1
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Matsunaga W, Gotoh A. Adenovirus as a Vector and Oncolytic Virus. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:4826-4840. [PMID: 37367056 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45060307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors, both oncolytic viruses and gene delivery vectors, are among the earliest approved and commercialised vectors for gene therapy. Adenoviruses have high cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Therefore, lentiviruses or adeno-associated viruses as viral vectors and herpes simplex virus as an oncolytic virus have recently drawn attention. Thus, adenoviral vectors are often considered relatively obsolete. However, their high cargo limit and transduction efficiency are significant advantages over newer viral vectors. This review provides an overview of the new-generation adenoviral vectors. In addition, we describe the modification of the fiber knob region that enhances affinity of adenoviral vectors for cancer cells and the utilisation of cancer-cell-specific promoters to suppress expression of unwanted transgenes in non-malignant tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Matsunaga
- Joint-Use Research Facilities, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya 663-8501, Japan
| | - Akinobu Gotoh
- Department of Education for Medical Research Base, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa, Nishinomiya 663-8501, Japan
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2
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Pupo A, Fernández A, Low SH, François A, Suárez-Amarán L, Samulski RJ. AAV vectors: The Rubik's cube of human gene therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3515-3541. [PMID: 36203359 PMCID: PMC9734031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective genes account for ∼80% of the total of more than 7,000 diseases known to date. Gene therapy brings the promise of a one-time treatment option that will fix the errors in patient genetic coding. Recombinant viruses are highly efficient vehicles for in vivo gene delivery. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors offer unique advantages, such as tissue tropism, specificity in transduction, eliciting of a relatively low immune responses, no incorporation into the host chromosome, and long-lasting delivered gene expression, making them the most popular viral gene delivery system in clinical trials, with three AAV-based gene therapy drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite the success of AAV vectors, their usage in particular scenarios is still limited due to remaining challenges, such as poor transduction efficiency in certain tissues, low organ specificity, pre-existing humoral immunity to AAV capsids, and vector dose-dependent toxicity in patients. In the present review, we address the different approaches to improve AAV vectors for gene therapy with a focus on AAV capsid selection and engineering, strategies to overcome anti-AAV immune response, and vector genome design, ending with a glimpse at vector production methods and the current state of recombinant AAV (rAAV) at the clinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaury Pupo
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Audry Fernández
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Siew Hui Low
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Achille François
- Viralgen. Parque Tecnológico de Guipuzkoa, Edificio Kuatro, Paseo Mikeletegui, 83, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Richard Jude Samulski
- R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, Durham, NC 27709, USA,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA,Corresponding author: Richard Jude Samulski, R&D Department, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), 20 T.W. Alexander, Suite 110 RTP, NC 27709, USA.
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3
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Weklak D, Pembaur D, Koukou G, Jönsson F, Hagedorn C, Kreppel F. Genetic and Chemical Capsid Modifications of Adenovirus Vectors to Modulate Vector-Host Interactions. Viruses 2021; 13:1300. [PMID: 34372506 PMCID: PMC8310343 DOI: 10.3390/v13071300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus-based vectors are playing an important role as efficacious genetic vaccines to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, they have an enormous potential as oncolytic vectors for virotherapy and as vectors for classic gene therapy. However, numerous vector-host interactions on a cellular and noncellular level, including specific components of the immune system, must be modulated in order to generate safe and efficacious vectors for virotherapy or classic gene therapy. Importantly, the current widespread use of Ad vectors as vaccines against COVID-19 will induce antivector immunity in many humans. This requires the development of strategies and techniques to enable Ad-based vectors to evade pre-existing immunity. In this review article, we discuss the current status of genetic and chemical capsid modifications as means to modulate the vector-host interactions of Ad-based vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Florian Kreppel
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Street 10, 58453 Witten, Germany; (D.W.); (D.P.); (G.K.); (F.J.); (C.H.)
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4
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Capsid and Genome Modification Strategies to Reduce the Immunogenicity of Adenoviral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052417. [PMID: 33670859 PMCID: PMC7957472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus-based gene transfer vectors are the most frequently used vector type in gene therapy clinical trials to date, and they play an important role as genetic vaccine candidates during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Immediately upon delivery, adenovirus-based vectors exhibit multiple complex vector-host interactions and induce innate and adaptive immune responses. This can severely limit their safety and efficacy, particularly after delivery through the blood stream. In this review article we summarize two strategies to modulate Ad vector-induced immune responses: extensive genomic and chemical capsid modifications. Both strategies have shown beneficial effects in a number of preclinical studies while potential synergistic effects warrant further investigations.
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5
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Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a treatment option for inherited genetic diseases. The success of this treatment approach greatly depends upon gene delivery vectors. Researchers have attempted to harness the potential of viral vectors for gene therapy applications over many decades. Among the viral vectors available, gutless adenovirus (GLAd) has been recognized as one of the most promising vectors for in vivo gene delivery. GLAd is constructed by deleting all the viral genes from an adenovirus. Owing to this structural feature, the production of GLAd requires a helper that supplies viral proteins in trans. Conventionally, the helper is an adenovirus. Although the helper adenovirus efficiently provides helper functions, it remains as an unavoidable contaminant and also generates replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) during the production of GLAd. These two undesirable contaminants have raised safety concerns and hindered the clinical applications of GLAd. Recently, we developed helper virus-free gutless adenovirus (HF-GLAd), a new version of GLAd, which is produced by a helper plasmid instead of a helper adenovirus. Utilization of this helper plasmid eliminated the helper adenovirus and RCA contamination in the production of GLAd. HF-GLAd, devoid of helper adenovirus and RCA contaminants, will facilitate its clinical applications. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of adenoviruses, the evolution and production of adenoviral vectors, and the unique features of HF-GLAd as a new platform for gene therapy. Furthermore, we highlight the potential applications of HF-GLAd as a gene delivery vector for the treatment of various inherited genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jida Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Dai-Wu Seol
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
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6
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Liu J, Seol DW. Helper virus-free gutless adenovirus (HF-GLAd): a new platform for gene therapy. BMB Rep 2020; 53:565-575. [PMID: 32958121 PMCID: PMC7704218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as a treatment option for inherited genetic diseases. The success of this treatment approach greatly depends upon gene delivery vectors. Researchers have attempted to harness the potential of viral vectors for gene therapy applications over many decades. Among the viral vectors available, gutless adenovirus (GLAd) has been recognized as one of the most promising vectors for in vivo gene delivery. GLAd is constructed by deleting all the viral genes from an adenovirus. Owing to this structural feature, the production of GLAd requires a helper that supplies viral proteins in trans. Conventionally, the helper is an adenovirus. Although the helper adenovirus efficiently provides helper functions, it remains as an unavoidable contaminant and also generates replicationcompetent adenovirus (RCA) during the production of GLAd. These two undesirable contaminants have raised safety concerns and hindered the clinical applications of GLAd. Recently, we developed helper virus-free gutless adenovirus (HF-GLAd), a new version of GLAd, which is produced by a helper plasmid instead of a helper adenovirus. Utilization of this helper plasmid eliminated the helper adenovirus and RCA contamination in the production of GLAd. HF-GLAd, devoid of helper adenovirus and RCA contaminants, will facilitate its clinical applications. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of adenoviruses, the evolution and production of adenoviral vectors, and the unique features of HF-GLAd as a new platform for gene therapy. Furthermore, we highlight the potential applications of HF-GLAd as a gene delivery vector for the treatment of various inherited genetic diseases. [BMB Reports 2020; 53(11): 565-575].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jida Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Dai-Wu Seol
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
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7
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Lee D, Liu J, Junn HJ, Lee EJ, Jeong KS, Seol DW. No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants. Exp Mol Med 2019; 51:1-18. [PMID: 31659156 PMCID: PMC6817846 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-019-0334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as an effective treatment option for various inherited genetic diseases. Gutless adenovirus (GLAd), also known as helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd), has many notable characteristics as a gene delivery vector for this particular type of gene therapy, including broad tropism, high infectivity, a large transgene cargo capacity, and an absence of integration into the host genome. Additionally, GLAd ensures long-term transgene expression in host organisms owing to its minimal immunogenicity, since it was constructed following the deletion of all the genes from an adenovirus. However, the clinical use of GLAd for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases has been hampered by unavoidable contamination of the highly immunogenic adenovirus used as a helper for GLAd production. Here, we report the production of GLAd in the absence of a helper adenovirus, which was achieved with a helper plasmid instead. Utilizing this helper plasmid, we successfully produced large quantities of recombinant GLAd. Importantly, our helper plasmid-based system exclusively produced recombinant GLAd with no generation of helper plasmid-originating adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA). The recombinant GLAd that was produced efficiently delivered transgenes regardless of their size and exhibited therapeutic potential for Huntington’s disease (HD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Our data indicate that our helper plasmid-based GLAd production system could become a new platform for GLAd-based gene therapy. A new protocol allows for the manufacturing of a next-generation gene therapy vector without contamination of helper adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA). Adenoviruses are often used to deliver therapeutic DNA, but their proteins can trigger immune reactions. So-called ‘gutless’ adenoviruses that lack all viral genes don’t cause the same problem but their production has traditionally relied on a helper adenovirus that remains as an unavoidable contaminant. A team led by Dai-Wu Seol from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea, has now prepared large quantities of gutless adenoviruses using helper plasmid, a circular DNA that encodes all the proteins needed for production of gutless adenoviruses but do not leave behind any contaminant adenoviruses. Gutless adenoviruse vectors made this way successfully delivered corrected copies of the faulty genes responsible for human diseseas into human cells and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwoo Lee
- Genenmed Inc., 84 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jida Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Junn
- Genenmed Inc., 84 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Joo Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Shik Jeong
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City, Republic of Korea
| | - Dai-Wu Seol
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Lee SHS, Chang H, Kim HJ, Choi JS, Kim J, Kim JH, Woo HN, Nah SK, Jung SJ, Lee JY, Park K, Park TK, Lee H. Effects of Stuffer DNA on the Suppression of Choroidal Neovascularization by a rAAV Expressing a mTOR-Inhibiting shRNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 14:171-179. [PMID: 31380463 PMCID: PMC6661460 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the defining characteristic of the wet subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a rapidly growing global health problem. Previously, we had demonstrated the therapeutic potential of gene therapy against CNV using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivered via recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), which abrogates mammalian-to-mechanistic (mTOR) activity in a novel manner by simultaneously inhibiting both mTOR complexes. Both the target and use of gene therapy represent a novel treatment modality against AMD. Here, the xenogeneic GFP gene used as a reporter in previous studies was removed from the virus vector to further develop the therapeutic for clinical trials. Instead, a stuffer DNA derived from the 3′ UTR of the human UBE3A gene was used to ensure optimal viral genome size for efficient rAAV assembly. The virus vector containing the stuffer DNA, rAAV2-shmTOR-SD, positively compares to one encoding the shRNA and a GFP expression cassette in terms of reducing CNV in a laser-induced mouse model, as determined by fundus fluorescein angiography. These results were confirmed via immunohistochemistry using anti-CD31, while a TUNEL assay showed that rAAV2-shmTOR-SD possesses anti-apoptotic properties as well. The qualities exhibited by rAAV2-shmTOR-SD demonstrate its potential as a human gene therapeutic for the treatment of wet AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Hyun Seung Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - HeeSoon Chang
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju 28578, Korea
| | - Hee Jong Kim
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju 28578, Korea
| | - Jun-Sub Choi
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju 28578, Korea
| | - Jin Kim
- CuroGene Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Cheongju 28578, Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Ha-Na Woo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Seung Kwan Nah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Bucheon 14584, Korea
| | - Sang Joon Jung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Bucheon 14584, Korea
| | - Joo Yong Lee
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Keerang Park
- Department of Biopharmacy, Chungbuk Health & Science University, Cheongju 28150, Korea
| | - Tae Kwann Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Bucheon 14584, Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan 31151, Korea
- Corresponding author: Tae Kwann Park, MD, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, 170, Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon 14584, Korea.
| | - Heuiran Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Corresponding author: Heuiran Lee, PhD, Department of Microbiology and Bio-Medical Institute of Technology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea.
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9
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Fernandes P, Simão D, Guerreiro MR, Kremer EJ, Coroadinha AS, Alves PM. Impact of adenovirus life cycle progression on the generation of canine helper-dependent vectors. Gene Ther 2014; 22:40-9. [PMID: 25338917 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenovirus vectors (HDVs) are safe and efficient tools for gene transfer with high cloning capacity. However, the multiple amplification steps needed to produce HDVs hamper a robust production process and in turn the availability of high-quality vectors. To understand the factors behind the low productivity, we analyzed the progression of HDV life cycle. Canine adenovirus (Ad) type 2 vectors, holding attractive features to overcome immunogenic concerns and treat neurobiological disorders, were the focus of this work. When compared with E1-deleted (ΔE1) vectors, we found a faster helper genome replication during HDV production. This was consistent with an upregulation of the Ad polymerase and pre-terminal protein and led to higher and earlier expression of structural proteins. Although genome packaging occurred similarly to ΔE1 vectors, more immature capsids were obtained during HDV production, which led to a ~4-fold increase in physical-to-infectious particles ratio. The higher viral protein content in HDV-producing cells was also consistent with an increased activation of autophagy and cell death, in which earlier cell death compromised volumetric productivity. The increased empty capsids and earlier cell death found in HDV production may partially contribute to the lower vector infectivity. However, an HDV-specific factor responsible for a defective maturation process should be also involved to fully explain the low infectious titers. This study showed how a deregulated Ad cycle progression affected cell line homeostasis and HDV propagation, highlighting the impact of vector genome design on virus-cell interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fernandes
- 1] iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal [2] Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - D Simão
- 1] iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal [2] Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M R Guerreiro
- 1] iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal [2] Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - E J Kremer
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-Universities of Montpellier I and II, Montpellier, France
| | - A S Coroadinha
- 1] iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal [2] Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - P M Alves
- 1] iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal [2] Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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10
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The adenovirus genome contributes to the structural stability of the virion. Viruses 2014; 6:3563-83. [PMID: 25254384 PMCID: PMC4189039 DOI: 10.3390/v6093563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus (Ad) vectors are currently the most commonly used platform for therapeutic gene delivery in human gene therapy clinical trials. Although these vectors are effective, many researchers seek to further improve the safety and efficacy of Ad-based vectors through detailed characterization of basic Ad biology relevant to its function as a vector system. Most Ad vectors are deleted of key, or all, viral protein coding sequences, which functions to not only prevent virus replication but also increase the cloning capacity of the vector for foreign DNA. However, radical modifications to the genome size significantly decreases virion stability, suggesting that the virus genome plays a role in maintaining the physical stability of the Ad virion. Indeed, a similar relationship between genome size and virion stability has been noted for many viruses. This review discusses the impact of the genome size on Ad virion stability and emphasizes the need to consider this aspect of virus biology in Ad-based vector design.
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11
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McFall ER, Murray LM, Lunde JA, Jasmin BJ, Kothary R, Parks RJ. A reduction in the human adenovirus virion size through use of a shortened fibre protein does not enhance muscle transduction following systemic or localised delivery in mice. Virology 2014; 468-470:444-453. [PMID: 25243333 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated whether reducing the overall size of adenovirus (Ad), through use of a vector containing a shortened fibre, leads to enhanced distribution and dissemination of the vector. Intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of Ad5SlacZ (12 nm fibre versus the normal Ad5 37 nm fibre) or Ad5SpKlacZ (shortened fibre with polylysine motif in the H-I loop of fibre knob domain) led to similar levels of lacZ expression compared to Ad5LlacZ (native Ad5 fibre) in the liver of treated animals, but did not enhance extravasation into the tibialis anterior muscle. Direct injection of the short-fibre vectors into the tibialis anterior muscle did not result in enhanced spread of the vector through muscle tissue, and led to only sporadic transgene expression in the spinal cord, suggesting that modifying the fibre length or redirecting viral infection to a more common cell surface receptor does not enhance motor neuron uptake or retrograde transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R McFall
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lyndsay M Murray
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6
| | - John A Lunde
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robin J Parks
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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12
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Abstract
High-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-Ad), also known as "helper-dependent" (HD-Ad), "gutless", "gutted", or "third-generation" Ad vectors, are devoid of all viral coding sequences and have shown promising potential for a wide variety of different applications-from classic gene therapy to genetic vaccination and tumor treatment. However, compared to first-generation adenoviral vectors their production is more complex and requires specific in-depth knowledge. This chapter delivers a detailed protocol for the successful production of HC-Ad vectors to high titers.
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13
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Wong CM, McFall ER, Burns JK, Parks RJ. The role of chromatin in adenoviral vector function. Viruses 2013; 5:1500-15. [PMID: 23771241 PMCID: PMC3717718 DOI: 10.3390/v5061500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vectors based on adenovirus (Ad) are one of the most commonly utilized platforms for gene delivery to cells in molecular biology studies and in gene therapy applications. Ad is also the most popular vector system in human clinical gene therapy trials, largely due to its advantageous characteristics such as high cloning capacity (up to 36 kb), ability to infect a wide variety of cell types and tissues, and relative safety due to it remaining episomal in transduced cells. The latest generation of Ad vectors, helper‑dependent Ad (hdAd), which are devoid of all viral protein coding sequences, can mediate high-level expression of a transgene for years in a variety of species ranging from rodents to non-human primates. Given the importance of histones and chromatin in modulating gene expression within the host cell, it is not surprising that Ad, a nuclear virus, also utilizes these proteins to protect the genome and modulate virus- or vector‑encoded genes. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the contribution of chromatin to Ad vector function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen M. Wong
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada; E-Mails: (C.M.W.); (E.R.M.); (J.K.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Emily R. McFall
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada; E-Mails: (C.M.W.); (E.R.M.); (J.K.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Joseph K. Burns
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada; E-Mails: (C.M.W.); (E.R.M.); (J.K.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Robin J. Parks
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada; E-Mails: (C.M.W.); (E.R.M.); (J.K.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-613-737-8123; Fax: +1-613-737-8803
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Schreiner S, Bürck C, Glass M, Groitl P, Wimmer P, Kinkley S, Mund A, Everett RD, Dobner T. Control of human adenovirus type 5 gene expression by cellular Daxx/ATRX chromatin-associated complexes. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:3532-50. [PMID: 23396441 PMCID: PMC3616723 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Death domain-associated protein (Daxx) cooperates with X-linked α-thalassaemia retardation syndrome protein (ATRX), a putative member of the sucrose non-fermentable 2 family of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling proteins, acting as the core ATPase subunit in this complex, whereas Daxx is the targeting factor, leading to histone deacetylase recruitment, H3.3 deposition and transcriptional repression of cellular promoters. Despite recent findings on the fundamental importance of chromatin modification in host-cell gene regulation, it remains unclear whether adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) transcription is regulated by cellular chromatin remodelling to allow efficient virus gene expression. Here, we focus on the repressive role of the Daxx/ATRX complex during Ad5 replication, which depends on intact protein-protein interaction, as negative regulation could be relieved with a Daxx mutant that is unable to interact with ATRX. To ensure efficient viral replication, Ad5 E1B-55K protein inhibits Daxx and targets ATRX for proteasomal degradation in cooperation with early region 4 open reading frame protein 6 and cellular components of a cullin-dependent E3-ubiquitin ligase. Our studies illustrate the importance and diversity of viral factors antagonizing Daxx/ATRX-mediated repression of viral gene expression and shed new light on the modulation of cellular chromatin remodelling factors by Ad5. We show for the first time that cellular Daxx/ATRX chromatin remodelling complexes play essential roles in Ad gene expression and illustrate the importance of early viral proteins to counteract cellular chromatin remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Schreiner
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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15
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Zarogouldis P, Karamanos NK, Porpodis K, Domvri K, Huang H, Hohenforst-Schimdt W, Goldberg EP, Zarogoulidis K. Vectors for inhaled gene therapy in lung cancer. Application for nano oncology and safety of bio nanotechnology. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:10828-10862. [PMID: 23109824 PMCID: PMC3472716 DOI: 10.3390/ijms130910828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel aerosol therapeutic modalities have been investigated for lung cancer. Inhaled gene therapy has presented safety and effectiveness previously in cystic fibrosis. However, safety concerns have been raised regarding the safety of non-viral vectors for inhaled gene therapy in lung cancer, and therefore small steps have been made towards this multifunctional treatment modality. During the last decade, numerous new nanocomplexes have been created and investigated as a safe gene delivery nano-vehicle. These formulations are multifunctional; they can be used as either local therapy or carrier for an effective inhaled gene therapy for lung cancer. Herein, we present current and future perspectives of nanocomplexes for inhaled gene therapy treatment in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zarogouldis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece; E-Mails: (K.P.); (K.D.); (K.Z.)
- Pulmonary Department-Interventional Unit, “Ruhrland Klinik”, University of Essen, Essen 45239, Germany
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +30-697-727-1974; Fax: +30-231-099-2433
| | - Nikos K. Karamanos
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Patras, Patras 25200, Greece; E-Mail:
| | - Konstantinos Porpodis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece; E-Mails: (K.P.); (K.D.); (K.Z.)
| | - Kalliopi Domvri
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece; E-Mails: (K.P.); (K.D.); (K.Z.)
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory diseases, Changhai hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; E-Mail:
| | | | - Eugene P. Goldberg
- Biomaterials Science & Engineering, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Florida, FL 32611, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Konstantinos Zarogoulidis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, “G. Papanikolaou” General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece; E-Mails: (K.P.); (K.D.); (K.Z.)
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16
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Giberson AN, Davidson AR, Parks RJ. Chromatin structure of adenovirus DNA throughout infection. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:2369-76. [PMID: 22116065 PMCID: PMC3315334 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr1076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than half a century, researchers have studied the basic biology of Adenovirus (Ad), unraveling the subtle, yet profound, interactions between the virus and the host. These studies have uncovered previously unknown proteins and pathways crucial for normal cell function that the virus manipulates to achieve optimal virus replication and gene expression. In the infecting virion, the viral DNA is tightly condensed in a virally encoded protamine-like protein which must be remodeled within the first few hours of infection to allow for efficient expression of virus-encoded genes and subsequent viral DNA replication. This review discusses our current knowledge of Ad DNA–protein complex within the infected cell nucleus, the cellular proteins the virus utilizes to achieve chromatinization, and how this event contributes to efficient gene expression and progression of the virus life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N Giberson
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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17
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Rauschhuber C, Noske N, Ehrhardt A. New insights into stability of recombinant adenovirus vector genomes in mammalian cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2011; 91:2-9. [PMID: 21440326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2011.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adenoviruses are widely used in basic virology research, therapeutic applications, vaccination studies or simply as a tool for genetic manipulation of eukaryotic cells. Dependent on the application, transient or stable maintenance of the adenoviral genome and transgene expression are required. The newest generation of recombinant adenoviral vectors is represented by high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdVs) which lack all viral coding sequences. HC-AdVs were shown to result in long-term persistence of transgene expression and phenotypic correction in small and large animal models with negligible toxicity. Although there is evidence that adenoviral vectors predominantly persist as episomal DNA molecules with a low integration frequency into the host genome, detailed information about the nuclear fate and the molecular status of the HC-AdV genome once inside the nucleus is lacking. In recent years we have focused on analyzing and modifying the nuclear fate of HC-AdVs after infection of mammalian cells. We have focused on investigating the molecular DNA forms of HC-AdV genomes and we have designed strategies to excise and stably integrate a transgene from an episomal adenovirus vector genome into the host chromosomes by recombinases. This review article provides a state-of-the art overview of the current knowledge of episomal HC-AdV persistence and it discusses strategies for changing the nuclear fate of a transgene inserted into the HC-AdV genome by somatic integration into host chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Rauschhuber
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Department of Virology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9a, Munich, Germany
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Christou C, Parks RJ. Rational design of murine secreted alkaline phosphatase for enhanced performance as a reporter gene in mouse gene therapy preclinical studies. Hum Gene Ther 2011; 22:499-506. [PMID: 21083426 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2010.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many preclinical gene therapy studies use a reporter gene to evaluate vector design and performance in mouse models of human disease. Unfortunately, most commonly used reporter genes are immunogenic in mice, which confounds accurate evaluation of vector function. In previous studies, we showed that the murine secreted alkaline phosphatase (mSEAP) gene functions well as a simple and sensitive reporter gene in mice. In this study, we have used rational design to enhance mSEAP performance. The majority of native mSEAP remains attached to the outer surface of the cell through glycan phosphatidylinositol linkage; removal of the carboxy-terminal tail of mSEAP resulted in a dramatic enhancement of release of the protein into cell culture medium and into mouse plasma in whole animal experiments. We increased the heat stability of mSEAP through mutation of a key residue in the crown domain of the protein (H451E), thus allowing us to reduce endogenous, background AP activity through heat inactivation for enhanced sensitivity. We show that these alterations in mSEAP result in enhanced performance in tissue culture and mouse studies. Taken together, these data illustrate that mSEAP is a sensitive, nonimmunogenic reporter for preclinical mouse studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carin Christou
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 8L6 Ontario, Canada
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19
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Assembly of helper-dependent adenovirus DNA into chromatin promotes efficient gene expression. J Virol 2011; 85:3950-8. [PMID: 21307207 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01787-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenovirus (hdAd) vectors have shown tremendous potential in animal models of human disease in numerous preclinical studies. Expression of a therapeutic transgene can be maintained for several years after a single administration of the hdAd vector. However, despite the long-term persistence of hdAd DNA in the transduced cell, little is known of the fate and structure of hdAd DNA within the host nucleus. In this study, we have characterized the assembly of hdAd DNA into chromatin in tissue culture. Eviction of the Ad DNA-packaging protein VII, histone deposition, and vector-associated gene expression all began within 2 to 6 h of host cell transduction. Inhibition of transcription elongation through the vector DNA template had no effect on the loss of VII, suggesting that transcription was not necessary for removal of the majority of protein VII. Vector DNA assembled into physiologically spaced nucleosomes within 6 h. hdAd vectors incorporated the histone H3 variant H3.3, which was dependent on the histone chaperone HIRA. Knockdown of HIRA reduced hdAd association with histones and reduced expression of the vector-carried transgene by 2- to 3-fold. Our study elucidates an essential role for hdAd DNA chromatinization for optimal vector gene expression.
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20
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Dronadula N, Du L, Flynn R, Buckler J, Kho J, Jiang Z, Tanaka S, Dichek DA. Construction of a novel expression cassette for increasing transgene expression in vivo in endothelial cells of large blood vessels. Gene Ther 2010; 18:501-8. [PMID: 21179172 PMCID: PMC3093449 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2010.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The success of gene therapy hinges on achievement of adequate transgene expression. To ensure high transgene expression, many gene-therapy vectors include highly active virus-derived transcriptional elements. Other vectors include tissue-specific eukaryotic transcriptional elements, intended to limit transgene expression to specific cell types, avoid toxicity and prevent immune responses. Unfortunately, tissue specificity is often accompanied by lower transgene expression. Here, we use eukaryotic (murine) transcriptional elements and a virus-derived posttranscriptional element to build cassettes designed to express a potentially therapeutic gene (interleukin (IL)-10) in large-vessel endothelial cells (ECs) at levels as high as obtained with the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter, while retaining EC specificity. The cassettes were tested by incorporation into helper-dependent adenoviral vectors, and transduction into bovine aortic EC in vitro and rabbit carotid EC in vivo. The murine endothelin-1 promoter showed EC specificity, but expressed only 3% as much IL-10 mRNA as CMV. Inclusion of precisely four copies of an EC-specific enhancer and a posttranscriptional regulatory element increased IL-10 expression to a level at or above the CMV promoter in vivo, while retaining--and possibly enhancing--EC specificity, as measured in vitro. The cassette reported here will likely be useful for maximizing transgene expression in large-vessel EC, while minimizing systemic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dronadula
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7710, USA
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21
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Vetrini F, Ng P. Gene therapy with helper-dependent adenoviral vectors: current advances and future perspectives. Viruses 2010; 2:1886-1917. [PMID: 21994713 PMCID: PMC3186006 DOI: 10.3390/v2091886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Revised: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant Adenoviral vectors represent one of the best gene transfer platforms due to their ability to efficiently transduce a wide range of quiescent and proliferating cell types from various tissues and species. The activation of an adaptive immune response against the transduced cells is one of the major drawbacks of first generation Adenovirus vectors and has been overcome by the latest generation of recombinant Adenovirus, the Helper-Dependent Adenoviral (HDAd) vectors. HDAds have innovative features including the complete absence of viral coding sequences and the ability to mediate high level transgene expression with negligible chronic toxicity. This review summarizes the many aspects of HDAd biology and structure with a major focus on in vivo gene therapy application and with an emphasis on the unsolved issues that these vectors still presents toward clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Ng
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Tel.: +1 7137984158; E-Mail:
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22
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Jager L, Ehrhardt A. Persistence of high-capacity adenoviral vectors as replication-defective monomeric genomes in vitro and in murine liver. Hum Gene Ther 2009; 20:883-96. [PMID: 19364285 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2009.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver-based gene therapy approaches demonstrated that high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdVs) can persist life-long in mice and for 2 years or longer in rats, dogs, and nonhuman primates. However, the molecular status of episomal HC-AdV DNA molecules and the mechanism of vector genome maintenance have not been analyzed. HC-AdV lacks all viral coding sequences including early gene region 4 (E4), which prevents concatemerization in wild-type adenovirus. Therefore, we addressed whether concatemerization or circularization of HC-AdV DNA occurs in transduced cells. We employed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and a sensitive concatemer/circle-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To test for replication as a potential mechanism for maintenance, we developed a methylase/restriction endonuclease-based system using methylation-marked HC-AdV. We found that unlike DeltaE4 mutant virus, only monomers of HC-AdV genomes were observable in vitro. Using our methylase/restriction endonuclease-based system, no replication of HC-AdV was sensed in various cell lines. However, concatemer formation of HC-AdV could be induced after coinfection with an E4-deleted helper virus, indicating that linkage of genomes may be supported by replication. To examine HC-AdV DNA molecules in vivo, C57BL/6 mice were injected and vector DNA in liver was analyzed. In concordance with our in vitro results, exclusively linear monomers were detected. To sense the replication status of HC-AdV genomes, we established a sensitive real-time PCR. Our results indicated that the input transduced DNA genomes were the persistent molecules in murine liver. In summary, we demonstrated that HC-AdV genomes persist predominantly as replication-defective monomeric genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Jager
- Department of Virology, Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Munich 80336, Germany
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23
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Host cell detection of noncoding stuffer DNA contained in helper-dependent adenovirus vectors leads to epigenetic repression of transgene expression. J Virol 2009; 83:8409-17. [PMID: 19515759 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00796-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenovirus (hdAd) vectors have shown great promise as therapeutic gene delivery vehicles in gene therapy applications. However, the level and duration of gene expression from hdAd can differ considerably depending on the nature of the noncoding stuffer DNA contained within the vector. For example, an hdAd containing 22 kb of prokaryotic DNA (hdAd-prok) expresses its transgene 60-fold less efficiently than a similar vector containing eukaryotic DNA (hdAd-euk). Here we have determined the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon. Although neither vector was subjected to CpG methylation and both genomes associated with cellular histones to similar degrees, hdAd-prok chromatin was actively deacetylated. Insertion of an insulator element between the transgene and the bacterial DNA derepressed hdAd-prok, suggesting that foreign DNA nucleates repressive chromatin structures that spread to the transgene. We found that Sp100B/Sp100HMG and Daxx play a role in repressing transgene expression from hdAd and act independently of PML bodies. Thus, we have identified nuclear factors involved in recognizing foreign DNA and have determined the mechanism by which associated genes are repressed.
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24
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From the first to the third generation adenoviral vector: what parameters are governing the production yield? Biotechnol Adv 2008; 27:133-44. [PMID: 19013226 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2008] [Revised: 10/13/2008] [Accepted: 10/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Human adenoviral viral vector serotype 5 (AdV) is presently the primary viral vector used in gene therapy trials. Advancements in AdV process development directly contribute to the clinical application and commercialization of the AdV gene delivery technology. Notably, the development of AdV production in suspension culture has driven the increase in AdV volumetric and specific productivity, therefore providing large quantities of AdV required for clinical studies. This review focuses on detailing the viral, cell and cell culture parameters governing the productivity of the three generations of AdV vectors.
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Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAd) are deleted of all viral coding sequences and have demonstrated tremendous potential for gene therapy by providing long-term, high-level transgene expression in the absence of chronic toxicity. Thus, HDAd are superior to early generation Ad for gene therapy of genetic diseases where long-term transgene expression is required. This chapter describes in detail the rescue, amplification, and large-scale production of HDAd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna J Palmer
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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26
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De Santa F, Albini S, Mezzaroma E, Baron L, Felsani A, Caruso M. pRb-dependent cyclin D3 protein stabilization is required for myogenic differentiation. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:7248-65. [PMID: 17709384 PMCID: PMC2168908 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.02199-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of retinoblastoma (pRb) and cyclin D3 proteins is highly induced during the process of skeletal myoblast differentiation. We have previously shown that cyclin D3 is nearly totally associated with hypophosphorylated pRb in differentiated myotubes, whereas Rb-/- myocytes fail to accumulate the cyclin D3 protein despite normal induction of cyclin D3 mRNA. Here we report that pRb promotes cyclin D3 protein accumulation in differentiating myoblasts by preventing cyclin D3 degradation. We show that cyclin D3 displays rapid turnover in proliferating myoblasts, which is positively regulated through glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta)-mediated phosphorylation of cyclin D3 on Thr-283. We describe a novel interaction between pRb and cyclin D3 that maps to the C terminus of pRb and to a region of cyclin D3 proximal to the Thr-283 residue and provide evidence that the pRb-cyclin D3 complex formation in terminally differentiated myotubes hinders the access of GSK-3beta to cyclin D3, thus inhibiting Thr-283 phosphorylation. Interestingly, we observed that the ectopic expression of a stabilized cyclin D3 mutant in C2 myoblasts enhances muscle-specific gene expression; conversely, cyclin D3-null embryonic fibroblasts display impaired MyoD-induced myogenic differentiation. These results indicate that the pRb-dependent accumulation of cyclin D3 is functionally relevant to the process of skeletal muscle cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Santa
- CNR-Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, Fondazione S. Lucia, Via Fosso di Fiorano, 64-00143 Roma, Italy
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Martina Y, Avitabile D, Piersanti S, Cherubini G, Saggio I. Different modulation of cellular transcription by adenovirus 5, DeltaE1/E3 adenovirus and helper-dependent vectors. Virus Res 2007; 130:71-84. [PMID: 17601622 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2006] [Revised: 05/16/2007] [Accepted: 05/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
One problem encountered in the use of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy is their toxicity. Although many studies have analyzed this question in vivo, few researches have investigated adenovirus vector effects at the cellular level using a large-scale approach. In particular, no such data are available for helper-dependent adenovirus vectors (HD), which are promising adenovirus vectors for clinical applications since they are devoid of all viral genes and can host large transgene cassettes. The present study used gene chips to examine (Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 interrogating 12,626 unique human transcripts) the effect on liver cells of HD vectors versus that of DeltaE1/E3 adenovirus vector and wild type Adenovirus (Ad5). The effects of the DeltaE1/E3 adenovirus and of HD vectors were comparable, and significantly milder than that of Ad5. Interestingly the expression signatures of DeltaE1/E3 adenovirus and HD vectors were non-overlapping both at the single gene and the pathway level, suggesting specific and different interactions between the host cell and the two gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Martina
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza, and Fondazione Parco Biomedico S. Raffaele, Rome, Italy
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28
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Sanges R, Kalmar E, Claudiani P, D'Amato M, Muller F, Stupka E. Shuffling of cis-regulatory elements is a pervasive feature of the vertebrate lineage. Genome Biol 2007; 7:R56. [PMID: 16859531 PMCID: PMC1779573 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2006-7-7-r56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Revised: 04/05/2006] [Accepted: 06/27/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alignment of orthologous vertebrate loci reveals that a significant proportion of conserved cis-regulatory elements have undergone shuffling during evolution. Background All vertebrates share a remarkable degree of similarity in their development as well as in the basic functions of their cells. Despite this, attempts at unearthing genome-wide regulatory elements conserved throughout the vertebrate lineage using BLAST-like approaches have thus far detected noncoding conservation in only a few hundred genes, mostly associated with regulation of transcription and development. Results We used a unique combination of tools to obtain regional global-local alignments of orthologous loci. This approach takes into account shuffling of regulatory regions that are likely to occur over evolutionary distances greater than those separating mammalian genomes. This approach revealed one order of magnitude more vertebrate conserved elements than was previously reported in over 2,000 genes, including a high number of genes found in the membrane and extracellular regions. Our analysis revealed that 72% of the elements identified have undergone shuffling. We tested the ability of the elements identified to enhance transcription in zebrafish embryos and compared their activity with a set of control fragments. We found that more than 80% of the elements tested were able to enhance transcription significantly, prevalently in a tissue-restricted manner corresponding to the expression domain of the neighboring gene. Conclusion Our work elucidates the importance of shuffling in the detection of cis-regulatory elements. It also elucidates how similarities across the vertebrate lineage, which go well beyond development, can be explained not only within the realm of coding genes but also in that of the sequences that ultimately govern their expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remo Sanges
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via P. Castellino, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Eva Kalmar
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Forschungzenbrum, Karlsruhe, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Pamela Claudiani
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via P. Castellino, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria D'Amato
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via P. Castellino, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ferenc Muller
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Forschungzenbrum, Karlsruhe, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Elia Stupka
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via P. Castellino, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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Brunetti-Pierri N, Stapleton GE, Palmer DJ, Zuo Y, Mane VP, Finegold MJ, Beaudet AL, Leland MM, Mullins CE, Ng P. Pseudo-hydrodynamic delivery of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors into non-human primates for liver-directed gene therapy. Mol Ther 2007; 15:732-40. [PMID: 17285138 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAds) are attractive for liver-directed gene therapy because they can mediate long-term, high-level transgene expression without chronic toxicity. However, systemic delivery requires high vector doses for efficient hepatic transduction, resulting in dose-dependent acute toxicity. Clearly, strategies to improve hepatic transduction with low vector doses are needed. In this regard, we have previously shown that hydrodynamic injection of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors into mice results in increased hepatic transduction, reduced systemic vector dissemination, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with conventional injection and thus has the potential to improve dramatically the therapeutic index of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors. Unfortunately, the rapid, large-volume injection used in this method cannot be applied to larger animals. Therefore, we have developed a novel balloon occlusion catheter-based method to mimic hydrodynamic injection of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors into non-human primates that does not require rapid, large-volume injection. Using a low, clinically relevant vector dose, this minimally invasive method results in high-efficiency hepatic transduction with minimal toxicity and stable long-term transgene expression for at least 413 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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30
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Brunetti-Pierri N, Ng T, Iannitti DA, Palmer DJ, Beaudet AL, Finegold MJ, Carey KD, Cioffi WG, Ng P. Improved hepatic transduction, reduced systemic vector dissemination, and long-term transgene expression by delivering helper-dependent adenoviral vectors into the surgically isolated liver of nonhuman primates. Hum Gene Ther 2006; 17:391-404. [PMID: 16610927 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2006.17.391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAds) are attractive vectors for liver-directed gene therapy because they can mediate sustained, high-level transgene expression without chronic toxicity. However, high vector doses are required to achieve efficient hepatic transduction by systemic delivery because of a nonlinear dose response. Unfortunately, such high doses result in systemic vector dissemination and dose-dependent acute toxicity with potentially severe and lethal consequences. We hypothesize that the threshold to efficient hepatic transduction may be circumvented by delivering the vector into the surgically isolated liver via the portal vein. Total hepatic isolation was achieved by occluding hepatic inflow from the portal vein and hepatic artery and by occluding hepatic venous outflow at the inferior vena cava. We demonstrate in nonhuman primates that this approach resulted in significantly higher efficiency hepatic transduction with reduced systemic vector dissemination compared with systemic intravascular delivery. This method of delivery was associated with transient acute toxicity, the severity of which was variable. Importantly, stable, high levels of transgene expression were obtained for at least 665 days for one baboon and for at least 560 days for two baboons with no evidence of long-term toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Mane VP, Toietta G, McCormack WM, Conde I, Clarke C, Palmer D, Finegold MJ, Pastore L, Ng P, Lopez J, Lee B. Modulation of TNFalpha, a determinant of acute toxicity associated with systemic delivery of first-generation and helper-dependent adenoviral vectors. Gene Ther 2006; 13:1272-80. [PMID: 16708078 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the determinants of the host innate immune response to systemic administration of adenoviral (Ad) vectors is critical for clinical gene therapy. Acute toxicity occurs within minutes to hours after vector administration and is characterized by activation of innate immune responses. Our data indicate that in mice, indicators of vector toxicity include elevations of cytokine levels, liver transaminase levels and thrombocytopenia. To discern potential targets for blunting this host response, we evaluated genetic factors in the host response to systemically administered first-generation Ad vectors (FGV) and helper-dependent Ad vectors (HDV) containing beta-galactosidase expression cassettes. A preliminary screen for modulation of vector-induced thrombocytopenia revealed no role for interferon-gamma, mast cells or perforin. However, vector-induced thrombocytopenia and interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression are less evident in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-deficient mice. Moreover, we also demonstrated that TNFalpha blockade via antibody or huTNFR:Fc pretreatment attenuates both thrombocytopenia (>40% increase in platelet count) and IL-6 expression (>80% reduction) without affecting interleukin 12 , liver enzymes, hematological indices or vector transduction in a murine model. Our data indicate that the use of HDV, in combination with clinically approved TNFalpha immunomodulation, may represent an approach for improving the therapeutic index of Ad gene therapy for human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- V P Mane
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Hudde T, Apitz J, Bordes-Alonso R, Heise K, Johnson KTM, Steuhl KP, Geerling G, Pützer BM. Gene transfer to trabecular meshwork endothelium via direct injection into the Schlemm canal and in vivo toxicity study. Curr Eye Res 2006; 30:1051-9. [PMID: 16354618 DOI: 10.1080/02713680500323350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our aim was to investigate the efficiency of adenoviral gene transfer via direct injection into the Schlemm canal ex vivo in human donor eyes and to examine the effect of human MMP-3 transgene expression in a rat model in vivo. METHODS A viscocanalostomy-like operation was performed and adenoviral vector encoding for MMP-3 and green fluorescent protein was injected into human Schlemm canal or rat anterior chamber. RESULTS Transgene expression was high in trabecular meshwork endothelium in human donor eyes. In vivo, adenovirus caused dose-dependent inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Direct injection of adenoviral vectors into the Schlemm canal has potential in glaucoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Hudde
- Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Abteilung für Erkrankungen des vorderen Augenabschnitts, Essen, Germany.
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Brunetti-Pierri N, Nichols TC, McCorquodale S, Merricks E, Palmer DJ, Beaudet AL, Ng P. Sustained phenotypic correction of canine hemophilia B after systemic administration of helper-dependent adenoviral vector. Hum Gene Ther 2005; 16:811-20. [PMID: 16000063 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We have evaluated the potential of liver-directed, helper-dependent adenoviral (HDAd) vector-mediated gene therapy in the hemophilia B dog. Two dogs were injected intravenously with HDAd (3 x 10(12) VP/kg) bearing a liver-restricted canine coagulation factor IX (FIX) expression cassette. After injection, the whole blood clotting time for both dogs declined from >60 min to </=20 min for at least 604 and 446 days, respectively. Peak FIX activities of 34.1 and 129.2% were detected at 12x14 days and then slowly declined to 2 to 5% by 120 days and stabilized at these therapeutic levels for at least 418 and 257 days. For one dog, a peak FIX level of 500 ng/ml was achieved and stabilized at >170 ng/ml for at least 256 days. For the other dog, a peak FIX level of 1258 ng/ml was achieved and stabilized at >400 ng/ml for at least 213 days. Inhibitor formation was not evident in either animal. Importantly, whereas untreated hemophilia B dogs suffer five or six spontaneous bleeds per year, the treated dogs suffered no such bleeds postinjection. Significantly, this study is the first to demonstrate long-term phenotypic correction of a genetic disorder in a large animal with HDAd. Although no evidence of chronic toxicity was observed in either animal, systemic vector administration at 3 x 10(12) VP/kg was accompanied by acute, albeit transient and variable laboratory abnormalities (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, and platelet counts). The results of this study highlight both the potential benefit and the risk associated with systemic intravascular delivery of high-dose HDAd for liver-directed gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Altaras NE, Aunins JG, Evans RK, Kamen A, Konz JO, Wolf JJ. Production and formulation of adenovirus vectors. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2005; 99:193-260. [PMID: 16568893 DOI: 10.1007/10_008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Adenovirus vectors have attracted considerable interest over the past decade, with ongoing clinical development programs for applications ranging from replacement therapy for protein deficiencies to cancer therapeutics to prophylactic vaccines. Consequently, considerable product, process, analytical, and formulation development has been undertaken to support these programs. For example, "gutless" vectors have been developed in order to improve gene transfer capacity and durability of expression; new cell lines have been developed to minimize recombination events; production conditions have been optimized to improve volumetric productivities; analytical techniques and scaleable purification processes have advanced towards the goal of purified adenovirus becoming a "well-characterized biological"; and liquid formulations have been developed which maintain virus infectivity at 2-8 degrees C for over 18 months. These and other advances in the production of adenovirus vectors are discussed in detail in this review. In addition, the needs for the next decade are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedim E Altaras
- Fermentation and Cell Culture, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvannia 19486-0004, USA
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Maelandsmo GM, Ross PJ, Pavliv M, Meulenbroek RA, Evelegh C, Muruve DA, Graham FL, Parks RJ. Use of a murine secreted alkaline phosphatase as a non-immunogenic reporter gene in mice. J Gene Med 2005; 7:307-15. [PMID: 15515146 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of any vector system as a gene delivery system requires its optimization in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary studies frequently involve the use of a reporter gene, which allows for the rapid and simple assay of vector function through monitoring expression levels of the reporter gene. However, evaluation of vector efficacy can be compromised by immune responses directed against immunogenic reporter proteins. METHODS We have cloned a murine secreted alkaline phosphatase (mSEAP), and explored its use as a reporter gene in the context of an early region 1 (E1)-deleted adenovirus (Ad) vector. Studies involved characterization of gene expression in vitro and in vivo, and immunological responses after gene delivery to mice. RESULTS In tissue culture, we show that mSEAP is easily measured quantitatively using a sensitive, commercially available chemiluminescent assay, or visualized directly using histological staining. The level of transgene expression from AdmSEAP was similar to that observed for an Ad vector encoding the human placental secreted alkaline phosphatase (hSEAP). After intravenous administration in mice, AdmSEAP continued to express at high levels for the duration of the experiment (1 month), whereas expression from AdhSEAP declined to background levels over the course of the experiment. Although cytotoxic T-lymphocytes were not detected against either the murine or human SEAP proteins in mice, antibodies were readily detected against the human protein. No antibodies were detected to mSEAP. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data illustrate that mSEAP is a sensitive, non-immunogenic reporter gene for preclinical mouse studies.
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Harui A, Roth MD, Kiertscher SM, Mitani K, Basak SK. Vaccination with helper-dependent adenovirus enhances the generation of transgene-specific CTL. Gene Ther 2005; 11:1617-26. [PMID: 15295617 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adenoviral vectors (AdV) have been used experimentally as vaccines to present antigenic transgenes in vivo. However, administration of first-generation vectors (FG-AdV) is often limited by their induction of antiviral immunity. To address this limitation, helper-dependent vectors (HD-AdV) were developed that lack viral coding regions. While the administration of HD-AdV results in long-term gene expression in vivo, their utility as immunogens has never been examined. Direct vaccination with 10(8) blue-forming units (BFU) of HD-AdV injected into C57BL/6 mice lead to superior transgene-specific CTL and antibody responses when compared to the same amount of a FG-AdV. The antibody responses to viral antigens were high in response to both the vectors. As a mechanism to reduce viral exposure, dendritic cells (DC) were transduced with HD-AdV in vitro and then used as a cell-based vaccine. DC transduced with HD-AdV expressed higher levels of transgene-specific mRNA and up to 1200-fold higher levels of transgene protein than did DC transduced with a FG-AdV. In addition, HD-AdV-transduced DC stimulated superior transgene-specific CTL responses when administered in vivo, an effect that was further enhanced by maturing the DC with LPS prior to administration. In contrast to direct immunization with HD-AdV, vaccination with HD-AdV-transduced DC was associated with limited antibody responses against the AdV. We conclude that HD-AdV stimulates superior transgene-specific immune responses when compared to a FG-AdV, and that immunization with a DC-based vaccine maintains this efficacy while limiting antiviral reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Harui
- Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA
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Schagen FHE, Ossevoort M, Toes REM, Hoeben RC. Immune responses against adenoviral vectors and their transgene products: a review of strategies for evasion. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2005; 50:51-70. [PMID: 15094159 DOI: 10.1016/s1040-8428(03)00172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2003] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human adenoviruses have been adopted as attractive vectors for in vivo gene therapy since they have a well-characterized genomic organization, can be grown to high titres and efficiently transduce a wide spectrum of dividing and non-dividing cells. However, the first-generation of adenoviral (Ad) vectors yielded only transient expression of the transgene in most immunocompetent mice. This constituted a major limitation of this early vector type. In contrast, persistent transgene expression can be established in immunodeficient mice. This suggests that the immunogenicity of adenoviral vectors limits the effective period of adenovirus-based gene therapy. Much effort has been put in devising strategies to circumvent the limitations imposed onto gene therapy by the immune system. Improvements in vector design have significantly improved the performance of the adenovirus vectors. Based on these results it is reasonable to anticipate that new modifications of the vectors will overcome some of the immunological barriers and will further expand the applicability of adenovirus-derived vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik H E Schagen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9503, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors possess a number of characteristics that make them attractive gene therapy vectors. These vectors are completely devoid of viral coding sequences and are able to mediate high-efficiency transduction in vivo to direct sustain high-level transgene expression with negligible chronic toxicity. This review focuses on advances in helper-dependent adenoviral vector technology, selected examples of in vivo studies of particular interest, and the issue of vector-mediated acute toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna J Palmer
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Józkowicz A, Dulak J. Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors in experimental gene therapy. Acta Biochim Pol 2005; 52:589-99. [PMID: 16082408 PMCID: PMC1383728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Revised: 06/01/2005] [Accepted: 06/30/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the majority of potential applications gene therapy will require an effective transfer of a transgene in vivo resulting in high-level and long-term transgene expression, all in the absence of significant toxicity or inflammatory responses. The most efficient vehicles for delivery of foreign genes to the target tissues are modified adenoviruses. Adenoviral vectors of the first generation, despite the high infection efficacy, have an essential drawback: they induce strong immune response, which leads to short term expression of the transgene, and limits their usefulness in clinical trials. In contrast, helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HdAd) lacking all viral coding sequences display only minimal immunogenicity and negligible side-effects, allowing for long-term transgene expression. Thus, HdAd vehicles have become the carrier of choice for adenoviral vector-mediated experimental gene therapy, effectively used in animal models for delivery of transgenes into the liver, skeletal muscle, myocardium or brain. Strong and long-lasting expression of therapeutic genes has allowed for successful treatment of dyslipidemias, muscular dystrophy, obesity, hemophilia, and diabetes. Additionally, the large cloning capacity of HdAd, up to 37 kb, facilitates the use of physiologically regulated, endogenous promoters, instead of artificial viral promoter sequences. This enables also generation of the single vectors expressing multiple genes, which can be potentially useful for treatment of polygenic diseases. In this review we characterize the basic features of HdAd vectors and describe some of their experimental and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Józkowicz
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
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Huh MS, Parker MH, Scimè A, Parks R, Rudnicki MA. Rb is required for progression through myogenic differentiation but not maintenance of terminal differentiation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 166:865-76. [PMID: 15364961 PMCID: PMC2172111 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200403004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the requirement for pRb in myogenic differentiation, a floxed Rb allele was deleted either in proliferating myoblasts or after differentiation. Myf5-Cre mice, lacking pRb in myoblasts, died immediately at birth and exhibited high numbers of apoptotic nuclei and an almost complete absence of myofibers. In contrast, MCK-Cre mice, lacking pRb in differentiated fibers, were viable and exhibited a normal muscle phenotype and ability to regenerate. Induction of differentiation of Rb-deficient primary myoblasts resulted in high rates of apoptosis and a total inability to form multinucleated myotubes. Upon induction of differentiation, Rb-deficient myoblasts up-regulated myogenin, an immediate early marker of differentiation, but failed to down-regulate Pax7 and exhibited growth in low serum conditions. Primary myoblasts in which Rb was deleted after expression of differentiated MCK-Cre formed normal multinucleated myotubes that did not enter S-phase in response to serum stimulation. Therefore, Rb plays a crucial role in the switch from proliferation to differentiation rather than maintenance of the terminally differentiated state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Huh
- Molecular Medicine Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8L6.
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41
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Muruve DA, Cotter MJ, Zaiss AK, White LR, Liu Q, Chan T, Clark SA, Ross PJ, Meulenbroek RA, Maelandsmo GM, Parks RJ. Helper-dependent adenovirus vectors elicit intact innate but attenuated adaptive host immune responses in vivo. J Virol 2004; 78:5966-72. [PMID: 15140994 PMCID: PMC415814 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.11.5966-5972.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenovirus (HD-Ad) vectors with all adenoviral genes deleted mediate very long-term expression of therapeutic transgenes in a variety of animal models of disease. These vectors are associated with reduced toxicity and improved safety relative to traditional early region 1 deletion first-generation Ad (FG-Ad) vectors. Many studies have clearly demonstrated that FG-Ad vectors induce innate and adaptive immune responses in vivo; however, a comprehensive analysis of host immune responses to HD-Ad vectors has not yet been performed. In DBA/2 mice, intravenous injection of HD-Ad vectors encoding LacZ (HD-AdLacZ) or a murine secreted alkaline phosphatase (HD-AdSEAP) induced an early expression of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes in the liver, including interferon-inducible protein 10, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and were expressed in a pattern similar to that induced by FG-Ad vectors encoding AdSEAP. Like AdSEAP, and consistent with the pattern of cellular gene expression, HD-AdLacZ and HD-AdSEAP induced the recruitment of CD11b-positive leukocytes to the transduced liver within hours of administration. AdSEAP also induced a second phase of liver inflammation, consisting of inflammatory gene expression and CD3-positive lymphocytic infiltrates 7 days posttransduction. In contrast, beyond 24 h no infiltrates or expression of inflammatory genes was detected in the livers of mice receiving HD-AdSEAP. Despite the lack of liver inflammation at 7 days, Ad-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes could be detected in mice receiving HD-AdSEAP. This lack of liver inflammation was not due to reduced transduction since levels of transgene expression and the amounts of vector DNA in the liver were equivalent in mice receiving HD-AdSEAP and AdSEAP. These results demonstrate that HD-Ad vectors induce intact innate but attenuated adaptive immune responses in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Muruve
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr. N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1 Canada.
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Basak SK, Kiertscher SM, Harui A, Roth MD. Modifying Adenoviral Vectors for Use as Gene-Based Cancer Vaccines. Viral Immunol 2004; 17:182-96. [PMID: 15279698 DOI: 10.1089/0882824041310603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has produced significant advances in our understanding of antigen-presenting cells, tumor antigens, and other components of the immune response to cancer. Gene-based vaccination is emerging as one of the more promising approaches for loading dendritic cells (DC) with tumor-associated antigens. In this respect, it is proposed that adenoviral (AdV) vectors can deliver high antigen concentrations, promote effective processing and MHC expression, and stimulate potent cell-mediated immunity. While AdV vectors have performed well in pre-clinical vaccine models, their application to patient care has limitations. The in vivo administration of AdV vectors is associated with both innate and adaptive host responses that result in tissue inflammation and injury, viral neutralization, and premature clearance of AdV-transduced cells. A variety of strategies have been developed to address these limitations. The ideal vaccine would avoid vector-related immune responses, have relative specificity for transducing DC, and induce high levels of transgene expression. This review describes the range of host responses to AdV vaccines, identifies strategies to reduce viral recognition and enhance transgene antigen expression, and suggests future approaches to vector development and administration. There is every reason to believe that safer and more effective forms of AdV-based vaccines can be developed and applied to patient therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj K Basak
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1690, USA
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Sargent KL, Meulenbroek RA, Parks RJ. Activation of adenoviral gene expression by protein IX is not required for efficient virus replication. J Virol 2004; 78:5032-7. [PMID: 15113884 PMCID: PMC400331 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.10.5032-5037.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenovirus (Ad) protein IX (pIX) is a minor component of the Ad capsid and is in part responsible for virion stability; virions lacking pIX are heat labile and lose their infectivity if the DNA content is greater than approximately 35 kb. More recently, pIX has been identified as a transcriptional activator and, in transient-transfection assays, was shown to enhance expression from the E1A, E4, and major late Ad promoters by as much as 70-fold. In this study, we examined the role of pIX's ability to activate transcription during Ad replication. In transient-transfection assays, pIX had a minimal effect on expression from the E1A promoter, increasing expression by only 1.4-fold. We used helper-dependent Ad vectors, which had all Ad protein coding sequences deleted with the exception of E1A and which had capsids that either contained or lacked pIX, to show that pIX derived from decapsidation of the infecting virion does not influence expression of E1A. Similarly, expression of pIX from the Ad genome did not alter the expression levels of E1A. Viruses that had pIX deleted showed a threefold reduction in virus yield and expression of late genes compared to those of a similar virus which encoded pIX. This phenotype could not be rescued by growing the virus in cells which constitutively express pIX. Our results indicate that, although pIX can affect transcription from a variety of viral promoters, it does not appear to play a significant role in activation of Ad promoters during normal Ad replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy L Sargent
- Molecular Medicine Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6
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Sargent KL, Ng P, Evelegh C, Graham FL, Parks RJ. Development of a size-restricted pIX-deleted helper virus for amplification of helper-dependent adenovirus vectors. Gene Ther 2004; 11:504-11. [PMID: 14999222 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Helper-dependent adenovirus vectors (hdAd), which are deleted of all viral protein-coding sequences, can mediate long-term expression of a therapeutic transgene and lead to life-long, phenotypic correction in animal models of genetic disease. Here, we describe a new system for the generation of hdAd, which utilizes the DNA size restrictions imposed on an Ad virion deleted of protein IX (pIX): such virions are reported to package up to only approximately 35 kb of viral DNA. A pIX(-) helper virus (approximately 37.3 kb) was easily grown on complementing 293pIX cells. Upon infection of noncomplementing cells, this virus was not capable of forming infectious virions, but provided replicative and packaging functions for propagation of a 30-kb hdAd. The pIX(-) helper virus was effective in amplifying an hdAd and, in combination with Cre-mediated excision in the viral-packaging signal, resulted in a 1000-fold reduction in helper virus contamination in hdAd stocks compared to Cre/lox alone, as determined by plaque assay. However, through slot blot analysis of DNA isolated from virions, we determined that the ratio of hdAd to helper DNA was 500:1, similar to the ratio observed when using Cre/lox alone. Surprisingly, a large amount of the 37.3-kb helper DNA was being packaged into the pIX-deleted virions, but these virions were incapable of establishing productive infections in plaque assays, for reasons which are still unclear. Nevertheless, the pIX(-) hdAd generated in this system infected cells and expressed a transgene at levels similar to those obtained with a pIX(+) hdAd. These data suggest that, although further studies are necessary to characterize the nature of the defective helper virions formed in this system, deletion of pIX from the helper virus genome does provide an effective method to prevent recovery of functional helper virus during hdAd amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Sargent
- Molecular Medicine Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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45
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Piersanti S, Cherubini G, Martina Y, Salone B, Avitabile D, Grosso F, Cundari E, Di Zenzo G, Saggio I. Mammalian cell transduction and internalization properties of lambda phages displaying the full-length adenoviral penton base or its central domain. J Mol Med (Berl) 2004; 82:467-76. [PMID: 15150649 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-004-0543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2003] [Accepted: 03/08/2004] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years a strong effort has been devoted to the search for new, safe and efficient gene therapy vectors. Phage lambda is a promising backbone for the development of new vectors: its genome can host large inserts, DNA is protected from degradation by the capsid and the ligand-exposed D and V proteins can be extensively modified. Current phage-based vectors are inefficient and/or receptor-independent transducers. To produce new, receptor-selective and transduction-efficient vectors for mammalian cells we engineered lambda by inserting into its genome a GFP expression cassette, and by displaying the penton base (Pb) of adenovirus or its central region (amino acids 286-393). The Pb mediates attachment, entry and endosomal escape of adenovirus in mammalian cells, and its central region (amino acids 286-393) includes the principal receptor-binding motif ((340)RGD(342)). Both the phage chimerae lambda Pb and lambda Pb (286-393) were able to transduce cell lines and primary cultures of human fibroblasts. Competition experiments showed that the transduction pathway was receptor-dependent. We also describe the different trafficking properties of lambda Pb and lambda Pb (286-393). Bafilomycin, which blocks endosome maturation, influenced the intracellular distribution of lambda Pb (286-393), but not that of lambda Pb. The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 improved the efficiency of lambda Pb (286-393)-mediated transduction, but not that of lambda Pb. In summary, this work shows the feasibility of using lambda phage as an efficient vector for gene transfer into mammalian cells. We show that lambda Pb and lambda Pb (286-393) can both mediate receptor-dependent transduction; while only lambda Pb is able to promote endosomal escape and proteasome resistance of phage particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Piersanti
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University La Sapienza and Parco Scientifico Biomedico di Roma, S. Raffaele, Rome, Italy
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Bramson JL, Grinshtein N, Meulenbroek RA, Lunde J, Kottachchi D, Lorimer IA, Jasmin BJ, Parks RJ. Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Vectors Containing Modified Fiber for Improved Transduction of Developing and Mature Muscle Cells. Hum Gene Ther 2004; 15:179-88. [PMID: 14975190 DOI: 10.1089/104303404772679986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenoviruses (Ads) have shown great utility as vectors for the delivery of genes to mammalian cells, partly because of their ability to infect a wide range of different cell types independent of the replicative state of the cell. However, Ads do not transduce mature muscle efficiently because of low levels of the natural viral primary receptor, the coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor, on the surface of adult muscle cells. In this study, we have addressed whether incorporation of polylysine [p(K)] or arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) placed in the H-I loop of the adenoviral fiber protein can improve helper-dependent Ad vector (hdAd) transduction of mature muscle cells. We show that incorporation of the p(K) motif into the fiber of early region 1 (E1)-deleted Ad results in enhanced transduction of undifferentiated and differentiated C2C12 cells relative to a virus, containing a wild-type fiber (12- and 21-fold enhancement, respectively). Incorporation of the RGD motif resulted in only a 60-70% increase in transduction efficiency in these cells. The two fiber modifications were then incorporated into helper viruses for use in the Cre-lox system for generating hdAd, and the resulting retargeted Ad vectors, which encoded the beta-galactosidase reporter gene (beta-Gal), demonstrated enhanced transduction of C2C12 cells in culture. Although hdAdpK also showed enhanced infection of mature mouse muscle in vivo, hdAdRGD did not. All hdAd vectors elicited only minor anti-Ad immune responses, compared with an E1-deleted control vector, but each vector elicited strong anti-beta-Gal immunoreactivity. Our results demonstrate that hdAd with modified cell tropism can be generated efficiently and, in the case of polylysine-modified hdAd, can lead to improved transduction of adult muscle cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Bramson
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 325 Canada
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Abstract
The use of adenovirus as a gene transfer vehicle arose from early reports of recombinant viruses carrying heterologous DNA fragments. Adenovirus vectors offer many advantages for gene delivery: they are easy to propagate to high titers, they can infect most cell types regardless of their growth state, and in their most recent embodiments they can accommodate large DNA inserts. In this chapter, the development of adenovirus vectors is reviewed, from the use of so-called first-generation, E1-deleted viruses to the latest generation high-capacity, helper-dependent vectors. Examples of their use in the clinic are described, as are the current areas in which improvements to these vectors are being explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Imperiale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Gene Therapy, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 6304 Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0942, USA
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Ehrhardt A, Xu H, Dillow AM, Bellinger DA, Nichols TC, Kay MA. A gene-deleted adenoviral vector results in phenotypic correction of canine hemophilia B without liver toxicity or thrombocytopenia. Blood 2003; 102:2403-11. [PMID: 12805062 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-01-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many approaches for treating hemophilia via gene transfer have been attempted in large animal models but all have potential drawbacks. Recombinant adenoviral vectors offer high-efficiency transfer of an episomal vector but have been plagued by the cytotoxicity/immunogenicity of early-generation vectors that contain viral genes. In our current study, we have used a nonintegrating helper-dependent (HD) adenoviral vector for liver-directed gene transfer to achieve hemostatic correction in a dog with hemophilia B. We measured plasma canine factor IX (cFIX) concentrations at a therapeutic range for up to 2.5 months and normalization of the whole blood clotting time (WBCT) for about a month. This was followed by a decrease and stabilized partial correction for 4.5 months. Hepatic gene transfer of a slightly lower dose of the HD vector resulted in WBCTs that were close to normal for 2 weeks, suggesting a dose threshold effect in dogs. In sharp contrast to other studies using first- or second-generation adenoviral vectors, we observed no vector-related elevation of liver enzymes, no fall in platelet counts, and normal liver histology. Taken together, this study demonstrates that injection of an adenoviral HD vector results in complete but transient phenotypic correction of FIX deficiency in canine models with no detectable toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Ehrhardt
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Abstract
A key factor in the success of gene therapy is the development of gene delivery systems that are capable of efficient gene transfer in a broad variety of tissues, without causing any pathogenic effect. Currently, viral vectors based on many different viruses have been developed, and their performance and pathogenicity has been evaluated in animal models. The results of these studies form the basis for the first clinical trials for correcting genetic disorders using retroviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated viral vectors. Even though the results of these trials are encouraging, vector development is still required to improve and refine future treatment of hereditary disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje A Kootstra
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, California 92037-1099, USA.
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Li JZ, Hankins GR, Kao C, Li H, Kammauff J, Helm GA. Osteogenesis in rats induced by a novel recombinant helper-dependent bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) adenovirus. J Gene Med 2003; 5:748-56. [PMID: 12950065 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although recombinant first-generation BMP adenoviruses can induce ectopic bone formation in immune deficient animals, the osteoinductive activity of these BMP vectors is reduced in immune competent animals. Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors have been developed to decrease the immune response and, therefore, increase gene expression in immune competent animals compared with first-generation vectors. In the present study, the osteoinductive activity of a helper-dependent GFP and BMP-9 adenoviral vector (ADGBMP9) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Initially, purified ADGBMP9 was used to transduce human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the alkaline phosphatase activity was determined as a measure of osteogenic activity. The vector was then injected into the thigh muscle of athymic nude and Sprague-Dawley rats, and CT scans and histology were subsequently used to assess bone formation. RESULTS In vitro, ADGBMP9 was capable of inducing alkaline phosphatase expression in hMSCs. In vivo in athymic nude and Sprague Dawley rats, ADGBMP9 initiated the process of bone formation 3 days after percutaneous injection into the thigh musculature. The rats demonstrated intramuscular ectopic ossification in CT scans as early as day 9 post viral injection and ultimately formed significant amounts of ectopic bone. Histologically, the induced bone was formed via normal endochondral mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS A helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing the BMP-9 and GFP genes has significant osteoinductive activity in both athymic nude and immune competent rats. Additional direct and ex vivo BMP gene therapy studies are required to assess the vector's activity in more animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhong Li
- Molecular Neurosurgery Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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