1
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Zheng Q, Lin K, Zhang N, Shi Q, Wu Y, Chen Y. Anti-mCD20 in combination with α-mCXCL13 monoclonal antibody inhibits anti-FVIII antibody development in hemophilia A mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112735. [PMID: 39067397 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibody development poses a significant challenge in hemophilia A (HA) patients receiving FVIII protein replacement therapy. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit the production of anti-FVIII inhibitory antibodies (inhibitors) in HA. This study aimed to investigate a combination monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy targeting CXCL13 and CD20 on the development of anti-FVIII antibodies in a HA murine model, along with the underlying mechanisms involved. Specifically, mAbs targeting mouse CD20 (18B12) with an IgG2a backbone and mouse CXCL13 (2C4) with an IgG1 backbone were synthesized. HA mice with FVIII inhibitors were established, and the results revealed that the combination therapy of anti-mCD20 with α-mCXCL13 significantly suppressed anti-FVIII antibody development and induced FVIII tolerance. Furthermore, this combination therapy led to a marked reduction of peripheral and splenic follicular helper T cells and an enhancement of regulatory T cell induction, along with sustained depletion of bone marrow and splenic plasma cells in HA mice with preexisting FVIII immunity. Thus, the concurrence of blockage of CD20 and neutralization of CXCL13 hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for HA patients with inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyun Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Kehan Lin
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qizhen Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Yingyu Chen
- Department of Hematology, Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Medical Technology and Engineering College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Technology for Precision Medicine (Fujian Medical University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, China.
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2
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Kistner A, Chichester JA, Wang L, Calcedo R, Greig JA, Cardwell LN, Wright MC, Couthouis J, Sethi S, McIntosh BE, McKeever K, Wadsworth S, Wilson JM, Kakkis E, Sullivan BA. Prednisolone and rapamycin reduce the plasma cell gene signature and may improve AAV gene therapy in cynomolgus macaques. Gene Ther 2024; 31:128-143. [PMID: 37833563 PMCID: PMC10940161 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector gene therapy is a promising approach to treat rare genetic diseases; however, an ongoing challenge is how to best modulate host immunity to improve transduction efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. This report presents two studies characterizing multiple prophylactic immunosuppression regimens in male cynomolgus macaques receiving an AAVrh10 gene therapy vector expressing human coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII). In study 1, no immunosuppression was compared with prednisolone, rapamycin (or sirolimus), rapamycin and cyclosporin A in combination, and cyclosporin A and azathioprine in combination. Prednisolone alone demonstrated higher mean peripheral blood hFVIII expression; however, this was not sustained upon taper. Anti-capsid and anti-hFVIII antibody responses were robust, and vector genomes and transgene mRNA levels were similar to no immunosuppression at necropsy. Study 2 compared no immunosuppression with prednisolone alone or in combination with rapamycin or methotrexate. The prednisolone/rapamycin group demonstrated an increase in mean hFVIII expression and a mean delay in anti-capsid IgG development until after rapamycin taper. Additionally, a significant reduction in the plasma cell gene signature was observed with prednisolone/rapamycin, suggesting that rapamycin's tolerogenic effects may include plasma cell differentiation blockade. Immunosuppression with prednisolone and rapamycin in combination could improve therapeutic outcomes in AAV vector gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica A Chichester
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roberto Calcedo
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Affinia Therapeutics, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Jenny A Greig
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leah N Cardwell
- Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Samuel Wadsworth
- Ultragenyx Gene Therapy, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James M Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emil Kakkis
- Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., Novato, CA, USA
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3
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Valentino LA, Ozelo MC, Herzog RW, Key NS, Pishko AM, Ragni MV, Samelson-Jones BJ, Lillicrap D. A review of the rationale for gene therapy for hemophilia A with inhibitors: one-shot tolerance and treatment? J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:3033-3044. [PMID: 37225021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic landscape for people living with hemophilia A (PwHA) has changed dramatically in recent years, but many clinical challenges remain, including the development of inhibitory antibodies directed against factor VIII (FVIII) that occur in approximately 30% of people with severe hemophilia A. Emicizumab, an FVIII mimetic bispecific monoclonal antibody, provides safe and effective bleeding prophylaxis for many PwHA, but clinicians still explore therapeutic strategies that result in immunologic tolerance to FVIII to enable effective treatment with FVIII for problematic bleeding events. This immune tolerance induction (ITI) to FVIII is typically accomplished through repeated long-term exposure to FVIII using a variety of protocols. Meanwhile, gene therapy has recently emerged as a novel ITI option that provides an intrinsic, consistent source of FVIII. As gene therapy and other therapies now expand therapeutic options for PwHA, we review the persistent unmet medical needs with respect to FVIII inhibitors and effective ITI in PwHA, the immunology of FVIII tolerization, the latest research on tolerization strategies, and the role of liver-directed gene therapy to mediate FVIII ITI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard A Valentino
- National Hemophilia Foundation, New York, New York, USA; Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | | | - Roland W Herzog
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Nigel S Key
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Kaczmarek R, Piñeros AR, Patterson PE, Bertolini TB, Perrin GQ, Sherman A, Born J, Arisa S, Arvin MC, Kamocka MM, Martinez MM, Dunn KW, Quinn SM, Morris JJ, Wilhelm AR, Kaisho T, Munoz-Melero M, Biswas M, Kaplan MH, Linnemann AK, George LA, Camire RM, Herzog RW. Factor VIII trafficking to CD4+ T cells shapes its immunogenicity and requires several types of antigen-presenting cells. Blood 2023; 142:290-305. [PMID: 37192286 PMCID: PMC10375270 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022018937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite >80 years of clinical experience with coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors, surprisingly little is known about the in vivo mechanism of this most serious complication of replacement therapy for hemophilia A. These neutralizing antidrug alloantibodies arise in ∼30% of patients. Inhibitor formation is T-cell dependent, but events leading up to helper T-cell activation have been elusive because of, in part, the complex anatomy and cellular makeup of the spleen. Here, we show that FVIII antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells critically depends on a select set of several anatomically distinct antigen-presenting cells, whereby marginal zone B cells and marginal zone and marginal metallophilic macrophages but not red pulp macrophages (RPMFs) participate in shuttling FVIII to the white pulp in which conventional dendritic cells (DCs) prime helper T cells, which then differentiate into follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Toll-like receptor 9 stimulation accelerated Tfh cell responses and germinal center and inhibitor formation, whereas systemic administration of FVIII alone in hemophilia A mice increased frequencies of monocyte-derived and plasmacytoid DCs. Moreover, FVIII enhanced T-cell proliferation to another protein antigen (ovalbumin), and inflammatory signaling-deficient mice were less likely to develop inhibitors, indicating that FVIII may have intrinsic immunostimulatory properties. Ovalbumin, which, unlike FVIII, is absorbed into the RPMF compartment, fails to elicit T-cell proliferative and antibody responses when administered at the same dose as FVIII. Altogether, we propose that an antigen trafficking pattern that results in efficient in vivo delivery to DCs and inflammatory signaling, shape the immunogenicity of FVIII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Kaczmarek
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Annie R. Piñeros
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Paige E. Patterson
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Thais B. Bertolini
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - George Q. Perrin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Jameson Born
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Sreevani Arisa
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Matthew C. Arvin
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Malgorzata M. Kamocka
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Michelle M. Martinez
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Kenneth W. Dunn
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Sean M. Quinn
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Johnathan J. Morris
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amelia R. Wilhelm
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tsuneyasu Kaisho
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
- Laboratory for Inflammatory Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Maite Munoz-Melero
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Mark H. Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Amelia K. Linnemann
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
- Indiana Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Lindsey A. George
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rodney M. Camire
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Roland W. Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
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5
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Bertolini TB, Herzog RW, Kumar SRP, Sherman A, Rana J, Kaczmarek R, Yamada K, Arisa S, Lillicrap D, Terhorst C, Daniell H, Biswas M. Suppression of anti-drug antibody formation against coagulation factor VIII by oral delivery of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in hemophilia A mice. Cell Immunol 2023; 385:104675. [PMID: 36746071 PMCID: PMC9993859 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Active tolerance to ingested dietary antigens forms the basis for oral immunotherapy to food allergens or autoimmune self-antigens. Alternatively, oral administration of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody can be effective in modulating systemic immune responses without T cell depletion. Here we assessed the efficacy of full length and the F(ab')2 fragment of oral anti-CD3 to prevent anti-drug antibody (ADA) formation to clotting factor VIII (FVIII) protein replacement therapy in hemophilia A mice. A short course of low dose oral anti-CD3 F(ab')2 reduced the production of neutralizing ADAs, and suppression was significantly enhanced when oral anti-CD3 was timed concurrently with FVIII administration. Tolerance was accompanied by the early induction of FoxP3+LAP-, FoxP3+LAP+, and FoxP3-LAP+ populations of CD4+ T cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. FoxP3+LAP+ Tregs expressing CD69, CTLA-4, and PD1 persisted in spleens of treated mice, but did not produce IL-10. Finally, we attempted to combine the anti-CD3 approach with oral intake of FVIII antigen (using our previously established method of using lettuce plant cells transgenic for FVIII antigen fused to cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit, which suppresses ADAs in part through induction of IL-10 producing FoxP3-LAP+ Treg). However, combining these two approaches failed to improve suppression of ADAs. We conclude that oral anti-CD3 treatment is a promising approach to prevention of ADA formation in systemic protein replacement therapy, albeit via mechanisms distinct from and not synergistic with oral intake of bioencapsulated antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais B Bertolini
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Alexandra Sherman
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Radoslaw Kaczmarek
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sreevani Arisa
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - David Lillicrap
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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6
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Rana J, Muñoz MM, Biswas M. Oral tolerance to prevent anti-drug antibody formation in protein replacement therapies. Cell Immunol 2022; 382:104641. [PMID: 36402002 PMCID: PMC9730862 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein based therapeutics have successfully improved the quality of life for patients of monogenic disorders like hemophilia, Pompe and Fabry disease. However, a significant proportion of patients develop immune responses towards intravenously infused therapeutic protein, which can complicate or neutralize treatment and compromise patient safety. Strategies aimed at circumventing immune responses following therapeutic protein infusion can greatly improve therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, antigen-based oral tolerance induction has shown promising results in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases, food allergies and can prevent anti-drug antibody formation to protein replacement therapies. Oral tolerance exploits regulatory mechanisms that are initiated in the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) to promote active suppression of orally ingested antigen. In this review, we outline general perceptions and current knowledge about the mechanisms of oral tolerance, including tissue specific sites of tolerance induction and the cells involved, with emphasis on antigen presenting cells and regulatory T cells. We define several factors, such as cytokines and metabolites that impact the stability and expansion potential of these immune modulatory cells. We highlight preclinical studies that have been performed to induce oral tolerance to therapeutic proteins or enzymes for single gene disorders, such as hemophilia or Pompe disease. These studies mainly utilize a transgenic plant-based system for oral delivery of antigen in conjugation with fusion protein technology that favors the prevention of antigen degradation in the stomach while enhancing uptake in the small intestine by antigen presenting cells and regulatory T cell induction, thereby promoting antigen specific systemic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Maite Melero Muñoz
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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7
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Yuan Z, Li B, Gu W, Luozhong S, Li R, Jiang S. Mitigating the Immunogenicity of AAV-Mediated Gene Therapy with an Immunosuppressive Phosphoserine-Containing Zwitterionic Peptide. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:20507-20513. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhefan Yuan
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Wenchao Gu
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Sijin Luozhong
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ruoxin Li
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Shaoyi Jiang
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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8
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Gonzalez-Visiedo M, Li X, Munoz-Melero M, Kulis MD, Daniell H, Markusic DM. Single-dose AAV vector gene immunotherapy to treat food allergy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:309-322. [PMID: 35990748 PMCID: PMC9361215 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapies for patients with food allergy have shown some success in limiting allergic responses. However, these approaches require lengthy protocols with repeated allergen dosing and patients can relapse following discontinuation of treatment. The purpose of this study was to test if a single dose of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector can safely prevent and treat egg allergy in a mouse model. AAV vectors expressing ovalbumin (OVA) under an ubiquitous or liver-specific promoter were injected prior to or after epicutaneous sensitization with OVA. Mice treated with either AAV8-OVA vector were completely protected from allergy sensitization. These animals had a significant reduction in anaphylaxis mediated by a reduction in OVA-specific IgE titers. In mice with established OVA allergy, allergic responses were mitigated only in mice treated with an AAV8-OVA vector expressing OVA from an ubiquitous promoter. In conclusion, an AAV vector with a liver-specific promoter was more effective for allergy prevention, but higher OVA levels were necessary for reducing symptoms in preexisting allergy. Overall, our AAV gene immunotherapy resulted in an expansion of OVA-specific FoxP3+ CD4+ T cells, an increase in the regulatory cytokine IL-10, and a reduction in the IgE promoting cytokine IL-13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Gonzalez-Visiedo
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, R4-155, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, R4-155, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Maite Munoz-Melero
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, R4-155, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael D Kulis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David M Markusic
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 West Walnut Street, R4-155, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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9
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Zerra PE, Parker ET, Baldwin WH, Healey JF, Patel SR, McCoy JW, Cox C, Stowell SR, Meeks SL. Engineering a Therapeutic Protein to Enhance the Study of Anti-Drug Immunity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1724. [PMID: 35885029 PMCID: PMC9313379 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of anti-drug antibodies represents a significant barrier to the utilization of protein-based therapies for a wide variety of diseases. While the rate of antibody formation can vary depending on the therapeutic employed and the target patient population receiving the drug, the antigen-specific immune response underlying the development of anti-drug antibodies often remains difficult to define. This is especially true for patients with hemophilia A who, following exposure, develop antibodies against the coagulation factor, factor VIII (FVIII). Models capable of studying this response in an antigen-specific manner have been lacking. To overcome this challenge, we engineered FVIII to contain a peptide (323-339) from the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA), a very common tool used to study antigen-specific immunity. FVIII with an OVA peptide (FVIII-OVA) retained clotting activity and possessed the ability to activate CD4 T cells specific to OVA323-339 in vitro. When compared to FVIII alone, FVIII-OVA also exhibited a similar level of immunogenicity, suggesting that the presence of OVA323-339 does not substantially alter the anti-FVIII immune response. Intriguingly, while little CD4 T cell response could be observed following exposure to FVIII-OVA alone, inclusion of anti-FVIII antibodies, recently shown to favorably modulate anti-FVIII immune responses, significantly enhanced CD4 T cell activation following FVIII-OVA exposure. These results demonstrate that model antigens can be incorporated into a therapeutic protein to study antigen-specific responses and more specifically that the CD4 T cell response to FVIII-OVA can be augmented by pre-existing anti-FVIII antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E. Zerra
- Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (P.E.Z.); (J.W.M.)
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - Ernest T. Parker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - Wallace Hunter Baldwin
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - John F. Healey
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - Seema R. Patel
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - James W. McCoy
- Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (P.E.Z.); (J.W.M.)
| | - Courtney Cox
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
| | - Sean R. Stowell
- Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shannon L. Meeks
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.T.P.); (W.H.B.); (J.F.H.); (S.R.P.); (C.C.)
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10
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Doshi BS, Rana J, Castaman G, Shaheen MA, Kaczmarek R, Butterfield JS, Meeks SL, Leissinger C, Biswas M, Arruda VR. B cell-activating factor modulates the factor VIII immune response in hemophilia A. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:142906. [PMID: 33651716 PMCID: PMC8262462 DOI: 10.1172/jci142906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of factor VIII (FVIII) remain the most challenging complication of FVIII protein replacement therapy in hemophilia A (HA). Understanding the mechanisms that guide FVIII-specific B cell development could help identify therapeutic targets. The B cell-activating factor (BAFF) cytokine family is a key regulator of B cell differentiation in normal homeostasis and immune disorders. Thus, we used patient samples and mouse models to investigate the potential role of BAFF in modulating FVIII inhibitors. BAFF levels were elevated in pediatric and adult HA inhibitor patients and decreased to levels similar to those of noninhibitor controls after successful immune tolerance induction (ITI). Moreover, elevations in BAFF levels were seen in patients who failed to achieve FVIII tolerance with anti-CD20 antibody-mediated B cell depletion. In naive HA mice, prophylactic anti-BAFF antibody therapy prior to FVIII immunization prevented inhibitor formation and this tolerance was maintained despite FVIII exposure after immune reconstitution. In preimmunized HA mice, combination therapy with anti-CD20 and anti-BAFF antibodies dramatically reduced FVIII inhibitors via inhibition of FVIII-specific plasma cells. Our data suggest that BAFF may regulate the generation and maintenance of FVIII inhibitors and/or anti-FVIII B cells. Finally, anti-CD20/anti-BAFF combination therapy may be clinically useful for ITI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavya S Doshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Divison of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jyoti Rana
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Giancarlo Castaman
- Center for Bleeding Disorders and Coagulation, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Mostafa A Shaheen
- Divison of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Radoslaw Kaczmarek
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - John Ss Butterfield
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Shannon L Meeks
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cindy Leissinger
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Valder R Arruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Divison of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapies, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Effect of Subcutaneous Anti-CD20 Antibody-Mediated B Cell Depletion on Susceptibility to Pneumocystis Infection in Mice. mSphere 2021; 6:6/3/e01144-20. [PMID: 33952667 PMCID: PMC8103991 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.01144-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-CD20 antibody therapy is used for both cancer and autoimmune disease but has been shown to be associated with Pneumocystis pneumonia in humans. This study shows that low-dose subcutaneous anti-CD20 can modulate B cell populations without grossly perturbing fungal immunity against Pneumocystis lung infection. Prior work has shown that parenterally administered anti-CD20 (5D2) inhibits CD4+ T cell priming in response to challenge with Pneumocystis murina and predisposes to pneumonia. In this study, we investigated the effect of subcutaneous anti-CD20 antibody and Pneumocystis infection. In mice with primary infection, anti-CD20 antibody treatment depleted both CD19+ and CD27+ CD19+ cells but not T cells in the lung at days 14 and 28 after Pneumocystis inoculation. Although anti-CD20 antibody treatment impaired fungal clearance at day 14 postinfection, fungal burden in the lungs was substantially reduced at day 28 in both depleted and control mice in the low-dose group. Subcutaneous anti-CD20 antibody treatment did not alter antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin levels in mice compared with control mice, and there were no significant differences in the numbers of lung gamma interferon-positive (IFN-γ+) CD4+, interleukin 4-positive (IL-4+) CD4+, IL-5+ CD4+, and IL-17A+ CD4+ cells between depleted and control mice after infection. In mice with secondary infection, the lung fungal burden was comparable between depleted and control mice 14 days after reinfection. Low-dose subcutaneous anti-CD20 antibody treatment may delay fungal clearance, but it did not impair the ability of the host to clear Pneumocystis infection, irrespective of primary or secondary infection. IMPORTANCE Anti-CD20 antibody therapy is used for both cancer and autoimmune disease but has been shown to be associated with Pneumocystis pneumonia in humans. This study shows that low-dose subcutaneous anti-CD20 can modulate B cell populations without grossly perturbing fungal immunity against Pneumocystis lung infection.
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12
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Rana J, Perry DJ, Kumar SRP, Muñoz-Melero M, Saboungi R, Brusko TM, Biswas M. CAR- and TRuC-redirected regulatory T cells differ in capacity to control adaptive immunity to FVIII. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2660-2676. [PMID: 33940160 PMCID: PMC8417451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) control immune responses in autoimmune disease, transplantation, and enable antigen-specific tolerance induction in protein-replacement therapies. Tregs can exert a broad array of suppressive functions through their T cell receptor (TCR) in a tissue-directed and antigen-specific manner. This capacity can now be harnessed for tolerance induction by "redirecting" polyclonal Tregs to overcome low inherent precursor frequencies and simultaneously augment suppressive functions. With the use of hemophilia A as a model, we sought to engineer antigen-specific Tregs to suppress antibody formation against the soluble therapeutic protein factor (F)VIII in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent fashion. Surprisingly, high-affinity chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-Treg engagement induced a robust effector phenotype that was distinct from the activation signature observed for endogenous thymic Tregs, which resulted in the loss of suppressive activity. Targeted mutations in the CD3ζ or CD28 signaling motifs or interleukin (IL)-10 overexpression were not sufficient to restore tolerance. In contrast, complexing TCR-based signaling with single-chain variable fragment (scFv) recognition to generate TCR fusion construct (TRuC)-Tregs delivered controlled antigen-specific signaling via engagement of the entire TCR complex, thereby directing functional suppression of the FVIII-specific antibody response. These data suggest that cellular therapies employing engineered receptor Tregs will require regulation of activation thresholds to maintain optimal suppressive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Daniel J Perry
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Maite Muñoz-Melero
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rania Saboungi
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Todd M Brusko
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Diabetes Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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13
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McSweeney MD, Shen L, DeWalle AC, Joiner JB, Ciociola EC, Raghuwanshi D, Macauley MS, Lai SK. Pre-treatment with high molecular weight free PEG effectively suppresses anti-PEG antibody induction by PEG-liposomes in mice. J Control Release 2020; 329:774-781. [PMID: 33038448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses against polyethylene glycol (PEG) can lead to the rapid clearance of PEGylated drugs and are associated with increased risk of serious adverse events such as infusion reactions and anaphylaxis. Although select PEGylated therapeutics can induce anti-PEG antibodies (APA), there is currently no readily deployable strategy to mitigate their negative effects. Given the large number of PEGylated therapeutics that are either FDA-approved or in clinical development, methods that suppress APA induction to ensure the safety and efficacy of PEGylated drugs in patients would be a valuable clinical tool. We previously showed that infusion of high molecular weight (MW) free PEG can safely and effectively restore the circulation of PEG liposomes in animals with high pre-existing titers of APA, without stimulating additional APA production. Here, we explored the effectiveness of prophylaxis with free PEG or tolerogenic PEGylated liposomes as a strategy to reduce the amount of APA induced by subsequently administered PEGylated liposomes. Surprisingly, we found that a single administration of free PEG alone was capable of markedly reducing the APA response to PEG-liposomes for ~2 months; the effectiveness was comparable to, and frequently exceeded, interventions with different tolerogenic PEG-liposomes. These results support further investigations of free PEG prophylaxis as a potential strategy to ameliorate the APA response to sensitizing PEGylated therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan D McSweeney
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Limei Shen
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Alexander C DeWalle
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Jordan B Joiner
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Elizabeth C Ciociola
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Dharmendra Raghuwanshi
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, USA.
| | - Matthew S Macauley
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, USA.
| | - Samuel K Lai
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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14
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Biswas M, Palaschak B, Kumar SRP, Rana J, Markusic DM. B Cell Depletion Eliminates FVIII Memory B Cells and Enhances AAV8-coF8 Immune Tolerance Induction When Combined With Rapamycin. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1293. [PMID: 32670285 PMCID: PMC7327091 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A is an inherited coagulation disorder resulting in the loss of functional clotting factor VIII (FVIII). Presently, the most effective treatment is prophylactic protein replacement therapy. However, this requires frequent life-long intravenous infusions of plasma derived or recombinant clotting factors and is not a cure. A major complication is the development of inhibitory antibodies that nullify the replacement factor. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy to reverse inhibitors can last from months to years, requires daily or every other day infusions of supraphysiological levels of FVIII and is effective in only up to 70% of hemophilia A patients. Preclinical and recent clinical studies have shown that gene replacement therapy with AAV vectors can effectively cure hemophilia A patients. However, it is unclear how hemophilia patients with high risk inhibitor F8 mutations or with established inhibitors will respond to gene therapy, as these patients have been excluded from ongoing clinical trials. AAV8-coF8 gene transfer in naïve BALB/c-F8e16−/Y mice (BALB/c-HA) results in anti-FVIII IgG1 inhibitors following gene transfer, which can be prevented by transient immune modulation with anti-mCD20 (18B12) and oral rapamycin. We investigated if we could improve ITI in inhibitor positive mice by combining anti-mCD20 and rapamycin with AAV8-coF8 gene therapy. Our hypothesis was that continuous expression of FVIII protein from gene transfer compared to transient FVIII from weekly protein therapy, would enhance regulatory T cell induction and promote deletion of FVIII reactive B cells, following reconstitution. Mice that received anti-CD20 had a sharp decline in inhibitors, which corresponded to FVIII memory B (Bmem) cell deletion. Importantly, only mice receiving both anti-mCD20 and rapamycin failed to increase inhibitors following rechallenge with intravenous FVIII protein therapy. Our data show that B and T cell immune modulation complements AAV8-coF8 gene therapy in naïve and inhibitor positive hemophilia A mice and suggest that such protocols should be considered for AAV gene therapy in high risk or inhibitor positive hemophilia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Brett Palaschak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - David M Markusic
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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15
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Zerra PE, Arthur CM, Chonat S, Maier CL, Mener A, Shin S, Allen JWL, Baldwin WH, Cox C, Verkerke H, Jajosky RP, Tormey CA, Meeks SL, Stowell SR. Fc Gamma Receptors and Complement Component 3 Facilitate Anti-fVIII Antibody Formation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:905. [PMID: 32582142 PMCID: PMC7295897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-factor VIII (fVIII) alloantibodies, which can develop in patients with hemophilia A, limit the therapeutic options and increase morbidity and mortality of these patients. However, the factors that influence anti-fVIII antibody development remain incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) may facilitate recognition and uptake of fVIII by recently developed or pre-existing naturally occurring anti-fVIII antibodies, providing a mechanism whereby the immune system may recognize fVIII following infusion. However, the role of FcγRs in anti-fVIII antibody formation remains unknown. In order to define the influence of FcγRs on the development of anti-fVIII antibodies, fVIII was injected into WT or FcγR knockout recipients, followed by evaluation of anti-fVIII antibodies. Anti-fVIII antibodies were readily observed following fVIII injection into FcγR knockouts, with similar anti-fVIII antibody levels occurring in FcγR knockouts as detected in WT mice injected in parallel. As antibodies can also fix complement, providing a potential mechanism whereby anti-fVIII antibodies may influence anti-fVIII antibody formation independent of FcγRs, fVIII was also injected into complement component 3 (C3) knockout recipients in parallel. Similar to FcγR knockouts, C3 knockout recipients developed a robust response to fVIII, which was likewise similar to that observed in WT recipients. As FcγRs or C3 may compensate for each other in recipients only deficient in FcγRs or C3 alone, we generated mice deficient in both FcγRs and C3 to test for potential antibody effector redundancy in anti-fVIII antibody formation. Infusion of fVIII into FcγRs and C3 (FcγR × C3) double knockouts likewise induced anti-fVIII antibodies. However, unlike individual knockouts, anti-fVIII antibodies in FcγRs × C3 knockouts were initially lower than WT recipients, although anti-fVIII antibodies increased to WT levels following additional fVIII exposure. In contrast, infusion of RBCs expressing distinct alloantigens into FcγRs, C3 or FcγR × C3 knockout recipients either failed to change anti-RBC levels when compared to WT recipients or actually increased antibody responses, depending on the target antigen. Taken together, these results suggest FcγRs and C3 can differentially impact antibody formation following exposure to distinct alloantigens and that FcγRs and C3 work in concert to facilitate early anti-fVIII antibody formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia E Zerra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Connie M Arthur
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Satheesh Chonat
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cheryl L Maier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amanda Mener
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sooncheon Shin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jerry William L Allen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - W Hunter Baldwin
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Courtney Cox
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hans Verkerke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ryan P Jajosky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Christopher A Tormey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Conneciticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shannon L Meeks
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sean R Stowell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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16
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Doshi BS, Raffini LJ, George LA. Combined anti-CD20 and mTOR inhibition with factor VIII for immune tolerance induction in hemophilia A patients with refractory inhibitors. J Thromb Haemost 2020; 18:848-852. [PMID: 31985872 PMCID: PMC7888210 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemophilia A (HA) inhibitor patients that fail traditional immune tolerance induction (ITI) have increased morbidity and mortality. Preclinical studies support factor VIII (FVIII) tolerance induction with a combined approach of anti-CD20 mediated transient B cell depletion and rapamycin mediated regulatory T cell (Treg) induction. METHODS Two refractory HA inhibitor patients were treated with rituximab, rapamycin, and FVIII ITI. Their clinical course, anti-FVIII immunoglobulins, cytokines, and select lymphocytes were followed. RESULTS One patient achieved complete and the other partial FVIII tolerance; both had marked annualized bleeding rate improvement. FVIII-specific immunoglobulins, but not total Treg counts, correlated with tolerance induction. IL-6 and IL-21 correlation with complete tolerance induction may support that down-regulation of T effectors and IgG4 production, respectively, contribute to the pathogenesis of tolerance induction. CONCLUSIONS This regimen may be considered to induce FVIII tolerance in HA patients with refractory inhibitors. Further characterization of the FVIII-specific immune response is necessary to clarify the mechanism of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavya S. Doshi
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leslie J. Raffini
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lindsey A. George
- Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Merlin S, Follenzi A. Escape or Fight: Inhibitors in Hemophilia A. Front Immunol 2020; 11:476. [PMID: 32265927 PMCID: PMC7105606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Replacement therapy with coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) represents the current clinical treatment for patients affected by hemophilia A (HA). This treatment while effective is, however, hampered by the formation of antibodies which inhibit the activity of infused FVIII in up to 30% of treated patients. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) protocols, which envisage frequent infusions of high doses of FVIII to confront this side effect, dramatically increase the already high costs associated to a patient's therapy and are not always effective in all treated patients. Therefore, there are clear unmet needs that must be addressed in order to improve the outcome of these treatments for HA patients. Taking advantage of preclinical mouse models of hemophilia, several strategies have been proposed in recent years to prevent inhibitor formation and eradicate the pre-existing immunity to FVIII inhibitor positive patients. Herein, we will review some of the most promising strategies developed to avoid and eradicate inhibitors, including the use of immunomodulatory drugs or molecules, oral or transplacental delivery as well as cell and gene therapy approaches. The goal is to improve and potentiate the current ITI protocols and eventually make them obsolete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Merlin
- Laboratory of Histology, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy.,Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), Novara, Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Laboratory of Histology, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Novara, Italy.,Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), Novara, Italy
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18
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Herzog RW, Kuteyeva V, Saboungi R, Terhorst C, Biswas M. Reprogrammed CD4 + T Cells That Express FoxP3 + Control Inhibitory Antibody Formation in Hemophilia A Mice. Front Immunol 2019; 10:274. [PMID: 30842776 PMCID: PMC6391332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy in hemophilia A patients is complicated by the development of inhibitory antibodies, which often render the treatment ineffective. Previous studies demonstrated a strong correlation between induction of regulatory T cells (Treg) and tolerance to the therapeutic protein. We, therefore, set out to evaluate whether the adoptive transfer of FVIII-specific CD4+ Treg cells prevents inhibitor response to FVIII protein therapy. To this end, we first retrovirally transduced FoxP3+ into FVIII-specific CD4+ cells, which resulted in cells that stably express FoxP3, are phenotypically similar to peripherally induced Tregs and are antigen specific suppressors, as judged by in vitro assays. Upon transfer of the FVIII-specific CD4+ FoxP3+ cells into hemophilia A mice, development of inhibitory antibodies in response to administering FVIII protein was completely suppressed. Suppression was extended for 2 months, even after transferred cells were no longer detectable in the secondary lymphoid organs of recipient animals. Upon co-transfer of FoxP3+-transduced cells with the B cell depleting anti-CD20 into mice with pre-existing inhibitory antibodies to FVIII, the escalation of inhibitory antibody titers in response to subsequent FVIII protein therapy was dramatically reduced. We conclude that reprogramed FoxP3 expressing cells are capable of inducing the in vivo conversion of endogenous FVIII peripheral Tregs, which results in sustained suppression of FVIII inhibitors caused by replacement therapy in recipient hemophilia A animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland W. Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Veronica Kuteyeva
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Rania Saboungi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,*Correspondence: Moanaro Biswas
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19
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Update on clinical gene therapy for hemophilia. Blood 2018; 133:407-414. [PMID: 30559260 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-07-820720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to other diverse therapies for the X-linked bleeding disorder hemophilia that are currently in clinical development, gene therapy holds the promise of a lasting cure with a single drug administration. Near-to-complete correction of hemophilia A (factor VIII deficiency) and hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency) have now been achieved in patients by hepatic in vivo gene transfer. Adeno-associated viral vectors with different viral capsids that have been engineered to express high-level, and in some cases hyperactive, coagulation factors were employed. Patient data support that sustained endogenous production of clotting factor as a result of gene therapy eliminates the need for infusion of coagulation factors (or alternative drugs that promote coagulation), and may therefore ultimately also reduce treatment costs. However, mild liver toxicities have been observed in some patients receiving high vector doses. In some but not all instances, the toxicities correlated with a T-cell response directed against the viral capsid, prompting use of immune suppression. In addition, not all patients can be treated because of preexisting immunity to viral capsids. Nonetheless, studies in animal models of hemophilia suggest that the approach can also be used for immune tolerance induction to prevent or eliminate inhibitory antibodies against coagulation factors. These can form in traditional protein replacement therapy and represent a major complication of treatment. The current review provides a summary and update on advances in clinical gene therapies for hemophilia and its continued development.
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20
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Borsotti C, Follenzi A. New technologies in gene therapy for inducing immune tolerance in hemophilia A. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2018; 14:1013-1019. [PMID: 30345839 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2018.1539667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conventional hemophilia treatment is based on repeated infusion of the missing clotting factor. This therapy is lifelong, expensive and can result in the formation of neutralizing antibodies, thus causing failure of the treatment and requiring higher doses of the replacement drug. Areas covered: Gene and cell therapies offer the advantage of providing a definitive and long-lasting correction of the mutated gene, promoting its physiological expression and preventing neutralizing antibody development. This review focuses on the most recent approaches that have been shown to prevent and even eradicate immune response toward the replaced factor. Expert commentary: Despite the encouraging data demonstrated by ongoing clinical trials and pre-clinical studies, more extensive investigations are necessary to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of gene therapy treatments in maintaining immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Borsotti
- a Department of Health Sciences , Università del Piemonte Orientale , Novara , Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- a Department of Health Sciences , Università del Piemonte Orientale , Novara , Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hemophilia is an X-linked blood coagulation genetic disorder, which can cause significant disability. Replacement therapy for coagulation factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B) may result in the development of high-affinity alloantibodies ('inhibitors') to the replacement therapy, thus making it ineffective. Therefore, there is interest in directing immunological responses towards tolerance to infused factors. RECENT FINDINGS In this review, we will discuss latest advancements in the development of potentially less immunogenic replacement clotting factors, optimization of current tolerance induction protocols (ITI), preclinical and clinical data of pharmacological immune modulation, hepatic gene therapy, and the rapidly advancing field of cell therapies. We will also evaluate publications reporting data from preclinical studies on oral tolerance induction using chloroplast-transgenic (transplastomic) plants. SUMMARY Until now, no clinical prophylactic immune modulatory protocol exists to prevent inhibitor formation to infused clotting factors. Recent innovative technologies provide hope for improved eradication and perhaps even prevention of inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sherman
- Department Pediatrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Malec L, Abshire T, Jobe S, White G. rFIXFc for Immune Tolerance Induction in a Severe Hemophilia B Patient with an Inhibitor and Prior History of ITI Related Nephrotic Syndrome. Haemophilia 2018; 24:e294-e296. [PMID: 30024646 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Malec
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Thomas Abshire
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Shawn Jobe
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Gilbert White
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, part of Versiti, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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Kwon K, Sherman A, Chang W, Kamesh A, Biswas M, Herzog RW, Daniell H. Expression and assembly of largest foreign protein in chloroplasts: oral delivery of human FVIII made in lettuce chloroplasts robustly suppresses inhibitor formation in haemophilia A mice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:1148-1160. [PMID: 29106782 PMCID: PMC5936678 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitor formation is a serious complication of factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy for the X-linked bleeding disorder haemophilia A and occurs in 20%-30% of patients. No prophylactic tolerance protocol currently exists. Although we reported oral tolerance induction using FVIII domains expressed in tobacco chloroplasts, significant challenges in clinical advancement include expression of the full-length CTB-FVIII sequence to cover the entire patient population, regardless of individual CD4+ T-cell epitope responses. Codon optimization of FVIII heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) increased expression 15- to 42-fold higher than the native human genes. Homoplasmic lettuce lines expressed CTB fusion proteins of FVIII-HC (99.3 kDa), LC (91.8 kDa), C2 (31 kDa) or single chain (SC, 178.2 kDa) up to 3622, 263, 3321 and 852 μg/g in lyophilized plant cells, when grown in a cGMP hydroponic facility (Fraunhofer). CTB-FVIII-SC is the largest foreign protein expressed in chloroplasts; despite a large pentamer size (891 kDa), assembly, folding and disulphide bonds were maintained upon lyophilization and long-term storage as revealed by GM1-ganglioside receptor binding assays. Repeated oral gavages (twice/week for 2 months) of CTB-FVIII-HC/CTB-FVIII-LC reduced inhibitor titres ~10-fold (average 44 BU/mL to 4.7 BU/mL) in haemophilia A mice. Most importantly, increase in the frequency of circulating LAP-expressing CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg in tolerized mice could be used as an important cellular biomarker in human clinical trials for plant-based oral tolerance induction. In conclusion, this study reports the first clinical candidate for oral tolerance induction that is urgently needed to protect haemophilia A patients receiving FVIII injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang‐Chul Kwon
- Department of BiochemistrySchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | | | - Wan‐Jung Chang
- Department of BiochemistrySchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Aditya Kamesh
- Department of BiochemistrySchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | | | - Henry Daniell
- Department of BiochemistrySchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE Inserm U951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France; Genethon, 91002 Evry, France.
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Sherman A, Biswas M, Herzog RW. Innovative Approaches for Immune Tolerance to Factor VIII in the Treatment of Hemophilia A. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1604. [PMID: 29225598 PMCID: PMC5705551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A (coagulation factor VIII deficiency) is a debilitating genetic disorder that is primarily treated with intravenous replacement therapy. Despite a variety of factor VIII protein formulations available, the risk of developing anti-dug antibodies (“inhibitors”) remains. Overall, 20–30% of patients with severe disease develop inhibitors. Current clinical immune tolerance induction protocols to eliminate inhibitors are not effective in all patients, and there are no prophylactic protocols to prevent the immune response. New experimental therapies, such as gene and cell therapies, show promising results in pre-clinical studies in animal models of hemophilia. Examples include hepatic gene transfer with viral vectors, genetically engineered regulatory T cells (Treg), in vivo Treg induction using immune modulatory drugs, and maternal antigen transfer. Furthermore, an oral tolerance protocol is being developed based on transgenic lettuce plants, which suppressed inhibitor formation in hemophilic mice and dogs. Hopefully, some of these innovative approaches will reduce the risk of and/or more effectively eliminate inhibitor formation in future treatment of hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sherman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Abstract
After two decades of research, in vivo gene transfer with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has now resulted in successful treatments and even cures for several human diseases. However, the potential for immune responses against the therapeutic gene products remains one of the concerns as this approach is broadened to more patients, diverse diseases, and target organs. Immune responses following gene transfer of coagulation factor IX (FIX) for the treatment of the bleeding disorder hemophilia B has been extensively investigated in multiple animal models. Findings from these studies have not only influenced clinical trial design but have broader implications for other diseases. The impact of vector design and dose, as well as target organ/route of administration on humoral and cellular immune responses are reviewed. Furthermore, the potential for tolerance induction by hepatic gene transfer or combination with immune modulation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland W Herzog
- Dept. Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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