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Liu Y, Kong J, Liu G, Li Z, Xiao Y. Precise Gene Knock-In Tools with Minimized Risk of DSBs: A Trend for Gene Manipulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2401797. [PMID: 38728624 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Gene knock-in refers to the insertion of exogenous functional genes into a target genome to achieve continuous expression. Currently, most knock-in tools are based on site-directed nucleases, which can induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) at the target, following which the designed donors carrying functional genes can be inserted via the endogenous gene repair pathway. The size of donor genes is limited by the characteristics of gene repair, and the DSBs induce risks like genotoxicity. New generation tools, such as prime editing, transposase, and integrase, can insert larger gene fragments while minimizing or eliminating the risk of DSBs, opening new avenues in the development of animal models and gene therapy. However, the elimination of off-target events and the production of delivery carriers with precise requirements remain challenging, restricting the application of the current knock-in treatments to mainly in vitro settings. Here, a comprehensive review of the knock-in tools that do not/minimally rely on DSBs and use other mechanisms is provided. Moreover, the challenges and recent advances of in vivo knock-in treatments in terms of the therapeutic process is discussed. Collectively, the new generation of DSBs-minimizing and large-fragment knock-in tools has revolutionized the field of gene editing, from basic research to clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Mudi Meng Honors College, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jianping Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Gongyu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhaoxing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing, 401135, China
| | - Yibei Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing, 401135, China
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2
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Xu F, Zheng C, Xu W, Zhang S, Liu S, Chen X, Yao K. Breaking genetic shackles: The advance of base editing in genetic disorder treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1364135. [PMID: 38510648 PMCID: PMC10953296 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1364135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid evolution of gene editing technology has markedly improved the outlook for treating genetic diseases. Base editing, recognized as an exceptionally precise genetic modification tool, is emerging as a focus in the realm of genetic disease therapy. We provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and delivery methods of cytosine base editors (CBE), adenine base editors (ABE), and RNA base editors, with a particular focus on their applications and recent research advances in the treatment of genetic diseases. We have also explored the potential challenges faced by base editing technology in treatment, including aspects such as targeting specificity, safety, and efficacy, and have enumerated a series of possible solutions to propel the clinical translation of base editing technology. In conclusion, this article not only underscores the present state of base editing technology but also envisions its tremendous potential in the future, providing a novel perspective on the treatment of genetic diseases. It underscores the vast potential of base editing technology in the realm of genetic medicine, providing support for the progression of gene medicine and the development of innovative approaches to genetic disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyan Zheng
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihui Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyao Zhang
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Chen
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Yao
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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3
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Padmaswari MH, Agrawal S, Jia MS, Ivy A, Maxenberger DA, Burcham LA, Nelson CE. Delivery challenges for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011307. [PMID: 36864908 PMCID: PMC9969352 DOI: 10.1063/5.0131452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked neuromuscular disorder that affects about one in every 5000 live male births. DMD is caused by mutations in the gene that codes for dystrophin, which is required for muscle membrane stabilization. The loss of functional dystrophin causes muscle degradation that leads to weakness, loss of ambulation, cardiac and respiratory complications, and eventually, premature death. Therapies to treat DMD have advanced in the past decade, with treatments in clinical trials and four exon-skipping drugs receiving conditional Food and Drug Administration approval. However, to date, no treatment has provided long-term correction. Gene editing has emerged as a promising approach to treating DMD. There is a wide range of tools, including meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and, most notably, RNA-guided enzymes from the bacterial adaptive immune system clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). Although challenges in using CRISPR for gene therapy in humans still abound, including safety and efficiency of delivery, the future for CRISPR gene editing for DMD is promising. This review will summarize the progress in CRISPR gene editing for DMD including key summaries of current approaches, delivery methodologies, and the challenges that gene editing still faces as well as prospective solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shilpi Agrawal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Mary S. Jia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Allie Ivy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Daniel A. Maxenberger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Landon A. Burcham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
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4
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Raguram A, Banskota S, Liu DR. Therapeutic in vivo delivery of gene editing agents. Cell 2022; 185:2806-2827. [PMID: 35798006 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In vivo gene editing therapies offer the potential to treat the root causes of many genetic diseases. Realizing the promise of therapeutic in vivo gene editing requires the ability to safely and efficiently deliver gene editing agents to relevant organs and tissues in vivo. Here, we review current delivery technologies that have been used to enable therapeutic in vivo gene editing, including viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and virus-like particles. Since no single delivery modality is likely to be appropriate for every possible application, we compare the benefits and drawbacks of each method and highlight opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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5
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Hokello J, Sharma AL, Tyagi M. An Update on the HIV DNA Vaccine Strategy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060605. [PMID: 34198789 PMCID: PMC8226902 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2020, the global prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was estimated to be 38 million, and a total of 690,000 people died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)–related complications. Notably, around 12.6 million people living with HIIV/AIDS did not have access to life-saving treatment. The advent of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the mid-1990s remarkably enhanced the life expectancy of people living with HIV/AIDS as a result of improved immune functions. However, HAART has several drawbacks, especially when it is not used properly, including a high risk for the development of drug resistance, as well as undesirable side effects such as lipodystrophy and endocrine dysfunctions, which result in HAART intolerability. HAART is also not curative. Furthermore, new HIV infections continue to occur globally at a high rate, with an estimated 1.7 million new infections occurring in 2018 alone. Therefore, there is still an urgent need for an affordable, effective, and readily available preventive vaccine against HIV/AIDS. Despite this urgent need, however, progress toward an effective HIV vaccine has been modest over the last four decades. Reasons for this slow progress are mainly associated with the unique aspects of HIV itself and its ability to rapidly mutate, targeting immune cells and escape host immune responses. Several approaches to an HIV vaccine have been undertaken. However, this review will mainly discuss progress made, including the pre-clinical and clinical trials involving vector-based HIV DNA vaccines and the use of integrating lentiviral vectors in HIV vaccine development. We concluded by recommending particularly the use of integrase-defective lentiviral vectors, owing to their safety profiles, as one of the promising vectors in HIV DNA vaccine strategies both for prophylactic and therapeutic HIV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hokello
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University-Western Campus, P.O. Box 71, Bushenyi 0256, Uganda;
| | | | - Mudit Tyagi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
- Correspondence:
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6
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Counsell JR, De Brabandere G, Karda R, Moore M, Greco A, Bray A, Diaz JA, Perocheau DP, Mock U, Waddington SN. Re-structuring lentiviral vectors to express genomic RNA via cap-dependent translation. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 20:357-365. [PMID: 33553484 PMCID: PMC7838728 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral (LV) vectors based on human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) package two copies of their single-stranded RNA into vector particles. Normally, this RNA genome is reverse transcribed into a double-stranded DNA provirus that integrates into the cell genome, providing permanent gene transfer and long-term expression. Integration-deficient LV vectors have been developed to reduce the frequency of genomic integration and thereby limit their persistence in dividing cells. Here, we describe optimization of a reverse-transcriptase-deficient LV vector, which enables direct translation of LV RNA genomes upon cell entry, for transient expression of vector payloads as mRNA without a DNA intermediate. We have engineered a novel LV genome arrangement in which HIV-1 sequences are removed from the 5' end, to enable ribosomal entry from the 5' 7-methylguanylate cap for efficient translation of the vector payload. We have shown that this LV-mediated mRNA delivery platform provides transient transgene expression in vitro and in vivo. This has a potential application in gene and cell therapy scenarios requiring temporary payload expression in cells and tissues that can be targeted with pseudotyped LV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Counsell
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Guillaume De Brabandere
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Rajvinder Karda
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, UK
| | - Marc Moore
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Antonio Greco
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alysha Bray
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK.,NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Juan Antinao Diaz
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, UK
| | - Dany P Perocheau
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, UK
| | - Ulrike Mock
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Simon N Waddington
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, UK.,MRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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7
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Luis A. The Old and the New: Prospects for Non-Integrating Lentiviral Vector Technology. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101103. [PMID: 33003492 PMCID: PMC7600637 DOI: 10.3390/v12101103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have been developed and used in multiple gene and cell therapy applications. One of their main advantages over other vectors is the ability to integrate the genetic material into the genome of the host. However, this can also be a disadvantage as it may lead to insertional mutagenesis. To address this, non-integrating lentiviral vectors (NILVs) were developed. To generate NILVs, it is possible to introduce mutations in the viral enzyme integrase and/or mutations on the viral DNA recognised by integrase (the attachment sites). NILVs are able to stably express transgenes from episomal DNA in non-dividing cells or transiently if the target cells divide. It has been shown that these vectors are able to transduce multiple cell types and tissues. These characteristics make NILVs ideal vectors to use in vaccination and immunotherapies, among other applications. They also open future prospects for NILVs as tools for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 components, a recent revolutionary technology now widely used for gene editing and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apolonia Luis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
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8
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Mammadzada P, Corredoira PM, André H. The role of hypoxia-inducible factors in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a gene therapy perspective. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:819-833. [PMID: 31893312 PMCID: PMC7058677 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03422-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that underlie age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has led to the identification of key molecules. Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) have been associated with choroidal neovascularization and the progression of AMD into the neovascular clinical phenotype (nAMD). HIFs regulate the expression of multiple growth factors and cytokines involved in angiogenesis and inflammation, hallmarks of nAMD. This knowledge has propelled the development of a new group of therapeutic strategies focused on gene therapy. The present review provides an update on current gene therapies in ocular angiogenesis, particularly nAMD, from both basic and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Mammadzada
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pablo M Corredoira
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helder André
- Division of Eye and Vision, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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9
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Sánchez-Hernández S, Gutierrez-Guerrero A, Martín-Guerra R, Cortijo-Gutierrez M, Tristán-Manzano M, Rodriguez-Perales S, Sanchez L, Garcia-Perez JL, Chato-Astrain J, Fernandez-Valades R, Carrillo-Galvez AB, Anderson P, Montes R, Real PJ, Martin F, Benabdellah K. The IS2 Element Improves Transcription Efficiency of Integration-Deficient Lentiviral Vector Episomes. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:16-28. [PMID: 30227274 PMCID: PMC6141704 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Integration-defective lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) have become an important alternative tool for gene therapy applications and basic research. Unfortunately, IDLVs show lower transgene expression as compared to their integrating counterparts. In this study, we aimed to improve the expression levels of IDLVs by inserting the IS2 element, which harbors SARs and HS4 sequences, into their LTRs (SE-IS2-IDLVs). Contrary to our expectations, the presence of the IS2 element did not abrogate epigenetic silencing by histone deacetylases. In addition, the IS2 element reduced episome levels in IDLV-transduced cells. Interestingly, despite these negative effects, SE-IS2-IDLVs outperformed SE-IDLVs in terms of percentage and expression levels of the transgene in several cell lines, including neurons, neuronal progenitor cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. We estimated that the IS2 element enhances the transcriptional activity of IDLV LTR circles 6- to 7-fold. The final effect the IS2 element in IDLVs will greatly depend on the target cell and the balance between the negative versus the positive effects of the IS2 element in each cell type. The better performance of SE-IS2-IDLVs was not due to improved stability or differences in the proportions of 1-LTR versus 2-LTR circles but probably to a re-positioning of IS2-episomes into transcriptionally active regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Sánchez-Hernández
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandra Gutierrez-Guerrero
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Martín-Guerra
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Marina Cortijo-Gutierrez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - María Tristán-Manzano
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Sandra Rodriguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Department, CNIO, Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sanchez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Garcia-Perez
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Jesus Chato-Astrain
- Department of Histology, Tissue Engineering Group, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ricardo Fernandez-Valades
- Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital "Virgen de las Nieves," Avda. Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Carrillo-Galvez
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Per Anderson
- LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain; Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rosa Montes
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro J Real
- Oncology Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncology, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Martin
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain.
| | - Karim Benabdellah
- Genomic Medicine Department, GENYO, Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, PTS Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; LentiStem Biotech, GENYO, Avda. de la Ilustración 114, 18016 PTS Granada, Spain.
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10
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Alhaji SY, Ngai SC, Abdullah S. Silencing of transgene expression in mammalian cells by DNA methylation and histone modifications in gene therapy perspective. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2018; 35:1-25. [PMID: 30514178 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1551594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation and histone modifications are vital in maintaining genomic stability and modulating cellular functions in mammalian cells. These two epigenetic modifications are the most common gene regulatory systems known to spatially control gene expression. Transgene silencing by these two mechanisms is a major challenge to achieving effective gene therapy for many genetic conditions. The implications of transgene silencing caused by epigenetic modifications have been extensively studied and reported in numerous gene delivery studies. This review highlights instances of transgene silencing by DNA methylation and histone modification with specific focus on the role of these two epigenetic effects on the repression of transgene expression in mammalian cells from integrative and non-integrative based gene delivery systems in the context of gene therapy. It also discusses the prospects of achieving an effective and sustained transgene expression for future gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleiman Yusuf Alhaji
- a Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia.,b Department of Human Anatomy , College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, ATBU , Bauchi , Nigeria
| | - Siew Ching Ngai
- c School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science , University of Nottingham Malaysia , Semenyih , Malaysia
| | - Syahril Abdullah
- a Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia.,d UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience , Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM , Serdang , Malaysia
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11
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Hamilton AM, Foster PJ, Ronald JA. Evaluating Nonintegrating Lentiviruses as Safe Vectors for Noninvasive Reporter-Based Molecular Imaging of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1213-1225. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Hamilton
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Paula J. Foster
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada
- Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - John A. Ronald
- Imaging Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada
- Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
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12
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Lu-Nguyen NB, Broadstock M, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ. Intrastriatal Delivery of Integration-Deficient Lentiviral Vectors in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1448:175-84. [PMID: 27317181 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3753-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Standard integration-proficient lentiviral vectors (IPLVs) are effective at much lower doses than other vector systems and have shown promise in several gene therapy approaches. Their main drawback is the potential risk of insertional mutagenesis. Novel biosafety-enhanced integration-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs) offer a significant improvement and comparable transduction efficacy to their integrating counterparts in some central nervous system applications. We describe here methods for (1) production of IDLVs (and IPLVs), (2) IDLV/IPLV delivery into the striatum of a rat model of Parkinson's disease, and (3) postmortem brain processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc B Lu-Nguyen
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Martin Broadstock
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.,Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
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13
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Athanasopoulos T, Munye MM, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ. Nonintegrating Gene Therapy Vectors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2017; 31:753-770. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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14
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Hagedorn C, Schnödt-Fuchs M, Boehme P, Abdelrazik H, Lipps HJ, Büning H. S/MAR Element Facilitates Episomal Long-Term Persistence of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Genomes in Proliferating Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1169-1179. [PMID: 28665147 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are one of the most frequently applied gene transfer systems in research and human clinical trials. Since AAV vectors do not possess an integrase activity, application is restricted to terminally differentiated tissues if transgene expression is required long term. To overcome this limitation and to generate AAV vectors that persist episomally in dividing cells, AAV vector genomes were equipped with a scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR). After a mild antibiotic selection, cells transduced with AAV-S/MAR established colonies that maintained long-term transgene expression (>50 population doublings) from replicating AAV vector episomes in the absence of further selection. Unexpectedly, with a lesser but still significant efficiency, the control vector (AAV-ΔS/MAR), a standard single-stranded AAV vector, also established stable transgene-expressing colonies, most of which were maintained as replicating episomes rather than integrated vector genomes. Thus, based on the result in HeLa cells, it is concluded that AAV vector genomes per se possess the ability to establish episomal maintenance in proliferating cells, a feature that can be enhanced by incorporation of a foreign genomic element such as an S/MAR element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Hagedorn
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Maria Schnödt-Fuchs
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,3 Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,4 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner sites Bonn-Cologne and Hannover-Braunschweig
| | - Philip Boehme
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany .,5 Institute of Virology and Microbiology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Heba Abdelrazik
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,6 Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hans J Lipps
- 1 Institute of Cell Biology, ZBAF, University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- 2 Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,3 Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne , Cologne, Germany .,4 German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) , partner sites Bonn-Cologne and Hannover-Braunschweig.,7 Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover, Germany
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15
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Stavrou EF, Lazaris VM, Giannakopoulos A, Papapetrou E, Spyridonidis A, Zoumbos NC, Gkountis A, Athanassiadou A. The β-globin Replicator greatly enhances the potential of S/MAR based episomal vectors for gene transfer into human haematopoietic progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40673. [PMID: 28106085 PMCID: PMC5247744 DOI: 10.1038/srep40673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific human chromosomal elements enhance the performance of episomal gene-transfer vectors. S/MAR-based episomal vector pEPI-eGFP transfects CD34+ haematopoietic cells, but only transiently. To address this issue we reinforced (1) transgene transcription by replacing the CMV promoter driving eGFP with the EF1/HTLV or SFFV promoters to produce vectors pEPI-EF1/HTLV and pEPI-SFFV, respectively; and (2) plasmid replication by inserting the replication-Initiation Region (IR) from the β-globin locus into vector pEPI-SFFV to produce vector pEP-IR. All vectors supported stable transfections in K562 cells. Transfections of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of healthy donors reached 30% efficiency. Upon evaluation of CD34+/eGFP+ cells in colony-forming cell (CFC) assays, vector pEP-IR showed superior performance after 14 days, by fluorescent microscopy: 100% eGFP+-colonies against 0% for pEPI-eGFP, 56.9% for pEPI-SFFV and 49.8% for pEPI-EF1/HTLV; 50% more plasmid copies per cell and 3-fold eGFP expression compared to the latter two constructs, by quantitative (q)PCR and RT-qPCR, respectively. Importantly, the establishment rate in CFC assays was 15% for pEP-IR against 5.5% for pEPI-SFFV and 5% for pEPI-EF1/HTLV. Vector pEP-IR shows extremely low delivery rate but supports eGFP expression in thalassaemic mouse haematopoietic progenitor cells. The IR is a novel human control element for improved episomal gene transfer into progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleana F. Stavrou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | | | | | - Eirini Papapetrou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Haematology Unit Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Nikolas C. Zoumbos
- Haematology Unit Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Antonis Gkountis
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Haematology Department-BMT Unit, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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16
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Combining Engineered Nucleases with Adeno-associated Viral Vectors for Therapeutic Gene Editing. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1016:29-42. [PMID: 29130152 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63904-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
With the recent advent of several generations of targeted DNA nucleases, most recently CRISPR/Cas9, genome editing has become broadly accessible across the biomedical community. Importantly, the capacity of these nucleases to modify specific genomic loci associated with human disease could render new classes of genetic disease, including autosomal dominant or even idiopathic disease, accessible to gene therapy. In parallel, the emergence of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a clinically important vector raises the possibility of integrating these two technologies towards the development of gene editing therapies. Though clear challenges exist, numerous proof-of-concept studies in preclinical models offer exciting promise for the future of gene therapy.
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17
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Le Heron A, Patterson S, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Dickson G. Chimeric Trojan Protein Insertion in Lentiviral Membranes Makes Lentiviruses Susceptible to Neutralization by Anti-Tetanus Serum Antibodies. Hum Gene Ther 2016; 28:242-254. [PMID: 27889981 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.126] [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: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the initial testing of a novel strategy for neutralization of lentiviruses using the fundamental biology of enveloped viruses' assembly and budding. In the field of gene therapy, viral vector surface proteins have been manipulated in order to redirect host cell specificity by alteration of pseudo-types. This study tested whether known viral pseudo-typing proteins or surface proteins known to be recruited to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope could be engineered to carry neutralizing epitopes from another microorganism onto the lentiviral surface. The results identify ICAM1 as a novel vehicle for lentiviral pseudo-typing. Importantly, the study shows that in a model lentiviral system, ICAM1 can be engineered in chimeric form to result in expression of a fragment of the tetanus toxoid on the viral membrane and that these viruses can then be neutralized by human serum antibodies protective against tetanus. This raises the possibility of delivering chimeric antigens as a gene therapy in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Le Heron
- 1 Centre of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London , Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Patterson
- 2 Department of Immunology, Imperial College London , London, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael J Yáñez-Muñoz
- 1 Centre of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London , Egham, United Kingdom
| | - George Dickson
- 1 Centre of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London , Egham, United Kingdom
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18
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Impact of Different Promoters on Episomal Vectors Harbouring Characteristic Motifs of Matrix Attachment Regions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26446. [PMID: 27226236 PMCID: PMC4881036 DOI: 10.1038/srep26446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that the characteristic sequence of matrix attachment regions (MARs) allows transgenes to be maintained episomally in CHO cells. In the present study, six commonly used promoters from human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early (CMV), simian vacuolating virus 40 (SV40), Rous sarcoma virus, Homo sapiens ubiquitin C, phosphoglycerate kinase, and β-globin, respectively, were evaluated to determine their effects on transgene expression and stability in CHO cells stably transfected via the episomal vector harbouring characteristic MAR motifs. The CHO cells were transfected with vectors and then screened using G418, after which the stably transfected cells were split into two and further cultured either in the presence or absence of G418. Of the six promoters, the CMV promoter yielded the highest transgene expression levels and the highest transfection efficiency, whereas the SV40 promoter maintained transgene expression more stably during long-term culture than the other promoters did. The CMV and SV40 promoter-containing vectors were furthermore episomally maintained and conferred sustained eGFP expression in the cells even under nonselective conditions. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the CMV promoter performs best in terms of yielding both high expression levels and high levels of stability using this episomal vector system.
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19
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Zhang C, Yao T, Zheng Y, Li Z, Zhang Q, Zhang L, Zhou D. Development of next generation adeno-associated viral vectors capable of selective tropism and efficient gene delivery. Biomaterials 2015; 80:134-145. [PMID: 26708090 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Virus-based nanoparticles have shown promise as vehicles for delivering therapeutic genes. However, the rational design of viral vectors that enable selective tropism towards particular types of cells and tissues remains challenging. Here, we explored structural-functional relationships of the adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) vector by expanding its genetic code during production. As a proof-of-principle, an azide moiety was strategically displayed on the vector capsid as a bioorthogonal chemical reporter. Upon bioorthogonal conjugation of AAV2 with fluorophores and cyclic arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid ligands at certain modifiable sites, we characterized in vitro and in vivo AAV2 movement and enhanced tropism selectivity towards integrin-expressing tumor cells. Targeting AAV2 vectors resulted in selective killing of U87 glioblastoma cells and derived xenografts via the herpes simplex virus suicide gene thymidine kinase, with the potency of ganciclovir being increased by 25-fold. Our results demonstrated successful rational modification of AAV2 as a targeting delivery vehicle, establishing a facile platform for precision engineering of virus-based nanoparticles in basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tianzhuo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yongxiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhongjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lihe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Demin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
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20
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Wei KY, Smolke CD. Engineering dynamic cell cycle control with synthetic small molecule-responsive RNA devices. J Biol Eng 2015; 9:21. [PMID: 26594238 PMCID: PMC4654890 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-015-0019-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The cell cycle plays a key role in human health and disease, including development and cancer. The ability to easily and reversibly control the mammalian cell cycle could mean improved cellular reprogramming, better tools for studying cancer, more efficient gene therapy, and improved heterologous protein production for medical or industrial applications. Results We engineered RNA-based control devices to provide specific and modular control of gene expression in response to exogenous inputs in living cells. Specifically, we identified key regulatory nodes that arrest U2-OS cells in the G0/1 or G2/M phases of the cycle. We then optimized the most promising key regulators and showed that, when these optimized regulators are placed under the control of a ribozyme switch, we can inducibly and reversibly arrest up to ~80 % of a cellular population in a chosen phase of the cell cycle. Characterization of the reliability of the final cell cycle controllers revealed that the G0/1 control device functions reproducibly over multiple experiments over several weeks. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first time synthetic RNA devices have been used to control the mammalian cell cycle. This RNA platform represents a general class of synthetic biology tools for modular, dynamic, and multi-output control over mammalian cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13036-015-0019-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Y Wei
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
| | - Christina D Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, 443 Via Ortega, MC 4245, Stanford, CA 94305 USA
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21
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Garanina EE, Mukhamedshina YO, Salafutdinov II, Kiyasov AP, Lima LM, Reis HJ, Palotás A, Islamov RR, Rizvanov AA. Construction of recombinant adenovirus containing picorna-viral 2A-peptide sequence for the co-expression of neuro-protective growth factors in human umbilical cord blood cells. Spinal Cord 2015; 54:423-30. [PMID: 26439843 DOI: 10.1038/sc.2015.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. OBJECTIVE Several neuro-degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are associated with genetic mutations, and replacing or disrupting defective sequences might offer therapeutic benefits. Single gene delivery has so far failed to achieve significant clinical improvements in humans, leading to the advent of co-expression of multiple therapeutic genes. Co-transfection using two or more individual constructs might inadvertently result in disproportionate delivery of the products into the cells. To prevent this, and in order to rule out interference among the many promoters with varying strength, expressing multiple proteins in equimolar amounts can be achieved by linking open reading frames under the control of only one promoter. SETTING Kazan, Russian Federation. METHODS Here we describe a strategy for adeno-viral co-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) interconnected through picorna-viral 2A-amino-acid sequence in transfected human umbilical cord blood mono-nuclear cells (hUCB-MCs). RESULTS Presence of both growth factors, as well as absence of immune response to 2A-antigen, was demonstrated after 28-52 days. Following injection of hUCB-MCs into ALS transgenic mice, co-expression of VEGF and FGF2, as well as viable xeno-transplanted cells, were observed in the spinal cord after 1 month. CONCLUSION These results suggest that recombinant adeno-virus containing 2A-sequences could serve as a promising alternative in regenerative medicine for the delivery of therapeutic molecules to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- E E Garanina
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation
| | | | | | - A P Kiyasov
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - L M Lima
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - H J Reis
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - A Palotás
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation.,Asklepios-Med (Private Medical Practice and Research Center), Szeged, Hungary
| | - R R Islamov
- Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russian Federation
| | - A A Rizvanov
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation
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22
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Retrovirus-based vectors for transient and permanent cell modification. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2015; 24:135-46. [PMID: 26433198 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Retroviral vectors are commonly employed for long-term transgene expression via integrating vector technology. However, three alternative retrovirus-based platforms are currently available that allow transient cell modification. Gene expression can be mediated from either episomal DNA or RNA templates, or selected proteins can be directly transferred through retroviral nanoparticles. The different technologies are functionally graded with respect to safety, expression magnitude and expression duration. Improvement of the initial technologies, including modification of vector designs, targeted increase in expression strength and duration as well as improved safety characteristics, has allowed maturation of retroviral systems into efficient and promising tools that meet the technological demands of a wide variety of potential application areas.
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23
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Zheng Y, Yu F, Wu Y, Si L, Xu H, Zhang C, Xia Q, Xiao S, Wang Q, He Q, Chen P, Wang J, Taira K, Zhang L, Zhou D. Broadening the versatility of lentiviral vectors as a tool in nucleic acid research via genetic code expansion. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:e73. [PMID: 25765642 PMCID: PMC4477642 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the aim of broadening the versatility of lentiviral vectors as a tool in nucleic acid research, we expanded the genetic code in the propagation of lentiviral vectors for site-specific incorporation of chemical moieties with unique properties. Through systematic exploration of the structure–function relationship of lentiviral VSVg envelope by site-specific mutagenesis and incorporation of residues displaying azide- and diazirine-moieties, the modifiable sites on the vector surface were identified, with most at the PH domain that neither affects the expression of envelope protein nor propagation or infectivity of the progeny virus. Furthermore, via the incorporation of such chemical moieties, a variety of fluorescence probes, ligands, PEG and other functional molecules are conjugated, orthogonally and stoichiometrically, to the lentiviral vector. Using this methodology, a facile platform is established that is useful for tracking virus movement, targeting gene delivery and detecting virus–host interactions. This study may provide a new direction for rational design of lentiviral vectors, with significant impact on both basic research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxiang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yiming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Longlong Si
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chuanling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Sulong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qiuchen He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Peng Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiangyun Wang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kazunari Taira
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lihe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Demin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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