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Preclinical Development of Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Based Gene Therapy for Immune Deficiencies: A Journey from Mouse Cage to Bed Side. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12060549. [PMID: 32545727 PMCID: PMC7357087 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials using patient’s own corrected hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), such as for primary immunodeficiencies (Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency, X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS)), have yielded promising results in the clinic; endorsing gene therapy to become standard therapy for a number of diseases. However, the journey to achieve such a successful therapy is not easy, and several challenges have to be overcome. In this review, we will address several different challenges in the development of gene therapy for immune deficiencies using our own experience with Recombinase-activating gene 1 (RAG1) SCID as an example. We will discuss product development (targeting of the therapeutic cells and choice of a suitable vector and delivery method), the proof-of-concept (in vitro and in vivo efficacy, toxicology, and safety), and the final release steps to the clinic (scaling up, good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures/protocols and regulatory hurdles).
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Jin Y, Shen Y, Su X, Weintraub NL, Tang Y. Effective restoration of dystrophin expression in iPSC Mdx-derived muscle progenitor cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and homology-directed repair technology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:765-773. [PMID: 32280431 PMCID: PMC7132053 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive myopathic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin protein that eventually leads to the exhaustion of myogenic progenitor cells (MPC). Autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide an endless source of MPC, which can potentially replenish the progenitor cell pool, repair muscle damage, and prevent DMD progression. Deletion of mutant exon 23 (ΔEx23) with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) gene-editing technology can correct dystrophin gene expression in iPSCs. However, successful exon23 deletion and clonal isolation are very inefficient (~3%), and manual selection of each iPSC clone and genotyping to identify ΔEx23 is labor-intensive. To overcome these obstacles, we added a homology-directed repair (HDR) donor vector, which carries floxed fluorescent protein and antibiotic selection genes, thus allowing us to identify ΔEx23 iPSC with donor selective gene integration. Our results indicate that the HDR-mediated targeted integration enables ΔEx23 iPSC identification; the HDR donor vector increased the recognition efficiency of clonal isolation (>90% as confirmed by Sanger sequencing). After removal of the inserted genes by Cre-mediated recombination followed by doxycycline (Dox)-induced MyoD induction, ΔEx23 iPSC differentiated into MPC with restored dystrophin expression in vitro. Importantly, transplanted ΔEx23 iPSC-MPC express dystrophin in the muscles of a mouse model of DMD (Mdx mice). In conclusion, the use of HDR donor vector increased the efficiency of ΔEx23 gene correction by CRISPR/Cas9, and facilitate the identification of successfully edited iPSC clones for cell therapy of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yaoliang Tang
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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3
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Nghiem PP, Kornegay JN. Gene therapies in canine models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Hum Genet 2019; 138:483-489. [PMID: 30734120 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-01976-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) must first be tested in animal models to determine proof-of-concept, efficacy, and importantly, safety. The murine and canine models for DMD are genetically homologous and most commonly used in pre-clinical testing. Although the mouse is a strong, proof-of-concept model, affected dogs show more analogous clinical and immunological disease progression compared to boys with DMD. As such, evaluating genetic therapies in the canine models may better predict response at the genetic, phenotypic, and immunological levels. We review the use of canine models for DMD and their benefits as it pertains to genetic therapy studies, including gene replacement, exon skipping, and gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter P Nghiem
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA.
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843-4458, USA
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Dombernowsky NW, Ölmestig JNE, Witting N, Kruuse C. Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies - Still a possible treatment modality? Neuromuscul Disord 2018; 28:914-926. [PMID: 30352768 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is involved in nitric oxide (NO) production and suggested to play a crucial role in blood flow regulation of skeletal muscle. During activation of the muscle, NO helps attenuate the sympathetic vasoconstriction to accommodate increased metabolic demands, a phenomenon known as functional sympatholysis. In inherited myopathies such as the dystrophinopathies Duchenne and Becker muscle dystrophies (DMD and BMD), nNOS is lost from the sarcolemma. The loss of nNOS may cause functional ischemia contributing to skeletal and cardiac muscle cell injury. Effects of NO is augmented by inhibiting degradation of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) using sildenafil and tadalafil, both of which inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). In animal models of DMD, PDE5-inhibitors prevent functional ischemia, reduce post-exercise skeletal muscle pathology and fatigue, show amelioration of cardiac muscle cell damage and increase cardiac performance. However, effect on clinical outcomes in DMD and BMD patients have been disappointing with minor effects on upper limb performance and none on ambulation. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of nNOS function related to functional sympatholysis in skeletal muscle and studies on PDE5-inhibitor treatment in nNOS-deficient animal models and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna W Dombernowsky
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joakim N E Ölmestig
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nanna Witting
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Kruuse
- Department of Neurology, Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; PDE Research Group, Lundbeck Foundation Center for Neurovascular Research (LUCENS), Denmark.
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At the Crossroads of Clinical and Preclinical Research for Muscular Dystrophy-Are We Closer to Effective Treatment for Patients? Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051490. [PMID: 29772730 PMCID: PMC5983724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among diseases affecting skeletal muscle, muscular dystrophy is one of the most devastating and complex disorders. The term ‘muscular dystrophy’ refers to a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases associated with a primary muscle defect that leads to progressive muscle wasting and consequent loss of muscle function. Muscular dystrophies are accompanied by numerous clinical complications and abnormalities in other tissues that cause extreme discomfort in everyday life. The fact that muscular dystrophy often takes its toll on babies and small children, and that many patients die at a young age, adds to the cruel character of the disease. Clinicians all over the world are facing the same problem: they have no therapy to offer except for symptom-relieving interventions. Patients, their families, but also clinicians, are in urgent need of an effective cure. Despite advances in genetics, increased understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying muscle disease, despite a sweeping range of successful preclinical strategies and relative progress of their implementation in the clinic, therapy for patients is currently out of reach. Only a greater comprehension of disease mechanisms, new preclinical studies, development of novel technologies, and tight collaboration between scientists and physicians can help improve clinical treatment. Fortunately, inventiveness in research is rapidly extending the limits and setting new standards for treatment design. This review provides a synopsis of muscular dystrophy and considers the steps of preclinical and clinical research that are taking the muscular dystrophy community towards the fundamental goal of combating the traumatic disease.
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Aranmolate A, Tse N, Colognato H. Myelination is delayed during postnatal brain development in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. BMC Neurosci 2017; 18:63. [PMID: 28806929 PMCID: PMC5556620 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-017-0381-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the loss of the dystrophin component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) compromises plasma membrane integrity in skeletal muscle, resulting in extensive muscle degeneration. In addition, many DMD patients exhibit brain deficits in which the cellular etiology remains poorly understood. We recently found that dystroglycan, a receptor component of the DGC that binds intracellularly to dystrophin, regulates the development of oligodendrocytes, the myelinating glial cells of the brain. RESULTS We investigated whether dystrophin contributes to oligodendroglial function and brain myelination. We found that oligodendrocytes express up to three dystrophin isoforms, in conjunction with classic DGC components, which are developmentally regulated during differentiation and in response to extracellular matrix engagement. We found that mdx mice, a model of DMD lacking expression of the largest dystrophin isoform, have delayed myelination and inappropriate oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation in the cerebral cortex. When we prevented the expression of all oligodendroglial dystrophin isoforms in cultured oligodendrocytes using RNA interference, we found that later stages of oligodendrocyte maturation were significantly delayed, similar to mdx phenotypes in the developing brain. CONCLUSIONS We find that dystrophin is expressed in oligodendrocytes and influences developmental myelination, which provides new insight into potential cellular contributors to brain dysfunction associated with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azeez Aranmolate
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8651, USA
| | - Nathaniel Tse
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8651, USA
| | - Holly Colognato
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8651, USA.
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Abdullah M, Kornegay JN, Honcoop A, Parry TL, Balog-Alvarez CJ, O'Neal SK, Bain JR, Muehlbauer MJ, Newgard CB, Patterson C, Willis MS. Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis of Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy-Affected Muscles Reveals Alterations in Arginine and Proline Metabolism, and Elevations in Glutamic and Oleic Acid In Vivo. Metabolites 2017; 7:E38. [PMID: 28758940 PMCID: PMC5618323 DOI: 10.3390/metabo7030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD) dog model of DMD is characterized by muscle necrosis, progressive paralysis, and pseudohypertrophy in specific skeletal muscles. This severe GRMD phenotype includes moderate atrophy of the biceps femoris (BF) as compared to unaffected normal dogs, while the long digital extensor (LDE), which functions to flex the tibiotarsal joint and serves as a digital extensor, undergoes the most pronounced atrophy. A recent microarray analysis of GRMD identified alterations in genes associated with lipid metabolism and energy production. METHODS We, therefore, undertook a non-targeted metabolomics analysis of the milder/earlier stage disease GRMD BF muscle versus the more severe/chronic LDE using GC-MS to identify underlying metabolic defects specific for affected GRMD skeletal muscle. RESULTS Untargeted metabolomics analysis of moderately-affected GRMD muscle (BF) identified eight significantly altered metabolites, including significantly decreased stearamide (0.23-fold of controls, p = 2.89 × 10-3), carnosine (0.40-fold of controls, p = 1.88 × 10-2), fumaric acid (0.40-fold of controls, p = 7.40 × 10-4), lactamide (0.33-fold of controls, p = 4.84 × 10-2), myoinositol-2-phosphate (0.45-fold of controls, p = 3.66 × 10-2), and significantly increased oleic acid (1.77-fold of controls, p = 9.27 × 10-2), glutamic acid (2.48-fold of controls, p = 2.63 × 10-2), and proline (1.73-fold of controls, p = 3.01 × 10-2). Pathway enrichment analysis identified significant enrichment for arginine/proline metabolism (p = 5.88 × 10-4, FDR 4.7 × 10-2), where alterations in L-glutamic acid, proline, and carnosine were found. Additionally, multiple Krebs cycle intermediates were significantly decreased (e.g., malic acid, fumaric acid, citric/isocitric acid, and succinic acid), suggesting that altered energy metabolism may be underlying the observed GRMD BF muscle dysfunction. In contrast, two pathways, inosine-5'-monophosphate (VIP Score 3.91) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (VIP Score 3.08) mainly contributed to the LDE signature, with two metabolites (phosphoglyceric acid and inosine-5'-monophosphate) being significantly decreased. When the BF and LDE were compared, the most significant metabolite was phosphoric acid, which was significantly less in the GRMD BF compared to control and GRMD LDE groups. CONCLUSIONS The identification of elevated BF oleic acid (a long-chain fatty acid) is consistent with recent microarray studies identifying altered lipid metabolism genes, while alterations in arginine and proline metabolism are consistent with recent studies identifying elevated L-arginine in DMD patient sera as a biomarker of disease. Together, these studies demonstrate muscle-specific alterations in GRMD-affected muscle, which illustrate previously unidentified metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdullah
- Department of Biochemistry, QuaidiAzam University, 45320 Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
| | - Joe N Kornegay
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Aubree Honcoop
- Toxicology Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Traci L Parry
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
| | - Cynthia J Balog-Alvarez
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Sara K O'Neal
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - James R Bain
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Michael J Muehlbauer
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Christopher B Newgard
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27703, USA.
| | - Cam Patterson
- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Monte S Willis
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7525, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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England J, Loughna S, Rutland CS. Multiple Species Comparison of Cardiac Troponin T and Dystrophin: Unravelling the DNA behind Dilated Cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2017; 4:E8. [PMID: 29367539 PMCID: PMC5715711 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd4030008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals have frequently been used as models for human disorders and mutations. Following advances in genetic testing and treatment options, and the decreasing cost of these technologies in the clinic, mutations in both companion and commercial animals are now being investigated. A recent review highlighted the genes associated with both human and non-human dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac troponin T and dystrophin were observed to be associated with both human and turkey (troponin T) and canine (dystrophin) dilated cardiomyopathies. This review gives an overview of the work carried out in cardiac troponin T and dystrophin to date in both human and animal dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer England
- School of Life Sciences, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Siobhan Loughna
- School of Life Sciences, Medical School, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Catrin Sian Rutland
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK.
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Abitbol M, Hitte C, Bossé P, Blanchard-Gutton N, Thomas A, Martignat L, Blot S, Tiret L. A COLQ Missense Mutation in Sphynx and Devon Rex Cats with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137019. [PMID: 26327126 PMCID: PMC4556666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
An autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by skeletal muscle weakness, fatigability and variable electromyographic or muscular histopathological features has been described in the two related Sphynx and Devon Rex cat breeds (Felis catus). Collection of data from two affected Sphynx cats and their relatives pointed out a single disease candidate region on feline chromosome C2, identified following a genome-wide SNP-based homozygosity mapping strategy. In that region, we further identified COLQ (collagen-like tail subunit of asymmetric acetylcholinesterase) as a good candidate gene, since COLQ mutations were identified in affected humans and dogs with endplate acetylcholinesterase deficiency leading to a synaptic form of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). A homozygous c.1190G>A missense variant located in exon 15 of COLQ, leading to a C397Y substitution, was identified in the two affected cats. C397 is a highly-conserved residue from the C-terminal domain of the protein; its mutation was previously shown to produce CMS in humans, and here we confirmed in an affected Sphynx cat that it induces a loss of acetylcholinesterase clustering at the neuromuscular junction. Segregation of the c.1190G>A variant was 100% consistent with the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of the disorder in our cat pedigree; in addition, an affected, unrelated Devon Rex cat recruited thereafter was also homozygous for the variant. Genotyping of a panel of 333 cats from 14 breeds failed to identify a single carrier in non-Sphynx and non-Devon Rex cats. Finally, the percentage of healthy carriers in a European subpanel of 81 genotyped Sphynx cats was estimated to be low (3.7%) and 14 control Devon Rex cats were genotyped as wild-type individuals. Altogether, these results strongly support that the neuromuscular disorder reported in Sphynx and Devon Rex breeds is a CMS caused by a unique c.1190G>A missense mutation, presumably transmitted through a founder effect, which strictly and slightly disseminated in these two breeds. The presently available DNA test will help owners avoid matings at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Abitbol
- Inserm, IMRB U955-E10, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, & Faculté de médecine, 94000, Créteil, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang, 94017, Créteil, France
- APHP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, DHU Pepsy & Centre de référence des maladies neuromusculaires GNMH, 94000 Créteil, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Christophe Hitte
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes IGDR, UMR6290 CNRS—Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Philippe Bossé
- Inserm, IMRB U955-E10, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, & Faculté de médecine, 94000, Créteil, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang, 94017, Créteil, France
- APHP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, DHU Pepsy & Centre de référence des maladies neuromusculaires GNMH, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Nicolas Blanchard-Gutton
- Inserm, IMRB U955-E10, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, & Faculté de médecine, 94000, Créteil, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang, 94017, Créteil, France
- APHP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, DHU Pepsy & Centre de référence des maladies neuromusculaires GNMH, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Anne Thomas
- Antagene, Animal Genetics Laboratory, La Tour de Salvagny, France
| | - Lionel Martignat
- ONIRIS, UP Sécurité Sanitaire en Biotechnologies de la Reproduction, Nantes, France
| | - Stéphane Blot
- Inserm, IMRB U955-E10, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, & Faculté de médecine, 94000, Créteil, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang, 94017, Créteil, France
- APHP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, DHU Pepsy & Centre de référence des maladies neuromusculaires GNMH, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Laurent Tiret
- Inserm, IMRB U955-E10, 94000, Créteil, France
- Université Paris Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, & Faculté de médecine, 94000, Créteil, France
- Etablissement Français du Sang, 94017, Créteil, France
- APHP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, DHU Pepsy & Centre de référence des maladies neuromusculaires GNMH, 94000 Créteil, France
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Guan X, Wang Z, Czerniecki S, Mack D, François V, Blouin V, Moullier P, Childers MK. Use of Adeno-Associated Virus to Enrich Cardiomyocytes Derived from Human Stem Cells. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2015; 26:194-201. [PMID: 26252064 DOI: 10.1089/humc.2015.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show great promise as autologous donor cells to treat heart disease. A major technical obstacle to this approach is that available induction methods often produce heterogeneous cell population with low percentage of cardiomyocytes. Here we describe a cardiac enrichment approach using nonintegrating adeno-associated virus (AAV). We first examined several AAV serotypes for their ability to selectively transduce iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Results showed that AAV1 demonstrated the highest in vitro transduction efficiency among seven widely used serotypes. Next, differentiated iPSC derivatives were transduced with drug-selectable AAV1 expressing neomycin resistance gene. Selection with G418 enriched the cardiac cell fraction from 27% to 57% in 2 weeks. Compared with other enrichment strategies such as integrative genetic selection, mitochondria labeling, or surface marker cell sorting, this simple AAV method described herein bypasses antibody or dye labeling. These findings provide proof of concept for large-scale cardiomyocyte enrichment by exploiting AAV's intrinsic tissue tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Guan
- 1 Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences , Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.,3 Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Zejing Wang
- 4 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle, Washington.,5 Department of Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Stefan Czerniecki
- 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.,3 Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - David Mack
- 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.,3 Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
| | - Virginie François
- 6 INSERM UMR 1089 IRT 1, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique, Université de Nantes , Nantes, France
| | - Veronique Blouin
- 6 INSERM UMR 1089 IRT 1, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique, Université de Nantes , Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Moullier
- 6 INSERM UMR 1089 IRT 1, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique, Université de Nantes , Nantes, France.,7 Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Martin K Childers
- 2 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.,3 Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington
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11
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Guan X, Wang Z, Czerniecki S, Mack D, François V, Blouin V, Moullier P, Childers M. Use of adeno-associated virus to enrich cardiomyocytes derived from human stem cells. HUM GENE THER CL DEV 2015. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2015.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Brolio MP, Cima DS, Miglino MA, Ambrósio CE. Histological comparison of the smooth uterine muscle of healthy golden retriever bitches, carriers of the progressive muscular dystrophy (GRMD) gene, and GRMD-affected bitches. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 150:56-61. [PMID: 25200710 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence to suggest that weakness of the pelvic and/or uterine musculature may negatively affect the obstetric performance of women who carry the gene for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The golden retriever dog is the ideal animal model for preclinical studies of progressive muscular dystrophy, and this model is referred to as "golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD)". This study evaluated and compared the histopathological aspects of the uterine muscle of eleven dogs: health, n=4; carriers of GRMD gene, n=5; and affected females, n=2. The obtained results showed that the uterine muscle of healthy dogs was exclusively composed of type III collagen, while a predominance of type I collagen and small amounts of type III were observed in the uterine muscle of the carriers. The myometrium of the affected bitches showed small quantities of both collagen types. The differences noted in the three evaluated groups suggest that female carrier and those individuals affected by muscular dystrophy had collagen alteration and muscle fiber commitment in the uterine muscle, a deficiency which could directly influence the composition and function of this tissue. In addition, this information is highly relevant to the reproductive management of these animals. This data open important venues for translate reproductive protocols for women, who carry the dystrophin gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Brolio
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo - FMVZ-USP, Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87 street, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - D S Cima
- Paulista University - UNIP, Tenente Júlio Prado Neves, 965 street, São Paulo, SP 02370-000, Brazil.
| | - M A Miglino
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo - FMVZ-USP, Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87 street, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - C E Ambrósio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering of the University of São Paulo - FZEA-USP, Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassunuga, SP 13635-900, Brazil.
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Nitahara-Kasahara Y, Takeda S, Okada T. Cell therapeutic approaches using multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells for muscular dystrophy. Inflamm Regen 2014. [DOI: 10.2492/inflammregen.34.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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14
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Comprehensive longitudinal characterization of canine muscular dystrophy by serial NMR imaging of GRMD dogs. Neuromuscul Disord 2012; 22 Suppl 2:S85-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Successful regional delivery and long-term expression of a dystrophin gene in canine muscular dystrophy: a preclinical model for human therapies. Mol Ther 2012; 20:1501-7. [PMID: 22692496 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal, X-linked muscle disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene replacement strategies hold promise as a treatment. Studies in animal models and human trials suggested that immune responses to AAV capsid proteins and transgene products prevented efficient gene therapy. In this study, we used widespread intramuscular (i.m.) injection to deliver AAV6-canine micro-dystrophin (c-µdys) throughout a group of skeletal muscles in dystrophic dogs given a brief course of commonly used immunosuppressants. Robust c-µdys expression was obtained for at least two years and was associated with molecular reconstitution of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) at the muscle membrane. Importantly, c-µdys expression was maintained for at least 18 months after discontinuing immunosuppression. The results obtained in a relevant preclinical model of DMD demonstrate feasibility of widespread AAV-mediated muscle transduction and transgene expression in the presence of transient immunosuppression to achieve molecular reconstitution that can be directly translated to human trials.
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Lin AY, Prochniewicz E, Henderson DM, Li B, Ervasti JM, Thomas DD. Impacts of dystrophin and utrophin domains on actin structural dynamics: implications for therapeutic design. J Mol Biol 2012; 420:87-98. [PMID: 22504225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We have used time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA) of actin to evaluate domains of dystrophin and utrophin, with implications for gene therapy in muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin and its homolog utrophin bind to cytoskeletal actin to form mechanical linkages that prevent muscular damage. Because these proteins are too large for most gene therapy vectors, much effort is currently devoted to smaller constructs. We previously used TPA to show that both dystrophin and utrophin have a paradoxical effect on actin rotational dynamics-restricting amplitude while increasing rate, thus increasing resilience, with utrophin more effective than dystrophin. Here, we have evaluated individual domains of these proteins. We found that a "mini-dystrophin," lacking one of the two actin-binding domains, is less effective than dystrophin in regulating actin dynamics, correlating with its moderate effectiveness in rescuing the dystrophic phenotype in mice. In contrast, we found that a "micro-utrophin," with more extensive internal deletions, is as effective as full-length dystrophin in the regulation of actin dynamics. Each of utrophin's actin-binding domains promotes resilience in actin, while dystrophin constructs require the presence of both actin-binding domains and the C-terminal domain for full function. This work supports the use of a utrophin template for gene or protein therapy designs. Resilience of the actin-protein complex, measured by TPA, correlates remarkably well with previous reports of functional rescue by dystrophin and utrophin constructs in mdx mice. We propose the use of TPA as an in vitro method to aid in the design and testing of emerging gene therapy constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Yun Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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17
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Bish LT, Sleeper MM, Forbes SC, Wang B, Reynolds C, Singletary GE, Trafny D, Morine KJ, Sanmiguel J, Cecchini S, Virag T, Vulin A, Beley C, Bogan J, Wilson JM, Vandenborne K, Kornegay JN, Walter GA, Kotin RM, Garcia L, Sweeney HL. Long-term restoration of cardiac dystrophin expression in golden retriever muscular dystrophy following rAAV6-mediated exon skipping. Mol Ther 2012; 20:580-9. [PMID: 22146342 PMCID: PMC3293605 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although restoration of dystrophin expression via exon skipping in both cardiac and skeletal muscle has been successfully demonstrated in the mdx mouse, restoration of cardiac dystrophin expression in large animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has proven to be a challenge. In large animals, investigators have focused on using intravenous injection of antisense oligonucleotides (AO) to mediate exon skipping. In this study, we sought to optimize restoration of cardiac dystrophin expression in the golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) model using percutaneous transendocardial delivery of recombinant AAV6 (rAAV6) to deliver a modified U7 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) carrying antisense sequence to target the exon splicing enhancers of exons 6 and 8 and correct the disrupted reading frame. We demonstrate restoration of cardiac dystrophin expression at 13 months confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and immunoblot as well as membrane localization by immunohistochemistry. This was accompanied by improved cardiac function as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Percutaneous transendocardial delivery of rAAV6 expressing a modified U7 exon skipping construct is a safe, effective method for restoration of dystrophin expression and improvement of cardiac function in the GRMD canine and may be easily translatable to human DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence T Bish
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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18
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Jung IY, Chae JH, Park SK, Kim JH, Kim JY, Kim SJ, Bang MS. The correlation analysis of functional factors and age with duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ann Rehabil Med 2012; 36:22-32. [PMID: 22506232 PMCID: PMC3309314 DOI: 10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To correlate existing evaluation tools with clinical information on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients following age and to investigate genetic mutation and its relationship with clinical function. Method The medical records of 121 children with DMD who had visited the pediatric rehabilitation clinic from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed. The mean patient age was 9.9±3.4 years and all subjects were male. Collected data included Brooke scale, Vignos scale, bilateral shoulder abductor and knee extensor muscles power, passive range of motion (PROM) of ankle dorsi-flexion, angle of scoliosis, peak cough flow (PCF), fractional shortening (FS), genetic abnormalities, and use of steroid. Results The Brooke and Vignos scales were linearly increased with age (Brooke (y1), Vignos (y2), age (x), y1=0.345x-1.221, RBrooke2=0.435, y2=0.813x-3.079, RVignos2=0.558, p<0.001). In relation to the PROM of ankle dorsi-flexion, there was a linear decrease in both ankles (right and left R2=0.364, 0.372, p<0.001). Muscle power, Cobb angle, PCF, and FS showed diversity in their degrees, irrespective of age. The genetic test for dystrophin identified exon deletions in 58.0% (69/119), duplications in 9.2% (11/119), and no deletions or duplications in 32.8% (39/119). Statistically, the genetic abnormalities and use of steroid were not definitely associated with functional scale. Conclusion The Brooke scale, Vignos scale and PROM of ankle dorsi-flexion were partially available to assess DMD patients. However, this study demonstrates the limitations of preexisting scales and clinical parameters incomprehensively reflecting functional changes of DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Young Jung
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea
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19
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Abstract
This review discusses gene therapy as a new treatment paradigm where genetic material is introduced into cells for therapeutic benefit. The genetic material is the 'drug'. It can have a transient or ongoing effect depending on whether or not the introduced genetic material becomes part of the host cell DNA. Different delivery and gene technologies are chosen by investigators to maximise gene delivery to, and expression within, the target cells appropriate for the disease indication. The presence and expression of the introduced genetic material is monitored by molecular means so that treatment efficacy can be assessed via changes in surrogate and/or actual markers of disease. Of interest to the pathologist will be the approaches being developed for the disease indications highlighted and the monitoring of treatment efficacy.
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20
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Arnett ALH, Garikipati D, Wang Z, Tapscott S, Chamberlain JS. Immune Responses to rAAV6: The Influence of Canine Parvovirus Vaccination and Neonatal Administration of Viral Vector. Front Microbiol 2011; 2:220. [PMID: 22065964 PMCID: PMC3207220 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2011.00220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors promote long-term gene transfer in many animal species. Significant effort has focused on the evaluation of rAAV delivery and the immune response in both murine and canine models of neuromuscular disease. However, canines provided for research purposes are routinely vaccinated against canine parvovirus (CPV). rAAV and CPV possess significant homology and are both parvoviruses. Thus, any immune response generated to CPV vaccination has the potential to cross-react with rAAV vectors. In this study, we investigated the immune response to rAAV6 delivery in a cohort of CPV-vaccinated canines and evaluated multiple vaccination regimens in a mouse model of CPV-vaccination. We show that CPV-vaccination stimulates production of neutralizing antibodies with minimal cross-reactivity to rAAV6. In addition, no significant differences were observed in the magnitude of the rAAV6-directed immune response between CPV-vaccinated animals and controls. Moreover, CPV-vaccination did not inhibit rAAV6-mediated transduction. We also evaluated the immune response to early rAAV6-vaccination in neonatal mice. The influence of maternal hormones and cytokines leads to a relatively permissive state in the neonate. We hypothesized that immaturity of the immune system would permit induction of tolerance to rAAV6 when delivered during the neonatal period. Mice were vaccinated with rAAV6 at 1 or 5 days of age, and subsequently challenged with rAAV6 exposure during adulthood via two sequential IM injections, 1 month apart. All vaccinated animals generated a significant neutralizing antibody response to rAAV6-vaccination that was enhanced following IM injection in adulthood. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the immune response raised against rAAV6 is distinct from that which is elicited by the standard parvoviral vaccines and is sufficient to prevent stable tolerization in neonatal mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. H. Arnett
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
| | - Dilip Garikipati
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
| | - Zejing Wang
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen Tapscott
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington School of MedicineSeattle, WA, USA
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21
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Nitahara-Kasahara Y, Hayashita-Kinoh H, Ohshima-Hosoyama S, Okada H, Wada-Maeda M, Nakamura A, Okada T, Takeda S. Long-term engraftment of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells that differentiate to form myogenic cells in dogs with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Mol Ther 2011; 20:168-77. [PMID: 21934652 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable genetic disease with early mortality. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are of interest because of their ability to differentiate to form myogenic cells in situ. In the present study, methods were developed to expand cultures of MSCs and to promote the myogenic differentiation of these cells, which were then used in a new approach for the treatment of DMD. MSC cultures enriched in CD271(+) cells grew better than CD271-depleted cultures. The transduction of CD271(+) MSCs with MyoD caused myogenic differentiation in vitro and the formation of myotubes expressing late myogenic markers. CD271(+) MSCs in the myogenic cell lineage transplanted into dog leukocyte antigen (DLA)-identical dogs formed clusters of muscle-like tissue. Intra-arterial injection of the CD271(+) MSCs resulted in engraftment at the site of the cardiotoxin (CTX)-injured muscle. Dogs affected by X-linked muscular dystrophy in Japan (CXMD(J)) treated with an intramuscular injection of CD271(+) MSCs similarly developed muscle-like tissue within 8-12 weeks in the absence of immunosuppression. In the newly formed tissues, developmental myosin heavy chain (dMyHC) and dystrophin were upregulated. These findings demonstrate that a cell transplantation strategy using CD271(+) MSCs may offer a promising treatment approach for patients with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Nitahara-Kasahara
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Bish LT, Sleeper MM, Forbes SC, Morine KJ, Reynolds C, Singletary GE, Trafny D, Pham J, Bogan J, Kornegay JN, Vandenborne K, Walter GA, Sweeney HL. Long-term systemic myostatin inhibition via liver-targeted gene transfer in golden retriever muscular dystrophy. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:1499-509. [PMID: 21787232 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2011.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, X-linked recessive disease affecting 1 in 3,500 newborn boys for which there is no effective treatment or cure. One novel strategy that has therapeutic potential for DMD is inhibition of myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass that may also promote fibrosis. Therefore, our goal in this study was to evaluate systemic myostatin inhibition in the golden retriever model of DMD (GRMD). GRMD canines underwent liver-directed gene transfer of a self-complementary adeno-associated virus type 8 vector designed to express a secreted dominant-negative myostatin peptide (n = 4) and were compared with age-matched, untreated GRMD controls (n = 3). Dogs were followed with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for 13 months to assess cross-sectional area and volume of skeletal muscle, then euthanized so that tissue could be harvested for morphological and histological analysis. We found that systemic myostatin inhibition resulted in increased muscle mass in GRMD dogs as assessed by MRI and confirmed at tissue harvest. We also found that hypertrophy of type IIA fibers was largely responsible for the increased muscle mass and that reductions in serum creatine kinase and muscle fibrosis were associated with long-term myostatin inhibition in GRMD. This is the first report describing the effects of long-term, systemic myostatin inhibition in a large-animal model of DMD, and we believe that the simple and effective nature of our liver-directed gene-transfer strategy makes it an ideal candidate for evaluation as a novel therapeutic approach for DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence T Bish
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Getting priorities straight: risk assessment and decision-making in the improvement of inherited disorders in pedigree dogs. Vet J 2011; 189:147-54. [PMID: 21742521 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The issue of inherited disorders in pedigree dogs is not a recent phenomenon and reports of suspected genetic defects associated with breeding practices date back to Charles Darwin's time. In recent years, much information on the array of inherited defects has been assimilated and the true extent of the problem has come to light. Historically, the direction of research funding in the field of canine genetic disease has been largely influenced by the potential transferability of findings to human medicine, economic benefit and importance of dogs for working purposes. More recently, the argument for a more canine welfare-orientated approach has been made, targeting research efforts at the alleviation of the most suffering in the greatest number of animals. A method of welfare risk assessment was initially developed as a means of objectively comparing, and thus setting priorities for, different welfare problems. The method has been applied to inherited disorders in pedigree dogs to investigate which disorders have the greatest welfare impact and which breeds are most affected. Work in this field has identified 396 inherited disorders in the top 50 most popular breeds in the UK. This article discusses how the results of welfare risk assessment for inherited disorders can be used to develop strategies for improving the health and welfare of dogs in the long term. A new risk assessment criterion, the Breed-Disorder Welfare Impact Score (BDWIS), which takes into account the proportion of life affected by a disorder, is introduced. A set of health and welfare goals is proposed and strategies for achieving these goals are highlighted, along with potential rate-determining factors at each step.
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24
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Local gene delivery and methods to control immune responses in muscles of normal and dystrophic dogs. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 709:265-75. [PMID: 21194034 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61737-982-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated gene transfer represents a promising gene replacement strategy for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, recent studies demonstrated cellular immunity specific to AAV capsid proteins in animal models, which resulted in liver toxicity and elimination of transgene expression in a human trial of hemophilia B. We have recently developed immunosuppressive strategies to prevent such immunity for successful long-term transgene expression in dog muscle. Here, we describe in detail the immunosuppressive regimens employed in both normal and DMD dogs and provide methods for evaluating the efficiency of the regimens following intramuscular injection of AAV in dogs.
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25
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Favaro P, Finn JD, Siner JI, Wright JF, High KA, Arruda VR. Safety of liver gene transfer following peripheral intravascular delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-5 and AAV-6 in a large animal model. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:843-52. [PMID: 21126217 PMCID: PMC3135234 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Intravascular delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is commonly used for liver-directed gene therapy. In humans, the high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to AAV-2 capsid and the wide cross-reactivity with other serotypes hamper vector transduction efficacy. Moreover, the safety of gene-based approaches depends on vector biodistribution, vector dose, and route of administration. Here we sought to characterize the safety of AAV-5 and AAV-6 for liver-mediated human factor IX (hFIX) expression in rabbits at doses of 1 × 10(12) or 1 × 10(13) viral genomes/kg. Circulating therapeutic levels of FIX were observed in both cohorts of AAV-6-hFIX, whereas for AAV-5-hFIX only the high dose was effective. Long-lasting inhibitory antibodies to hFIX were detected in three of the 10 AAV-6-injected animals but were absent in the AAV-5 group. Overall, vector shedding in the semen was transient and vector dose-dependent. However, the kinetics of clearance were remarkably faster for AAV-5 (3-5 weeks) compared with AAV-6 (10-13 weeks). AAV-6 vector sequences outside the liver were minimal at 20-30 weeks post-injection. In contrast, AAV-5 exhibited relatively high amounts of vector DNA in tissues other than the liver. Together these data are useful to further define the safety and potential for clinical translation of these AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Favaro
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | - Joshua I. Siner
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - J. Fraser Wright
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- University of Pennsylvania Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Katherine A. High
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Valder R. Arruda
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Rowell JL, McCarthy DO, Alvarez CE. Dog models of naturally occurring cancer. Trends Mol Med 2011; 17:380-8. [PMID: 21439907 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Studies using dogs provide an ideal solution to the gap in animal models for natural disease and translational medicine. This is evidenced by approximately 400 inherited disorders being characterized in domesticated dogs, most of which are relevant to humans. There are several hundred isolated populations of dogs (breeds) and each has a vastly reduced genetic variation compared with humans; this simplifies disease mapping and pharmacogenomics. Dogs age five- to eight-fold faster than do humans, share environments with their owners, are usually kept until old age and receive a high level of health care. Farseeing investigators recognized this potential and, over the past decade, have developed the necessary tools and infrastructure to utilize this powerful model of human disease, including the sequencing of the dog genome in 2005. Here, we review the nascent convergence of genetic and translational canine models of spontaneous disease, focusing on cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie L Rowell
- The Ohio State University College of Nursing, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 34210, USA
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27
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Pre-clinical study of 21 approved drugs in the mdx mouse. Neuromuscul Disord 2011; 21:313-27. [PMID: 21392993 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2011.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease caused by the absence of functional dystrophin, remains without adequate treatment. Although great hopes are attached to gene and cell therapies, identification of active small molecules remains a valid option for new treatments. We have studied the effect of 20 approved pharmaceutical compounds on the muscles of dystrophin-deficient mdx5Cv mice. These compounds were selected as the result of a prior screen of 800 approved molecules on a dystrophin mutant of the invertebrate animal model Cænorhabditis elegans. Drugs were administered to the mice through maternal feeding since 2weeks of life and mixed in their food after the 3rd week of life. The effects of the drugs on mice were evaluated both at 6weeks and 16weeks. Each drug was tested at two concentrations. Prednisone was added to the molecule list as a positive control. To investigate treatment efficiency, more than 30 histological, biochemical and functional parameters were recorded. This extensive study reveals that tricyclics (Imipramine and Amitriptyline) are beneficial to the fast muscles of mdx mice. It also highlights a great variability of responses according to time, muscles and assays.
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28
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Guo LT, Moore SA, Forcales S, Engvall E, Shelton GD. Evaluation of commercial dysferlin antibodies on canine, mouse and human skeletal muscle. Neuromuscul Disord 2011; 20:820-5. [PMID: 20817457 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2010.07.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2010] [Revised: 07/10/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunostaining of muscle biopsy cryosections is a powerful tool for identifying protein deficiencies. For dysferlin, a protein associated with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and Miyoshi myopathy, weak immunostaining of normal muscle has been a problem in reliably identifying dysferlin deficiency in human patients or dystrophic animals. Here we use skeletal muscle cryosections from dog, mouse and human to test several dysferlin antibodies under different conditions of fixation, and without fixation. NCL-Hamlet antibody (mouse monoclonal), following fixation in acetone/methanol, provided the strongest and most reliable staining in sections of human muscle as well as of dog and mouse muscle. Unlike animal tissue, unfixed human muscle also gave strong and reliable staining. NCL-Hamlet 2 gave good staining in all species. Epitomics (rabbit monoclonal) antibody gave good staining of all muscles, and did not stain muscle of dysferlin-deficient mice. However, it strongly stained muscle sarcolemma of patients with dysferlin deficiency, making the antibody less useful. Abcam antibody gave weak staining, and Santa Cruz antibodies did not immunostain muscle dysferlin in any species tested. NCL-Hamlet antibody was optimal for immunoblotting in all species. Use of select antibodies for immunostaining and immunoblotting, and optimization of immunostaining methods, should increase the sensitivity of detecting dysferlin deficiency in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling T Guo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Parker HG, Shearin AL, Ostrander EA. Man's best friend becomes biology's best in show: genome analyses in the domestic dog. Annu Rev Genet 2011; 44:309-36. [PMID: 21047261 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-102808-115200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In the last five years, canine genetics has gone from map construction to complex disease deconstruction. The availability of a draft canine genome sequence, dense marker chips, and an understanding of the genome architecture has changed the types of studies canine geneticists can undertake. There is now a clear recognition that the dog system offers the opportunity to understand the genetics of both simple and complex traits, including those associated with morphology, disease susceptibility, and behavior. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding canine domestication and review new information on the organization of the canine genome. We discuss studies aimed at finding genes controlling morphological phenotypes and provide examples of the way such paradigms may be applied to studies of behavior. We also discuss the many ways in which the dog has illuminated our understanding of human disease and conclude with a discussion on where the field is likely headed in the next five years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi G Parker
- Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Rodino-Klapac LR, Montgomery CL, Mendell JR, Chicoine LG. AAV-mediated gene therapy to the isolated limb in rhesus macaques. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 709:287-98. [PMID: 21194036 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61737-982-6_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The development of a nonhuman primate (NHP) model for vascular delivery of therapeutic transgenes with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is crucial for successfully treating muscular dystrophies. Current animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy have species limitations related to assessing function, immune response, and distribution of the micro- and minidystrophin transgenes in a clinically relevant manner. In addition, there are many forms of muscular dystrophy for which there are no available disease models. NHPs provide the ideal model to optimize vector delivery across a vascular barrier and provide accurate dose estimates for local or broadly targeted gene therapy studies. The vascular anatomy NHPs more clearly parallels humans providing an appropriate substrate for translational experiments. Here we outline the development of a rhesus macaque isolated focal limb perfusion (IFLP) protocol targeting the vascular bed of the gastrocnemius. This protocol serves as a model with broad implications for other muscle diseases along with the capability of targeting multiple muscle groups. To overcome the partial homogeneity between portions of the human microdystrophin transgene and those of the NHP dystrophin gene, we utilized a FLAG tag for tracking distribution of microdystrophin. We also provide methods for assessing transduction efficiency of microdystrophin.FLAG following the IFLP vascular delivery protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise R Rodino-Klapac
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Mirza A, Sagathevan M, Sahni N, Choi L, Menhart N. A biophysical map of the dystrophin rod. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2010; 1804:1796-809. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2010.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wang Z, Storb R, Lee D, Kushmerick MJ, Chu B, Berger C, Arnett A, Allen J, Chamberlain JS, Riddell SR, Tapscott SJ. Immune responses to AAV in canine muscle monitored by cellular assays and noninvasive imaging. Mol Ther 2009; 18:617-24. [PMID: 20040912 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that direct intramuscular injection of rAAV2 or rAAV6 in wild-type dogs resulted in robust T-cell responses to viral capsid proteins, and others have shown that cellular immunity to adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins coincided with liver toxicity and elimination of transgene expression in a human trial of hemophilia B. Here, we show that the heparin-binding ability of a given AAV serotype does not determine the induction of T-cell responses following intramuscular injection in dogs, and identify multiple epitopes in the AAV capsid protein that are recognized by T cells elicited by AAV injection. We also demonstrate that noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately detect local inflammatory responses following intramuscular rAAV injection in dogs. These studies suggest that pseudotyping rAAV vectors to remove heparin-binding activity will not be sufficient to abrogate immunogenicity, and validate the utility of enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay and MRI for monitoring immune and inflammatory responses following intramuscular injection of rAAV vectors in preclinical studies in dogs. These assays should be incorporated into future human clinical trials of AAV gene therapy to monitor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejing Wang
- Program in Transplantation Biology, Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are individually rare genetic disorders that cause much chronic disability, affecting young children and adults. In the past 20 years, more than 30 genetic types of muscular dystrophy have been defined. During this time, precise diagnosis, genetic counselling, and medical management have improved. These advances in medical practice have occurred while definitive therapies based on an improved knowledge of disease pathogenesis are awaited. A wide range of therapeutic options have been tested in animal models, and some are being tested in clinical trials. Various therapeutic targets are being investigated, from personalised medicines targeting specific mutations and drugs targeting cellular pathways to gene-based and cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Bushby
- Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Persistent expression of FLAG-tagged micro dystrophin in nonhuman primates following intramuscular and vascular delivery. Mol Ther 2009; 18:109-17. [PMID: 19904237 PMCID: PMC2839222 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2009.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have species limitations related to assessing function, immune response, and distribution of micro- or mini-dystrophins. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) provide the ideal model to optimize vector delivery across a vascular barrier and provide accurate dose estimates for widespread transduction. To address vascular delivery and dosing in rhesus macaques, we have generated a fusion construct that encodes an eight amino-acid FLAG epitope at the C-terminus of micro-dystrophin to facilitate translational studies targeting DMD. Intramuscular (IM) injection of AAV8.MCK.micro-dys.FLAG in the tibialis anterior (TA) of macaques demonstrated robust gene expression, with muscle transduction (50-79%) persisting for up to 5 months. Success by IM injection was followed by targeted vascular delivery studies using a fluoroscopy-guided catheter threaded through the femoral artery. Three months after gene transfer, >80% of muscle fibers showed gene expression in the targeted muscle. No cellular immune response to AAV8 capsid, micro-dystrophin, or the FLAG tag was detected by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) at any time point with either route. In summary, an epitope-tagged micro-dystrophin cassette enhances the ability to evaluate site-specific localization and distribution of gene expression in the NHP in preparation for vascular delivery clinical trials.
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Wolfe JH. Gene therapy in large animal models of human genetic diseases. Introduction. ILAR J 2009; 50:107-11. [PMID: 19293455 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.50.2.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John H Wolfe
- WF Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Stokes Investigator at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Nichols TC, Dillow AM, Franck HWG, Merricks EP, Raymer RA, Bellinger DA, Arruda VR, High KA. Protein replacement therapy and gene transfer in canine models of hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von willebrand disease, and factor VII deficiency. ILAR J 2009; 50:144-67. [PMID: 19293459 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.50.2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs with hemophilia A, hemophilia B, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and factor VII deficiency faithfully recapitulate the severe bleeding phenotype that occurs in humans with these disorders. The first rational approach to diagnosing these bleeding disorders became possible with the development of reliable assays in the 1940s through research that used these dogs. For the next 60 years, treatment consisted of replacement of the associated missing or dysfunctional protein, first with plasma-derived products and subsequently with recombinant products. Research has consistently shown that replacement products that are safe and efficacious in these dogs prove to be safe and efficacious in humans. But these highly effective products require repeated administration and are limited in supply and expensive; in addition, plasma-derived products have transmitted bloodborne pathogens. Recombinant proteins have all but eliminated inadvertent transmission of bloodborne pathogens, but the other limitations persist. Thus, gene therapy is an attractive alternative strategy in these monogenic disorders and has been actively pursued since the early 1990s. To date, several modalities of gene transfer in canine hemophilia have proven to be safe, produced easily detectable levels of transgene products in plasma that have persisted for years in association with reduced bleeding, and correctly predicted the vector dose required in a human hemophilia B liver-based trial. Very recently, however, researchers have identified an immune response to adeno-associated viral gene transfer vector capsid proteins in a human liver-based trial that was not present in preclinical testing in rodents, dogs, or nonhuman primates. This article provides a review of the strengths and limitations of canine hemophilia, VWD, and factor VII deficiency models and of their historical and current role in the development of improved therapy for humans with these inherited bleeding disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Nichols
- Department of Pathology, Francis Owen Blood Research Laboratory, Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27516-3114, USA.
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