prevent CVD; however, over time, the disease is bound to worsen. This is when secondary interventions come into play, including antihypertensive, anti-lipidemic, anti-anginal, and inotropic drugs. These drugs usually undergo surgical intervention in patients with a much higher risk of heart failure. These therapeutic agents increase the survival rate, decrease the severity of symptoms and the discomfort that comes with them, and increase the overall quality of life. However, most individuals succumb to this disease. None of these treatments address the molecular mechanism of the disease and hence are unable to halt the pathological worsening of the disease. Gene therapy offers a more efficient, potent, and important novel approach to counter the disease, as it has the potential to permanently eradicate the disease from the patients and even in the upcoming generations. However, this therapy is associated with significant risks and ethical considerations that pose noteworthy resistance. In this review, we discuss various methods of gene therapy for cardiovascular disorders and address the ethical conundrum surrounding it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranay Wal
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | - Namra Aziz
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | | | - Azhar Rasheed
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
| | - Lalit Kumar Tyagi
- Department of Pharmacy, Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology, Plot No.-11, Knowledge Park-II, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201306, India
| | - Ankur Agrawal
- School of Pharmacy, Jai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Gwalior, MP, India
| | - Ankita Wal
- PSIT-Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), NH-19, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 209305, India
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8
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Dogbey DM, Torres VES, Fajemisin E, Mpondo L, Ngwenya T, Akinrinmade OA, Perriman AW, Barth S. Technological advances in the use of viral and non-viral vectors for delivering genetic and non-genetic cargos for cancer therapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:2719-2738. [PMID: 37301780 PMCID: PMC10257536 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01362-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The burden of cancer is increasing globally. Several challenges facing its mainstream treatment approaches have formed the basis for the development of targeted delivery systems to carry and distribute anti-cancer payloads to their defined targets. This site-specific delivery of drug molecules and gene payloads to selectively target druggable biomarkers aimed at inducing cell death while sparing normal cells is the principal goal for cancer therapy. An important advantage of a delivery vector either viral or non-viral is the cumulative ability to penetrate the haphazardly arranged and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment of solid tumours and or withstand antibody-mediated immune response. Biotechnological approaches incorporating rational protein engineering for the development of targeted delivery systems which may serve as vehicles for packaging and distribution of anti-cancer agents to selectively target and kill cancer cells are highly desired. Over the years, these chemically and genetically modified delivery systems have aimed at distribution and selective accumulation of drug molecules at receptor sites resulting in constant maintenance of high drug bioavailability for effective anti-tumour activity. In this review, we highlighted the state-of-the art viral and non-viral drug and gene delivery systems and those under developments focusing on cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Makafui Dogbey
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Emmanuel Fajemisin
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liyabona Mpondo
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Takunda Ngwenya
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Olusiji Alex Akinrinmade
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Adam W Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, UK
| | - Stefan Barth
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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9
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Zeng J, Jaijyan DK, Yang S, Pei S, Tang Q, Zhu H. Exploring the Potential of Cytomegalovirus-Based Vectors: A Review. Viruses 2023; 15:2043. [PMID: 37896820 PMCID: PMC10612100 DOI: 10.3390/v15102043] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors have emerged as powerful tools for delivering and expressing foreign genes, playing a pivotal role in gene therapy. Among these vectors, cytomegalovirus (CMV) stands out as a promising viral vector due to its distinctive attributes including large packaging capacity, ability to achieve superinfection, broad host range, capacity to induce CD8+ T cell responses, lack of integration into the host genome, and other qualities that make it an appealing vector candidate. Engineered attenuated CMV strains such as Towne and AD169 that have a ~15 kb genomic DNA deletion caused by virus passage guarantee human safety. CMV's large genome enables the efficient incorporation of substantial foreign genes as demonstrated by CMV vector-based therapies for SIV, tuberculosis, cancer, malaria, aging, COVID-19, and more. CMV is capable of reinfecting hosts regardless of prior infection or immunity, making it highly suitable for multiple vector administrations. In addition to its broad cellular tropism and sustained high-level gene expression, CMV triggers robust, virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses, offering a significant advantage as a vaccine vector. To date, successful development and testing of murine CMV (MCMV) and rhesus CMV (RhCMV) vectors in animal models have demonstrated the efficacy of CMV-based vectors. These investigations have explored the potential of CMV vectors for vaccines against HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious pathogens, as well as for other gene therapy applications. Moreover, the generation of single-cycle replication CMV vectors, produced by deleting essential genes, ensures robust safety in an immunocompromised population. The results of these studies emphasize CMV's effectiveness as a gene delivery vehicle and shed light on the future applications of a CMV vector. While challenges such as production complexities and storage limitations need to be addressed, ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between animal models and human translation continue to fuel the optimism surrounding CMV-based vectors. This review will outline the properties of CMV vectors and discuss their future applications as well as possible limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 070101, USA
| | - Dabbu Kumar Jaijyan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 070101, USA
| | - Shaomin Yang
- Department of Pain Medicine and Shenzhen Municipal Key Laboratory for Pain Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Shakai Pei
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 070101, USA
| | - Qiyi Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 070101, USA
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10
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Marzulli M, Hall BL, Zhang M, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Novel mutations in U L24 and gH rescue efficient infection of an HSV vector retargeted to TrkA. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:208-220. [PMID: 37519407 PMCID: PMC10384243 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.06.012] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Transductional targeting of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based gene therapy vectors offers the potential for improved tissue-specific delivery and can be achieved by modification of the viral entry machinery to incorporate ligands that bind the desired cell surface proteins. The interaction of nerve growth factor (NGF) with tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) is essential for survival of sensory neurons during development and is involved in chronic pain signaling. We targeted HSV infection to TrkA-bearing cells by replacing the signal peptide and HVEM binding domain of glycoprotein D (gD) with pre-pro-NGF. This TrkA-targeted virus (KNGF) infected cells via both nectin-1 and TrkA. However, infection through TrkA was inefficient, prompting a genetic search for KNGF mutants showing enhanced infection following repeat passage on TrkA-expressing cells. These studies revealed unique point mutations in envelope glycoprotein gH and in UL24, a factor absent from mature particles. Together these mutations rescued efficient infection of TrkA-expressing cells, including neurons, and facilitated the production of a completely retargeted KNGF derivative. These studies provide insight into HSV vector improvements that will allow production of replication-defective TrkA-targeted HSV for delivery to the peripheral nervous system and may be applied to other retargeted vector studies in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mingdi Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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11
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Kuroda S, Miyagawa Y, Sukegawa M, Tomono T, Yamamoto M, Adachi K, Verlengia G, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC, Okada T. Evaluation of parameters for efficient purification and long-term storage of herpes simplex virus-based vectors. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:132-143. [PMID: 35795777 PMCID: PMC9249677 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.06.007] [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: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Replication competent oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have been used extensively to treat solid tumors with promising results. However, highly defective HSV vectors will be needed for applications that require sustained therapeutic gene expression in the absence of vector-related toxicity or inflammation. These vectors require complementing cell lines for their manufacture, creating significant challenges to achieve high yields of infectious virus particles. We recently described an improved upstream process for the production of a non-cytotoxic HSV vector for gene therapy applications. Here, we sought to optimize the downstream conditions for purification and long-term storage of the same vector, JΔNI5. We compared different methods to remove cellular impurities and concentrate the vector by monitoring both physical and biological titers, resulting in the establishment of optimal conditions for vector production. To optimize the long-term storage parameters for non-cytotoxic HSV vectors, we evaluated vector stability at low temperature and sensitivity to freeze-thaw cycles. We report that suboptimal purification and storage methods resulted in loss of vector viability. Our results describe effective and reproducible protocols for purification and storage of HSV vectors for pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Kuroda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Miyagawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sukegawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taro Tomono
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Majors in Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Motoko Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumi Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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HSV-1's contribution as a vector for gene therapy. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1316. [PMID: 36085499 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01449-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Tada T, Norton TD, Leibowitz R, Landau NR. Directly injected lentiviral vector-based T cell vaccine protects mice against acute and chronic viral infection. JCI Insight 2022; 7:161598. [PMID: 35972807 PMCID: PMC9675446 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161598] [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: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vector–based dendritic cell vaccines induce protective T cell responses against viral infection and cancer in animal models. In this study, we tested whether preventative and therapeutic vaccination could be achieved by direct injection of antigen-expressing lentiviral vector, obviating the need for ex vivo transduction of dendritic cells. Injected lentiviral vector preferentially transduced splenic dendritic cells and resulted in long-term expression. Injection of a lentiviral vector encoding an MHC class I–restricted T cell epitope of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and CD40 ligand induced an antigen-specific cytolytic CD8+ T lymphocyte response that protected the mice from infection. The injection of chronically infected mice with a lentiviral vector encoding LCMV MHC class I and II T cell epitopes and a soluble programmed cell death 1 microbody rapidly cleared the virus. Vaccination by direct injection of lentiviral vector was more effective in sterile alpha motif and HD-domain containing protein 1–knockout (SAMHD1-knockout) mice, suggesting that lentiviral vectors containing Vpx, a lentiviral protein that increases the efficiency of dendritic cell transduction by inducing the degradation of SAMHD1, would be an effective strategy for the treatment of chronic disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Tada
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas D Norton
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Leibowitz
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel R Landau
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States of America
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14
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Zhao Z, Anselmo AC, Mitragotri S. Viral vector-based gene therapies in the clinic. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10258. [PMID: 35079633 PMCID: PMC8780015 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies are currently one of the most investigated therapeutic modalities in both the preclinical and clinical settings and have shown promise in treating a diverse spectrum of diseases. Gene therapies aim at introducing a gene material in target cells and represent a promising approach to cure diseases that were thought to be incurable by conventional modalities. In many cases, a gene therapy requires a vector to deliver gene therapeutics into target cells; viral vectors are among the most widely studied vectors owing to their distinguished advantages such as outstanding transduction efficiency. With decades of development, viral vector-based gene therapies have achieved promising clinical outcomes with many products approved for treating a range of diseases including cancer, infectious diseases and monogenic diseases. In addition, a number of active clinical trials are underway to further expand their therapeutic potential. In this review, we highlight the diversity of viral vectors, review approved products, and discuss the current clinical landscape of in vivo viral vector-based gene therapies. We have reviewed 13 approved products and their clinical applications. We have also analyzed more than 200 active trials based on various viral vectors and discussed their respective therapeutic applications. Moreover, we provide a critical analysis of the major translational challenges for in vivo viral vector-based gene therapies and discuss possible strategies to address the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongmin Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Aaron C. Anselmo
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of PharmacyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied SciencesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired EngineeringHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
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15
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Suzuki T, Uchida H, Shibata T, Sasaki Y, Ikeda H, Hamada-Uematsu M, Hamasaki R, Okuda K, Yanagi S, Tahara H. Potent anti-tumor effects of receptor-retargeted syncytial oncolytic herpes simplex virus. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 22:265-276. [PMID: 34553018 PMCID: PMC8426171 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Most oncolytic virotherapy has thus far employed viruses deficient in genes essential for replication in normal cells but not in cancer cells. Intra-tumoral injection of such viruses has resulted in clinically significant anti-tumor effects on the lesions in the vicinity of the injection sites but not on distant visceral metastases. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a receptor-retargeted oncolytic herpes simplex virus employing a single-chain antibody for targeting tumor-associated antigens (RR-oHSV) and its modified version with additional mutations conferring syncytium formation (RRsyn-oHSV). We previously showed that RRsyn-oHSV exhibits preserved antigen specificity and an ∼20-fold higher tumoricidal potency in vitro relative to RR-oHSV. Here, we investigated the in vivo anti-tumor effects of RRsyn-oHSV using human cancer xenografts in immunodeficient mice. With only a single intra-tumoral injection of RRsyn-oHSV at very low doses, all treated tumors regressed completely. Furthermore, intra-venous administration of RRsyn-oHSV resulted in robust anti-tumor effects even against large tumors. We found that these potent anti-tumor effects of RRsyn-oHSV may be associated with the formation of long-lasting tumor cell syncytia not containing non-cancerous cells that appear to trigger death of the syncytia. These results strongly suggest that cancer patients with distant metastases could be effectively treated with our RRsyn-oHSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Suzuki
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Uchida
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Tomoko Shibata
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Sasaki
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hitomi Ikeda
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Mika Hamada-Uematsu
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Ryota Hamasaki
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosaku Okuda
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeru Yanagi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tahara
- Project Division of Cancer Biomolecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,Department of Cancer Drug Discovery and Development, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
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16
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Zhang L, Wang Y. Gene therapy in epilepsy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112075. [PMID: 34488082 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy may constitute a promising alternative to conventional pharmacological tools and surgeries for epilepsy. For primary epilepsy, a single variant leading to a significant effect is relatively rare, while other forms are considered complex in inheritances with multiple susceptible mutations and impacts from the environment. Gene therapy in preclinical models of epilepsy has attempted to perform antiepileptogenic, anticonvulsant, or disease-modifying effects during epileptogenesis or after establishing the disease. Creating gene vectors tailored for different situations is the key to expanding gene therapy, and choosing the appropriate therapeutic target remains another fundamental problem. A variety of treatment strategies, from overexpressing inhibitory neuropeptides to modulating the expression of neurotransmitters or ion channels, have been tested in animal models. Additionally, emerging new approaches of optogenetics and chemogenetics, as well as genome-editing tools will further boost the prosperity of gene therapy. This review summarizes the experience obtained to date and discusses the challenges and opportunities in clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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17
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Huang X, Li X, Yang L, Wang P, Yan J, Nie Z, Gao Y, Li Z, Wen J, Cao X. Construction and optimization of herpes simplex virus vectors for central nervous system gene delivery based on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:66-77. [PMID: 34148538 DOI: 10.2174/1566523219666210618154326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We aim to define parameters affecting the safety and long-term transgene expression of attenuated HSV-1 vectors and optimize the expression cassettes to achieve robust and sustained expression in CNS. BACKGROUND Engineered, attenuated Herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors are promising vehicles for gene delivery to the peripheral and central nervous systems. The virus latent promoter (LAP) is commonly used to drive exogenous gene expression; however, parameters affecting the safety and long-term transgene expression of attenuated HSV-1 vectors have not been fully understood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to construct attenuated HSV-1 vectors using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and examine the influence of transgene cassette construction and insertion site on transgene expression and vector safety. METHOD In this study, we used a CRISPR-Cas9 system to accurately and efficiently edit attenuated HSV-1 strain 1716, and constructed two series of recombinant virus LMR and LMRx with different sets of gene cassettes insertion in Exon1(LAP2) and 2.0 kb intron downstream of LAP, respectively. The transgene expression and viral gene transcriptional kinetics were compared in in-vitro cell lines. The reporter gene expression and safety profiles of each vector were further evaluated in the mouse hippocampus gene transduction model. RESULT The in-vitro cell line analysis indicated that the insertion of a gene expression cassette would disrupt virus gene transcription. Mouse hippocampus transducing analysis suggested that complete expression cassette insertion at 2.0 kb intron could achieve robust and longtime gene expression than the other constructs. Recombinants with gene expression cassettes lacked Poly (A), which induced significant neuronal inflammation due to persistent viral antigen expression and microglia activation. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that the integrity of LAT transcripts was not necessary for the establishment of long-term latent expression. Exogenous strong promoters (like cBh promoter) could remain active during latency when placed in Exon1 or 2.0 Kb Intron of LAT locus, although their transcriptional activity declined with time. Consistent with previous research, the foreign gene expression would last much longer when the gene cassette was located downstream of Exon1, which suggested a role of LAP2 in maintaining promoter activity during latency. Besides, over-transcription of the downstream part of LAT may induce continuous activation of the attenuated vectors, suggesting an important role of LAT in maintaining viral reactivation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Huang
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Xiuqing Li
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Lijuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Jingyuan Yan
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Zuqing Nie
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Yingzheng Gao
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Xia Cao
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
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18
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Antibody Screening System Using a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-Based Probe To Identify a Novel Target for Receptor-Retargeted Oncolytic HSVs. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01766-20. [PMID: 33627393 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01766-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a promising tool for developing oncolytic virotherapy. We recently reported a platform for receptor-retargeted oncolytic HSVs that incorporates single-chain antibodies (scFvs) into envelope glycoprotein D (gD) to mediate virus entry via tumor-associated antigens. Therefore, it would be useful to develop an efficient system that can screen antibodies that might mediate HSV entry when they are incorporated as scFvs into gD. We created an HSV-based screening probe by the genetic fusion of a gD mutant with ablated binding capability to the authentic HSV entry receptors and the antibody-binding C domain of streptococcal protein G. This engineered virus failed to enter cells through authentic receptors. In contrast, when this virus was conjugated with an antibody specific to an antigen on the cell membrane, it specifically entered cells expressing the cognate antigen. This virus was used as a probe to identify antibodies that mediate virus entry via recognition of certain molecules on the cell membrane other than authentic receptors. Using this method, we identified an antibody specific to epiregulin (EREG), which has been investigated mainly as a secreted growth factor and not necessarily for its precursor that is expressed in a transmembrane form. We constructed an scFv from the anti-EREG antibody for insertion into the retargeted HSV platform and found that the recombinant virus entered cells specifically through EREG expressed by the cells. This novel antibody-screening system may contribute to the discovery of unique and unexpected molecules that might be used for the entry of receptor-retargeted oncolytic HSVs.IMPORTANCE The tropism of the cellular entry of HSV is dependent on the binding of the envelope gD to one of its authentic receptors. This can be fully retargeted to other receptors by inserting scFvs into gD with appropriate modifications. In theory, upon binding to the engineered gD, receptors other than authentic receptors should induce a conformational change in the gD, which activates downstream mechanisms required for viral entry. However, prerequisite factors for receptors to be used as targets of a retargeted virus remain poorly understood, and it is difficult to predict which molecules might be suitable for our retargeted HSV construct. Our HSV-based probe will allow unbiased screening of antibody-antigen pairs that mediate virus entry and might be a useful tool to identify suitable pairs for our construct and to enhance our understanding of virus-cell interactions during infection by HSV and possibly other viruses.
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19
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Soukupová M, Zucchini S, Trempat P, Ingusci S, Perrier-Biollay C, Barbieri M, Cattaneo S, Bettegazzi B, Falzoni S, Berthommé H, Simonato M. Improvement of HSV-1 based amplicon vectors for a safe and long-lasting gene therapy in non-replicating cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:399-412. [PMID: 33869657 PMCID: PMC8044385 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A key factor for developing gene therapy strategies for neurological disorders is the availability of suitable vectors. Currently, the most advanced are adeno-associated vectors that, while being safe and ensuring long-lasting transgene expression, have a very limited cargo capacity. In contrast, herpes simplex virus-based amplicon vectors can host huge amounts of foreign DNA, but concerns exist about their safety and ability to express transgenes long-term. We aimed at modulating and prolonging amplicon-induced transgene expression kinetics in vivo using different promoters and preventing transgene silencing. To pursue the latter, we deleted bacterial DNA sequences derived from vector construction and shielded the transgene cassette using AT-rich and insulator-like sequences (SAm technology). We employed luciferase and GFP as reporter genes. To determine transgene expression kinetics, we injected vectors in the hippocampus of mice that were longitudinally scanned for bioluminescence for 6 months. To evaluate safety, we analyzed multiple markers of damage and performed patch clamp electrophysiology experiments. All vectors proved safe, and we managed to modulate the duration of transgene expression, up to obtaining a stable, long-lasting expression using the SAm technology. Therefore, these amplicon vectors represent a flexible, efficient, and safe tool for gene delivery in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Soukupová
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.,Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pascal Trempat
- Bioviron, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Selene Ingusci
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Mario Barbieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bettegazzi
- School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Simonetta Falzoni
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Hervé Berthommé
- Bioviron, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
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20
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Uddin MS, Khan ZA, Sumsuzzman DM, Perveen A, Ashraf GM. Challenges of Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 21:3-10. [PMID: 33153421 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220999201105150442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Sahab Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Asma Perveen
- Glocal School of Life Sciences, Glocal University, Saharanpur, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Pre-Clinical Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Monie DD, Bhandarkar AR, Parney IF, Correia C, Sarkaria JN, Vile RG, Li H. Synthetic and systems biology principles in the design of programmable oncolytic virus immunotherapies for glioblastoma. Neurosurg Focus 2021; 50:E10. [PMID: 33524942 DOI: 10.3171/2020.12.focus20855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a class of immunotherapeutic agents with promising preclinical results for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) but have shown limited success in recent clinical trials. Advanced bioengineering principles from disciplines such as synthetic and systems biology are needed to overcome the current challenges faced in developing effective OV-based immunotherapies for GBMs, including off-target effects and poor clinical responses. Synthetic biology is an emerging field that focuses on the development of synthetic DNA constructs that encode networks of genes and proteins (synthetic genetic circuits) to perform novel functions, whereas systems biology is an analytical framework that enables the study of complex interactions between host pathways and these synthetic genetic circuits. In this review, the authors summarize synthetic and systems biology concepts for developing programmable, logic-based OVs to treat GBMs. Programmable OVs can increase selectivity for tumor cells and enhance the local immunological response using synthetic genetic circuits. The authors discuss key principles for developing programmable OV-based immunotherapies, including how to 1) select an appropriate chassis, a vector that carries a synthetic genetic circuit, and 2) design a synthetic genetic circuit that can be programmed to sense key signals in the GBM microenvironment and trigger release of a therapeutic payload. To illustrate these principles, some original laboratory data are included, highlighting the need for systems biology studies, as well as some preliminary network analyses in preparation for synthetic biology applications. Examples from the literature of state-of-the-art synthetic genetic circuits that can be packaged into leading candidate OV chassis are also surveyed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep D Monie
- Departments of1Immunology.,6Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.,7Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Cristina Correia
- 5Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic
| | | | | | - Hu Li
- 5Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic
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22
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Generation of an Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viral Vector Completely Retargeted to the GDNF Receptor GFRα1 for Specific Infection of Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228815. [PMID: 33233403 PMCID: PMC7700293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSV) are under development for the treatment of a variety of human cancers, including breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide. Here we report the design of a fully retargeted oHSV for preferential infection of breast cancer cells through virus recognition of GFRα1, the cellular receptor for glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GFRα1 displays a limited expression profile in normal adult tissue, but is upregulated in a subset of breast cancers. We generated a recombinant HSV expressing a completely retargeted glycoprotein D (gD), the viral attachment/entry protein, that incorporates pre-pro-GDNF in place of the signal peptide and HVEM binding domain of gD and contains a deletion of amino acid 38 to eliminate nectin-1 binding. We show that GFRα1 is necessary and sufficient for infection by the purified recombinant virus. Moreover, this virus enters and spreads in GFRα1-positive breast cancer cells in vitro and caused tumor regression upon intratumoral injection in vivo. Given the heterogeneity observed between and within individual breast cancers at the molecular level, these results expand our ability to deliver oHSV to specific tumors and suggest opportunities to enhance drug or viral treatments aimed at other receptors.
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23
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Mohan RR, Martin LM, Sinha NR. Novel insights into gene therapy in the cornea. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108361. [PMID: 33212142 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Corneal disease remains a leading cause of impaired vision world-wide, and advancements in gene therapy continue to develop with promising success to prevent, treat and cure blindness. Ideally, gene therapy requires a vector and gene delivery method that targets treatment of specific cells or tissues and results in a safe and non-immunogenic response. The cornea is a model tissue for gene therapy due to its ease of clinician access and immune-privileged state. Improvements in the past 5-10 years have begun to revolutionize the approach to gene therapy in the cornea with a focus on adeno-associated virus and nanoparticle delivery of single and combination gene therapies. In addition, the potential applications of gene editing (zinc finger nucleases [ZNFs], transcription activator-like effector nucleases [TALENs], Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Associated Systems [CRISPR/Cas9]) are rapidly expanding. This review focuses on recent developments in gene therapy for corneal diseases, including promising multiple gene therapy, while outlining a practical approach to the development of such therapies and potential impediments to successful delivery of genes to the cornea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv R Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-health Vision Research Center, Departments of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States; Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.
| | - Lynn M Martin
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-health Vision Research Center, Departments of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Nishant R Sinha
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO, United States; One-health Vision Research Center, Departments of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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24
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Uchitel J, Kantor B, Smith EC, Mikati MA. Viral-Mediated Gene Replacement Therapy in the Developing Central Nervous System: Current Status and Future Directions. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 110:5-19. [PMID: 32684374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The past few years have witnessed rapid developments in viral-mediated gene replacement therapy for pediatric central nervous system neurogenetic disorders. Here, we provide pediatric neurologists with an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of these developments and note emerging trends for future research. This review presents the different types of viral vectors used in viral-mediated gene replacement therapy; the fundamental properties of viral-mediated gene replacement therapy; the challenges associated with the use of this therapy in the central nervous system; the pathway for therapy development, from translational basic science studies to clinical trials; and an overview of the therapies that have reached clinical trials in patients. Current viral platforms under investigation include adenovirus vectors, adeno-associated viral vectors, lentiviral/retroviral vectors, and herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors. This review also presents an in-depth analysis of numerous studies that investigated these viral platforms in cultured cells and in transgenic animal models for pediatric neurogenetic disorders. Viral vectors have been applied to clinical trials for many different pediatric neurogenetic disorders, including Canavan disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, mucopolysaccharidosis III, spinal muscular atrophy, and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. Of these diseases, only spinal muscular atrophy has a viral-mediated gene replacement therapy approved for marketing. Despite significant progress in therapy development, many challenges remain. Surmounting these challenges is critical to advancing the current status of viral-mediated gene replacement therapy for pediatric central nervous system neurogenetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Uchitel
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Boris Kantor
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Edward C Smith
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mohamad A Mikati
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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25
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Li D, Yang H, Xiong F, Xu X, Zeng WB, Zhao F, Luo MH. Anterograde Neuronal Circuit Tracers Derived from Herpes Simplex Virus 1: Development, Application, and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5937. [PMID: 32824837 PMCID: PMC7460661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has great potential to be applied as a viral tool for gene delivery or oncolysis. The broad infection tropism of HSV-1 makes it a suitable tool for targeting many different cell types, and its 150 kb double-stranded DNA genome provides great capacity for exogenous genes. Moreover, the features of neuron infection and neuron-to-neuron spread also offer special value to neuroscience. HSV-1 strain H129, with its predominant anterograde transneuronal transmission, represents one of the most promising anterograde neuronal circuit tracers to map output neuronal pathways. Decades of development have greatly expanded the H129-derived anterograde tracing toolbox, including polysynaptic and monosynaptic tracers with various fluorescent protein labeling. These tracers have been applied to neuroanatomical studies, and have contributed to revealing multiple important neuronal circuits. However, current H129-derived tracers retain intrinsic drawbacks that limit their broad application, such as yet-to-be improved labeling intensity, potential nonspecific retrograde labeling, and high toxicity. The biological complexity of HSV-1 and its insufficiently characterized virological properties have caused difficulties in its improvement and optimization as a viral tool. In this review, we focus on the current H129-derived viral tracers and highlight strategies in which future technological development can advance its use as a tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1275, USA;
| | - Wen-Bo Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min-Hua Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; (D.L.); (H.Y.); (F.X.); (W.-B.Z.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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26
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Mody PH, Pathak S, Hanson LK, Spencer JV. Herpes Simplex Virus: A Versatile Tool for Insights Into Evolution, Gene Delivery, and Tumor Immunotherapy. Virology (Auckl) 2020; 11:1178122X20913274. [PMID: 34093008 PMCID: PMC8142529 DOI: 10.1177/1178122x20913274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are prevalent throughout the animal kingdom, and they have coexisted and coevolved along with their host species for millions of years. Herpesviruses carry a large (120-230 kb) double-stranded DNA genome surrounded by a protein capsid, a tegument layer consisting of viral and host proteins, and a lipid bilayer envelope with surface glycoproteins. A key characteristic of these viruses is their ability to enter a latent state following primary infection, allowing them to evade the host's immune system and persist permanently. Herpesviruses can reactivate from their dormant state, usually during times of stress or when the host's immune responses are impaired. While herpesviruses can cause complications with severe disease in immune-compromised people, most of the population experiences few ill effects from herpesvirus infections. Indeed, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in particular has several features that make it an attractive tool for therapeutic gene delivery. Herpes simplex virus 1 targets and infects specific cell types, such as epithelial cells and neurons. The HSV-1 genome can also accommodate large insertions of up to 14 kb. The HSV-1-based vectors have already achieved success for the oncolytic treatment of melanoma. In addition to serving as a vehicle for therapeutic gene delivery and targeted cell lysis, comparative genomics of herpesviruses HSV-1 and 2 has revealed valuable information about the evolutionary history of both viruses and their hosts. This review focuses on the adaptability of HSV-1 as an instrument for gene delivery and an evolutionary marker. Overall, HSV-1 shows great promise as a tool for treating human disease and studying human migration patterns, disease outbreaks, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prapti H Mody
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Sushila Pathak
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Laura K Hanson
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Juliet V Spencer
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA
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Kuroda S, Miyagawa Y, Sato Y, Yamamoto M, Adachi K, Kinoh H, Goins WF, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC, Taniai N, Yoshida H, Okada T. Protocol Optimization for the Production of the Non-Cytotoxic JΔNI5 HSV Vector Deficient in Expression of Immediately Early Genes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:612-621. [PMID: 32300608 PMCID: PMC7150431 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Non-toxic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors can be generated by functional deletion of all immediate-early (IE) genes, providing a benign vehicle with potential for gene therapy. However, deletion of multiple IE genes raises manufacturing concerns and thus limits clinical application of these vectors. To address this issue, we previously developed a novel production cell line, called U2OS-ICP4/27, by lentiviral transduction of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells with two essential HSV IE genes, ICP4 and ICP27. To optimize the process of vector manufacturing on this platform, we evaluated several cell culture parameters of U2OS-ICP4/27 for high-titer and -quality production of non-toxic HSV vectors, revealing that the yields and functionality of these vectors can be significantly influenced by culturing conditions. We also found that several chemical compounds can enhance the replication of non-toxic HSV vectors and their release from producer cells into the supernatants. Notably, the vector produced by our optimized protocol displayed a greatly improved vector yield and quality and showed elevated transgene expression in cultures of primary dorsal root ganglion neurons. Taken together, our optimized production approach emerges as a relevant protocol for high-yield and high-quality preparation of non-toxic HSV-based gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Kuroda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Miyagawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sato
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoko Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumi Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kinoh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Taniai
- Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Okada
- Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Tuzmen C, Cairns TM, Atanasiu D, Lou H, Saw WT, Hall BL, Cohen JB, Cohen GH, Glorioso JC. Point Mutations in Retargeted gD Eliminate the Sensitivity of EGFR/EGFRvIII-Targeted HSV to Key Neutralizing Antibodies. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 16:145-154. [PMID: 32042851 PMCID: PMC7000558 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Effective oncolytic virotherapy may require systemic delivery, tumor targeting, and resistance to virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies. Since herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD) is the viral attachment/entry protein and predominant VN target, we examined the impact of gD retargeting alone and in combination with alterations in dominant VN epitopes on virus susceptibility to VN antibodies. We compared the binding of a panel of anti-gD monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mimic antibody specificities in human HSV-immune sera to the purified ectodomains of wild-type and retargeted gD, revealing the retention of two prominent epitopes. Substitution of a key residue in each epitope, separately and together, revealed that both substitutions (1) blocked retargeted gD recognition by mAbs to the respective epitopes, and, in combination, caused a global reduction in mAb binding; (2) protected against fusion inhibition by VN mAbs reactive with each epitope in virus-free cell-cell fusion assays; and (3) increased the resistance of retargeted HSV-1 to these VN mAbs. Although the combined modifications of retargeted gD allowed bona fide retargeting, incorporation into virions was partially compromised. Our results indicate that stacking of epitope mutations can additively block retargeted gD recognition by VN antibodies but also that improvements in gD incorporation into virus particles may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Tuzmen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Tina M Cairns
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Doina Atanasiu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Huan Lou
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wan Ting Saw
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie L Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Gary H Cohen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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29
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Goins WF, Huang S, Hall B, Marzulli M, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Engineering HSV-1 Vectors for Gene Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2060:73-90. [PMID: 31617173 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9814-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Virus vectors have been employed as gene transfer vehicles for various preclinical and clinical gene therapy applications and with the approval of Glybera (Alipogene tiparvovec) as the first gene therapy product as a standard medical treatment (Yla-Herttuala, Mol Ther 20:1831-1832, 2013), gene therapy has reached the status of being a part of standard patient care. Replication-competent herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors that replicate specifically in actively dividing tumor cells have been used in Phase I-III human trials in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a fatal form of brain cancer, and in malignant melanoma. In fact, Imlygic® (T-VEC, Talimogene laherparepvec, formerly known as OncoVex GM-CSF), displayed efficacy in a recent Phase-III trial when compared to standard GM-CSF treatment alone (Andtbacka et al., J Clin Oncol 31:sLBA9008, 2013), and has since become the first FDA-approved viral gene therapy product used in standard patient care (October 2015) (Pol et al., Oncoimmunology 5:e1115641, 2016). Moreover, increased efficacy was observed when Imlygic® was combined with checkpoint inhibitory antibodies as a frontline therapy for malignant melanoma (Ribas et al., Cell 170:1109-1119.e1110, 2017; Dummer et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother 66:683-695, 2017). In addition to the replication-competent oncolytic HSV vectors like T-VEC, replication-defective HSV vectors have been employed in Phase I-II human trials and have been explored as delivery vehicles for disorders such as pain, neuropathy and other neurodegenerative conditions. Research during the last decade on the development of HSV vectors has resulted in the engineering of recombinant vectors that are completely replication defective, nontoxic, and capable of long-term transgene expression in neurons. This chapter describes methods for the construction of recombinant genomic HSV vectors based on the HSV-1 replication-defective vector backbones, steps in their purification, and their small-scale production for use in cell culture experiments as well as preclinical animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bonnie Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marco Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Justus B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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30
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Oh HS, Neuhausser WM, Eggan P, Angelova M, Kirchner R, Eggan KC, Knipe DM. Herpesviral lytic gene functions render the viral genome susceptible to novel editing by CRISPR/Cas9. eLife 2019; 8:e51662. [PMID: 31789594 PMCID: PMC6917492 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes lifelong latent infection and can cause serious human disease, but current antiviral therapies target lytic but not latent infection. We screened for sgRNAs that cleave HSV-1 DNA sequences efficiently in vitro and used these sgRNAs to observe the first editing of quiescent HSV-1 DNA. The sgRNAs targeted lytic replicating viral DNA genomes more efficiently than quiescent genomes, consistent with the open structure of lytic chromatin. Editing of latent genomes caused short indels while editing of replicating genomes produced indels, linear molecules, and large genomic sequence loss around the gRNA target site. The HSV ICP0 protein and viral DNA replication increased the loss of DNA sequences around the gRNA target site. We conclude that HSV, by promoting open chromatin needed for viral gene expression and by inhibiting the DNA damage response, makes the genome vulnerable to a novel form of editing by CRISPR-Cas9 during lytic replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Suk Oh
- Department of MicrobiologyBlavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Werner M Neuhausser
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and InfertilityBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Pierce Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Magdalena Angelova
- Department of MicrobiologyBlavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Rory Kirchner
- Department of BiostatisticsHarvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBostonUnited States
| | - Kevin C Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - David M Knipe
- Department of MicrobiologyBlavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
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31
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Tolmachov OE. Shielding of non-target cells using RNA vectors conferring gene transfer resistance: A strategy to enhance targeting accuracy and reduce side-effects in therapeutic gene delivery. Med Hypotheses 2019; 132:109328. [PMID: 31421422 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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32
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Ingusci S, Verlengia G, Soukupova M, Zucchini S, Simonato M. Gene Therapy Tools for Brain Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:724. [PMID: 31312139 PMCID: PMC6613496 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are still incompletely understood. Many of these disorders lack a cure and are seeking more specific and effective treatments. In fact, in spite of advancements in knowledge of the CNS function, the treatment of neurological disorders with modern medical and surgical approaches remains difficult for many reasons, such as the complexity of the CNS, the limited regenerative capacity of the tissue, and the difficulty in conveying conventional drugs to the organ due to the blood-brain barrier. Gene therapy, allowing the delivery of genetic materials that encodes potential therapeutic molecules, represents an attractive option. Gene therapy can result in a stable or inducible expression of transgene(s), and can allow a nearly specific expression in target cells. In this review, we will discuss the most commonly used tools for the delivery of genetic material in the CNS, including viral and non-viral vectors; their main applications; their advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss mechanisms of genetic regulation through cell-specific and inducible promoters, which allow to express gene products only in specific cells and to control their transcriptional activation. In addition, we will describe the applications to CNS diseases of post-transcriptional regulation systems (RNA interference); of systems allowing spatial or temporal control of expression [optogenetics and Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs)]; and of gene editing technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, Zinc finger proteins). Particular attention will be reserved to viral vectors derived from herpes simplex type 1, a potential tool for the delivery and expression of multiple transgene cassettes simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Anderson HE, Weir RFF. On the development of optical peripheral nerve interfaces. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:425-436. [PMID: 30539808 PMCID: PMC6334609 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.245461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb loss and spinal cord injury are two debilitating conditions that continue to grow in prevalence. Prosthetic limbs and limb reanimation present two ways of providing affected individuals with means to interact in the world. These techniques are both dependent on a robust interface with the peripheral nerve. Current methods for interfacing with the peripheral nerve tend to suffer from low specificity, high latency and insufficient robustness for a chronic implant. An optical peripheral nerve interface may solve some of these problems by decreasing invasiveness and providing single axon specificity. In order to implement such an interface three elements are required: (1) a transducer capable of translating light into a neural stimulus or translating neural activity into changes in fluorescence, (2) a means for delivering said transducer and (3) a microscope for providing the stimulus light and detecting the fluorescence change. There are continued improvements in both genetically encoded calcium and voltage indicators as well as new optogenetic actuators for stimulation. Similarly, improvements in specificity of viral vectors continue to improve expression in the axons of the peripheral nerve. Our work has recently shown that it is possible to virally transduce axons of the peripheral nerve for recording from small fibers. The improvements of these components make an optical peripheral nerve interface a rapidly approaching alternative to current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans E. Anderson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Richard F. ff. Weir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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34
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Ingusci S, Cattaneo S, Verlengia G, Zucchini S, Simonato M. A Matter of Genes: The Hurdles of Gene Therapy for Epilepsy. Epilepsy Curr 2019; 19:38-43. [PMID: 30838918 PMCID: PMC6610370 DOI: 10.1177/1535759718822846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has recently advanced to the level of standard of care for several
diseases. However, its application to neurological disorders is still in the
experimental phase. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in the field
that provide optimism on the possibility to have first-in-human studies for gene
therapy of some forms of epilepsy in the not so distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Ingusci
- 1 Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- 2 School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- 1 Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,2 School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- 1 Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,3 Technopole of Ferrara, LTTA Laboratory for the Technologies for Advanced Therapies, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- 1 Department of Medical Sciences and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,2 School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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35
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Marzulli M, Mazzacurati L, Zhang M, Goins WF, Hatley ME, Glorioso JC, Cohen JB. A Novel Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Design based on the Common Overexpression of microRNA-21 in Tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 3. [PMID: 30465046 PMCID: PMC6241327 DOI: 10.13188/2381-3326.1000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Recognition sequences for microRNAs (miRs) that are down-regulated in tumor cells have recently been used to render lytic viruses tumor-specific. Since different tumor types down-regulate different miRs, this strategy requires virus customization to the target tumor. We have explored a feature that is shared by many tumor types, the up-regulation of miR-21, as a means to generate an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is applicable to a broad range of cancers. Methods We assembled an expression construct for a dominant-negative (dn) form of the essential HSV replication factor UL9 and inserted tandem copies of the miR-21 recognition sequence (T21) in the 3' untranslated region. Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) recombineering was used to introduce the dnUL9 construct with or without T21 into the HSV genome. Virus was produced by transfection and replication was assessed in different tumor and control cell lines. Results Virus production was conditional on the presence of the T21 sequence. The dnUL9-T21 virus replicated efficiently in tumor cell lines, less efficiently in cells that contained reduced miR-21 activity, and not at all in the absence of miR-21. Conclusion miR-21-sensitive expression of a dominant-negative inhibitor of HSV replication allows preferential destruction of tumor cells in vitro. This observation provides a basis for further development of a widely applicable oncolytic HSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Marzulli
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - L Mazzacurati
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - M Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - W F Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - M E Hatley
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA
| | - J C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - J B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
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Cellular Antisilencing Elements Support Transgene Expression from Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors in the Absence of Immediate Early Gene Expression. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00536-18. [PMID: 29950408 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00536-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of all herpes simplex virus (HSV) immediate early (IE) genes to eliminate vector cytotoxicity results in rapid silencing of the viral genome, similar to the establishment of HSV latency. We recently reported that silencing of a nonviral reporter cassette could be overcome in nonneuronal cells by positioning the cassette in the viral latency (LAT) locus between resident chromatin boundary elements. Here, we tested the abilities of the chicken hypersensitive site 4 insulator and the human ubiquitous chromatin opening element A2UCOE to promote transgene expression from an IE-gene-inactivated HSV vector. We found that A2UCOE was particularly active in nonneuronal cells and reduced reporter promoter occupancy by a repressive histone mark. We determined whether multiple transgenes could be expressed under the control of different promoters from different loci of the same virus. The results showed abundant coexpression of LAT-embedded and A2UCOE-flanked genes in nonneuronal cells. In addition, a third reporter gene without known protective elements was active in cultured rat sensory neurons. These findings indicate that cellular antisilencing sequences can contribute to the expression of multiple genes from separate promoters in fully IE gene-disabled HSV vectors, providing an opportunity for therapeutic applications requiring mutually independent expression of different gene products from a single vector.IMPORTANCE Gene therapy has now entered a phase of development in which a growing number of recessive single gene defects can be successfully treated by vector-mediated introduction of a wild-type copy of the gene into the appropriate tissue. However, many disease conditions, such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and inflammatory processes, are more complex, requiring either multiple gene corrections or provision of coordinated gene activities to achieve a therapeutic outcome. Although herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have the capacity to meet this need, the challenge has been to genetically engineer the HSV genome in a manner to prevent expression of any viral genes while retaining the ability to express multiple therapeutic transgenes under independent transcriptional control. Here, we show that non-HSV insulator elements can be applied to retain at least transient transgene activity from multiple viral loci, thereby opening the door for more complex gene therapy applications in the future.
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Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors for Gene Transfer to the Central Nervous System. Diseases 2018; 6:diseases6030074. [PMID: 30110885 PMCID: PMC6164475 DOI: 10.3390/diseases6030074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have a profound impact on human health worldwide and their incidence is predicted to increase as the population ages. ND severely limits the quality of life and leads to early death. Aside from treatments that may reduce symptoms, NDs are almost completely without means of therapeutic intervention. The genetic and biochemical basis of many NDs is beginning to emerge although most have complex etiologies for which common themes remain poorly resolved. Largely relying on progress in vector design, gene therapy is gaining increasing support as a strategy for genetic treatment of diseases. Here we describe recent developments in the engineering of highly defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors suitable for transfer and long-term expression of large and/or multiple therapeutic genes in brain neurons in the complete absence of viral gene expression. These advanced vector platforms are safe, non-inflammatory, and persist in the nerve cell nucleus for life. In the near term, it is likely that HSV can be used to treat certain NDs that have a well-defined genetic cause. As further information on disease etiology becomes available, these vectors may take on an expanded role in ND therapies, including gene editing and repair.
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38
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Falcicchia C, Simonato M, Verlengia G. New Tools for Epilepsy Therapy. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:147. [PMID: 29896092 PMCID: PMC5986878 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One third of the epilepsies are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and, therefore, identification of new therapies is highly needed. Here, we briefly describe two approaches, direct cell grafting and gene therapy, that may represent alternatives to conventional drugs for the treatment of focal epilepsies. In addition, we discuss more in detail some new tools, cell based-biodelivery systems (encapsulated cell biodelivery (ECB) devices) and new generation gene therapy vectors, which may help in the progress toward clinical translation. The field is advancing rapidly, and there is optimism that cell and/or gene therapy strategies will soon be ready for testing in drug-resistant epileptic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Falcicchia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy.,School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Center, University of Ferrara and National Institute of Neuroscience, Ferrara, Italy.,School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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39
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Delbeke J, Hoffman L, Mols K, Braeken D, Prodanov D. And Then There Was Light: Perspectives of Optogenetics for Deep Brain Stimulation and Neuromodulation. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:663. [PMID: 29311765 PMCID: PMC5732983 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has evolved into a well-accepted add-on treatment for patients with severe Parkinsons disease as well as for other chronic neurological conditions. The focal action of electrical stimulation can yield better responses and it exposes the patient to fewer side effects compared to pharmaceuticals distributed throughout the body toward the brain. On the other hand, the current practice of DBS is hampered by the relatively coarse level of neuromodulation achieved. Optogenetics, in contrast, offers the perspective of much more selective actions on the various physiological structures, provided that the stimulated cells are rendered sensitive to the action of light. Optogenetics has experienced tremendous progress since its first in vivo applications about 10 years ago. Recent advancements of viral vector technology for gene transfer substantially reduce vector-associated cytotoxicity and immune responses. This brings about the possibility to transfer this technology into the clinic as a possible alternative to DBS and neuromodulation. New paths could be opened toward a rich panel of clinical applications. Some technical issues still limit the long term use in humans but realistic perspectives quickly emerge. Despite a rapid accumulation of observations about patho-physiological mechanisms, it is still mostly serendipity and empiric adjustments that dictate clinical practice while more efficient logically designed interventions remain rather exceptional. Interestingly, it is also very much the neuro technology developed around optogenetics that offers the most promising tools to fill in the existing knowledge gaps about brain function in health and disease. The present review examines Parkinson's disease and refractory epilepsy as use cases for possible optogenetic stimulation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Delbeke
- LCEN3, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Katrien Mols
- Neuroscience Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium.,Life Science and Imaging, Imec, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Dimiter Prodanov
- Neuroscience Research Flanders, Leuven, Belgium.,Environment, Health and Safety, Imec, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Ventosa M, Wu Z, Lim F. Sustained FXN expression in dorsal root ganglia from a nonreplicative genomic HSV-1 vector. J Gene Med 2017; 19:376-386. [PMID: 29044877 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the frataxin gene (FXN), which lead to reduced levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Currently, there is no effective cure. METHODS With the aim of developing a gene therapy for FA neuropathology, we describe the construction and preliminary characterization of a high-capacity nonreplicative genomic herpes simplex virus type 1 vector (H24B-FXNlac vector) carrying a reduced version of the human FXN genomic locus, comprising the 5-kb promoter and the FXN cDNA with the inclusion of intron 1. RESULTS We show that the transgene cassette contains the elements necessary to preserve physiological neuronal regulation of human FXN expression. Transduction of cultured fetal rat dorsal root ganglia neurons with the H24B-FXNlac vector results in sustained expression of human FXN transcripts and frataxin protein. Rat footpad inoculation with the H24B-FXNlac vector results in human FXN transgene delivery to the dorsal root ganglia, with expression persisting for at least 1 month. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study support the feasibility of using this vector for sustained neuronal expression of human frataxin for FA gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ventosa
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zetang Wu
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Filip Lim
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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41
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Shimizu N, Doyal MF, Goins WF, Kadekawa K, Wada N, Kanai AJ, de Groat WC, Hirayama A, Uemura H, Glorioso JC, Yoshimura N. Morphological changes in different populations of bladder afferent neurons detected by herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors with cell-type-specific promoters in mice with spinal cord injury. Neuroscience 2017; 364:190-201. [PMID: 28942324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Functional and morphological changes in C-fiber bladder afferent pathways are reportedly involved in neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) after spinal cord injury (SCI). This study examined the morphological changes in different populations of bladder afferent neurons after SCI using replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors encoding the mCherry reporter driven by neuronal cell-type-specific promoters. Spinal intact (SI) and SCI mice were injected into the bladder wall with HSV mCherry vectors driven by the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, CGRP promoter, TRPV1 promoter or neurofilament 200 (NF200) promoter. Two weeks after vector inoculation into the bladder wall, L1 and L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were removed bilaterally for immunofluorescent staining using anti-mCherry antibody. The number of CMV promoter vector-labeled neurons was not altered after SCI. The number of CGRP and TRPV1 promoter vector-labeled neurons was significantly increased whereas the number of NF200 vector-labeled neurons was decreased in L6 DRG after SCI. The median size of CGRP promoter-labeled C-fiber neurons was increased from 247.0 in SI mice to 271.3μm2 in SCI mice whereas the median cell size of TRPV1 promoter vector-labeled neurons was decreased from 245.2 in SI mice to 216.5μm2 in SCI mice. CGRP and TRPV1 mRNA levels of laser-captured bladder afferent neurons labeled with Fast Blue were significantly increased in SCI mice compared to SI mice. Thus, using a novel HSV vector-mediated neuronal labeling technique, we found that SCI induces expansion of the CGRP- and TRPV1-expressing C-fiber cell population, which could contribute to C-fiber afferent hyperexcitability and NDO after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobutaka Shimizu
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States; Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Mark F Doyal
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States
| | - William F Goins
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States
| | - Katsumi Kadekawa
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Naoki Wada
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Anthony J Kanai
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - William C de Groat
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Akihide Hirayama
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Nara, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Uemura
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Joseph C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, United States
| | - Naoki Yoshimura
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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42
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Miyagawa Y, Verlengia G, Reinhart B, Han F, Uchida H, Zucchini S, Goins WF, Simonato M, Cohen JB, Glorioso JC. Deletion of the Virion Host Shut-off Gene Enhances Neuronal-Selective Transgene Expression from an HSV Vector Lacking Functional IE Genes. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2017; 6:79-90. [PMID: 28702475 PMCID: PMC5493822 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability of herpes simplex virus (HSV) to establish lifelong latency in neurons suggests that HSV-derived vectors hold promise for gene delivery to the nervous system. However, vector toxicity and transgene silencing have created significant barriers to vector applications to the brain. Recently, we described a vector defective for all immediate-early gene expression and deleted for the joint region between the two unique genome segments that proved capable of extended transgene expression in non-neuronal cells. Sustained expression required the proximity of boundary elements from the latency locus. As confirmed here, we have also found that a transgene cassette introduced into the ICP4 locus is highly active in neurons but silent in primary fibroblasts. Remarkably, we observed that removal of the virion host shutoff (vhs) gene further improved transgene expression in neurons without inducing expression of viral genes. In rat hippocampus, the vhs-deleted vector showed robust transgene expression exclusively in neurons for at least 1 month without evidence of toxicity or inflammation. This HSV vector design holds promise for gene delivery to the brain, including durable expression of large or complex transgene cassettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Miyagawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Gianluca Verlengia
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Bonnie Reinhart
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Fang Han
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hiroaki Uchida
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Division of Bioengineering, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - William F. Goins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Michele Simonato
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Justus B. Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Joseph C. Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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43
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Collins DE, Reuter JD, Rush HG, Villano JS. Viral Vector Biosafety in Laboratory Animal Research. Comp Med 2017; 67:215-221. [PMID: 28662750 PMCID: PMC5482513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Viral vector research presents unique occupational health and safety challenges to institutions due to the rapid development of both in vivo and in vitro gene-editing technologies. Risks to human and animal health make it incumbent on institutions to appropriately evaluate viral vector usage in research on the basis of available information and governmental regulations and guidelines. Here we review the factors related to risk assessment regarding viral vector usage in animals and the relevant regulatory documents associated with this research, and we highlight the most commonly used viral vectors in research today. This review is particularly focused on the background, use in research and associated health and environmental risks related to adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, lentiviral, and herpesviral vectors.
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Synergistic effects of deleting multiple nonessential elements in nonreplicative HSV-1 BAC genomic vectors play a critical role in their viability. Gene Ther 2017; 24:433-440. [PMID: 28553928 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nonreplicative Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) genomic vectors have already entered into clinical trials for neurological gene therapy thanks to their scalable growth in permissive cells. However, the small transgene capacity of this type of HSV-1 vectors currently used in the clinic represents an important limiting factor as a gene delivery system. To develop high-capacity nonreplicative genomic HSV-1 vectors, in this study we have characterized a series of multiply deleted mutants which we have constructed in bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), removing up to 24 kb of unstable or dispensable genomic sequences to allow insertion of transgenes up to this size. We show that synergistic effects of deletions of: the HSV-1 replication origins oriS and oriL, the HSV-1 internal repeat region, the remaining ICP4 gene copy and the genes encoding for ICP27, UL56, UL55, can severely reduce the growth of these HSV-1 vectors. Given that several of these elements have been characterized as 'non-essential' for viral growth in cell culture by single-deletion experiments of wild-type HSV-1, our study highlights the need to re-evaluate their functional contribution in the context of multiply deleted nonreplicative HSV-1 genomic vectors. Our BAC mutants described here can serve as useful starting platforms to accelerate HSV-1 vector development.
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45
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Abdoli S, Roohvand F, Teimoori-Toolabi L, Shokrgozar MA, Bahrololoumi M, Azadmanesh K. Construction of Various γ34.5 Deleted Fluorescent-Expressing Oncolytic herpes Simplex type 1 (oHSV) for Generation and Isolation of HSV-Based Vectors. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2017; 21:206-17. [PMID: 28525954 PMCID: PMC5459936 DOI: 10.18869/acadpub.ibj.21.4.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV)-based vectors lacking γ34.5 gene, are considered as ideal templates to construct efficient vectors for (targeted) cancer gene therapy. Herein, we reported the construction of three single/dually-flourescence labeled and γ34.5-deleted, recombinant HSV-1 vectors for rapid generation and easy selection/isolation of different HSV-Based vectors. Methods Generation of recombinant viruses was performed with conventional homologous recombination methods using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and BleCherry harboring shuttle vectors. Viruses were isolated by direct fluorescence observation and standard plaque purifying methods and confirmed by PCR and sequencing and flow cytometry. XTT and plaque assay titration were performed on Vero, U87MG, and T98 GBM cell lines. Results We generated three recombinant viruses, HSV-GFP, HSV-GR (Green-Red), and HSV-Red. The HSV-GFP showed two log higher titer (1010 PFU) than wild type (108 PFU). In contrast, HSV-GR and HSV-Red showed one log lower titer (107 PFU) than parental HSV. Cytotoxicity analysis showed that HSV-GR and HSV-Red can lyse target tumor cells at multiplicity of infection of 10 and 1 (P<0.001). Moreover, HSV-GFP showed higher infection potency (98%) in comparison with HSV-GR (82%). Conclusion Our oHSVs provide a simple and an efficient platform for construction and rapid isolation of 2nd and 3rd generation oHSVs by replacing the inserted dyes with transgenes and also for rapid identification via fluorescence activated cell sorting. These vectors can also be used for tracing the efficacy of therapeutic agents on target cells, imaging of neural or tumoral cells in vitro/in vivo and as oncolytic agents in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Teimoori-Toolabi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research center, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Engineered HSV vector achieves safe long-term transgene expression in the central nervous system. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1507. [PMID: 28473703 PMCID: PMC5431452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01635-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously we reported a new series of highly defective herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vectors that were functionally devoid of all viral immediately early (IE) genes, resulting in virtual absence of viral gene expression. Nevertheless, a reporter gene cassette inserted into the vector flanked by boundary elements from the viral latency locus showed high, persistent reporter gene activity in non-neuronal cells while an independent expression cassette inserted into a deleted ICP4 locus remained almost silent. In contrast to non-neuronal cells, we show here that the ICP4 locus cassette permitted robust reporter gene expression in a diversity of neurons following stereotactic injection of different rat brain regions; transgene expression in the hippocampus lasted up to 6 months and was essentially restricted to neurons. No evidence of neuronal cell toxicity or induction of inflammatory cell infiltrates was observed. An independent reporter gene cassette located in an intergenic region remained silent, indicating that the transgene promoter and/or insertion site are critical for sustained expression. These findings suggest the suitability of this vector for therapeutic intervention into diseases of the central nervous system that require the expression of large and/or multiple therapeutic transgenes.
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47
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Phelan D, Barrozo ER, Bloom DC. HSV1 latent transcription and non-coding RNA: A critical retrospective. J Neuroimmunol 2017; 308:65-101. [PMID: 28363461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Virologists have invested great effort into understanding how the herpes simplex viruses and their relatives are maintained dormant over the lifespan of their host while maintaining the poise to remobilize on sporadic occasions. Piece by piece, our field has defined the tissues in play (the sensory ganglia), the transcriptional units (the latency-associated transcripts), and the responsive genomic region (the long repeats of the viral genomes). With time, the observed complexity of these features has compounded, and the totality of viral factors regulating latency are less obvious. In this review, we compose a comprehensive picture of the viral genetic elements suspected to be relevant to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) latent transcription by conducting a critical analysis of about three decades of research. We describe these studies, which largely involved mutational analysis of the notable latency-associated transcripts (LATs), and more recently a series of viral miRNAs. We also intend to draw attention to the many other less characterized non-coding RNAs, and perhaps coding RNAs, that may be important for consideration when trying to disentangle the multitude of phenotypes of the many genetic modifications introduced into recombinant HSV1 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dane Phelan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, United States.
| | - Enrico R Barrozo
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, United States.
| | - David C Bloom
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, United States.
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48
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Syncytial Mutations Do Not Impair the Specificity of Entry and Spread of a Glycoprotein D Receptor-Retargeted Herpes Simplex Virus. J Virol 2016; 90:11096-11105. [PMID: 27707922 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01456-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion, which is the key process for both initial cell entry and subsequent lateral spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV), requires the four envelope glycoproteins gB, gD, gH, and gL. Syncytial mutations, predominantly mapped to the gB and gK genes, confer hyperfusogenicity on HSV and cause multinucleated giant cells, termed syncytia. Here we asked whether interaction of gD with a cognate entry receptor remains indispensable for initiating membrane fusion of syncytial strains. To address this question, we took advantage of mutant viruses whose viral entry into cells relies on the uniquely specific interaction of an engineered gD with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We introduced selected syncytial mutations into gB and/or gK of the EGFR-retargeted HSV and found that these mutations, especially when combined, enabled formation of extensive syncytia by human cancer cell lines that express the target receptor; these syncytia were substantially larger than the plaques formed by the parental retargeted HSV strain. We assessed the EGFR dependence of entry and spread separately by using direct entry and infectious center assays, respectively, and we found that the syncytial mutations did not override the receptor specificity of the retargeted viruses at either stage. We discuss the implications of these results for the development of more effective targeted oncolytic HSV vectors. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is investigated not only as a human pathogen but also as a promising agent for oncolytic virotherapy. We previously showed that both the initial entry and subsequent lateral spread of HSV can be retargeted to cells expressing tumor-associated antigens by single-chain antibodies fused to a receptor-binding-deficient envelope glycoprotein D (gD). Here we introduced syncytial mutations into the gB and/or gK gene of gD-retargeted HSVs to determine whether viral tropism remained dependent on the interaction of gD with the target receptor. Entry and spread profiles of the recombinant viruses indicated that gD retargeting does not abolish the hyperfusogenic activity of syncytial mutations and that these mutations do not eliminate the dependence of HSV entry and spread on a specific gD-receptor interaction. These observations suggest that syncytial mutations may be valuable for increasing the tumor-specific spreading of retargeted oncolytic HSV vectors.
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Glorioso JC, Cohen JB, Carlisle DL, Munoz-Sanjuan I, Friedlander RM. Moving toward a gene therapy for Huntington's disease. Gene Ther 2016; 22:931-3. [PMID: 26633828 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J C Glorioso
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J B Cohen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - D L Carlisle
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - I Munoz-Sanjuan
- CHDI Foundation/CHDI Management, Los Angeles, CA, USA. E-mail:
| | - R M Friedlander
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Dang Y, Loewen R, Parikh HA, Roy P, Loewen NA. Gene transfer to the outflow tract. Exp Eye Res 2016; 158:73-84. [PMID: 27131906 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Elevated intraocular pressure is the primary cause of open angle glaucoma. Outflow resistance exists within the trabecular meshwork but also at the level of Schlemm's canal and further downstream within the outflow system. Viral vectors allow to take advantage of naturally evolved, highly efficient mechanisms of gene transfer, a process that is termed transduction. They can be produced at biosafety level 2 in the lab using protocols that have evolved considerably over the last 15-20 years. Applied by an intracameral bolus, vectors follow conventional as well as uveoscleral outflow pathways. They may affect other structures in the anterior chamber depending on their transduction kinetics which can vary among species when using the same vector. Not all vectors can express long-term, a desirable feature to address the chronicity of glaucoma. Vectors that integrate into the genome of the target cell can achieve transgene function for the life of the transduced cell but are mutagenic by definition. The most prominent long-term expressing vector systems are based on lentiviruses that are derived from HIV, FIV, or EIAV. Safety considerations make non-primate lentiviral vector systems easier to work with as they are not derived from human pathogens. Non-integrating vectors are subject to degradation and attritional dilution during cell division. Lentiviral vectors have to integrate in order to express while adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) often persist as intracellular concatemers but may also integrate. Adeno- and herpes viral vectors do not integrate and earlier generation systems might be relatively immunogenic. Nonviral methods of gene transfer are termed transfection with few restrictions of transgene size and type but often a much less efficient gene transfer that is also short-lived. Traditional gene transfer delivers exons while some vectors (lentiviral, herpes and adenoviral) allow transfer of entire genes that include introns. Recent insights have highlighted the role of non-coding RNA, most prominently, siRNA, miRNA and lncRNA. SiRNA is highly specific, miRNA is less specific, while lncRNA uses highly complex mechanisms that involve secondary structures and intergenic, intronic, overlapping, antisense, and bidirectional location. Several promising preclinical studies have targeted the RhoA or the prostaglandin pathway or modified the extracellular matrix. TGF-β and glaucoma myocilin mutants have been transduced to elevate the intraocular pressure in glaucoma models. Cell based therapies have started to show first promise. Past approaches have focused on the trabecular meshwork and the inner wall of Schlemm's canal while new strategies are concerned with modification of outflow tract elements that are downstream of the trabecular meshwork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalong Dang
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Ralitsa Loewen
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Hardik A Parikh
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA; New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pritha Roy
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Nils A Loewen
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
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