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Wirges A, Bunse M, Joedicke JJ, Blanc E, Gudipati V, Moles MW, Shiku H, Beule D, Huppa JB, Höpken UE, Rehm A. EBAG9 silencing exerts an immune checkpoint function without aggravating adverse effects. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3358-3378. [PMID: 35821635 PMCID: PMC9637585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have revolutionized treatment of B cell malignancies. However, enhancing the efficacy of engineered T cells without compromising their safety is warranted. The estrogen receptor-binding fragment-associated antigen 9 (EBAG9) inhibits release of cytolytic enzymes from cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Here, we examined the potency of EBAG9 silencing for the improvement of adoptive T cell therapy. MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated EBAG9 downregulation in transplanted cytolytic CD8+ T cells (CTLs) from immunized mice improved their cytolytic competence in a tumor model. In tolerant female recipient mice that received organ transplants, a minor histocompatibility antigen was turned into a rejection antigen by Ebag9 deletion, indicating an immune checkpoint function for EBAG9. Considerably fewer EBAG9-silenced human CAR T cells were needed for tumor growth control in a xenotransplantation model. Transcriptome profiling did not reveal additional risks regarding genotoxicity or aberrant differentiation. A single-step retrovirus transduction process links CAR or TCR expression with miRNA-mediated EBAG9 downregulation. Despite higher cytolytic efficacy, release of cytokines associated with cytokine release syndrome remains unaffected. Collectively, EBAG9 silencing enhances effector capacity of TCR- and CAR-engineered T cells, results in improved tumor eradication, facilitates efficient manufacturing, and decreases the therapeutic dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthea Wirges
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jara J Joedicke
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Blanc
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Venugopal Gudipati
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael W Moles
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hiroshi Shiku
- Department of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Uta E Höpken
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Armin Rehm
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Accelerating clinical-scale production of BCMA CAR T cells with defined maturation stages. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 24:181-198. [PMID: 35118163 PMCID: PMC8791860 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of CAR T cells targeting CD19 or BCMA on B cell neoplasm demonstrated remarkable efficacy, but rapid relapses and primary refractoriness remains challenging. A leading cause of CAR T cell failure is their lack of expansion and limited persistence. Long-lived, self-renewing multipotent T memory stem cells (TSCM) and T central memory cells (TCM) likely sustain superior tumor regression, but their low frequencies in blood from cancer patients impose a major hurdle for clinical CAR T production. We designed a clinically compliant protocol for generating BCMA CAR T cells starting with increased TSCM/TCM cell input. A CliniMACS Prodigy process was combined with flow cytometry-based enrichment of CD62L+CD95+ T cells. Although starting with only 15% of standard T cell input, the selected TSCM/TCM material was efficiently activated and transduced with a BCMA CAR-encoding retrovirus. Cultivation in the presence of IL-7/IL-15 enabled the harvest of CAR T cells containing an increased CD4+ TSCM fraction and 70% TSCM cells amongst CD8+. Strong cell proliferation yielded cell numbers sufficient for clinical application, while effector functions were maintained. Together, adaptation of a standard CliniMACS Prodigy protocol to low input numbers resulted in efficient retroviral transduction with a high CAR T cell yield.
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3
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Dudaniec K, Westendorf K, Nössner E, Uckert W. Generation of Epstein-Barr Virus Antigen-Specific T Cell Receptors Recognizing Immunodominant Epitopes of LMP1, LMP2A, and EBNA3C for Immunotherapy. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:919-935. [PMID: 33798008 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.283] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in healthy individuals are usually cleared by immune cells, wherein CD8+ T lymphocytes play the most important role. However, in some immunocompromised individuals, EBV infections can lead to the development of cancer in B, T, natural killer (NK) cells and epithelial cells. Most EBV-associated cancers express a limited number of virus-specific antigens such as latent membrane proteins (LMP1 and LMP2) and nuclear proteins (EBNA1, -2, EBNA3A, -B, -C, and EBNA-LP). These antigens represent true tumor-specific antigens and can be considered useful targets for T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy to treat EBV-associated diseases. We used a TCR isolation platform based on a single major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) K562 cell library for the detection, isolation, and re-expression of TCRs targeting immunodominant peptide MHC (pMHC). Mature dendritic cells (mDCs) were pulsed with in vitro-transcribed (ivt) RNA encoding for the selected antigen to stimulate autologous T cells. The procedure allowed the mDCs to select an immunogenic epitope of the antigen for processing and presentation on the cell surface in combination with the most suitable MHC I molecule. We isolated eight EBV-specific TCRs. They recognize various pMHCs of EBV antigens LMP1, LMP2A, and EBNA3C, some of them described previously and some newly identified in this study. The TCR genes were molecularly cloned into retroviral vectors and the resultant TCR-engineered T cells secreted interferon-γ after antigen contact and were able to lyse tumor cells. The EBV-specific TCRs can be used as a basis for the generation of a TCR library, which provides a valuable source of TCRs for the production of EBV-specific T cells to treat EBV-associated diseases in patients with different MHC I types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Dudaniec
- Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Westendorf
- Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Uckert
- Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Ghani K, Boivin-Welch M, Roy S, Dakiw-Piaceski A, Barbier M, Pope E, Germain L, Caruso M. Generation of High-Titer Self-Inactivated γ-Retroviral Vector Producer Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 14:90-99. [PMID: 31312667 PMCID: PMC6610700 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The γ-retroviral vector is a gene delivery vehicle that is commonly used in gene therapy. Despite its efficacy, its strong enhancers contributed to malignant transformations in some hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy trials. A safer version without viral enhancers (SIN) is available, but its production is cumbersome, as high titers can only be obtained in transient transfection. Our aim was to develop a system that could easily generate high-titer SIN vectors from stable producer cells. The use of the cytomegalovirus enhancer-promoter sequence to generate the full-length genomic RNA combined to sequences that decrease transcriptional readthrough (WPRE and strong polyadenylation sequences) led to 6 × 106 infectious units (IU)/mL of a SIN GFP vector in transient transfection. The incorporation of a blasticidin selection cassette to the retroviral plasmid allowed the generation of stable clones in the 293Vec packaging cells that release 2 × 107 IU/mL and 1.4 × 107 IU/mL of a SIN GFP and a SIN PIGA vector, respectively. A titer of 1.8 × 106 IU/mL was obtained with a SIN vector containing the long 8.9-kb COL7A1 cDNA. Thus, an efficient process was established for the generation of stable 293Vec-derived retrovirus producer cells that release high-titer SIN vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Ghani
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Université Laval Cancer Research Center, and Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Michael Boivin-Welch
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Université Laval Cancer Research Center, and Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada.,CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division) and Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Sylvie Roy
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Université Laval Cancer Research Center, and Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Angela Dakiw-Piaceski
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division) and Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Martin Barbier
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division) and Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Elena Pope
- Section of Dermatology, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lucie Germain
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division) and Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, and Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Manuel Caruso
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Université Laval Cancer Research Center, and Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
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5
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Clauss J, Obenaus M, Miskey C, Ivics Z, Izsvák Z, Uckert W, Bunse M. Efficient Non-Viral T-Cell Engineering by Sleeping Beauty Minicircles Diminishing DNA Toxicity and miRNAs Silencing the Endogenous T-Cell Receptors. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 29:569-584. [PMID: 29562762 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposon-based vectors have entered clinical trials as an alternative to viral vectors for genetic engineering of T cells. However, transposon vectors require DNA transfection into T cells, which were found to cause adverse effects. T-cell viability was decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and DNA-transfected T cells showed a delayed response upon T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation with regard to blast formation, proliferation, and surface expression of CD25 and CD28. Gene expression analysis demonstrated a DNA-dependent induction of a type I interferon response and interferon-β upregulation. By combining Sleeping Beauty transposon minicircle vectors with SB100X transposase-encoding RNA, it was possible to reduce the amount of total DNA required, and stable expression of therapeutic TCRs was achieved in >50% of human T cells without enrichment. The TCR-engineered T cells mediated effective tumor cell killing and cytokine secretion upon antigen-specific stimulation. Additionally, the Sleeping Beauty transposon system was further improved by miRNAs silencing the endogenous TCR chains. These miRNAs increased the surface expression of the transgenic TCR, diminished mispairing with endogenous TCR chains, and enhanced antigen-specific T-cell functionality. This approach facilitates the rapid non-viral generation of highly functional, engineered T cells for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Clauss
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Obenaus
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,2 Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- 3 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- 3 Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich-Institut , Langen, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,4 Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Uckert
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,4 Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany .,5 Institute of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
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6
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CAR T Cells with Enhanced Sensitivity to B Cell Maturation Antigen for the Targeting of B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1906-1920. [PMID: 30078440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous T cells genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected at CD19 have potent activity in the treatment of B cell leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). Immunotherapies to treat multiple myeloma (MM) targeted the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is expressed in most cases of MM. We developed a humanized CAR with specificity for BCMA based on our previously generated anti-BCMA monoclonal antibody. The targeting single-chain variable fragment (scFv) domain exhibited a binding affinity in the low nanomolar range, conferring T cells with high functional avidity. Redirecting T cells by this CAR allowed us to explore BCMA as an alternative target for mature B-NHLs. We validated BCMA expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. BCMA CAR T cells triggered target cell lysis with an activation threshold in the range of 100 BCMA molecules, which allowed for an efficient eradication of B-NHL cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data corroborate BCMA is a suitable target in B cell tumors beyond MM, providing a novel therapeutic option for patients where BCMA is expressed at low abundance or where anti-CD19 immunotherapies have failed due to antigen loss.
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7
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Betz VM, Kochanek S, Rammelt S, Müller PE, Betz OB, Messmer C. Recent advances in gene-enhanced bone tissue engineering. J Gene Med 2018; 20:e3018. [PMID: 29601661 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of bone tissue represents a critical clinical condition that is frequently faced by surgeons. Substantial progress has been made in the area of bone research, providing insight into the biology of bone under physiological and pathological conditions, as well as tools for the stimulation of bone regeneration. The present review discusses recent advances in the field of gene-enhanced bone tissue engineering. Gene transfer strategies have emerged as highly effective tissue engineering approaches for supporting the repair of the musculoskeletal system. By contrast to treatment with recombinant proteins, genetically engineered cells can release growth factors at the site of injury over extended periods of time. Of particular interest are the expedited technologies that can be applied during a single surgical procedure in a cost-effective manner, allowing translation from bench to bedside. Several promising methods based on the intra-operative genetic manipulation of autologous cells or tissue fragments have been developed in preclinical studies. Moreover, gene therapy for bone regeneration has entered the clinical stage with clinical trials for the repair of alveolar bone. Current trends in gene-enhanced bone engineering are also discussed with respect to the movement of the field towards expedited, translational approaches. It is possible that gene-enhanced bone tissue engineering will become a clinical reality within the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker M Betz
- Department of Gene Therapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,Center for Rehabilitation, RKU - University and Rehabilitation Hospitals Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Rammelt
- University Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology and Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter E Müller
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver B Betz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Carolin Messmer
- Center for Rehabilitation, RKU - University and Rehabilitation Hospitals Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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8
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Gavvovidis I, Leisegang M, Willimsky G, Miller N, Nghiem P, Blankenstein T. Targeting Merkel Cell Carcinoma by Engineered T Cells Specific to T-Antigens of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:3644-3655. [PMID: 29669806 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-2661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The causative agent of most cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has been identified as the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). MCV-encoded T antigens (Tag) are essential not only for virus-mediated tumorigenesis but also for maintaining MCC cell lines in vitro MCV Tags are thus an appealing target for viral oncoprotein-directed T-cell therapy for MCC. With this study, we aimed to isolate and characterize Tag-specific T-cell receptors (TCR) for potential use in gene therapy clinical trials.Experimental Design: T-cell responses against MCV Tag epitopes were investigated by immunizing transgenic mice that express a diverse human TCR repertoire restricted to HLA-A2. Human lymphocytes genetically engineered to express Tag-specific TCRs were tested for specific reactivity against MCC cell lines. The therapeutic potential of Tag-specific TCR gene therapy was tested in a syngeneic cancer model.Results: We identified naturally processed epitopes of MCV Tags and isolated Tag-specific TCRs. T cells expressing these TCRs were activated by HLA-A2-positive cells loaded with cognate peptide or cells that stably expressed MCV Tags. We showed cytotoxic potential of T cells engineered to express these TCRs in vitro and demonstrated regression of established tumors in a mouse model upon TCR gene therapy.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that MCC cells can be targeted by MCV Tag-specific TCRs. Although recent findings suggest that approximately half of MCC patients benefit from PD-1 pathway blockade, additional patients may benefit if their endogenous T-cell response can be augmented by infusion of transgenic MCV-specific T cells such as those described here. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3644-55. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Gavvovidis
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Leisegang
- Institute of Immunology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Willimsky
- Institute of Immunology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalie Miller
- University of Washington, Dermatology/Medicine/Pathology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paul Nghiem
- University of Washington, Dermatology/Medicine/Pathology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Thomas Blankenstein
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany. .,Institute of Immunology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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9
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Tomás HA, Rodrigues AF, Carrondo MJT, Coroadinha AS. LentiPro26: novel stable cell lines for constitutive lentiviral vector production. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5271. [PMID: 29588490 PMCID: PMC5869598 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are excellent tools to promote gene transfer and stable gene expression. Their potential has been already demonstrated in gene therapy clinical trials for the treatment of diverse disorders. For large scale LV production, a stable producer system is desirable since it allows scalable and cost-effective viral productions, with increased reproducibility and safety. However, the development of stable systems has been challenging and time-consuming, being the selection of cells presenting high expression levels of Gag-Pro-Pol polyprotein and the cytotoxicity associated with some viral components, the main limitations. Hereby is described the establishment of a new LV producer cell line using a mutated less active viral protease to overcome potential cytotoxic limitations. The stable transfection of bicistronic expression cassettes with re-initiation of the translation mechanism enabled the generation of LentiPro26 packaging populations supporting high titers. Additionally, by skipping intermediate clone screening steps and performing only one final clone screening, it was possible to save time and generate LentiPro26-A59 cell line, that constitutively produces titers above 106 TU.mL-1.day-1, in less than six months. This work constitutes a step forward towards the development of improved LV producer cell lines, aiming to efficiently supply the clinical expanding gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Tomás
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A F Rodrigues
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M J T Carrondo
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516, Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - A S Coroadinha
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal.
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
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10
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Mencía Á, Chamorro C, Bonafont J, Duarte B, Holguin A, Illera N, Llames SG, Escámez MJ, Hausser I, Del Río M, Larcher F, Murillas R. Deletion of a Pathogenic Mutation-Containing Exon of COL7A1 Allows Clonal Gene Editing Correction of RDEB Patient Epidermal Stem Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 11:68-78. [PMID: 29858091 PMCID: PMC5852297 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a severe skin fragility disease caused by loss of functional type VII collagen at the dermal-epidermal junction. A frameshift mutation in exon 80 of COL7A1 gene, c.6527insC, is highly prevalent in the Spanish patient population. We have implemented gene-editing strategies for COL7A1 frame restoration by NHEJ-induced indels in epidermal stem cells from patients carrying this mutation. TALEN nucleases designed to cut within the COL7A1 exon 80 sequence were delivered to primary patient keratinocyte cultures by non-integrating viral vectors. After genotyping a large collection of vector-transduced patient keratinocyte clones with high proliferative potential, we identified a significant percentage of clones with COL7A1 reading frame recovery and Collagen VII protein expression. Skin equivalents generated with cells from a clone lacking exon 80 entirely were able to regenerate phenotypically normal human skin upon their grafting onto immunodeficient mice. These patient-derived human skin grafts showed Collagen VII deposition at the basement membrane zone, formation of anchoring fibrils, and structural integrity when analyzed 12 weeks after grafting. Our data provide a proof-of-principle for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa treatment through ex vivo gene editing based on removal of pathogenic mutation-containing, functionally expendable COL7A1 exons in patient epidermal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángeles Mencía
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Chamorro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carlos III University (UC3M), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Bonafont
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carlos III University (UC3M), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Duarte
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Holguin
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Illera
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara G Llames
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria José Escámez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carlos III University (UC3M), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ingrid Hausser
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcela Del Río
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carlos III University (UC3M), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Larcher
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carlos III University (UC3M), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rodolfo Murillas
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) U714, Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Lorenz FKM, Ellinger C, Kieback E, Wilde S, Lietz M, Schendel DJ, Uckert W. Unbiased Identification of T-Cell Receptors Targeting Immunodominant Peptide-MHC Complexes for T-Cell Receptor Immunotherapy. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1158-1168. [PMID: 28950731 PMCID: PMC5737719 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR) immunotherapy uses T cells engineered with new TCRs to enable detection and killing of cancer cells. Efficacy of TCR immunotherapy depends on targeting antigenic peptides that are efficiently presented by the best-suited major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules of cancer cells. However, efficient strategies are lacking to easily identify TCRs recognizing immunodominant peptide-MHC (pMHC) combinations utilizing any of the six possible MHC class I alleles of a cancer cell. We generated an MHC cell library and developed a platform approach to detect, isolate, and re-express TCRs specific for immunodominant pMHCs. The platform approach was applied to identify a human papillomavirus (HPV16) oncogene E5-specific TCR, recognizing a novel, naturally processed pMHC (HLA-B*15:01) and a cytomegalovirus-specific TCR targeting an immunodominant pMHC (HLA-B*07:02). The platform provides a useful tool to isolate in an unbiased manner TCRs specific for novel and immunodominant pMHC targets for use in TCR immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix K M Lorenz
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Ellinger
- 2 Institute for Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Kieback
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Wilde
- 2 Institute for Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Lietz
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany
| | - Dolores J Schendel
- 2 Institute for Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Uckert
- 1 Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association , Berlin, Germany .,3 Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin , Berlin, Germany .,4 Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany
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12
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Bandeira VS, Tomás HA, Alici E, Carrondo MJ, Coroadinha AS. Disclosing the Parameters Leading to High Productivity of Retroviral Producer Cells Lines: Evaluating Random Versus Targeted Integration. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2017; 28:78-90. [DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2016.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S. Bandeira
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Hélio A. Tomás
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Evren Alici
- Cell and Gene Therapy Group, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Manuel J.T. Carrondo
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana S. Coroadinha
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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13
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Jacków J, Titeux M, Portier S, Charbonnier S, Ganier C, Gaucher S, Hovnanian A. Gene-Corrected Fibroblast Therapy for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa using a Self-Inactivating COL7A1 Retroviral Vector. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:1346-1354. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.02.811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Labenski V, Suerth JD, Barczak E, Heckl D, Levy C, Bernadin O, Charpentier E, Williams DA, Fehse B, Verhoeyen E, Schambach A. Alpharetroviral self-inactivating vectors produced by a superinfection-resistant stable packaging cell line allow genetic modification of primary human T lymphocytes. Biomaterials 2016; 97:97-109. [PMID: 27162078 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Primary human T lymphocytes represent an important cell population for adoptive immunotherapies, including chimeric-antigen and T-cell receptor applications, as they have the capability to eliminate non-self, virus-infected and tumor cells. Given the increasing numbers of clinical immunotherapy applications, the development of an optimal vector platform for genetic T lymphocyte engineering, which allows cost-effective high-quality vector productions, remains a critical goal. Alpharetroviral self-inactivating vectors (ARV) have several advantages compared to other vector platforms, including a more random genomic integration pattern and reduced likelihood for inducing aberrant splicing of integrated proviruses. We developed an ARV platform for the transduction of primary human T lymphocytes. We demonstrated functional transgene transfer using the clinically relevant herpes-simplex-virus thymidine kinase variant TK.007. Proof-of-concept of alpharetroviral-mediated T-lymphocyte engineering was shown in vitro and in a humanized transplantation model in vivo. Furthermore, we established a stable, human alpharetroviral packaging cell line in which we deleted the entry receptor (SLC1A5) for RD114/TR-pseudotyped ARVs to prevent superinfection and enhance genomic integrity of the packaging cell line and viral particles. We showed that superinfection can be entirely prevented, while maintaining high recombinant virus titers. Taken together, this resulted in an improved production platform representing an economic strategy for translating the promising features of ARVs for therapeutic T-lymphocyte engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Labenski
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia D Suerth
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elke Barczak
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Heckl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Camille Levy
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Ornellie Bernadin
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuelle Charpentier
- Department of Regulation in Infection Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - David A Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boris Fehse
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Dept. of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- CIRI, EVIR Team, Inserm, U1111, CNRS, UMR5308, Université de Lyon-1, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France; Inserm, U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), équipe "contrôle métabolique des morts cellulaires", Nice, France
| | - Axel Schambach
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Abstract
Gene transfer vectors based on retroviridae are increasingly becoming a tool of choice for biomedical research and for the development of biotherapies in rare diseases or cancers. To meet the challenges of preclinical and clinical production, different steps of the production process of self-inactivating γ-retroviral (RVs) and lentiviral vectors (LVs) have been improved (e.g., transfection, media optimization, cell culture conditions). However, the increasing need for mass production of such vectors is still a challenge and could hamper their availability for therapeutic use. Recently, we observed that the use of a neutral pH during vector production is not optimal. The use of mildly acidic pH conditions (pH 6) can increase by two- to threefold the production of RVs and LVs pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) or gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) glycoproteins. Here, we describe the production protocol in mildly acidic pH conditions of GALVTR- and VSV-G-pseudotyped LVs using the transient transfection of HEK293T cells and the production protocol of GALV-pseudotyped RVs produced from a murine producer cell line. These protocols should help to achieve higher titers of vectors, thereby facilitating experimental research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Holic
- Généthon, 91002, Evry, France.
- INSERM, UMR_S951, Généthon, 1bis, rue de l'Internationale-BP60, 91002, Evry, France.
- Université Evry Val d'Essonne, UMR_S951, 91002, Evry, France.
| | - David Fenard
- Généthon, 91002, Evry, France.
- INSERM, UMR_S951, Généthon, 1bis, rue de l'Internationale-BP60, 91002, Evry, France.
- Université Evry Val d'Essonne, UMR_S951, 91002, Evry, France.
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17
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Single-step cloning-screening method: a new tool for developing and studying high-titer viral vector producer cells. Gene Ther 2015; 22:685-95. [DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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