1
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Ruan H, Qiu S, Beard BC, Black ME. Creation of zebularine-resistant human cytidine deaminase mutants to enhance the chemoprotection of hematopoietic stem cells. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:573-582. [PMID: 27160178 PMCID: PMC5181380 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytidine deaminase (hCDA) is a biomedically important enzyme able to inactivate cytidine nucleoside analogs such as the antileukemic agent cytosine arabinoside (AraC) and thereby limit antineoplastic efficacy. Potent inhibitors of hCDA have been developed, e.g. zebularine, that when administered in combination with AraC enhance antineoplastic activity. Tandem hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation and combination chemotherapy (zebularine and AraC) could exhibit robust antineoplastic potency, but AraC-based chemotherapy regimens lead to pronounced myelosuppression due to relatively low hCDA activity in HSCs, and this approach could exacerbate this effect. To circumvent the pronounced myelosuppression of zebularine and AraC combination therapy while maintaining antineoplastic potency, zebularine-resistant hCDA variants could be used to gene-modify HSCs prior to transplantation. To achieve this, our approach was to isolate hCDA variants through random mutagenesis in conjunction with selection for hCDA activity and resistance to zebularine in an Escherichia coli genetic complementation system. Here, we report the identification of nine novel variants from a pool of 1.6 × 106 transformants that conferred significant zebularine resistance relative to wild-type hCDA2. Several variants revealed significantly higher Ki values toward zebularine when compared with wild-type hCDA values and, as such, are candidates for further exploration for gene-modified HSC transplantation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Ruan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
| | - Songbo Qiu
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brian C Beard
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Margaret E Black
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, PO Box 647520, Pullman, WA 99164-7520, USA
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2
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Brennig S, Lachmann N, Buchegger T, Hetzel M, Schambach A, Moritz T. Chemoprotection of murine hematopoietic cells by combined gene transfer of cytidine deaminase (CDD) and multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:148. [PMID: 26651614 PMCID: PMC4676838 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Hematologic toxicity represents a major side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy frequently preventing adequately dosed chemotherapy application and impeding therapeutic success. Transgenic (over)expression of chemotherapy resistance (CTX-R) genes in hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cells represents a potential strategy to overcome this problem. To apply this concept in the context of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia, we have investigated the overexpression of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and the cytidine deaminase (CDD) gene conferring resistance to anthracyclines and cytarabine (Ara-C), the two most important drugs in the treatment of these diseases. Methods State-of-the-art, third generation, self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors were utilized to overexpress a human CDD-cDNA and a codon-optimized human MDR1-cDNA corrected for cryptic splice sites from a spleen focus forming virus derived internal promoter. Studies were performed in myeloid 32D cells as well as primary lineage marker negative (lin−) murine bone marrow cells and flow cytometric analysis of suspension cultures and clonogenic analysis of vector transduced cells following cytotoxic drug challenge were utilized as read outs. Results Efficient chemoprotection of CDD and MDR1 transduced hematopoietic 32D as well as primary lin− cells was proven in the context of Ara-C and anthracycline application. Both, CTX-R transduced 32D as well as primary hematopoietic cells displayed marked resistance at concentrations 5–20 times the LD50 of non-transduced control cells. Moreover, simultaneous CDD/MDR1 gene transfer resulted in similar protection levels even when combined Ara-C anthracycline treatment was applied. Furthermore, significant enrichment of transduced cells was observed upon cytotoxic drug administration. Conclusions Our data demonstrate efficient chemoprotection as well as enrichment of transduced cells in hematopoietic cell lines as well as primary murine hematopoietic progenitor cells following Ara-C and/or anthracycline application, arguing for the efficacy as well as feasibility of our approach and warranting further evaluation of this concept. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0260-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nico Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,JRG Translational Hematology of Congenital Diseases, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Theresa Buchegger
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Miriam Hetzel
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster-of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, Hannover, D-30625, Germany. .,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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3
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Lachmann N, Brennig S, Hillje R, Schermeier H, Phaltane R, Dahlmann J, Gruh I, Heinz N, Schiedlmeier B, Baum C, Moritz T. Tightly regulated 'all-in-one' lentiviral vectors for protection of human hematopoietic cells from anticancer chemotherapy. Gene Ther 2015; 22:883-92. [PMID: 26125609 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Successful application of gene therapy strategies may require stringently regulated transgene expression. Along this line, we describe a doxycycline (Dox)-inducible 'all-in-one' lentiviral vector design using the pTET-T11 (TII) minimal-promoter and a reverse transactivator protein (rtTA2S-M2) driven by the phosphoglycerate kinase promoter allowing for tight regulation of transgene expression (Lv.TII vectors). Vector design was evaluated in human hematopoietic cells in the context of cytidine deaminase (hCDD)-based myeloprotective gene therapy. Upon Dox administration, a rapid (16-24 h) and dose-dependent (>0.04 μg ml(-1) Dox) onset of transgene expression was detected in Lv.TII.CDD gene-modified K562 cells as well as in primary human CD34(+) hematopoietic cells. Importantly, in both cell models low background transgene expression was observed in the absence of Dox. Functionality of Dox-inducible hCDD expression was demonstrated by >10-fold increase in cytosine arabinoside (1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine, Ara-C) resistance of Lv.TII.CDD-transduced K562 cells. In addition, Lv.TII.CDD-transduced CD34(+)-derived myeloid cells were protected from up to 300 nm Ara-C (control affected from 50 nm onwards). These data clearly demonstrate the suitability of our self-inactivating lentiviral vector to induce robust, tightly regulated transgene expression in human hematopoietic cells with minimal background activity and highlight the potential of our construct in myeloprotective gene therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Hillje
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - H Schermeier
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Phaltane
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Dahlmann
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - I Gruh
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - N Heinz
- LOEWE-Research Group for (targeted) Gene Modification in Stem Cells, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - B Schiedlmeier
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - C Baum
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - T Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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4
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Lachmann N, Czarnecki K, Brennig S, Phaltane R, Heise M, Heinz N, Kempf H, Dilloo D, Kaever V, Schambach A, Heuser M, Moritz T. Deoxycytidine-kinase knockdown as a novel myeloprotective strategy in the context of fludarabine, cytarabine or cladribine therapy. Leukemia 2015; 29:2266-9. [PMID: 25921248 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N Lachmann
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - K Czarnecki
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Brennig
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Phaltane
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Heise
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - N Heinz
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - H Kempf
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - D Dilloo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University, Bonn, Germany
| | - V Kaever
- Institute of Pharmacology, Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - T Moritz
- Reprogramming and Gene Therapy Group, REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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5
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Lentiviral MGMT(P140K)-mediated in vivo selection employing a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (A2UCOE) linked to a cellular promoter. Biomaterials 2014; 35:7204-13. [PMID: 24875758 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Notwithstanding recent successes, insertional mutagenesis as well as silencing and variegation of transgene expression still represent considerable obstacles to hematopoietic gene therapy. This also applies to O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-mediated myeloprotection, a concept recently proven clinically effective in the context of glioblastoma therapy. To improve on this situation we here evaluate a SIN-lentiviral vector expressing the MGMT(P140K)-cDNA from a combined A2UCOE/PGK-promoter. In a murine in vivo chemoselection model the A2UCOE.PGK.MGMT construct allowed for significant myeloprotection as well as robust and stable selection of transgenic hematopoietic cells. In contrast, only transient enrichment and severe myelotoxicity was observed for a PGK.MGMT control vector. Selection of A2UCOE.PGK.MGMT-transduced myeloid and lymphoid mature and progenitor cells was demonstrated in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus. Unlike the PGK and SFFV promoters used as controls, the A2UCOE.PGK promoter allowed for sustained vector copy number-related transgene expression throughout the experiment indicating an increased resistance to silencing, which was further confirmed by CpG methylation studies of the PGK promoter. Thus, our data support a potential role of the A2UCOE.PGK.MGMT-vector in future MGMT-based myeloprotection and chemoselection strategies, and underlines the suitability of the A2UCOE element to stabilize lentiviral transgene expression in hematopoietic gene therapy.
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6
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Pfaff N, Lachmann N, Ackermann M, Kohlscheen S, Brendel C, Maetzig T, Niemann H, Antoniou MN, Grez M, Schambach A, Cantz T, Moritz T. A ubiquitous chromatin opening element prevents transgene silencing in pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Stem Cells 2014; 31:488-99. [PMID: 23307570 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Methylation-induced gene silencing represents a major obstacle to efficient transgene expression in pluripotent cells and thereof derived tissues. As ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOE) have been shown to prevent transgene silencing in cell lines and primary hematopoietic cells, we hypothesized a similar activity in pluripotent cells. This concept was investigated in the context of cytidine deaminase (CDD) gene transfer, an approach to render hematopoietic cells resistant to the chemotherapeutic agent Ara-C. When murine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)/embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were transduced with self-inactivating lentiviral vectors using housekeeping (truncated elongation factor 1α; EFS) or viral (spleen focus-forming virus; SFFV) promoters, incorporation of an heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2 B1/chromobox protein homolog 3 locus-derived UCOE (A2UCOE) significantly increased transgene expression and Ara-C resistance and effectively prevented silencing of the SFFV-promoter. The EFS promoter showed relatively stable transgene expression in naïve iPSCs, but rapid transgene silencing was observed upon hematopoietic differentiation. When combined with the A2UCOE, however, the EFS promoter yielded stable transgene expression in 73% ± 6% of CD41(+) hematopoietic progeny, markedly increased CDD expression levels, and significantly enhanced Ara-C resistance in clonogenic cells. Bisulfite sequencing revealed protection from differentiation-induced promoter CpG methylation to be associated with these effects. Similar transgene promoting activities of the A2UCOE were observed during murine neurogenic differentiation, in naïve human pluripotent cells, and during nondirected multilineage differentiation of these cells. Thus, our data provide strong evidence that UCOEs can efficiently prevent transgene silencing in iPS/ESCs and their differentiated progeny and thereby introduce a generalized concept to circumvent differentiation-induced transgene silencing during the generation of advanced iPSC/ESC-based gene and cell therapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Pfaff
- REBIRTH Research Group Reprogramming, Hannover Medical School, Hannover
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7
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Myeloprotection by cytidine deaminase gene transfer in antileukemic therapy. Neoplasia 2013; 15:239-48. [PMID: 23479503 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 01/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer of drug resistance (CTX-R) genes can be used to protect the hematopoietic system from the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapy and this concept recently has been proven by overexpression of a mutant O(6)-methylguaninemethyltransferase in the hematopoietic system of glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide. Given its protection capacity against such relevant drugs as cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), gemcitabine, decitabine, or azacytidine and the highly hematopoiesis-specific toxicity profile of several of these agents, cytidine deaminase (CDD) represents another interesting candidate CTX-R gene and our group recently has established the myeloprotective capacity of CDD gene transfer in a number of murine transplant studies. Clinically, CDD overexpression appears particularly suited to optimize treatment strategies for acute leukemias and myelodysplasias given the efficacy of ara-C (and to a lesser degree decitabine and azacytidine) in these disease entities. This article will review the current state of the art with regard to CDD gene transfer and point out potential scenarios for a clinical application of this strategy. In addition, risks and potential side effects associated with this approach as well as strategies to overcome these problems will be highlighted.
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8
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Lachmann N, Brennig S, Pfaff N, Schermeier H, Dahlmann J, Phaltane R, Gruh I, Modlich U, Schambach A, Baum C, Moritz T. Efficient in vivo regulation of cytidine deaminase expression in the haematopoietic system using a doxycycline-inducible lentiviral vector system. Gene Ther 2012; 20:298-307. [PMID: 22592598 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2012.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Regulated transgene expression may reduce transgene-specific and genotoxic risks associated with gene therapy. To prove this concept, we have investigated the suitability of doxycycline (Dox)-inducible human cytidine deaminase (hCDD) overexpression from lentiviral vectors to mediate effective myeloprotection while circumventing the lymphotoxicity observed with constitutive CDD activity. Rapid Dox-mediated transgene induction associated with a 6-17-fold increase in drug resistance was observed in 32D and primary murine bone marrow (BM) cells. Moreover, robust Dox-regulated transgene expression in the entire haematopoietic system was demonstrated for primary and secondary recipients of hCDD-transduced R26-M2rtTA transgenic BM cells. Furthermore, mice were significantly protected from myelosuppressive chemotherapy as evidenced by accelerated recovery of granulocytes (1.9±0.6 vs 1.3±0.3, P=0.034) and platelets (883±194 vs 584±160 10(3) per μl, P=0.011). Minimal transgene expression in the non-induced state and no overt cellular toxicities including lymphotoxicity were detected. Thus, using a relevant murine transplant model our data provide conclusive evidence that drug-resistance transgenes can be expressed in a regulated fashion in the lymphohaematopoietic system, and that Dox-inducible systems may be used to reduce myelotoxic side effect of anticancer chemotherapy or to avoid side effects of high constitutive transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Lachmann
- REBIRTH Cluster-of-Excellence, Research Group Reprogramming, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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9
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Brennig S, Rattmann I, Lachmann N, Schambach A, Williams DA, Moritz T. In vivo enrichment of cytidine deaminase gene-modified hematopoietic cells by prolonged cytosine-arabinoside application. Cytotherapy 2012; 14:451-60. [DOI: 10.3109/14653249.2011.646043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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10
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Giordano FA, Sorg UR, Appelt JU, Lachmann N, Bleier S, Roeder I, Kleff V, Flasshove M, Zeller WJ, Allgayer H, von Kalle C, Fruehauf S, Moritz T, Laufs S. Clonal inventory screens uncover monoclonality following serial transplantation of MGMT P140K-transduced stem cells and dose-intense chemotherapy. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:697-710. [PMID: 21319998 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene transfer of mutant O(6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT(P140K)) into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) protects hematopoiesis from alkylating agents and allows efficient in vivo selection of transduced HSCs. However, insertional mutagenesis, high regenerative stress associated with selection, and the genotoxic potential of alkylating drugs represent considerable risk factors for clinical applications of this approach. Therefore, we investigated the long-term effect of MGMT(P140K) gene transfer followed by repetitive, dose-intensive treatment with alkylating agents in a murine serial bone marrow transplant model and assessed clonality of hematopoiesis up to tertiary recipients. The substantial selection pressure resulted in almost completely transduced hematopoiesis in all cohorts. Ligation-mediated PCR and next-generation sequencing identified several repopulating clones carrying vector insertions in distinct genomic regions that were ∼ 9 kb of size (common integration sites). Beside polyclonal reconstitution in the majority of the mice, we also detected monoclonal or oligoclonal repopulation patterns with HSC clones showing vector insertions in the Usp10 or Tubb3 gene. Interestingly, neither Usp10, Tubb3, nor any of the genes located in common integration sites have been linked to clonal expansion in previous preclinical or clinical gene therapy trials. However, a considerable number of these genes are involved in DNA damage response and cell fate decision pathways following cytostatic drug application. Thus, in summary, our study advocates ligation-mediated PCR and next generation sequencing as an effective and reliable method to identify gene products associated with clonal survival in specific experimental settings such as chemoselection using alkylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank A Giordano
- Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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11
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Sorg UR, Kleff V, Fanaei S, Schumann A, Moellmann M, Opalka B, Thomale J, Moritz T. O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) gene therapy targeting haematopoietic stem cells: studies addressing safety issues. DNA Repair (Amst) 2007; 6:1197-209. [PMID: 17499560 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2007.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy utilizing O(6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase has reached the clinical stage, safety-related questions become increasingly important. These issues concern insertional mutagenesis of viral vectors, the acute toxicity of pre-transplant conditioning protocols and in vivo selection regimens as well as potential genotoxic side effects of the alkylating drugs administered in this context. To address these questions, we have investigated toxicity-reduced conditioning regimens combining low-dose alkylator application with sublethal irradiation and have analysed their influence on engraftment and subsequent selectability of transduced haematopoietic stem cells. In addition, a strategy to monitor the acute and long-term genotoxic effects of drugs with high guanine-O(6) alkylating potential, such as chloroethylnitrosoureas or temozolomide is introduced. For this purpose, assays were implemented which allow an assessment of the generation and fate of primary drug-induced adducts as well as their long-term effect on chromosomal integrity at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula R Sorg
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
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12
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Buss EC, Laufs S, Naundorf S, Kuehlcke K, Nagy KZ, Zeller WJ, Fruehauf S. Retroviral MDR1 gene transfer into marrow-engrafting human peripheral blood progenitor cells results in preferential transgene expression in the immature myeloid compartment rather than in mature myeloid progeny in vivo. Cytotherapy 2006; 8:562-9. [PMID: 17148033 DOI: 10.1080/14653240600986452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1) gene therapy is protection of the myeloid cell lineage. It is therefore important to examine the effect of retroviral transduction on myeloid maturation. Transfer of the human MDR1 gene can confer resistance to a variety of cytostatic drugs. For a safe application in humans it is paramount to follow-up the development of transduced cells. METHODS We transduced human mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) with a viral vector containing the human MDR1 cDNA and transplanted the transduced cells into non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. The progeny of the transduced cells was analyzed in detail by flow cytometry. RESULTS A detailed analysis by four-color flow cytometry showed that MDR1 transgene-expressing CD33+ myeloid cells were preferentially negative for the maturation-associated myeloid markers CD11b and CD10, while the untransduced CD33+ myeloid cells expressed significantly higher proportions of these Ag (P<0.01 each). There was no difference in the expression of B- or T-lymphoid Ag among the MDR1-transduced and untransduced lymphoid cells. DISCUSSION These data indicate that retroviral MDR1 gene transfer results in preferential P-glycoprotein expression in myeloid progenitor cells, which is the target cell population for myelotoxicity of cytostatic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Buss
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Rattmann I, Kleff V, Sorg UR, Bardenheuer W, Brueckner A, Hilger RA, Opalka B, Seeber S, Flasshove M, Moritz T. Gene transfer of cytidine deaminase protects myelopoiesis from cytidine analogs in an in vivo murine transplant model. Blood 2006; 108:2965-71. [PMID: 16835384 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-03-011734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractHematopoietic stem cell gene transfer of the drug-resistance gene cytidine deaminase (CDD) protecting cells from the cytotoxic cytidine analogs cytarabine and gemcitabine was investigated in a murine transplant model. Following transplantation of CDD-transduced cells and cytarabine application (500 mg/kg; days 1-4; intraperitoneally) significant myeloprotection was demonstrated with nadir counts of peripheral blood granulocytes and thrombocytes of 2.9 ± 0.6/nL versus 0.7 ± 0.1/nL (P < .001) and 509 ± 147/nL versus 80 ± 9/nL (P = .008), respectively (CDD versus control). Protection also was observed from otherwise lethal gemcitabine treatment (250 mg/kg; days 1-3). Stable levels of gene-marked cells in primary and secondary recipients were demonstrated for up to 9 months, and whereas CDD overexpression clearly reduced B- and T-lymphocyte numbers, no major toxicity was observed in the myeloid compartment. Despite the profound myeloprotective properties, however, CDD overexpression did not allow for pharmacologic enrichment of transduced hematopoiesis in our model. Thus, in summary, our data establish CDD as a drug-resistance gene highly suitable for myeloprotective purposes, which, given the lack of selection observed in our hands, might best be used in combination with selectable drugresistance genes such as MGMT (P140K) or MDR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Rattmann
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Hufelandstr 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
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Bardenheuer W, Lehmberg K, Rattmann I, Brueckner A, Schneider A, Sorg UR, Seeber S, Moritz T, Flasshove M. Resistance to cytarabine and gemcitabine and in vitro selection of transduced cells after retroviral expression of cytidine deaminase in human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Leukemia 2006; 19:2281-8. [PMID: 16304576 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2403977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of the detoxifying enzyme cytidine deaminase (CDD) renders normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells resistant to cytarabine (1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine), and studies on murine cells have suggested transgenic CDD overexpression as a way to reduce the substantial myelotoxicity induced by the deoxycytidine analogs cytarabine and gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine). We now have investigated CDD (over-)expression in the human hematopoietic system. Retroviral gene transfer significantly increased the resistance of CDD-transduced cord blood and peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells for doses ranging from 20-100 nM cytarabine and 8-10 nM gemcitabine. Protection was observed for progenitors of erythroid as well as myeloid differentiation, though the degree of protection varied for individual drugs. In addition, significant selection of CDD-transduced cells was obtained after a 4-day culture in 30-100 nM cytarabine. Thus, our data demonstrate that overexpression of CDD cDNA results in significant protection of human progenitors from cytarabine- as well as gemcitabine-induced toxicity, and allows in vitro selection of transduced cells. This strongly argues for a potential therapeutic role of CDD gene transfer in conjunction with dose-intensive cytarabine- or gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Bardenheuer
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
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15
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Budak-Alpdogan T, Banerjee D, Bertino JR. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy with drug resistance genes: an update. Cancer Gene Ther 2005; 12:849-63. [PMID: 16037821 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transfer of drug resistance genes into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has promise for the treatment of a variety of inherited, that is, X-linked severe combined immune deficiency, adenosine deaminase deficiency, thalassemia, and acquired disorders, that is, breast cancer, lymphomas, brain tumors, and testicular cancer. Drug resistance genes are transferred into HSCs either for providing myeloprotection against chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression or for selecting HSCs that are concomitantly transduced with another gene for correction of an inherited disorder. In this review, we describe ongoing experimental approaches, observations from clinical trials, and safety concerns related to the drug resistance gene transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulin Budak-Alpdogan
- Department of Medicine, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, USA
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Budak-Alpdogan T, Alpdogan O, Banerjee D, Wang E, Moore MAS, Bertino JR. Methotrexate and cytarabine inhibit progression of human lymphoma in NOD/SCID mice carrying a mutant dihydrofolate reductase and cytidine deaminase fusion gene. Mol Ther 2005; 10:574-84. [PMID: 15336657 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.06.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2004] [Accepted: 06/05/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An SFG-based retroviral bicistronic vector containing a double-mutant dihydrofolate reductase-cytidine deaminase fusion cDNA (F/S DHFR-CD) with IRES-eGFP confers resistance to both methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine (ara-C). Two weeks after transplantation with marrow transduced with either a fusion or a control gene (eGFP-IRES-NeoR), human lymphoma (SKI-DLCL-1) cells were injected sc into the flanks of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immune deficiency mice. In mock-transplanted mice, maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of posttransplant MTX/ara-C (15/10 mg/kg/day, x3) was unable to control tumor growth. Transfer of the fusion gene allowed doses of MTX/ara-C (25/15 mg/kg/day, x4) twofold higher than the MTD to be tolerated. The tumor burden defined the efficiency of posttransplant chemotherapy; early treatment, 48 h after tumor inoculation, provided tumor-free survival, while starting treatment after having palpable tumor growth (7 days) delayed tumor growth a median time of 28 days. In addition, the early treated group had higher gene expression in peripheral blood and marrow cells than the late treated group (P < 0.05), suggesting that early treatment allowed for enrichment of transduced marrow progenitors. These results encourage clinical studies using this retroviral fusion gene construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulin Budak-Alpdogan
- Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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17
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Laufs S, Buss EC, Zeller WJ, Fruehauf S. Transfer of drug resistance genes in hematopoietic progenitors for chemoprotection: is it still an option? Drug Resist Updat 2003; 6:57-69. [PMID: 12729804 DOI: 10.1016/s1368-7646(03)00002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
For numerous malignancies a relationship between the intensity of antineoplastic chemotherapy and tumor response has been demonstrated. Myelotoxicity is the main cause of chemotherapy-associated morbidity and of treatment delays. The concept of myeloprotective cytostatic drug resistance gene transfer to normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) therefore sparks great enthusiasm. While initial studies using murine retroviral vectors on murine HSC showed that the concept works, a number of clinical studies in the last decade were not informative because of limitations in transduction efficiency and transgene expression.Furthermore, possible side effects such as unforeseen transgene activity and vector integration-based leukemogenesis have been reported. Among others, these developments raised some scepticism against the feasibility of myeloprotective gene transfer. Recently, considerable improvements have been achieved in vector design, HSC manipulation, selection protocols and risk assessment methods which are discussed in detail here. Based on these experimental studies successful clinical trials can now be anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Laufs
- Research Program Innovative Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Jansen M, Sorg UR, Ragg S, Flasshove M, Seeber S, Williams DA, Moritz T. Hematoprotection and enrichment of transduced cells in vivo after gene transfer of MGMT(P140K) into hematopoietic stem cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2002; 9:737-46. [PMID: 12189523 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The overexpression of mutant forms of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), resistant to the MGMT inhibitor O(6)-benzylguanine (BG), protects hematopoietic cells from the toxicity of combined BG plus O(6)-alkylating agent chemotherapy. To evaluate the feasibility of this approach for clinically relevant O(6)-alkylating agents, combined therapy with BG and two chloroethylnitrosourea-type drugs, ACNU or BCNU, or the triazene derivative temozolomide (TMZ) was investigated in a murine bone marrow transplant model allowing transgenic expression of the highly BG-resistant MGMT(P140K) mutant. Whereas 20/20 control animals transplanted with nontransduced cells died of progressive myelosuppression during therapy, nearly all animals transplanted with MGMT(P140K)-transduced cells survived treatment with BG/ACNU (12/15), BG/TMZ (10/10), or BG/BCNU (5/5). In surviving animals, hematological parameters improved during chemotherapy and pretreatment levels were reestablished during or shortly after therapy. All animals showed enrichment of transgenic granulocytes (range: 15- to 101-fold) and lymphocytes (range: 16- to 55-fold) in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen. No significant differences were observed between individual treatment groups. Serial transplants demonstrated protection in secondary recipients and confirmed the transduction of transplantable stem cells. Thus, these data demonstrate efficient protection from hematotoxicity and substantial enrichment of transgenic cells following MGMT(P140K) gene transfer and treatment with different O(6)-alkylating drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
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Buschfort-Papewalis C, Moritz T, Liedert B, Thomale J. Down-regulation of DNA repair in human CD34(+) progenitor cells corresponds to increased drug sensitivity and apoptotic response. Blood 2002; 100:845-53. [PMID: 12130494 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-01-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although DNA repair processes have been shown to considerably modulate the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents, little information is available on the role of these mechanisms in chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Therefore, we have analyzed in detail the DNA repair capacity of primary human hematopoietic cells from cord blood (CB) or bone marrow (BM) by 2 functional assays, the immunocytologic assay (ICA) and single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Besides substantial interindividual differences, we consistently observed significantly lower repair capacity of CD34(+) cells in comparison to CD34(-), CD19(+), or CD33(+) cells of the same donor. After exposure to the alkylating agent ethylnitrosourea (EtNU), the comet assay displayed on average twice as many DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) in CD34(+) cells and a tripled half-life of these lesions in comparison to corresponding CD34(-) cells. Similarly, reduced SSB repair activity in CD34(+) cells was detected following melphalan or cisplatin application. When specific antibodies were used to monitor DNA reaction products of these drugs, adduct levels were significantly higher and lesions persisted longer in the CD34(+) fraction. To assess the contribution of individual pathways to overall DNA repair, modulators blocking defined steps in repair processes were coapplied with alkylating drugs. Similar "modulation pattern" in corresponding CD34(+) and CD34(-) cell fractions indicated a generalized reduction in DNA repair capacity of CD34(+) cells, rather than deficiencies in a specific pathway. Because CD34(+) cells also displayed higher frequencies of apoptosis in response to melphalan or cisplatin, these findings may help to explain the myelosuppression after exposure to alkylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Buschfort-Papewalis
- Institute of Cell Biology and Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Cancer Research and Cancer Treatment, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
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