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Luna SE, Camarena J, Hampton JP, Majeti KR, Charlesworth CT, Soupene E, Selvaraj S, Jia K, Sheehan VA, Cromer MK, Porteus MH. Enhancement of erythropoietic output by Cas9-mediated insertion of a natural variant in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01222-6. [PMID: 38886504 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01222-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Some gene polymorphisms can lead to monogenic diseases, whereas other polymorphisms may confer beneficial traits. A well-characterized example is congenital erythrocytosis-the non-pathogenic hyper-production of red blood cells-that is caused by a truncated erythropoietin receptor. Here we show that Cas9-mediated genome editing in CD34+ human haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) can recreate the truncated form of the erythropoietin receptor, leading to substantial increases in erythropoietic output. We also show that combining the expression of the cDNA of a truncated erythropoietin receptor with a previously reported genome-editing strategy to fully replace the HBA1 gene with an HBB transgene in HSPCs (to restore normal haemoglobin production in cells with a β-thalassaemia phenotype) gives the edited HSPCs and the healthy red blood cell phenotype a proliferative advantage. Combining knowledge of human genetics with precise genome editing to insert natural human variants into therapeutic cells may facilitate safer and more effective genome-editing therapies for patients with genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia E Luna
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joab Camarena
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jessica P Hampton
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kiran R Majeti
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carsten T Charlesworth
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric Soupene
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Sridhar Selvaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kun Jia
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vivien A Sheehan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Kyle Cromer
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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2
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Chapin J, Cohen AR, Neufeld EJ, Vichinsky E, Giardina PJ, Boudreaux J, Le BC, Kenney K, Trimble S, Thompson AA. An update on the US adult thalassaemia population: a report from the CDC thalassaemia treatment centres. Br J Haematol 2021; 196:380-389. [PMID: 34775608 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Thalassaemia is caused by genetic globin defects leading to anaemia, transfusion-dependence and comorbidities. Reduced survival and systemic organ disease affect transfusion-dependent thalassaemia major and thalassaemia intermedia. Recent improvements in clinical management have reduced thalassaemia mortality. The therapeutic landscape of thalassaemia may soon include gene therapies as functional cures. An analysis of the adult US thalassaemia population has not been performed since the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network cohort study from 2000 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported US thalassaemia treatment centres (TTCs) to compile longitudinal information on individuals with thalassaemia. This dataset provided an opportunity to evaluate iron balance, chelation, comorbidities and demographics of adults with thalassaemia receiving care at TTCs. Two adult cohorts were compared: those over 40 years old (n = 75) and younger adults ages 18-39 (n = 201). The older adult cohort was characterized by higher numbers of iron-related comorbidities and transfusion-related complications. By contrast, younger adults had excess hepatic and cardiac iron and were receiving combination chelation therapy. The ethnic composition of the younger cohort was predominantly of Asian origin, reflecting the demographics of immigration. These findings demonstrate that comprehensive care and periodic surveys are needed to ensure optimal health and access to emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Chapin
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alan R Cohen
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellis J Neufeld
- Boston Children's Hospital- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Patricia J Giardina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanne Boudreaux
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Binh C Le
- Bleeding Team, Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch, Division of Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristy Kenney
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sean Trimble
- NCIRD, Immunization Services Division, Vaccine Supply and Assurance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexis A Thompson
- Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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3
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Uchida N, Ferrara F, Drysdale CM, Yapundich M, Gamer J, Nassehi T, DiNicola J, Shibata Y, Wielgosz M, Kim YS, Bauler M, Throm RE, Haro-Mora JJ, Demirci S, Bonifacino AC, Krouse AE, Linde NS, Donahue RE, Ryu B, Tisdale JF. Sustained fetal hemoglobin induction in vivo is achieved by BCL11A interference and coexpressed truncated erythropoietin receptor. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/591/eabb0411. [PMID: 33910976 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for hemoglobin disorders, including sickle cell disease, requires high-efficiency lentiviral gene transfer and robust therapeutic globin expression in erythroid cells. Erythropoietin is a key cytokine for erythroid proliferation and differentiation (erythropoiesis), and truncated human erythropoietin receptors (thEpoR) have been reported in familial polycythemia. We reasoned that coexpression of thEpoR could enhance the phenotypic effect of a therapeutic vector in erythroid cells in xenograft mouse and autologous nonhuman primate transplantation models. We generated thEpoR by deleting 40 amino acids from the carboxyl terminus, allowing for erythropoietin-dependent enhanced erythropoiesis of gene-modified cells. We then designed lentiviral vectors encoding both thEpoR and B cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A)-targeting microRNA-adapted short hairpin RNA (shmiR BCL11A) driven by an erythroid-specific promoter. thEpoR expression enhanced erythropoiesis among gene-modified cells in vitro. We then transplanted lentiviral vector gene-modified CD34+ cells with erythroid-specific expression of both thEpoR and shmiR BCL11A and compared to cells modified with shmiR BCL11A only. We found that thEpoR enhanced shmiR BCL11A-based fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction in both xenograft mice and rhesus macaques, whereas HbF induction with shmiR BCL11A only was robust, yet transient. thEpoR/shmiR BCL11A coexpression allowed for sustained HbF induction at 20 to 25% in rhesus macaques for 4 to 8 months. In summary, we developed erythroid-specific thEpoR/shmiR BCL11A-expressing vectors, enhancing HbF induction in xenograft mice and rhesus macaques. The sustained HbF induction achieved by addition of thEpoR and shmiR BCL11A may represent a viable gene therapy strategy for hemoglobin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Uchida
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. .,Division of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Francesca Ferrara
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH), Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Claire M Drysdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Morgan Yapundich
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jackson Gamer
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tina Nassehi
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Julia DiNicola
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yoshitaka Shibata
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew Wielgosz
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH), Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yoon-Sang Kim
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH), Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Matthew Bauler
- Vector Development and Production Laboratory, SJCRH, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Robert E Throm
- Vector Development and Production Laboratory, SJCRH, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Juan J Haro-Mora
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Selami Demirci
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aylin C Bonifacino
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Allen E Krouse
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - N Seth Linde
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert E Donahue
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Byoung Ryu
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH), Memphis, TN 38105, USA.,Umoja Biopharma, 1920 Terry Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - John F Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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4
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Myelodysplastic syndrome unrelated to lentiviral vector in a patient treated with gene therapy for sickle cell disease. Blood Adv 2021; 4:2058-2063. [PMID: 32396618 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
Ability to accurately attribute adverse events post–gene therapy is required to describe the benefit-risk of these novel treatments. A SCD patient developed myelodysplastic syndrome post-LentiGlobin treatment; we show how insertional oncogenesis was excluded as the cause.
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5
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Nualkaew T, Sii-Felice K, Giorgi M, McColl B, Gouzil J, Glaser A, Voon HPJ, Tee HY, Grigoriadis G, Svasti S, Fucharoen S, Hongeng S, Leboulch P, Payen E, Vadolas J. Coordinated β-globin expression and α2-globin reduction in a multiplex lentiviral gene therapy vector for β-thalassemia. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2841-2853. [PMID: 33940155 PMCID: PMC8417505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A primary challenge in lentiviral gene therapy of β-hemoglobinopathies is to maintain low vector copy numbers to avoid genotoxicity while being reliably therapeutic for all genotypes. We designed a high-titer lentiviral vector, LVβ-shα2, that allows coordinated expression of the therapeutic βA-T87Q-globin gene and of an intron-embedded miR-30-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) selectively targeting the α2-globin mRNA. Our approach was guided by the knowledge that moderate reduction of α-globin chain synthesis ameliorates disease severity in β-thalassemia. We demonstrate that LVβ-shα2 reduces α2-globin mRNA expression in erythroid cells while keeping α1-globin mRNA levels unchanged and βA-T87Q-globin gene expression identical to the parent vector. Compared with the first βA-T87Q-globin lentiviral vector that has received conditional marketing authorization, BB305, LVβ-shα2 shows 1.7-fold greater potency to improve α/β ratios. It may thus result in greater therapeutic efficacy and reliability for the most severe types of β-thalassemia and provide an improved benefit/risk ratio regardless of the β-thalassemia genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiwaporn Nualkaew
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Karine Sii-Felice
- Division of Innovative Therapies, CEA François Jacob Biology Institute, 18 route du Panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INSERM, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Marie Giorgi
- Division of Innovative Therapies, CEA François Jacob Biology Institute, 18 route du Panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Bradley McColl
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Julie Gouzil
- Division of Innovative Therapies, CEA François Jacob Biology Institute, 18 route du Panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Astrid Glaser
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Hsiao P J Voon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Hsin Y Tee
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - George Grigoriadis
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Saovaros Svasti
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Suthat Fucharoen
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- Division of Innovative Therapies, CEA François Jacob Biology Institute, 18 route du Panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Genetics Division, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Division of Innovative Therapies, CEA François Jacob Biology Institute, 18 route du Panorama, 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INSERM, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), 18 route du Panorama, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
| | - Jim Vadolas
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia.
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6
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Shangaris P, Loukogeorgakis SP, Subramaniam S, Flouri C, Jackson LH, Wang W, Blundell MP, Liu S, Eaton S, Bakhamis N, Ramachandra DL, Maghsoudlou P, Urbani L, Waddington SN, Eddaoudi A, Archer J, Antoniou MN, Stuckey DJ, Schmidt M, Thrasher AJ, Ryan TM, De Coppi P, David AL. In Utero Gene Therapy (IUGT) Using GLOBE Lentiviral Vector Phenotypically Corrects the Heterozygous Humanised Mouse Model and Its Progress Can Be Monitored Using MRI Techniques. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11592. [PMID: 31406195 PMCID: PMC6690943 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero gene therapy (IUGT) to the fetal hematopoietic compartment could be used to treat congenital blood disorders such as β-thalassemia. A humanised mouse model of β-thalassemia was used, in which heterozygous animals are anaemic with splenomegaly and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Intrahepatic in utero injections of a β globin-expressing lentiviral vector (GLOBE), were performed in fetuses at E13.5 of gestation. We analysed animals at 12 and 32 weeks of age, for vector copy number in bone marrow, peripheral blood liver and spleen and we performed integration site analysis. Compared to noninjected heterozygous animals IUGT normalised blood haemoglobin levels and spleen weight. Integration site analysis showed polyclonality. The left ventricular ejection fraction measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in treated heterozygous animals was similar to that of normal non-β-thalassemic mice but significantly higher than untreated heterozygous thalassemia mice suggesting that IUGT ameliorated poor cardiac function. GLOBE LV-mediated IUGT normalised the haematological and anatomical phenotype in a heterozygous humanised model of β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panicos Shangaris
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX, UK.
- UCL Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | - Christina Flouri
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, KCL, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Wei Wang
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Centre for Tumour Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Shanrun Liu
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Simon Eaton
- UCL Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nahla Bakhamis
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
| | | | | | - Luca Urbani
- UCL Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon N Waddington
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ayad Eddaoudi
- UCL Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joy Archer
- Central Diagnostic Services, Queen's Vet School Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael N Antoniou
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, KCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Stuckey
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manfred Schmidt
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Centre for Tumour Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Thomas M Ryan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- UCL Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna L David
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, 86-96 Chenies Mews, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
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7
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Wang H, Georgakopoulou A, Psatha N, Li C, Capsali C, Samal HB, Anagnostopoulos A, Ehrhardt A, Izsvák Z, Papayannopoulou T, Yannaki E, Lieber A. In vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy ameliorates murine thalassemia intermedia. J Clin Invest 2018; 129:598-615. [PMID: 30422819 DOI: 10.1172/jci122836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Current thalassemia gene therapy protocols require the collection of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), in vitro culture, lentivirus vector transduction, and retransplantation into myeloablated patients. Because of cost and technical complexity, it is unlikely that such protocols will be applicable in developing countries, where the greatest demand for a β-thalassemia therapy lies. We have developed a simple in vivo HSPC gene therapy approach that involves HSPC mobilization and an intravenous injection of integrating HDAd5/35++ vectors. Transduced HSPCs homed back to the bone marrow, where they persisted long-term. HDAd5/35++ vectors for in vivo gene therapy of thalassemia had a unique capsid that targeted primitive HSPCs through human CD46, a relatively safe SB100X transposase-based integration machinery, a micro-LCR-driven γ-globin gene, and an MGMT(P140K) system that allowed for increasing the therapeutic effect by short-term treatment with low-dose O6-benzylguanine plus bis-chloroethylnitrosourea. We showed in "healthy" human CD46-transgenic mice and in a mouse model of thalassemia intermedia that our in vivo approach resulted in stable γ-globin expression in the majority of circulating red blood cells. The high marking frequency was maintained in secondary recipients. In the thalassemia model, a near-complete phenotypic correction was achieved. The treatment was well tolerated. This cost-efficient and "portable" approach could permit a broader clinical application of thalassemia gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Wang
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aphrodite Georgakopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikoletta Psatha
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chang Li
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chrysi Capsali
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Achilles Anagnostopoulos
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematology Department, George Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - André Lieber
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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8
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Novel and innovative approaches for treatment of β-thalassemia. PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phoj.2017.11.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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9
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Zhao HF, Abraham A, Kim YS, Wang YD, Pestina T, Zhan J, Humphries K, Nienhuis AW, Persons DA. Lentiviral Transfer of γ-Globin with Fusion Gene NUP98-HOXA10HD Expands Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Ameliorates Murine β-Thalassemia. Mol Ther 2017; 25:593-605. [PMID: 28190779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, an engineered Homeobox-nucleoporin fusion gene, NUP98-HOXA10HD or NA10HD, was reported to expand and maintain murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We postulated that NA10HD would increase the number of human γ-globin-expressing cells to therapeutic levels. We developed a double gene lentiviral vector encoding both human γ-globin and NA10HD, which was used to transduce human peripheral blood CD34+ cells and increased engraftment 2- to 2.5-fold at 15 weeks post-transplantation in immunodeficient mice. In β-thalassemic mice transplanted with β-thalassemic HSCs transduced with the γ-globin/NA10HD vector, the number of fetal hemoglobin (HbF)-expressing cells was significantly increased after 3 months, leading to resolution of the anemia. Furthermore, the increases in HbF were maintained at 6 months and persisted after secondary transplantation. In addition, NA10HD enrichment of transduced HSCs led to HbF increases without affecting homeostasis of the white blood cell lineages. Our results suggest that NA10HD increases the number of γ-globin-transduced HSCs that engraft, leading to an elevated number of fetal hemoglobin-containing red cells. These effects of NA10HD provide an improved platform for testing of the therapeutic efficacy of novel globin vectors and provide further impetus to develop safe and effective methods for selective expansion of genetically modified cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Fen Zhao
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Allistair Abraham
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yoon-Sang Kim
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yong-Dong Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Tamara Pestina
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jun Zhan
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Keith Humphries
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Arthur W Nienhuis
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Derek A Persons
- Division of Experimental Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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10
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de Dreuzy E, Bhukhai K, Leboulch P, Payen E. Current and future alternative therapies for beta-thalassemia major. Biomed J 2016; 39:24-38. [PMID: 27105596 PMCID: PMC6138429 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-thalassemia is a group of frequent genetic disorders resulting in the synthesis of little or no β-globin chains. Novel approaches are being developed to correct the resulting α/β-globin chain imbalance, in an effort to move beyond the palliative management of this disease and the complications of its treatment (e.g. life-long red blood cell transfusion, iron chelation, splenectomy), which impose high costs on healthcare systems. Three approaches are envisaged: fetal globin gene reactivation by pharmacological compounds injected into patients throughout their lives, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and gene therapy. HSCT is currently the only treatment shown to provide an effective, definitive cure for β-thalassemia. However, this procedure remains risky and histocompatible donors are identified for only a small fraction of patients. New pharmacological compounds are being tested, but none has yet made it into common clinical practice for the treatment of beta-thalassemia major. Gene therapy is in the experimental phase. It is emerging as a powerful approach without the immunological complications of HSCT, but with other possible drawbacks. Rapid progress is being made in this field, and long-term efficacy and safety studies are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard de Dreuzy
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay aux Roses, France; University of Paris 11, CEA-iMETI, 92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Kanit Bhukhai
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay aux Roses, France; University of Paris 11, CEA-iMETI, 92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay aux Roses, France; University of Paris 11, CEA-iMETI, 92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, USA; Mahidol University and Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay aux Roses, France; University of Paris 11, CEA-iMETI, 92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France; INSERM, Paris, France.
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11
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Negre O, Bartholomae C, Beuzard Y, Cavazzana M, Christiansen L, Courne C, Deichmann A, Denaro M, de Dreuzy E, Finer M, Fronza R, Gillet-Legrand B, Joubert C, Kutner R, Leboulch P, Maouche L, Paulard A, Pierciey FJ, Rothe M, Ryu B, Schmidt M, von Kalle C, Payen E, Veres G. Preclinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of an improved lentiviral vector for the treatment of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Curr Gene Ther 2015; 15:64-81. [PMID: 25429463 PMCID: PMC4440358 DOI: 10.2174/1566523214666141127095336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A previously published clinical trial demonstrated the benefit of autologous CD34(+) cells transduced with a selfinactivating lentiviral vector (HPV569) containing an engineered β-globin gene (β(A-T87Q)-globin) in a subject with β thalassemia major. This vector has been modified to increase transduction efficacy without compromising safety. In vitro analyses indicated that the changes resulted in both increased vector titers (3 to 4 fold) and increased transduction efficacy (2 to 3 fold). An in vivo study in which 58 β-thalassemic mice were transplanted with vector- or mock-transduced syngenic bone marrow cells indicated sustained therapeutic efficacy. Secondary transplantations involving 108 recipients were performed to evaluate long-term safety. The six month study showed no hematological or biochemical toxicity. Integration site (IS) profile revealed an oligo/polyclonal hematopoietic reconstitution in the primary transplants and reduced clonality in secondary transplants. Tumor cells were detected in the secondary transplant mice in all treatment groups (including the control group), without statistical differences in the tumor incidence. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR demonstrated that tumor cells were not derived from transduced donor cells. This comprehensive efficacy and safety data provided the basis for initiating two clinical trials with this second generation vector (BB305) in Europe and in the USA in patients with β-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gabor Veres
- bluebird bio, 150 Second Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA.
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12
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Anchan RM, Lachke SA, Gerami-Naini B, Lindsey J, Ng N, Naber C, Nickerson M, Cavallesco R, Rowan S, Eaton JL, Xi Q, Maas RL. Pax6- and Six3-mediated induction of lens cell fate in mouse and human ES cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115106. [PMID: 25517354 PMCID: PMC4269389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells provide a potentially useful in vitro model for the study of in vivo tissue differentiation. We used mouse and human ES cells to investigate whether the lens regulatory genes Pax6 and Six3 could induce lens cell fate in vitro. To help assess the onset of lens differentiation, we derived a new mES cell line (Pax6-GFP mES) that expresses a GFP reporter under the control of the Pax6 P0 promoter and lens ectoderm enhancer. Pax6 or Six3 expression vectors were introduced into mES or hES cells by transfection or lentiviral infection and the differentiating ES cells analyzed for lens marker expression. Transfection of mES cells with Pax6 or Six3 but not with other genes induced the expression of lens cell markers and up-regulated GFP reporter expression in Pax6-GFP mES cells by 3 days post-transfection. By 7 days post-transfection, mES cell cultures exhibited a>10-fold increase over controls in the number of colonies expressing γA-crystallin, a lens fiber cell differentiation marker. RT-PCR and immunostaining revealed induction of additional lens epithelial or fiber cell differentiation markers including Foxe3, Prox1, α- and β-crystallins, and Tdrd7. Moreover, γA-crystallin- or Prox1-expressing lentoid bodies formed by 30 days in culture. In hES cells, Pax6 or Six3 lentiviral vectors also induced lens marker expression. mES cells that express lens markers reside close to but are distinct from the Pax6 or Six3 transduced cells, suggesting that the latter induce nearby undifferentiated ES cells to adopt a lens fate by non-cell autonomous mechanisms. In sum, we describe a novel mES cell GFP reporter line that is useful for monitoring induction of lens fate, and demonstrate that Pax6 or Six3 is sufficient to induce ES cells to adopt a lens fate, potentially via non-cell autonomous mechanisms. These findings should facilitate investigations of lens development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M. Anchan
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Salil A. Lachke
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 9716, United States of America
| | - Behzad Gerami-Naini
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Lindsey
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Ng
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Catherine Naber
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Michael Nickerson
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Resy Cavallesco
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Sheldon Rowan
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Eaton
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Qiongchao Xi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
| | - Richard L. Maas
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States of America
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13
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Finotti A, Gambari R. Recent trends for novel options in experimental biological therapy of β-thalassemia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2014; 14:1443-54. [PMID: 24934764 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.927434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION β-thalassemias are caused by nearly 300 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to low or absent production of adult hemoglobin. Achievements have been recently obtained on innovative therapeutic strategies for β-thalassemias, based on studies focusing on the transcriptional regulation of the γ-globin genes, epigenetic mechanisms governing erythroid differentiation, gene therapy and genetic correction of the mutations. AREAS COVERED The objective of this review is to describe recently published approaches (the review covers the years 2011 - 2014) useful for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION Modification of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells was achieved by gene therapy (eventually in combination with induction of fetal hemoglobin [HbF]) and correction of the mutated β-globin gene. Based on recent areas of progress in understanding the control of γ-globin gene expression, novel strategies for inducing HbF have been proposed. Furthermore, the identification of microRNAs involved in erythroid differentiation and HbF production opens novel options for developing therapeutic approaches for β-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Finotti
- Biotechnology Centre of Ferrara University, Laboratory for the Development of Gene and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia , Ferrara , Italy
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14
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Tubsuwan A, Abed S, Deichmann A, Kardel MD, Bartholomä C, Cheung A, Negre O, Kadri Z, Fucharoen S, von Kalle C, Payen E, Chrétien S, Schmidt M, Eaves CJ, Leboulch P, Maouche-Chrétien L. Parallel assessment of globin lentiviral transfer in induced pluripotent stem cells and adult hematopoietic stem cells derived from the same transplanted β-thalassemia patient. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1785-94. [PMID: 23712774 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A patient with β(E)/β(0) -thalassemia major was converted to transfusion-independence 4.5 years ago by lentiviral gene transfer in hematopoietic stem cells while showing a myeloid-biased cell clone. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a potential alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells. If fetal to adult globin class, switching does not occur in vivo in iPSC-derived erythroid cells, β-globin gene transfer would be unnecessary. To investigate both vector integration skewing and the potential use of iPSCs for the treatment of thalassemia, we derived iPSCs from the thalassemia gene therapy patient and compared iPSC-derived hematopoietic cells to their natural isogenic somatic counterparts. In NSG immunodeficient mice, embryonic to fetal and a partial fetal to adult globin class switching were observed, indicating that the gene transfer is likely necessary for iPSC-based therapy of the β-hemoglobinopathies. Lentivector integration occurred in regions of low and high genotoxicity. Surprisingly, common integration sites (CIS) were identified across those iPSCs and cells retrieved from isogenic and nonisogenic gene therapy patients with β-thalassemia and adrenoleukodystrophy, respectively. This suggests that CIS observed in the absence of overt tumorigenesis result from nonrandom lentiviral integration rather than oncogenic in vivo selection. These findings bring the use of iPSCs closer to practicality and further clarify our interpretation of genome-wide lentivector integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Tubsuwan
- CEA, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies (iMETI), Fontenay aux Roses, France; INSERM U962 and University Paris Sud 11; Thalassemia Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand
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15
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Larochelle A, Dunbar CE. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy:assessing the relevance of preclinical models. Semin Hematol 2014; 50:101-30. [PMID: 24014892 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2013.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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16
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Breda L, Rivella S, Zuccato C, Gambari R. Combining gene therapy and fetal hemoglobin induction for treatment of β-thalassemia. Expert Rev Hematol 2013; 6:255-64. [PMID: 23782080 DOI: 10.1586/ehm.13.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
β-thalassemias are caused by nearly 300 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to a low or absent production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). Two major therapeutic approaches have recently been proposed: gene therapy and induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) with the objective of achieving clinically relevant levels of Hbs. The objective of this article is to describe the development of therapeutic strategies based on a combination of gene therapy and induction of HbFs. An increase of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells can be achieved by gene therapy, although de novo production of clinically relevant levels of adult Hb may be difficult to obtain. On the other hand, an increased production of HbF is beneficial in β-thalassemia. The combination of gene therapy and HbF induction appears to be a pertinent strategy to achieve clinically relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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Dong A, Rivella S, Breda L. Gene therapy for hemoglobinopathies: progress and challenges. Transl Res 2013; 161:293-306. [PMID: 23337292 PMCID: PMC3716457 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2012.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies are genetic inherited conditions that originate from the lack or malfunction of the hemoglobin (Hb) protein. Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are the most common forms of these conditions. The severe anemia combined with complications that arise in the most affected patients raises the necessity for a cure to restore hemoglobin function. The current routine therapies for these conditions, namely transfusion and iron chelation, have significantly improved the quality of life in patients over the years, but still fail to address the underlying cause of the diseases. A curative option, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is available, but limited by the availability of suitable donors and graft-vs-host disease. Gene therapy offers an alternative approach to cure patients with hemoglobinopathies and aims at the direct recovery of the hemoglobin function via globin gene transfer. In the last 2 decades, gene transfer tools based on lentiviral vector development have been significantly improved and proven curative in several animal models for SCD and thalassemia. As a result, clinical trials are in progress and 1 patient has been successfully treated with this approach. However, there are still frontiers to explore that might improve this approach: the stoichiometry between the transgenic hemoglobin and endogenous hemoglobin with respect to the different globin genetic mutations; donor cell sourcing, such as the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); and the use of safer gene insertion methods to prevent oncogenesis. With this review we will provide insights about (1) the different lentiviral gene therapy approaches in mouse models and human cells; (2) current and planned clinical trials; (3) hurdles to overcome for clinical trials, such as myeloablation toxicity, insertional oncogenesis, and high vector expression; and (4) future perspectives for gene therapy, including safe harbors and iPSCs technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Dong
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, New York, NY 10021, USA
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18
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Abstract
Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells provides a potentially curative therapy for severe β-thalassemia. Lentiviral vectors based on human immunodeficiency virus have been developed for this purpose and have been shown to be effective in curing thalassemia in mouse models. One participant in an ongoing clinical trial has achieved transfusion independence after gene transfer into bone marrow stem cells owing, in part, to a genetically modified, dominant clone. Ongoing efforts are focused on improving the efficiency of lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer into stem cells so that the curative potential of gene transfer can be consistently achieved.
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19
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Gambari R. Alternative options for DNA-based experimental therapy of β-thalassemia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012; 12:443-62. [PMID: 22413823 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.665047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beta-thalassemias are caused by more than 200 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to low or absent production of adult hemoglobin. Achievements have been made with innovative therapeutic strategies for β-thalassemias, based on research conducted at the levels of gene structure, transcription, mRNA processing and protein synthesis. AREAS COVERED The objective of this review is to describe the development of therapeutic strategies employing viral and non-viral DNA-based approaches for treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION Modification of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells has been achieved by gene therapy, correction of the mutated β-globin gene and RNA repair. In addition, cellular therapy has been proposed for β-thalassemia, including reprogramming of somatic cells to generate induced pluripotent stem cells to be genetically corrected. Based on the concept that increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is beneficial in β-thalassemia, DNA-based approaches to increase HbF production have been optimized, including treatment of target cells with lentiviral vectors carrying γ-globin genes. Finally, DNA-based targeting of α-globin gene expression has been applied to reduce the excess of α-globin production by β-thalassemia cells, one of the major causes of the clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- University of Ferrara, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioPharmaNet and Laboratory for the Development of Gene and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia, Ferrara, Italy.
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20
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MicroRNA-150-regulated vectors allow lymphocyte-sparing transgene expression in hematopoietic gene therapy. Gene Ther 2011; 19:915-24. [PMID: 21975463 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression can be exploited for cell type-specific transgene expression as the addition of miRNA target sequences to transgenic cDNA allows for transgene downregulation specifically in cells expressing the respective miRNAs. Here, we have investigated the potential of miRNA-150 target sequences to specifically suppress gene expression in lymphocytes and thereby prevent transgene-induced lymphotoxicity. Abundance of miRNA-150 expression specifically in differentiated B and T cells was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Mono- and bicistronic lentiviral vectors were used to investigate the effect of miRNA-150 target sequences on transgene expression in the lymphohematopoietic system. After in vitro studies demonstrated effective downregulation of transgene expression in murine B220(+) B and CD3(+) T cells, the concept was further verified in a murine transplant model. Again, marked suppression of transgene activity was observed in B220(+) B and CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells whereas expression in CD11b(+) myeloid cells, lin(-) and lin(-)/Sca1(+) progenitors, or lin(-)/Sca1(+)/c-kit(+) stem cells remained almost unaffected. No toxicity of miRNA-150 targeting in transduced lymphohematopoietic cells was noted. Thus, our results demonstrate the suitability of miRNA-150 targeting to specifically suppress transgene expression in lymphocytes and further support the concept of miRNA targeting for cell type-specific transgene expression in gene therapy approaches.
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