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Zhong J, Xing X, Gao Y, Pei L, Lu C, Sun H, Lai Y, Du K, Xiao F, Yang Y, Wang X, Shi Y, Bai F, Zhang N. Distinct roles of TREM2 in central nervous system cancers and peripheral cancers. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:968-984.e9. [PMID: 38788719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBM) are incurable central nervous system (CNS) cancers characterized by substantial myeloid cell infiltration. Whether myeloid cell-directed therapeutic targets identified in peripheral non-CNS cancers are applicable to GBM requires further study. Here, we identify that the critical immunosuppressive target in peripheral cancers, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2), is immunoprotective in GBM. Genetic or pharmacological TREM2 deficiency promotes GBM progression in vivo. Single-cell and spatial sequencing reveals downregulated TREM2 in GBM-infiltrated myeloid cells. TREM2 negatively correlates with immunosuppressive myeloid and T cell exhaustion signatures in GBM. We further demonstrate that during GBM progression, CNS-enriched sphingolipids bind TREM2 on myeloid cells and elicit antitumor responses. Clinically, high TREM2 expression in myeloid cells correlates with better survival in GBM. Adeno-associated virus-mediated TREM2 overexpression impedes GBM progression and synergizes with anti-PD-1 therapy. Our results reveal distinct functions of TREM2 in CNS cancers and support organ-specific myeloid cell remodeling in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xudong Xing
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixin Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Lei Pei
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenfei Lu
- Department of Cell Biology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Antibody Techniques, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Huixin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yanxing Lai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Feizhe Xiao
- Department of Scientific Research Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centre, Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of the Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center and Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 400039, China
| | - Xiuxing Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Antibody Techniques, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Centre, Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of the Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center and Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 400039, China
| | - Fan Bai
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Hill SF, Yu W, Ziobro J, Chalasani S, Reger F, Meisler MH. Long-Term Downregulation of the Sodium Channel Gene Scn8a Is Therapeutic in Mouse Models of SCN8A Epilepsy. Ann Neurol 2024; 95:754-759. [PMID: 38113311 PMCID: PMC11170564 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE De novo mutations of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene SCN8A cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Most pathogenic variants result in gain-of-function changes in activity of the sodium channel Nav1.6, poorly controlled seizures, and significant comorbidities. In previous work, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) reduced Scn8a transcripts and increased lifespan after neonatal administration to a mouse model. Here, we tested long-term ASO treatment initiated after seizure onset, as required for clinical application. METHODS ASO treatment was initiated after observation of a convulsive seizure and repeated at 4 to 6 week intervals for 1 year. We also tested the long-term efficacy of an AAV10-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) virus administered on P1. RESULTS Repeated treatment with the Scn8a ASO initiated after seizure onset provided long-term survival and reduced seizure frequency during a 12 month observation period. A single treatment with viral shRNA was also protective during 12 months of observation. INTERPRETATION Downregulation of Scn8a expression that is initiated after the onset of seizures is effective for long-term treatment in a model of SCN8A-DEE. Repeated ASO administration or a single dose of viral shRNA prevented seizures and extended survival through 12 months of observation. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:754-759.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie F Hill
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Wenxi Yu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Julie Ziobro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Sanjna Chalasani
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Faith Reger
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Miriam H Meisler
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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3
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Smith MC, Belur LR, Karlen AD, Erlanson O, Furcich J, Lund TC, Seelig D, Kitto KF, Fairbanks CA, Kim KH, Buss N, McIvor RS. Comparative dose effectiveness of intravenous and intrathecal AAV9.CB7.hIDS, RGX-121, in mucopolysaccharidosis type II mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101201. [PMID: 38374962 PMCID: PMC10875268 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is an X-linked recessive lysosomal disease caused by iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) deficiency, leading to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the emergence of progressive disease. Enzyme replacement therapy is the only currently approved treatment, but it leaves neurological disease unaddressed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-directed administration of AAV9.CB7.hIDS (RGX-121) is an alternative treatment strategy, but it is unknown if this approach will affect both neurologic and systemic manifestations. We compared the effectiveness of intrathecal (i.t.) and intravenous (i.v.) routes of administration (ROAs) at a range of vector doses in a mouse model of MPS II. While lower doses were completely ineffective, a total dose of 1 × 109 gc resulted in appreciable IDS activity levels in plasma but not tissues. Total doses of 1 × 1010 and 1 × 1011 gc by either ROA resulted in supraphysiological plasma IDS activity, substantial IDS activity levels and GAG reduction in nearly all tissues, and normalized zygomatic arch diameter. In the brain, a dose of 1 × 1011 gc i.t. achieved the highest IDS activity levels and the greatest reduction in GAG content, and it prevented neurocognitive deficiency. We conclude that a dose of 1 × 1010 gc normalized metabolic and skeletal outcomes, while neurologic improvement required a dose of 1 × 1011 gc, thereby suggesting the prospect of a similar direct benefit in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles C. Smith
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lalitha R. Belur
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Andrea D. Karlen
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Olivia Erlanson
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Justin Furcich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Troy C. Lund
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Davis Seelig
- Comparative Pathology Shared Resource, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kelley F. Kitto
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Carolyn A. Fairbanks
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Nick Buss
- REGENXBIO Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - R. Scott McIvor
- Center for Genome Engineering, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Coller J, Ignatova Z. tRNA therapeutics for genetic diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:108-125. [PMID: 38049504 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00829-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) have a crucial role in protein synthesis, and in recent years, their therapeutic potential for the treatment of genetic diseases - primarily those associated with a mutation altering mRNA translation - has gained significant attention. Engineering tRNAs to readthrough nonsense mutation-associated premature termination of mRNA translation can restore protein synthesis and function. In addition, supplementation of natural tRNAs can counteract effects of missense mutations in proteins crucial for tRNA biogenesis and function in translation. This Review will present advances in the development of tRNA therapeutics with high activity and safety in vivo and discuss different formulation approaches for single or chronic treatment modalities. The field of tRNA therapeutics is still in its early stages, and a series of challenges related to tRNA efficacy and stability in vivo, delivery systems with tissue-specific tropism, and safe and efficient manufacturing need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Coller
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Zoya Ignatova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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5
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Coughlin GM, Borsos M, Appling N, Barcelona BH, Mayfield AMH, Mackey ED, Eser RA, Chen X, Kumar SR, Gradinaru V. Spatial genomics of AAVs reveals mechanism of transcriptional crosstalk that enables targeted delivery of large genetic cargo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.23.573214. [PMID: 38187707 PMCID: PMC10769433 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.23.573214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Integrating cell type-specific regulatory elements (e.g. enhancers) with recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) can provide broad and efficient genetic access to specific cell types. However, the packaging capacity of AAVs restricts the size of both the enhancers and the cargo that can be delivered. Transcriptional crosstalk offers a novel paradigm for cell type-specific expression of large cargo, by separating distally-acting regulatory elements into a second AAV genome. Here, we identify and profile transcriptional crosstalk in AAV genomes carrying 11 different enhancers active in mouse brain. To understand transcriptional crosstalk, we develop spatial genomics methods to identify and localize AAV genomes and their concatemeric forms in cultured cells and in tissue. Using these methods, we construct detailed views of the dynamics of AAV transduction and demonstrate that transcriptional crosstalk is dependent upon concatemer formation. Finally, we leverage transcriptional crosstalk to drive expression of a large Cas9 cargo in a cell type-specific manner with systemically-administered engineered AAVs and demonstrate AAV-delivered, minimally-invasive, cell type-specific gene editing in wildtype animals that recapitulates known disease phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard M. Coughlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Máté Borsos
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Nathan Appling
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Bre’Anna H. Barcelona
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Acacia M. H. Mayfield
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Elisha D. Mackey
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Rana A. Eser
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
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Meierrieks F, Kour A, Pätz M, Pflanz K, Wolff MW, Pickl A. Unveiling the secrets of adeno-associated virus: novel high-throughput approaches for the quantification of multiple serotypes. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101118. [PMID: 37822717 PMCID: PMC10562196 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are among the most prominent viral vectors for in vivo gene therapy, and their investigation and development using high-throughput techniques have gained increasing interest. However, sample throughput remains a bottleneck in most analytical assays. In this study, we compared commonly used analytical methods for AAV genome titer, capsid titer, and transducing titer determination with advanced methods using AAV2, AAV5, and AAV8 as representative examples. For the determination of genomic titers, we evaluated the suitability of qPCR and four different digital PCR methods and assessed the respective advantages and limitations of each method. We found that both ELISA and bio-layer interferometry provide comparable capsid titers, with bio-layer interferometry reducing the workload and having a 2.8-fold higher linear measurement range. Determination of the transducing titer demonstrated that live-cell analysis required less manual effort compared with flow cytometry. Both techniques had a similar linear range of detection, and no statistically significant differences in transducing titers were observed. This study demonstrated that the use of advanced analytical methods provides faster and more robust results while simultaneously increasing sample throughput and reducing active bench work time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Meierrieks
- Lab Essentials Applications Development, Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Brenner-Straße 20, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ahmad Kour
- Lab Essentials Applications Development, Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Brenner-Straße 20, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marvin Pätz
- Lab Essentials Applications Development, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, August-Spindler-Straße 11, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karl Pflanz
- Lab Essentials Applications Development, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, August-Spindler-Straße 11, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael W. Wolff
- Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (THM), 35390 Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Pickl
- Lab Essentials Applications Development, Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG, Otto-Brenner-Straße 20, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
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Ning K, Zhang X, Feng Z, Hao S, Kuz CA, Cheng F, Park SY, McFarlin S, Engelhardt JF, Yan Z, Qiu J. Inhibition of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit boosts rAAV transduction of polarized human airway epithelium. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101115. [PMID: 37841417 PMCID: PMC10568418 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus 2.5T (AAV2.5T) was selected from the directed evolution of AAV capsid library in human airway epithelia. This study found that recombinant AAV2.5T (rAAV2.5T) transduction of well-differentiated primary human airway epithelia induced a DNA damage response (DDR) characterized by the phosphorylation of replication protein A32 (RPA32), histone variant H2AX (H2A histone family member X), and all three phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases: ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase (ATR), and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). While suppressing the expression of ATR by a specific pharmacological inhibitor or targeted gene silencing inhibited rAAV2.5T transduction, DNA-PKcs inhibition or targeted gene silencing significantly increased rAAV2.5T transgene expression. Notably, DNA-PKcs inhibitors worked as a "booster" to further increase rAAV2.5T transgene expression after treatment with doxorubicin and did not compromise epithelial integrity. Thus, our study provides evidence that DDR is associated with rAAV transduction in well-differentiated human airway epithelia, and DNA-PKcs inhibition has the potential to boost rAAV transduction. These findings highlight that the application of DDR inhibition-associated pharmacological interventions has the potential to increase rAAV transduction and thus to reduce the required vector dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Ning
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Zehua Feng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Siyuan Hao
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Cagla Aksu Kuz
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Fang Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Soo Yuen Park
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shane McFarlin
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John F. Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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8
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Bigini F, Lee SH, Sun YJ, Sun Y, Mahajan VB. Unleashing the potential of CRISPR multiplexing: Harnessing Cas12 and Cas13 for precise gene modulation in eye diseases. Vision Res 2023; 213:108317. [PMID: 37722240 PMCID: PMC10685911 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy is a flourishing field with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic diseases. The emergence of CRISPR-Cas9 has significantly advanced targeted and efficient genome editing. Although CRISPR-Cas9 has demonstrated promising potential applications in various genetic disorders, it faces limitations in simultaneously targeting multiple genes. Novel CRISPR systems, such as Cas12 and Cas13, have been developed to overcome these challenges, enabling multiplexing and providing unique advantages. Cas13, in particular, targets mRNA instead of genomic DNA, permitting precise gene expression control and mitigating off-target effects. This review investigates the potential of Cas12 and Cas13 in ocular gene therapy applications, such as suppression of inflammation and cell death. In addition, the capabilities of Cas12 and Cas13 are explored in addressing potential targets related with disease mechanisms such as aberrant isoforms, mitochondrial genes, cis-regulatory sequences, modifier genes, and long non-coding RNAs. Anatomical accessibility and relative immune privilege of the eye provide an ideal organ system for evaluating these novel techniques' efficacy and safety. By targeting multiple genes concurrently, CRISPR-Cas12 and Cas13 systems hold promise for treating a range of ocular disorders, including glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, and age-related macular degeneration. Nonetheless, additional refinement is required to ascertain the safety and efficacy of these approaches in ocular disease treatments. Thus, the development of Cas12 and Cas13 systems marks a significant advancement in gene therapy, offering the potential to devise effective treatments for ocular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bigini
- Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Soo Hyeon Lee
- Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Young Joo Sun
- Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Yang Sun
- Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Vinit B Mahajan
- Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
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9
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Wu D, Zhao X, Jimenez DA, Piszczek G. Size Exclusion Chromatography-Mass Photometry: A New Method for Adeno-Associated Virus Product Characterization. Cells 2023; 12:2264. [PMID: 37759487 PMCID: PMC10528216 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have attained significant prominence in gene therapy and genome editing applications, necessitating the development of robust and precise methodologies to ensure the quality and purity of AAV products. Existing AAV characterization techniques have proven effective for the analysis of pure and homogeneous AAV samples. However, there is still a demand for a rapid and low-sample-consumption method suitable for the characterization of lower purity or heterogeneous AAV samples commonly encountered in AAV products. Addressing this challenge, we propose the SEC-MP method, which combines size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with mass photometry (MP). In this novel approach, SEC effectively separates monomeric AAV particles from impurities, while the UV detector determines the virus particle concentration. MP complements this process by estimating the fraction of fully packaged AAVs in the total population of AAV particles. This combined methodology enables accurate determination of the titer of effective, fully packaged AAVs in samples containing aggregates, incorrectly packaged AAVs with incomplete genomes, protein or DNA fragments, and other impurities. Our experimental results demonstrate that SEC-MP provides valuable guidance for sample quality control and subsequent applications in the field of AAV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Xiaonan Zhao
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (D.A.J.)
| | - Diego Antonio Jimenez
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (D.A.J.)
| | - Grzegorz Piszczek
- Biophysics Core Facility, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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10
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Umaña JD, Wasserman SR, Song L, Goel AA, Yu X, Jin J, Hathaway NA. Chemical Epigenetic Regulation of Adeno-Associated Virus Delivered Transgenes. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:947-957. [PMID: 37624737 PMCID: PMC10517330 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a powerful gene therapy vector that has been used in several FDA-approved therapies as well as in multiple clinical trials. This vector has high therapeutic versatility with the ability to deliver genetic payloads to a variety of human tissue types, yet there is currently a lack of transgene expression control once the virus is administered. There are also times when transgene expression is too low for the desired therapeutic outcome, necessitating high viral dose administration resulting in possible immunological complications. Herein, we validate a chemically controllable AAV transgene expression technology in vitro that utilizes bifunctional molecules known as chemical epigenetic modifiers (CEMs). These compounds employ endogenous epigenetic machinery to specifically enhance transgene expression of episomal DNA. A recombinant AAV (rAAV) was designed to both deliver the reporter transgene as well as deliver a synthetic zinc finger (ZFs) protein fused to FK506 binding protein (FKBP). These synthetic ZFs target a DNA-binding array sequence upstream of the promoter expressing the AAV transgene to specifically enhance AAV transgene expression in the presence of a CEM. The transcriptional activating compound CEM87 functions by recruiting the epigenetic transcription activator bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), increasing AAV transgene activity up to fivefold in a dose-dependent manner in HEK293T cells. The highest levels of transgene product activity are seen 24 h following CEM87 treatment. Additionally, the CEM87-mediated enhancement of different transgene products with either Luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP) was observed in multiple cell lines and enhancement of transgene expression was capsid serotype independent. The impact of CEM87 activity can be disrupted through drug removal or chemical recruitment site competition with FK506, thus demonstrating the reversibility of the impact of CEM87 on transgene expression. Collectively, this chemically controllable rAAV transgene technology provides temporal gene expression control that could increase the safety and efficiency of AAV-based research and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Umaña
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sara R. Wasserman
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Arushi A. Goel
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nathaniel A. Hathaway
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Xiao L, Yang X, Sharma VK, Abebe D, Loh YP. Hippocampal delivery of neurotrophic factor-α1/carboxypeptidase E gene prevents neurodegeneration, amyloidosis, memory loss in Alzheimer's Disease male mice. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3332-3342. [PMID: 37369719 PMCID: PMC10618095 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ1-42 aggregation and cognitive dysfunction. Therapeutic agents directed at mitigating tau aggregation and clearing Aβ1-42, and delivery of growth factor genes (BDNF, FGF2), have ameliorated cognitive deficits, but these approaches did not prevent or stop AD progression. Here we report that viral-(AAV) delivery of Neurotrophic Factor-α1/Carboxypeptidase E (NF-α1/CPE) gene in hippocampus at an early age prevented later development of cognitive deficits as assessed by Morris water maze and novel object recognition assays, neurodegeneration, and tau hyperphosphorylation in male 3xTg-AD mice. Additionally, amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced to near non-AD levels, and insoluble Aβ1-42 was reduced significantly. Pro-survival proteins: mitochondrial Bcl2 and Serpina3g were increased; and mitophagy inhibitor Plin4 and pro-inflammatory protein Card14 were decreased in AAV-NF-α1/CPE treated versus untreated AD mice. Thus NF-α1/CPE gene therapy targets many regulatory components to prevent cognitive deficits in 3xTg-AD mice and has implications as a new therapy to prevent AD progression by promoting cell survival, inhibiting APP overexpression and tau hyperphosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xiao
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Xuyu Yang
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Vinay Kumar Sharma
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Abebe
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA
| | - Y Peng Loh
- Section on Cellular Neurobiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, 20892, USA.
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12
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Chandra S, Long BR, Fonck C, Melton AC, Arens J, Woloszynek J, O'Neill CA. Safety Findings of Dosing Gene Therapy Vectors in NHP With Pre-existing or Treatment-Emergent Anti-capsid Antibodies. Toxicol Pathol 2023; 51:246-256. [PMID: 37921115 DOI: 10.1177/01926233231202995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Replication-incompetent adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors are nonpathogenic viral particles used to deliver therapeutic genes to treat multiple monogenic disorders. AAVs can elicit immune responses; thus, one challenge in AAV-based gene therapy is the presence of neutralizing antibodies against vector capsids that may prevent transduction of target cells or elicit adverse findings. We present safety findings from two 12-week studies in nonhuman primates (NHPs) with pre-existing or treatment-emergent antibodies. In the first study, NHPs with varying levels of naturally acquired anti-AAV5 antibodies were dosed with an AAV5-based vector encoding human factor VIII (hFVIII). In the second study, NHPs with no pre-existing anti-AAV antibodies were dosed with an AAV5-based vector carrying the beta subunit of choriogonadotropic hormone (bCG); this led to the induction of high-titer antibodies against the AAV5 capsid. Four weeks later, the same NHPs received an equivalent dose of an AAV5-based vector carrying human factor IX (hFIX). In both of these studies, the administration of vectors carrying hFVIII, bCG, and hFIX was well-tolerated in NHPs with no adverse clinical pathology or microscopic findings. These two studies demonstrate the safety of AAV-based vector administration in NHPs with either low-titer pre-existing anti-AAV5 antibodies or re-administration, even in the presence of high-titer antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundeep Chandra
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
- Sana Biotechnology, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brian R Long
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | - Carlos Fonck
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
- Astellas Gene Therapies, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Jeremy Arens
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
| | - Jill Woloszynek
- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, California, USA
- Astellas Gene Therapies, San Francisco, California, USA
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13
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Zhou Y, Wang Y. Direct deamidation analysis of intact adeno-associated virus serotype 9 capsid proteins using reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Anal Biochem 2023; 668:115099. [PMID: 36871622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have taken center stage as gene delivery vehicles for gene therapy. Asparagine deamidation of AAV capsid proteins has been reported to reduce vector stability and potency of AAV gene therapy products. Deamidation of asparagine residue is a common post-translational modification of proteins that is detected and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based peptide mapping. However, artificial deamidation can be spontaneously induced during sample preparation for peptide mapping prior to LC-MS analysis. We have developed an optimized sample preparation method to reduce and minimize deamidation artifacts induced during sample preparation for peptide mapping, which typically takes several hours to complete. To shorten turnaround time of deamidation results and to avoid artificial deamidation, we developed orthogonal RPLC-MS and RPLC-fluorescence detection methods for direct deamidation analysis at the intact AAV9 capsid protein level to routinely support downstream purification, formulation development, and stability testing. Similar trends of increasing deamidation of AAV9 capsid proteins in stability samples were observed at the intact protein level and peptide level, indicating that the developed direct deamidation analysis of intact AAV9 capsid proteins is comparable to the peptide mapping-based deamidation analysis and both methods are suitable for deamidation monitoring of AAV9 capsid proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Analytical Development & Operation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, 10210 Campus Point Drive, SanDiego, CA92121, USA.
| | - Yueju Wang
- Analytical Development & Operation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, 10210 Campus Point Drive, SanDiego, CA92121, USA
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14
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Ohba K, Sehara Y, Enoki T, Mineno J, Ozawa K, Mizukami H. Adeno-associated virus vector system controlling capsid expression improves viral quantity and quality. iScience 2023; 26:106487. [PMID: 37096037 PMCID: PMC10122016 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are promising tools for gene therapy. The current AAV vector system produces an abundance of empty capsids that are eliminated before clinical use, leading to increased costs for gene therapy. In the present study, we established an AAV production system that regulates the timing of capsid expression using a tetracycline-dependent promoter. Tetracycline-regulating capsid expression increased viral yield and reduced empty capsids in various serotypes without altering AAV vector infectivity in vitro and in vivo. The replicase expression pattern change observed in the developed AAV vector system improved viral quantity and quality, whereas timing control of capsid expression reduced empty capsids. These findings provide a new perspective on the development of AAV vector production systems in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Ohba
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
- Corresponding author
| | - Yoshihide Sehara
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Tatsuji Enoki
- CDM Center, TAKARA Bio Inc., Kusatsu, Shiga 525-0058, Japan
| | - Junichi Mineno
- CDM Center, TAKARA Bio Inc., Kusatsu, Shiga 525-0058, Japan
| | - Keiya Ozawa
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
- Department of Immuno-Gene & Cell Therapy (Takara Bio), Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
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15
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Asaad W, Volos P, Maksimov D, Khavina E, Deviatkin A, Mityaeva O, Volchkov P. AAV genome modification for efficient AAV production. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15071. [PMID: 37095911 PMCID: PMC10121408 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most potent vectors in gene therapy. The experimental profile of this vector shows its efficiency and accepted safety, which explains its increased usage by scientists for the research and treatment of a wide range of diseases. These studies require using functional, pure, and high titers of vector particles. In fact, the current knowledge of AAV structure and genome helps improve the scalable production of AAV vectors. In this review, we summarize the latest studies on the optimization of scalable AAV production through modifying the AAV genome or biological processes inside the cell.
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16
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Yan N, Feng H, Sun Y, Xin Y, Zhang H, Lu H, Zheng J, He C, Zuo Z, Yuan T, Li N, Xie L, Wei W, Sun Y, Zuo E. Cytosine base editors induce off-target mutations and adverse phenotypic effects in transgenic mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1784. [PMID: 36997536 PMCID: PMC10063651 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37508-7] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Base editors have been reported to induce off-target mutations in cultured cells, mouse embryos and rice, but their long-term effects in vivo remain unknown. Here, we develop a Systematic evaluation Approach For gene Editing tools by Transgenic mIce (SAFETI), and evaluate the off-target effects of BE3, high fidelity version of CBE (YE1-BE3-FNLS) and ABE (ABE7.10F148A) in ~400 transgenic mice over 15 months. Whole-genome sequence analysis reveals BE3 expression generated de novo mutations in the offspring of transgenic mice. RNA-seq analysis reveals both BE3 and YE1-BE3-FNLS induce transcriptome-wide SNVs, and the numbers of RNA SNVs are positively correlated with CBE expression levels across various tissues. By contrast, ABE7.10F148A shows no detectable off-target DNA or RNA SNVs. Notably, we observe abnormal phenotypes including obesity and developmental delay in mice with permanent genomic BE3 overexpression during long-time monitoring, elucidating a potentially overlooked aspect of side effects of BE3 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Yan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hu Feng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongsen Sun
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Xin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haihang Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongjiang Lu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jitan Zheng
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Chenfei He
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenrui Zuo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tanglong Yuan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nana Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Lab of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Xie
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wu Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yidi Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Erwei Zuo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
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Caulfield ME, Vander Werp MJ, Stancati JA, Collier TJ, Sortwell CE, Sandoval IM, Manfredsson FP, Steece-Collier K. Downregulation of striatal CaV1.3 inhibits the escalation of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in male and female parkinsonian rats of advanced age. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106111. [PMID: 37001610 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past 25 years, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) has nearly doubled. Age remains the primary risk factor for PD and as the global aging population increases this trend is predicted to continue. Even when treated with levodopa, the gold standard dopamine (DA) replacement therapy, individuals with PD frequently develop therapeutic side effects. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), a common side effect of long-term levodopa use, represents a significant unmet clinical need in the treatment of PD. Previously, in young adult (3-month-old) male parkinsonian rats, we demonstrated that the silencing of CaV1.3 (Cacan1d) L-type voltage-gated calcium channels via striatal delivery of rAAV-CaV1.3-shRNA provides uniform protection against the induction of LID, and significant reduction of established severe LID. With the goal of more closely replicating a clinical demographic, the current study examined the effects of CaV1.3-targeted gene therapy on LID escalation in male and female parkinsonian rats of advanced age (18-month-old at study completion). We tested the hypothesis that silencing aberrant CaV1.3 channel activity in the parkinsonian striatum would prevent moderate to severe dyskinesia with levodopa dose escalation. To test this hypothesis, 15-month-old male and female F344 rats were rendered unilaterally parkinsonian and primed with low-dose (3-4 mg/kg) levodopa. Following the establishment of stable, mild dyskinesias, rats received an intrastriatal injection of either the Cacna1d-specific rAAV-CaV1.3-shRNA vector (CAV-shRNA), or the scramble control rAAV-SCR-shRNA vector (SCR-shRNA). Daily (M-Fr) low-dose levodopa was maintained for 4 weeks during the vector transduction and gene silencing window followed by escalation to 6 mg/kg, then to 12 mg/kg levodopa. SCR-shRNA-shRNA rats showed stable LID expression with low-dose levodopa and the predicted escalation of LID severity with increased levodopa doses. Conversely, complex behavioral responses were observed in aged rats receiving CAV-shRNA, with approximately half of the male and female subjects-therapeutic 'Responders'-demonstrating protection against LID escalation, while the remaining half-therapeutic 'Non-Responders'-showed LID escalation similar to SCR-shRNA rats. Post-mortem histological analyses revealed individual variability in the detection of Cacna1d regulation in the DA-depleted striatum of aged rats. However, taken together, male and female therapeutic 'Responder' rats receiving CAV-shRNA had significantly less striatal Cacna1d in their vector-injected striatum relative to contralateral striatum than those with SCR-shRNA. The current data suggest that mRNA-level silencing of striatal CaV1.3 channels maintains potency in a clinically relevant in vivo scenario by preventing dose-dependent dyskinesia escalation in rats of advanced age. As compared to the uniform response previously reported in young male rats, there was notable variability between individual aged rats, particularly females, in the current study. Future investigations are needed to derive the sex-specific and age-related mechanisms which underlie variable responses to gene therapy and to elucidate factors which determine the therapeutic efficacy of treatment for PD.
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Ertl HCJ. Mitigating Serious Adverse Events in Gene Therapy with AAV Vectors: Vector Dose and Immunosuppression. Drugs 2023; 83:287-298. [PMID: 36715794 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gene transfer with high doses of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has resulted in serious adverse events and even death of the recipients. Toxicity could most likely be circumvented by repeated injections of lower and less toxic doses of vectors. This has not been pursued as AAV vectors induce potent neutralizing antibodies, which prevent cell transduction upon reinjection of the same vector. This review discusses different types of immune responses against AAV vectors and how they offer targets for the elimination or inhibition of vector-specific neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies can be circumvented by using different virus serotypes for sequential injections, they can be removed by plasmapheresis, or they can be destroyed by enzymatic degradation. Antibody producing cells can be eliminated by proteasome inhibitors. Drugs that inhibit T-cell responses, B-cell signaling, or presentation of the vector's antigens to B cells can prevent or reduce induction of AAV-specific antibodies. Combinations of different approaches and drugs are likely needed to suppress or eliminate neutralizing antibodies, which would then allow for repeated dosing. Alternatively, novel AAV vectors with higher transduction efficacy are being developed and may allow for a dose reduction, although it remains unknown if this will completely address the problem of high-dose adverse events.
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Meierrieks F, Pickl A, Wolff MW. A robust and efficient alluvial filtration method for the clarification of adeno-associated viruses from crude cell lysates. J Biotechnol 2023; 367:31-41. [PMID: 36997072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) based vectors have recently been gaining importance as DNA delivery systems. Efficient downstream processing of AAV remains a major challenge as serotypes differ in physicochemical properties, making it difficult to design uniform purification processes. Clarification of AAV is an especially critical step. Harvesting of AAV, like other viruses, often requires cell lysis, resulting in a difficult-to-filter cell lysate. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a filter aid for clarification of AAV crude cell lysates. DE filtration proved to be a viable clarification method for AAV2, AAV5 and AAV8. Based on a design of experiment approach, the DE concentration was identified as the main factor influencing AAV particle loss. The loss of AAV during DE filtration was limited to <2% by maintaining the DE quantity below 0.181mg DE/1010 AAV. Use of DE reduced manual handling time 3-fold and increased the filter capacity 3.5-fold compared to filtration combined with a prior centrifugation step. Moreover, we showed that the DE type had only a minor influence on the filtration performance. This study demonstrated that filtration with DE as a filter aid is an efficient clarification method for different AAV serotypes.
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Shah J, Kim H, Sivamurthy K, Monahan PE, Fries M. Comprehensive analysis and prediction of long-term durability of factor IX activity following etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy in the treatment of hemophilia B. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:227-237. [PMID: 36285399 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2133492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Congenital hemophilia B is a rare bleeding disorder caused by defects in the gene encoding factor IX (FIX) leading to coagulation deficiency. Recurrent bleeds may cause chronic pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Phase 2 b and 3 single-arm, open-label, single-dose trials assessing etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia B have demonstrated sustained FIX activity levels over observed periods, but long-term durability of the treatment effect has not been established. Using statistical modeling, we estimate long-term durability of FIX activity levels after receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec. METHODS Participants from Phase 2 b (N = 3; NCT03489291) and 3 studies (N = 52; NCT03569891) were included. Two participants who did not respond to treatment were excluded. FIX activity was assessed by one-stage activated partial thromboplastin time assay. FIX activity levels at Month 6 post-treatment were considered baseline. Bayesian and Frequentist linear mixed models predicted FIX activity levels up to 25.5 years at an individual and population level with pre-treatment adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5) neutralizing antibody (NAb) status as primary covariate. RESULTS Bayesian and Frequentist linear mixed models predicted no more than 6/55 (10.91%) observed participants would have FIX activity levels <2% up to 25.5 years post-infusion. Bayesian model-based predictions of future participants suggest >80% would be free from prophylactic FIX replacement products 25.5 years post-infusion. Both models predicted FIX activity levels were not significantly influenced by pre-treatment AAV5 NAb status. CONCLUSIONS People with hemophilia B receiving etranacogene dezaparvovec would likely achieve durable FIX activity levels and remain free of prophylactic FIX replacement products for up to 25.5 years following single administration. The long-term factor IX durability predictions are based on statistical methods and results in vivo may differ.
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21
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Cross-Species Permissivity: Structure of a Goat Adeno-Associated Virus and Its Complex with the Human Receptor AAVR. J Virol 2022; 96:e0148422. [PMID: 36453885 PMCID: PMC9769368 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01484-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a small ssDNA satellite virus of high interest (in recombinant form) as a safe and effective gene therapy vector. AAV's human cell entry receptor (AAVR) contains polycystic kidney disease (PKD) domains bound by AAV. Seeking understanding of the spectrum of interactions, goat AAVGo.1 is investigated, because its host is the species most distant from human with reciprocal cross-species cell susceptibility. The structure of AAVGo.1, solved by cryo-EM to 2.9 Å resolution, is most similar to AAV5. Through ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) studies, it is shown that AAVGo.1 binds to human AAVR more strongly than do AAV2 or AAV5, and that it joins AAV5 in a class that binds exclusively to PKD domain 1 (PKD1), in contrast to other AAVs that interact primarily with PKD2. The AAVGo.1 cryo-EM structure of a complex with a PKD12 fragment of AAVR at 2.4 Å resolution shows PKD1 bound with minimal change in virus structure. There are only minor conformational adaptations in AAVR, but there is a near-rigid rotation of PKD1 with maximal displacement of the receptor domain by ~1 Å compared to PKD1 bound to AAV5. AAVGo.1 joins AAV5 as the second member of an emerging class of AAVs whose mode of receptor-binding is completely different from other AAVs, typified by AAV2. IMPORTANCE Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a small ssDNA satellite parvovirus. As a recombinant vector with a protein shell encapsidating a transgene, recombinant AAV (rAAV) is a leading delivery vehicle for gene therapy, with two FDA-approved treatments and 150 clinical trials for 30 diseases. The human entry receptor AAVR has five PKD domains. To date, all serotypes, except AAV5, have interacted primarily with the second PKD domain, PKD2. Goat is the AAV host most distant from human with cross-species cell infectivity. AAVGo.1 is similar in structure to AAV5, the two forming a class with a distinct mode of receptor-binding. Within the two classes, binding interactions are mostly conserved, giving an indication of the latitude available in modulating delivery vectors.
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Yoshioka W, Nishino I, Noguchi S. Recent advances in establishing a cure for GNE myopathy. Curr Opin Neurol 2022; 35:629-636. [PMID: 35959526 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW GNE myopathy is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic variants in the GNE gene, which encodes an enzyme involved in sialic acid biosynthesis. No drugs are approved for the treatment of GNE myopathy. Following proof-of-concept of sialic acid supplementation efficacy in mouse models, multiple clinical trials have been conducted. Here, we review clinical trials of sialic acid supplementation therapies and provide new insights into the additional clinical features of GNE myopathy. RECENT FINDINGS Clinical trials of sialic acid supplementation have been conducted in Europe, the USA, Japan, and South Korea. Some clinical trials of NeuAc-extended release tablets demonstrated amelioration of decline in upper extremity muscle strength; however, no significant improvement was observed in phase 3 trials in Europe and USA. A phase 2 trial of ManNAc showed slowed decline of both upper and lower extremity strength. GNE myopathy patient registries have been established in Europe and Japan, and have provided information on extramuscular manifestations such as thrombocytopenia, respiratory dysfunction, and sleep apnea syndrome. Sensitive and reliable biomarkers, and a disease-specific functional activity scale, have also been investigated. SUMMARY We discuss recent advances in establishing a GNE myopathy cure, and discuss other prospective therapeutic options, including gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakako Yoshioka
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira
- Department of Clinical Genome Analysis, Medical Genome Center, NCNP, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira
- Department of Clinical Genome Analysis, Medical Genome Center, NCNP, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Noguchi
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira
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23
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Stolte B, Schreiber-Katz O, Günther R, Wurster C, Petri S, Osmanovic A, Freigang M, Uzelac Z, Leo M, von Velsen O, Bayer W, Dittmer U, Kleinschnitz C, Hagenacker T. Prevalence of Anti-AAV9 Antibodies in Adult Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:968-976. [PMID: 35943879 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that leads to progressive muscle atrophy and weakness. The disease is caused by a homozygous deletion or mutation in the survival of motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1), resulting in insufficient levels of SMN protein. Onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (OA) is a non-replicating vector based on adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) that contains the full-length human SMN1 gene. Recently, OA was approved for the treatment of SMA by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Since the presence of neutralizing antibodies caused by previous natural exposure to wild-type AAVs may impair the efficiency of AAV-mediated gene transfer, and thus reduce the therapeutic benefit of the gene therapy, an AAV9-binding antibody titer of >1:50 was defined as a surrogate exclusion criterion in pivotal OA clinical trials. However, these studies were exclusively conducted in infants and children. Since data on anti-AAV9 antibody titers in adults are generally sparse and not available for adult patients with SMA, we determined the prevalence of anti-AAV9 antibodies in sera of adult individuals with SMA to evaluate the feasibility of AAV9-mediated gene therapy in this cohort. In our study population of 69 adult patients with SMA type 2 and type 3 from four German academic sites, only three patients (4.3%) had an elevated anti-AAV9 antibody titer of >1:50. The prevalence of anti-AAV9 antibodies did not increase with age. The low and age-independent prevalence of anti-AAV9 antibodies in our cohort provides evidence that gene therapy with intravenous administered recombinant AAV9 vectors (rAAV9) might be feasible in adult patients with SMA, regardless of the patients' sex, SMA type, walking ability, or ventilatory status. This could also apply to the treatment of other inherited neurological diseases with rAAV9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Stolte
- University Medicine Essen, Dep of Neurology, Essen, Germany;
| | | | - René Günther
- Dresden University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany;
| | - Claudia Wurster
- RKU, Department of Neurology, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany;
| | - Susanne Petri
- MHH, Department of Neurology, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany;
| | - Alma Osmanovic
- University Medicine Essen, 8Essen Center for Rare Diseases (EZSE), Essen, Germany.,MHH, Department of Neurology, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany;
| | - Maren Freigang
- Dresden University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany;
| | - Zeljko Uzelac
- RKU, Department of Neurology, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany;
| | - Markus Leo
- University Medicine Essen, Dep of Neurology, Essen, Germany;
| | - Otgonzul von Velsen
- University Medicine Essen, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Essen, Germany;
| | - Wibke Bayer
- University Medicine Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany;
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- University Medicine Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany;
| | | | - Tim Hagenacker
- University Medicine Essen, Dep of Neurology, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, Germany, 45127;
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24
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Hanaford AR, Cho YJ, Nakai H. AAV-vector based gene therapy for mitochondrial disease: progress and future perspectives. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:217. [PMID: 35668433 PMCID: PMC9169410 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of rare, heterogeneous diseases caused by gene mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes that result in defects in mitochondrial function. They are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality as they affect multiple organ systems and particularly those with high energy-utilizing tissues, such as the nervous system, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle. Virtually no effective treatments exist for these patients, despite the urgent need. As the majority of these conditions are monogenic and caused by mutations in nuclear genes, gene replacement is a highly attractive therapeutic strategy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a well-characterized gene replacement vector, and its safety profile and ability to transduce quiescent cells nominates it as a potential gene therapy vehicle for several mitochondrial diseases. Indeed, AAV vector-based gene replacement is currently being explored in clinical trials for one mitochondrial disease (Leber hereditary optic neuropathy) and preclinical studies have been published investigating this strategy in other mitochondrial diseases. This review summarizes the preclinical findings of AAV vector-based gene replacement therapy for mitochondrial diseases including Leigh syndrome, Barth syndrome, ethylmalonic encephalopathy, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R Hanaford
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Reserach Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
- Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Yoon-Jae Cho
- Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Nakai
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
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25
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Xiao W, Samulski RJ. Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Production, the Beginning of the End of Uncertainty. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:355-357. [PMID: 35442070 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.29207.wxi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Xiao
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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26
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Antisense and Gene Therapy Options for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Arising from Mutations in the N-Terminal Hotspot. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020257. [PMID: 35205302 PMCID: PMC8872079 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal genetic disease affecting children that is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding for dystrophin. In the absence of functional dystrophin, patients experience progressive muscle deterioration, leaving them wheelchair-bound by age 12 and with few patients surviving beyond their third decade of life as the disease advances and causes cardiac and respiratory difficulties. In recent years, an increasing number of antisense and gene therapies have been studied for the treatment of muscular dystrophy; however, few of these therapies focus on treating mutations arising in the N-terminal encoding region of the dystrophin gene. This review summarizes the current state of development of N-terminal antisense and gene therapies for DMD, mainly focusing on exon-skipping therapy for duplications and deletions, as well as microdystrophin therapy.
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27
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Wade M, Fausther-Bovendo H, De La Vega MA, Kobinger G. In vivo generation of collagen specific Tregs with AAV8 suppresses autoimmune responses and arthritis in DBA1 mice through IL10 production. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18204. [PMID: 34521922 PMCID: PMC8440515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97739-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Available therapeutics for autoimmune disorders focused on mitigating symptoms, rather than treating the cause of the disorder. A novel approach using adeno-associated virus (AAV) could restore tolerance to the autoimmune targets and provide a permanent treatment for autoimmune diseases. Here, we evaluated the ability of collagen II T-cell epitopes packaged in adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV-8) vectors to reduce pathogenic cellular and humoral responses against collagen and to mitigate the disease in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. The cytokines and immune cells involved in the immune suppression were also investigated. Mice treated with AAV-8 containing collagen II T-cell epitopes demonstrated a significant reduction in the arthritis symptoms, pathogenic collagen specific antibody and T cell responses. The AAV-8 mediated immune suppression was mediated by increased interleukin-10 expression and regulatory T cells expansion. Altogether, this study strengthens the notion that AAV vectors are promising candidates for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wade
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc-Antoine De La Vega
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gary Kobinger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada. .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School 27 of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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28
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Song L, Samulski RJ, Hirsch ML. Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Mobilization, Risk Versus Reality. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:1054-1067. [PMID: 32829671 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector mobilization is a largely theoretical process in which intact AAV vectors spread or "mobilize" from transduced cells and infect additional cells within, or external of, the initial host. This process can be helper virus-independent (vector alone) or helper virus-dependent (de novo rAAV production facilitated by superinfection of both wild-type AAV [wtAAV] and Adenovirus 5 [Ad] helper virus). Herein, rAAV production and mobilization with and without wtAAV were analyzed following plasmid transfection or viral transduction utilizing well-established in vitro conditions and analytical measurements. During in vitro production, wtAAV produced the highest titer with rAAV-luc (4.1 kb), rAAV-IDUA (3.7 kb), and rAAV-Nano-dysferlin (4.9 kb) generating 2.5-, 5.9-, or 10.7-fold lower amounts, respectively. Surprisingly, cotransfection of a wtAAV and an rAAV plasmid resulted in a uniform decrease in production of wtAAV in all instances with a concomitant increase of rAAV such that wtAAV:rAAV titers were at a ratio of 1:1 for all constructs investigated. These results were shown to be independent of the rAAV transgenic sequence, size, transgene, or promoter choice and point to novel aspects of wtAAV complementation that enhance current vector production systems yet to be defined. In a mobilization assay, a sizeable amount of rAAV recovered from infected 293 cell lysate remained intact and competent for a secondary round of infection (termed Ad-independent mobilization). In rAAV-infected cells coinfected with Ad and wtAAV, rAAV particle production was increased >50-fold compared with no Ad conditions. In addition, Ad-dependent rAAV vectors mobilized and resulted in >1,000-fold transduction upon a subsequent second-round infection, highlighting the reality of these theoretical safety concerns that can be manifested under various conditions. Overall, these studies document and signify the need for mobilization-resistant vectors and the opportunity to derive better vector production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew L Hirsch
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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29
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Han JP, Song DW, Lee JH, Lee GS, Yeom SC. Novel Severe Hemophilia A Mouse Model with Factor VIII Intron 22 Inversion. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10080704. [PMID: 34439937 PMCID: PMC8389204 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Recently, innovative gene therapy has been developing toward functional restoration by gain of function or gene correction. Hemophilia is a representative genetic disorder with many human patients and is considered a candidate disease for gene therapy. The most frequent severe hemophilia A is caused by inversion mediated structural variation of the human F8 gene. Nevertheless, a mouse model with F8 intron 22 inversion is not developed yet. This study presents a novel hemophilia A mouse model with 319 kb inversion and severe coagulation disorder and could be utilized in future gene correction preclinical trials. Abstract Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive blood coagulation disorder, and approximately 50% of severe HA patients are caused by F8 intron 22 inversion (F8I22I). However, the F8I22I mouse model has not been developed despite being a necessary model to challenge pre-clinical study. A mouse model similar to human F8I22I was developed through consequent inversion by CRISPR/Cas9-based dual double-stranded breakage (DSB) formation, and clinical symptoms of severe hemophilia were confirmed. The F8I22I mouse showed inversion of a 391 kb segment and truncation of mRNA transcription at the F8 gene. Furthermore, the F8I22I mouse showed a deficiency of FVIII activity (10.9 vs. 0 ng/mL in WT and F8I22I, p < 0.0001) and severe coagulation disorder phenotype in the activated partial thromboplastin time (38 vs. 480 s, p < 0.0001), in vivo bleeding test (blood loss/body weight; 0.4 vs. 2.1%, p < 0.0001), and calibrated automated thrombogram assays (Thrombin generation peak, 183 vs. 21.5 nM, p = 0.0012). Moreover, histological changes related to spontaneous bleeding were observed in the liver, spleen, and lungs. We present a novel HA mouse model mimicking human F8I22I. With a structural similarity with human F8I22I, the F8I22I mouse model will be applicable to the evaluation of general hemophilia drugs and the development of gene-editing-based therapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Pil Han
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green BioScience and Technology, Seoul National University, 1447 Pyeongchang-ro, Daehwa, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea; (J.P.H.); (J.H.L.); (G.S.L.)
| | | | - Jeong Hyeon Lee
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green BioScience and Technology, Seoul National University, 1447 Pyeongchang-ro, Daehwa, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea; (J.P.H.); (J.H.L.); (G.S.L.)
| | - Geon Seong Lee
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green BioScience and Technology, Seoul National University, 1447 Pyeongchang-ro, Daehwa, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea; (J.P.H.); (J.H.L.); (G.S.L.)
| | - Su Cheong Yeom
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green BioScience and Technology, Seoul National University, 1447 Pyeongchang-ro, Daehwa, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea; (J.P.H.); (J.H.L.); (G.S.L.)
- WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Gwanank-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-339-5750
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30
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Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Gene Delivery: Dissecting Molecular Interactions upon Cell Entry. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071336. [PMID: 34372542 PMCID: PMC8310307 DOI: 10.3390/v13071336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gene therapy has advanced from twentieth-century conception to twenty-first-century reality. The recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) is a major gene therapy vector. Research continues to improve rAAV safety and efficacy using a variety of AAV capsid modification strategies. Significant factors influencing rAAV transduction efficiency include neutralizing antibodies, attachment factor interactions and receptor binding. Advances in understanding the molecular interactions during rAAV cell entry combined with improved capsid modulation strategies will help guide the design and engineering of safer and more efficient rAAV gene therapy vectors.
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31
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Koniali L, Lederer CW, Kleanthous M. Therapy Development by Genome Editing of Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1492. [PMID: 34198536 PMCID: PMC8231983 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accessibility of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for the manipulation and repopulation of the blood and immune systems has placed them at the forefront of cell and gene therapy development. Recent advances in genome-editing tools, in particular for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) and CRISPR/Cas-derived editing systems, have transformed the gene therapy landscape. Their versatility and the ability to edit genomic sequences and facilitate gene disruption, correction or insertion, have broadened the spectrum of potential gene therapy targets and accelerated the development of potential curative therapies for many rare diseases treatable by transplantation or modification of HSCs. Ongoing developments seek to address efficiency and precision of HSC modification, tolerability of treatment and the distribution and affordability of corresponding therapies. Here, we give an overview of recent progress in the field of HSC genome editing as treatment for inherited disorders and summarize the most significant findings from corresponding preclinical and clinical studies. With emphasis on HSC-based therapies, we also discuss technical hurdles that need to be overcome en route to clinical translation of genome editing and indicate advances that may facilitate routine application beyond the most common disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Koniali
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
| | - Carsten W. Lederer
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
| | - Marina Kleanthous
- Department of Molecular Genetics Thalassemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (L.K.); (M.K.)
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
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32
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Meng Y, Sun D, Qin Y, Dong X, Luo G, Liu Y. Cell-penetrating peptides enhance the transduction of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 in the central nervous system. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:28-41. [PMID: 33768127 PMCID: PMC7960505 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) have been widely used in the gene therapy field for decades. However, because of the challenge of effectively delivering rAAV vectors through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), their applications for treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases are quite limited. In this study, we found that several cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can significantly enhance the in vitro transduction efficiency of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9), a promising AAV vector for treatment of CNS diseases, the best of which was the LAH4 peptide. The enhancement of AAV9 transduction by LAH4 relied on binding of the AAV9 capsid to the peptide. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the LAH4 peptide increased the AAV9 transduction in the CNS in vitro and in vivo after systemic administration. Taken together, our results suggest that CPP peptides can interact directly with AAV9 and increase the ability of this AAV vector to cross the BBB, which further induces higher expression of target genes in the brain. Our study will help to improve the applications of AAV gene delivery vectors for the treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Dong Sun
- Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yiyan Qin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Xiaoyi Dong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Guangzuo Luo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
- Corresponding author: Guangzuo Luo, Institute of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
- Corresponding author: Ying Liu, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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33
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Stepankova K, Jendelova P, Machova Urdzikova L. Planet of the AAVs: The Spinal Cord Injury Episode. Biomedicines 2021; 9:613. [PMID: 34071245 PMCID: PMC8228984 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical and life-disrupting condition with devastating consequences for the physical, social, and professional welfare of patients, and there is no adequate treatment for it. At the same time, gene therapy has been studied as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering remedial genes to the central nervous system (CNS), of which the spinal cord is a part. For gene therapy, multiple vectors have been introduced, including integrating lentiviral vectors and non-integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV vectors are a promising system for transgene delivery into the CNS due to their safety profile as well as long-term gene expression. Gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors shows potential for treating SCI by delivering certain genetic information to specific cell types. This review has focused on a potential treatment of SCI by gene therapy using AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Stepankova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Machova Urdzikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
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34
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Tissue and cell-type-specific transduction using rAAV vectors in lung diseases. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:1057-1071. [PMID: 34021360 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02086-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy of genetically determined diseases, including some pathologies of the respiratory system, requires an efficient method for transgene delivery. Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are well studied and employed in gene therapy, as they are relatively simple and low immunogenic and able to efficiently transduce eukaryotic cells. To date, many natural and artificial (with modified capsids) AAV serotypes have been isolated, demonstrating preferential tropism toward different tissues and cells in accordance with the prevalent receptors on the cell surface. However, rAAV-mediated delivery is not strictly specific due to wide tropism of some viral serotypes. Thus, the development of the methods allowing modulating specificity of these vectors could be beneficial in some cases. This review describes various approaches for retargeting rAAV to respiratory cells, for example, using different types of capsid modifications and regulation of a transgene expression by tissue-specific promoters. Part of the review is devoted to the issues of transduction of stem and progenitor lung cells using AAV, which is a complicated task today.
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35
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Pavlou M, Schön C, Occelli LM, Rossi A, Meumann N, Boyd RF, Bartoe JT, Siedlecki J, Gerhardt MJ, Babutzka S, Bogedein J, Wagner JE, Priglinger SG, Biel M, Petersen‐Jones SM, Büning H, Michalakis S. Novel AAV capsids for intravitreal gene therapy of photoreceptor disorders. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13392. [PMID: 33616280 PMCID: PMC8033523 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors to treat blinding retinal dystrophies has become clinical reality. Therapeutically impactful targeting of photoreceptors still relies on subretinal vector delivery, which detaches the retina and harbours substantial risks of collateral damage, often without achieving widespread photoreceptor transduction. Herein, we report the development of novel engineered rAAV vectors that enable efficient targeting of photoreceptors via less invasive intravitreal administration. A unique in vivo selection procedure was performed, where an AAV2-based peptide-display library was intravenously administered in mice, followed by isolation of vector DNA from target cells after only 24 h. This stringent selection yielded novel vectors, termed AAV2.GL and AAV2.NN, which mediate widespread and high-level retinal transduction after intravitreal injection in mice, dogs and non-human primates. Importantly, both vectors efficiently transduce photoreceptors in human retinal explant cultures. As proof-of-concept, intravitreal Cnga3 delivery using AAV2.GL lead to cone-specific expression of Cnga3 protein and rescued photopic cone responses in the Cnga3-/- mouse model of achromatopsia. These novel rAAV vectors expand the clinical applicability of gene therapy for blinding human retinal dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pavlou
- Department of OphthalmologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Christian Schön
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Laurence M Occelli
- Department of Small Animal Clinical SciencesMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Axel Rossi
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene TransferInstitute of Experimental HaematologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Nadja Meumann
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene TransferInstitute of Experimental HaematologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
- REBIRTH Research Centre for Translational Regenerative MedicineHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Ryan F Boyd
- Ophthalmology ServicesCharles River LaboratoriesMattawanMIUSA
| | - Joshua T Bartoe
- Ophthalmology ServicesCharles River LaboratoriesMattawanMIUSA
| | - Jakob Siedlecki
- Department of OphthalmologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | | | - Sabrina Babutzka
- Department of OphthalmologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Jacqueline Bogedein
- Department of OphthalmologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Johanna E Wagner
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | | | - Martin Biel
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
| | | | - Hildegard Büning
- Laboratory for Infection Biology and Gene TransferInstitute of Experimental HaematologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
- REBIRTH Research Centre for Translational Regenerative MedicineHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- Department of OphthalmologyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
- Centre for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) at the Department of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversityMunichGermany
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Ntetsika T, Papathoma PE, Markaki I. Novel targeted therapies for Parkinson's disease. Mol Med 2021; 27:17. [PMID: 33632120 PMCID: PMC7905684 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second more common neurodegenerative disease with increasing incidence worldwide associated to the population ageing. Despite increasing awareness and significant research advancements, treatment options comprise dopamine repleting, symptomatic therapies that have significantly increased quality of life and life expectancy, but no therapies that halt or reverse disease progression, which remain a great, unmet goal in PD research. Large biomarker development programs are undertaken to identify disease signatures that will improve patient selection and outcome measures in clinical trials. In this review, we summarize PD-related mechanisms that can serve as targets of therapeutic interventions aiming to slow or modify disease progression, as well as previous and ongoing clinical trials in each field, and discuss future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Ntetsika
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center of Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Solnavägen 1E, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paraskevi-Evita Papathoma
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Danderyd Hospital Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Markaki
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Center of Neurology, Academic Specialist Center, Solnavägen 1E, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Huang L, Wan J, Wu Y, Tian Y, Yao Y, Yao S, Ji X, Wang S, Su Z, Xu H. Challenges in adeno-associated virus-based treatment of central nervous system diseases through systemic injection. Life Sci 2021; 270:119142. [PMID: 33524419 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, an excellent gene therapy vector, has been widely used in the treatment of various central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), early attempts at AAV-based CNS diseases treatment were mainly performed through intracranial injections. Subsequently, systemic injections of AAV9, the first AAV that was shown to have BBB-crossing ability in newborn and adult mice, were assessed in clinical trials for multiple CNS diseases. However, the development of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases is still associated with many challenges, such as the efficiency of AAV in crossing the BBB, the peripheral toxicity caused by the expression of AAV-delivered genes, and the immune barrier against AAV in the blood. In this review, we will introduce the biology of the AAV vector and the advantages of systemic AAV injections to treat CNS diseases. Most importantly, we will introduce the challenges associated with systemic injection of therapeutic AAV in treating CNS diseases and suggest feasible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Huang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jie Wan
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yinqiu Wu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yizheng Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ji
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Zhaoliang Su
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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Xu X, Chen W, Zhu W, Chen J, Ma B, Ding J, Wang Z, Li Y, Wang Y, Zhang X. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy for glioblastoma. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:76. [PMID: 33499886 PMCID: PMC7836184 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant Grade IV primary craniocerebral tumor caused by glial cell carcinogenesis with an extremely poor median survival of 12–18 months. The current standard treatments for GBM, including surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, fail to substantially prolong survival outcomes. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy has recently attracted considerable interest because of its relatively low cytotoxicity, poor immunogenicity, broad tissue tropism, and long-term stable transgene expression. Furthermore, a range of gene therapy trials using AAV as vehicles are being investigated to thwart deadly GBM in mice models. At present, AAV is delivered to the brain by local injection, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, or systematic injection to treat experimental GBM mice model. In this review, we summarized the experimental trials of AAV-based gene therapy as GBM treatment and compared the advantages and disadvantages of different AAV injection approaches. We systematically introduced the prospect of the systematic injection of AAV as an approach for AAV-based gene therapy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wenli Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pituitary Tumor Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222006, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Ma
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianxia Ding
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zaichuan Wang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China
| | - Yifei Li
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China
| | - Yeming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225600, China. .,Department of Oncology, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Yangzhou, 225600, Jiangsu, China.
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Sia KC, Fu ZY, Calne RY, Nathwani AC, Lee KO, Gan SU. Modification of a Constitutive to Glucose-Responsive Liver-Specific Promoter Resulted in Increased Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 8-Insulin Gene Therapy of Diabetic Mice. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112474. [PMID: 33202992 PMCID: PMC7696068 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously used a hepatotropic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector with a modified human insulin gene to treat diabetic mice. The HLP (hybrid liver-specific promoter) used was constitutively active and non-responsive to glucose. In this study, we examined the effects of addition of glucose responsive elements (R3G) and incorporation of a 3' albumin enhancer (3'iALB) on insulin expression. In comparison with the original promoter, glucose responsiveness was only observed in the modified promoters in vitro with a 36 h lag time before the peak expression. A 50% decrease in the number of viral particles at 5 × 109 vector genome (vg)/mouse was required by AAV8-R3GHLP-hINSco to reduce the blood sugar level to near normoglycemia when compared to the original AAV8-HLP-hINSco that needed 1 × 1010 vg/mouse. The further inclusion of an 860 base-pairs 3'iALB enhancer component in the 3' untranslated region increased the in vitro gene expression significantly but this increase was not observed when the packaged virus was systemically injected in vivo. The addition of R3G to the HLP promoter in the AAV8-human insulin vector increased the insulin expression and secretion, thereby lowering the required dosage for basal insulin treatment. This in turn reduces the risk of liver toxicity and cost of vector production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Chuan Sia
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore; (K.C.S.); (Z.Y.F.); (R.Y.C.)
| | - Zhen Ying Fu
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore; (K.C.S.); (Z.Y.F.); (R.Y.C.)
| | - Roy Y. Calne
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore; (K.C.S.); (Z.Y.F.); (R.Y.C.)
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Amit C. Nathwani
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK;
| | - Kok Onn Lee
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Shu Uin Gan
- Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore; (K.C.S.); (Z.Y.F.); (R.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +65-6601-2465
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Yilmaz BS, Gurung S, Perocheau D, Counsell J, Baruteau J. Gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases. JOURNAL OF MOTHER AND CHILD 2020; 24:53-64. [PMID: 33554501 PMCID: PMC8518100 DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20202402si.2004.000009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, gene therapy has been successfully translated to many rare diseases. The number of clinical trials is rapidly expanding and some gene therapy products have now received market authorisation in the western world. Inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) are orphan diseases frequently associated with a severe debilitating phenotype with limited therapeutic perspective. Gene therapy is progressively becoming a disease-changing therapeutic option for these patients. In this review, we aim to summarise the development of this emerging field detailing the main gene therapy strategies, routes of administration, viral and non-viral vectors and gene editing tools. We discuss the respective advantages and pitfalls of these gene therapy strategies and review their application in IMD, providing examples of clinical trials with lentiviral or adeno-associated viral gene therapy vectors in rare diseases. The rapid development of the field and implementation of gene therapy as a realistic therapeutic option for various IMD in a short term also require a good knowledge and understanding of these technologies from physicians to counsel the patients at best.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna Seker Yilmaz
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Sonam Gurung
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dany Perocheau
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Counsell
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research, Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Julien Baruteau
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Metabolic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research, Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
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Shematorova EK, Shpakovski GV. Current Insights in Elucidation of Possible Molecular Mechanisms of the Juvenile Form of Batten Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218055. [PMID: 33137890 PMCID: PMC7663513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) collectively constitute one of the most common forms of inherited childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. They form a heterogeneous group of incurable lysosomal storage diseases that lead to blindness, motor deterioration, epilepsy, and dementia. Traditionally the NCL diseases were classified according to the age of disease onset (infantile, late-infantile, juvenile, and adult forms), with at least 13 different NCL varieties having been described at present. The current review focuses on classic juvenile NCL (JNCL) or the so-called Batten (Batten-Spielmeyer-Vogt; Spielmeyer-Sjogren) disease, which represents the most common and the most studied form of NCL, and is caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene located on human chromosome 16. Most JNCL patients carry the same 1.02-kb deletion in this gene, encoding an unusual transmembrane protein, CLN3, or battenin. Accordingly, the names CLN3-related neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis or CLN3-disease sometimes have been used for this malady. Despite excessive in vitro and in vivo studies, the precise functions of the CLN3 protein and the JNCL disease mechanisms remain elusive and are the main subject of this review. Although the CLN3 gene is highly conserved in evolution of all mammalian species, detailed analysis of recent genomic and transcriptomic data indicates the presence of human-specific features of its expression, which are also under discussion. The main recorded to date changes in cell metabolism, to some extent contributing to the emergence and progression of JNCL disease, and human-specific molecular features of CLN3 gene expression are summarized and critically discussed with an emphasis on the possible molecular mechanisms of the malady appearance and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena K. Shematorova
- Laboratory of Mechanisms of Gene Expression, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, 1, Academika Kurchatova pl., 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - George V. Shpakovski
- Laboratory of Mechanisms of Gene Expression, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, 1, Academika Kurchatova pl., 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-(495)-330-4953; Fax: +7-(495)-335-7103
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胡 双, 杨 丽. [Expression pattern of different serotypes of adeno-associated viral vectors in mouse retina]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2020; 52:845-850. [PMID: 33047717 PMCID: PMC7653430 DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167x.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression efficiency of exogenous gene mediated by different serotypes of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in retina, and to compare the expression efficiency of AAV vector and two kinds of promoters commonly used in ophthalmology after transfection into mouse retina, so as to provide the basis for selecting appropriate AAV vector and promoter for gene therapy of retinitis pigmentosa. METHODS AAV2/2, AAV2/5, AAV2/8 and AAV2/9 were prepared. The C57BL/6J mice were injected subretinally with 1 μL purified AAV vectors (1.00×1013 mg/L). Then the mice were killed 2 or 4 weeks after treatment, and the eyes were enucleated for frozen section. The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was observed under the confocal microscope. Two kinds of promoters, CMV and CAG, were selectd, and the expression of AAV2/8-GFP-CMV and AAV2/8-GFP-CAG was observed under confocal microscope. RESULTS No bacterial infection or immune response were seen in the injected mice. 2 weeks after injection, the GFP green fluorescence of AAV2/8 and AAV2/9 in the mouse retina was obvious, which indicated that the GFP green fluorescence of AAV2/8 and AAV2/9 was high after transfection into the mouse retina. In these two serotypes, GFP green fluorescence of AAV2/8 was mainly concentrated in photoreceptor cells while AAV2/8 was expressed in the whole retina, indicating that AAV2/8 was more specific to photoreceptors. Further experiments on AAV2/8 showed that the GFP green fluorescence of the mouse retina was obvious 4 weeks after injection, indicating that the exogenous gene mediated by AAV2/8 could be stably expressed in vivo. For CMV and CAG promoters, CMV promoter was expressed stronger in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)cells, while CAG promoter was stronger in photorecepters. In photorecepters, CAG promoter was expressed almost the same as CMV promoter, while CMV promoter was stronger in RPE cells. CONCLUSION AAV vectors could express transgene robustly in retinal cells; Among several AAV serotypes, AAV2/2 and AAV2/5 showed weaker GFP fluorescence than AAV2/8 and AAV2/9. AAV2/9 showed expression in each layer of the retina including ganglion cells. AAV2/8 was more specific for photoreceptor; CAG promoters had higher specificity for photoreceptors than CMV promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- 双 胡
- />北京大学第三医院眼科,北京 100191Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - 丽萍 杨
- />北京大学第三医院眼科,北京 100191Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Journey to the Center of the Cell: Tracing the Path of AAV Transduction. Trends Mol Med 2020; 27:172-184. [PMID: 33071047 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
As adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies are being increasingly approved for use in humans, it is important that we understand vector-host interactions in detail. With the advances in genome-wide genetic screening tools, a clear picture of AAV-host interactions is beginning to emerge. Understanding these interactions can provide insights into the viral life cycle. Accordingly, novel strategies to circumvent the current limitations of AAV-based vectors may be explored. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the various stages in the journey of the vector from the cell surface to the nucleus and contextualize the roles of recently identified host factors.
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Arruda VR, Doshi BS. Gene Therapy for Hemophilia: Facts and Quandaries in the 21st Century. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2020; 12:e2020069. [PMID: 32952980 PMCID: PMC7485465 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2020.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy for hemophilia has evolved in the last 40 years from plasma-based concentrates to recombinant proteins and, more recently, to non-factor therapeutics. Along this same timeline, research in adeno-associated viral (AAV) based gene therapy vectors has provided the framework for early phase clinical trials initially for hemophilia B (HB) and now for hemophilia A. Successive lessons learned from early HB trials have paved the way for current advanced phase trials. Nevertheless, questions linger regarding 1) the optimal balance of vector dose to transgene expression, 2) amount and durability of transgene expression required, and 3) long-term safety. Some trials have demonstrated unique findings not seen previously regarding transient elevation of liver enzymes, immunogenicity of the vector capsid, and loss of transgene expression. This review will provide an update on the clinical AAV gene therapy trials in hemophilia and address the questions above. A thoughtful and rationally approached expansion of gene therapy to the clinics would certainly be a welcome addition to the arsenal of options for hemophilia therapy. Further, the global impact of gene therapy could be vastly improved by expanding eligibility to different patient populations and to developing nations. With the advances made to date, it is possible to envision a shift from the early goal of simply increasing life expectancy to a significant improvement in quality of life by reduction in spontaneous bleeding episodes and disease complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valder R. Arruda
- Divsion of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Bhavya S. Doshi
- Divsion of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA USA
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Bastola P, Song L, Gilger BC, Hirsch ML. Adeno-Associated Virus Mediated Gene Therapy for Corneal Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12080767. [PMID: 32823625 PMCID: PMC7464341 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12080767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, corneal diseases are the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide accounting for 5.1% of all ocular deficiencies. Current therapies for corneal diseases, which include eye drops, oral medications, corrective surgeries, and corneal transplantation are largely inadequate, have undesirable side effects including blindness, and can require life-long applications. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated gene therapy is an optimistic strategy that involves the delivery of genetic material to target human diseases through gene augmentation, gene deletion, and/or gene editing. With two therapies already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and 200 ongoing clinical trials, recombinant AAV (rAAV) has emerged as the in vivo viral vector-of-choice to deliver genetic material to target human diseases. Likewise, the relative ease of applications through targeted delivery and its compartmental nature makes the cornea an enticing tissue for AAV mediated gene therapy applications. This current review seeks to summarize the development of AAV gene therapy, highlight preclinical efficacy studies, and discuss potential applications and challenges of this technology for targeting corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhakar Bastola
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Liujiang Song
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Brian C. Gilger
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (P.B.); (L.S.); (B.C.G.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-966-0696
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Yang C, Tian W, Ma S, Guo M, Lin X, Gao F, Dong X, Gao M, Wang Y, Liu G, Xian X. AAV-Mediated ApoC2 Gene Therapy: Reversal of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia and Rescue of Neonatal Death in ApoC2-Deficient Hamsters. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:692-701. [PMID: 32802915 PMCID: PMC7424175 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein C2 (ApoC2) is a key activator of lipoprotein lipase for plasma triglyceride metabolism. ApoC2-deficient patients present with severe hypertriglyceridemia and recurrent acute pancreatitis, for whom the only effective treatment is the infusion of normal plasma containing ApoC2. However, since ApoC2 has a fast catabolic rate, a repeated infusion is required, which limits its clinical use. To explore a safe and efficient approach for ApoC2 deficiency, we herein established an adeno-associated virus expressing human ApoC2 (AAV-hApoC2) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gene therapy in ApoC2-deficient hypertriglyceridemic hamsters. Administration of AAV-hApoC2 via jugular or orbital vein in adult and neonatal ApoC2-deficient hamsters, respectively, could prevent the neonatal death and effectively improve severe hypertriglyceridemia of ApoC2-deficient hamsters without side effects in a long-term manner. Our novel findings in the present study demonstrate that AAV-hApoC2-mediated gene therapy will be a promising therapeutic approach for clinical patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia caused by ApoC2 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenhong Tian
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Sisi Ma
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Mengmeng Guo
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fengying Gao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dong
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Mingming Gao
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism, Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Yuhui Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - George Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xunde Xian
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Konkle BA, Recht M, Hilger A, Marks P. The critical need for postmarketing surveillance in gene therapy for haemophilia. Haemophilia 2020; 27 Suppl 3:126-131. [PMID: 32495492 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The goal of gene therapy for haemophilia is to alter the clinical phenotype to a milder form or even cure, by increasing endogenous coagulation factor levels through transfer of a functional gene encoding the respective deficient coagulation factor and subsequent transgene expression. Over the past decade, there has been tremendous progress in gene therapy, particularly in use of liver-directed adeno-associated viral vectors, such that several programmes for both haemophilia A and B are in phase 3 trials. With regulatory approval of the first gene therapy product expected as early as mid-2020, there is an urgent need for a mechanism to collect long-term data on safety and variability and durability of efficacy. There will be elements required by regulators for postmarketing surveillance and additional data needed to enhance our understanding of gene therapy outcomes and their impact on the lives of people with haemophilia. AIM The aim of this manuscript was to describe efforts underway by the American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network and the World Federation of Hemophilia to collect long-term harmonized data and considerations of the European and US regulatory agencies, which will inform ongoing data collection. METHODS The status of data collection around gene therapy in haemophilia and important outcome measures were obtained by literature review. Each author described elements relevant to the activities of their organization. CONCLUSION Support of all stakeholders in gene therapy, providers, patients, industry and regulators, augers successful capture of uniform long-term safety and efficacy data to ensure optimal treatment of people with haemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Konkle
- Bloodworks Northwest and The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Recht
- American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network, Rochester, NY, USA.,Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Anneliese Hilger
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Langen, Germany
| | - Peter Marks
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Merola A, Van Laar A, Lonser R, Bankiewicz K. Gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease: contemporary practice and emerging concepts. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:577-590. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1763794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aristide Merola
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amber Van Laar
- Brain Neurotherapy Bio, Inc., Columbus, OH, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Russell Lonser
- Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Krzysztof Bankiewicz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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49
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Chen SH, Papaneri A, Walker M, Scappini E, Keys RD, Martin NP. A Simple, Two-Step, Small-Scale Purification of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses. J Virol Methods 2020; 281:113863. [PMID: 32371233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.113863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are robust and versatile tools for in vivo gene delivery. Natural and designer capsid variations in rAAVs allow for targeted gene delivery to specific cell types. Low immunogenicity and lack of pathogenesis also add to the popularity of this virus as an innocuous gene delivery vector for gene therapy. rAAVs are routinely used to express recombinases, sensors, detectors, CRISPR-Cas9 components, or to simply overexpress a gene of interest for functional studies. High production demand has given rise to multiple platforms for the production and purification of rAAVs. However, most platforms rely heavily on large amounts of starting material and multiple purification steps to produce highly purified viral particles. Often, researchers require several small-scale purified rAAVs. Here, we describe a simple and efficient technique for purification of recombinant rAAVs from small amounts of starting material in a two-step purification method. In this method, rAAVs are released into the packaging cell medium using high salt concentration, pelleted by ultracentrifugation to remove soluble impurities. Then, the resuspended pellet is purified using a protein spin-concentrator. In this protocol, we modify the conventional rAAV purification methods to eliminate the need for fraction collection and the labor-intensive steps for evaluating the titer and purity of individual fractions. The resulting rAAV preparations are comparable in titer and purity to commercially available samples. This simplified process can be used to generate highly purified rAAV particles on a small scale, thereby saving resources, generating less waste, and reducing a laboratory's environmental footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Heng Chen
- Neurobiology Laboratory, U.S.A; Viral Vector Core, U.S.A
| | | | - Mitzie Walker
- Neurobiology Laboratory, U.S.A; Viral Vector Core, U.S.A
| | | | - Robert D Keys
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/DHHS, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709, U.S.A
| | - Negin P Martin
- Neurobiology Laboratory, U.S.A; Viral Vector Core, U.S.A.
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Mijanović O, Branković A, Borovjagin AV, Butnaru DV, Bezrukov EA, Sukhanov RB, Shpichka A, Timashev P, Ulasov I. Battling Neurodegenerative Diseases with Adeno-Associated Virus-Based Approaches. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040460. [PMID: 32325732 PMCID: PMC7232215 DOI: 10.3390/v12040460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are most commonly found in adults and remain essentially incurable. Gene therapy using AAV vectors is a rapidly-growing field of experimental medicine that holds promise for the treatment of NDDs. To date, effective delivery of a therapeutic gene into target cells via AAV has been a major obstacle in the field. Ideally, transgenes should be delivered into the target cells specifically and efficiently, while promiscuous or off-target gene delivery should be minimized to avoid toxicity. In the pursuit of an ideal vehicle for NDD gene therapy, a broad variety of vector systems have been explored. Here we specifically outline the advantages of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vector systems for NDD therapy application. In contrast to many reviews on NDDs that can be found in the literature, this review is rather focused on AAV vector selection and their testing in experimental and preclinical NDD models. Preclinical and in vitro data reveal the strong potential of AAV for NDD-related diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olja Mijanović
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostics, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Ana Branković
- Department of Forensics, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Belgrade 11000, Serbia;
| | - Anton V. Borovjagin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Denis V. Butnaru
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.V.B.); (A.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Evgeny A. Bezrukov
- Institute for Uronephrology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.A.B.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Roman B. Sukhanov
- Institute for Uronephrology and Reproductive Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (E.A.B.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Anastasia Shpichka
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.V.B.); (A.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.V.B.); (A.S.); (P.T.)
- Institute of Photonic Technologies, Research Center “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, Troitsk, Moscow 142190, Russia
- Department of Polymers and Composites, N.N. Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostics, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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