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Blahetek G, Mayer C, Zuber J, Lenter M, Strobel B. Suppression of toxic transgene expression by optimized artificial miRNAs increases AAV vector yields in HEK-293 cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101280. [PMID: 39015407 PMCID: PMC11250862 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101280] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become the leading platform for gene delivery in both preclinical research and therapeutic applications, making the production of high-titer AAV preparations essential. To date, most AAV-based studies use constitutive promoters (e.g., CMV, CAG), which are also active in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 producer cells, thus leading to the expression of the transgene already during production. Depending on the transgene's function, this might negatively impact producer cell performance and result in decreased AAV vector yields. Here, we evaluated a panel of diverse microRNA (miRNA)-based shRNA designs to identify a highly potent artificial miRNA for the transient suppression of transgenes during AAV production. Our results demonstrate that insertion of miRNA target sites into the 3' UTR of the transgene and simultaneous expression of the corresponding miRNA from the 3' UTR of conventional AAV production plasmids (rep/cap, pHelper) enabled efficient silencing of toxic transgene expression, thereby increasing AAV vector yields up to 240-fold. This strategy not only allows to maintain the traditional triple-transfection protocol, but also represents a universally applicable approach to suppress toxic transgenes, thereby boosting vector yields with so far unprecedented efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Blahetek
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christine Mayer
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Lenter
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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2
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Ponserre M, Ionescu TM, Franz AA, Deiana S, Schuelert N, Lamla T, Williams RH, Wotjak CT, Hobson S, Dine J, Omrani A. Long-term adaptation of prefrontal circuits in a mouse model of NMDAR hypofunction. Neuropharmacology 2024; 254:109970. [PMID: 38685343 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109970] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Pharmacological approaches to induce N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction have been intensively used to understand the aetiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Yet, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that relate to brain network dysfunction remain largely unknown. Here, we used a set of complementary approaches to assess the functional network abnormalities present in male mice that underwent a 7-day subchronic phencyclidine (PCP 10 mg/kg, subcutaneously, once daily) treatment. Our data revealed that pharmacological intervention with PCP affected cognitive performance and auditory evoked gamma oscillations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) mimicking endophenotypes of some schizophrenia patients. We further assessed PFC cellular function and identified altered neuronal intrinsic membrane properties, reduced parvalbumin (PV) immunostaining and diminished inhibition onto L5 PFC pyramidal cells. A decrease in the strength of optogenetically-evoked glutamatergic current at the ventral hippocampus to PFC synapse was also demonstrated, along with a weaker shunt of excitatory transmission by local PFC interneurons. On a macrocircuit level, functional ultrasound measurements indicated compromised functional connectivity within several brain regions particularly involving PFC and frontostriatal circuits. Herein, we reproduced a panel of schizophrenia endophenotypes induced by subchronic PCP application in mice. We further recapitulated electrophysiological signatures associated with schizophrenia and provided an anatomical reference to critical elements in the brain circuitry. Together, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the physiological underpinnings of deficits induced by subchronic NMDAR antagonist regimes and provide a test system for characterization of pharmacological compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Ponserre
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Tudor M Ionescu
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Alessa A Franz
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Serena Deiana
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Niklas Schuelert
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Scott Hobson
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Julien Dine
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Azar Omrani
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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3
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Düchs M, Blazevic D, Rechtsteiner P, Kenny C, Lamla T, Low S, Savistchenko J, Neumann M, Melki R, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Wyatt D, Igney F, Ciossek T. AAV-mediated expression of a new conformational anti-aggregated α-synuclein antibody prolongs survival in a genetic model of α-synucleinopathies. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:91. [PMID: 37322068 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00542-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion-like transmission of pathology in α-synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy is increasingly recognized as one potential mechanism to address disease progression. Active and passive immunotherapies targeting insoluble, aggregated α-synuclein are already being actively explored in the clinic with mixed outcomes so far. Here, we report the identification of 306C7B3, a highly selective, aggregate-specific α-synuclein antibody with picomolar affinity devoid of binding to the monomeric, physiologic protein. 306C7B3 binding is Ser129-phosphorylation independent and shows high affinity to several different aggregated α-synuclein polymorphs, increasing the likelihood that it can also bind to the pathological seeds assumed to drive disease progression in patients. In support of this, highly selective binding to pathological aggregates in postmortem brains of MSA patients was demonstrated, with no staining in samples from other human neurodegenerative diseases. To achieve CNS exposure of 306C7B3, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) based approach driving expression of the secreted antibody within the brain of (Thy-1)-[A30P]-hα-synuclein mice was used. Widespread central transduction after intrastriatal inoculation was ensured by using the AAV2HBKO serotype, with transduction being spread to areas far away from the inoculation site. Treatment of (Thy-1)-[A30P]-hα-synuclein mice at the age of 12 months demonstrated significantly increased survival, with 306C7B3 concentration reaching 3.9 nM in the cerebrospinal fluid. These results suggest that AAV-mediated expression of 306C7B3, targeting extracellular, presumably disease-propagating aggregates of α-synuclein, has great potential as a disease-modifying therapy for α-synucleinopathies as it ensures CNS exposure of the antibody, thereby mitigating the selective permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Düchs
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Dragica Blazevic
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sarah Low
- Boehringer Ingelheim USA, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Manuela Neumann
- Molecular Neuropathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA, CNRS, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | - David Wyatt
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frederik Igney
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thomas Ciossek
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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4
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Moser C, Gosselé KA, Balaz M, Balazova L, Horvath C, Künzle P, Okreglicka KM, Li F, Blüher M, Stierstorfer B, Hess E, Lamla T, Hamilton B, Klein H, Neubauer H, Wolfrum C, Wolfrum S. FAM3D: A gut secreted protein and its potential in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Peptides 2023:171047. [PMID: 37328068 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The number of diabetic patients is rising globally and concomitantly so do the diabetes associated complications. The gut secretes a variety of proteins to control blood glucose levels and/or food intake. As the drug class of GLP-1 agonists is based on a gut secreted peptide and the positive metabolic effects of bariatric surgery are at least partially mediated by gut peptides, we were interested in other gut secreted proteins which have yet to be explored. In this respect we identified the gut secreted protein FAM3D by analyzing sequencing data from L- and epithelial cells of VSG and sham operated as well as chow and HFD fed mice. FAM3D was overexpressed in diet induced obese mice via an adeno-associated virus (AAV), which resulted in a significant improvement of fasting blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. The liver lipid deposition was reduced, and the steatosis morphology was improved. Hyperinsulinemic clamps indicated that FAM3D is a global insulin sensitizer and increases glucose uptake into various tissues. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that FAM3D controls blood glucose levels by acting as an insulin sensitizing protein and improves hepatic lipid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Moser
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Katherine A Gosselé
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Miroslav Balaz
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Balazova
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Carla Horvath
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Künzle
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Katarzyna Maria Okreglicka
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fengqi Li
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Medical Department III (Endocrinology, Nephrology and Rheumatology), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Eva Hess
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Bradford Hamilton
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Holger Klein
- Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Heike Neubauer
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research Department, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Christian Wolfrum
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
| | - Susanne Wolfrum
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Chan YC, Kienle E, Oti M, Di Liddo A, Mendez-Lago M, Aschauer DF, Peter M, Pagani M, Arnold C, Vonderheit A, Schön C, Kreuz S, Stark A, Rumpel S. An unbiased AAV-STARR-seq screen revealing the enhancer activity map of genomic regions in the mouse brain in vivo. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6745. [PMID: 37185990 PMCID: PMC10130037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33448-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancers are important cis-regulatory elements controlling cell-type specific expression patterns of genes. Furthermore, combinations of enhancers and minimal promoters are utilized to construct small, artificial promoters for gene delivery vectors. Large-scale functional screening methodology to construct genomic maps of enhancer activities has been successfully established in cultured cell lines, however, not yet applied to terminally differentiated cells and tissues in a living animal. Here, we transposed the Self-Transcribing Active Regulatory Region Sequencing (STARR-seq) technique to the mouse brain using adeno-associated-viruses (AAV) for the delivery of a highly complex screening library tiling entire genomic regions and covering in total 3 Mb of the mouse genome. We identified 483 sequences with enhancer activity, including sequences that were not predicted by DNA accessibility or histone marks. Characterizing the expression patterns of fluorescent reporters controlled by nine candidate sequences, we observed differential expression patterns also in sparse cell types. Together, our study provides an entry point for the unbiased study of enhancer activities in organisms during health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chien Chan
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eike Kienle
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin Oti
- Institute of Molecular Biology GmbH (IMB), Mainz, Germany
- Global Computational Biology and Digital Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an Der Riß, Germany
| | | | | | - Dominik F Aschauer
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Manuel Peter
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michaela Pagani
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Cosmas Arnold
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christian Schön
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an Der Riß, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an Der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Stark
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Rumpel
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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6
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Iglesias CF, Ristovski M, Bolic M, Cuperlovic-Culf M. rAAV Manufacturing: The Challenges of Soft Sensing during Upstream Processing. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10020229. [PMID: 36829723 PMCID: PMC9951952 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is the most effective viral vector technology for directly translating the genomic revolution into medicinal therapies. However, the manufacturing of rAAV viral vectors remains challenging in the upstream processing with low rAAV yield in large-scale production and high cost, limiting the generalization of rAAV-based treatments. This situation can be improved by real-time monitoring of critical process parameters (CPP) that affect critical quality attributes (CQA). To achieve this aim, soft sensing combined with predictive modeling is an important strategy that can be used for optimizing the upstream process of rAAV production by monitoring critical process variables in real time. However, the development of soft sensors for rAAV production as a fast and low-cost monitoring approach is not an easy task. This review article describes four challenges and critically discusses the possible solutions that can enable the application of soft sensors for rAAV production monitoring. The challenges from a data scientist's perspective are (i) a predictor variable (soft-sensor inputs) set without AAV viral titer, (ii) multi-step forecasting, (iii) multiple process phases, and (iv) soft-sensor development composed of the mechanistic model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milica Ristovski
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Miodrag Bolic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf
- Digital Technologies Research Center, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Correspondence:
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7
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The autism risk factor CHD8 is a chromatin activator in human neurons and functionally dependent on the ERK-MAPK pathway effector ELK1. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22425. [PMID: 36575212 PMCID: PMC9794786 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein CHD8 is the most frequently mutated gene in autism spectrum disorder. Despite its prominent disease involvement, little is known about its molecular function in the human brain. CHD8 is a chromatin regulator which binds to the promoters of actively transcribed genes through genomic targeting mechanisms which have yet to be fully defined. By generating a conditional loss-of-function and an endogenously tagged allele in human pluripotent stem cells, we investigated the molecular function and the interaction of CHD8 with chromatin in human neurons. Chromatin accessibility analysis and transcriptional profiling revealed that CHD8 functions as a transcriptional activator at its target genes in human neurons. Furthermore, we found that CHD8 chromatin targeting is cell context-dependent. In human neurons, CHD8 preferentially binds at ETS motif-enriched promoters. This enrichment is particularly prominent on the promoters of genes whose expression significantly changes upon the loss of CHD8. Indeed, among the ETS transcription factors, we identified ELK1 as being most highly correlated with CHD8 expression in primary human fetal and adult cortical neurons and most highly expressed in our stem cell-derived neurons. Remarkably, ELK1 was necessary to recruit CHD8 specifically to ETS motif-containing sites. These findings imply that ELK1 and CHD8 functionally cooperate to regulate gene expression and chromatin states at MAPK/ERK target genes in human neurons. Our results suggest that the MAPK/ERK/ELK1 axis potentially contributes to the pathogenesis caused by CHD8 mutations in human neurodevelopmental disorders.
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8
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Pakalniškytė D, Schönberger T, Strobel B, Stierstorfer B, Lamla T, Schuler M, Lenter M. Rosa26-LSL-dCas9-VPR: a versatile mouse model for tissue specific and simultaneous activation of multiple genes for drug discovery. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19268. [PMID: 36357523 PMCID: PMC9649745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic animals with increased or abrogated target gene expression are powerful tools for drug discovery research. Here, we developed a CRISPR-based Rosa26-LSL-dCas9-VPR mouse model for targeted induction of endogenous gene expression using different Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid variants for tissue-specific gRNAs delivery. To show applicability of the model, we targeted low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), either individually or together. We induced up to ninefold higher expression of hepatocellular proteins. In consequence of LDLR upregulation, plasma LDL levels almost abolished, whereas upregulation of PCSK9 led to increased plasma LDL and cholesterol levels. Strikingly, simultaneous upregulation of both LDLR and PCSK9 resulted in almost unaltered LDL levels. Additionally, we used our model to achieve expression of all α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) gene paralogues simultaneously. These results show the potential of our model as a versatile tool for optimized targeted gene expression, alone or in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Pakalniškytė
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Nonclinical Drug Safety Germany, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Discovery Research Coordination, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Michael Schuler
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Martin Lenter
- grid.420061.10000 0001 2171 7500Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
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9
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Weinmann J, Söllner J, Abele S, Zimmermann G, Zuckschwerdt K, Mayer C, Danner-Liskus J, Peltzer A, Schuler M, Lamla T, Strobel B. Identification of Broadly Applicable Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors by Systematic Comparison of Commonly Used Capsid Variants In Vitro. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:1197-1212. [PMID: 36097758 PMCID: PMC9700356 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.109] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) represent highly attractive gene therapy vectors and potent research tools for the modulation of gene expression in animal models or difficult-to-transfect cell cultures. Engineered variants, comprising chimeric, mutated, or peptide-inserted capsids, have strongly broadened the utility of AAVs by altering cellular tropism, enabling immune evasion, or increasing transduction efficiency. In this work, the performance of 50 of the most used, predominantly published, AAVs was compared on several primary cells, cell lines, and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models from different organs, including the adipose tissue, liver, lung, brain, and eyes. To identify the most efficient capsids for each cell type, self-complementary AAVs were standardized by digital polymerase chain reaction, arrayed on 96-well plates, and screened using high-content imaging. To enable best use of the data, all results are also provided in a web app. The utility of one selected AAV variant is further exemplified in a liver fibrosis assay based on primary hepatic stellate cells, where it successfully reversed a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced phenotype. Most importantly, our comparative analysis revealed that a subselection of only five AAV variants (AAV2.NN, AAV9-SLRSPPS, AAV6.2, AAV6TM, and AAV1P5) enabled efficient transduction of all tested cell types and markedly outperformed other well-established capsids, such as AAV2-7m8. These findings suggest that a core panel comprising these five capsid variants is a universally applicable and sufficient tool to identify potent AAVs for gene expression modulation in cellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Weinmann
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Julia Söllner
- Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Sarah Abele
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Gudrun Zimmermann
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kai Zuckschwerdt
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christine Mayer
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Jenny Danner-Liskus
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Alexander Peltzer
- Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Michael Schuler
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany,Correspondence: Dr. Benjamin Strobel, Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88400 Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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10
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Zhou W, Yang J, Zhang Y, Hu X, Wang W. Current landscape of gene-editing technology in biomedicine: Applications, advantages, challenges, and perspectives. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e155. [PMID: 35845351 PMCID: PMC9283854 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The expanding genome editing toolbox has revolutionized life science research ranging from the bench to the bedside. These “molecular scissors” have offered us unprecedented abilities to manipulate nucleic acid sequences precisely in living cells from diverse species. Continued advances in genome editing exponentially broaden our knowledge of human genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, and pathology. Currently, gene editing‐mediated therapies have led to impressive responses in patients with hematological diseases, including sickle cell disease and thalassemia. With the discovery of more efficient, precise and sophisticated gene‐editing tools, more therapeutic gene‐editing approaches will enter the clinic to treat various diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency sydrome (AIDS), hematologic malignancies, and even severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. These initial successes have spurred the further innovation and development of gene‐editing technology. In this review, we will introduce the architecture and mechanism of the current gene‐editing tools, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR‐associated nuclease‐based tools and other protein‐based DNA targeting systems, and we summarize the meaningful applications of diverse technologies in preclinical studies, focusing on the establishment of disease models and diagnostic techniques. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of clinical information using gene‐editing therapeutics for treating various human diseases and emphasize the opportunities and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapyy State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu People's Republic of China
| | - Jinrong Yang
- Department of Biotherapyy State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu People's Republic of China.,Department of Hematology Hematology Research Laboratory State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan P. R. China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Department of Biotherapyy State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Hu
- Department of Biotherapyy State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Ministry of Education West China Second Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapyy State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu People's Republic of China
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11
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Griesser E, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Wyatt H, Rist W, Lamla T, Thomas MJ, Lamb D, Geillinger-Kästle KE. Characterization of a flexible AAV-DTR/DT mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 323:L206-L218. [PMID: 35762632 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00364.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models are important to mimic certain pathways or biological aspects of human pathologies including acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. We developed a novel and flexible mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) variant 6.2 mediated expression of the human diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR). Following intratracheal administration of diphtheria toxin (DT), a cell-specific death of bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells can be observed. In contrast to other lung injury models, the here described mouse model provides the possibility of targeted injury using specific tropisms of AAV vectors or cell type specific promotors to drive the human DTR expression. Also, generation of cell specific mouse lines is not required. Detailed characterization of the AAV-DTR/DT mouse model including titration of viral genome (vg) load and administered DT amount revealed increasing cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; macrophages, neutrophils, and unspecified cells) and elevation of degenerated cells and infiltrated leukocytes in lung tissue, dependent of vg load and DT dose. Cytokine levels in BAL fluid showed different patterns with higher vg load, e.g. IFNγ, TNFα, and IP10 increasing and IL-5 and IL-6 decreasing, while lung function was not affected. Additionally, laser-capture microdissection (LCM)-based proteomics of bronchial epithelium and alveolar tissue revealed upregulated immune and inflammatory response in all regions and extracellular matrix deposition in infiltrated alveoli. Overall, our novel AAV-DTR/DT model allows investigation of repair mechanisms following epithelial injury and resembles specific mechanistic aspects of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Griesser
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- Non-clinical Drug Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Hannah Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rist
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Matthew James Thomas
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.,University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - David Lamb
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kerstin E Geillinger-Kästle
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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12
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MSD-based assays facilitate a rapid and quantitative serostatus profiling for the presence of anti-AAV antibodies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 25:360-369. [PMID: 35573045 PMCID: PMC9065051 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.04.008] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector applications are often limited by capsid-directed humoral immune responses, mainly through neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), which are present throughout the human population due to natural AAV infections. Currently, antibody levels are often quantified via ELISA-based protocols or by cellular NAb assays and less frequently by in vivo NAb assays in mice. These methods need optimization for each serotype and are often not applicable to AAV variants with poor in vitro transduction. To tackle these limitations, we have established Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)-based assays for the quantification of binding antibodies (BAbs) and NAbs against the three most commonly used AAV serotypes, AAV2, AAV8, and AAV9. Both assays detect anti-AAV-IgG1–3 with high sensitivity and consistency as shown in a screen of sera from 40 healthy human donors. Subsequently, BAb and NAb titers were determined for identification of seronegative animals in a non-human primate (NHP) cohort. Moreover, the MSD-based BAb assay protocol was extended to a panel of 14 different AAV serotypes. In summary, our platform allows a rapid and quantitative assessment of the immunological properties of any natural or engineered AAV variant irrespective of transduction efficiency and enables high-throughput screens.
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13
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Weigelt CM, Zippel N, Fuchs H, Rimpelä AK, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Bakker RA, Redemann NH. Characterization and Validation of In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Investigate TNF-α-Induced Inflammation in Retinal Diseases. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2022; 11:18. [PMID: 35579886 PMCID: PMC9123507 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.11.5.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Inflammation is implicated in the etiology of diverse retinopathies including uveitis, age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a well-known proinflammatory cytokine that is described as a biomarker for inflammation in diverse retinopathies and therefore emerged as an interesting target to treat inflammation in the eye by neutralizing anti-TNF-α antibodies. Methods Recently, we have demonstrated that Adeno-associated virus (AAV)–mediated expression of human TNF-α in the murine eye induces retinal inflammation including vasculitis and fibrosis, thereby mimicking human disease-relevant pathologies. In a proof-of-mechanism study, we now tested whether AAV-TNF-α induced pathologies can be reversed by neutralizing TNF-α antibody treatment. Results Strikingly, a single intravitreal injection of the TNF-α antibody golimumab reduced AAV-TNF-α–induced retinal inflammation and retinal thickening. Furthermore, AAV-TNF-α–mediated impaired retinal function was partially rescued by golimumab as revealed by electroretinography recordings. Finally, to study TNF-α-induced vasculitis in human in vitro cell culture assays, we established a monocyte-to-endothelium adhesion co-culture system. Indeed, also in vitro TNF-α induced monocyte adhesion to human retinal endothelial cells, which was prevented by golimumab. Conclusions Overall, our study describes valuable in vitro and in vivo approaches to study the function of TNF-α in retinal inflammation and demonstrated a preclinical proof-of-mechanism treatment with golimumab. Translational Relevance The AAV-based model expressing human TNF-α allows us to investigate TNF-α–driven pathologies supporting research in mechanisms of retinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina M Weigelt
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Nina Zippel
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Holger Fuchs
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Anna-Kaisa Rimpelä
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Remko A Bakker
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Norbert H Redemann
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
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14
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Su W, Patrício MI, Duffy MR, Krakowiak JM, Seymour LW, Cawood R. Self-attenuating adenovirus enables production of recombinant adeno-associated virus for high manufacturing yield without contamination. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1182. [PMID: 35256603 PMCID: PMC8901928 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28738-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) shows great promise for gene therapy, however scalability, yield and quality remain significant issues. Here we describe an rAAV manufacturing strategy using a 'helper' adenovirus that self-inhibits its major late promoter (MLP) to truncate its own replication. Inserting a tetracycline repressor (TetR) binding site into the MLP and encoding the TetR under its transcriptional control allowed normal adenovirus replication in the presence of doxycycline but only genome amplification and early gene expression (the 'helper' functions) in its absence. Using this self-inhibiting adenovirus we demonstrate delivery of adenoviral helper functions, AAV rep and cap genes, and the rAAV genome to yield up to 30-fold more rAAV vectors compared to the helper-free plasmid approach and significant improvements in particle infectivity for a range of serotypes. This system allows significant improvements in the production of serotypes rAAV2, rAAV6, rAAV8 and rAAV9, and enables propagation of existing rAAV without transfection, a process that improves batch quality by depleting reverse packaged DNA contaminants. We propose this as a high-yielding, contaminant-free system suitable for scalable rAAV manufacture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiheng Su
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7DQ, Oxford, UK
- OXGENE Ltd, Oxford Science Park, OX4 4HG, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Margaret R Duffy
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7DQ, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Leonard W Seymour
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, OX3 7DQ, Oxford, UK.
| | - Ryan Cawood
- OXGENE Ltd, Oxford Science Park, OX4 4HG, Oxford, UK
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15
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Quan DN, Shiloach J. rAAV Production and Titration at the Microscale for High-Throughput Screening. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:94-102. [PMID: 34328798 PMCID: PMC8819507 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the literature, there are few high-throughput screens or even methods for high-throughput screens of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production despite potential benefits to research and production. In this study, a generalizable high-throughput relative rAAV titration method is examined within the context of an siRNA screen as siRNA knockdown is a common means of pathway engineering in bioproduction. Crude samples generated from transfected HEK293T/17 cultures were subjected to quantitative PCR (qPCR) and used to transduce COS7 cells to assess relative differences in genomic and infectious rAAV titer, respectively, at the 384-well scale, evaluating both supernatant and lysed samples. To evaluate relevant differences in titer for conditions that could be used in an actual screen, cultures subjected to an siRNA reverse transfection and subsequent rAAV forward transfection were also tested. The delayed forward rAAV triple-plasmid transfection was not seen to affect the siRNA activity of tested controls, while siRNA transfection was shown to measurably impact rAAV titer. Effective differentiation between infectious titer levels was dependent upon the choice of sample dilution, but trends between qPCR and infectious titer assays were consistent across sample sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nathan Quan
- NIDDK Biotechnology Core, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph Shiloach
- NIDDK Biotechnology Core, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Correspondence: Dr. Joseph Shiloach, NIDDK Biotechnology Core, National Institutes of Health, 14 Service Road W, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
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16
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Tan E, Chin CSH, Lim ZFS, Ng SK. HEK293 Cell Line as a Platform to Produce Recombinant Proteins and Viral Vectors. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:796991. [PMID: 34966729 PMCID: PMC8711270 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.796991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal cell-based expression platforms enable the production of complex biomolecules such as recombinant proteins and viral vectors. Although most biotherapeutics are produced in animal cell lines, production in human cell lines is expanding. One important advantage of using human cell lines is the increased potential that the resulting biotherapeutics would carry more “human-like” post-translational modifications. Among the human cell lines, HEK293 is widely utilized due to its high transfectivity, rapid growth rate, and ability to grow in a serum-free, suspension culture. In this review, we discuss the use of HEK293 cells and its subtypes in the production of biotherapeutics. We also compare their usage against other commonly used host cell lines in each category of biotherapeutics and summarise the factors influencing the choice of host cell lines used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Tan
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cara Sze Hui Chin
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhi Feng Sherman Lim
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Say Kong Ng
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
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17
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Fischer S, Strobel B, Weinmann J, Gillardon F. Two engineered AAV capsid variants for efficient transduction of human cortical neurons directly converted from iPSC. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 368:109457. [PMID: 34953937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109457] [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: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) is the most widely used vector for gene therapy in clinical trials. To increase transduction efficiency and specificity, novel engineered AAV variants with modified capsid sequences are evaluated in human cell cultures and non-human primates. METHODS We tested two novel AAV capsid variants, AAV2-NNPTPSR and AAV9-NVVRSSS, in human cortical neurons, which were directly converted from human induced pluripotent stem cells and cocultured with rat primary astrocytes. RESULTS AAV2-NNPTPSR variant efficiently transduced both induced human cortical glutamatergic neurons and induced human cortical GABAergic interneurons. By contrast, AAV9-NVVRSSS variant transduced both induced human cortical neurons and cocultured rat primary astrocytes. High viral titers (1E+5 viral genomes per cell) caused a significant decrease in viability of induced human cortical neurons. Low viral titers (1E+4 viral genomes per cell) led to a significant increase in the neuronal activity marker c-Fos in transduced human neurons following treatment with a potassium channel blocker. CONCLUSIONS We identified two engineered AAV capsid variants that efficiently transduce induced human cortical neurons. The threefold higher percentage of c-Fos positive, transduced human neurons may indicate functional alterations induced by viral transduction and/or transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Fischer
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Frank Gillardon
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
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18
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Achberger K, Cipriano M, Düchs MJ, Schön C, Michelfelder S, Stierstorfer B, Lamla T, Kauschke SG, Chuchuy J, Roosz J, Mesch L, Cora V, Pars S, Pashkovskaia N, Corti S, Hartmann SM, Kleger A, Kreuz S, Maier U, Liebau S, Loskill P. Human stem cell-based retina on chip as new translational model for validation of AAV retinal gene therapy vectors. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2242-2256. [PMID: 34525384 PMCID: PMC8452599 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapies using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are among the most promising strategies to treat or even cure hereditary and acquired retinal diseases. However, the development of new efficient AAV vectors is slow and costly, largely because of the lack of suitable non-clinical models. By faithfully recreating structure and function of human tissues, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids could become an essential part of the test cascade addressing translational aspects. Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology further provides the capability to recapitulate microphysiological tissue environments as well as a precise control over structural and temporal parameters. By employing our recently developed retina on chip that merges organoid and OoC technology, we analyzed the efficacy, kinetics, and cell tropism of seven first- and second-generation AAV vectors. The presented data demonstrate the potential of iPSC-based OoC models as the next generation of screening platforms for future gene therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Achberger
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Madalena Cipriano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias J Düchs
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christian Schön
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefan G Kauschke
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Johanna Chuchuy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia Roosz
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Lena Mesch
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Virginia Cora
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Selin Pars
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalia Pashkovskaia
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Serena Corti
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophia-Marie Hartmann
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Udo Maier
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy & Developmental Biology (INDB), Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Loskill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany; 3R-Center for In vitro Models and Alternatives to Animal Testing, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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19
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Weigelt CM, Fuchs H, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Strobel B, Lamla T, Ciossek T, Bakker RA, Redemann NH. AAV-Mediated Expression of Human VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-6 Induces Retinal Pathology in Mice. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:15. [PMID: 34520511 PMCID: PMC8444492 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.11.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Retinopathies display complex pathologies, including vasculopathies, inflammation, and fibrosis, leading ultimately to visual impairment. However, animal models accurately reflecting these pathologies are lacking. In this study, we evaluate the suitability of using Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated long-term expression of cytokines to establish retinal pathology in the murine retina. Methods We administered recombinant, Müller-glia targeted AAV-ShH10 into the mouse vitreous to induce retinal expression of either human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A165, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), or interleukin-6 (IL-6) and evaluated consequent effects by optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and histology. Results Intravitreal injection of AAVs resulted in rapid and stable expression of the transgenes within 1 to 6 weeks. Akin to the role of VEGF-A in wet age-related macular degeneration, expression of VEGF-A led to several vasculopathies in mice, including neovascularization and vascular leakage. In contrast, the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α or IL-6 induced retinal inflammation, as indicated by microglial activation. Furthermore, the expression of TNF-α, but not of IL-6, induced immune cell infiltration into the vitreous as well as vasculitis, and subsequently induced the development of fibrosis and epiretinal membranes. Conclusions In summary, the long-term expression of human VEGF-A165, TNF-α, or IL-6 in the mouse eye induced specific pathologies within 6 weeks that mimic different aspects of human retinopathies. Translational Relevance AAV-mediated expression of human genes in mice is an attractive approach to provide valuable insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms causing retinopathies and is easily adaptable to other genes and preclinical species supporting drug discovery for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina M Weigelt
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Holger Fuchs
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Thomas Ciossek
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Remko A Bakker
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Norbert H Redemann
- Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
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20
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Le HQ, Hill MA, Kollak I, Keck M, Schroeder V, Wirth J, Skronska‐Wasek W, Schruf E, Strobel B, Stahl H, Herrmann FE, Campos AR, Li J, Quast K, Knebel D, Viollet C, Thomas MJ, Lamb D, Garnett JP. An EZH2-dependent transcriptional complex promotes aberrant epithelial remodelling after injury. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52785. [PMID: 34224201 PMCID: PMC8339687 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of tissue remodelling following injury is imperative to elucidate its regenerative capacity and aberrant repair in disease. Using different omics approaches, we identified enhancer of zester homolog 2 (EZH2) as a key regulator of fibrosis in injured lung epithelium. Epithelial injury drives an enrichment of nuclear transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) that mediates EZH2 phosphorylation to facilitate its liberation from polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). This process results in the establishment of a transcriptional complex of EZH2, RNA-polymerase II (POL2) and nuclear actin, which orchestrates aberrant epithelial repair programmes. The liberation of EZH2 from PRC2 is accompanied by an EZH2-EZH1 switch to preserve H3K27me3 deposition at non-target genes. Loss of epithelial TAK1, EZH2 or blocking nuclear actin influx attenuates the fibrotic cascade and restores respiratory homeostasis. Accordingly, EZH2 inhibition significantly improves outcomes in a pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. Our results reveal an important non-canonical function of EZH2, paving the way for new therapeutic interventions in fibrotic lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy Q Le
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Matthew A Hill
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
- University of BathBathUK
| | - Ines Kollak
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Martina Keck
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Victoria Schroeder
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Johannes Wirth
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Wioletta Skronska‐Wasek
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Eva Schruf
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery SciencesBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Heiko Stahl
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Franziska E Herrmann
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | | | - Jun Li
- Immunology and Respiratory Disease Research DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, IncRidgefieldCTUSA
| | - Karsten Quast
- Global Computational Biology and Digital SciencesBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Dagmar Knebel
- Global Computational Biology and Digital SciencesBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Coralie Viollet
- Global Computational Biology and Digital SciencesBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - Matthew J Thomas
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
- University of BathBathUK
| | - David Lamb
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
| | - James P Garnett
- Lung Repair & Regeneration DepartmentBoehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGBiberachGermany
- Translational and Clinical Research InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUK
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21
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Kuklik J, Michelfelder S, Schiele F, Kreuz S, Lamla T, Müller P, Park JE. Development of a Bispecific Antibody-Based Platform for Retargeting of Capsid Modified AAV Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158355. [PMID: 34361120 PMCID: PMC8347852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A major limiting factor for systemically delivered gene therapies is the lack of novel tissue specific AAV (Adeno-associated virus) derived vectors. Bispecific antibodies can be used to redirect AAVs to specific target receptors. Here, we demonstrate that the insertion of a short linear epitope “2E3” derived from human proprotein-convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) into different surface loops of the VP capsid proteins can be used for AAV de-targeting from its natural receptor(s), combined with a bispecific antibody-mediated retargeting. We chose to target a set of distinct disease relevant membrane proteins—fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is upregulated on activated fibroblasts within the tumor stroma and in fibrotic tissues, as well as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is strongly upregulated in many cancers. Upon incubation with a bispecific antibody recognizing the 2E3 epitope and FAP or PD-L1, the bispecific antibody/rAAV complex was able to selectively transduce receptor positive cells. In summary, we developed a novel, rationally designed vector retargeting platform that can target AAVs to a new set of cellular receptors in a modular fashion. This versatile platform may serve as a valuable tool to investigate the role of disease relevant cell types and basis for novel gene therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Kuklik
- Division of Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany;
| | - Stefan Michelfelder
- Division of Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany; (S.M.); (S.K.)
| | - Felix Schiele
- Division of Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany;
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Division of Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany; (S.M.); (S.K.)
- Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany;
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Division of Drug Discovery Sciences Biberach, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany;
| | - Philipp Müller
- Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany;
| | - John E. Park
- Division of Cancer Immunology and Immune Modulation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88387 Biberach an der Riss, Germany;
- Correspondence:
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22
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Lentiviral Vectors for T Cell Engineering: Clinical Applications, Bioprocessing and Future Perspectives. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081528. [PMID: 34452392 PMCID: PMC8402758 DOI: 10.3390/v13081528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have played a critical role in the emergence of gene-modified cell therapies, specifically T cell therapies. Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and most recently brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) are examples of T cell therapies which are now commercially available for distribution after successfully obtaining EMA and FDA approval for the treatment of blood cancers. All three therapies rely on retroviral vectors to transduce the therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T lymphocytes. Although these innovations represent promising new therapeutic avenues, major obstacles remain in making them readily available tools for medical care. This article reviews the biological principles as well as the bioprocessing of lentiviral (LV) vectors and adoptive T cell therapy. Clinical and engineering successes, shortcomings and future opportunities are also discussed. The development of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant instruments, technologies and protocols will play an essential role in the development of LV-engineered T cell therapies.
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23
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Abaandou L, Quan D, Shiloach J. Affecting HEK293 Cell Growth and Production Performance by Modifying the Expression of Specific Genes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071667. [PMID: 34359846 PMCID: PMC8304725 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The HEK293 cell line has earned its place as a producer of biotherapeutics. In addition to its ease of growth in serum-free suspension culture and its amenability to transfection, this cell line’s most important attribute is its human origin, which makes it suitable to produce biologics intended for human use. At the present time, the growth and production properties of the HEK293 cell line are inferior to those of non-human cell lines, such as the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and the murine myeloma NSO cell lines. However, the modification of genes involved in cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, glycosylation, secretion, and protein folding, in addition to bioprocess, media, and vector optimization, have greatly improved the performance of this cell line. This review provides a comprehensive summary of important achievements in HEK293 cell line engineering and on the global engineering approaches and functional genomic tools that have been employed to identify relevant genes for targeted engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Abaandou
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (L.A.); (D.Q.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - David Quan
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (L.A.); (D.Q.)
| | - Joseph Shiloach
- Biotechnology Core Laboratory National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (L.A.); (D.Q.)
- Correspondence:
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24
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Cellular pathways of recombinant adeno-associated virus production for gene therapy. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107764. [PMID: 33957276 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are among the most important vectors for in vivo gene therapies. With the rapid development of gene therapy, current rAAV manufacturing capacity faces a challenge to meet the emerging demand for these therapies in the future. To examine the bottlenecks in rAAV production during cell culture, we focus here on an analysis of cellular pathways of rAAV production, based on an overview of assembly mechanisms first in the wild-type (wt) AAV replication and then in the common methods of rAAV production. The differences analyzed between the wild-type and recombinant systems provide insights into the mechanistic differences that may correlate with viral productivity. Based on these analyses, we identify potential barriers to high productivity of rAAV and discuss future directions for improvement to meet the emerging needs set by the growth of rAAV-based therapy and the needs of patients.
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25
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Clemens Z, Sivakumar S, Pius A, Sahu A, Shinde S, Mamiya H, Luketich N, Cui J, Dixit P, Hoeck JD, Kreuz S, Franti M, Barchowsky A, Ambrosio F. The biphasic and age-dependent impact of klotho on hallmarks of aging and skeletal muscle function. eLife 2021; 10:e61138. [PMID: 33876724 PMCID: PMC8118657 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by disrupted information flow, resulting from accumulation of molecular mistakes. These mistakes ultimately give rise to debilitating disorders including skeletal muscle wasting, or sarcopenia. To derive a global metric of growing 'disorderliness' of aging muscle, we employed a statistical physics approach to estimate the state parameter, entropy, as a function of genes associated with hallmarks of aging. Escalating network entropy reached an inflection point at old age, while structural and functional alterations progressed into oldest-old age. To probe the potential for restoration of molecular 'order' and reversal of the sarcopenic phenotype, we systemically overexpressed the longevity protein, Klotho, via AAV. Klotho overexpression modulated genes representing all hallmarks of aging in old and oldest-old mice, but pathway enrichment revealed directions of changes were, for many genes, age-dependent. Functional improvements were also age-dependent. Klotho improved strength in old mice, but failed to induce benefits beyond the entropic tipping point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Clemens
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Sruthi Sivakumar
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Abish Pius
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Amrita Sahu
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Sunita Shinde
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Hikaru Mamiya
- Department of Bioengineering, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Nathaniel Luketich
- Department of Bioengineering, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Jian Cui
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Purushottam Dixit
- Department of Physics, University of FloridaGainesvilleUnited States
| | - Joerg D Hoeck
- Department of Research Beyond Borders, Regenerative Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, IncRheinGermany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Department of Research Beyond Borders, Regenerative Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, IncRheinGermany
| | - Michael Franti
- Department of Research Beyond Borders, Regenerative Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, IncRheinGermany
| | - Aaron Barchowsky
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Fabrisia Ambrosio
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
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26
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Dasgupta I, Flotte TR, Keeler AM. CRISPR/Cas-Dependent and Nuclease-Free In Vivo Therapeutic Gene Editing. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:275-293. [PMID: 33750221 PMCID: PMC7987363 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise gene manipulation by gene editing approaches facilitates the potential to cure several debilitating genetic disorders. Gene modification stimulated by engineered nucleases induces a double-stranded break (DSB) in the target genomic locus, thereby activating DNA repair mechanisms. DSBs triggered by nucleases are repaired either by the nonhomologous end-joining or the homology-directed repair pathway, enabling efficient gene editing. While there are several ongoing ex vivo genome editing clinical trials, current research underscores the therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas-based (clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats-associated Cas nuclease) in vivo gene editing. In this review, we provide an overview of the CRISPR/Cas-mediated in vivo genome therapy applications and explore their prospective clinical translatability to treat human monogenic disorders. In addition, we discuss the various challenges associated with in vivo genome editing technologies and strategies used to circumvent them. Despite the robust and precise nuclease-mediated gene editing, a promoterless, nuclease-independent gene targeting strategy has been utilized to evade the drawbacks of the nuclease-dependent system, such as off-target effects, immunogenicity, and cytotoxicity. Thus, the rapidly evolving paradigm of gene editing technologies will continue to foster the progress of gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishani Dasgupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Terence R. Flotte
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allison M. Keeler
- Department of Pediatrics, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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27
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Chen Q, Luo H, Zhou C, Yu H, Yao S, Fu F, Seeley R, Ji X, Yang Y, Chen P, Jin H, Tong P, Chen D, Wu C, Du W, Ruan H. Comparative intra-articular gene transfer of seven adeno-associated virus serotypes reveals that AAV2 mediates the most efficient transduction to mouse arthritic chondrocytes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243359. [PMID: 33320893 PMCID: PMC7737971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthropathy, characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage. Currently, there are no disease-modifying approaches for OA treatment. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy has recently become a potential treatment for OA due to its exceptional characteristics; however, the tropism and transduction efficiency of different AAV serotypes to articular joints and the safety profile of AAV applications are still unknown. The present study aims to screen an ideal AAV serotype to efficiently transfer genes to arthritic cartilage. AAV vectors of different serotypes expressing eGFP protein were injected into the knee joint cavities of mice, with all joint tissues collected 30 days after AAV injection. The transduction efficiency of AAVs was quantified by assessing the fluorescent intensities of eGFP in the cartilage of knee joints. Structural and morphological changes were analyzed by toluidine blue staining. Changes to ECM metabolism and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Fluorescence analysis of eGFP showed that eGFP was expressed in the cartilage of knee joints injected with each AAV vector. Quantification of eGFP intensity indicated that AAV2, 7 and 8 had the highest transduction efficiencies. Both toluidine blue staining and Mankin score showed that AAV6 aggravated cartilage degeneration. The analysis of key molecules in ECM metabolism suggested that AAV5 and 7 significantly reduced collagen type II, while AAV9 increased ADAMTS-4 but decreased MMP-19. In addition, transduction with AAV2, 5, 7 and 8 had no obvious effect on pyroptosis of chondrocytes. Comprehensive score analysis also showed that AAV2 had the highest score in intra-articular gene transfer. Collectively, our findings point to AAV2 as the best AAV serotype candidate for gene transfer on arthritic cartilage, resulting in minimal impact to ECM metabolism and pyroptosis of chondrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huan Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengcong Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huan Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sai Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fangda Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rebecca Seeley
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopedics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Xing Ji
- Translational Research Program in Pediatric Orthopedics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Yanping Yang
- Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peifeng Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongting Jin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peijian Tong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Chen
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chengliang Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * E-mail: (HR); (WD); (CW)
| | - Weibin Du
- Research Institute of Orthopedics, the Affiliated JiangNan Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (HR); (WD); (CW)
| | - Hongfeng Ruan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (HR); (WD); (CW)
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28
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Strobel B, Düchs MJ, Blazevic D, Rechtsteiner P, Braun C, Baum-Kroker KS, Schmid B, Ciossek T, Gottschling D, Hartig JS, Kreuz S. A Small-Molecule-Responsive Riboswitch Enables Conditional Induction of Viral Vector-Mediated Gene Expression in Mice. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:1292-1305. [PMID: 32427483 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy holds great potential for future medical applications. However, to facilitate safer and broader applicability and to enable patient-centric care, therapeutic protein expression should be controllable, ideally by an orally administered drug. The use of protein-based systems is considered rather undesirable, due to potential immunogenicity and the limited coding space of AAV. Ligand-dependent riboswitches, in contrast, are small and characterized by an attractive mode-of-action based on mRNA-self-cleavage, independent of coexpressed foreign protein. While a promising approach, switches available to date have only shown moderate potency in animals. In particular, ON-switches that induce transgene expression upon ligand administration so far have achieved rather disappointing results. Here we present the utilization of the previously described tetracycline-dependent ribozyme K19 for controlling AAV-mediated transgene expression in mice. Using this tool switch, we provide first proof for the feasibility of clinically desired key features, including multiorgan functionality, potent regulation (up to 15-fold induction), reversibility, and the possibility to fine-tune and repeatedly induce expression. The systematic assessment of ligand and reporter protein plasma levels further enabled the characterization of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships. Thus, our results strongly support future efforts to develop engineered riboswitches for applications in clinical gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Strobel
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Matthias J. Düchs
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Dragica Blazevic
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Philipp Rechtsteiner
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Clemens Braun
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Katja S. Baum-Kroker
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schmid
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Thomas Ciossek
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Dirk Gottschling
- Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
| | - Jörg S. Hartig
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, 78464, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kreuz
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, 88397, Germany
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29
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Yin ZF, Zhang YN, Liang SF, Zhao SS, Du J, Cheng BB. Mycoplasma contamination-mediated attenuation of plasmid DNA transfection efficiency is augmented via L-arginine deprivation in HEK-293 cells. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 20:1021-1026. [PMID: 31749349 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1900380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma infection is the most prevalent contamination in cell culture. Analysis of cell culture in laboratories from different countries shows that mycoplasma contamination ranges from 15% to 80% and, in some cases, even reaches 100% (Chernov et al., 2014). Whilst mycoplasma infection is not visible to the naked eye in cell culture, the consequences of mycoplasma contamination have been shown to induce a number of cellular changes, for example, increased resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, any results obtained from tissue culture studies, in the presence of mycoplasma contamination, potentially render the data invalid (Kim et al., 2015; Gedye et al., 2016). As such, mycoplasmas are not harmless bystanders and cannot be ignored in in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Fei Yin
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ya-Ni Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shu-Fang Liang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Sha-Sha Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Graduate School of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Bin-Bin Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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30
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Tse LV, Meganck RM, Graham RL, Baric RS. The Current and Future State of Vaccines, Antivirals and Gene Therapies Against Emerging Coronaviruses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:658. [PMID: 32390971 PMCID: PMC7193113 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging coronaviruses (CoV) are constant global public health threats to society. Multiple ongoing clinical trials for vaccines and antivirals against CoVs showcase the availability of medical interventions to both prevent and treat the future emergence of highly pathogenic CoVs in human. However, given the diverse nature of CoVs and our close interactions with wild, domestic and companion animals, the next epidemic zoonotic CoV could resist the existing vaccines and antivirals developed, which are primarily focused on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV). In late 2019, the novel CoV (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, causing global public health concern. In this review, we will summarize the key advancements of current vaccines and antivirals against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV as well as discuss the challenge and opportunity in the current SARS-CoV-2 crisis. At the end, we advocate the development of a "plug-and-play" platform technologies that could allow quick manufacturing and administration of broad-spectrum countermeasures in an outbreak setting. We will discuss the potential of AAV-based gene therapy technology for in vivo therapeutic antibody delivery to combat SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the future emergence of severe CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longping V. Tse
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rita M. Meganck
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rachel L. Graham
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Large-scale microcarrier culture of HEK293T cells and Vero cells in single-use bioreactors. AMB Express 2019; 9:70. [PMID: 31127400 PMCID: PMC6534633 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-019-0794-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy and viral vaccine are becoming attractive therapeutic options for the treatment of different malignant diseases. Viral vector productions are often using static culture vessels and small volume stainless steel bioreactors (SSB). However, the yield of each vessel can be relatively low and multiple vessels often need to be operated simultaneously. This significantly increases labor intensity, production costs, contamination risks, and limits its ability to be scaled up, thus, creating challenges to meet the quantities required once the gene therapy or viral vaccine medicine goes into clinical phases or to market. Single-use bioreactor combining with microcarrier provides a good option for viral vector and vaccine production. The goal of the present studies was to develop the microcarrier bead-to-bead expansion and transfer process for HEK293T cells and Vero cells and scale-up the cultures to 50–200 l single-use bioreactors. Following microcarrier bead-to-bead transfer, the peak cell concentration of HEK293T cells reached 1.5 × 106 cells/ml in XDR-50 bioreactor, whereas Vero cells reached 3.1 × 106 cells/ml and 3.3 × 106 cells/ml in XDR-50 bioreactor and XDR-200 bioreactor, respectively. The average growth rates reached 0.61–0.68/day. The successful microcarrier-based scaleup of these two cell lines in single-use bioreactors demonstrates potential large-scale production capabilities of viral vaccine and vector for current and future vaccines and gene therapy.
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