A new strategy for large-scale preparation of high-titer recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors by using packaging cell lines and sulfonated cellulose column chromatography

Inducible HEK293 AAV packaging cell lines expressing Rep proteins

Packaging or producer cell lines for scalable recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production have been notoriously difficult to create due in part to the cytostatic nature of the Rep proteins required for AAV production. The most difficult challenge being creating AAV packaging cell lines using HEK293 parental cells, currently the best mammalian platform for rAAV production due to the constitutive expression of E1A in HEK293 cells, a key REP transcription activator. Using suspension and serum-free media adapted HEK293SF carrying a gene expression regulation system induced by addition of cumate and coumermycin, we were able to create REP-expressing AAV packaging cells. This was achieved by carefully choosing two of the AAV Rep proteins (Rep 40 and 68), using two inducible promoters with different expression levels and integrating into the cells through lentiviral vector transduction. Three of our best clones produced rAAV titers comparable to titers obtained by standard triple plasmid transfection of their parental cells. These clones were stable for up to 7 weeks under continuous cultures condition. rAAV production from one clone was also validated at scale of 1 L in a wave bioreactor using serum-free suspension culture.

Production, Processing, and Characterization of Synthetic AAV Gene Therapy Vectors

Over the last two decades, gene therapy vectors based on wild-type Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are safe and efficacious in numerous clinical trials and are translated into three approved gene therapy products. Concomitantly, a large body of preclinical work has illustrated the power and potential of engineered synthetic AAV capsids that often excel in terms of an organ or cell specificity, the efficiency of in vitro or in vivo gene transfer, and/or reactivity with anti-AAV immune responses. In turn, this has created a demand for new, scalable, easy-to-implement, and plug-and-play platform processes that are compatible with the rapidly increasing range of AAV capsid variants. Here, the focus is on recent advances in methodologies for downstream processing and characterization of natural or synthetic AAV vectors, comprising different chromatography techniques and thermostability measurements. To illustrate the breadth of this portfolio, two chimeric capsids are used as representative examples that are derived through forward- or backwards-directed molecular evolution, namely, AAV-DJ and Anc80. Collectively, this ever-expanding arsenal of technologies promises to facilitate the development of the next AAV vector generation derived from synthetic capsids and to accelerate their manufacturing, and to thus boost the field of human gene therapy.

Control of Tissue-Resident Invariant NKT Cells by Vitamin A Metabolites and P2X7-Mediated Cell Death

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells provide rapid innate T cell responses to glycolipid Ags from host cells and microbes. The numbers of CD1d-restricted iNKT cells are tightly controlled in mucosal tissues, but the mechanisms have been largely unclear. We found that vitamin A is a dominant factor that controls the population size of mucosal iNKT cells in mice. This negative regulation is mediated by the induction of the purinergic receptor P2X7 on iNKT cells. The expression of P2X7 is particularly high on intestinal iNKT cells, making iNKT cells highly susceptible to P2X7-mediated cell death. In vitamin A deficiency, iNKT cells fail to express P2X7 and are, therefore, resistant to P2X7-mediated cell death, leading to iNKT cell overpopulation. This phenomenon is most prominent in the intestine. We found that iNKT cells are divided into CD69⁺ sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1)^- tissue resident and CD69^- S1P1⁺ nonresident iNKT cells. The CD69⁺ S1P1^- tissue-resident iNKT cells highly express P2X7 and are effectively controlled by the P2X7 pathway. The regulation of iNKT cells by vitamin A by the P2X7 pathway is important to prevent aberrant expansion of effector cytokine-producing iNKT cells. Our findings identify a novel role of vitamin A in regulating iNKT cell homeostasis in many tissues throughout the body.

Highly Efficient Ultracentrifugation-free Chromatographic Purification of Recombinant AAV Serotype 9

Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (rAAV9) can specifically transduce muscle and neuronal tissues; thus, rAAV9 can potentially be used in gene therapy. However, rAAV9 is the most challenging rAAV serotype to purify. Traditionally, rAAV9 has been purified by ultracentrifugation, which is not scalable. We recently described a chromatographic purification protocol for rAAV1; this protocol can achieve scalable purifications. In this study, we attempted to optimize this protocol for purifying rAAV9 preparations, and we developed a novel, effective method for high-yield purification of rAAV9 using quaternary ammonium anion exchangers and size-exclusion chromatography. The final purified rAAV9 contained mainly three capsid proteins, as observed by SDS-PAGE. Furthermore, negative-stain electron microscopy demonstrated that 96.1% ± 1.1% of rAAV9 particles carried the viral genome containing the EGFP transgene, indicating that impurities and empty capsids can be eliminated with our purification protocol. The final rAAV9 titer obtained by our protocol totaled 2.5 ± 0.4 × 10¹⁵ viral genomes produced from ∼3.2 × 10⁹ HEK293EB cells. We confirmed that our protocol can also be applied to purify other varied AAV genome constructs. Our protocol can scale up production of pure rAAV9, in compliance with current good manufacturing practice, for clinical applications in human gene therapy.

Hyperexpressed Netrin-1 Promoted Neural Stem Cells Migration in Mice after Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Endogenous Netrin-1 (NT-1) protein was significantly increased after cerebral ischemia, which may participate in the repair after transient cerebral ischemic injury. In this work, we explored whether NT-1 can be steadily overexpressed by adeno-associated virus (AAV) and the exogenous NT-1 can promote neural stem cells migration from the subventricular zone (SVZ) region after cerebral ischemia. Adult CD-1 mice were injected stereotacticly with AAV carrying NT-1 gene (AAV-NT-1). Mice underwent 60 min of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion 1 week after injection. We found that NT-1 mainly expressed in neuron and astrocyte, and the expression level of NT-1 significantly increased 1 week after AAV-NT-1 gene transfer and lasted for 28 days, even after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) as well (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that the number of neural stem cells was greatly increased in the SVZ region of AAV-NT-1-transduced mice compared with control mice. Our study showed that overexpressed NT-1 promoted neural stem cells migration from SVZ. This result suggested that NT-1 is a promising factor for repairing and remodeling after focal cerebral ischemia.

Ultracentrifugation-free chromatography-mediated large-scale purification of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (rAAV1)

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is an attractive tool for gene transfer and shows potential for use in human gene therapies. The current methods for the production and purification of rAAV from the transfected cell lysate are mainly based on cesium chloride and iodixanol density ultracentrifugation, although those are not scalable. Meanwhile, chromatography-based systems are more scalable. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel method for the production and purification of rAAV serotype 1 (rAAV1) from serum-free culture supernatant based on ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography to obtain highly purified products with an ultracentrifugation-free technique towards Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production. The purified rAAV1 displayed three clear and sharp bands (VP1, VP2, and VP3) following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and more than 90% of rAAV1 particles contained fully packaged viral genomes according to negative-stain electron micrographic analysis. Consequently, the resultant genomic titer of the purified rAAV1 was 3.63 × 10(13) v.g./ml (the total titer was 4.17 × 10(13) v.g.) from the 4 × 10(9) HEK293 cells. This novel chromatography-based method will facilitate scale-up of manufacturing for clinical applications in gene therapy.

Adeno-associated virus vectors for human gene therapy

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a small, non-enveloped virus that contains a single-stranded DNA genome. It was the first gene therapy drug approved in the Western world in November 2012 to treat patients with lipoprotein lipase deficiency. AAV made history and put human gene therapy in the forefront again. More than four decades of research on AAV vector biology and human gene therapy has generated a huge amount of valuable information. Over 100 AAV serotypes and variants have been isolated and at least partially characterized. A number of them have been used for preclinical studies in a variety of animal models. Several AAV vector production platforms, especially the baculovirus-based system have been established for commercial-scale AAV vector production. AAV purification technologies such as density gradient centrifugation, column chromatography, or a combination, have been well developed. More than 117 clinical trials have been conducted with AAV vectors. Although there are still challenges down the road, such as cross-species variation in vector tissue tropism and gene transfer efficiency, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients, the gene therapy community is forging ahead with cautious optimism. In this review I will focus on the properties and applications of commonly used AAV serotypes and variants, and the technologies for AAV vector production and purification. I will also discuss the advancement of several promising gene therapy clinical trials.

Scalable downstream strategies for purification of recombinant adeno- associated virus vectors in light of the properties

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector is one of the promising delivery tools for gene therapy. Currently, hundreds of clinical trials are performed but the major barrier for clinical application is the absence of any ideal large scale production technique to obtain sufficient and highly pure rAAV vector. The large scale production technique includes upstream and downstream processing. The upstream processing is a vector package step and the downstream processing is a vector purification step. For large scale downstream processing, the scientists need to recover rAAV from dozens of liters of cell lysate or medium, and a variety of purification strategies have been developed but not comprehensively compared till now. Consequently, this review will evaluate the scalable downstream purification strategies systematically, especially those based on the physicochemical properties of AAV virus, and attempt to find better scalable downstream strategies for rAAV vectors.

Generation and characterization of adeno-associated virus producer cell lines for research and preclinical vector production

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) producer cell lines represent an effective method for large-scale production of AAV vectors. We set out to evaluate and characterize the use of an abbreviated protocol to generate "masterwells" (MWs; a nonclonal cell population) as a platform for research and preclinical vector production. In this system, a single plasmid containing three components, the vector sequence, the AAV rep, and cap genes, and a selectable marker gene is stably transfected into HeLaS3 cells. Producer cell lines generating an AAV2 vector expressing a secreted form of human placental alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) have been created. Several MWs showed vector yields in the 5×10(4) to 2×10(5) DNase-resistant particles/cell range, and the productivity was stable over >60 population doublings. Integrated plasmid copy number in three high-producing MWs ranged from approximately 12 to 50; copies were arranged in a head-to-tail configuration. Upon infection with adenovirus, rep/cap copy number was amplified approximately 100-fold and high yield appeared to be dependent on the extent of amplification. Rep/cap gene expression and vector packaging both reached a peak at 48 hr postinfection. AAV2-SEAP vector was produced in 1-liter shaker culture and purified for assessment of vector quality and potency. The data showed that the majority of the capsids from the MWs contained vector DNA (≥70%) and that purified vector was free of replication-competent AAV. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated that potency of the producer cell-derived vector was comparable to vector generated via the standard transfection method.

Purification of human and avian influenza viruses using cellulose sulfate ester (Cellufine Sulfate) in the process of vaccine production

Affinity chromatography using sulfated, spherical cellulose beads (Cellufine Sulfate) was assessed for purification of influenza A and influenza B viruses. Recovery rates of viruses eluted from the beads were high for all tested virus strains. This method was also useful for removing chicken egg-derived impurities from allantoic fluids containing influenza viruses; the hemagglutination activity per amount of protein in the eluted sample was significantly higher than that in the applied sample. These results suggest that use of Cellufine Sulfate is a practical method for primary purification of influenza viruses in the process of influenza vaccine production.

Production and purification of recombinant adeno-associated vectors

The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors in gene therapy for preclinical studies in animal models and human clinical trials is increasing, as these vectors have been shown to be safe and to mediate persistent transgene expression in vivo. Constant improvement in rAAV manufacturing processes (upstream production and downstream purification) has paralleled this evolution to meet the needs for larger vector batches, higher vector titer, and improved vector quality and safety. This chapter provides an overview of existing production and purification systems used for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, and the advantages and disadvantages of each system are outlined. Regulatory guidelines that apply to the use of these systems for clinical trials are also presented. The methods described are examples of protocols that have been utilized for establishing rAAV packaging cell lines, production of rAAV vectors using recombinant HSV infection, and for chromatographic purification of various AAV vector serotypes. A protocol for the production of clinical-grade rAAV type 2 vectors using transient transfection and centrifugation-based purification is also described.

Large-scale recombinant adeno-associated virus production

Since recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) was first described as a potential mammalian cell transducing system, frequent reports purportedly solving the problems of scalable production have appeared. Yet few of these processes have enabled the development of robust and economical rAAV production. Two production platforms have emerged that have gained broad support for producing both research and clinical grade vectors. These processes differ fundamentally in several aspects. One approach is based on adherent mammalian cells and uses optimized chemical transient transfection for introducing the essential genetic components into the cells. The other approach utilizes suspension cultures of invertebrate cells. Baculovirus expression vectors are used for introducing the AAV genes into the cells. In addition, the baculovirus provides the helper functions necessary for efficient AAV DNA replication. The use of suspension cell culture provides an intrinsically more scalable platform system than using adherent cells. The upstream processes for suspension cultures are amenable for automation and are easily monitored and regulated to maintain optimum conditions that produce consistent yields of rAAV. Issues relating to developing new and improving existing rAAV production methods are discussed.

Augmented transgene expression in transformed cells using a parvoviral hybrid vector

Autonomous parvoviruses possess an intrinsic oncotropism based on viral genetic elements controlling gene expression and genome replication. We constructed a hybrid vector consisting of the H1 parvovirus-derived expression cassette comprising the p4 promoter, the ns1 gene and the p38 promoter flanked by the adeno-associated viruses 2 (AAV2) inverted terminal repeats and packaged into AAV2 capsids. Gene transduction using this vector could be stimulated by coinfection with adenovirus, by irradiation or treatment with genotoxic agents, similar to standard AAV2 vectors. However, the latter were in most cases less efficient in gene transduction than the hybrid vector. With the new vector, tumor cell-selective increase in transgene expression was observed in pairs of transformed and non-transformed cells, leading to selective killing of the transformed cells after expression of a prodrug-converting enzyme. Preferential gene expression in tumor versus normal liver tissue was also observed in vivo in a syngeneic rat model. Comparative transduction of a panel of different tumor cell lines with the H1 and the H1/AAV hybrid vector showed a preference of each vector for distinct cell types, probably reflecting the dependence of the viral tropism on capsid determinants.

VEGF: an essential mediator of both angiogenesis and endochondral ossification

During bone growth, development, and remodeling, angiogenesis as well as osteogenesis are closely associated processes, sharing some essential mediators. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially recognized as the best-characterized endothelial-specific growth factor, which increased vascular permeability and angiogenesis, and it is now apparent that this cytokine regulates multiple biological functions in the endochondral ossification of mandibular condylar growth, as well as long bone formation. The complexity of VEGF biology is paralleled by the emerging complexity of interactions between VEGF ligands and their receptors. This narrative review summarizes the family of VEGF-related molecules, including 7 mammalian members, namely, VEGF, placenta growth factor (PLGF), and VEGF-B, -C, -D, -E, and -F. The biological functions of VEGF are mediated by at least 3 corresponding receptors: VEGFR-1/Flt-1, VEGFR-2/Flk-1, VEGFR-3/Flt-4 and 2 co-receptors of neuropilin (NRP) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Current findings on endochondral ossification are also discussed, with emphasis on VEGF-A action in osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and chondroclasts/osteoclasts and regulatory mechanisms involving oxygen tension, and some growth factors and hormones. Furthermore, the therapeutic implications of recombinant VEGF-A protein therapy and VEGF-A gene therapy are evaluated. Abbreviations used: VEGF, Vascular endothelial growth factor; PLGF, placenta growth factor; NRP, neuropilin; HSPGs, heparan sulfate proteoglycans; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; TGF, transforming growth factor; HGF, hepatocyte growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; ECM, extracellular matrix; RTKs, receptor tyrosine kinases; ERK, extracellular signal kinases; HIF, hypoxia-inducible factor.

Development of targeted gene transfer into human primary T lymphocytes and macrophages using high-titer recombinant HIV vectors

Primary human lymphocytes and macrophages are an important target cells for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). For targeted gene transfer into CD4(+) lymphocytes and macrophages, we constructed HIV vectors with envelope glycoprotein (gp120) from the T-cell tropic BH10 strain and the macrophage tropic SF162, and developed an improved strategy for preparation of high-titer HIV vectors. Among several possible procedures, we found that ultrafiltration using CENTRIPREP columns was highly effective to concentrate HIV particles. The titer could be increased four orders of magnitudes. The total recovery was more than 80%. No replication-competent cytopathic HIV was detected in concentrated vector preparation. Using the high-titer HIV vector carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene, we transduced human primary lymphocytes and macrophages. FACS analysis showed that the T-cell tropic vector could transduce 40-80% of CD4(+) T-cells stimulated with IL2 plus PHA and 20-50% of unstimulated cells. The macrophage tropic vector was shown to transduce approximately 20% of terminally differentiated macrophages. These results represent the initial report of targeted gene transfer into terminally differentiated macrophages. These results also indicate that these HIV vectors are useful for the manipulation of gene expression in HIV infectable cells and the development of gene therapy targeting lymphocytes and macrophages.

The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus for skeletal gene therapy

OBJECTIVES

To provide a comprehensive literature review describing recent developments of the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector and exploring the therapeutic application of rAAV for bone defects, cartilage lesions and rheumatoid arthritis.

DESIGN

Narrative review.

RESULT

The review outlines the serotypes and genome of AAV, integration and life cycle of the rAAV vectors, the immune response and regulating system for AAV gene therapy. Furthermore, the advancements of rAAV gene therapy for bone growth together with cartilage repair are summarized.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant adeno-associated virus vector is perceived to be one of the most promising vector systems for bone and cartilage gene therapy approaches and further investigations need to be carried out for craniofacial research.

Primary recovery and chromatographic purification of adeno-associated virus type 2 produced by baculovirus/insect cell system

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is making its place in gene therapy applications; however, the industry is still facing obstacles in producing a large quantity of highly purified material for clinical studies. Insect cell technology can be used to produce AAV to meet the current demand. During the purification process it was observed that there was a reduced recovery of AAV produced in insect cells, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9). It was assumed that the formation of AAV agglomerates and the interaction of AAV with other cellular components were major contributors to this loss. After studying different systems of extraction a sequence of treatment for primary recovery of AAV from cell paste was developed. This sequence was necessary to reduce the AAV losses and to increase the recovery. The purification method avoided the use of ultracentrifugation and adopted chromatographic methods for the purification of AAV. Primary recovery, ion exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography gave an overall yield of 75% from the extracted AAV. The purification process was based on chromatographic methods; therefore, it can be scaled up. Although this method was developed for AAV type 2, it is believed that this method could be modified easily to purify other AAV serotypes.

Chromatographic purification of recombinant adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors: methods and implications

In recent years, recombinant adenoviral and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have been exploited in a number of gene delivery approaches. The use of these vectors in clinical gene transfer has increased the demand for their characterization, production and purification. Although the classical method of adenovirus or AAV purification by density gradient centrifugation is effective on a small scale, chromatographic separation is the most versatile and powerful method for large-scale production of recombinant adenovirus or AAV. This review describes different chromatographic modes for adenovirus or AAV purification and process development, as well as the utility of different purification steps for virus production. Advances in the development of viral vectors for gene therapy, such as the discovery of new AAV serotypes, adenoviral and AAV retargeting and improved production of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors, require further development of efficient purification methods.

Production of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a prototypical gene therapy vector characterized by excellent safety profiles, wide host range, and the ability to transduce differentiated cells. Numerous rAAV-based vectors providing efficient and sustained expression of transgenes in target tissues have been developed for preclinical studies. Interest in rAAV has been driven by advances in production methods originally developed for rAAV serotype 2 vectors and expanded to include alternative serotypes. The transition to clinical trials is dependent on the development of scalable production methods of Good Manufacturing Practice-grade vectors described in this review.

The therapeutic potential of the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene

The cloning of the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), mutations of which are responsible for the clinical onset of cystic fibrosis (CF), along with progress in understanding the interplay between CFTR functions and the CF cellular phenotype have prompted many investigators to explore the therapeutic potential of CFTR gene delivery to airway cells in CF patients. In the last four years, a large number of Phase I clinical trials have been started. The results from the very first trials, although mixed, showed that it was possible to transfer and express the CFTR gene, and in certain cases restore the functional electrophysiological properties of the diseased CF cells. These initial trials have been fundamental in encouraging more basic research on vector design to improve the safety and efficiency of persistent CFTR gene transfer, and to introduce novel ways of administration and new techniques to assess the potential therapeutic efficacy of functional gene expression. New Phase I clinical trials based on novel protocol design were therefore initiated.

Development and characterization of a cell line for large-scale, serum-free production of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors

BACKGROUND

One of the major limitations to the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy has been the difficulty in producing enough vector to supply a clinical trial. More than 20 000 roller bottles may be required to generate AAV by the traditional transient transfection process to treat 50 patients. A scalable AAV producer cell line grown in serum-free media will meet the needs for the manufacture of AAV gene therapeutics.

METHODS

A packaging cell line was generated by introducing the AAV rep and cap genes into A549 cells. From this packaging cell line, a number of producer cell lines were generated by infecting the packaging cell with the appropriate AAV vector. Producer cell lines were then adapted to serum-free suspension conditions for growth in bioreactors.

RESULTS

We report here the development of six AAV producer cell lines that generate > 10(4) particles/cell. The rAAV vector preparations from these cell lines have physical and functional characteristics similar to rAAV vectors prepared by transient transfection. To enable large-scale production, producer cell lines were adapted to serum-free suspension and we demonstrate production of AAV at the 15 L scale. In addition, vector preparations from these cell lines were shown to be free of wild-type AAV.

CONCLUSIONS

AAV producer cell lines can be readily scaled to meet the needs of clinical trials. One 500 L bioreactor of these producer cells can produce the equivalent of 2500 high capacity roller bottles or 25 000 T-175 tissue culture flasks.

Large-scale production, purification and crystallization of wild-type adeno-associated virus-2

Adeno-associated virus-2 (AAV-2) has long been recognized as a potential vector for human gene therapy. Although much progress has been made in the molecular virology of AAV-2, structural studies of AAV-2 have been hampered by the low efficiency of virus production in culture, the low purity of preparations, and the low solubility of pure virus particles in solution. Methods of larger scale AAV-2 production have been developed through adaptation to suspension culture and re-optimization of the times of infection and transfection with respect to particle production. The methods allow the purification of 10mg ( approximately 10(15) particles) of AAV-2 per preparation at approximately 99% purity as judged by SDS-PAGE. This was sufficient for the screening of conditions for the formation of diffraction-grade crystals, ultimately leading to an atomic structure for AAV-2.

Susceptibility of mesothelioma cell lines to adeno-associated virus 2 vector-based suicide gene therapy

Although great efforts have been made to improve conventional therapy for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, the median survival time of the patients after appearance of clinical symptoms remains poor. Due to confinement of the primary tumor to the pleural space, locoregional approaches are attractive strategies to improve the clinical outcome. In this context locoregional gene therapy using the recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV-2) may be a new approach. Vectors were constructed containing a fusion gene, consisting of the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and the green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes; the former serving as suicide gene by converting the prodrug ganciclovir (GCV) into a toxic agent, thereby killing infected cells. Among a number of different tumor cell lines, rAAV-2 achieved high GFP expression levels in three mesothelioma cell lines (H-Meso-1, MSTO-211H, NCI-H28). A variety of rAAV-2-constructs containing different promoters were tested. The vector with the elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha) promoter showed the highest expression rates. Expression could be further increased by addition of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Using the rAAV-2-based suicide system, a nearly complete eradication of transduced and GCV-treated mesothelioma cells was observed. rAAV-2-based suicide gene therapy may be a new approach for locoregional treatment of mesothelioma.

Suicide gene therapy of sarcoma cell lines using recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 vectors

Soft-tissue sarcomas are mesenchymal tumors that respond poorly to systemic chemotherapy. Suicide gene therapy may be an alternative treatment strategy. Here we show a high susceptibility of human sarcoma cell lines for recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV-2) suicide vectors: connective tissue sarcoma (HS-1), fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), Ewing sarcoma (RD-ES), Askin tumor (SK-N-MC), rhabdomyosarcoma (A-204) and soft-tissue sarcoma (WSKL-1). Several vectors containing the thymidine kinase (TK) gene under the control of either the cytomegalovirus promoter or the elongation-factor 1 alpha (EF1alpha) promoter were cloned and tested. Higher expression levels of the transgene were observed in the sarcoma lines when using the EF1alpha-suicide gene-containing vectors. A complete eradication of rAAV-2-EF1alpha-TK/eGFP (TK/enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion gene)-transduced tumor cells was shown following exposure to ganciclovir (2.5 microg/ml) in vitro, while at this dose level > 90% of mock-transduced tumor cells survived. Xenotransplantation tumor models (intraperitoneal, subcutaneous) for the human sarcoma cell line HS-1 were established in nonobese diabetic/severe-combined immunodeficient mice. Mice transplanted with rAAV-2-EF1alpha-TK/eGFP-transduced and ganciclovir-exposed tumor cells survived > 5 months while in the nontransduced group all mice had died approximately 1 month after inoculation. These data hold promise for further development of rAAV-2-based suicide gene therapy of sarcomas.

Novel strategy for generation and titration of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have many advantages for gene therapeutic applications compared with other vector systems. Several methods that use plasmids or helper viruses have been reported for the generation of rAAV vectors. Unfortunately, the preparation of large-scale rAAV stocks is labor-intensive. Moreover, the biological titration of rAAV is still difficult, which may limit its preclinical and clinical applications. For this study, we developed a novel strategy to generate and biologically titrate rAAV vectors. A recombinant pseudorabies virus (PrV) with defects in its gD, gE, and thymidine kinase genes was engineered to express the AAV rep and cap genes, yielding PS virus, which served as a packaging and helper virus for the generation of rAAV vectors. PS virus was useful not only for generating high-titer rAAV vectors by cotransfection with an rAAV vector plasmid, but also for amplifying rAAV stocks. Notably, the biological titration of rAAV vectors was also feasible when cells were coinfected with rAAV and PS virus. Based on this strategy, we produced an rAAV that expresses prothymosin alpha (ProT). Expression of the ProT protein in vitro and in vivo mediated by rAAV/ProT gene transfer was detected by immunohistochemistry and a bioassay. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the PrV vector-based system is useful for generating rAAV vectors carrying various transgenes.

Adeno-associated viral vector-mediated expression of endostatin inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotropic pancreatic cancer model in hamsters

We examined the feasibility of using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated systemic delivery of endostatin in gene therapy to treat metastasis of pancreatic cancer. We established an animal model of orthotopic metastatic pancreatic cancer in which the pancreatic cancer cell line PGHAM-1 was inoculated into the pancreas of Syrian golden hamsters. Transplanted cells proliferated rapidly and metastasized to the liver. An AAV vector expressing endostatin (5 x 10(10) particles) was injected intramuscularly into the left quadriceps or intravenously into the portal vein. These routes of vector administration were evaluated by comparing various parameters of tumor development. Intramuscular injection of the vector modestly increased the serum endostatin level. The numbers of metastases and the incidence of hemorrhagic ascites were decreased in the treated animals. In contrast, the serum concentration of endostatin was significantly increased after intraportal injection of the vector. The antitumor effects on all parameters (including the size and microvessel density of primary pancreatic tumors, the sizes and number of liver metastases, and the incidence of hemorrhagic ascites) were significant. These results suggest that systemic delivery of endostatin represents a potentially effective treatment for pancreatic cancer and liver metastases. The route of vector administration influences the efficacy of AAV-mediated endostatin expression. Intraportal injection of the AAV vector appears to be more effective as an antiangiogenic gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Sequence analysis, viral rescue from infectious clones and generation of recombinant virions of the avian adeno-associated virus

Aiming at the generation of a viral-vectored system for gene delivery and vaccination in poultry, the entire genomes of the VR-865 and DA-1 strains of the avian adeno-associated virus have been cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis of the clones showed that the genomic distribution of the structural and non-structural protein-coding genes of these viruses is conserved and in agreement with what has been previously described for the primate adeno-associated viruses. Amino acid differences between the avian adeno-associated viruses and the primate adeno-associated viruses are more evident in the genes that code for the non-structural (Rep) proteins of the virus, while the Cap region amino acid sequence was found to be more conserved. Since all the regulatory and coding sequences of the virus were present in the plasmids obtained, complete infectious viral particles were rescued from these clones, and these rescued viral populations were amplified by co-infecting primary embryo liver cells with the rescued virus and the CELO strain of the avian adenovirus type 1. As a proof of concept of the validity of this system for the purpose of gene delivery, recombinant viruses encoding for the LacZ gene as a reporter system were also generated. These recombinant viruses were used to express beta galactosidase activity in primary chicken embryo cell cultures.

Packaging of an AAV vector encoding human acid alpha-glucosidase for gene therapy in glycogen storage disease type II with a modified hybrid adenovirus-AAV vector

We have developed an improved method for packaging adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors with a replication-defective adenovirus-AAV (Ad-AAV) hybrid virus. The AAV vector encoding human acid alpha-glucosidase (hGAA) was cloned into an E1, polymerase/preterminal protein-deleted adenovirus, such that it is packaged as an Ad vector. Importantly, the Ad-AAV hybrid cannot replicate during AAV vector packaging in 293 cells, because of deletion of polymerase/preterminal protein. The residual Ad-AAV in the AAV vector stock was reduced to <1 infectious particle per 10(10) AAV vector particles. These modifications resulted in approximately 30-fold increased packaging of the AAV vector for the hybrid Ad-AAV vector method as compared with standard transfection-only methods. Similarly improved packaging was demonstrated for pseudotyping the AAV vector as AAV6, and for AAV vector packaging with a second Ad-AAV vector encoding canine glucose-6-phosphatase. Liver-targeted delivery of either the Ad-AAV hybrid or AAV vector particles in acid alpha-glucosidase-knockout (GAA-KO) mice revealed secretion of hGAA with the Ad-AAV vector, and sustained secretion of hGAA with an AAV vector in hGAA-tolerant GAA-KO mice. Further development of hybrid Ad-AAV vectors could offer distinct advantages for gene therapy in glycogen storage diseases.

A novel gene expression control system and its use in stable, high-titer 293 cell-based adeno-associated virus packaging cell lines

Previous attempts to establish 293cell-based stable and high-titer adeno-associated virus (AAV) packaging cell lines were unsuccessful, primarily due to adenovirus E1-activated Rep gene expression, which exerts cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on the host cells. Control of the two large AAV Rep proteins (Rep78/68) was insufficient to eliminate the adverse effects, because of the leaky expression of the two small Rep proteins (Rep52/40). However, it was unsuccessful to control Rep52/40 gene expression since its promoter is located within the coding sequence of Rep78/68. To tightly regulate all four Rep proteins by using their own promoters, we have developed a novel gene control paradigm termed "dual splicing switch," which disrupts all four Rep genes by inserting into their shared coding region an intron that harbors transcription termination sequences flanked the LoxP sites. As a result, the structure and activities of the Rep gene promoters, both p5 and p19, are not affected; however, all of the Rep transcripts are prematurely terminated and the genes were inactivated. Removal of the terminator by Cre protein reactivates the transcription of all four Rep proteins derived from their own promoters. This switch system was initially tested in the lacZ gene and a 600-fold induction of beta-galactosidase activity was observed. Using the dual splicing switch strategy, we have subsequently established a number of AAV packaging cell lines from 293 cells, which showed a normal growth rate, high stability, and more importantly, high yields of AAV vectors. Such a gene control paradigm is also useful for other viruses, e.g., autonomous parvoviruses. Finally, the high-titer 293-based AAV packaging cell lines should greatly reduce the risk of wild-type adenovirus contamination and provide a scalable AAV vector production method for both preclinical and clinical studies.

A versatile and scalable two-step ion-exchange chromatography process for the purification of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotypes-2 and -5

Here we describe the development of a two-step chromatography process based on the use of ion-exchange resins for the purification of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) serotypes-2 and-5. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that this method, which does not require any prepurification step of the cell lysate, can be applied to obtain highly pure rAAV2 and rAAV5 stocks. As such,this procedure can be easily transferred in vector cores and also scaled up, allowing the direct comparison of these two, and potentially other, AAV serotypes in large animal models.

Long-term systemic therapy of Fabry disease in a knockout mouse by adeno-associated virus-mediated muscle-directed gene transfer

Fabry disease is a systemic disease caused by genetic deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme, alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-gal A), and is thought to be an important target for enzyme replacement therapy. We studied the feasibility of gene-mediated enzyme replacement for Fabry disease. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing the alpha-gal A gene was injected into the right quadriceps muscles of Fabry knockout mice. A time course study showed that alpha-gal A activity in plasma was increased to approximately 25% of normal mice and that this elevated activity persisted for up to at least 30 weeks without development of anti-alpha-gal A antibodies. The alpha-gal A activity in various organs of treated Fabry mice remained 5-20% of those observed in normal mice. Accumulated globotriaosylceramide in these organs was completely cleared by 25 weeks after vector injection. Reduction of globotriaosylceramide levels was also confirmed by immunohistochemical and electronmicroscopic analyses. Echocardiographic examination of treated mice demonstrated structural improvement of cardiac hypertrophy 25 weeks after the treatment. AAV vector-mediated muscle-directed gene transfer provides an efficient and practical therapeutic approach for Fabry disease.

Adeno-associated virus vectors for gene transfer to the brain

Gene therapy is a novel method under investigation for the treatment of neurological disorders. Considerable interest has focused on the possibility of using viral vectors to deliver genes to the central nervous system. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a potentially useful gene transfer vehicle for neurologic gene therapies. The advantages of AAV vector include the lack of any associated disease with a wild-type virus, the ability to transduce nondividing cells, the possible integration of the gene into the host genome, and the long-term expression of transgenes. The development of novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorder by using AAV vector has an increasing impact on gene therapy research. This article describes methods that can be used to generate rodent and nonhuman primate models for testing treatment strategies linked to pathophysiological events in the ischemic brain and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Replication competent helper functions for recombinant AAV vector generation

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising gene transfer vector tested in both animal studies and human clinical trials. However, current production methods are generally inefficient and require improvements to meet the increasing clinical need for economical, high titer and high quality rAAV vectors. The inefficiency of the current systems largely arises from the AAV helper function, which contains only the AAV coding region but lacks inverted terminal repeats. The terminal repeats were originally removed to prevent replication competent AAV contamination. Here we designed a novel and highly efficient rAAV helper function containing AAV terminal repeats. The new helper function not only mimics the wild-type AAV growth as it replicates along with the vector plasmid, but also restores the cis regulating function of the AAV terminal repeats. Addition of heterologous introns to the helper genome and use of a mutant AAV terminal repeat defective in packaging effectively controls the contamination of replication competent AAV particles. This new strategy also performs better in AAV producing cell lines than those based on non-replicating AAV rep and cap genome.

Development and optimization of a real-time quantitative PCR-based method for the titration of AAV-2 vector stocks

Despite the clinical application of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, the titration of viral stocks has not yet been standardized. This complicates the comparison of viral stocks between laboratories. Functional titering of AAV is time-consuming, requires the manipulation of hazardous material, and often has a high degree of variability. We established an optimized real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) titration assay to determine viral titers and compared it with a functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based titration method. With a combination of improved lysis procedures and RQ-PCR protocols we could decrease the intraexperimental coefficient of variation (CV) from 0.24 +/- 0.03 to 0.042 +/- 0.004 and the interexperimental CV from 0.34 +/- 0.06 to 0.093 +/- 0.028 following functional and RQPCR-based titration, respectively. This low variability conforms to even the strictest quality standards required, for example, in clinical laboratories. The highly standardized titration by RQPCR described here will be especially advantageous for groups working on AAV-based gene therapy in a good manufacturing practice setting.

Rep/Cap gene amplification and high-yield production of AAV in an A549 cell line expressing Rep/Cap

Cell lines stably expressing rep/cap are important tools for studying adeno-associated virus (AAV) biology and producing AAV vectors. Several rep/cap cell lines have been isolated, each of which is based on HeLa cells. Infection of these cell lines with adenovirus for production of AAV vector is associated with substantial amplification of the rep/cap gene. Concerns over the presence of human papilloma viral (HPV) sequences in HeLa cells may limit use of such lines for production of clinical-grade vectors. Here we describe a non-HeLa-derived rep/cap cell line called K209, generated by stable transfection of A549 cells with a plasmid construct containing the P5 rep/cap cassette from AAV2. Infection of K209 cells with adenovirus leads to a 1000-fold amplification of the rep/cap gene with high-yield production of AAV vectors. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) of adenovirus that led to maximum amplification of the rep/cap gene and high-level production of AAV is 10 times higher in the HeLa-based cell line than that required in K209 cells. Our data suggest that papilloma-derived gene products present in HeLa cells are not required for high-yield production of AAV vectors.

Understanding viral partitioning in two-phase aqueous nonionic micellar systems: 1. Role of attractive interactions between viruses and micelles

The partitioning behavior of viruses in the two-phase aqueous nonionic n-decyl tetra(ethylene oxide) (C10E4) micellar system cannot be fully explained by considering solely the repulsive, steric, excluded-volume interactions that operate between the viruses and the nonionic C10E4 micelles. Specifically, an excluded-volume theory developed recently by our group is not able to quantitatively predict the observed viral partition coefficients, even though this theory is capable of providing reasonable quantitative predictions of protein partition coefficients. To shed light on the discrepancy between the theoretically predicted and the experimentally measured viral partition coefficients, a central assumption underlying the excluded-volume theory that the viruses and the C10E4 micelles interact solely through repulsive, excluded-volume interactions was challenged in this study. In particular, utilizing bacteriophage P22 as a model virus, a competitive inhibition test and a partitioning study of the capsids of bacteriophage P22 were conducted. Based on the results of these two experimental studies, it was concluded that any attractive interactions between the tailspikes of bacteriophage P22 and the C10E4 micelles are negligible. Another experimental study was carried out wherein the partition coefficients of the model viruses, bacteriophages P22 and T4, were measured at various temperatures, and compared with those previously obtained for bacteriophage phiX174. This comparison also indicated that possible attractive, electromagnetic-induced interactions between the bacteriophage particles and the C10E4 micelles cannot be invoked to rationalize the observed discrepancy between the theoretically predicted and the experimentally measured viral partition coefficients.

Understanding viral partitioning in two-phase aqueous nonionic micellar systems: 2. Effect of entrained micelle-poor domains

Unlike the partitioning behavior of hydrophilic, water-soluble proteins, the partitioning behavior of viruses in the two-phase aqueous nonionic n-decyl tetra(ethylene oxide) (C10E4) micellar system cannot be fully explained using the excluded-volume theory developed recently by our group. A central assumption underlying the excluded-volume theory--that macroscopic phase separation equilibrium is attained--was therefore challenged experimentally and theoretically. Photographs of the two-phase aqueous C10E4 micellar system were taken for different volume ratios to demonstrate that the entrainment of micelle-poor (virus-rich) domains in the macroscopic, top, micelle-rich phase decreases with a decrease in the volume ratio. Partitioning experiments were then conducted with the model virus bacteriophage P22 and the model protein cytochrome c at different operating temperatures for different volume ratios. For bacteriophage P22, the measured viral partition coefficient at each temperature decreased by about an order of magnitude when the volume ratio was decreased from 10 to 0.1, which clearly indicated that entrainment is an important factor influencing viral partitioning. For cytochrome c, the measured protein partition coefficient did not change, which demonstrated that this entrainment effect negligibly influences protein partitioning. A new theoretical description of partitioning was also developed that combines the excluded-volume theory with this entrainment effect. In this theory, one fitted parameter--the volume fraction of entrained micelle-poor domains in the macroscopic, top, micelle-rich phase--is used to account for the entrainment. To fit this parameter, only a single partitioning experiment is required for a given volume ratio, irrespectively of the partitioning solute. The new theoretical description of partitioning yielded very good quantitative predictions of the viral partition coefficients. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the primary mechanisms governing viral partitioning in the two-phase aqueous C10E4 micellar system are the entrainment of micelle-poor (virus-rich) domains in the macroscopic, top, micelle-rich phase and the excluded-volume interactions that operate between the viruses and the micelles.

Feasibility of generating adeno-associated virus packaging cell lines containing inducible adenovirus helper genes

The adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector system is based on nonpathogenic and helper-virus-dependent parvoviruses. The vector system offers safe, efficient, and long-term in vivo gene transfer in numerous tissues. Clinical trials using AAV vectors have demonstrated vector safety as well as efficiency. The increasing interest in the use of AAV for clinical studies demands large quantities of vectors and hence a need for improvement in vector production. The commonly used transient-transfection method, although versatile and free of adenovirus (Ad), is not cost-effective for large-scale production. While the wild-type-Ad-dependent AAV producer cell lines seem to be cost-effective, this method faces the problem of wild-type Ad contamination. To overcome these shortcomings, we have explored the feasibility of creating inducible AAV packaging cell lines that require neither transfection nor helper virus infection. As a first step toward that goal, we have created a cell line containing highly inducible Ad E1A and E1B genes, which are essential for AAV production. Subsequently, the AAV Rep and Cap genes and an AAV vector containing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene were stably introduced into the E1A-E1B cell line, generating inducible AAV-GFP packaging cell lines. Upon induction of E1A and E1B genes and infection with replication-defective Ad with E1A, E1B, and E3 deleted, the packaging cells yielded high-titer AAV-GFP vectors. Finally, the E2, E4, and VA genes of Ad, under the control of their endogenous promoters, were also introduced into these cells. A few producer cell lines were obtained, which could produce AAV-GFP vectors upon simple drug induction. Although future improvement is necessary to increase the stability and vector yield of the cells, our study has nonetheless demonstrated the feasibility of generating helper-virus-free inducible AAV producer cell lines.

Recent advances in recombinant adeno-associated virus vector production

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a replication-defective parvovirus that is being developed as a vector for human gene transfer. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors are being proposed as a gene transfer vehicle for an array of human diseases. The recent interest in rAAV has been driven by the unexpected finding that these simple vectors can efficiently transduce a variety of postmitotic cells, resulting in long-lived, robust gene expression. However, a major obstacle to commonplace usage of rAAV vectors was the production in sufficient quantities for preclinical and human trials. Fortunately, several recent technological advances in vector production, purification, and titration have resulted in significant increases (>10-fold) in production capacity. Thus, there are several methods for the production of rAAV in excess of 10(4) particles/cell, levels that should permit widespread use of this technology for clinical applications.

Transduction of ovarian cancer cells: a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector compared to an adenoviral vector

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have emerged as vehicles for gene therapy. In addition, anti-neoplastic properties have been attributed to wild-type AAV. To take advantage of both features and to overcome technical problems associated with rAAV preparation, we developed a production method in which rAAV particles are amplified in an infectious cycle in the presence of wtAAV. This results in a 10(3)-10(4)-fold amplification of rAAV input particles. rAAV-GFP particles generated by this method were used to transduce ovarian cancer cell lines to evaluate their potential in ovarian cancer gene therapy, in comparison to a rAd-GFP vector. The transduction efficiency of NIH-OVCAR3, MDAH 2774 and SKOV3 cells with rAAV-GFP particles was low (< 1%) and did not improve by increasing the number of particles/cell. Repeated administration and continued exposure of NIH-OVCAR3 and MDAH 2774 improved transduction to over 3%. In contrast, these cell lines were more efficiently transduced by rAAV-GFP in the presence of adenovirus (approximately 15%) and by rAd-GFP (> 50%). These results indicate that in contrast to rAd vectors, rAAV particles are not suitable for therapeutic gene transfer in ovarian cancer cells unless efficient help can be provided to mediate ss to ds DNA conversion.

Development and characterization of an antisense-mediated prepackaging cell line for adeno-associated virus vector production

One of the limitations of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector systems for gene therapy applications has been the difficulty in producing the vector in sufficient quantity for adequate evaluation. Since the AAV Rep proteins are cytotoxic, it is not easy to establish stable cell lines that express them constitutively. We describe a novel 293-derived prepackaging cell line which constitutively expresses the antisense rep/cap driven by a loxP-flanked CMV promoter. This cell line was converted into a packaging cell line expressing Rep/Cap for rAAV vector production through adenovirus-mediated introduction of a Cre recombinase gene. Without the introduction of the Cre recombinase gene, the cell line was shown to produce neither Rep nor Cap. rAAV vector was produced (1 x 10(9) genome copies/3.5-cm dish) 4 days after the transduction with Cre-expression adenovirus vector together with transfection of AAV vector plasmid. We further showed that the addition of Cap-expression adenovirus vector caused a 10-fold increase in the yield of rAAV vector. This system is also capable of producing rAAV as a transfection-free system by using a small amount of rAAV instead of vector plasmid.

An AAV-derived Apaf-1 dominant negative inhibitor prevents MPTP toxicity as antiapoptotic gene therapy for Parkinson's disease

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector delivery of an Apaf-1-dominant negative inhibitor was tested for its antiapoptotic effect on degenerating nigrostriatal neurons in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson's disease. The wild-type caspase recruitment domain of Apaf-1 was used as a dominant negative inhibitor of Apaf-1 (rAAV-Apaf-1-DN-EGFP). An AAV virus vector was used to deliver it into the striatum of C57 black mice, and the animals were treated with MPTP. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra was not changed on the rAAV-Apaf-1-DN-EGFP injected side compared with the noninjected side. We also examined the effect of a caspase 1 C285G mutant as a dominant negative inhibitor of caspase 1 (rAAV-caspase-1-DN-EGFP) in the same model. However, there was no difference in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons between the rAAV-caspase-1-DN-EGFP injected side and the noninjected side. These results indicate that delivery of Apaf-1-DN by using an AAV vector system can prevent nigrostriatal degeneration in MPTP mice, suggesting that it could be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with Parkinson's disease. The major mechanism of dopaminergic neuronal death triggered by MPTP seems to be the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.