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Wagner JT, Müller-Schmucker SM, Wang W, Arnold P, Uhlig N, Issmail L, Eberlein V, Damm D, Roshanbinfar K, Ensser A, Oltmanns F, Peter AS, Temchura V, Schrödel S, Engel FB, Thirion C, Grunwald T, Wuhrer M, Grimm D, Überla K. Influence of AAV vector tropism on long-term expression and Fc-γ receptor binding of an antibody targeting SARS-CoV-2. Commun Biol 2024; 7:865. [PMID: 39009807 PMCID: PMC11250830 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06529-3] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-acting passive immunization strategies are needed to protect immunosuppressed vulnerable groups from infectious diseases. To further explore this concept for COVID-19, we constructed Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding the human variable regions of the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, TRES6, fused to murine constant regions. An optimized vector construct was packaged in hepatotropic (AAV8) or myotropic (AAVMYO) AAV capsids and injected intravenously into syngeneic TRIANNI-mice. The highest TRES6 serum concentrations (511 µg/ml) were detected 24 weeks after injection of the myotropic vector particles and mean TRES6 serum concentrations remained above 100 µg/ml for at least one year. Anti-drug antibodies or TRES6-specific T cells were not detectable. After injection of the AAV8 particles, vector mRNA was detected in the liver, while the AAVMYO particles led to high vector mRNA levels in the heart and skeletal muscle. The analysis of the Fc-glycosylation pattern of the TRES6 serum antibodies revealed critical differences between the capsids that coincided with different binding activities to murine Fc-γ-receptors. Concomitantly, the vector-based immune prophylaxis led to protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in K18-hACE2 mice. High and long-lasting expression levels, absence of anti-drug antibodies and favourable Fc-γ-receptor binding activities warrant further exploration of myotropic AAV vector-based delivery of antibodies and other biologicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik T Wagner
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra M Müller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Philipp Arnold
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Preclinical Validation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Preclinical Validation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Preclinical Validation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kaveh Roshanbinfar
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friederike Oltmanns
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Felix B Engel
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Preclinical Validation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty and Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of Heidelberg; BioQuant Center, BQ0030, University of Heidelberg; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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Jacobs R, Dogbey MD, Mnyandu N, Neves K, Barth S, Arbuthnot P, Maepa MB. AAV Immunotoxicity: Implications in Anti-HBV Gene Therapy. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2985. [PMID: 38138129 PMCID: PMC10745739 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has afflicted humankind for decades and there is still no treatment that can clear the infection. The development of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-based gene therapy for HBV infection has become important in recent years and research has made exciting leaps. Initial studies, mainly using mouse models, showed that rAAVs are non-toxic and induce minimal immune responses. However, several later studies demonstrated rAAV toxicity, which is inextricably associated with immunogenicity. This is a major setback for the progression of rAAV-based therapies toward clinical application. Research aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind rAAV immunity and toxicity has contributed significantly to the inception of approaches to overcoming these challenges. The target tissue, the features of the vector, and the vector dose are some of the determinants of AAV toxicity, with the latter being associated with the most severe adverse events. This review discusses our current understanding of rAAV immunogenicity, toxicity, and approaches to overcoming these hurdles. How this information and current knowledge about HBV biology and immunity can be harnessed in the efforts to design safe and effective anti-HBV rAAVs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridhwaanah Jacobs
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Makafui Dennis Dogbey
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa; (M.D.D.)
| | - Njabulo Mnyandu
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Keila Neves
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Stefan Barth
- Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy Research Unit, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa; (M.D.D.)
- South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Mohube Betty Maepa
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown 2193, South Africa
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Focosi D, Maggi F. Respiratory delivery of passive immunotherapies for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and therapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2260040. [PMID: 37799070 PMCID: PMC10561570 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2260040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Convalescent plasma has been extensively tested during the COVID-19 pandemic as a transfusion product. Similarly, monoclonal antibodies have been largely administered either intravenously or intramuscularly. Nevertheless, when used against a respiratory pathogen, respiratory delivery is preferable to maximize the amount of antibody that reaches the entry door in order to prevent sustained viral multiplication. In this narrative review, we review the different types of inhalation device and summarize evidence from animal models and early clinical trials supporting the respiratory delivery (for either prophylactic or therapeutic purposes) of convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies (either full antibodies, single-chain variable fragments, or camelid-derived monoclonal heavy-chain only antibodies). Preliminary evidences from animal models suggest similar safety and noninferior efficacy, but efficacy evaluation from clinical trials is still limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS”, Rome, Italy
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Ren W, Zhang Y, Rao J, Wang Z, Lan J, Liu K, Zhang X, Hu X, Yang C, Zhong G, Zhang R, Wang X, Shan C, Ding Q. Evolution of Immune Evasion and Host Range Expansion by the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant. mBio 2023; 14:e0041623. [PMID: 37010428 PMCID: PMC10127688 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00416-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) has rapidly become the dominant strain, with an unprecedented number of mutations within its spike gene. However, it remains unknown whether these variants have alterations in their entry efficiency, host tropism, and sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies and entry inhibitors. In this study, we found that Omicron spike has evolved to escape neutralization by three-dose inactivated-vaccine-elicited immunity but remains sensitive to an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) decoy receptor. Moreover, Omicron spike could use human ACE2 with a slightly increased efficiency while gaining a significantly increased binding affinity for a mouse ACE2 ortholog, which exhibits limited binding with wild-type (WT) spike. Furthermore, Omicron could infect wild-type C57BL/6 mice and cause histopathological changes in the lungs. Collectively, our results reveal that evasion of neutralization by vaccine-elicited antibodies and enhanced human and mouse ACE2 receptor engagement may contribute to the expanded host range and rapid spread of the Omicron variant. IMPORTANCE The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with numerous mutations in the spike protein has rapidly become the dominant strain, thereby raising concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines. Here, we found that the Omicron variant exhibits a reduced sensitivity to serum neutralizing activity induced by a three-dose inactivated vaccine but remains sensitive to entry inhibitors or an ACE2-Ig decoy receptor. Compared with the ancestor strain isolated in early 2020, the spike protein of Omicron utilizes the human ACE2 receptor with enhanced efficiency while gaining the ability to utilize mouse ACE2 for cell entry. Moreover, Omicron could infect wild-type mice and cause pathological changes in the lungs. These results reveal that antibody evasion, enhanced human ACE2 utilization, and an expanded host range may contribute to its rapid spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlin Ren
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Juhong Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Lan
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Kunpeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuekai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Guocai Zhong
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinquan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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