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Körbelin J, Arrulo A, Schwaninger M. Gene therapy targeting the blood-brain barrier. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2024; 126:191-217. [PMID: 39029973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial cells are the building blocks of vessels in the central nervous system (CNS) and form the blood-brain barrier (BBB). An intact BBB limits permeation of large hydrophilic molecules into the CNS. Thus, the healthy BBB is a major obstacle for the treatment of CNS disorders with antibodies, recombinant proteins or viral vectors. Several strategies have been devised to overcome the barrier. A key principle often consists in attaching the therapeutic compound to a ligand of receptors expressed on the BBB, for example, the transferrin receptor (TfR). The fusion molecule will bind to TfR on the luminal side of brain endothelial cells, pass the endothelial layer by transcytosis and be delivered to the brain parenchyma. However, attempts to endow therapeutic compounds with the ability to cross the BBB can be difficult to implement. An alternative and possibly more straight-forward approach is to produce therapeutic proteins in the endothelial cells that form the barrier. These cells are accessible from blood circulation and have a large interface with the brain parenchyma. They may be an ideal production site for therapeutic protein and afford direct supply to the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Körbelin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, UKE Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adriana Arrulo
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel, Germany.
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2
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Kremer R, Williams A. AAV-BR1 does not target endothelial cells in Sprague Dawley rats unlike in mice. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001120. [PMID: 38495586 PMCID: PMC10940898 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are a popular tool in gene therapy approaches and have been engineered to specifically target different cells. There is interest in targeting endothelial cells (ECs) of the blood brain barrier and the AAV2 capsid variant BR1 has been found to transduce ECs with high selectivity in various mice models. However, this has not been tested in rat models. Here, we show that there is no EC transduction with systemic injection of the AAV-BR1-CAG-GFP virus in Sprague-Dawley rats (n=3), but instead transduction of brain parenchymal cells with neuronal morphology. These findings emphasize the importance of species-differences in use of AAVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Kremer
- Institute for Regeneration & Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Williams
- Institute for Regeneration & Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
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3
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Lobo MEDV, Bates DO, Arkill KP, Hulse RP. Measurement of solute permeability in the mouse spinal cord. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 393:109880. [PMID: 37178727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109880] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory perception and motor dexterity is coordinated by the spinal cord, which remains effective due to maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. This is stringently controlled by the blood spinal cord barrier. Therefore, the function of the spinal cord is susceptible to alterations in the microvessel integrity (e.g. vascular leakage) and/or perfusion (e.g. changes in blood flow). NEW METHOD Spinal cord solute permeability was measured in anaesthetised mice. The lumbar spinal cord vertebra were stabilised and a coverslip secured to allow fluorescent tracers of vascular function and anatomy to be visualised in the vascular network. Fluorescence microscopy allowed real time measurements of vascular leakage and capillary perfusion within the spinal cord. RESULTS Capillaries were identified through fluorescent labelling of the endothelial luminal glycocalyx (wheat germ agglutin 555). Real time estimation of vascular permeability through visualisation of sodium fluorescein transport was recorded from identified microvessels in the lumbar dorsal horn of the spinal cord. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Current approaches have used histological and/or tracer based in-vivo assays alongside cell culture to determine endothelium integrity and/or function. These only provide a snapshot of the developing vasculopathy, restricting the understanding of physiological function or disease progression over time. CONCLUSIONS These techniques allow for direct visualisation of cellular and/or mechanistic influences upon vascular function and integrity, which can be applied to rodent models including disease, transgenic and/or viral approaches. This combination of attributes allows for real time understanding of the function of the vascular network within the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Elisa Da Vitoria Lobo
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH
| | - David O Bates
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH; Centre of Membrane and Protein and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Kenton P Arkill
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH
| | - Richard Philip Hulse
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS.
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4
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Liu H, Wei JY, Li Y, Ban M, Sun Q, Wang HJ, Zhao D, Tong PG, Wang L, Wang KJ, Yue JL, Zhang HY, Fang WG, Liu DX, Shang DS, Li B, Jin YP, Cao L, Zhao WD, Chen YH. Endothelial depletion of Atg7 triggers astrocyte-microvascular disassociation at blood-brain barrier. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202103098. [PMID: 36995368 PMCID: PMC10067974 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202103098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microvascular basement membrane (BM) plays a pivotal role in the interactions of astrocyte with endothelium to maintain the blood-brain barrier (BBB) homeostasis; however, the significance and precise regulation of the endothelial cell-derived BM component in the BBB remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that conditional knockout of Atg7 in endothelial cells (Atg7-ECKO) leads to astrocyte-microvascular disassociation in the brain. Our results reveal astrocytic endfeet detachment from microvessels and BBB leakage in Atg7-ECKO mice. Furthermore, we find that the absence of endothelial Atg7 downregulates the expression of fibronectin, a major BM component of the BBB, causing significantly reduced coverage of astrocytes along cerebral microvessels. We reveal Atg7 triggers the expression of endothelial fibronectin via regulating PKA activity to affect the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein. These results suggest that Atg7-regulated endothelial fibronectin production is required for astrocytes adhesion to microvascular wall for maintaining the BBB homeostasis. Thus, endothelial Atg7 plays an essential role in astrocyte-endothelium interactions to maintain the BBB integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Yi Wei
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Meng Ban
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui-Jie Wang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pai-Ge Tong
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kang-Ji Wang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jin-Li Yue
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong-Yan Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wen-Gang Fang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dong-Xin Liu
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - De-Shu Shang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ya-Ping Jin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liu Cao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Liaoning Province Collaborative Innovation Center of Aging Related Disease Diagnosis and Treatment and Prevention, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu-Hua Chen
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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5
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Rasmussen CLM, Hede E, Routhe LJ, Körbelin J, Helgudottir SS, Thomsen LB, Schwaninger M, Burkhart A, Moos T. A novel strategy for delivering Niemann-Pick type C2 proteins across the blood-brain barrier using the brain endothelial-specific AAV-BR1 virus. J Neurochem 2023; 164:6-28. [PMID: 35554935 PMCID: PMC10084444 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases is complicated by the incapability of numerous therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mainly composed of brain endothelial cells (BECs). Genetically modifying BECs into protein factories that supply the CNS with recombinant proteins is a promising approach to overcome this hindrance, especially in genetic diseases, like Niemann Pick disease type C2 (NPC2), where both CNS and peripheral cells are affected. Here, we investigated the potential of the BEC-specific adeno-associated viral vector (AAV-BR1) encoding NPC2 for expression and secretion from primary BECs cultured in an in vitro BBB model with mixed glial cells, and in healthy BALB/c mice. Transduced primary BECs had significantly increased NPC2 gene expression and secreted NPC2 after viral transduction, which significantly reversed cholesterol deposition in NPC2 deficient fibroblasts. Mice receiving an intravenous injection with AAV-BR1-NCP2-eGFP were sacrificed 8 weeks later and examined for its biodistribution and transgene expression of eGFP and NPC2. AAV-BR1-NPC2-eGFP was distributed mainly to the brain and lightly to the heart and lung, but did not label other organs including the liver. eGFP expression was primarily found in BECs throughout the brain but occasionally also in neurons suggesting transport of the vector across the BBB, a phenomenon also confirmed in vitro. NPC2 gene expression was up-regulated in the brain, and recombinant NPC2 protein expression was observed in both transduced brain capillaries and neurons. Our findings show that AAV-BR1 transduction of BECs is possible and that it may denote a promising strategy for future treatment of NPC2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Hede
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lisa Juul Routhe
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steinunn Sara Helgudottir
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Louiza Bohn Thomsen
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Annette Burkhart
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Torben Moos
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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6
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Tropism of the Novel AAVBR1 Capsid Following Subretinal Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147738. [PMID: 35887086 PMCID: PMC9317317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A serious limitation of current adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsids employed for subretinal delivery is achieving adequate lateral spread beyond the injection site, required for the efficient delivery of gene therapy to the outer retina and/or RPE. AAVBR1 is a unique AAV with exceptional tropism for CNS microvasculature following systemic delivery. Here, we used in vivo and ex vivo analysis to show that subretinal delivery of AAVBR1.GFP in mice achieves superior tropism to RPE and outer retina than either AAV2.GFP or AAV8.GFP, two of the most common capsids used for subretinal delivery. At a low (5 × 108 vg) subretinal dose, the AAVBR1.GFP signal was visible by 48 h and significantly surpassed peak fluorescence of other AAVs in retina and RPE. The co-injection of AAVBR1.GFP with the AAVBR1-specific heptapeptide, NRGTEWD, significantly blocked the AAVBR1.GFP signal, but had no effect on AAV2.GFP fluorescence, confirming that AAVBR1’s enhanced tropism for RPE and outer retina derives from this 7AA modification within the capsid-binding motif. Enhanced dispersal and consequent transduction suggest that AAVBR1 can be employed at a lower dosage than the standard AAV2 capsid to achieve equivalent expression for gene therapy, warranting further evaluation of its utility as a therapeutic vehicle for subretinal delivery.
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7
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Krolak T, Chan KY, Kaplan L, Huang Q, Wu J, Zheng Q, Kozareva V, Beddow T, Tobey IG, Pacouret S, Chen AT, Chan YA, Ryvkin D, Gu C, Deverman BE. A High-Efficiency AAV for Endothelial Cell Transduction Throughout the Central Nervous System. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:389-400. [PMID: 35571675 PMCID: PMC9103166 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00046-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells have a crucial role in nervous system function, and mounting evidence points to endothelial impairment as a major contributor to a wide range of neurological diseases. However, tools to genetically interrogate these cells in vivo remain limited. Here, we describe AAV-BI30, a capsid that specifically and efficiently transduces endothelial cells throughout the central nervous system. At relatively low systemic doses, this vector transduces the majority of arterial, capillary, and venous endothelial cells in the brain, retina, and spinal cord vasculature of adult C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, we show that AAV-BI30 robustly transduces endothelial cells in multiple mouse strains and rats in vivo and human brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate AAV-BI30's capacity to achieve efficient and endothelial-specific Cre-mediated gene manipulation in the central nervous system. This combination of attributes makes AAV-BI30 uniquely well-suited to address outstanding research questions in neurovascular biology and aid the development of therapeutics to remediate endothelial dysfunction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Krolak
- Department of Neurobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Y. Chan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Luke Kaplan
- Department of Neurobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qin Huang
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jason Wu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qingxia Zheng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Velina Kozareva
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Beddow
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle G. Tobey
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Simon Pacouret
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Albert T. Chen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yujia A. Chan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Ryvkin
- Department of Neurobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chenghua Gu
- Department of Neurobiology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Deverman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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8
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Gelardi L. Incontinentia Pigmenti: X-Linked Skin Disorder: A Case Report. Neonatal Netw 2022; 41:89-93. [PMID: 35260425 DOI: 10.1891/11-t-725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare X-linked neuroectodermal dysplasia affecting the skin, hair, teeth, nails, microvasculature, and central nervous system. Mutations in the IKBKG gene cause this disorder. Incontinentia pigmenti is found in 65-75 percent sporadic mutations and 25-35 percent familial cases. Most patients are female, as the disease is generally lethal in males. The condition often is identified secondary to skin presentations followed by the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations in the eye and brain within the first year of life. In addition to the skin changes, there may be defects in the hair, nails, and teeth. The uniqueness of the disorder and shared findings similar to other skin disorders complicate the diagnosis. Clinical findings point to an array of possibilities. Lack of information on family history complicates the time to diagnosis. With the confirmation of IP, a thorough evaluation with appropriate consultations improves outcomes where possible.
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9
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Graßhoff H, Müller-Fielitz H, Dogbevia GK, Körbelin J, Bannach J, Vahldieck CM, Kusche-Vihrog K, Jöhren O, Müller OJ, Nogueiras R, Prevot V, Schwaninger M. Short regulatory DNA sequences to target brain endothelial cells for gene therapy. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:104-120. [PMID: 34427142 PMCID: PMC8721777 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211039617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gene vectors targeting CNS endothelial cells allow to manipulate the blood-brain barrier and to correct genetic defects in the CNS. Because vectors based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) have a limited capacity, it is essential that the DNA sequence controlling gene expression is short. In addition, it must be specific for endothelial cells to avoid off-target effects. To develop improved regulatory sequences with selectivity for brain endothelial cells, we tested the transcriptional activity of truncated promoters of eleven (brain) endothelial-specific genes in combination with short regulatory elements, i.e., the woodchuck post-transcriptional regulatory element (W), the CMV enhancer element (C), and a fragment of the first intron of the Tie2 gene (S), by transfecting brain endothelial cells of three species. Four combinations of regulatory elements and short promoters (Cdh5, Ocln, Slc2a1, and Slco1c1) progressed through this in-vitro pipeline displaying suitable activity. When tested in mice, the regulatory sequences C-Ocln-W and C-Slc2a1-S-W enabled a stronger and more specific gene expression in brain endothelial cells than the frequently used CAG promoter. In summary, the new regulatory elements efficiently control gene expression in brain endothelial cells and may help to specifically target the blood-brain barrier with gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Graßhoff
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Helge Müller-Fielitz
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Godwin K Dogbevia
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Bannach
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Olaf Jöhren
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Oliver J Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
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10
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Wenzel J, Lampe J, Müller-Fielitz H, Schuster R, Zille M, Müller K, Krohn M, Körbelin J, Zhang L, Özorhan Ü, Neve V, Wagner JUG, Bojkova D, Shumliakivska M, Jiang Y, Fähnrich A, Ott F, Sencio V, Robil C, Pfefferle S, Sauve F, Coêlho CFF, Franz J, Spiecker F, Lembrich B, Binder S, Feller N, König P, Busch H, Collin L, Villaseñor R, Jöhren O, Altmeppen HC, Pasparakis M, Dimmeler S, Cinatl J, Püschel K, Zelic M, Ofengeim D, Stadelmann C, Trottein F, Nogueiras R, Hilgenfeld R, Glatzel M, Prevot V, Schwaninger M. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease M pro causes microvascular brain pathology by cleaving NEMO in brain endothelial cells. Nat Neurosci 2021. [PMID: 34675436 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-02100926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can damage cerebral small vessels and cause neurological symptoms. Here we describe structural changes in cerebral small vessels of patients with COVID-19 and elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the vascular pathology. In brains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected individuals and animal models, we found an increased number of empty basement membrane tubes, so-called string vessels representing remnants of lost capillaries. We obtained evidence that brain endothelial cells are infected and that the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) cleaves NEMO, the essential modulator of nuclear factor-κB. By ablating NEMO, Mpro induces the death of human brain endothelial cells and the occurrence of string vessels in mice. Deletion of receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 3, a mediator of regulated cell death, blocks the vessel rarefaction and disruption of the blood-brain barrier due to NEMO ablation. Importantly, a pharmacological inhibitor of RIPK signaling prevented the Mpro-induced microvascular pathology. Our data suggest RIPK as a potential therapeutic target to treat the neuropathology of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Wenzel
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Josephine Lampe
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Helge Müller-Fielitz
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Raphael Schuster
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marietta Zille
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kristin Müller
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus Krohn
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ümit Özorhan
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vanessa Neve
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Julian U G Wagner
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yun Jiang
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anke Fähnrich
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fabian Ott
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Valentin Sencio
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Cyril Robil
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Susanne Pfefferle
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florent Sauve
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Caio Fernando Ferreira Coêlho
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Jonas Franz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Spiecker
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Beate Lembrich
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sonja Binder
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nina Feller
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ludovic Collin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Villaseñor
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olaf Jöhren
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Püschel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matija Zelic
- Rare and Neurologic Diseases Research, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Dimitry Ofengeim
- Rare and Neurologic Diseases Research, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - François Trottein
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany.
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11
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The GM2 gangliosidoses: Unlocking the mysteries of pathogenesis and treatment. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136195. [PMID: 34450229 PMCID: PMC8572160 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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12
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Hennigs JK, Matuszcak C, Trepel M, Körbelin J. Vascular Endothelial Cells: Heterogeneity and Targeting Approaches. Cells 2021; 10:2712. [PMID: 34685692 PMCID: PMC8534745 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Forming the inner layer of the vascular system, endothelial cells (ECs) facilitate a multitude of crucial physiological processes throughout the body. Vascular ECs enable the vessel wall passage of nutrients and diffusion of oxygen from the blood into adjacent cellular structures. ECs regulate vascular tone and blood coagulation as well as adhesion and transmigration of circulating cells. The multitude of EC functions is reflected by tremendous cellular diversity. Vascular ECs can form extremely tight barriers, thereby restricting the passage of xenobiotics or immune cell invasion, whereas, in other organ systems, the endothelial layer is fenestrated (e.g., glomeruli in the kidney), or discontinuous (e.g., liver sinusoids) and less dense to allow for rapid molecular exchange. ECs not only differ between organs or vascular systems, they also change along the vascular tree and specialized subpopulations of ECs can be found within the capillaries of a single organ. Molecular tools that enable selective vascular targeting are helpful to experimentally dissect the role of distinct EC populations, to improve molecular imaging and pave the way for novel treatment options for vascular diseases. This review provides an overview of endothelial diversity and highlights the most successful methods for selective targeting of distinct EC subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan K. Hennigs
- ENDomics Lab, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Christiane Matuszcak
- ENDomics Lab, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Martin Trepel
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- ENDomics Lab, Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
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13
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D'Souza A, Dave KM, Stetler RA, S. Manickam D. Targeting the blood-brain barrier for the delivery of stroke therapies. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 171:332-351. [PMID: 33497734 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A variety of neuroprotectants have shown promise in treating ischemic stroke, yet their delivery to the brain remains a challenge. The endothelial cells lining the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are emerging as a dynamic factor in the response to neurological injury and disease, and the endothelial-neuronal matrix coupling is fundamentally neuroprotective. In this review, we discuss approaches that target the endothelium for drug delivery both across the BBB and to the BBB as a viable strategy to facilitate neuroprotective effects, using the example of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We highlight the advances in cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) used for CNS targeting and drug delivery. We also discuss the potential of engineered EVs as a potent strategy to deliver BDNF or other drug candidates to the ischemic brain, particularly when coupled with internal components like mitochondria that may increase cellular energetics in injured endothelial cells.
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14
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The SARS-CoV-2 main protease M pro causes microvascular brain pathology by cleaving NEMO in brain endothelial cells. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1522-1533. [PMID: 34675436 PMCID: PMC8553622 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can damage cerebral small vessels and cause neurological symptoms. Here we describe structural changes in cerebral small vessels of patients with COVID-19 and elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the vascular pathology. In brains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected individuals and animal models, we found an increased number of empty basement membrane tubes, so-called string vessels representing remnants of lost capillaries. We obtained evidence that brain endothelial cells are infected and that the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) cleaves NEMO, the essential modulator of nuclear factor-κB. By ablating NEMO, Mpro induces the death of human brain endothelial cells and the occurrence of string vessels in mice. Deletion of receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 3, a mediator of regulated cell death, blocks the vessel rarefaction and disruption of the blood-brain barrier due to NEMO ablation. Importantly, a pharmacological inhibitor of RIPK signaling prevented the Mpro-induced microvascular pathology. Our data suggest RIPK as a potential therapeutic target to treat the neuropathology of COVID-19.
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15
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Lahey HG, Webber CJ, Golebiowski D, Izzo CM, Horn E, Taghian T, Rodriguez P, Batista AR, Ellis LE, Hwang M, Martin DR, Gray-Edwards H, Sena-Esteves M. Pronounced Therapeutic Benefit of a Single Bidirectional AAV Vector Administered Systemically in Sandhoff Mice. Mol Ther 2020; 28:2150-2160. [PMID: 32592687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The GM2 gangliosidoses, Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) and Sandhoff disease (SD), are fatal lysosomal storage disorders caused by mutations in the HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively. These mutations cause dysfunction of the lysosomal enzyme β-N-acetylhexosaminidase A (HexA) and accumulation of GM2 ganglioside (GM2) with ensuing neurodegeneration, and death by 5 years of age. Until recently, the most successful therapy was achieved by intracranial co-delivery of monocistronic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding Hex alpha and beta-subunits in animal models of SD. The blood-brain barrier crossing properties of AAV9 enables systemic gene therapy; however, the requirement of co-delivery of two monocistronic AAV vectors to overexpress the heterodimeric HexA protein has prevented the use of this approach. To address this need, we developed multiple AAV constructs encoding simultaneously HEXA and HEXB using AAV9 and AAV-PHP.B and tested their therapeutic efficacy in 4- to 6-week-old SD mice after systemic administration. Survival and biochemical outcomes revealed superiority of the AAV vector design using a bidirectional CBA promoter with equivalent dose-dependent outcomes for both capsids. AAV-treated mice performed normally in tests of motor function, CNS GM2 ganglioside levels were significantly reduced, and survival increased by >4-fold with some animals surviving past 2 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Lahey
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Chelsea J Webber
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Diane Golebiowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Cassandra M Izzo
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Erin Horn
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Toloo Taghian
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Paola Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ana Rita Batista
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lauren E Ellis
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Misako Hwang
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Douglas R Martin
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA; Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Heather Gray-Edwards
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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16
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Chen X, He Y, Tian Y, Wang Y, Wu Z, Lan T, Wang H, Cheng K, Xie P. Different Serotypes of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector- and Lentivirus-Mediated Tropism in Choroid Plexus by Intracerebroventricular Delivery. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:440-447. [PMID: 32056463 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression by viral vectors is an effective method for researchers to explore the function of gene products in a target tissue. The choroid plexus (CP) is an important target for gene therapy of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and major depressive disorder. However, viral tropism in CP has not been well studied as a result of limited viral vector applications. To identify CP-specific viral vectors, we intracerebroventricularly administered six different serotypes of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (AAV2/1, AAV2/5, AAV2/8, AAV2/9, AAV2-BR1, and AAV2-PHP.eB) and lentivirus in adult mice. Tropism in CP was compared among these viruses. We found that AAV2/5 and AAV2/8 displayed remarkable infections in CP, while AAV2/1 infected both ependymal cells and cells in the CP. Except for the low infection intensity of AAV2/9 and lentivirus in the CP, no infection intensity was found for CP tissues injected with AAV2-BR1 or AAV2-PHP.eB. Green fluorescence protein expression in the CP after AAV2/5 infection was confirmed by Western blotting. AAV2/5-mediated tropism in epithelial cells of the CP was verified by immunostaining with transthyretin. In this study, we identified for the first time that serotype-specific AAVs 5 and 8 may be robust research tools for intracerebroventricular gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science
| | - Yong He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science
| | - Yu Tian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science.,College of Biomedical Engineering
| | - Zhonghao Wu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science.,College of Biomedical Engineering
| | - Tianlan Lan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science.,College of Biomedical Engineering
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science
| | - Ke Cheng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Basic Medical College; Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Xie
- Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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17
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A novel gene editing system to treat both Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases. Gene Ther 2020; 27:226-236. [PMID: 31896760 PMCID: PMC7260097 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0120-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The GM2-gangliosidoses are neurological diseases causing premature death, thus developing effective treatment protocols is urgent. GM2-gangliosidoses result from deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme β-hexosaminidase (Hex) and subsequent accumulation of GM2 gangliosides. Genetic changes in HEXA, encoding the Hex α subunit, or HEXB, encoding the Hex β subunit, causes Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease, respectively. Previous studies have showed that a modified human Hex μ subunit (HEXM) can treat both Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases by forming a homodimer to degrade GM2 gangliosides. To this end, we applied this HEXM subunit in our PS813 gene editing system to treat neonatal Sandhoff mice. Through AAV delivery of the CRISPR system, a promoterless HEXM cDNA will be integrated into the albumin safe harbor locus, and lysosomal enzyme will be expressed and secreted from edited hepatocytes. Four months after the i.v. of AAV vectors, plasma MUGS and MUG activities reached up to 144- and 17-fold of wildtype levels (n=10, p<0.0001), respectively. More importantly, MUGS and MUG activities in the brain also increased significantly compared with untreated Sandhoff mice (p<0.001). Further, HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that GM2 gangliosides in multiple tissues, except the brain, of treated mice were reduced to normal levels. Rotarod analysis showed that coordination and motor memory of treated mice were improved (p<0.05). Histological analysis of H&E stained tissues showed reduced cellular vacuolation in the brain and liver of treated Sandhoff mice. These results demonstrate the potential of developing a treatment of in vivo genome editing for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff patients.
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