1
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Serrano C, Cananzi S, Shen T, Wang LL, Zhang CL. Simple and highly specific targeting of resident microglia with adeno-associated virus. iScience 2024; 27:110706. [PMID: 39297168 PMCID: PMC11407971 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia, as the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play dynamic roles in both healthy and diseased conditions. The ability to genetically target microglia using viruses is crucial for understanding their functions and advancing microglia-based treatments. We here show that resident microglia can be simply and specifically targeted using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing a 466-bp DNA fragment from the human IBA1 (hIBA1) promoter. This targeting approach is applicable to both resting and reactive microglia. When combining the short hIBA1 promoter with the target sequence of miR124, up to 98% of transduced cells are identified as microglia. Such a simple and highly specific microglia-targeting strategy may be further optimized for research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Serrano
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sergio Cananzi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tianjin Shen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei-Lei Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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2
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Bindu DS, Savage JT, Brose N, Bradley L, Dimond K, Tan CX, Eroglu C. GEARBOCS: An Adeno Associated Virus Tool for In Vivo Gene Editing in Astrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.17.524433. [PMID: 36711516 PMCID: PMC9884502 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are indispensable for brain development, function, and health. However, molecular tools to study astrocyte biology and function in vivo have been largely limited to genetically modified mice. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing strategy within a single AAV vector that enables efficient genome manipulations in astrocytes. We designed and optimized this easy-to-use viral tool to understand gene expression, protein localization and function in astrocytes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanesh Sivadasan Bindu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Justin T. Savage
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nicholas Brose
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Luke Bradley
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Kylie Dimond
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Christabel Xin Tan
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
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3
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Mseis-Jackson N, Sharma M, Li H. Controlling the Expression Level of the Neuronal Reprogramming Factors for a Successful Reprogramming Outcome. Cells 2024; 13:1223. [PMID: 39056804 PMCID: PMC11274869 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal reprogramming is a promising approach for making major advancement in regenerative medicine. Distinct from the approach of induced pluripotent stem cells, neuronal reprogramming converts non-neuronal cells to neurons without going through a primitive stem cell stage. In vivo neuronal reprogramming brings this approach to a higher level by changing the cell fate of glial cells to neurons in neural tissue through overexpressing reprogramming factors. Despite the ongoing debate over the validation and interpretation of newly generated neurons, in vivo neuronal reprogramming is still a feasible approach and has the potential to become clinical treatment with further optimization and refinement. Here, we discuss the major neuronal reprogramming factors (mostly pro-neurogenic transcription factors during development), especially the significance of their expression levels during neurogenesis and the reprogramming process focusing on NeuroD1. In the developing central nervous system, these pro-neurogenic transcription factors usually elicit distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns that are critical to their function in generating mature neurons. We argue that these dynamic expression patterns may be similarly needed in the process of reprogramming adult cells into neurons and further into mature neurons with subtype identities. We also summarize the existing approaches and propose new ones that control gene expression levels for a successful reprogramming outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Mseis-Jackson
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Mehek Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science & Mathematics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Hedong Li
- Department of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
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4
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von Roemeling CA, Patel JA, Carpenter SL, Yegorov O, Yang C, Bhatia A, Doonan BP, Russell R, Trivedi VS, Klippel K, Ryu DH, Grippin A, Futch HS, Ran Y, Hoang-Minh LB, Weidert FL, Golde TE, Mitchell DA. Adeno-associated virus delivered CXCL9 sensitizes glioblastoma to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5871. [PMID: 38997283 PMCID: PMC11245621 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49989-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
There are numerous mechanisms by which glioblastoma cells evade immunological detection, underscoring the need for strategic combinatorial treatments to achieve appreciable therapeutic effects. However, developing combination therapies is difficult due to dose-limiting toxicities, blood-brain-barrier, and suppressive tumor microenvironment. Glioblastoma is notoriously devoid of lymphocytes driven in part by a paucity of lymphocyte trafficking factors necessary to prompt their recruitment and activation. Herein, we develop a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy that enables focal and stable reconstitution of the tumor microenvironment with C-X-C motif ligand 9 (CXCL9), a powerful call-and-receive chemokine for lymphocytes. By manipulating local chemokine directional guidance, AAV-CXCL9 increases tumor infiltration by cytotoxic lymphocytes, sensitizing glioblastoma to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade in female preclinical tumor models. These effects are accompanied by immunologic signatures evocative of an inflamed tumor microenvironment. These findings support AAV gene therapy as an adjuvant for reconditioning glioblastoma immunogenicity given its safety profile, tropism, modularity, and off-the-shelf capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina A von Roemeling
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Jeet A Patel
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Savannah L Carpenter
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Oleg Yegorov
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Changlin Yang
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alisha Bhatia
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Bently P Doonan
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rylynn Russell
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Vrunda S Trivedi
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kelena Klippel
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel H Ryu
- Goizueta Brain Health Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adam Grippin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hunter S Futch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yong Ran
- Goizueta Brain Health Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lan B Hoang-Minh
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Frances L Weidert
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Todd E Golde
- Goizueta Brain Health Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Duane A Mitchell
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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5
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Drouyer M, Chu TH, Labit E, Haase F, Navarro RG, Nazareth D, Rosin N, Merjane J, Scott S, Cabanes-Creus M, Westhaus A, Zhu E, Midha R, Alexander IE, Biernaskie J, Ginn SL, Lisowski L. Novel AAV variants with improved tropism for human Schwann cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101234. [PMID: 38558569 PMCID: PMC10978538 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapies and associated technologies are transforming biomedical research and enabling novel therapeutic options for patients living with debilitating and incurable genetic disorders. The vector system based on recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) has shown great promise in recent clinical trials for genetic diseases of multiple organs, such as the liver and the nervous system. Despite recent successes toward the development of novel bioengineered AAV variants for improved transduction of primary human tissues and cells, vectors that can efficiently transduce human Schwann cells (hSCs) have yet to be identified. Here, we report the application of the functional transduction-RNA selection method in primary hSCs for the development of AAV variants for specific and efficient transgene delivery to hSCs. The two identified capsid variants, Pep2hSC1 and Pep2hSC2, show conserved potency for delivery across various in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models of hSCs. These novel AAV capsids will serve as valuable research tools, forming the basis for therapeutic solutions for both SC-related disorders or peripheral nervous system injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Drouyer
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Tak-Ho Chu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Elodie Labit
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Florencia Haase
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah Nazareth
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Rosin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jessica Merjane
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne Scott
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Marti Cabanes-Creus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Rajiv Midha
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ian E. Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Samantha L. Ginn
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Australian Genome Therapeutics Centre, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Gao Z. Strategies for enhanced gene delivery to the central nervous system. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:3009-3028. [PMID: 38868835 PMCID: PMC11166101 DOI: 10.1039/d3na01125a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The delivery of genes to the central nervous system (CNS) has been a persistent challenge due to various biological barriers. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), in particular, hampers the access of systemically injected drugs to parenchymal cells, allowing only a minimal percentage (<1%) to pass through. Recent scientific insights highlight the crucial role of the extracellular space (ECS) in governing drug diffusion. Taking into account advancements in vectors, techniques, and knowledge, the discussion will center on the most notable vectors utilized for gene delivery to the CNS. This review will explore the influence of the ECS - a dynamically regulated barrier-on drug diffusion. Furthermore, we will underscore the significance of employing remote-control technologies to facilitate BBB traversal and modulate the ECS. Given the rapid progress in gene editing, our discussion will also encompass the latest advances focused on delivering therapeutic editing in vivo to the CNS tissue. In the end, a brief summary on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), ultrasmall, soft endovascular robots, and high-resolution endovascular cameras on improving the gene delivery to the CNS will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghong Gao
- Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas USA
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7
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Ball JB, Frank MG, Green-Fulgham SM, Watkins LR. Use of adeno-associated viruses for transgenic modulation of microglia structure and function: A review of technical considerations and challenges. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:368-379. [PMID: 38471576 PMCID: PMC11103248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a central role in the etiology of many neuropathologies. Transgenic tools are a powerful experiment approach to gain reliable and specific control over microglia function. Adeno-associated virus (AAVs) vectors are already an indispensable tool in neuroscience research. Despite ubiquitous use of AAVs and substantial interest in the role of microglia in the study of central nervous system (CNS) function and disease, transduction of microglia using AAVs is seldom reported. This review explores the challenges and advancements made in using AAVs for expressing transgenes in microglia. First, we will examine the functional anatomy of the AAV capsid, which will serve as a basis for subsequent discussions of studies exploring the relationship between capsid mutations and microglia transduction efficacy. After outlining the functional anatomy of AAVs, we will consider the experimental evidence demonstrating AAV-mediated transduction of microglia and microglia-like cell lines followed by an examination of the most promising experimental approaches identified in the literature. Finally, technical limitations will be considered in future applications of AAV experimental approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayson B Ball
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Matthew G Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Suzanne M Green-Fulgham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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8
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Cameron EG, Nahmou M, Toth AB, Heo L, Tanasa B, Dalal R, Yan W, Nallagatla P, Xia X, Hay S, Knasel C, Stiles TL, Douglas C, Atkins M, Sun C, Ashouri M, Bian M, Chang KC, Russano K, Shah S, Woodworth MB, Galvao J, Nair RV, Kapiloff MS, Goldberg JL. A molecular switch for neuroprotective astrocyte reactivity. Nature 2024; 626:574-582. [PMID: 38086421 PMCID: PMC11384621 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06935-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The intrinsic mechanisms that regulate neurotoxic versus neuroprotective astrocyte phenotypes and their effects on central nervous system degeneration and repair remain poorly understood. Here we show that injured white matter astrocytes differentiate into two distinct C3-positive and C3-negative reactive populations, previously simplified as neurotoxic (A1) and neuroprotective (A2)1,2, which can be further subdivided into unique subpopulations defined by proliferation and differential gene expression signatures. We find the balance of neurotoxic versus neuroprotective astrocytes is regulated by discrete pools of compartmented cyclic adenosine monophosphate derived from soluble adenylyl cyclase and show that proliferating neuroprotective astrocytes inhibit microglial activation and downstream neurotoxic astrocyte differentiation to promote retinal ganglion cell survival. Finally, we report a new, therapeutically tractable viral vector to specifically target optic nerve head astrocytes and show that raising nuclear or depleting cytoplasmic cyclic AMP in reactive astrocytes inhibits deleterious microglial or macrophage cell activation and promotes retinal ganglion cell survival after optic nerve injury. Thus, soluble adenylyl cyclase and compartmented, nuclear- and cytoplasmic-localized cyclic adenosine monophosphate in reactive astrocytes act as a molecular switch for neuroprotective astrocyte reactivity that can be targeted to inhibit microglial activation and neurotoxic astrocyte differentiation to therapeutic effect. These data expand on and define new reactive astrocyte subtypes and represent a step towards the development of gliotherapeutics for the treatment of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan G Cameron
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Nahmou
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Anna B Toth
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lyong Heo
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Bogdan Tanasa
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Roopa Dalal
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Wenjun Yan
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Pratima Nallagatla
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Xin Xia
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Hay
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Cara Knasel
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Melissa Atkins
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Catalina Sun
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Masoumeh Ashouri
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Minjuan Bian
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kun-Che Chang
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kristina Russano
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Sahil Shah
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mollie B Woodworth
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Joana Galvao
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ramesh V Nair
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Kapiloff
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine and Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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9
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Zhu D, Brookes DH, Busia A, Carneiro A, Fannjiang C, Popova G, Shin D, Donohue KC, Lin LF, Miller ZM, Williams ER, Chang EF, Nowakowski TJ, Listgarten J, Schaffer DV. Optimal trade-off control in machine learning-based library design, with application to adeno-associated virus (AAV) for gene therapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj3786. [PMID: 38266077 PMCID: PMC10807795 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) hold tremendous promise as delivery vectors for gene therapies. AAVs have been successfully engineered-for instance, for more efficient and/or cell-specific delivery to numerous tissues-by creating large, diverse starting libraries and selecting for desired properties. However, these starting libraries often contain a high proportion of variants unable to assemble or package their genomes, a prerequisite for any gene delivery goal. Here, we present and showcase a machine learning (ML) method for designing AAV peptide insertion libraries that achieve fivefold higher packaging fitness than the standard NNK library with negligible reduction in diversity. To demonstrate our ML-designed library's utility for downstream engineering goals, we show that it yields approximately 10-fold more successful variants than the NNK library after selection for infection of human brain tissue, leading to a promising glial-specific variant. Moreover, our design approach can be applied to other types of libraries for AAV and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Zhu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David H. Brookes
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Akosua Busia
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ana Carneiro
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Galina Popova
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David Shin
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kevin C. Donohue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 94143
- Kavli Institute of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Li F. Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Zachary M. Miller
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Evan R. Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Edward F. Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tomasz J. Nowakowski
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jennifer Listgarten
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David V. Schaffer
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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10
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Yadav D, Malviya R. Vector-Mediated Delivery of Transgenes and RNA Interference-Based Gene Silencing Sequences to Astrocytes for Disease Management: Advances and Prospectives. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:110-121. [PMID: 37921145 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232264527231013072728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are a type of important glial cell in the brain that serve crucial functions in regulating neuronal activity, facilitating communication between neurons, and keeping everything in balance. In this abstract, we explore current methods and future approaches for using vectors to precisely target astrocytes in the fight against various illnesses. In order to deliver therapeutic cargo selectively to astrocytes, researchers have made tremendous progress by using viral vectors such as adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lentiviruses. It has been established that engineered viral vectors are capable of either crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or being delivered intranasally, which facilitates their entrance into the brain parenchyma. These vectors are able to contain transgenes that code for neuroprotective factors, synaptic modulators, or anti-inflammatory medicines, which pave the way for multiple approaches to disease intervention. Strategies based on RNA interference (RNAi) make vector-mediated astrocyte targeting much more likely to work. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) are two types of RNA that can be made to silence disease-related genes in astrocytes. Vector-mediated delivery in conjunction with RNAi techniques provides a powerful toolkit for investigating the complex biological pathways that contribute to disease development. However, there are still a number of obstacles to overcome in order to perfect the specificity, safety, and duration of vector-mediated astrocyte targeting. In order to successfully translate research findings into clinical practise, it is essential to minimise off-target effects and the risk of immunogenicity. To demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness of these strategies, rigorous preclinical investigation and validation are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Yadav
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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11
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Serrano C, Cananzi S, Shen T, Wang LL, Zhang CL. Simple and Highly Specific Targeting of Resident Microglia with Adeno-Associated Virus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571321. [PMID: 38168285 PMCID: PMC10760038 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Microglia, as the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play dynamic roles in both health and diseased conditions. The ability to genetically target microglia using viruses is crucial for understanding their functions and advancing microglia-based treatments. We here show that resident microglia can be simply and specifically targeted using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors containing a 466-bp DNA fragment from the human IBA1 (hIBA1) promoter. This targeting approach is applicable to both resting and reactive microglia. When combining the short hIBA1 promoter with the target sequence of miR124, up to 95% of transduced cells are identified as microglia. Such a simple and highly specific microglia-targeting strategy may be further optimized for research and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Serrano
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sergio Cananzi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tianjin Shen
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei-Lei Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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12
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von Roemeling C, Yegorov O, Yang C, Klippel K, Russell R, Trivedi V, Bhatia A, Doonan B, Carpenter S, Ryu D, Grippen A, Futch H, Ran Y, Hoang-Minh L, Weidert F, Golde T, Mitchell D. CXCL9 recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virotherapy sensitizes glioblastoma (GBM) to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3463730. [PMID: 38014191 PMCID: PMC10680939 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3463730/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The promise of immunotherapy to induce long-term durable responses in conventionally treatment resistant tumors like glioblastoma (GBM) has given hope for patients with a dismal prognosis. Yet, few patients have demonstrated a significant survival benefit despite multiple clinical trials designed to invigorate immune recognition and tumor eradication. Insights gathered over the last two decades have revealed numerous mechanisms by which glioma cells resist conventional therapy and evade immunological detection, underscoring the need for strategic combinatorial treatments as necessary to achieve appreciable therapeutic effects. However, new combination therapies are inherently difficult to develop as a result of dose-limiting toxicities, the constraints of the blood-brain barrier, and the suppressive nature of the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME). GBM is notoriously devoid of lymphocytes driven in part by a paucity of lymphocyte trafficking factors necessary to prompt their recruitment, infiltration, and activation. We have developed a novel recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy strategy that enables focal and stable reconstitution of the GBM TME with C-X-C motif ligand 9 (CXCL9), a powerful call-and-receive chemokine for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). By precisely manipulating local chemokine directional guidance, AAV-CXCL9 increases tumor infiltration by CD8-postive cytotoxic lymphocytes, sensitizing GBM to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). These effects are accompanied by immunologic signatures evocative of an inflamed and responsive TME. These findings support targeted AAV gene therapy as a promising adjuvant strategy for reconditioning GBM immunogenicity given its excellent safety profile, TME-tropism, modularity, and off-the-shelf capability, where focal delivery bypasses the constrains of the blood-brain barrier, further mitigating risks observed with high-dose systemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Frances Weidert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida
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13
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Itson-Zoske B, Gani U, Mikesell A, Qiu C, Fan F, Stucky C, Hogan Q, Shin SM, Yu H. Selective RNAi-silencing of Schwann cell Piezo1 alleviates mechanical hypersensitization following peripheral nerve injury. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3405016. [PMID: 37886453 PMCID: PMC10602140 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3405016/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported functional Piezo1 expression in Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. This study is designed to further investigate the role of Schwann cell Piezo1 in peripheral nociception. We first developed an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector that has primary Schwann cell tropism after delivery into the sciatic nerve. This was achieved by packing AAV-GFP transcribed by a hybrid CMV enhancer/chicken β-actin (CBA) promoter using a capsid AAVolig001 to generate AAVolig001-CBA-GFP. Five weeks after intrasciatic injection of AAVolig001-CBA-GFP in naïve rats, GFP expression was detected selectively in the Schwann cells of the sciatic nerve. A short hairpin RNA against rat Piezo1 (PZ1shRNA) was designed that showed efficient physical and functional knockdown of Piezo1 in NG108 neuronal cells. A dual promoter and bidirectional AAV encoding a U6-driven PZ1shRNA and CBA-transcribed GFP was packed with capsid olig001 (AAVolig001-PZ1shRNA), and AAV was injected into unilateral sciatic nerve immediately after induction of common peroneal nerve injury (CPNI). Results showed that the development of mechanical hypersensitivity in the CPNI rats injected with AAVolig001-PZ1shRNA was mitigated, compared to rats subjected with AAVolig001-scramble. Selective in vivo Schwann cell transduction and functional block of Piezo1 channel activity of primary cultured Schwann cells was confirmed. Together, our data demonstrate that 1) AAVolig001 has unique and selective primary tropism to Schwann cells via intrasciatic delivery and 2) Schwann cell Piezo1 contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity following nerve injury.
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14
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Dharshika C, Gonzales J, Chow A, Morales-Soto W, Gulbransen BD. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression in the enteric nervous system and contributions of glial STING in disease. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2023; 35:e14553. [PMID: 37309618 PMCID: PMC10266835 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate host-microbe interactions are essential for enteric glial development and subsequent gastrointestinal function, but the potential mechanisms of microbe-glial communication are unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that enteric glia express the pattern recognition receptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and communicate with the microbiome through this pathway to modulate gastrointestinal inflammation. METHODS In situ transcriptional labeling and immunohistochemistry were used to examine STING and IFNβ expression in enteric neurons and glia. Glial-STING KO mice (Sox10CreERT2+/- ;STINGfl/fl ) and IFNβ ELISA were used to characterize the role of enteric glia in canonical STING activation. The role of glial STING in gastrointestinal inflammation was assessed in the 3% DSS colitis model. RESULTS Enteric glia and neurons express STING, but only enteric neurons express IFNβ. While both the myenteric and submucosal plexuses produce IFNβ with STING activation, enteric glial STING plays a minor role in its production and seems more involved in autophagy processes. Furthermore, deleting enteric glial STING does not affect weight loss, colitis severity, or neuronal cell proportions in the DSS colitis model. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data support canonical roles for STING and IFNβ signaling in the enteric nervous system through enteric neurons but that enteric glia do not use these same mechanisms. We propose that enteric glial STING may utilize alternative signaling mechanisms and/or is only active in particular disease conditions. Regardless, this study provides the first glimpse of STING signaling in the enteric nervous system and highlights a potential avenue of neuroglial-microbial communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Dharshika
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
- College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 804 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Jacques Gonzales
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Aaron Chow
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Wilmarie Morales-Soto
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Brian D. Gulbransen
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, 567 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
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15
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Nemeth D, Luqman N, Chen L, Quan N. Aldh1l1-Cre/ER T2 is expressed in unintended cell types of the salivary gland, pancreas, and spleen. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000832. [PMID: 37273576 PMCID: PMC10238921 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Aldh1l1-Cre/ER T2 mouse is a widely used transgenic mouse model to conditionally express Cre recombinase in astrocytes of the central nervous system. Currently, no reports show whether the Cre recombinase activity, driven by the Aldh1l1 promoter, acts in cells outside of its intended astrocyte population. We crossed the Aldh1l1-Cre/ER T2 mouse with a TdTomato reporter mouse line, ROSA26:CAG-LSL-TdTomato, to generate a fluorescent reporter for Aldh1l1 promoter activity. Gross anatomical observations reveal strong TdTomato expression in the spleen and exocrine glands-the salivary gland and the pancreas. We find TdTomato expression, a reporter of Cre activity, specifically targets serous cells in the parotid, submandibular, sublingual glands, and pancreas along with fibroblast-like cells within the submandibular lymph nodes and spleen. Our data indicate that the Aldh1l1-Cre/ER T2 mouse model has unintended Cre recombinase activity in exocrine glands, which may influence biological and behavioral data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Nemeth
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, United States
| | - Numana Luqman
- Florida Atlantic University High School, Boca Raton, Florida, United States
| | - Loretta Chen
- College of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, United States
| | - Ning Quan
- Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, United States
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16
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Amato R, Cammalleri M, Melecchi A, Bagnoli P, Porciatti V. Natural History of Glaucoma Progression in the DBA/2J Model: Early Contribution of Müller Cell Gliosis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091272. [PMID: 37174673 PMCID: PMC10177096 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and the resulting mechanical stress are classically considered the main causes of RGC death. However, RGC degeneration and ensuing vision loss often occur independent of IOP, indicating a multifactorial nature of glaucoma, with the likely contribution of glial and vascular function. The aim of the present study was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the time course of neuro-glial-vascular changes associated with glaucoma progression. We used DBA/2J mice in the age range of 2-15 months as a spontaneous model of glaucoma with progressive IOP elevation and RGC loss typical of human open-angle glaucoma. We found that the onset of RGC degeneration at 10 months of age coincided with that of IOP elevation and vascular changes such as decreased density, increased lacunarity and decreased tight-junction protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1, while hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were already significantly upregulated at 6 months of age together with the onset of Müller cell gliosis. Astrocytes, however, underwent significant gliosis at 10 months. These results indicate that Müller cell activation occurs well before IOP elevation, with probable inflammatory consequences, and represents an early event in the glaucomatous process. Early upregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF is likely to contribute to blood retinal barrier failure, facilitating RGC loss. The different time courses of neuro-glial-vascular changes during glaucoma progression provide further insight into the nature of the disease and suggest potential targets for the development of efficient therapeutic intervention aside from IOP lowering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Amato
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittorio Porciatti
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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17
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Zoabi S, Andreyanov M, Heinrich R, Ron S, Carmi I, Gutfreund Y, Berlin S. A custom-made AAV1 variant (AAV1-T593K) enables efficient transduction of Japanese quail neurons in vitro and in vivo. Commun Biol 2023; 6:337. [PMID: 36977781 PMCID: PMC10050006 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04712-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of rodents in neuroscience has prompted the development of optimized viral variants for transduction of brain cells, in vivo. However, many of the viruses developed are less efficient in other model organisms, with birds being among the most resistant to transduction by current viral tools. Resultantly, the use of genetically-encoded tools and methods in avian species is markedly lower than in rodents; likely holding the field back. We sought to bridge this gap by developing custom viruses towards the transduction of brain cells of the Japanese quail. We first develop a protocol for culturing primary neurons and glia from quail embryos, followed by characterization of cultures via immunostaining, single cell mRNA sequencing, patch clamp electrophysiology and calcium imaging. We then leveraged the cultures for the rapid screening of various viruses, only to find that all yielded poor to no infection of cells in vitro. However, few infected neurons were obtained by AAV1 and AAV2. Scrutiny of the sequence of the AAV receptor found in quails led us to rationally design a custom-made AAV variant (AAV1-T593K; AAV1*) that exhibits improved transduction efficiencies in vitro and in vivo (14- and five-fold, respectively). Together, we present unique culturing method, transcriptomic profiles of quail's brain cells and a custom-tailored AAV1 for transduction of quail neurons in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaden Zoabi
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michael Andreyanov
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ronit Heinrich
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shaked Ron
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Carmi
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yoram Gutfreund
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shai Berlin
- Department of Neuroscience, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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18
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Zaman H, Khan A, Khan K, Toheed S, Abdullah M, Zeeshan HM, Hameed A, Umar M, Shahid M, Malik K, Afzal S. Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Therapy. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 2023; 33:87-100. [PMID: 37522547 DOI: 10.1615/critreveukaryotgeneexpr.2023048135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Choice of vector is the most critical step in gene therapy. Adeno-associated viruses (AAV); third generation vectors, are getting much attention of scientists to be used as vehicles due to their non-pathogenicity, excellent safety profile, low immune responses, great efficiency to transduce non-dividing cells, large capacity to transfer genetic material and long-term expression of genetic payload. AAVs have multiple serotypes and each serotype shows tropism for a specific cell. Different serotypes are used to target liver, lungs, muscles, retina, heart, CNS, kidneys, etc. Furthermore, AAV based gene therapies have tremendous marketing applications that can be perfectly incorporated in the anticipated sites of the host target genome resulting in life long expression of transgenes. Some therapeutic products use AAV vectors that are used to treat lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) and it is injected intramuscularly, to treat mutated retinal pigment epithelium RPE65 (RPE65) that is introduced to subretinal space, an intravenous infusion to treat spinal muscular atrophy and rAAV2-CFTR vector is introduced into nasal epithelial cells to treat cystic fibrosis. AAV therapies and other such interdisciplinary methodologies can create the miracles for the generation of precision gene therapies for the treatment of most serious and sometimes fatal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Zaman
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aakif Khan
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Khan
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shazma Toheed
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Abdullah
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Abdul Hameed
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umar
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahid
- Division of Molecular Virology and Infectious Diseases, Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kausar Malik
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Samia Afzal
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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19
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Kruyer A, Kalivas PW, Scofield MD. Astrocyte regulation of synaptic signaling in psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:21-36. [PMID: 35577914 PMCID: PMC9700696 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01338-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, the field of neuroscience has evolved toward recognizing the critical role of astroglia in shaping neuronal synaptic activity and along with the pre- and postsynapse is now considered an equal partner in tripartite synaptic transmission and plasticity. The relative youth of this recognition and a corresponding deficit in reagents and technologies for quantifying and manipulating astroglia relative to neurons continues to hamper advances in understanding tripartite synaptic physiology. Nonetheless, substantial advances have been made and are reviewed herein. We review the role of astroglia in synaptic function and regulation of behavior with an eye on how tripartite synapses figure into brain pathologies underlying behavioral impairments in psychiatric disorders, both from the perspective of measures in postmortem human brains and more subtle influences on tripartite synaptic regulation of behavior in animal models of psychiatric symptoms. Our goal is to provide the reader a well-referenced state-of-the-art understanding of current knowledge and predict what we may discover with deeper investigation of tripartite synapses using reagents and technologies not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kruyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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20
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Directed evolution of adeno-associated virus for efficient gene delivery to microglia. Nat Methods 2022; 19:976-985. [PMID: 35879607 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), microglia orchestrate immune responses and dynamically sculpt neural circuits in the CNS. Microglial dysfunction and mutations of microglia-specific genes have been implicated in many diseases of the CNS. Developing effective and safe vehicles for transgene delivery into microglia will facilitate the studies of microglia biology and microglia-associated disease mechanisms. Here, we report the discovery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) variants that mediate efficient in vitro and in vivo microglial transduction via directed evolution of the AAV capsid protein. These AAV-cMG and AAV-MG variants are capable of delivering various genetic payloads into microglia with high efficiency, and enable sufficient transgene expression to support fluorescent labeling, Ca2+ and neurotransmitter imaging and genome editing in microglia in vivo. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing shows that the AAV-MG variants mediate in vivo transgene delivery without inducing microglia immune activation. These AAV variants should facilitate the use of various genetically encoded sensors and effectors in the study of microglia-related biology.
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21
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Chen X, Ravindra Kumar S, Adams CD, Yang D, Wang T, Wolfe DA, Arokiaraj CM, Ngo V, Campos LJ, Griffiths JA, Ichiki T, Mazmanian SK, Osborne PB, Keast JR, Miller CT, Fox AS, Chiu IM, Gradinaru V. Engineered AAVs for non-invasive gene delivery to rodent and non-human primate nervous systems. Neuron 2022; 110:2242-2257.e6. [PMID: 35643078 PMCID: PMC9308721 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy offers great promise in addressing neuropathologies associated with the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS). However, genetic access remains difficult, reflecting the critical need for the development of effective and non-invasive gene delivery vectors across species. To that end, we evolved adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) capsid in mice and validated two capsids, AAV-MaCPNS1 and AAV-MaCPNS2, across rodent species (mice and rats) and non-human primate (NHP) species (marmosets and rhesus macaques). Intravenous administration of either AAV efficiently transduced the PNS in rodents and both the PNS and CNS in NHPs. Furthermore, we used AAV-MaCPNS1 in mice to systemically deliver the following: (1) the neuronal sensor jGCaMP8s to record calcium signal dynamics in nodose ganglia and (2) the neuronal actuator DREADD to dorsal root ganglia to mediate pain. This conclusively demonstrates the translatability of these two systemic AAVs across four species and their functional utility through proof-of-concept studies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Cameron D Adams
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Daping Yang
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tongtong Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Damien A Wolfe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Cynthia M Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Victoria Ngo
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Lillian J Campos
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jessica A Griffiths
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Takako Ichiki
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Sarkis K Mazmanian
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Peregrine B Osborne
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Janet R Keast
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Cory T Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Laboratory, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Isaac M Chiu
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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22
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Nampoothiri S, Nogueiras R, Schwaninger M, Prevot V. Glial cells as integrators of peripheral and central signals in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Nat Metab 2022; 4:813-825. [PMID: 35879459 PMCID: PMC7613794 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Communication between the periphery and the brain is key for maintaining energy homeostasis. To do so, peripheral signals from the circulation reach the brain via the circumventricular organs (CVOs), which are characterized by fenestrated vessels lacking the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB). Glial cells, by virtue of their plasticity and their ideal location at the interface of blood vessels and neurons, participate in the integration and transmission of peripheral information to neuronal networks in the brain for the neuroendocrine control of whole-body metabolism. Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, can disrupt the brain-to-periphery communication mediated by glial cells, highlighting the relevance of these cell types in the pathophysiology of such complications. An improved understanding of how glial cells integrate and respond to metabolic and humoral signals has become a priority for the discovery of promising therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic disorders. This Review highlights the role of glial cells in the exchange of metabolic signals between the periphery and the brain that are relevant for the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekala Nampoothiri
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, EGID, DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigation Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrition, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, EGID, DISTALZ, Lille, France.
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23
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Dialogue among Lymphocytes and Microglia in Glioblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112632. [PMID: 35681612 PMCID: PMC9179556 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this review, we summarize in vitro and in vivo studies related to glioblastoma models and human patients to outline the symbiotic bidirectional interaction between microglia, lymphocytes, and tumor cells that develops during tumor progression. Particularly, we highlight the current experimental therapeutic approaches that aim to shape these interplays, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery and CAR-T and -NK cell infusion, and to modulate the tumor microenvironment in an anti-tumoral way, thus counteracting glioblastoma growth. Abstract Microglia and lymphocytes are fundamental constituents of the glioblastoma microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art knowledge of the microglial role played in promoting the development and aggressive hallmarks of this deadly brain tumor. Particularly, we report in vitro and in vivo studies related to glioblastoma models and human patients to outline the symbiotic bidirectional interaction between microglia, lymphocytes, and tumor cells that develops during tumor progression. Furthermore, we highlight the current experimental therapeutic approaches that aim to shape these interplays, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery and CAR-T and -NK cell infusion, and to modulate the tumor microenvironment in an anti-tumoral way, thus counteracting glioblastoma growth.
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24
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Luo J. TGF-β as a Key Modulator of Astrocyte Reactivity: Disease Relevance and Therapeutic Implications. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1206. [PMID: 35625943 PMCID: PMC9138510 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are essential for normal brain development and functioning. They respond to brain injury and disease through a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis, where the reactivity is highly heterogenous and context-dependent. Reactive astrocytes are active contributors to brain pathology and can exert beneficial, detrimental, or mixed effects following brain insults. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been identified as one of the key factors regulating astrocyte reactivity. The genetic and pharmacological manipulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway in animal models of central nervous system (CNS) injury and disease alters pathological and functional outcomes. This review aims to provide recent understanding regarding astrocyte reactivity and TGF-β signaling in brain injury, aging, and neurodegeneration. Further, it explores how TGF-β signaling modulates astrocyte reactivity and function in the context of CNS disease and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Luo
- Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, VAPAHCS, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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25
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Marino M, Holt MG. AAV Vector-Mediated Antibody Delivery (A-MAD) in the Central Nervous System. Front Neurol 2022; 13:870799. [PMID: 35493843 PMCID: PMC9039256 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.870799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last four decades, monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives have emerged as a powerful class of therapeutics, largely due to their exquisite targeting specificity. Several clinical areas, most notably oncology and autoimmune disorders, have seen the successful introduction of monoclonal-based therapeutics. However, their adoption for treatment of Central Nervous System diseases has been comparatively slow, largely due to issues of efficient delivery resulting from limited permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier. Nevertheless, CNS diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent as societies age, accounting for ~6.5 million fatalities worldwide per year. Therefore, harnessing the full therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibodies (and their derivatives) in this clinical area has become a priority. Adeno-associated virus-based vectors (AAVs) are a potential solution to this problem. Preclinical studies have shown that AAV vector-mediated antibody delivery provides protection against a broad range of peripheral diseases, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza and malaria. The parallel identification and optimization of AAV vector platforms which cross the Blood Brain Barrier with high efficiency, widely transducing the Central Nervous System and allowing high levels of local transgene production, has now opened a number of interesting scenarios for the development of AAV vector-mediated antibody delivery strategies to target Central Nervous System proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Marino
- Laboratory of Glia Biology, VIB-KU Leuven, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthew G. Holt
- Laboratory of Glia Biology, VIB-KU Leuven, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Synapse Biology Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Matthew G. Holt
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26
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Beharry A, Gong Y, Kim JC, Hanlon KS, Nammour J, Hieber K, Eichler F, Cheng M, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Stankovic KM, Welling DB, Ng C, Maguire CA. The AAV9 Variant Capsid AAV-F Mediates Widespread Transgene Expression in Nonhuman Primate Spinal Cord After Intrathecal Administration. Hum Gene Ther 2022; 33:61-75. [PMID: 34128391 PMCID: PMC8819517 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrathecal delivery of AAV9 into the subarachnoid space has been shown to transduce spinal cord and brain and be less affected by preexisting antibodies, which are lower in cerebral spinal fluid. Still, efficiency of transduction needs to be improved. Recently, we identified a new capsid from a library selection in mice, called AAV-F, that allowed robust transduction of the spinal cord gray matter after lumbar injection. In this study, we test transduction of spinal cord by AAV-F (n = 3) compared to AAV9 (n = 2), using a reporter gene, in cynomolgus monkeys after lumbar intrathecal injection. Using an automated image analysis (IA) approach to sensitively quantitate reporter gene expression in spinal cord, we found that AAV-F capsid mediated slightly higher transgene expression (both in percentages of cells and intensity of immunostaining) in motor neurons and interneurons, in the lumbar and thoracic regions, compared to AAV9. Interestingly, although AAV-F mediated higher transgene expression in spinal cord, the number of genomes in spinal cord and periphery were on average lower for AAV-F than AAV9, which suggest that lower numbers of genomes were able to mediate higher transgene expression in spinal cord with this capsid. In contrast, dorsal root ganglion transduction efficiency was lower for AAV-F compared to AAV9 on average. Interestingly, we also observed transduction of Schwann cells in sciatic nerve in two nonhuman primates injected with AAV-F, but none with AAV9. Overall, our data demonstrate the utility of automated IA for quantitation of AAV transduction in the spinal cord and the favorable on-target:off-target transduction profile suggests that the AAV-F capsid be considered for gene therapy applications focused on treating the spinal cord after intrathecal delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Beharry
- Flagship Biosciences, Inc., Westminster, Colorado, USA
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James C. Kim
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Killian S. Hanlon
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Josette Nammour
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kate Hieber
- Flagship Biosciences, Inc., Westminster, Colorado, USA
| | - Florian Eichler
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ming Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Konstantina M. Stankovic
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery,Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology; and,Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Duane Bradley Welling
- Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery,Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology; and
| | - Carrie Ng
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Casey A. Maguire
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Correspondence: Dr. Casey A. Maguire, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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27
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Sydney-Smith JD, Spejo AB, Warren PM, Moon LDF. Peripherally delivered Adeno-associated viral vectors for spinal cord injury repair. Exp Neurol 2021; 348:113945. [PMID: 34896114 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Via the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, the spinal cord directly or indirectly connects reciprocally with many body systems (muscular, intengumentary, respiratory, immune, digestive, excretory, reproductive, cardiovascular, etc). Accordingly, spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in catastrophe for multiple body systems including muscle paralysis affecting movement and loss of normal sensation, as well as neuropathic pain, spasticity, reduced fertility and autonomic dysreflexia. Treatments and cure for an injured spinal cord will likely require access of therapeutic agents across the blood-CNS (central nervous system) barrier. However, some types of repair within the CNS may be possible by targeting treatment to peripherally located cells or by delivering Adeno-Associated Viral vectors (AAVs) by peripheral routes (e.g., intrathecal, intravenous). This review will consider some future possibilities for SCI repair generated by therapeutic peripheral gene delivery. There are now six gene therapies approved worldwide as safe and effective medicines of which three were created by modification of the apparently nonpathogenic Adeno-Associated Virus. One of these AAVs, Zolgensma, is injected intrathecally for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in children. One day, delivery of AAVs into peripheral tissues might improve recovery after spinal cord injury in humans; we discuss experiments by us and others delivering transgenes into nerves or muscles for sensorimotor recovery in animal models of SCI or of stroke including human Neurotrophin-3. We also describe ongoing efforts to develop AAVs that are delivered to particular targets within and without the CNS after peripheral administration using capsids with improved tropisms, promoters that are selective for particular cell types, and methods for controlling the dose and duration of expression of a transgene. In conclusion, in the future, minimally invasive administration of AAVs may improve recovery after SCI with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D Sydney-Smith
- Neurorestoration Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, University of London, 16-20 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Aline B Spejo
- Neurorestoration Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, University of London, 16-20 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Philippa M Warren
- Neurorestoration Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, University of London, 16-20 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence D F Moon
- Neurorestoration Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, University of London, 16-20 Newcomen Street, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom.
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28
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Maes ME, Wögenstein GM, Colombo G, Casado-Polanco R, Siegert S. Optimizing AAV2/6 microglial targeting identified enhanced efficiency in the photoreceptor degenerative environment. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:210-224. [PMID: 34703843 PMCID: PMC8516996 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are widely used to deliver genetic material in vivo to distinct cell types such as neurons or glial cells, allowing for targeted manipulation. Transduction of microglia is mostly excluded from this strategy, likely due to the cells’ heterogeneous state upon environmental changes, which makes AAV design challenging. Here, we established the retina as a model system for microglial AAV validation and optimization. First, we show that AAV2/6 transduced microglia in both synaptic layers, where layer preference corresponds to the intravitreal or subretinal delivery method. Surprisingly, we observed significantly enhanced microglial transduction during photoreceptor degeneration. Thus, we modified the AAV6 capsid to reduce heparin binding by introducing four point mutations (K531E, R576Q, K493S, and K459S), resulting in increased microglial transduction in the outer plexiform layer. Finally, to improve microglial-specific transduction, we validated a Cre-dependent transgene delivery cassette for use in combination with the Cx3cr1CreERT2 mouse line. Together, our results provide a foundation for future studies optimizing AAV-mediated microglia transduction and highlight that environmental conditions influence microglial transduction efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Maes
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | | | - Gloria Colombo
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | | | - Sandra Siegert
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
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29
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Nasir G, Chopra R, Elwood F, Ahmed SS. Krabbe Disease: Prospects of Finding a Cure Using AAV Gene Therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:760236. [PMID: 34869463 PMCID: PMC8633897 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.760236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe Disease (KD) is an autosomal metabolic disorder that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is caused by a functional deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, galactocerebrosidase (GALC), resulting in an accumulation of the toxic metabolite, psychosine. Psychosine accumulation affects many different cellular pathways, leading to severe demyelination. Although there is currently no effective therapy for Krabbe disease, recent gene therapy-based approaches in animal models have indicated a promising outlook for clinical treatment. This review highlights recent findings in the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease, and evaluates AAV-based gene therapy as a promising strategy for treating this devastating pediatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gibran Nasir
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Rajiv Chopra
- AllianThera Biopharma, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Fiona Elwood
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Seemin S Ahmed
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, MA, United States
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30
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St. Leger AJ, Koelle DM, Kinchington PR, Verjans GMGM. Local Immune Control of Latent Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Ganglia of Mice and Man. Front Immunol 2021; 12:723809. [PMID: 34603296 PMCID: PMC8479180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.723809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen. HSV-1 genomes persist in trigeminal ganglia neuronal nuclei as chromatinized episomes, while epithelial cells are typically killed by lytic infection. Fluctuations in anti-viral responses, broadly defined, may underlay periodic reactivations. The ganglionic immune response to HSV-1 infection includes cell-intrinsic responses in neurons, innate sensing by several cell types, and the infiltration and persistence of antigen-specific T-cells. The mechanisms specifying the contrasting fates of HSV-1 in neurons and epithelial cells may include differential genome silencing and chromatinization, dictated by variation in access of immune modulating viral tegument proteins to the cell body, and protection of neurons by autophagy. Innate responses have the capacity of recruiting additional immune cells and paracrine activity on parenchymal cells, for example via chemokines and type I interferons. In both mice and humans, HSV-1-specific CD8 and CD4 T-cells are recruited to ganglia, with mechanistic studies suggesting active roles in immune surveillance and control of reactivation. In this review we focus mainly on HSV-1 and the TG, comparing and contrasting where possible observational, interventional, and in vitro studies between humans and animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. St. Leger
- Department of Ophthalmology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David M. Koelle
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Paul R. Kinchington
- Department of Ophthalmology and Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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31
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Mormino A, Bernardini G, Cocozza G, Corbi N, Passananti C, Santoni A, Limatola C, Garofalo S. Enriched Environment Cues Suggest a New Strategy to Counteract Glioma: Engineered rAAV2-IL-15 Microglia Modulate the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:730128. [PMID: 34552593 PMCID: PMC8450436 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.730128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several types of cancer grow differently depending on the environmental stimuli they receive. In glioma, exposure to an enriched environment (EE) increases the overall survival rate of tumor-bearing mice, acting on the cells that participate to define the tumor microenvironment. In particular, environmental cues increase the microglial production of interleukin (IL)-15 which promotes a pro-inflammatory (antitumor) phenotype of microglia and the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells, counteracting glioma growth, thus representing a virtuous mechanism of interaction between NK cells and microglia. To mimic the effect of EE on glioma, we investigated the potential of creating engineered microglia as the source of IL-15 in glioma. We demonstrated that microglia modified with recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) carrying IL-15 (rAAV2-IL-15), to force the production of IL-15, are able to increase the NK cells viability in coculture. Furthermore, the intranasal delivery of rAAV2-IL-15 microglia triggered the interplay with NK cells in vivo, enhancing NK cell recruitment and pro-inflammatory microglial phenotype in tumor mass of glioma-bearing mice, and ultimately counteracted tumor growth. This approach has a high potential for clinical translatability, highlighting the therapeutic efficacy of forced IL-15 production in microglia: the delivery of engineered rAAV2-IL-15 microglia to boost the immune response paves the way to design a new perspective therapy for glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mormino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Cocozza
- Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Corbi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CNR-Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Passananti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, CNR-Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Instituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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32
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Borodinova AA, Balaban PM, Bezprozvanny IB, Salmina AB, Vlasova OL. Genetic Constructs for the Control of Astrocytes' Activity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071600. [PMID: 34202359 PMCID: PMC8306323 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current review, we aim to discuss the principles and the perspectives of using the genetic constructs based on AAV vectors to regulate astrocytes’ activity. Practical applications of optogenetic approaches utilizing different genetically encoded opsins to control astroglia activity were evaluated. The diversity of astrocytic cell-types complicates the rational design of an ideal viral vector for particular experimental goals. Therefore, efficient and sufficient targeting of astrocytes is a multiparametric process that requires a combination of specific AAV serotypes naturally predisposed to transduce astroglia with astrocyte-specific promoters in the AAV cassette. Inadequate combinations may result in off-target neuronal transduction to different degrees. Potentially, these constraints may be bypassed with the latest strategies of generating novel synthetic AAV serotypes with specified properties by rational engineering of AAV capsids or using directed evolution approach by searching within a more specific promoter or its replacement with the unique enhancer sequences characterized using modern molecular techniques (ChIP-seq, scATAC-seq, snATAC-seq) to drive the selective transgene expression in the target population of cells or desired brain regions. Realizing these strategies to restrict expression and to efficiently target astrocytic populations in specific brain regions or across the brain has great potential to enable future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia A. Borodinova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Pavel M. Balaban
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurobiology of Learning, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117485 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilya B. Bezprozvanny
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alla B. Salmina
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Research Center of Neurology, 125367 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga L. Vlasova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 195251 St. Petersburg, Russia; (I.B.B.); (A.B.S.); (O.L.V.)
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Stavrou M, Sargiannidou I, Georgiou E, Kagiava A, Kleopa KA. Emerging Therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Inherited Neuropathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6048. [PMID: 34205075 PMCID: PMC8199910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited neuropathies known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease are genetically heterogeneous disorders affecting the peripheral nerves, causing significant and slowly progressive disability over the lifespan. The discovery of their diverse molecular genetic mechanisms over the past three decades has provided the basis for developing a wide range of therapeutics, leading to an exciting era of finding treatments for this, until now, incurable group of diseases. Many treatment approaches, including gene silencing and gene replacement therapies, as well as small molecule treatments are currently in preclinical testing while several have also reached clinical trial stage. Some of the treatment approaches are disease-specific targeted to the unique disease mechanism of each CMT form, while other therapeutics target common pathways shared by several or all CMT types. As promising treatments reach the stage of clinical translation, optimal outcome measures, novel biomarkers and appropriate trial designs are crucial in order to facilitate successful testing and validation of novel treatments for CMT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Stavrou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Irene Sargiannidou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Elena Georgiou
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexia Kagiava
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Kleopas A. Kleopa
- Neuroscience Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus; (M.S.); (I.S.); (E.G.); (A.K.)
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia 2371, Cyprus
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Stepankova K, Jendelova P, Machova Urdzikova L. Planet of the AAVs: The Spinal Cord Injury Episode. Biomedicines 2021; 9:613. [PMID: 34071245 PMCID: PMC8228984 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical and life-disrupting condition with devastating consequences for the physical, social, and professional welfare of patients, and there is no adequate treatment for it. At the same time, gene therapy has been studied as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering remedial genes to the central nervous system (CNS), of which the spinal cord is a part. For gene therapy, multiple vectors have been introduced, including integrating lentiviral vectors and non-integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV vectors are a promising system for transgene delivery into the CNS due to their safety profile as well as long-term gene expression. Gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors shows potential for treating SCI by delivering certain genetic information to specific cell types. This review has focused on a potential treatment of SCI by gene therapy using AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Stepankova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Machova Urdzikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
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