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Tridgett M, Mulet M, Johny SP, Ababi M, Raghunath M, Fustinoni C, Galabova B, Fernández-Díaz C, Mikalajūnaitė I, Tomás HA, Kucej M, Dunajová L, Zgrundo Z, Page E, McCall L, Parker-Manuel R, Payne T, Peckett M, Kent J, Holland L, Asatryan R, Montgomery L, Chow TL, Beveridge R, Salkauskaite I, Alam MT, Hollard D, Dowding S, Gabriel HB, Branciaroli C, Cawood R, Valenti W, Chang D, Patrício MI, Liu Q. Lentiviral vector packaging and producer cell lines yield titers equivalent to the industry-standard four-plasmid process. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101315. [PMID: 39282073 PMCID: PMC11401174 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Lentiviral vector (LVV)-mediated cell and gene therapies have the potential to cure diseases that currently require lifelong intervention. However, the requirement for plasmid transfection hinders large-scale LVV manufacture. Moreover, large-scale plasmid production, testing, and transfection contribute to operational risk and the high cost associated with this therapeutic modality. Thus, we developed LVV packaging and producer cell lines, which reduce or eliminate the need for plasmid transfection during LVV manufacture. To develop a packaging cell line, lentiviral packaging genes were stably integrated by random integration of linearized plasmid DNA. Then, to develop EGFP- and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-encoding producer cell lines, transfer plasmids were integrated by transposase-mediated integration. Single-cell isolation and testing were performed to isolate the top-performing clonal packaging and producer cell lines. Production of LVVs that encode various cargo genes revealed consistency in the production performance of the packaging and producer cell lines compared to the industry-standard four-plasmid transfection method. By reducing or eliminating the requirement for plasmid transfection, while achieving production performance consistent with the current industry standard, the packaging and producer cell lines developed here can reduce costs and operational risks of LVV manufacture, thus increasing patient access to LVV-mediated cell and gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Tridgett
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Marie Mulet
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Sherin Parokkaran Johny
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Maria Ababi
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Meenakshi Raghunath
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Chloé Fustinoni
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Boryana Galabova
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Cristina Fernández-Díaz
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Iveta Mikalajūnaitė
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Hélio A Tomás
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Marek Kucej
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Lucia Dunajová
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Zofia Zgrundo
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Emma Page
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Lorna McCall
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Richard Parker-Manuel
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Tom Payne
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Matthew Peckett
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Jade Kent
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Louise Holland
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Robert Asatryan
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Louise Montgomery
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Tsz Lung Chow
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Ryan Beveridge
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Ieva Salkauskaite
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Mohine T Alam
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Daniel Hollard
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Sarah Dowding
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Heloísa Berti Gabriel
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Corinne Branciaroli
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Ryan Cawood
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Weimin Valenti
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
- WuXi Advanced Therapies, 4701 League Island Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19112, USA
| | - David Chang
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
- WuXi Advanced Therapies, 4701 League Island Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19112, USA
| | - Maria I Patrício
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
| | - Qian Liu
- OXGENE, A WuXi Advanced Therapies Company, Medawar Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 4HG, UK
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2
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Kachanov A, Kostyusheva A, Brezgin S, Karandashov I, Ponomareva N, Tikhonov A, Lukashev A, Pokrovsky V, Zamyatnin AA, Parodi A, Chulanov V, Kostyushev D. The menace of severe adverse events and deaths associated with viral gene therapy and its potential solution. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2112-2193. [PMID: 38549260 DOI: 10.1002/med.22036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, in vivo gene replacement therapy has significantly advanced, resulting in market approval of numerous therapeutics predominantly relying on adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV). While viral vectors have undeniably addressed several critical healthcare challenges, their clinical application has unveiled a range of limitations and safety concerns. This review highlights the emerging challenges in the field of gene therapy. At first, we discuss both the role of biological barriers in viral gene therapy with a focus on AAVs, and review current landscape of in vivo human gene therapy. We delineate advantages and disadvantages of AAVs as gene delivery vehicles, mostly from the safety perspective (hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, inflammatory responses etc.), and outline the mechanisms of adverse events in response to AAV. Contribution of every aspect of AAV vectors (genomic structure, capsid proteins) and host responses to injected AAV is considered and substantiated by basic, translational and clinical studies. The updated evaluation of recent AAV clinical trials and current medical experience clearly shows the risks of AAVs that sometimes overshadow the hopes for curing a hereditary disease. At last, a set of established and new molecular and nanotechnology tools and approaches are provided as potential solutions for mitigating or eliminating side effects. The increasing number of severe adverse reactions and, sadly deaths, demands decisive actions to resolve the issue of immune responses and extremely high doses of viral vectors used for gene therapy. In response to these challenges, various strategies are under development, including approaches aimed at augmenting characteristics of viral vectors and others focused on creating secure and efficacious non-viral vectors. This comprehensive review offers an overarching perspective on the present state of gene therapy utilizing both viral and non-viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artyom Kachanov
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Brezgin
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Ivan Karandashov
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Ponomareva
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Andrey Tikhonov
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Lukashev
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim Pokrovsky
- Laboratory of Biochemical Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Cancer Models, Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, People's Friendship University, Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Research, Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alessandro Parodi
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Division of Biotechnology, Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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3
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Simoni C, Barbon E, Muro AF, Cantore A. In vivo liver targeted genome editing as therapeutic approach: progresses and challenges. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1458037. [PMID: 39246827 PMCID: PMC11378722 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1458037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver is an essential organ of the body that performs several vital functions, including the metabolism of biomolecules, foreign substances, and toxins, and the production of plasma proteins, such as coagulation factors. There are hundreds of genetic disorders affecting liver functions and, for many of them, the only curative option is orthotopic liver transplantation, which nevertheless entails many risks and long-term complications. Some peculiar features of the liver, such as its large blood flow supply and the tolerogenic immune environment, make it an attractive target for in vivo gene therapy approaches. In recent years, several genome-editing tools mainly based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system have been successfully exploited in the context of liver-directed preclinical or clinical therapeutic applications. These include gene knock-out, knock-in, activation, interference, or base and prime editing approaches. Despite many achievements, important challenges still need to be addressed to broaden clinical applications, such as the optimization of the delivery methods, the improvement of the editing efficiency, and the risk of on-target or off-target unwanted effects and chromosomal rearrangements. In this review, we highlight the latest progress in the development of in vivo liver-targeted genome editing approaches for the treatment of genetic disorders. We describe the technological advancements that are currently under investigation, the challenges to overcome for clinical applicability, and the future perspectives of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Simoni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Barbon
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Chernyi N, Gavrilova D, Saruhanyan M, Oloruntimehin ES, Karabelsky A, Bezsonov E, Malogolovkin A. Recent Advances in Gene Therapy for Hemophilia: Projecting the Perspectives. Biomolecules 2024; 14:854. [PMID: 39062568 PMCID: PMC11274510 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the well-known X-linked genetic disorders is hemophilia, which could be hemophilia A as a result of a mutation in the F8 (factor VIII) gene or hemophilia B as a result of a mutation in the F9 (factor IX) gene, leading to insufficient levels of the proteins essential for blood coagulation cascade. In patients with severe hemophilia, factor VIII or factor IX activities in the blood plasma are considerably low, estimated to be less than 1%. This is responsible for spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding episodes, or both, leading to disease complications and death. Current treatment of hemophilia relies on the prevention of bleeding, which consists of expensive lifelong replacement infusion therapy of blood plasma clotting factors, their recombinant versions, or therapy with recombinant monoclonal antibodies. Recently emerged gene therapy approaches may be a potential game changer that could reshape the therapeutic outcomes of hemophilia A or B using a one-off vector in vivo delivery and aim to achieve long-term endogenous expression of factor VIII or IX. This review examines both traditional approaches to the treatment of hemophilia and modern methods, primarily focusing on gene therapy, to update knowledge in this area. Recent technological advances and gene therapeutics in the pipeline are critically reviewed and summarized. We consider gene therapy to be the most promising method as it may overcome the problems associated with more traditional treatments, such as the need for constant and expensive infusions and the presence of an immune response to the antibody drugs used to treat hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Chernyi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Darina Gavrilova
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 105043, Russia
| | - Mane Saruhanyan
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Ezekiel S. Oloruntimehin
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Alexander Karabelsky
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354530, Russia
| | - Evgeny Bezsonov
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 105043, Russia
| | - Alexander Malogolovkin
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
- Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354530, Russia
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5
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Milani M, Canepari C, Assanelli S, Merlin S, Borroni E, Starinieri F, Biffi M, Russo F, Fabiano A, Zambroni D, Annoni A, Naldini L, Follenzi A, Cantore A. GP64-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors target liver endothelial cells and correct hemophilia A mice. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:1427-1450. [PMID: 38684862 PMCID: PMC11178766 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00072-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LV) are efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery to the liver. LV integration into the chromatin of target cells ensures their transmission upon proliferation, thus allowing potentially life-long gene therapy following a single administration, even to young individuals. The glycoprotein of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV.G) is widely used to pseudotype LV, as it confers broad tropism and high stability. The baculovirus-derived GP64 envelope protein has been proposed as an alternative for in vivo liver-directed gene therapy. Here, we perform a detailed comparison of VSV.G- and GP64-pseudotyped LV in vitro and in vivo. We report that VSV.G-LV transduced hepatocytes better than GP64-LV, however the latter showed improved transduction of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Combining GP64-pseudotyping with the high surface content of the phagocytosis inhibitor CD47 further enhanced LSEC transduction. Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), the gene mutated in hemophilia A, is naturally expressed by LSEC, thus we exploited GP64-LV to deliver a FVIII transgene under the control of the endogenous FVIII promoter and achieved therapeutic amounts of FVIII and correction of hemophilia A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Milani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Canepari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Assanelli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Simone Merlin
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ester Borroni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesco Starinieri
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Russo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Fabiano
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Annoni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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6
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McDonald MF, Hossain A, Momin EN, Hasan I, Singh S, Adachi S, Gumin J, Ledbetter D, Yang J, Long L, Daou M, Gopakumar S, Phillips LM, Parker Kerrigan B, Lang FF. Tumor-specific polycistronic miRNA delivered by engineered exosomes for the treatment of glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:236-250. [PMID: 37847405 PMCID: PMC10836765 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) has poor prognosis due to ineffective agents and poor delivery methods. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been explored as novel therapeutics for GBM, but the optimal miRs and the ideal delivery strategy remain unresolved. In this study, we sought to identify the most effective pan-subtype anti-GBM miRs and to develop an improved delivery system for these miRs. METHODS We conducted an unbiased screen of over 600 miRs against 7 glioma stem cell (GSC) lines representing all GBM subtypes to identify a set of pan-subtype-specific anti-GBM miRs and then used available TCGA GBM patient outcomes and miR expression data to hone in on miRs that were most likely to be clinically effective. To enhance delivery and expression of the miRs, we generated a polycistronic plasmid encoding 3 miRs (pPolymiR) and used HEK293T cells as biofactories to package pPolymiR into engineered exosomes (eExos) that incorporate viral proteins (Gag/VSVg) in their structure (eExos+pPolymiR) to enhance function. RESULTS Our stepwise screen identified miR-124-2, miR-135a-2, and let-7i as the most effective miRs across all GBM subtypes with clinical relevance. Delivery of eExos+pPolymiR resulted in high expression of all 3 miRs in GSCs, and significantly decreased GSC proliferation in vitro. eExos+pPolymiR prolonged survival of GSC-bearing mice in vivo when compared with eExos carrying each of the miRs individually or as a cocktail. CONCLUSION eExos+pPolymiR, which includes a pan-subtype anti-glioma-specific miR combination encoded in a polycistronic plasmid and a novel exosome delivery platform, represents a new and potentially powerful anti-GBM therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm F McDonald
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anwar Hossain
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eric N Momin
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Irtiza Hasan
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Satoshi Adachi
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joy Gumin
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Ledbetter
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lihong Long
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marc Daou
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sricharan Gopakumar
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lynette M Phillips
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brittany Parker Kerrigan
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Frederick F Lang
- Department of Neurosurgery and The Brain Tumor Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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7
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Baruteau J, Brunetti-Pierri N, Gissen P. Liver-directed gene therapy for inherited metabolic diseases. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:9-21. [PMID: 38171926 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy clinical trials are rapidly expanding for inherited metabolic liver diseases whilst two gene therapy products have now been approved for liver based monogenic disorders. Liver-directed gene therapy has recently become an option for treatment of haemophilias and is likely to become one of the favoured therapeutic strategies for inherited metabolic liver diseases in the near future. In this review, we present the different gene therapy vectors and strategies for liver-targeting, including gene editing. We highlight the current development of viral and nonviral gene therapy for a number of inherited metabolic liver diseases including urea cycle defects, organic acidaemias, Crigler-Najjar disease, Wilson disease, glycogen storage disease Type Ia, phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease. We describe the main limitations and open questions for further gene therapy development: immunogenicity, inflammatory response, genotoxicity, gene therapy administration in a fibrotic liver. The follow-up of a constantly growing number of gene therapy treated patients allows better understanding of its benefits and limitations and provides strategies to design safer and more efficacious treatments. Undoubtedly, liver-targeting gene therapy offers a promising avenue for innovative therapies with an unprecedented potential to address the unmet needs of patients suffering from inherited metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Baruteau
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM, School of Advanced Studies), Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paul Gissen
- Department of Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
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8
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Duff C, Alexander IE, Baruteau J. Gene therapy for urea cycle defects: An update from historical perspectives to future prospects. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:50-62. [PMID: 37026568 PMCID: PMC10953416 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Urea cycle defects (UCDs) are severe inherited metabolic diseases with high unmet needs which present a permanent risk of hyperammonaemic decompensation and subsequent acute death or neurological sequelae, when treated with conventional dietetic and medical therapies. Liver transplantation is currently the only curative option, but has the potential to be supplanted by highly effective gene therapy interventions without the attendant need for life-long immunosuppression or limitations imposed by donor liver supply. Over the last three decades, pioneering genetic technologies have been explored to circumvent the consequences of UCDs, improve quality of life and long-term outcomes: adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated viral vectors, gene editing, genome integration and non-viral technology with messenger RNA. In this review, we present a summarised view of this historical path, which includes some seminal milestones of the gene therapy's epic. We provide an update about the state of the art of gene therapy technologies for UCDs and the current advantages and pitfalls driving future directions for research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Duff
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ian E. Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals NetworkWestmeadNew South WalesAustralia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent HealthThe University of SydneyWestmeadNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Julien Baruteau
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research CentreLondonUK
- Metabolic Medicine DepartmentGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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9
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Kao YT, Yen CC, Fan HC, Chen JK, Chen MS, Lan YW, Yang SH, Chen CM. In Utero Cell Treatment of Hemophilia A Mice via Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Engraftment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16411. [PMID: 38003601 PMCID: PMC10670993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia is a genetic disorder linked to the sex chromosomes, resulting in impaired blood clotting due to insufficient intrinsic coagulation factors. There are approximately one million individuals worldwide with hemophilia, with hemophilia A being the most prevalent form. The current treatment for hemophilia A involves the administration of clotting factor VIII (FVIII) through regular and costly injections, which only provide temporary relief and pose inconveniences to patients. In utero transplantation (IUT) is an innovative method for addressing genetic disorders, taking advantage of the underdeveloped immune system of the fetus. This allows mesenchymal stromal cells to play a role in fetal development and potentially correct genetic abnormalities. The objective of this study was to assess the potential recovery of coagulation disorders in FVIII knockout hemophilia A mice through the administration of human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells (hAFMSCs) via IUT at the D14.5 fetal stage. The findings revealed that the transplanted human cells exhibited fusion with the recipient liver, with a ratio of approximately one human cell per 10,000 mouse cells and produced human FVIII protein in the livers of IUT-treated mice. Hemophilia A pups born to IUT recipients demonstrated substantial improvement in their coagulation issues from birth throughout the growth period of up to 12 weeks of age. Moreover, FVIII activity reached its peak at 6 weeks of age, while the levels of FVIII inhibitors remained relatively low during the 12-week testing period in mice with hemophilia. In conclusion, the results indicated that prenatal intrahepatic therapy using hAFMSCs has the potential to improve clotting issues in FVIII knockout mice, suggesting it as a potential clinical treatment for individuals with hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Tsung Kao
- Department of Life Sciences, Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Ph.D. Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, National Health Research Institutes and National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Ching Yen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine Section, China Medical University Hospital, and China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
| | - Hueng-Chuen Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Medical Research, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Wuchi, Taichung 435, Taiwan;
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Miaoli 356, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Chen
- Ph.D. Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, National Health Research Institutes and National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christion Hospital, Chia-Yi 600, Taiwan;
| | - Ying-Wei Lan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA;
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Ph.D. Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, National Health Research Institutes and National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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10
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De Wolf D, Singh K, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Hemophilia Gene Therapy: The End of the Beginning? Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:782-792. [PMID: 37672530 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive preclinical research over the past 30 years has culminated in the recent regulatory approval of several gene therapy products for hemophilia. Based on the efficacy and safety data in a recently conducted phase III clinical trial, Roctavian® (valoctocogene roxaparvovec), an adeno-associated viral (AAV5) vector expressing a B domain deleted factor VIII (FVIII) complementary DNA, was approved by the European Commission and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia A. In addition, Hemgenix® (etranacogene dezaparvovec) was also recently approved by the European Medicines Agency and the FDA for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia B. This product is based on an AAV5 vector expressing a hyper-active factor IX (FIX) transgene (FIX-Padua) transgene. All AAV-based phase III clinical trials to date show a significant increase in FVIII or FIX levels in the majority of treated patients, consistent with a substantial decrease in bleeding episodes and a concomitant reduction in factor usage obviating the need for factor prophylaxis in most patients. However, significant interpatient variability remains that is not fully understood. Moreover, most patients encountered short-term asymptomatic liver inflammation that was treated by immune suppression with corticosteroids or other immune suppressants. In all phase III trials to date, FIX expression has appeared relatively more stable than FVIII, though individual patients also had prolonged FVIII expression. Whether lifelong expression of clotting factors can be realized after gene therapy requires longer follow-up studies. Further preclinical development of next-generation gene editing technologies offers new prospects for the development of a sustained cure for hemophilia, not only in adults, but ultimately in children with hemophilia too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries De Wolf
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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11
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Lundstrom K. Viral vectors engineered for gene therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 379:1-41. [PMID: 37541721 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has seen major progress in recent years. Viral vectors have made a significant contribution through efficient engineering for improved delivery and safety. A large variety of indications such as cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, hematological, neurological, muscular, ophthalmological, infectious diseases, and immunodeficiency have been targeted. Viral vectors based on adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpes simplex viruses, retroviruses including lentiviruses, alphaviruses, flaviviruses, measles viruses, rhabdoviruses, Newcastle disease virus, poxviruses, picornaviruses, reoviruses, and polyomaviruses have been used. Proof-of-concept has been demonstrated for different indications in animal models. Therapeutic efficacy has also been achieved in clinical trials. Several viral vector-based drugs have been approved for the treatment of cancer, and hematological, metabolic, and neurological diseases. Moreover, viral vector-based vaccines have been approved against COVID-19 and Ebola virus disease.
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12
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Tang Q, Hu Z, Zhao J, Zhou T, Tang S, Wang P, Xiao R, Chen Y, Wu L, Zhou M, Liang D. CRISPR-Mediated In Situ Introduction or Integration of F9-Padua in Human iPSCs for Gene Therapy of Hemophilia B. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109013. [PMID: 37240366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia B (HB) is an X-linked recessive disease caused by F9 gene mutation and functional coagulation factor IX (FIX) deficiency. Patients suffer from chronic arthritis and death threats owing to excessive bleeding. Compared with traditional treatments, gene therapy for HB has obvious advantages, especially when the hyperactive FIX mutant (FIX-Padua) is used. However, the mechanism by which FIX-Padua works remains ambiguous due to a lack of research models. Here, in situ introduction of F9-Padua mutation was performed in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) via CRISPR/Cas9 and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs). The hyperactivity of FIX-Padua was confirmed to be 364% of the normal level in edited hiPSCs-derived hepatocytes, providing a reliable model for exploring the mechanism of the hyperactivity of FIX-Padua. Moreover, the F9 cDNA containing F9-Padua was integrated before the F9 initiation codon by CRISPR/Cas9 in iPSCs from an HB patient (HB-hiPSCs). Integrated HB-hiPSCs after off-target screening were differentiated into hepatocytes. The FIX activity in the supernatant of integrated hepatocytes showed a 4.2-fold increase and reached 63.64% of the normal level, suggesting a universal treatment for HB patients with various mutations in F9 exons. Overall, our study provides new approaches for the exploration and development of cell-based gene therapy for HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Zhiqing Hu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Junya Zhao
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Shuqing Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Peiyun Wang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Rou Xiao
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Lingqian Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Miaojin Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Desheng Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
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13
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Canepari C, Cantore A. Gene transfer and genome editing for familial hypercholesterolemia. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2023; 3:1140997. [PMID: 39086674 PMCID: PMC11285693 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2023.1140997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by high circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High circulating LDL cholesterol in FH is due to dysfunctional LDL receptors, and is mainly expressed by hepatocytes. Affected patients rapidly develop atherosclerosis, potentially leading to myocardial infarction and death within the third decade of life if left untreated. Here, we introduce the disease pathogenesis and available treatment options. We highlight different possible targets of therapeutic intervention. We then review different gene therapy strategies currently under development, which may become novel therapeutic options in the future, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we briefly outline the potential applications of some of these strategies for the more common acquired hypercholesterolemia disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Canepari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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14
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Viral Vectors in Gene Therapy: Where Do We Stand in 2023? Viruses 2023; 15:v15030698. [PMID: 36992407 PMCID: PMC10059137 DOI: 10.3390/v15030698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors have been used for a broad spectrum of gene therapy for both acute and chronic diseases. In the context of cancer gene therapy, viral vectors expressing anti-tumor, toxic, suicide and immunostimulatory genes, such as cytokines and chemokines, have been applied. Oncolytic viruses, which specifically replicate in and kill tumor cells, have provided tumor eradication, and even cure of cancers in animal models. In a broader meaning, vaccine development against infectious diseases and various cancers has been considered as a type of gene therapy. Especially in the case of COVID-19 vaccines, adenovirus-based vaccines such as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Ad26.COV2.S have demonstrated excellent safety and vaccine efficacy in clinical trials, leading to Emergency Use Authorization in many countries. Viral vectors have shown great promise in the treatment of chronic diseases such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, β-thalassemia, and sickle cell disease (SCD). Proof-of-concept has been established in preclinical studies in various animal models. Clinical gene therapy trials have confirmed good safety, tolerability, and therapeutic efficacy. Viral-based drugs have been approved for cancer, hematological, metabolic, neurological, and ophthalmological diseases as well as for vaccines. For example, the adenovirus-based drug Gendicine® for non-small-cell lung cancer, the reovirus-based drug Reolysin® for ovarian cancer, the oncolytic HSV T-VEC for melanoma, lentivirus-based treatment of ADA-SCID disease, and the rhabdovirus-based vaccine Ervebo against Ebola virus disease have been approved for human use.
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15
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Michels KR, Sheih A, Hernandez SA, Brandes AH, Parrilla D, Irwin B, Perez AM, Ting HA, Nicolai CJ, Gervascio T, Shin S, Pankau MD, Muhonen M, Freeman J, Gould S, Getto R, Larson RP, Ryu BY, Scharenberg AM, Sullivan AM, Green S. Preclinical proof of concept for VivoVec, a lentiviral-based platform for in vivo CAR T-cell engineering. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006292. [PMID: 36918221 PMCID: PMC10016276 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated transformational outcomes in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, but their widespread use is hindered by technical and logistical challenges associated with ex vivo cell manufacturing. To overcome these challenges, we developed VivoVec, a lentiviral vector-based platform for in vivo engineering of T cells. UB-VV100, a VivoVec clinical candidate for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, displays an anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) on the surface and delivers a genetic payload that encodes a second-generation CD19-targeted CAR along with a rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) system designed to overcome the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy in supporting successful CAR T-cell expansion and persistence. In the presence of exogenous rapamycin, non-transduced immune cells are suppressed, while the RACR system in transduced cells converts rapamycin binding to an interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 signal to promote proliferation. METHODS UB-VV100 was administered to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and from patients with B-cell malignancy without additional stimulation. Cultures were assessed for CAR T-cell transduction and function. Biodistribution was evaluated in CD34-humanized mice and in canines. In vivo efficacy was evaluated against normal B cells in CD34-humanized mice and against systemic tumor xenografts in PBMC-humanized mice. RESULTS In vitro, administration of UB-VV100 resulted in dose-dependent and anti-CD3 scFv-dependent T-cell activation and CAR T-cell transduction. The resulting CAR T cells exhibited selective expansion in rapamycin and antigen-dependent activity against malignant B-cell targets. In humanized mouse and canine studies, UB-VV100 demonstrated a favorable biodistribution profile, with transduction events limited to the immune compartment after intranodal or intraperitoneal administration. Administration of UB-VV100 to humanized mice engrafted with B-cell tumors resulted in CAR T-cell transduction, expansion, and elimination of systemic malignancy. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that UB-VV100 generates functional CAR T cells in vivo, which could expand patient access to CAR T technology in both hematological and solid tumors without the need for ex vivo cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa Sheih
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Don Parrilla
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Blythe Irwin
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anai M Perez
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hung-An Ting
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Timothy Gervascio
- Office of Animal Care, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Seungjin Shin
- Vector Biology, Umoja Biopharma, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mark D Pankau
- Process Development, Umoja Biopharma, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah Gould
- MSAT, Umoja Biopharma, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Rich Getto
- Umoja Biopharma, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan P Larson
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Byoung Y Ryu
- Discovery, Umoja Biopharma, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Shon Green
- Immunology, Umoja Biopharma Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
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16
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Peres C, Sellitto C, Nardin C, Putti S, Orsini T, Di Pietro C, Marazziti D, Vitiello A, Calistri A, Rigamonti M, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Zonta F, Yang G, White TW, Mammano F. Antibody gene transfer treatment drastically improves epidermal pathology in a keratitis ichthyosis deafness syndrome model using male mice. EBioMedicine 2023; 89:104453. [PMID: 36736132 PMCID: PMC9926223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keratitis ichthyosis deafness (KID) syndrome is a rare disorder caused by hemichannel (HC) activating gain-of-function mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding connexin (Cx) 26, for which there is no cure, or current treatments based upon the mechanism of disease causation. METHODS We applied Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) mediated mAb gene transfer (AAVmAb) to treat the epidermal features of KID syndrome with a well-characterized HC blocking antibody using male mice of a murine model that replicates the skin pathology of the human disease. FINDINGS We demonstrate that in vivo AAVmAb treatment significantly reduced the size and thickness of KID lesions, in addition to blocking activity of mutant HCs in the epidermis in vivo. We also show that AAVmAb treatment eliminated abnormal keratinocyte proliferation and enlarged cell size, decreased apoptosis, and restored the normal distribution of keratin expression. INTERPRETATION Our findings reinforce the critical role played by increased HC activity in the skin pathology associated with KID syndrome. They also underscore the clinical potential of anti-HC mAbs coupled with genetic based delivery systems for treating the underlying mechanistic basis of this disorder. Inhibition of HC activity is an ideal therapeutic target in KID syndrome, and the genetic delivery of mAbs targeted against mutant HCs could form the basis of new therapeutic interventions to treat this incurable disease. FUNDING Fondazione Telethon grant GGP19148 and University of Padova grant Prot. BIRD187130 to FM; Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (FIRST) and National Institutes of Health grant EY 026911 to TWW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Peres
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Sellitto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, T5-147, Basic Science Tower; Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA
| | - Chiara Nardin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Putti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Orsini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Pietro
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marazziti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Vitiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - Arianna Calistri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Zonta
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Thomas W White
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, T5-147, Basic Science Tower; Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8661, USA.
| | - Fabio Mammano
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Italian National Research Council, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy; Department of Physics and Astronomy "G. Galilei", University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy.
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17
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Di Minno G, Castaman G, De Cristofaro R, Brunetti-Pierri N, Pastore L, Castaldo G, Trama U, Di Minno M. Progress, and prospects in the therapeutic armamentarium of persons with congenital hemophilia. Defining the place for liver-directed gene therapy. Blood Rev 2023; 58:101011. [PMID: 36031462 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.101011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In persons with congenital severe hemophilia A (HA) living in high-income countries, twice weekly intravenous infusions of extended half-life (EHL) factor VIII (FVIII) products, or weekly/biweekly/monthly subcutaneous injections of emicizumab are the gold standard home treatments to grant days without hurdles and limitations. Once weekly/twice monthly infusions of EHL Factor IX (FIX) products achieve the same target in severe hemophilia B (HB). Gene therapy, which is likely to be licensed for clinical use within 1-2 years, embodies a shift beyond these standards. At an individual patient level, a single functional gene transfer leads to a > 10-yr almost full correction of the hemostatic defect in HB and to a sustained (3-6-yrs) expression of FVIII sufficient to discontinue exogenous clotting factor administrations. At the doses employed, the limited liver toxicity of systemically infused recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors is documented by long-term (12-15 yrs) follow-ups, and pre-existing high-titer neutralizing antibodies to the AAV5 vector are no longer an exclusion criterion for effective transgene expression with this vector. A safe durable treatment that converts a challenging illness to a phenotypically curable disease, allows persons to feel virtually free from the fears and the obligations of hemophilia for years/decades. Along with patient organizations and health care professionals, communicating to government authorities and reimbursement agencies the liberating potential of this substantial innovation, and disseminating across the Centers updated information on benefits and risks of this strategy, will align expectations of different stakeholders and establish the notion of a potentially lifelong cure of hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Minno
- Hub Center for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Disorders, Dep. of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Castaman
- Center for Bleeding Disorders and Coagulation, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Raimondo De Cristofaro
- Center for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, Foundation University Hospital A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy; Dept of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Italy.
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, and Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, and Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ugo Trama
- Coordination of the Regional Health System, General Directorate for Health Protection, Naples, Italy.
| | - Matteo Di Minno
- Hub Center for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Disorders, Dep. of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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18
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Abstract
Gene therapy is poised to revolutionize modern medicine, with seemingly unlimited potential for treating and curing genetic disorders. For otherwise incurable indications, including most inherited metabolic liver disorders, gene therapy provides a realistic therapeutic option. In this Review, we discuss gene supplementation and gene editing involving the use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors for the treatment of inherited liver diseases, including updates on several ongoing clinical trials that are producing promising results. Clinical testing has been essential in highlighting many key translational challenges associated with this transformative therapy. In particular, the interaction of a patient's immune system with the vector raises issues of safety and the duration of treatment efficacy. Furthermore, several serious adverse events after the administration of high doses of rAAVs suggest greater involvement of innate immune responses and pre-existing hepatic conditions than initially anticipated. Finally, permanent modification of the host genome associated with rAAV genome integration and gene editing raises concerns about the risk of oncogenicity that require careful evaluation. We summarize the main progress, challenges and pathways forward for gene therapy for liver diseases.
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19
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Wolff JH, Mikkelsen JG. Delivering genes with human immunodeficiency virus-derived vehicles: still state-of-the-art after 25 years. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:79. [PMID: 36209077 PMCID: PMC9548131 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00865-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are naturally endowed with the capacity to transfer genetic material between cells. Following early skepticism, engineered viruses have been used to transfer genetic information into thousands of patients, and genetic therapies are currently attracting large investments. Despite challenges and severe adverse effects along the way, optimized technologies and improved manufacturing processes are driving gene therapy toward clinical translation. Fueled by the outbreak of AIDS in the 1980s and the accompanying focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), lentiviral vectors derived from HIV have grown to become one of the most successful and widely used vector technologies. In 2022, this vector technology has been around for more than 25 years. Here, we celebrate the anniversary by portraying the vector system and its intriguing properties. We dive into the technology itself and recapitulate the use of lentiviral vectors for ex vivo gene transfer to hematopoietic stem cells and for production of CAR T-cells. Furthermore, we describe the adaptation of lentiviral vectors for in vivo gene delivery and cover the important contribution of lentiviral vectors to basic molecular research including their role as carriers of CRISPR genome editing technologies. Last, we dwell on the emerging capacity of lentiviral particles to package and transfer foreign proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Holst Wolff
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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20
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Nicolas CT, VanLith CJ, Hickey RD, Du Z, Hillin LG, Guthman RM, Cao WJ, Haugo B, Lillegard A, Roy D, Bhagwate A, O'Brien D, Kocher JP, Kaiser RA, Russell SJ, Lillegard JB. In vivo lentiviral vector gene therapy to cure hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 and prevent development of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5012. [PMID: 36008405 PMCID: PMC9411607 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32576-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapy for hereditary tyrosinemia type-1 (HT1) with 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)−1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC) delays and in some cases fails to prevent disease progression to liver fibrosis, liver failure, and activation of tumorigenic pathways. Here we demonstrate cure of HT1 by direct, in vivo administration of a therapeutic lentiviral vector targeting the expression of a human fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) transgene in the porcine model of HT1. This therapy is well tolerated and provides stable long-term expression of FAH in pigs with HT1. Genomic integration displays a benign profile, with subsequent fibrosis and tumorigenicity gene expression patterns similar to wild-type animals as compared to NTBC-treated or diseased untreated animals. Indeed, the phenotypic and genomic data following in vivo lentiviral vector administration demonstrate comparative superiority over other therapies including ex vivo cell therapy and therefore support clinical application of this approach. Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH). Here, the authors show in an animal model that HT1 can be treated via in vivo portal vein administration of a lentiviral vector carrying the human FAH transgene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara T Nicolas
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Surgery, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Raymond D Hickey
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Zeji Du
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Lori G Hillin
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rebekah M Guthman
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Wausau, WI, USA
| | - William J Cao
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Diya Roy
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aditya Bhagwate
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Daniel O'Brien
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Kocher
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Robert A Kaiser
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Joseph B Lillegard
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Pediatric Surgical Associates, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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21
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Mukherjee P, Roy S, Ghosh D, Nandi SK. Role of animal models in biomedical research: a review. Lab Anim Res 2022; 38:18. [PMID: 35778730 PMCID: PMC9247923 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-022-00128-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The animal model deals with the species other than the human, as it can imitate the disease progression, its’ diagnosis as well as a treatment similar to human. Discovery of a drug and/or component, equipment, their toxicological studies, dose, side effects are in vivo studied for future use in humans considering its’ ethical issues. Here lies the importance of the animal model for its enormous use in biomedical research. Animal models have many facets that mimic various disease conditions in humans like systemic autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc., and many more. Besides, the model has tremendous importance in drug development, development of medical devices, tissue engineering, wound healing, and bone and cartilage regeneration studies, as a model in vascular surgeries as well as the model for vertebral disc regeneration surgery. Though, all the models have some advantages as well as challenges, but, present review has emphasized the importance of various small and large animal models in pharmaceutical drug development, transgenic animal models, models for medical device developments, studies for various human diseases, bone and cartilage regeneration model, diabetic and burn wound model as well as surgical models like vascular surgeries and surgeries for intervertebral disc degeneration considering all the ethical issues of that specific animal model. Despite, the process of using the animal model has facilitated researchers to carry out the researches that would have been impossible to accomplish in human considering the ethical prohibitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mukherjee
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Mohanpur, Nadia, India
| | - S Roy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Mohanpur, Nadia, India
| | - D Ghosh
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India
| | - S K Nandi
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India.
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22
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Pievani A, Granata V, Desantis G, Antolini L, Ornaghi S, Galleu A, Biondi A, Gentner B, Dazzi F, Serafini M. CD14 positive cells accelerate hematopoietic stem cell engraftment. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:942-948. [PMID: 35396529 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01662-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The improvement of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) engraftment remains a high-priority goal when limited cell doses are available, such as in cord blood (CB) transplantation and HSC gene therapy. We observed that monocytes are highly effective at improving the engraftment of both CB-CD34+ and lentivirus-transfected CD34+ cells in a xenogeneic model of HSC transplantation. Moreover, monocytes, in particular the CD14+CD16- classical subset, in co-culture systems increase survival and stemness of CB-CD34+ cells. Both soluble factors and direct-cell contact interactions, such as JAG/NOTCH and COX-2/PGE2 pathways, are critically involved in the HSC-monocyte crosstalk. Our results indicate that the infusion of monocytes improves engraftment when cell dose is a limiting factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Pievani
- Centro Ricerca M. Tettamanti, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- School of Cancer and Pharmacological Sciences and KHP Cancer Research UK Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Valentina Granata
- Centro Ricerca M. Tettamanti, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giacomo Desantis
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Antolini
- Centro di Biostatistica per l'epidemiologia clinica, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sara Ornaghi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione MBBM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonio Galleu
- School of Cancer and Pharmacological Sciences and KHP Cancer Research UK Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, Fondazione MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Bernhard Gentner
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Dazzi
- School of Cancer and Pharmacological Sciences and KHP Cancer Research UK Centre, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Marta Serafini
- Centro Ricerca M. Tettamanti, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
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23
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Genetic Therapy in Veterinary Medicine. BIONANOSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12668-022-00986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Milani M, Canepari C, Liu T, Biffi M, Russo F, Plati T, Curto R, Patarroyo-White S, Drager D, Visigalli I, Brombin C, Albertini P, Follenzi A, Ayuso E, Mueller C, Annoni A, Naldini L, Cantore A. Liver-directed lentiviral gene therapy corrects hemophilia A mice and achieves normal-range factor VIII activity in non-human primates. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2454. [PMID: 35508619 PMCID: PMC9068791 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30102-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver gene therapy with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors delivering clotting factor transgenes into hepatocytes has shown multiyear therapeutic benefit in adults with hemophilia. However, the mostly episomal nature of AAV vectors challenges their application to young pediatric patients. We developed lentiviral vectors, which integrate in the host cell genome, that achieve efficient liver gene transfer in mice, dogs and non-human primates, by intravenous delivery. Here we first compare engineered coagulation factor VIII transgenes and show that codon-usage optimization improved expression 10-20-fold in hemophilia A mice and that inclusion of an unstructured XTEN peptide, known to increase the half-life of the payload protein, provided an additional >10-fold increase in overall factor VIII output in mice and non-human primates. Stable nearly life-long normal and above-normal factor VIII activity was achieved in hemophilia A mouse models. Overall, we show long-term factor VIII activity and restoration of hemostasis, by lentiviral gene therapy to hemophilia A mice and normal-range factor VIII activity in non-human primate, paving the way for potential clinical application. “Lentiviral gene therapy to the liver establishes stable long-term normal to supra-normal coagulation factor VIII activity in mouse models of hemophilia A and in non-human primates, representing a potential new treatment option for people with hemophilia A.”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Milani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare Canepari
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Biffi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Russo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Plati
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosalia Curto
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Ilaria Visigalli
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Brombin
- University Center for Statistics in the Biomedical Sciences, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Albertini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Eduard Ayuso
- INSERM UMR1089, University of Nantes, CHU de Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France
| | | | - Andrea Annoni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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25
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Ozelo MC, Yamaguti‐Hayakawa GG. Impact of novel hemophilia therapies around the world. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2022; 6:e12695. [PMID: 35434467 PMCID: PMC9004233 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are hereditary bleeding disorders, characterized by factor VIII or IX deficiencies, respectively. For many decades, prophylaxis with coagulation factor concentrates (replacement therapy) was the standard‐of‐care approach in hemophilia. Since the 1950s, when prophylaxis started, factor concentrates have been improved with virus inactivation and molecule modification to extend its half‐life. The past years have brought an intense revolution in hemophilia care, with the development of nonfactor therapy and gene therapy. Emicizumab is the first and only nonreplacement agent to be licensed for prophylaxis in people with hemophilia A, and real‐world data show similar efficacy and safety from the pivotal studies. Other nonreplacement agents and gene therapy have ongoing studies with promising results. Innovative approaches, like subcutaneous factor VIII and lipid nanoparticles, are in the preclinical phase. These novel agents, such as extended half‐life concentrates and emicizumab, have been available in resource‐constrained countries through the constant efforts of the World Federation of Haemophilia Humanitarian Aid Program. Despite the wide range of new approaches and therapies, the main challenge remains the same: to guarantee treatment for all. In this article, we discuss the evolution of hemophilia care, global access to hemophilia treatment, and the current and future strategies that are now under development. Finally, we summarize relevant new data on this topic presented at the ISTH 2021 virtual congress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareth C. Ozelo
- Hemocentro UNICAMP University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine School of Medical Sciences University of Campinas UNICAMP Campinas Brazil
| | - Gabriela G. Yamaguti‐Hayakawa
- Hemocentro UNICAMP University of Campinas Campinas Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine School of Medical Sciences University of Campinas UNICAMP Campinas Brazil
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26
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Unnisa Z, Yoon JK, Schindler JW, Mason C, van Til NP. Gene Therapy Developments for Pompe Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:302. [PMID: 35203513 PMCID: PMC8869611 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pompe disease is an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). The most severe form is infantile-onset Pompe disease, presenting shortly after birth with symptoms of cardiomyopathy, respiratory failure and skeletal muscle weakness. Late-onset Pompe disease is characterized by a slower disease progression, primarily affecting skeletal muscles. Despite recent advancements in enzyme replacement therapy management several limitations remain using this therapeutic approach, including risks of immunogenicity complications, inability to penetrate CNS tissue, and the need for life-long therapy. The next wave of promising single therapy interventions involves gene therapies, which are entering into a clinical translational stage. Both adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and lentiviral vector (LV)-mediated hematopoietic stem and progenitor (HSPC) gene therapy have the potential to provide effective therapy for this multisystemic disorder. Optimization of viral vector designs, providing tissue-specific expression and GAA protein modifications to enhance secretion and uptake has resulted in improved preclinical efficacy and safety data. In this review, we highlight gene therapy developments, in particular, AAV and LV HSPC-mediated gene therapy technologies, to potentially address all components of the neuromuscular associated Pompe disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeenath Unnisa
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
| | - John K. Yoon
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
| | | | - Chris Mason
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
- Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Niek P. van Til
- AVROBIO, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (Z.U.); (J.K.Y.); (J.W.S.); (C.M.)
- Child Neurology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit and Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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27
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Cantore A, Fraldi A, Meneghini V, Gritti A. In vivo Gene Therapy to the Liver and Nervous System: Promises and Challenges. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:774618. [PMID: 35118085 PMCID: PMC8803894 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.774618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo genetic engineering has recently shown remarkable potential as a novel effective treatment for an ever-growing number of diseases, as also witnessed by the recent marketing authorization of several in vivo gene therapy products. In vivo genetic engineering comprises both viral vector-mediated gene transfer and the more recently developed genome/epigenome editing strategies, as long as they are directly administered to patients. Here we first review the most advanced in vivo gene therapies that are commercially available or in clinical development. We then highlight the major challenges to be overcome to fully and broadly exploit in vivo gene therapies as novel medicines, discussing some of the approaches that are being taken to address them, with a focus on the nervous system and liver taken as paradigmatic examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Alessio Cantore
| | - Alessandro Fraldi
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Vasco Meneghini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Gritti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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28
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George LA. Hemophilia gene therapy: ushering in a new treatment paradigm? HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2021; 2021:226-233. [PMID: 34889378 PMCID: PMC8877054 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2021000254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
After 3 decades of clinical trials, repeated proof-of-concept success has now been demonstrated in hemophilia A and B gene therapy. Current clinical hemophilia gene therapy efforts are largely focused on the use of systemically administered recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors for F8 or F9 gene addition. With multiple ongoing trials, including licensing studies in hemophilia A and B, many are cautiously optimistic that the first AAV vectors will obtain regulatory approval within approximately 1 year. While supported optimism suggests that the goal of gene therapy to alter the paradigm of hemophilia care may soon be realized, a number of outstanding questions have emerged from clinical trial that are in need of answers to harness the full potential of gene therapy for hemophilia patients. This article reviews the use of AAV vector gene addition approaches for hemophilia A and B, focusing specifically on information to review in the process of obtaining informed consent for hemophilia patients prior to clinical trial enrollment or administering a licensed AAV vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A. George
- Correspondence Lindsey A. George, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Colket Translational Research Bldg, Rm 5016, 3501 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104; e-mail:
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29
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Cellular Proteo-Transcriptomic Changes in the Immediate Early-Phase of Lentiviral Transduction. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112207. [PMID: 34835333 PMCID: PMC8625573 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentivirus-based vectors derived from human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and 2) are widely used tools in research and may also be utilized in clinical settings. Like their parental virions, they are known to depend on the cellular machinery for successful gene delivery and integration. While most of the studies on cellular proteomic and transcriptomic changes have focused on the late phase of the transduction, studies of those changes in early time-points, especially in the case of HIV-2 based vectors, are widely lacking. Using second generation HIV-1 and 2 vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G) pseudotyped lentiviral vectors, we transduced HEK-293T human embryonic kidney cells and carried out transcriptomic profiling at 0 and 2 h time points, with accompanying proteomic analysis at 2 h following transduction. Significant variations were observed in gene expression profile between HIV-1 and HIV-2 transduced samples. Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), collagens (COL1A2, COL3A1), and eukaryotic translation factors (EIF3CL) in addition to various genes coding for long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) were significantly upregulated 2 h after HIV-2 transduction compared to HIV-1. Label-free quantification mass spectrometry (MS) indicated that seven proteins involved in RNA binding, mRNA transport, and chaperoning were significantly downregulated. The identification of cellular protein targets of lentiviral vectors and their effect on the cellular transcriptome will undoubtedly shed more light on their complex life cycle and may be utilized against infection by their parental lentiviruses. Furthermore, characterizing the early phase of HIV-2 infection may aid in the understanding of its pathomechanism and long incubation period.
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30
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He J, Nissim L, Soleimany AP, Binder-Nissim A, Fleming HE, Lu TK, Bhatia SN. Synthetic Circuit-Driven Expression of Heterologous Enzymes for Disease Detection. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:2231-2242. [PMID: 34464083 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The integration of nanotechnology and synthetic biology could lay the framework for new classes of engineered biosensors that produce amplified readouts of disease states. As a proof-of-concept demonstration of this vision, here we present an engineered gene circuit that, in response to cancer-associated transcriptional deregulation, expresses heterologous enzyme biomarkers whose activity can be measured by nanoparticle sensors that generate amplified detection readouts. Specifically, we designed an AND-gate gene circuit that integrates the activity of two ovarian cancer-specific synthetic promoters to drive the expression of a heterologous protein output, secreted Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) protease, exclusively from within tumor cells. Nanoparticle probes were engineered to carry a TEV-specific peptide substrate in order to measure the activity of the circuit-generated enzyme to yield amplified detection signals measurable in the urine or blood. We applied our integrated sense-and-respond system in a mouse model of disseminated ovarian cancer, where we demonstrated measurement of circuit-specific TEV protease activity both in vivo using exogenously administered nanoparticle sensors and ex vivo using quenched fluorescent probes. We envision that this work will lay the foundation for how synthetic biology and nanotechnology can be meaningfully integrated to achieve next-generation engineered biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang He
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Harvard−MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lior Nissim
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ava P. Soleimany
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Harvard−MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Harvard Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Microsoft Research New England, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Adina Binder-Nissim
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, Meuhedet Health Maintenance Organization, Tel Aviv 62038, Israel
| | - Heather E. Fleming
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Harvard−MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sangeeta N. Bhatia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Harvard−MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Designing Lentiviral Vectors for Gene Therapy of Genetic Diseases. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081526. [PMID: 34452394 PMCID: PMC8402868 DOI: 10.3390/v13081526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors are the most frequently used tool to stably transfer and express genes in the context of gene therapy for monogenic diseases. The vast majority of clinical applications involves an ex vivo modality whereby lentiviral vectors are used to transduce autologous somatic cells, obtained from patients and re-delivered to patients after transduction. Examples are hematopoietic stem cells used in gene therapy for hematological or neurometabolic diseases or T cells for immunotherapy of cancer. We review the design and use of lentiviral vectors in gene therapy of monogenic diseases, with a focus on controlling gene expression by transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms in the context of vectors that have already entered a clinical development phase.
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Lentiviral Vectors for T Cell Engineering: Clinical Applications, Bioprocessing and Future Perspectives. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081528. [PMID: 34452392 PMCID: PMC8402758 DOI: 10.3390/v13081528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors have played a critical role in the emergence of gene-modified cell therapies, specifically T cell therapies. Tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta) and most recently brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) are examples of T cell therapies which are now commercially available for distribution after successfully obtaining EMA and FDA approval for the treatment of blood cancers. All three therapies rely on retroviral vectors to transduce the therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) into T lymphocytes. Although these innovations represent promising new therapeutic avenues, major obstacles remain in making them readily available tools for medical care. This article reviews the biological principles as well as the bioprocessing of lentiviral (LV) vectors and adoptive T cell therapy. Clinical and engineering successes, shortcomings and future opportunities are also discussed. The development of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant instruments, technologies and protocols will play an essential role in the development of LV-engineered T cell therapies.
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Maestro S, Weber ND, Zabaleta N, Aldabe R, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Novel vectors and approaches for gene therapy in liver diseases. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100300. [PMID: 34159305 PMCID: PMC8203845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is becoming an increasingly valuable tool to treat many genetic diseases with no or limited treatment options. This is the case for hundreds of monogenic metabolic disorders of hepatic origin, for which liver transplantation remains the only cure. Furthermore, the liver contains 10-15% of the body's total blood volume, making it ideal for use as a factory to secrete proteins into the circulation. In recent decades, an expanding toolbox has become available for liver-directed gene delivery. Although viral vectors have long been the preferred approach to target hepatocytes, an increasing number of non-viral vectors are emerging as highly efficient vehicles for the delivery of genetic material. Herein, we review advances in gene delivery vectors targeting the liver and more specifically hepatocytes, covering strategies based on gene addition and gene editing, as well as the exciting results obtained with the use of RNA as a therapeutic molecule. Moreover, we will briefly summarise some of the limitations of current liver-directed gene therapy approaches and potential ways of overcoming them.
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Key Words
- AAT, α1-antitrypsin
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- AHP, acute hepatic porphyrias
- AIP, acute intermittent porphyria
- ALAS1, aminolevulic synthase 1
- APCs, antigen-presenting cells
- ASGCT, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
- ASGPR, asialoglycoprotein receptor
- ASOs, antisense oligonucleotides
- Ad, adenovirus
- CBS, cystathionine β-synthase
- CN, Crigel-Najjar
- CRISPR, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
- CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR associated protein 9
- DSBs, double-strand breaks
- ERT, enzyme replacement therapy
- FH, familial hypercholesterolemia
- FSP27, fat-specific protein 27
- GO, glycolate oxidase
- GSD1a, glycogen storage disorder 1a
- GT, gene therapy
- GUSB, β-glucuronidase
- GalNAc, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine
- HDAd, helper-dependent adenovirus
- HDR, homology-directed repair
- HT, hereditary tyrosinemia
- HemA/B, haemophilia A/B
- IDS, iduronate 2-sulfatase
- IDUA, α-L-iduronidase
- IMLD, inherited metabolic liver diseases
- ITR, inverted terminal repetition
- LDH, lactate dehydrogenase
- LDLR, low-density lipoprotein receptor
- LNP, Lipid nanoparticles
- LTR, long terminal repeat
- LV, lentivirus
- MMA, methylmalonic acidemia
- MPR, metabolic pathway reprograming
- MPS type I, MPSI
- MPS type VII, MPSVII
- MPS, mucopolysaccharidosis
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- NHEJ, non-homologous end joining
- NHPs, non-human primates
- Non-viral vectors
- OLT, orthotopic liver transplantation
- OTC, ornithine transcarbamylase
- PA, propionic acidemia
- PB, piggyBac
- PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
- PEG, polyethylene glycol
- PEI, polyethyleneimine
- PFIC3, progressive familial cholestasis type 3
- PH1, Primary hyperoxaluria type 1
- PKU, phenylketonuria
- RV, retrovirus
- S/MAR, scaffold matrix attachment regions
- SB, Sleeping Beauty
- SRT, substrate reduction therapy
- STK25, serine/threonine protein kinase 25
- TALEN, transcription activator-like effector nucleases
- TTR, transthyretin
- UCD, urea cycle disorders
- VLDLR, very-low-density lipoprotein receptor
- WD, Wilson’s disease
- ZFN, zinc finger nucleases
- apoB/E, apolipoprotein B/E
- dCas9, dead Cas9
- efficacy
- gene addition
- gene editing
- gene silencing
- hepatocytes
- immune response
- lncRNA, long non-coding RNA
- miRNAs, microRNAs
- siRNA, small-interfering RNA
- toxicity
- viral vectors
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Maestro
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Nerea Zabaleta
- Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Corresponding authors. Address: CIMA, Universidad de Navarra. Av. Pio XII 55 31008 Pamplona. Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Vivet Therapeutics, Pamplona, Spain
- Corresponding authors. Address: CIMA, Universidad de Navarra. Av. Pio XII 55 31008 Pamplona. Spain
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Lisowski L, Staber JM, Wright JF, Valentino LA. The intersection of vector biology, gene therapy, and hemophilia. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2021; 5:e12586. [PMID: 34485808 PMCID: PMC8410952 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is at the forefront of the drive to bring the potential of cure to patients with genetic diseases. Multiple mechanisms of effective and efficient gene therapy delivery (eg, lentiviral, adeno-associated) for transgene expression as well as gene editing have been explored to improve vector and construct attributes and achieve therapeutic success. Recent clinical research has focused on recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors as a preferred method owing to their naturally occurring vector biology characteristics, such as serotypes with specific tissue tropisms, facilitated in vivo delivery, and stable physicochemical properties. For those living with hereditary diseases like hemophilia, this potential curative approach is balanced against the need to provide safe, predictable, effective, and durable factor expression. While in vivo studies of rAAV gene therapy have demonstrated amelioration of the bleeding phenotype in adults, long-term safety and effectiveness remain to be established. This review discusses vector biology in the context of rAAV-based liver-directed gene therapy for hemophilia and provides an overview of the types of viral vectors and vector components that are under investigation, as well as an assessment of the challenges associated with gene therapy delivery and durability of expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research UnitFaculty of Medicine and HealthChildren's Medical Research InstituteThe University of SydneyWestmeadAustralia
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative TherapiesMilitary Institute of MedicineWarsawPoland
| | - Janice M. Staber
- Stead Family Department of PediatricsUniversity of IowaIowa CityIAUSA
- Carver College of MedicineUniversity of IowaIowa CityIAUSA
| | - J. Fraser Wright
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Hematology, OncologyStem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative MedicineCenter for Definitive and Curative MedicineStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCAUSA
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Retrieval of vector integration sites from cell-free DNA. Nat Med 2021; 27:1458-1470. [PMID: 34140705 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy (GT) has rapidly attracted renewed interest as a treatment for otherwise incurable diseases, with several GT products already on the market and many more entering clinical testing for selected indications. Clonal tracking techniques based on vector integration enable monitoring of the fate of engineered cells in the blood of patients receiving GT and allow assessment of the safety and efficacy of these procedures. However, owing to the limited number of cells that can be tested and the impracticality of studying cells residing in peripheral organs without performing invasive biopsies, this approach provides only a partial snapshot of the clonal repertoire and dynamics of genetically modified cells and reduces the predictive power as a safety readout. In this study, we developed liquid biopsy integration site sequencing, or LiBIS-seq, a polymerase chain reaction technique optimized to quantitatively retrieve vector integration sites from cell-free DNA released into the bloodstream by dying cells residing in several tissues. This approach enabled longitudinal monitoring of in vivo liver-directed GT and clonal tracking in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell GT, improving our understanding of the clonal composition and turnover of genetically modified cells in solid tissues and, in contrast to conventional analyses based only on circulating blood cells, enabling earlier detection of vector-marked clones that are aberrantly expanding in peripheral tissues.
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Vonada A, Tiyaboonchai A, Nygaard S, Posey J, Peters AM, Winn SR, Cantore A, Naldini L, Harding CO, Grompe M. Therapeutic liver repopulation by transient acetaminophen selection of gene-modified hepatocytes. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabg3047. [PMID: 34108249 PMCID: PMC9094690 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abg3047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy by integrating vectors is promising for monogenic liver diseases, especially in children where episomal vectors remain transient. However, reaching the therapeutic threshold with genome-integrating vectors is challenging. Therefore, we developed a method to expand hepatocytes bearing therapeutic transgenes. The common fever medicine acetaminophen becomes hepatotoxic via cytochrome p450 metabolism. Lentiviral vectors with transgenes linked in cis to a Cypor shRNA were administered to neonatal mice. Hepatocytes lacking the essential cofactor of Cyp enzymes, NADPH-cytochrome p450 reductase (Cypor), were selected in vivo by acetaminophen administration, replacing up to 50% of the hepatic mass. Acetaminophen treatment of the mice resulted in over 30-fold expansion of transgene-bearing hepatocytes and achieved therapeutic thresholds in hemophilia B and phenylketonuria. We conclude that therapeutically modified hepatocytes can be selected safely and efficiently in preclinical models with a transient regimen of moderately hepatotoxic acetaminophen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Vonada
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Amita Tiyaboonchai
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Sean Nygaard
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Jeffrey Posey
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Alexander Mack Peters
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shelley R Winn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Cary O Harding
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Markus Grompe
- Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Abstract
Decades of preclinical and clinical studies developing gene therapy for hemophilia are poised to bear fruit with current promising pivotal studies likely to lead to regulatory approval. However, this recent success should not obscure the multiple challenges that were overcome to reach this destination. Gene therapy for hemophilia A and B benefited from advancements in the general gene therapy field, such as the development of adeno-associated viral vectors, as well as disease-specific breakthroughs, like the identification of B-domain deleted factor VIII and hyperactive factor IX Padua. The gene therapy field has also benefited from hemophilia B clinical studies, which revealed for the first time critical safety concerns related to immune responses to the vector capsid not anticipated in preclinical models. Preclinical studies have also investigated gene transfer approaches for other rare inherited bleeding disorders, including factor VII deficiency, von Willebrand disease, and Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Here we review the successful gene therapy journey for hemophilia and pose some unanswered questions. We then discuss the current state of gene therapy for these other rare inherited bleeding disorders and how the lessons of hemophilia gene therapy may guide clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valder R. Arruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jesse Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Benjamin J. Samelson-Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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38
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Chen J, An B, Yu B, Peng X, Yuan H, Yang Q, Chen X, Yu T, Wang L, Zhang X, Wang H, Zou X, Pang D, Ouyang H, Tang X. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockin of human factor IX into swine factor IX locus effectively alleviates bleeding in hemophilia B pigs. Haematologica 2021; 106:829-837. [PMID: 31974191 PMCID: PMC7927883 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.224063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia B is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by abnormalities in the coagulation factor IX gene. Without prophylactic treatment, patients experience frequent spontaneous bleeding episodes. Well-characterized animal models are valuable for determining the pathobiology of the disease and for testing novel therapeutic innovations. Here, we generated a porcine model of hemophilia B (HB) using a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer. We also tested the possibility of HB therapy by gene insertion. Frequent spontaneous joint bleeding episodes that occurred in HB pigs allowed a thorough investigation of the pathological process of hemophilic arthropathy. In contrast to the HB pigs, which showed a severe bleeding tendency and joint damage, the transgenic pigs carrying human coagulation factor IX exhibited a partial improvement in bleeding. In summary, this study not only offers a translational HB model for exploring the pathological process of hemophilic arthropathy, but also provides a possibility for the permanent correction of hemophilia in the future by genome editing in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahuan Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Beiying An
- Department of Medical Laboratory, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Biao Yu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaohuan Peng
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongming Yuan
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qiangbing Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xue Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lingyu Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinwei Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - He Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodong Zou
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Daxin Pang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | | | - Xiaochun Tang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Cozmescu AC, Counsell J, Gissen P. Gene therapies targeting the liver. J Hepatol 2021; 74:235-236. [PMID: 33071009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Claudiu Cozmescu
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK; MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Counsell
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK; Gene Transfer Technology Group, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London WC1E 6HX, UK; Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Molecular Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Paul Gissen
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK; MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK.
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40
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Mendell JR, Al-Zaidy SA, Rodino-Klapac LR, Goodspeed K, Gray SJ, Kay CN, Boye SL, Boye SE, George LA, Salabarria S, Corti M, Byrne BJ, Tremblay JP. Current Clinical Applications of In Vivo Gene Therapy with AAVs. Mol Ther 2020; 29:464-488. [PMID: 33309881 PMCID: PMC7854298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 382] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary diseases are caused by mutations in genes, and more than 7,000 rare diseases affect over 30 million Americans. For more than 30 years, hundreds of researchers have maintained that genetic modifications would provide effective treatments for many inherited human diseases, offering durable and possibly curative clinical benefit with a single treatment. This review is limited to gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) because the gene delivered by this vector does not integrate into the patient genome and has a low immunogenicity. There are now five treatments approved for commercialization and currently available, i.e., Luxturna, Zolgensma, the two chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies (Yescarta and Kymriah), and Strimvelis (the gammaretrovirus approved for adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency [ADA-SCID] in Europe). Dozens of other treatments are under clinical trials. The review article presents a broad overview of the field of therapy by in vivo gene transfer. We review gene therapy for neuromuscular disorders (spinal muscular atrophy [SMA]; Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD]; X-linked myotubular myopathy [XLMTM]; and diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Canavan disease, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase [AADC] deficiency, and giant axonal neuropathy), ocular disorders (Leber congenital amaurosis, age-related macular degeneration [AMD], choroideremia, achromatopsia, retinitis pigmentosa, and X-linked retinoschisis), the bleeding disorder hemophilia, and lysosomal storage disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry R Mendell
- Center of Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Kimberly Goodspeed
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Sanford L Boye
- Department of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lindsey A George
- Division of Hematology and the Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie Salabarria
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barry J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Wang X, Fu RY, Li C, Chen CY, Firrman J, Konkle BA, Zhang J, Li L, Xiao W, Poncz M, Miao CH. Enhancing therapeutic efficacy of in vivo platelet-targeted gene therapy in hemophilia A mice. Blood Adv 2020; 4:5722-5734. [PMID: 33216891 PMCID: PMC7686911 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies demonstrated that intraosseous (IO) infusion of lentiviral vectors (LVs) carrying a modified B domain-deleted factor VIII (FVIII) transgene driven by a megakaryocyte-specific promoter (GP1Bα promoter; G-F8/N6-LV) successfully transduced hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to produce FVIII stored in the platelet α-granules. Platelet FVIII corrected the bleeding phenotype with limited efficacy in hemophilia A (HemA) mice with and without preexisting anti-FVIII inhibitors. The present study sought to further enhance the therapeutic efficacy of this treatment protocol by increasing both the efficiency of LV transduction and the functional activity of platelet FVIII. A combined drug regimen of dexamethasone and anti-CD8α monoclonal antibody enhanced the percentage of transduced bone marrow and HSCs over time. In G-F8/N6-LV-treated HemA mice, significant improvement in phenotypic correction was observed on day 84. To improve platelet FVIII functionality, genes encoding FVIII variant F8X10K12 with increased expression or F8N6K12RH with increased functional activity compared with F8/N6 were incorporated into LVs. Treatment with G-F8X10K12-LV in HemA mice produced a higher level of platelet FVIII but induced anti-FVIII inhibitors. After treatment with combined drugs and IO infusion of G-F8/N6K12RH-LV, HemA mice showed significant phenotypic correction without anti-FVIII inhibitor formation. These results indicate that new human FVIII variant F8/N6K12RH combined with immune suppression could significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of in vivo platelet-targeted gene therapy for murine HemA via IO delivery. This protocol provides a safe and effective treatment for hemophilia that may be translatable to and particularly beneficial for patients with preexisting inhibitory antibodies to FVIII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Wang
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Richard Y Fu
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Chong Li
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Jenni Firrman
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA; and
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Mortimer Poncz
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carol H Miao
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
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Pseudotyping Lentiviral Vectors: When the Clothes Make the Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111311. [PMID: 33207797 PMCID: PMC7697029 DOI: 10.3390/v12111311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivering transgenes to human cells through transduction with viral vectors constitutes one of the most encouraging approaches in gene therapy. Lentivirus-derived vectors are among the most promising vectors for these approaches. When the genetic modification of the cell must be performed in vivo, efficient specific transduction of the cell targets of the therapy in the absence of off-targeting constitutes the Holy Grail of gene therapy. For viral therapy, this is largely determined by the characteristics of the surface proteins carried by the vector. In this regard, an important property of lentiviral vectors is the possibility of being pseudotyped by envelopes of other viruses, widening the panel of proteins with which they can be armed. Here, we discuss how this is achieved at the molecular level and what the properties and the potentialities of the different envelope proteins that can be used for pseudotyping these vectors are.
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43
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Piccolo P, Rossi A, Brunetti-Pierri N. Liver-directed gene-based therapies for inborn errors of metabolism. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 21:229-240. [PMID: 32880494 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1817375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inborn errors of metabolism include several genetic disorders due to disruption of cellular biochemical reactions. Although individually rare, collectively they are a large and heterogenous group of diseases affecting a significant proportion of patients. Available treatments are often unsatisfactory. Liver-directed gene therapy has potential for treatment of several inborn errors of metabolism. While lentiviral vectors and lipid nanoparticle-mRNA have shown attractive features in preclinical studies and still have to be investigated in humans, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have shown clinical success in both preclinical and clinical trials for in vivo liver-directed gene therapy. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discussed the most relevant clinical applications and the challenges of liver-directed gene-based approaches for therapy of inborn errors of metabolism. EXPERT OPINION Challenges and prospects of clinical gene therapy trials and preclinical studies that are believed to have the greatest potential for clinical translation are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Piccolo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine , Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples , Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rossi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples , Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine , Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples , Naples, Italy
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Caputo S, Grioni M, Brambillasca CS, Monno A, Brevi A, Freschi M, Piras IS, Elia AR, Pieri V, Baccega T, Lombardo A, Galli R, Briganti A, Doglioni C, Jachetti E, Bellone M. Galectin-3 in Prostate Cancer Stem-Like Cells Is Immunosuppressive and Drives Early Metastasis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1820. [PMID: 33013832 PMCID: PMC7516304 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an extracellular matrix glycan-binding protein with several immunosuppressive and pro-tumor functions. The role of Galectin-3 in cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) is poorly investigated. Here, we show that prostate CSCs also colonizing prostate-draining lymph nodes of transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice overexpress Gal-3. Gal-3 contributes to prostate CSC-mediated immune suppression because either Gal-3 silencing in CSCs, or co-culture of CSCs and T cells in the presence of the Gal-3 inhibitor N-Acetyl-D-lactosamine rescued T cell proliferation. N-Acetyl-D-lactosamine also rescued the proliferation of T cells in prostate-draining lymph nodes of TRAMP mice affected by prostate intraepithelial neoplasia. Additionally, Gal-3 impacted prostate CSC tumorigenic and metastatic potential in vivo, as Gal-3 silencing in prostate CSCs reduced both primary tumor growth and secondary invasion. Gal-3 was also found expressed in more differentiated prostate cancer cells, but with different intracellular distribution as compared to CSCs, which suggests different functions of Gal-3 in the two cell populations. In fact, the prevalent nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of Gal-3 in prostate CSCs made them less susceptible to apoptosis, when compared to more differentiated prostate cancer cells, in which Gal-3 was predominantly intra-cytoplasmic. Finally, we found Gal-3 expressed in human and mouse prostate intraepithelial neoplasia lesions and in metastatic lymph nodes. All together, these findings identify Gal-3 as a key molecule and a potential therapeutic target already in the early phases of prostate cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Caputo
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Grioni
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara S Brambillasca
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Monno
- Innate Immunity and Tissue Remodeling Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Brevi
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Freschi
- NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Unit of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ignazio S Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Center for Rare Childhood Disorders (C4RCD), Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Angela R Elia
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Pieri
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tania Baccega
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Lombardo
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Galli
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Briganti
- NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Unit of Urology and URI, Division of Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Doglioni
- NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Unit of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Jachetti
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bellone
- Cellular Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NET-IMPACT, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Thompson WS, Mondal G, Vanlith CJ, Kaiser RA, Lillegard JB. The future of gene-targeted therapy for hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 as a lead indication among the inborn errors of metabolism. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2020; 8:245-256. [PMID: 33224636 PMCID: PMC7676758 DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2020.1791082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) often result from single-gene mutations and collectively cause liver dysfunction in neonates leading to chronic liver and systemic disease. Current treatments for many IEMs are limited to maintenance therapies that may still require orthotropic liver transplantation. Gene therapies offer a potentially superior approach by correcting or replacing defective genes with functional isoforms; however, they face unique challenges from complexities presented by individual diseases and their diverse etiology, presentation, and pathophysiology. Furthermore, immune responses, off-target gene disruption, and tumorigenesis are major concerns that need to be addressed before clinical application of gene therapy. Areas covered The current treatments for IEMs are reviewed as well as the advances in, and barriers to, gene therapy for IEMs. Attention is then given to ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy approaches for hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1). Of all IEMs, HT1 is particularly amenable to gene therapy because of a selective growth advantage conferred to corrected cells, thereby lowering the initial transduction threshold for phenotypic relevance. Expert opinion It is proposed that not only is HT1 a safe indication for gene therapy, its unique characteristics position it to be an ideal IEM to develop for clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gourish Mondal
- Department of Surgery, Research Scientist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Robert A Kaiser
- Department of Surgery, Research Scientist, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Midwest Fetal Care Center, Childrens Hospital of Minnesota, MN, USA
| | - Joseph B Lillegard
- Midwest Fetal Care Center, Childrens Hospital of Minnesota, MN, USA.,Assistant Professor of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Milani M, Annoni A, Moalli F, Liu T, Cesana D, Calabria A, Bartolaccini S, Biffi M, Russo F, Visigalli I, Raimondi A, Patarroyo-White S, Drager D, Cristofori P, Ayuso E, Montini E, Peters R, Iannacone M, Cantore A, Naldini L. Phagocytosis-shielded lentiviral vectors improve liver gene therapy in nonhuman primates. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/493/eaav7325. [PMID: 31118293 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aav7325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver-directed gene therapy for the coagulation disorder hemophilia showed safe and effective results in clinical trials using adeno-associated viral vectors to replace a functional coagulation factor, although some unmet needs remain. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) may address some of these hurdles because of their potential for stable expression and the low prevalence of preexisting viral immunity in humans. However, systemic LV administration to hemophilic dogs was associated to mild acute toxicity and low efficacy at the administered doses. Here, exploiting intravital microscopy and LV surface engineering, we report a major role of the human phagocytosis inhibitor CD47, incorporated into LV cell membrane, in protecting LVs from uptake by professional phagocytes and innate immune sensing, thus favoring biodistribution to hepatocytes after systemic administration. By enforcing high CD47 surface content, we generated phagocytosis-shielded LVs which, upon intravenous administration to nonhuman primates, showed selective liver and spleen targeting and enhanced hepatocyte gene transfer compared to parental LV, reaching supraphysiological activity of human coagulation factor IX, the protein encoded by the transgene, without signs of toxicity or clonal expansion of transduced cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Milani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Annoni
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Cesana
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Calabria
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Bartolaccini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Russo
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Visigalli
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Patrizia Cristofori
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.,GlaxoSmithKline R&D UK, Ware SG12 0DP, UK
| | - Eduard Ayuso
- INSERM UMR1089, University of Nantes, CHU de Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Eugenio Montini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. .,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
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Cantore A, Naldini L. WFH State-of-the-art paper 2020: In vivo lentiviral vector gene therapy for haemophilia. Haemophilia 2020; 27 Suppl 3:122-125. [PMID: 32537776 PMCID: PMC7984334 DOI: 10.1111/hae.14056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, the development of new treatments for haemophilia has progressed at a very rapid pace. Despite all the promising advances in protein products, the prospect offered by gene therapy of a single potentially lifelong treatment remains attractive for people with haemophilia. Transfer to the liver of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX) transgenes has indeed the potential to stably restore the dysfunctional coagulation process. Recombinant adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐derived vectors are widely employed for liver‐directed gene therapy, given their very good efficacy and safety profile, shown in several preclinical and clinical studies. However, there are some limitations associated with AAV vectors, such as their predominantly episomal nature in the nucleus of target cells and the widespread pre‐existing immunity against the parental virus in humans. By contrast, HIV‐derived lentiviral vectors (LV) integrate into the target cell chromatin and are maintained as the cells duplicate their genome, a potential advantage for establishing long‐term expression especially in paediatric patients, in which the liver undergoes substantial growth. Systemic administration of LV allowed stable multi‐year transgene expression in the liver of mice and dogs. More recently, improved phagocytosis‐shielded LV were generated, which, following intravenous administration to non‐human primates, showed selective targeting of liver and spleen and enhanced hepatocyte gene transfer, achieving up to supra‐normal activity of both human FVIII and FIX transgenes. These studies support further preclinical assessment and clinical evaluation of in vivo liver‐directed LV gene therapy for haemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,"Vita Salute San Raffaele" University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,"Vita Salute San Raffaele" University, Milan, Italy
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Pipe SW. Delivering on the promise of gene therapy for haemophilia. Haemophilia 2020; 27 Suppl 3:114-121. [PMID: 32490590 DOI: 10.1111/hae.14027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The promise of gene therapy is a single treatment ('one and done') that leads to steady-state expression of endogenous factor VIII or factor IX sufficient to achieve a functional cure (free of recurrent haemophilic bleeding) if not normalized haemostasis. The elimination of the need for continued prophylaxis, or factor replacement following trauma or prior to surgery would lead to annual cost savings. Such optimized health and well-being would be reaching a level of health equity that was unimaginable several decades ago. 'Before anything else, preparation is the key to success'-Alexander Graham Bell. This quote from the famous inventor, scientist and engineer highlights that, although we currently stand on the threshold of this achievement, delivering on this promise will require broad-based multistakeholder preparation (scientists, manufacturers, federal regulators, health technology assessors, persons with haemophilia, national advocacy groups and multidisciplinary healthcare teams) with a focused emphasis on education, approval of safe and effective therapies, removal of barriers to access and excellence in clinical delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Pipe
- Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Pierce GF. Uncertainty in an era of transformative therapy for haemophilia: Addressing the unknowns. Haemophilia 2020; 27 Suppl 3:103-113. [PMID: 32484283 DOI: 10.1111/hae.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Haemophilia is at the dawn of a new era in therapeutic management, one that can generate greater protection from bleeding and a functional cure in some individuals. Prior advances in protein engineering and monoclonal antibody technology have facilitated therapeutic options to maintain decreased risk of bleeding and less burdensome treatment. The use of gene transfer, first proposed in 1971 for monogenic diseases, is emerging as an effective long-term treatment for a variety of diseases. Transfer of functional factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) genes has witnessed a series of advances and setbacks since the first non-clinical experiments in animals were initiated nearly 30 years ago. More recently, multiyear therapeutic levels of FVIII and FIX activity have been achieved in human clinical trials, translated into meaningful clinical benefit and a functional cure. While clinical progress has been definitive, many questions remain unanswered as prelicensure phase 3 clinical trials are underway. These unanswered questions translate into a state of uncertainty about the known unknowns and unknown unknowns intrinsic to any new therapeutic platform. Accepting this modality as a means to functionally cure haemophilia also means accepting the uncertainty regarding the biology of viral vector-mediated gene transfer, which remains inadequately understood. Gene therapy is a far more complex biological 'drug' than small molecule and protein drugs, where manufacturing processes and the drugs themselves are now well characterized. Extent of community acceptance of uncertainty and acknowledgement of the need for an uncompromising drive for answers to the unknowns will characterize the introduction of this first generation of gene therapy for haemophilia to the wider patient population in both resource-rich and resource-poor countries.
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Samelson-Jones BJ, Arruda VR. Translational Potential of Immune Tolerance Induction by AAV Liver-Directed Factor VIII Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A. Front Immunol 2020; 11:618. [PMID: 32425925 PMCID: PMC7212376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked bleeding disorder due to deficiencies in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). The major complication of current protein-based therapies is the development of neutralizing anti-FVIII antibodies, termed inhibitors, that block the hemostatic effect of therapeutic FVIII. Inhibitors develop in about 20-30% of people with severe HA, but the risk is dependent on the interaction between environmental and genetic factors, including the underlying F8 gene mutation. Recently, multiple clinical trials evaluating adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector liver-directed gene therapy for HA have reported promising results of therapeutically relevant to curative FVIII levels. The inclusion criteria for most trials prevented enrollment of subjects with a history of inhibitors. However, preclinical data from small and large animal models of HA with inhibitors suggests that liver-directed gene therapy can in fact eradicate pre-existing anti-FVIII antibodies, induce immune tolerance, and provide long-term therapeutic FVIII expression to prevent bleeding. Herein, we review the accumulating evidence that continuous uninterrupted expression of FVIII and other transgenes after liver-directed AAV gene therapy can bias the immune system toward immune tolerance induction, discuss the current understanding of the immunological mechanisms of this process, and outline questions that will need to be addressed to translate this strategy to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Samelson-Jones
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Valder R. Arruda
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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