1
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Wiggins KB, Winston SM, Reeves IL, Gaevert J, Spence Y, Brimble MA, Livingston B, Morton CL, Thomas PG, Sant AJ, Ross TM, Davidoff AM, Schultz-Cherry S. rAAV expressing a COBRA-designed influenza hemagglutinin generates a protective and durable adaptive immune response with a single dose. J Virol 2024; 98:e0078124. [PMID: 39078191 PMCID: PMC11338075 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00781-24] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Influenza remains a worldwide public health threat. Although seasonal influenza vaccines are currently the best means of preventing severe disease, the standard-of-care vaccines require frequent updating due to antigenic drift and can have low efficacy, particularly in vulnerable populations. Here, we demonstrate that a single administration of a recombinant adenovirus-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing a computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA)-derived influenza H1 hemagglutinin (HA) induces strongly neutralizing and broadly protective antibodies in naïve mice and ferrets with pre-existing influenza immunity. Following a lethal viral challenge, the rAAV-COBRA vaccine allowed for significantly reduced viral loads in the upper and lower respiratory tracts and complete protection from morbidity and mortality that lasted for at least 5 months post-vaccination. We observed no signs of antibody waning during this study. CpG motif enrichment of the antigen can act as an internal adjuvant to further enhance the immune responses to allow for lower vaccine dosages with the induction of unique interferon-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells specific to HA head and stem peptide sequences. Our studies highlight the utility of rAAV as an effective platform to improve seasonal influenza vaccines. IMPORTANCE Developing an improved seasonal influenza vaccine remains an ambitious goal of researchers and clinicians alike. With influenza routinely causing severe epidemics with the potential to rise to pandemic levels, it is critical to create an effective, broadly protective, and durable vaccine to improve public health worldwide. As a potential solution, we created a rAAV viral vector expressing a COBRA-optimized influenza hemagglutinin antigen with modestly enriched CpG motifs to evoke a robust and long-lasting immune response after a single intramuscular dose without needing boosts or adjuvants. Importantly, the rAAV vaccine boosted antibody breadth to future strains in ferrets with pre-existing influenza immunity. Together, our data support further investigation into the utility of viral vectors as a potential avenue to improve our seasonal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin B. Wiggins
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Stephen M. Winston
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Surgery,
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Isaiah L. Reeves
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Surgery,
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica Gaevert
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Yunyu Spence
- Department of Surgery,
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark A. Brimble
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Brandi Livingston
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Christopher L. Morton
- Department of Surgery,
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Paul G. Thomas
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrea J. Sant
- David H. Smith Center
for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, University of Rochester Medical
Center, Rochester, New
York, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Department of
Infectious Biology, Cleveland Clinic,
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic,
Florida Research and Innovation Center,
Port St. Lucie, Florida,
USA
| | - Andrew M. Davidoff
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Surgery,
St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
| | - Stacey Schultz-Cherry
- St. Jude Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences,
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of
Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA
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Liu L, Xu B, Chen L, Liu J, Liu W, Xue F, Feng S, Jiang E, Han M, Shao W, Zhang L, Pei X. An investigation of the immune epitopes of adeno-associated virus capsid-derived peptides among hemophilia patients. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101245. [PMID: 38660620 PMCID: PMC11039395 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101245] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is an optimal gene vector for monogenic disorders. However, neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) against AAV hinder its widespread application in gene therapy. In this study, we biosynthesized peptides recognized by the binding antibodies (Babs) from the sera containing high Nab titers against AAV2. We established four immunological methods to detect immune epitopes of the AAV2-derived peptides, including a Bab assay, Nab assay, B cell receptor (BCR) detecting assay, and immunoglobin-producing B cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (B cell ELISpot) assay. Correlations among the epitopes determined by these four methods were analyzed using the serum samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 89 patients with hemophilia A/B. As decoys, the peptides' ability to block the Nab of AAV2 particles was assessed using AAV transduction models both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we provide insights into AAV2-capsid-derived peptide immune epitopes, involving the Nab, Bab, BCR, and B cell ELISpot assays, offering alternative immunological evaluation approaches and strategies to overcome Nab barriers in AAV-mediated gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Bingqi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Feng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Erlie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhe Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Wenwei Shao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, P.R. China
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3
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Mietzsch M, Nelson AR, Hsi J, Zachary J, Potts L, Chipman P, Ghanem M, Khandekar N, Alexander IE, Logan GJ, Huiskonen JT, McKenna R. Structural characterization of antibody-responses from Zolgensma treatment provides the blueprint for the engineering of an AAV capsid suitable for redosing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.590489. [PMID: 38746165 PMCID: PMC11092599 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.590489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are useful tools to dissect the neutralizing antibody response against the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids used as gene therapy delivery vectors. This study structurally characterizes the interactions of 21 human-derived antibodies from patients treated with the AAV9 vector, Zolgensma ® , utilizing high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy. The majority of the bound antibodies do not conform to the icosahedral symmetry of the capsid, thus requiring localized reconstructions. These complex structures provide unprecedented details of the mAbs binding interfaces, with some antibodies inducing structural perturbations of the capsid upon binding. Key surface capsid amino acid residues were identified facilitating the design of capsid variants with an antibody escape phenotype, with the potential to expand the patient cohort treatable with AAV9 vectors to include those that were previously excluded due to their pre-existing neutralizing antibodies, and possibly also to those requiring redosing.
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Xie R, Yuan S, Hu G, Zhan J, Jin K, Tang Y, Fan J, Zhao Y, Wang F, Chen C, Wang DW, Li H. Nuclear AGO2 promotes myocardial remodeling by activating ANKRD1 transcription in failing hearts. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1578-1594. [PMID: 38475992 PMCID: PMC11081878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is manifested by transcriptional and posttranscriptional reprogramming of critical genes. Multiple studies have revealed that microRNAs could translocate into subcellular organelles such as the nucleus to modify gene expression. However, the functional property of subcellular Argonaute2 (AGO2), the core member of the microRNA machinery, has remained elusive in HF. AGO2 was found to be localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of cardiomyocytes, and robustly increased in the failing hearts of patients and animal models. We demonstrated that nuclear AGO2 rather than cytosolic AGO2 overexpression by recombinant adeno-associated virus (serotype 9) with cardiomyocyte-specific troponin T promoter exacerbated the cardiac dysfunction in transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-operated mice. Mechanistically, nuclear AGO2 activates the transcription of ANKRD1, encoding ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 1 (ANKRD1), which also has a dual function in the cytoplasm as part of the I-band of the sarcomere and in the nucleus as a transcriptional cofactor. Overexpression of nuclear ANKRD1 recaptured some key features of cardiac remodeling by inducing pathological MYH7 activation, whereas cytosolic ANKRD1 seemed cardioprotective. For clinical practice, we found ivermectin, an antiparasite drug, and ANPep, an ANKRD1 nuclear location signal mimetic peptide, were able to prevent ANKRD1 nuclear import, resulting in the improvement of cardiac performance in TAC-induced HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xie
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Guo Hu
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiabing Zhan
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Kunying Jin
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuyan Tang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiahui Fan
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yanru Zhao
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Huaping Li
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan 430030, China.
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5
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Wang JH, Gessler DJ, Zhan W, Gallagher TL, Gao G. Adeno-associated virus as a delivery vector for gene therapy of human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:78. [PMID: 38565561 PMCID: PMC10987683 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01780-w] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a pivotal delivery tool in clinical gene therapy owing to its minimal pathogenicity and ability to establish long-term gene expression in different tissues. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) has been engineered for enhanced specificity and developed as a tool for treating various diseases. However, as rAAV is being more widely used as a therapy, the increased demand has created challenges for the existing manufacturing methods. Seven rAAV-based gene therapy products have received regulatory approval, but there continue to be concerns about safely using high-dose viral therapies in humans, including immune responses and adverse effects such as genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy, and neurotoxicity. In this review, we explore AAV biology with an emphasis on current vector engineering strategies and manufacturing technologies. We discuss how rAAVs are being employed in ongoing clinical trials for ocular, neurological, metabolic, hematological, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers. We outline immune responses triggered by rAAV, address associated side effects, and discuss strategies to mitigate these reactions. We hope that discussing recent advancements and current challenges in the field will be a helpful guide for researchers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving landscape of rAAV-based gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Hui Wang
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Thomas L Gallagher
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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6
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Zhan J, Jin K, Xie R, Fan J, Tang Y, Chen C, Li H, Wang DW. AGO2 Protects Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Activating Mitochondrial Gene Translation. Circulation 2024; 149:1102-1120. [PMID: 38126189 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.065546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes is associated with cardiovascular complications. microRNAs translocate into subcellular organelles to modify genes involved in diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, functional properties of subcellular AGO2 (Argonaute2), a core member of miRNA machinery, remain elusive. METHODS We elucidated the function and mechanism of subcellular localized AGO2 on mouse models for diabetes and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 9 was used to deliver AGO2 to mice through the tail vein. Cardiac structure and functions were assessed by echocardiography and catheter manometer system. RESULTS AGO2 was decreased in mitochondria of diabetic cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of mitochondrial AGO2 attenuated diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction. AGO2 recruited TUFM, a mitochondria translation elongation factor, to activate translation of electron transport chain subunits and decrease reactive oxygen species. Malonylation, a posttranslational modification of AGO2, reduced the importing of AGO2 into mitochondria in diabetic cardiomyopathy. AGO2 malonylation was regulated by a cytoplasmic-localized short isoform of SIRT3 through a previously unknown demalonylase function. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that the SIRT3-AGO2-CYTB axis links glucotoxicity to cardiac electron transport chain imbalance, providing new mechanistic insights and the basis to develop mitochondria targeting therapies for diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabing Zhan
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, China (J.Z.)
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fujian Institute of Coronary Heart Disease, Fujian Medical University, China (J.Z.)
| | - Kunying Jin
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Rong Xie
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Jiahui Fan
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Yuyan Tang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Huaping Li
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (J.Z., K.J., R.X., J.F., Y.T., C.C., H.L., D.W.W.)
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7
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Asokan A, Shen S. Redirecting AAV vectors to extrahepatic tissues. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3371-3375. [PMID: 37805712 PMCID: PMC10727976 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are the current benchmark for systemic delivery of gene therapies to multiple organs in vivo. Despite clinical successes, safe and effective gene delivery to extrahepatic tissues has proven challenging due to dose limiting toxicity arising from high liver uptake of AAV vectors. Deeper understanding of AAV structure, receptor biology, and pharmacology has enabled the design and engineering of liver-de-targeted capsids ushering in several new vector candidates. This next generation of AAVs offers significant promise for extrahepatic gene delivery to cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurological tissues with improved safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aravind Asokan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Shen Shen
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Gonzalez TJ, Mitchell-Dick A, Blondel LO, Fanous MM, Hull JA, Oh DK, Moller-Tank S, Castellanos Rivera RM, Piedrahita JA, Asokan A. Structure-guided AAV capsid evolution strategies for enhanced CNS gene delivery. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3413-3459. [PMID: 37735235 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00875-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 5 years, our laboratory has systematically developed a structure-guided library approach to evolve new adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids with altered tissue tropism, higher transduction efficiency and the ability to evade pre-existing humoral immunity. Here, we provide a detailed protocol describing two distinct evolution strategies using structurally divergent AAV serotypes as templates, exemplified by improving CNS gene transfer efficiency in vivo. We outline four major components of our strategy: (i) structure-guided design of AAV capsid libraries, (ii) AAV library production, (iii) library cycling in single versus multiple animal models, followed by (iv) evaluation of lead AAV vector candidates in vivo. The protocol spans ~95 d, excluding gene expression analysis in vivo, and can vary depending on user experience, resources and experimental design. A distinguishing attribute of the current protocol is the focus on providing biomedical researchers with 3D structural information to guide evolution of precise 'hotspots' on AAV capsids. Furthermore, the protocol outlines two distinct methods for AAV library evolution consisting of adenovirus-enabled infectious cycling in a single species and noninfectious cycling in a cross-species manner. Notably, our workflow can be seamlessly merged with other RNA transcript-based library strategies and tailored for tissue-specific capsid selection. Overall, the procedures outlined herein can be adapted to expand the AAV vector toolkit for genetic manipulation of animal models and development of human gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Leo O Blondel
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marco M Fanous
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joshua A Hull
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel K Oh
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sven Moller-Tank
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Jorge A Piedrahita
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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9
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Hsi J, Mietzsch M, Chipman P, Afione S, Zeher A, Huang R, Chiorini J, McKenna R. Structural and antigenic characterization of the avian adeno-associated virus capsid. J Virol 2023; 97:e0078023. [PMID: 37702486 PMCID: PMC10617571 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00780-23] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE AAVs are extensively studied as promising therapeutic gene delivery vectors. In order to circumvent pre-existing antibodies targeting primate-based AAV capsids, the AAAV capsid was evaluated as an alternative to primate-based therapeutic vectors. Despite the high sequence diversity, the AAAV capsid was found to bind to a common glycan receptor, terminal galactose, which is also utilized by other AAVs already being utilized in gene therapy trials. However, contrary to the initial hypothesis, AAAV was recognized by approximately 30% of human sera tested. Structural and sequence comparisons point to conserved epitopes in the fivefold region of the capsid as the reason determinant for the observed cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Hsi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mario Mietzsch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Paul Chipman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Sandra Afione
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison Zeher
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School for Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rick Huang
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John Chiorini
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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10
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López-Astacio RA, Adu OF, Lee H, Hafenstein SL, Parrish CR. The Structures and Functions of Parvovirus Capsids and Missing Pieces: the Viral DNA and Its Packaging, Asymmetrical Features, Nonprotein Components, and Receptor or Antibody Binding and Interactions. J Virol 2023; 97:e0016123. [PMID: 37367301 PMCID: PMC10373561 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00161-23] [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] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses are among the smallest and superficially simplest animal viruses, infecting a broad range of hosts, including humans, and causing some deadly infections. In 1990, the first atomic structure of the canine parvovirus (CPV) capsid revealed a 26-nm-diameter T=1 particle made up of two or three versions of a single protein, and packaging about 5,100 nucleotides of single-stranded DNA. Our structural and functional understanding of parvovirus capsids and their ligands has increased as imaging and molecular techniques have advanced, and capsid structures for most groups within the Parvoviridae family have now been determined. Despite those advances, significant questions remain unanswered about the functioning of those viral capsids and their roles in release, transmission, or cellular infection. In addition, the interactions of capsids with host receptors, antibodies, or other biological components are also still incompletely understood. The parvovirus capsid's apparent simplicity likely conceals important functions carried out by small, transient, or asymmetric structures. Here, we highlight some remaining open questions that may need to be answered to provide a more thorough understanding of how these viruses carry out their various functions. The many different members of the family Parvoviridae share a capsid architecture, and while many functions are likely similar, others may differ in detail. Many of those parvoviruses have not been experimentally examined in detail (or at all in some cases), so we, therefore, focus this minireview on the widely studied protoparvoviruses, as well as the most thoroughly investigated examples of adeno-associated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. López-Astacio
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Oluwafemi F. Adu
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Hyunwook Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan L. Hafenstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Colin R. Parrish
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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11
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Logan GJ, Mietzsch M, Khandekar N, D'Silva A, Anderson D, Mandwie M, Hsi J, Nelson AR, Chipman P, Jackson J, Schofield P, Christ D, Goodnow CC, Reed JH, Farrar MA, McKenna R, Alexander IE. Structural and functional characterization of capsid binding by anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies from infants after SMA gene therapy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1979-1993. [PMID: 37012705 PMCID: PMC10362397 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Success in the treatment of infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) underscores the potential of vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV). However, a major obstacle to the full realization of this potential is pre-existing natural and therapy-induced anti-capsid humoral immunity. Structure-guided capsid engineering is one possible approach to surmounting this challenge but necessitates an understanding of capsid-antibody interactions at high molecular resolution. Currently, only mouse-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are available to structurally map these interactions, which presupposes that mouse and human-derived antibodies are functionally equivalent. In this study, we have characterized the polyclonal antibody responses of infants following AAV9-mediated gene therapy for SMA and recovered 35 anti-capsid mAbs from the abundance of switched-memory B (smB) cells present in these infants. For 21 of these mAbs, seven from each of three infants, we have undertaken functional and structural analysis measuring neutralization, affinities, and binding patterns by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). Four distinct patterns were observed akin to those reported for mouse-derived mAbs, but with early evidence of differing binding pattern preference and underlying molecular interactions. This is the first human and largest series of anti-capsid mAbs to have been comprehensively characterized and will prove to be powerful tools for basic discovery and applied purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant J Logan
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Mario Mietzsch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Neeta Khandekar
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Arlene D'Silva
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Anderson
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Mawj Mandwie
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Hsi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Austin R Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Paul Chipman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer Jackson
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Schofield
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Christ
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher C Goodnow
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Joanne H Reed
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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12
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Tumor antigen-loaded AAV vaccine drives protective immunity in a melanoma animal model. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 28:301-311. [PMID: 36851984 PMCID: PMC9957711 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.01.006] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously described therapeutic opportunities provided by capsid- and expression cassette-optimized adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) vectors to suppress tumor growth in both solid and metastatic mouse models by using artificial ovalbumin (OVA) immunogen. In the current study, we further elucidated the mechanism of function of a novel AAV-based vaccine loaded with the melanoma tumor-associated antigens premelanosome protein gp100, tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (TRP2). We showed that the AAV6-based vaccine creates cellular and humoral antigen-specific responses, while antigen expression at the site of vaccine injection was temporal, and the clearance of antigen coincided with T cell infiltration. Our data revealed the superior protective immune response of optimized AAV6-TRP1 compared with other self-antigens in a disease-free mouse model. We further assessed the ability of AAV6-TRP1 to protect animals from metastatic spread in the lungs and to extend animal survival by inhibiting solid tumor growth. Flow cytometry-based analysis indicated significant infiltration of CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor site, as well as changes in the polarization of intratumoral macrophages. Altogether, our data strongly support the use of optimized AAV vectors for cancer vaccine development.
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13
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Simmons E, Wen Y, Li J, Qian YW, Wong LC, Konrad RJ, Bivi N. A sensitive and drug tolerant assay for detecting anti-AAV9 antibodies using affinity capture elution. J Immunol Methods 2023; 512:113397. [PMID: 36481208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2022.113397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapies are gaining significant momentum as a novel therapeutic modality. However, a yet unsolved concern for using AAV as a vector is the high potential to elicit humoral and cellular responses, which are often exacerbated by pre-existing immunity due to exposure to wild type AAV. Therefore, characterization of pre-existing and treatment emergent anti-AAV antibodies is of great importance to the development of AAV based gene therapies. In this project, a sensitive and drug tolerant total antibody (TAb) assay was developed using recombinant AAV9-GFP (green fluorescent protein) as a surrogate AAV9. The assay format was affinity capture and elution (ACE) with ruthenium labeled AAV9-GFP as detection. Upon evaluation, three commercial anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibodies (clones HI17, HI35, and HL2374) were chosen and mixed at equal concentrations as positive control material. The assay sensitivity was estimated to be 11.2 ng/mL. Drug tolerance was estimated to be 5.4 × 10E10 DRP/mL AAV9-GFP at 100 ng/mL anti-AAV9 antibodies and to be at least 1 × 10E11 DRP/mL at 500 ng/mL and 250 ng/mL anti-AAV9 antibodies. The assay showed desirable specificity and precision. Using this TAb assay, significant pre-existing antibodies were detected from normal human sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Simmons
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Yi Wen
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA.
| | - Jingling Li
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Yue-Wei Qian
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Li Chin Wong
- Prevail Therapeutics - a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Robert J Konrad
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Nicoletta Bivi
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
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14
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Suoranta T, Laham-Karam N, Ylä-Herttuala S. Strategies to improve safety profile of AAV vectors. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 2:1054069. [PMID: 39086961 PMCID: PMC11285686 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.1054069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are currently used in four approved gene therapies for Leber congenital amaurosis (Luxturna), spinal muscular atrophy (Zolgensma), aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (Upstaza) and Haemophilia A (Roctavian), with several more therapies being investigated in clinical trials. AAV gene therapy has long been considered extremely safe both in the context of immunotoxicity and genotoxicity, but recent tragic deaths in the clinical trials for X-linked myotubular myopathy and Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, together with increasing reports of potential hepatic oncogenicity in animal models have prompted re-evaluation of how much trust we can place on the safety of AAV gene therapy, especially at high doses. In this review we cover genome and capsid engineering strategies that can be used to improve safety of the next generation AAV vectors both in the context of immunogenicity and genotoxicity and discuss the gaps that need filling in our current knowledge about AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuisku Suoranta
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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15
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Gonzalez TJ, Simon KE, Blondel LO, Fanous MM, Roger AL, Maysonet MS, Devlin GW, Smith TJ, Oh DK, Havlik LP, Castellanos Rivera RM, Piedrahita JA, ElMallah MK, Gersbach CA, Asokan A. Cross-species evolution of a highly potent AAV variant for therapeutic gene transfer and genome editing. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5947. [PMID: 36210364 PMCID: PMC9548504 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33745-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are a promising gene delivery platform, but ongoing clinical trials continue to highlight a relatively narrow therapeutic window. Effective clinical translation is confounded, at least in part, by differences in AAV biology across animal species. Here, we tackle this challenge by sequentially evolving AAV capsid libraries in mice, pigs and macaques. We discover a highly potent, cross-species compatible variant (AAV.cc47) that shows improved attributes benchmarked against AAV serotype 9 as evidenced by robust reporter and therapeutic gene expression, Cre recombination and CRISPR genome editing in normal and diseased mouse models. Enhanced transduction efficiency of AAV.cc47 vectors is further corroborated in macaques and pigs, providing a strong rationale for potential clinical translation into human gene therapies. We envision that ccAAV vectors may not only improve predictive modeling in preclinical studies, but also clinical translatability by broadening the therapeutic window of AAV based gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Katherine E Simon
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Leo O Blondel
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marco M Fanous
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Angela L Roger
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Garth W Devlin
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J Smith
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel K Oh
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - L Patrick Havlik
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jorge A Piedrahita
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Mai K ElMallah
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Duke Regeneration Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Regeneration Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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16
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Becker J, Fakhiri J, Grimm D. Fantastic AAV Gene Therapy Vectors and How to Find Them—Random Diversification, Rational Design and Machine Learning. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070756. [PMID: 35890005 PMCID: PMC9318892 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parvoviruses are a diverse family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect a wide variety of species, tissues and cell types. For over half a century, their intriguing biology and pathophysiology has fueled intensive research aimed at dissecting the underlying viral and cellular mechanisms. Concurrently, their broad host specificity (tropism) has motivated efforts to develop parvoviruses as gene delivery vectors for human cancer or gene therapy applications. While the sum of preclinical and clinical data consistently demonstrates the great potential of these vectors, these findings also illustrate the importance of enhancing and restricting in vivo transgene expression in desired cell types. To this end, major progress has been made especially with vectors based on Adeno-associated virus (AAV), whose capsid is highly amenable to bioengineering, repurposing and expansion of its natural tropism. Here, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art approaches to create new AAV variants with higher specificity and efficiency of gene transfer in on-target cells. We first review traditional and novel directed evolution approaches, including high-throughput screening of AAV capsid libraries. Next, we discuss programmable receptor-mediated targeting with a focus on two recent technologies that utilize high-affinity binders. Finally, we highlight one of the latest stratagems for rational AAV vector characterization and optimization, namely, machine learning, which promises to facilitate and accelerate the identification of next-generation, safe and precise gene delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Becker
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Fakhiri
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (D.G.); Tel.: +49-174-3486203 (J.F.); +49-6221-5451331 (D.G.)
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