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Słyk Ż, Stachowiak N, Małecki M. Gene Therapy in the Light of Lifestyle Diseases: Budesonide, Acetaminophen and Simvastatin Modulates rAAV Transduction Efficiency. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1213. [PMID: 39338375 PMCID: PMC11434873 DOI: 10.3390/ph17091213] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors are increasingly favored for gene therapy due to their useful features of vectorology, such as transfection of dividing and nondividing cells, the presence of tissue-specific serotypes, and biosafety considerations. This study investigates the impact of commonly used therapeutic drugs-acetaminophen, budesonide, and simvastatin-on rAAV transduction efficiency in HEK-293 cells. Cells were transduced with an AAV mosaic vector under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP). Transduction efficiency was assessed by qPCR and fluorescent microscopy. Analysis of functional interactions between genes potentially involved in rAAV transduction in drug-exposed cells was also performed. This study showed a clear effect of drugs on rAAV transmission. Notably, acetaminophen enhanced transduction efficiency by 9-fold, while budesonide and simvastatin showed 2-fold and 3-fold increases, respectively. The gene analysis illustrates the possible involvement of genes related to cell membranes in the potentiation of rAAV transduction induced by the drugs under investigation. Attention should be paid to S100A8, which is a common drug-modified gene for drugs showing anti-inflammatory effects (budesonide and simvastatin), demonstrating an interaction with the gene encoding the receptor for AAV (HGFR). This study underscores the significance of assessing rAAV pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PKs/PDs) and drug-gene therapy interactions in optimizing gene therapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Słyk
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Stachowiak
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Małecki
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
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2
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Excoffon KJDA, Lin S, Narayan PKL, Sitaraman S, Jimah AM, Fallon TT, James ML, Glatfelter MR, Limberis MP, Smith MD, Guffanti G, Kolbeck R. SP-101, A Novel Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, Mediates Functional Correction of Primary Human Airway Epithelia From Donors with Cystic Fibrosis. Hum Gene Ther 2024; 35:695-709. [PMID: 39155805 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2024.063] [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] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Although CF affects multiple organs, lung disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, and gene therapy is expected to provide a mutation-agnostic option for treatment. SP-101 is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vector carrying a human CFTR minigene, hCFTRΔR, and is being investigated as an inhalation treatment for people with CF. To further understand SP-101 activity, in vitro studies were performed in human airway epithelia (HAE) derived from multiple CF and non-CF donors. SP-101 restored CFTR-mediated chloride conductance, measured via Ussing chamber assay, at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) as low as 5E2 in the presence of doxorubicin, a small molecule known to augment AAV transduction. Functional correction of CF HAE increased with increasing MOI and doxorubicin concentration and correlated with increasing cell-associated vector genomes and hCFTRΔR mRNA expression. Tropism studies using a fluorescent reporter vector and single-cell mRNA sequencing of SP-101-mediated hCFTRΔR mRNA demonstrated broad expression in all cell types after apical transduction, including secretory, ciliated, and basal cells. In summary, SP-101, particularly in combination with doxorubicin, shows promise for a novel CF treatment strategy and strongly supports continued development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shen Lin
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Awal M Jimah
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tyler T Fallon
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melane L James
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Mark D Smith
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Roland Kolbeck
- Spirovant Sciences, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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3
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Słyk Ż, Stachowiak N, Małecki M. Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Gene Therapy of the Central Nervous System: Delivery Routes and Clinical Aspects. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1523. [PMID: 39062095 PMCID: PMC11274884 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071523] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is vulnerable to a range of diseases, including neurodegenerative and oncological conditions, which present significant treatment challenges. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts molecule penetration, complicating the achievement of therapeutic concentrations in the CNS following systemic administration. Gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors emerges as a promising strategy for treating CNS diseases, demonstrated by the registration of six gene therapy products in the past six years and 87 ongoing clinical trials. This review explores the implementation of rAAV vectors in CNS disease treatment, emphasizing AAV biology and vector engineering. Various administration methods-such as intravenous, intrathecal, and intraparenchymal routes-and experimental approaches like intranasal and intramuscular administration are evaluated, discussing their advantages and limitations in different CNS contexts. Additionally, the review underscores the importance of optimizing therapeutic efficacy through the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of rAAV vectors. A comprehensive analysis of clinical trials reveals successes and challenges, including barriers to commercialization. This review provides insights into therapeutic strategies using rAAV vectors in neurological diseases and identifies areas requiring further research, particularly in optimizing rAAV PK/PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Słyk
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Stachowiak
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Małecki
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Mendiola Pla M, Bowles DE. Ex Vivo Gene Therapy in Organ Transplantation: Considerations and Clinical Translation. Hum Gene Ther 2024; 35:284-297. [PMID: 38131288 PMCID: PMC11044854 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.193] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo machine perfusion (EVMP) is rapidly growing in utility during solid organ transplantation. This form of organ preservation is transforming how organs are allocated and expanding the definition of what is considered a suitable organ for transplantation in comparison with traditional static cold storage. All major organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney) have been influenced by this advanced method of organ preservation. This technology also serves as an unprecedented platform for effective administration of advanced therapeutics, including gene therapies, during organ transplantation to optimize and recondition organs ex vivo in an isolated manner. Applying gene therapy interventions through EVMP introduces different considerations and challenges that are unique from gene therapies designed for systemic administration. Considerations involving vector (choice, dose, toxicity), perfusate composition, and perfusion circuit components should be evaluated when developing a gene therapy to administer in this setting. This review explores these aspects and discusses clinical applications in transplantation where gene therapy interventions can be developed relevant to heart, lung, liver, and kidney donor grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Mendiola Pla
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dawn E. Bowles
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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5
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Huang X, Wang X, Sun Y, Li L, Li A, Xu W, Xie X, Diao Y. Bleomycin promotes rAAV2 transduction via DNA-PKcs/Artemis-mediated DNA break repair pathways. Virology 2024; 590:109959. [PMID: 38100984 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109959] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Because it is safe and has a simple genome, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is an extremely appealing vector for delivery in in vivo gene therapy. However, its low transduction efficiency for some cells, limits its further application in the field of gene therapy. Bleomycin is a chemotherapeutic agent approved by the FDA whose effect on rAAV transduction has not been studied. In this study, we systematically investigated the effect of Bleomycin on the second-strand synthesis and used CRISPR/CAS9 and RNAi methods to understand the effects of Bleomycin on rAAV vector transduction, particularly the effect of DNA repair enzymes. The results showed that Bleomycin could promote rAAV2 transduction both in vivo and in vitro. Increased transduction was discovered to be a direct result of decreased cytoplasmic rAAV particle degradation and increased second-strand synthesis. TDP1, PNKP, and SETMAR are required to repair the DNA damage gap caused by Bleomycin, TDP1, PNKP, and SETMAR promote rAAV second-strand synthesis. Bleomycin induced DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and phosphorylated DNA-PKcs and Artemis promoted second-strand synthesis. The current study identifies an effective method for increasing the capability and scope of in-vivo and in-vitro rAAV applications, which can amplify cell transduction at Bleomycin concentrations. It also supplies information on combining tumor gene therapy with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Huang
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yaqi Sun
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Ling Li
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Anna Li
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolan Xie
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China.
| | - Yong Diao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, China.
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6
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Ning K, Zhang X, Feng Z, Hao S, Kuz CA, Cheng F, Park SY, McFarlin S, Engelhardt JF, Yan Z, Qiu J. Inhibition of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit boosts rAAV transduction of polarized human airway epithelium. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101115. [PMID: 37841417 PMCID: PMC10568418 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus 2.5T (AAV2.5T) was selected from the directed evolution of AAV capsid library in human airway epithelia. This study found that recombinant AAV2.5T (rAAV2.5T) transduction of well-differentiated primary human airway epithelia induced a DNA damage response (DDR) characterized by the phosphorylation of replication protein A32 (RPA32), histone variant H2AX (H2A histone family member X), and all three phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases: ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase (ATR), and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). While suppressing the expression of ATR by a specific pharmacological inhibitor or targeted gene silencing inhibited rAAV2.5T transduction, DNA-PKcs inhibition or targeted gene silencing significantly increased rAAV2.5T transgene expression. Notably, DNA-PKcs inhibitors worked as a "booster" to further increase rAAV2.5T transgene expression after treatment with doxorubicin and did not compromise epithelial integrity. Thus, our study provides evidence that DDR is associated with rAAV transduction in well-differentiated human airway epithelia, and DNA-PKcs inhibition has the potential to boost rAAV transduction. These findings highlight that the application of DDR inhibition-associated pharmacological interventions has the potential to increase rAAV transduction and thus to reduce the required vector dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Ning
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Zehua Feng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Siyuan Hao
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Cagla Aksu Kuz
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Fang Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Soo Yuen Park
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shane McFarlin
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John F. Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Gómez-Moreno A, San Sebastian E, Moya J, Gomollón-Zueco P, Isola S, Vales Á, González-Aseguinolaza G, Unzu C, Garaigorta U. Topoisomerase Inhibitors Increase Episomal DNA Expression by Inducing the Integration of Episomal DNA in Hepatic Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2459. [PMID: 37896219 PMCID: PMC10610421 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102459] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising strategy to treat and cure most inherited metabolic liver disorders. Viral vectors such as those based on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lentiviruses (LVs) are used as vehicles to deliver functional genes to affected hepatocytes. Adverse events associated with the use of high vector doses have motivated the use of small molecules as adjuvants to reduce the dose. In this study, we showed that a one-hour treatment with topoisomerase inhibitors (camptothecin and etoposide) prior to viral transduction is enough to increase AAV and LV reporter expression in non-dividing hepatic cells in culture. Topoisomerase inhibitors increased both integration-competent (ICLV) and integration-deficient (IDLV) LV-derived expression, with a much stronger increase in the IDLV transduction system. In agreement with that, topoisomerase inhibitors increased viral genome integration in both strains, with a greater impact on the IDLV strain, supporting the idea that topoisomerase inhibitors increased episomal DNA integration, especially when viral integrase activity is abolished. These effects correlated with an increase in the DNA damage response produced by the treatments. Our study highlights the need to monitor DNA damage and undesired integration of viral episomal DNAs into the host genome when studying chemical compounds that increase viral transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andoni Gómez-Moreno
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (E.S.S.); (J.M.); (P.G.-Z.)
| | - Enara San Sebastian
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (E.S.S.); (J.M.); (P.G.-Z.)
| | - Jennifer Moya
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (E.S.S.); (J.M.); (P.G.-Z.)
| | - Pilar Gomollón-Zueco
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (E.S.S.); (J.M.); (P.G.-Z.)
| | - Sergio Isola
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Avda Pio XII, 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.I.); (Á.V.); (G.G.-A.); (C.U.)
| | - África Vales
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Avda Pio XII, 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.I.); (Á.V.); (G.G.-A.); (C.U.)
| | - Gloria González-Aseguinolaza
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Avda Pio XII, 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.I.); (Á.V.); (G.G.-A.); (C.U.)
| | - Carmen Unzu
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Avda Pio XII, 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.I.); (Á.V.); (G.G.-A.); (C.U.)
| | - Urtzi Garaigorta
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Calle Darwin 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (E.S.S.); (J.M.); (P.G.-Z.)
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8
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Ferreira MV, Fernandes S, Almeida AI, Neto S, Mendes JP, Silva RJS, Peixoto C, Coroadinha AS. Extending AAV Packaging Cargo through Dual Co-Transduction: Efficient Protein Trans-Splicing at Low Vector Doses. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10524. [PMID: 37445701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310524] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors represent one of the leading platforms for gene delivery. Nevertheless, their small packaging capacity restricts their use for diseases requiring large-gene delivery. To overcome this, dual-AAV vector systems that rely on protein trans-splicing were developed, with the split-intein Npu DnaE among the most-used. However, the reconstitution efficiency of Npu DnaE is still insufficient, requiring higher vector doses. In this work, two split-inteins, Cfa and Gp41-1, with reportedly superior trans-splicing were evaluated in comparison with Npu DnaE by transient transfections and dual-AAV in vitro co-transductions. Both Cfa and Gp41-1 split-inteins enabled reconstitution rates that were over two-fold higher than Npu DnaE and 100% of protein reconstitution. The impact of different vector preparation qualities in split-intein performances was also evaluated in co-transduction assays. Higher-quality preparations increased split-inteins' performances by three-fold when compared to low-quality preparations (60-75% vs. 20-30% full particles, respectively). Low-quality vector preparations were observed to limit split-gene reconstitutions by inhibiting co-transduction. We show that combining superior split-inteins with higher-quality vector preparations allowed vector doses to be decreased while maintaining high trans-splicing rates. These results show the potential of more-efficient protein-trans-splicing strategies in dual-AAV vector co-transduction, allowing the extension of its use to the delivery of larger therapeutic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana V Ferreira
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia Fernandes
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Almeida
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Salomé Neto
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - João P Mendes
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo J S Silva
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cristina Peixoto
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Coroadinha
- iBET-Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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Zou L, Wang J, Fang Y, Tian H. PEG-mediated transduction of rAAV as a platform for spatially confined and efficient gene delivery. Biomater Res 2022; 26:69. [PMID: 36461117 PMCID: PMC9716683 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-022-00322-1] [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: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) are commonly used vectors for gene delivery in both basic neuroscience and clinical applications due to their nonpathogenic, minimally immunogenic, and sustained expression properties. However, several challenges remain for the wide-scale rAAV applications, including poor infection of many clinically important cell lines, insufficient expression at low titers, and diffusive transduction in vivo. METHODS In this work, PEG, which is a safe and non-toxic polymer of ethylene oxide monomer, was applied as an auxiliary transduction agent to improve the expression of rAAV. In detail, a small dose of PEG was added into the rAAV solution for the transgene expression in cell lines in vitro, and in the central nervous system (CNS) in vivo. The biocompatibility of PEG enhancer was assessed by characterizing the immune responses, cell morphology, cell tropism of rAAV, neuronal apoptosis, as well as motor function of animals. RESULTS The results show that small dose of PEG additive can effectively improve the gene expression characteristics of rAAV both in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the PEG additive allows efficient transgene expression in cell lines that are difficult to be transfected with rAAV alone. In vivo studies show that the PEG additive can promote a spatially confined and efficient transgene expression of low-titer rAAV in the brain over long terms. In addition, no obvious side effects of PEG were observed on CNS in the biocompatibility studies. CONCLUSIONS This spatially confined and efficient transduction method can facilitate the applications of rAAV in fundamental research, especially in the precise dissection of neural circuits, and also improve the capabilities of rAAV in the treatment of neurological diseases which originate from the disorders of small nuclei in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zou
- grid.419265.d0000 0004 1806 6075CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Jinfen Wang
- grid.419265.d0000 0004 1806 6075CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China
| | - Ying Fang
- grid.419265.d0000 0004 1806 6075CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Huihui Tian
- grid.419265.d0000 0004 1806 6075CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190 China
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10
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Directed evolution of adeno-associated virus for efficient gene delivery to microglia. Nat Methods 2022; 19:976-985. [PMID: 35879607 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), microglia orchestrate immune responses and dynamically sculpt neural circuits in the CNS. Microglial dysfunction and mutations of microglia-specific genes have been implicated in many diseases of the CNS. Developing effective and safe vehicles for transgene delivery into microglia will facilitate the studies of microglia biology and microglia-associated disease mechanisms. Here, we report the discovery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) variants that mediate efficient in vitro and in vivo microglial transduction via directed evolution of the AAV capsid protein. These AAV-cMG and AAV-MG variants are capable of delivering various genetic payloads into microglia with high efficiency, and enable sufficient transgene expression to support fluorescent labeling, Ca2+ and neurotransmitter imaging and genome editing in microglia in vivo. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing shows that the AAV-MG variants mediate in vivo transgene delivery without inducing microglia immune activation. These AAV variants should facilitate the use of various genetically encoded sensors and effectors in the study of microglia-related biology.
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11
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Nising CF, Nussbaum F. Industrial Organic Synthesis in Life Sciences – Today and Tomorrow. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl F. Nising
- Corporate R&D and Science Engagement Bayer AG Kaiser-Wilhelm Allee 1 51368 Leverkusen Germany
| | - Franz Nussbaum
- Life Science Chemistry Nuvisan ICB GmbH Muellerstrasse 178 13353 Berlin Germany
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12
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Fludarabine increases nuclease-free AAV- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination in mice. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:1285-1294. [PMID: 35393561 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01240-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Homologous recombination (HR)-based gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAV-HR) without nucleases has several advantages over classic gene therapy, especially the potential for permanent transgene expression. However, the low efficiency of AAV-HR remains a major limitation. Here, we tested a series of small-molecule compounds and found that ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitors substantially enhance AAV-HR efficiency in mouse and human liver cell lines approximately threefold. Short-term administration of the RNR inhibitor fludarabine increased the in vivo efficiency of both non-nuclease- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AAV-HR two- to sevenfold in the murine liver, without causing overt toxicity. Fludarabine administration induced transient DNA damage signaling in both proliferating and quiescent hepatocytes. Notably, the majority of AAV-HR events occurred in non-proliferating hepatocytes in both fludarabine-treated and control mice, suggesting that the induction of transient DNA repair signaling in non-dividing hepatocytes was responsible for enhancing AAV-HR efficiency in mice. These results suggest that use of a clinically approved RNR inhibitor can potentiate AAV-HR-based genome-editing therapeutics.
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13
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ATF6-mediated unfolded protein response facilitates AAV2 transduction by releasing the suppression of AAV receptor on ER stress. J Virol 2021; 96:e0110321. [PMID: 34851146 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01103-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is extensively used as a viral vector to deliver therapeutic genes during human gene therapy. A high affinity cellular receptor (AAVR) for most serotypes was recently identified, however, its biological function as a gene product remains unclear. In this study, we used AAVR knockdown cell models to show that AAVR depletion significantly attenuated cells to activate unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, when exposed to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer, tunicamycin. By analyzing three major UPR pathways, we found that ATF6 signaling was most affected in an AAVR-dependent fashion, distinct to CHOP and XBP1 branches. AAVR capacity in UPR regulation required the full native AAVR protein, and AAV2 capsid binding to the receptor altered ATF6 dynamics. Conversely, the transduction efficiency of AAV2 was associated with changes in ATF6 signaling in host cells following treatment with different small molecules. Thus, AAVR served as an inhibitory molecule to repress UPR responses via a specificity for ATF6 signaling, and the AAV2 infection route involved the release from AAVR-mediated ATF6 repression, thereby facilitating viral intracellular trafficking and transduction. Importance The native function of the AAVR as an ER-Golgi localized protein is largely unknown. We showed that AAVR acted as a functional molecule to regulate UPR signaling under induced ER stress. AAVR inhibited the activation of the transcription factor, ATF6, whereas receptor binding to AAV2 released the suppression effects. This finding has expanded our understanding of AAV infection biology in terms of the physiological properties of AAVR in host cells. Importantly, our research provides a possible strategy which may improve the efficiency of AAV mediated gene delivery during gene therapy.
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14
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Pérez-Iturralde A, Carte B, Aldabe R. Consequences of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition on Adeno-Associated Virus Hepatic Transduction Efficacy. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1242-1250. [PMID: 34555962 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors transducing host cells is very low, limiting their therapeutic potential in patients. There are several cellular pathways interacting and interfering with the journey of the AAV from the cell surface to the nucleus, opening the possibility to enhance AAV transduction by modifying these interactions. In this study, we explored the results of AAV hepatic transduction when different mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, rapamycin, MLN0128, RapaLink-1, were used in preconditioned juvenile and adult mice. We confirmed rapamycin as an AAV hepatic transduction enhancer in juvenile and adult mice; however, RapaLink-1, a stronger mTOR inhibitor and a clear hepatic autophagy inducer, had no positive effect. Moreover, MLN0128 reduced AAV hepatic transduction. Therefore, our results show a complex interaction between the mTOR pathway and AAV-mediated hepatic transduction and indicate that mTOR inhibition is not a straightforward strategy for improving AAV transduction. More studies are necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the positive and negative effects of mTOR inhibitors on AAV transduction efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pérez-Iturralde
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Carte
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- Gene Therapy Area, Foundation for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
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15
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Bower JJ, Song L, Bastola P, Hirsch ML. Harnessing the Natural Biology of Adeno-Associated Virus to Enhance the Efficacy of Cancer Gene Therapy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071205. [PMID: 34201599 PMCID: PMC8309980 DOI: 10.3390/v13071205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was first characterized as small “defective” contaminant particles in a simian adenovirus preparation in 1965. Since then, a recombinant platform of AAV (rAAV) has become one of the leading candidates for gene therapy applications resulting in two FDA-approved treatments for rare monogenic diseases and many more currently in various phases of the pharmaceutical development pipeline. Herein, we summarize rAAV approaches for the treatment of diverse types of cancers and highlight the natural anti-oncogenic effects of wild-type AAV (wtAAV), including interactions with the cellular host machinery, that are of relevance to enhance current treatment strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn J. Bower
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Liujiang Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Prabhakar Bastola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (L.S.); (P.B.)
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence: (J.J.B.); (M.L.H.)
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16
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Bryce SM, Dertinger SD, Bemis JC. Kinetics of γH2AX and phospho-histone H3 following pulse treatment of TK6 cells provides insights into clastogenic activity. Mutagenesis 2021; 36:255-264. [PMID: 33964157 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/geab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The desire for in vitro genotoxicity assays to provide higher information content, especially regarding chemicals' predominant genotoxic mode of action, has led to the development of a novel multiplexed assay available under the trade name MultiFlow®. We report here on an experimental design variation that provides further insight into clastogens' genotoxic activity. First, the standard MultiFlow DNA Damage Assay-p53, γ H2AX, phospho-histone H3 was used with human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells that were exposed for 24 continuous hours to each of 50 reference clastogens. This initial analysis correctly identified 48/50 compounds as clastogenic. These 48 compounds were then evaluated using a short-term, 'pulse' treatment protocol whereby cells were exposed to test chemical for 4 h, a centrifugation/washout step was performed, and cells were allowed to recover for 20 h. MultiFlow analyses were accomplished at 4 and 24 h. The γ H2AX and phospho-histone H3 biomarkers were found to exhibit distinct differences in terms of their persistence across chemical classes. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis identified three groups. Examination of the compounds within these groups showed one cluster primarily consisting of alkylators that directly target DNA. The other two groups were dominated by non-DNA alkylators and included anti-metabolites, oxidative stress inducers and chemicals that inhibit DNA-processing enzymes. These results are encouraging, as they suggest that a simple follow-up test for in vitro clastogens provides mechanistic insights into their genotoxic activity. This type of information will contribute to improve decision-making and help guide further testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Bryce
- Litron Laboratories, 3500 Winton Place, Suite 1B, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey C Bemis
- Litron Laboratories, 3500 Winton Place, Suite 1B, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
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17
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Gong H, Yuan N, Shen Z, Tang C, Shipp S, Qian L, Lu Y, Andolina IM, Zhang S, Wu J, Yang H, Wang W. Transduction catalysis: Doxorubicin amplifies rAAV-mediated gene expression in the cortex of higher-order vertebrates. iScience 2021; 24:102685. [PMID: 34195565 PMCID: PMC8233199 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid and efficient gene transduction via recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) is highly desirable across many basic and clinical research domains. Here, we report that vector co-infusion with doxorubicin, a clinical anti-cancer drug, markedly enhanced rAAV-mediated transgene expression in the cerebral cortex across mammalian species (cat, mouse, and macaque), acting throughout the time period examined and detectable at just three days after transfection. This enhancement showed serotype generality, being common to all rAAV serotypes tested (2, 8, 9, and PHP.eB) and was observed both locally and at remote locations consistent with doxorubicin undergoing retrograde axonal transport. All these effects were observed at doses matching human blood plasma levels in clinical therapy and lacked detectable cytotoxicity as assessed by cell morphology, activity, apoptosis, and behavioral testing. Altogether, this study identifies an effective means to improve the capability and scope of in vivo rAAV applications, amplifying cell transduction at doxorubicin concentrations paralleling medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Gong
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nini Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhiming Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Cheng Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Stewart Shipp
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Liling Qian
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yiliang Lu
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ian Max Andolina
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Shenghai Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jihong Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Shanghai Center for Brain and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 200031, China
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18
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Knockout of the CMP-Sialic Acid Transporter SLC35A1 in Human Cell Lines Increases Transduction Efficiency of Adeno-Associated Virus 9: Implications for Gene Therapy Potency Assays. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051259. [PMID: 34069698 PMCID: PMC8160606 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have emerged as an important tool for gene therapy for human diseases. A prerequisite for clinical approval is an in vitro potency assay that can measure the transduction efficiency of each virus lot produced. The AAV serotypes are typical for gene therapy bind to different cell surface structures. The binding of AAV9 on the surface is mediated by terminal galactose residues present in the asparagine-linked carbohydrates in glycoproteins. However, such terminal galactose residues are rare in cultured cells. They are masked by sialic acid residues, which is an obstacle for the infection of many cell lines with AAV9 and the respective potency assays. The sialic acid residues can be removed by enzymatic digestion or chemical treatment. Still, such treatments are not practical for AAV9 potency assays since they may be difficult to standardize. In this study, we generated human cell lines (HEK293T and HeLa) that become permissive for AAV9 transduction after a knockout of the CMP–sialic acid transporter SLC35A1. Using the human aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) gene, we show that these cell lines can be used as a model system for establishing potency assays for AAV9-based gene therapy approaches for human diseases.
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19
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Chu WS, Ng J. Immunomodulation in Administration of rAAV: Preclinical and Clinical Adjuvant Pharmacotherapies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658038. [PMID: 33868303 PMCID: PMC8049138 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658038] [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: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has attracted a significant research focus for delivering genetic therapies to target cells. This non-enveloped virus has been trialed in many clinical-stage therapeutic strategies but important obstacle in clinical translation is the activation of both innate and adaptive immune response to the protein capsid, vector genome and transgene product. In addition, the normal population has pre-existing neutralizing antibodies against wild-type AAV, and cross-reactivity is observed between different rAAV serotypes. While extent of response can be influenced by dosing, administration route and target organ(s), these pose concerns over reduction or complete loss of efficacy, options for re-administration, and other unwanted immunological sequalae such as local tissue damage. To reduce said immunological risks, patients are excluded if they harbor anti-AAV antibodies or have received gene therapy previously. Studies have incorporated immunomodulating or suppressive regimens to block cellular and humoral immune responses such as systemic corticosteroids pre- and post-administration of Luxturna® and Zolgensma®, the two rAAV products with licensed regulatory approval in Europe and the United States. In this review, we will introduce the current pharmacological strategies to immunosuppress or immunomodulate the host immune response to rAAV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Sum Chu
- Pharmacy Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Ng
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Brayshaw LL, Martinez-Fleites C, Athanasopoulos T, Southgate T, Jespers L, Herring C. The role of small molecules in cell and gene therapy. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:330-352. [PMID: 34046619 PMCID: PMC8130622 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00221f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies have achieved impressive results in the treatment of rare genetic diseases using gene corrected stem cells and haematological cancers using chimeric antigen receptor T cells. However, these two fields face significant challenges such as demonstrating long-term efficacy and safety, and achieving cost-effective, scalable manufacturing processes. The use of small molecules is a key approach to overcome these barriers and can benefit cell and gene therapies at multiple stages of their lifecycle. For example, small molecules can be used to optimise viral vector production during manufacturing or used in the clinic to enhance the resistance of T cell therapies to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Here, we review current uses of small molecules in cell and gene therapy and highlight opportunities for medicinal chemists to further consolidate the success of cell and gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis L Brayshaw
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Carlos Martinez-Fleites
- Protein Degradation Group, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Thomas Southgate
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Laurent Jespers
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
| | - Christopher Herring
- Cell & Gene Therapy Discovery Research, Medicinal Science & Technology, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage SG1 2NY UK
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21
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Journey to the Center of the Cell: Tracing the Path of AAV Transduction. Trends Mol Med 2020; 27:172-184. [PMID: 33071047 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
As adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies are being increasingly approved for use in humans, it is important that we understand vector-host interactions in detail. With the advances in genome-wide genetic screening tools, a clear picture of AAV-host interactions is beginning to emerge. Understanding these interactions can provide insights into the viral life cycle. Accordingly, novel strategies to circumvent the current limitations of AAV-based vectors may be explored. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the various stages in the journey of the vector from the cell surface to the nucleus and contextualize the roles of recently identified host factors.
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22
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Abstract
Therapeutic viral gene delivery is an emerging technology which aims to correct genetic mutations by introducing new genetic information to cells either to correct a faulty gene or to initiate cell death in oncolytic treatments. In recent years, significant scientific progress has led to several clinical trials resulting in the approval of gene therapies for human treatment. However, successful therapies remain limited due to a number of challenges such as inefficient cell uptake, low transduction efficiency (TE), limited tropism, liver toxicity and immune response. To adress these issues and increase the number of available therapies, additives from a broad range of materials like polymers, peptides, lipids, nanoparticles, and small molecules have been applied so far. The scope of this review is to highlight these selected delivery systems from a materials perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kübra Kaygisiz
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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23
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Lengler J, Coulibaly S, Gruber B, Ilk R, Mayrhofer J, Scheiflinger F, Hoellriegl W, Falkner FG, Rottensteiner H. Development of an In Vitro Biopotency Assay for an AAV8 Hemophilia B Gene Therapy Vector Suitable for Clinical Product Release. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 17:581-588. [PMID: 32280725 PMCID: PMC7139127 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy product release requires reliable and consistent demonstration of biopotency. In hemophilia B vectors, this is usually determined in vivo by measuring the plasma levels of the expressed human factor IX (FIX) transgene product in FIX knockout mice. To circumvent this laborious assay, we developed an in vitro method in which the HepG2 human liver cell line was infected with the vector, and the resulting FIX activity was determined in the conditioned medium using a chromogenic assay. The initial low sensitivity of the assay, particularly toward adeno-associated viral serotype 8 (AAV8), increased approximately 100-fold and allowed linear measurement in a broad range of multiplicities of infection. Statistical parameters indicated high assay repeatability (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 5%) and intra-assay reproducibility (RSD < 20%). To compare the performance of the in vitro and in vivo biopotency assay, we applied statistical analyses including regression techniques and variation decomposition to the results obtained for 25 AAV8-FIX vector lots (BAX 335). These showed a highly significant correlation, with the cell culture-based assay demonstrating less variation than the in vivo test. The in vitro assay thus constitutes a viable alternative to using animals for lot release testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Lengler
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Sogue Coulibaly
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Bernadette Gruber
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Reinhard Ilk
- Baxter AG, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Industriestraße 67, A-1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef Mayrhofer
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Friedrich Scheiflinger
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Werner Hoellriegl
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Falko G. Falkner
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
| | - Hanspeter Rottensteiner
- Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria
- Corresponding author: Hanspeter Rottensteiner, Baxalta Innovations GmbH, a member of the Takeda group of companies, Uferstraße. 15, A-2304 Orth an der Donau, Austria.
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24
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Taheri F, Taghizadeh E, Pour MJR, Rostami D, Renani PG, Rastgar-Moghadam A, Hayat SMG. Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy and Therapy: Insights into Cell and Gene-based Approaches. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 19:386-394. [PMID: 32067617 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200218113526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) are genetically heterogeneous disorders, responsible for muscle wasting and severe form of dystrophies. Despite the critical developments in the insight and information of pathomechanisms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, any definitive treatments do not exist, and current strategies are only based on the improvement of the signs of disorder and to enhance the life quality without resolving an underlying cause. There is a crucial relationship between pharmacological therapy and different consequences; therefore, other treatment strategies will be required. New approaches, such as gene replacement, gene transfer, exon skipping, siRNA knockdown, and anti-myostatin therapy, which can target specific cellular or molecular mechanism of LGMD, could be a promising avenue for the treatment. Recently, genome engineering strategies with a focus on molecular tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 are used to different types of neuromuscular disorders and show the highest potential for clinical translation of these therapies. Thus, recent advancements and challenges in the field will be reviewed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Taheri
- Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Eskandar Taghizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad J R Pour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mashhad-Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Daryoush Rostami
- Department of School Allied, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Pedram G Renani
- Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Azam Rastgar-Moghadam
- Department of Genetics, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed M G Hayat
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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25
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Engineering adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapy. Nat Rev Genet 2020; 21:255-272. [DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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26
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Aronson SJ, Bakker RS, Shi X, Duijst S, Ten Bloemendaal L, de Waart DR, Verheij J, Ronzitti G, Oude Elferink RP, Beuers U, Paulusma CC, Bosma PJ. Liver-directed gene therapy results in long-term correction of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 in mice. J Hepatol 2019; 71:153-162. [PMID: 30935993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3), for which there are limited therapeutic options, often leads to end-stage liver disease before adulthood due to impaired ABCB4-dependent phospholipid transport to bile. Using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated gene therapy, we aimed to restore the phospholipid content in bile to levels that prevent liver damage, thereby enabling stable hepatic ABCB4 expression and long-term correction of the phenotype in a murine model of PFIC3. METHODS Ten-week-old Abcb4-/- mice received a single dose of AAV8-hABCB4 (n = 10) or AAV8-GFP (n = 7) under control of a liver specific promoter via tail vein injection. Animals were sacrificed either 10 or 26 weeks after vector administration to assess transgene persistence, after being challenged with a 0.1% cholate diet for 2 weeks. Periodic evaluation of plasma cholestatic markers was performed and bile duct cannulation enabled analysis of biliary phospholipids. Liver fibrosis and the Ki67 proliferation index were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Stable transgene expression was achieved in all animals that received AAV8-hABCB4 up to 26 weeks after administration. AAV8-hABCB4 expression restored biliary phospholipid excretion, increasing the phospholipid and cholesterol content in bile to levels that ameliorate liver damage. This resulted in normalization of the plasma cholestatic markers, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. In addition, AAV8-hABCB4 prevented progressive liver fibrosis and reduced hepatocyte proliferation for the duration of the study. CONCLUSION Liver-directed gene therapy provides stable hepatic ABCB4 expression and long-term correction of the phenotype in a murine model of PFIC3. Translational studies that verify the clinical feasibility of this approach are warranted. LAY SUMMARY Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a severe genetic liver disease that results from impaired transport of lipids to bile, which makes the bile toxic to liver cells. Because therapeutic options are currently limited, this study aims to evaluate gene therapy to correct the underlying genetic defect in a mouse model of this disease. By introducing a functional copy of the missing gene in liver cells of mice, we were able to restore lipid transport to bile and strongly reduce damage to the liver. The proliferation of liver cells was also reduced, which contributes to long-term correction of the phenotype. Further studies are required to evaluate whether this approach can be applied to patients with PFIC3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sem J Aronson
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert S Bakker
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaoxia Shi
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Duijst
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lysbeth Ten Bloemendaal
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk R de Waart
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne Verheij
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, University of Evry, University Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Ronald P Oude Elferink
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coen C Paulusma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Haridhasapavalan KK, Borgohain MP, Dey C, Saha B, Narayan G, Kumar S, Thummer RP. An insight into non-integrative gene delivery approaches to generate transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells. Gene 2018; 686:146-159. [PMID: 30472380 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over a decade ago, a landmark study that reported derivation of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) by reprogramming fibroblasts has transformed stem cell research attracting the interest of the scientific community worldwide. These cells circumvent the ethical and immunological concerns associated with embryonic stem cells, and the limited self-renewal ability and restricted differentiation potential linked to adult stem cells. iPSCs hold great potential for understanding basic human biology, in vitro disease modeling, high-throughput drug testing and discovery, and personalized regenerative medicine. The conventional reprogramming methods involving retro- and lenti-viral vectors to deliver reprogramming factors in somatic cells to generate iPSCs nullify the clinical applicability of these cells. Although these gene delivery systems are efficient and robust, they carry an enormous risk of permanent genetic modifications and are potentially tumorigenic. To evade these safety concerns and derive iPSCs for human therapy, tremendous technological advancements have resulted in the development of non-integrating viral- and non-viral approaches. These gene delivery techniques curtail or eliminate the risk of any genomic alteration and enhance the prospects of iPSCs from bench-to-bedside. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of non-integrating viral (adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated viral vectors, and Sendai virus vectors) and DNA-based, non-viral (plasmid transfection, minicircle vectors, transposon vectors, episomal vectors, and liposomal magnetofection) approaches that have the potential to generate transgene-free iPSCs. The understanding of these techniques could pave the way for the use of iPSCs for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Kumar Haridhasapavalan
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Manash P Borgohain
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Chandrima Dey
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Bitan Saha
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Gloria Narayan
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Viral Immunology Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Rajkumar P Thummer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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Zimmerman D, Patel K, Hall M, Elmer J. Enhancement of transgene expression by nuclear transcription factor Y and CCCTC-binding factor. Biotechnol Prog 2018; 34:1581-1588. [PMID: 30294957 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
If a transgene is effectively delivered to a cell, its expression may still be limited by epigenetic mechanisms that silence the transgene. Indeed, once the transgene reaches the nucleus, it may be bound by histone proteins and condensed into heterochromatin or associated with repressor proteins that block transcription. In this study, we sought to enhance transgene expression by adding binding motifs for several different epigenetic enzymes either upstream or downstream of two promoters (CMV and EF1α). Screening these plasmids revealed that luciferase expression was enhanced 10-fold (10.4 ± 5.8) by the addition of a CCAAT box just upstream of the EF1α promoter to recruit nuclear transcription factor Y (NF-Y), while inserting a CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) motif downstream of the EF1α promoter enhanced expression at least 14-fold (14.03 ± 6.54). ChIP assays confirmed that NF-Y and CTCF bound to the motifs that were added to each plasmid, but the presence of NF-Y and CTCF did not significantly affect the levels of histone acetylation (H3K9ac) or methylation (H3K9me3). Overall, these results show that transgene expression from the EF1α promoter can be significantly increased with motifs that recruit NF-Y or CTCF. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1581-1588, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Zimmerman
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085
| | - Krupa Patel
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085
| | - Matthew Hall
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085
| | - Jacob Elmer
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, 19085
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Lopes-Pacheco M, Kitoko JZ, Morales MM, Petrs-Silva H, Rocco PRM. Self-complementary and tyrosine-mutant rAAV vectors enhance transduction in cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells. Exp Cell Res 2018; 372:99-107. [PMID: 30244179 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector platforms have shown considerable therapeutic success in gene therapy for inherited disorders. In cystic fibrosis (CF), administration of first-generation rAAV2 was safe, but clinical benefits were not clearly demonstrated. Therefore, next-generation vectors that overcome rate-limiting steps in rAAV transduction are needed to obtain successful gene therapy for this devastating disease. In this study, we evaluated the effects of single-strand or self-complementary (sc) rAAV vectors containing single or multiple tyrosine-to-phenylalanine (Y-F) mutations in capsid surface-exposed residues on serotypes 2, 8 or 9. For this purpose, CF bronchial epithelial (CFBE) cells were transduced with rAAV vectors, and the transgene expression of enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) was analyzed at different time points. The effects of vectors on the cell viability, host cell cycle and in association with co-adjuvant drugs that modulate intracellular vector trafficking were also investigated. Six rAAV vectors demonstrated greater percentage of eGFP+ cells compared to their counterparts at days 4, 7 and 10 post-transduction: rAAV2 Y(272,444,500,730)F, with 1.95-, 3.5- and 3.06-fold increases; rAAV2 Y(252,272,444,500,704,730)F, with 1.65-, 2.12-, and 2-fold increases; scrAAV2 WT, with 1.69-, 2.68-, and 2.32-fold increases; scrAAV8 Y773F, with 57-, 6.06-, and 7-fold increases; scrAAV9 WT, with 7.47-, 4.64-, and 3.66-fold increases; and scrAAV9 Y446F, with 8.39-, 4.62-, and 4.4-fold increases. At days 15, 20, and 30 post-transduction, these vectors still demonstrated higher transgene expression than transfected cells. Although the percentage of eGFP+ cells reduced during the time-course analysis, the delta mean fluorescence intensity increased. These vectors also led to increased percentage of cells in G1-phase without eliciting any cytotoxicity. Prior administration of bortezomib or genistein did not increase eGFP expression in cells transduced with either rAAV2 Y(272,444,500,730)F or rAAV2 Y(252,272,444,500,704,730)F. In conclusion, self-complementary and tyrosine capsid mutations on rAAV serotypes 2, 8, and 9 led to more efficient transduction than their counterparts in CFBE cells by overcoming the intracellular trafficking and second-strand DNA synthesis limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquéias Lopes-Pacheco
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Jamil Z Kitoko
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo M Morales
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Hilda Petrs-Silva
- Laboratory of Neurogenesis, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Patricia R M Rocco
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Maddalena A, Dell'Aquila F, Giovannelli P, Tiberi P, Wanderlingh LG, Montefusco S, Tornabene P, Iodice C, Visconte F, Carissimo A, Medina DL, Castoria G, Auricchio A. High-Throughput Screening Identifies Kinase Inhibitors That Increase Dual Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Transduction In Vitro and in Mouse Retina. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:886-901. [PMID: 29641320 PMCID: PMC6098407 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal gene therapy based on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors is safe and efficient in humans. The low intrinsic DNA transfer capacity of AAV has been expanded by dual vectors where a large expression cassette is split in two halves independently packaged in two AAV vectors. Dual AAV transduction efficiency, however, is greatly reduced compared to that obtained with a single vector. As AAV intracellular trafficking and processing are negatively affected by phosphorylation, this study set to identify kinase inhibitors that can increase dual AAV vector transduction. By high-throughput screening of a kinase inhibitors library, three compounds were identified that increase AAV transduction in vitro, one of which has a higher effect on dual than on single AAV vectors. Importantly, the transduction enhancement is exerted on various AAV serotypes and is not transgene dependent. As kinase inhibitors are promiscuous, siRNA-mediated silencing of targeted kinases was performed, and AURKA and B, PLK1, and PTK2 were among those involved in the increase of AAV transduction levels. The study shows that kinase inhibitor administration reduces AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) capsid phosphorylation and increases the activity of DNA-repair pathways involved in AAV DNA processing. Importantly, the kinase inhibitor PF-00562271 improves dual AAV8 transduction in photoreceptors following sub-retinal delivery in mice. The study identifies kinase inhibitors that increase dual and single AAV transduction by modulating AAV entry and post-entry steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Maddalena
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Dell'Aquila
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Pia Giovannelli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Tiberi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Sandro Montefusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Carolina Iodice
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Annamaria Carissimo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Institute for Applied Mathematics “Mauro Picone,” National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Diego Luis Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Auricchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Advanced Biomedicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Herrmann AK, Grimm D. High-Throughput Dissection of AAV-Host Interactions: The Fast and the Curious. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:2626-2640. [PMID: 29782834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Over 50 years after its initial description, adeno-associated virus (AAV) remains the most exciting but also most elusive study object in basic or applied virology. On the one hand, its simple structure not only facilitates investigations into virus biology but, combined with the availability of numerous natural AAV variants with distinct infection efficiency and specificity, also makes AAV a preferred substrate for engineering of gene delivery vectors. On the other hand, it is striking to witness a recent flurry of reports that highlight and partially close persistent gaps in our understanding of AAV virus and vector biology. This is all the more perplexing considering that recombinant AAVs have already been used in >160 clinical trials and recently been commercialized as gene therapeutics. Here, we discuss a reason for these advances in AAV research, namely, the advent and application of powerful high-throughput technology for dissection of AAV-host interactions and optimization of AAV gene therapy vectors. As relevant examples, we focus on the discovery of (i) a "new" cellular AAV receptor, AAVR, (ii) host restriction factors for AAV entry, and (iii) AAV capsid determinants that mediate trafficking through the blood-brain barrier. While items i/ii are prototypes of extra- or intracellular AAV host factors that were identified via high-throughput screenings, item iii exemplifies the power of molecular evolution to investigate the virus itself. In the future, we anticipate that these and other key technologies will continue to accelerate the dissection of AAV biology and will yield a wealth of new designer viruses for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Herrmann
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks,Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks,Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Pei X, He T, Hall NE, Gerber D, Samulski RJ, Li C. AAV8 virions hijack serum proteins to increase hepatocyte binding for transduction enhancement. Virology 2018; 518:95-102. [PMID: 29455066 PMCID: PMC5911186 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that human serum albumin (HSA) directly interacts with AAV virions and enhances AAV transduction. Several other proteins have also been identified a potential for enhancing AAV8 liver transduction. In our study, LDL or transferrin could enhance transduction in vitro and in vivo. We also found that any combination of two or three of these proteins (HSA, LDL, and transferrin) increased AAV8 transduction in Huh7 cells and in mice liver, which was similar to albumin alone. Pre-incubation of HSA with AAV8 virions prevented AAV8 virions from binding to other proteins. Furthermore, these serum protein receptors didn't impact AAV8 transduction but blocked the transduction enhancement from AAV8-serum protein complexes. These results indicate that serum proteins are hijacked by AAV8 vectors to increase hepatocyte binding, which shares same binding site. Importantly, the results could help us design an optimal formulation for effective AAV vector delivery in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Pei
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China; Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Ting He
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Nikita E Hall
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - David Gerber
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - R Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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Santos RB, Pires AS, Abranches R. Addition of a histone deacetylase inhibitor increases recombinant protein expression in Medicago truncatula cell cultures. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16756. [PMID: 29196720 PMCID: PMC5711867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant cell cultures are an attractive platform for the production of recombinant proteins. A major drawback, hindering the establishment of plant cell suspensions as an industrial platform, is the low product yield obtained thus far. Histone acetylation is associated with increased transcription levels, therefore it is expected that the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors would result in an increase in mRNA and protein levels. Here, this hypothesis was tested by adding a histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), to a cell line of the model legume Medicago truncatula expressing a recombinant human protein. Histone deacetylase inhibition by SAHA and histone acetylation levels were studied, and the effect of SAHA on gene expression and recombinant protein levels was assessed by digital PCR. SAHA addition effectively inhibited histone deacetylase activity resulting in increased histone acetylation. Higher levels of transgene expression and accumulation of the associated protein were observed. This is the first report describing histone deacetylase inhibitors as inducers of recombinant protein expression in plant cell suspensions as well as the use of digital PCR in these biological systems. This study paves the way for employing epigenetic strategies to improve the final yields of recombinant proteins produced by plant cell cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita B Santos
- Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Av República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Pires
- Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Av República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Rita Abranches
- Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Av República, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal.
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Grimm D, Büning H. Small But Increasingly Mighty: Latest Advances in AAV Vector Research, Design, and Evolution. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:1075-1086. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Grimm
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Wang Y, Yang Y, Sun JC, Kong QJ, Wang HB, Shi JG. Effect of the adenovirus‑mediated Wip1 gene on lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in a rabbit model. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:9487-9493. [PMID: 29039507 PMCID: PMC5780007 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53-induced protein phosphatase 1 (Wip1) gene on lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) in a rabbit model. Adult New Zealand white rabbits were used as experimental subjects. The rabbits were divided into LDD groups (groups A-C of rabbit models of LDD) and control groups (groups D-F of normal rabbits). The animals in groups A and D were injected with the Wip1 gene vector, those in groups B and E were injected with an empty vector, and those in groups C and F were injected with phosphate-buffered saline. Type II collagen was detected using a streptavidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry method. Postoperative X-ray imaging showed a significant increase in the recovery of rabbits from group A, compared with those from groups B and C. The nucleus pulposus proteoglycan content of the intervertebral discs (L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5) of group A remained higher, compared with the content in groups B and C, and the values in groups B and C differed from those of groups E and F. At 3, 6 and 9 weeks post-injection, the content of type II collagen of intervertebral discs (L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5) in group A differed from groups B and C, and the values in groups A-C remained lower, compared with those in groups D-F. The Wip1 gene exhibited a therapeutic effect in the treatment of LDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Chuan Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Qin-Jie Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Bo Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Gang Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China
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Anti-adenoviral Artificial MicroRNAs Expressed from AAV9 Vectors Inhibit Human Adenovirus Infection in Immunosuppressed Syrian Hamsters. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:300-316. [PMID: 28918031 PMCID: PMC5537171 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Infections of immunocompromised patients with human adenoviruses (hAd) can develop into life-threatening conditions, whereas drugs with anti-adenoviral efficiency are not clinically approved and have limited efficacy. Small double-stranded RNAs that induce RNAi represent a new class of promising anti-adenoviral therapeutics. However, as yet, their efficiency to treat hAd5 infections has only been investigated in vitro. In this study, we analyzed artificial microRNAs (amiRs) delivered by self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV) vectors for treatment of hAd5 infections in immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters. In vitro evaluation of amiRs targeting the E1A, pTP, IVa2, and hexon genes of hAd5 revealed that two scAAV vectors containing three copies of amiR-pTP and three copies of amiR-E1A, or six copies of amiR-pTP, efficiently inhibited hAd5 replication and improved the viability of hAd5-infected cells. Prophylactic application of amiR-pTP/amiR-E1A- and amiR-pTP-expressing scAAV9 vectors, respectively, to immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters resulted in the reduction of hAd5 levels in the liver of up to two orders of magnitude and in reduction of liver damage. Concomitant application of the vectors also resulted in a decrease of hepatic hAd5 infection. No side effects were observed. These data demonstrate anti-adenoviral RNAi as a promising new approach to combat hAd5 infection.
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Tarantal AF, Lee CCI, Martinez ML, Asokan A, Samulski R. Systemic and Persistent Muscle Gene Expression in Rhesus Monkeys with a Liver De-Targeted Adeno-Associated Virus Vector. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 28:385-391. [PMID: 28125921 PMCID: PMC5444483 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2016.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is a major off-target organ in gene therapy approaches for cardiac and musculoskeletal disorders. Intravenous administration of most of the naturally occurring adeno-associated virus (AAV) strains invariably results in vector genome sequestration within the liver. In the current study, we compared the muscle tropism and transduction efficiency of a liver de-targeted AAV variant to AAV9 following systemic administration in newborn rhesus monkeys. In vivo bioluminescence imaging was performed to monitor transgene expression (firefly luciferase) post administration. Results indicated comparable and sustained levels of systemic firefly luciferase gene expression in skeletal muscle over a period of two years. Quantitation of vector biodistribution in harvested tissues post-administration revealed widespread recovery of vector genomes delivered by AAV9 but markedly decreased levels in major systemic organs from the AAV variant. These studies validate the translational potential and safety of liver de-targeted AAV strains for gene therapy of muscle-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice F. Tarantal
- Center for Fetal Monkey Gene Transfer for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, California
- Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, California
| | - C. Chang I. Lee
- Center for Fetal Monkey Gene Transfer for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Michele L. Martinez
- Center for Fetal Monkey Gene Transfer for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - R.Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Abstract
The allure of phenotypic screening, combined with the industry preference for target-based approaches, has prompted the development of innovative chemical biology technologies that facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for accelerated drug discovery. A chemogenomic library is a collection of selective small-molecule pharmacological agents, and a hit from such a set in a phenotypic screen suggests that the annotated target or targets of that pharmacological agent may be involved in perturbing the observable phenotype. In this Review, we describe opportunities for chemogenomic screening to considerably expedite the conversion of phenotypic screening projects into target-based drug discovery approaches. Other applications are explored, including drug repositioning, predictive toxicology and the discovery of novel pharmacological modalities.
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