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Ryckman AE, Deschenes NM, Quinville BM, Osmon KJ, Mitchell M, Chen Z, Gray SJ, Walia JS. Intrathecal delivery of a bicistronic AAV9 vector expressing β-hexosaminidase A corrects Sandhoff disease in a murine model: A dosage study. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101168. [PMID: 38205442 PMCID: PMC10777117 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101168] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The pathological accumulation of GM2 ganglioside associated with Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) and Sandhoff disease (SD) occurs in individuals who possess mutant forms of the heterodimer β-hexosaminidase A (Hex A) because of mutation of the HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively. With a lack of approved therapies, patients experience rapid neurological decline resulting in early death. A novel bicistronic vector carrying both HEXA and HEXB previously demonstrated promising results in mouse models of SD following neonatal intravenous administration, including significant reduction in GM2 accumulation, increased levels of Hex A, and a 2-fold extension of survival. The aim of the present study was to identify an optimal dose of the bicistronic vector in 6-week-old SD mice by an intrathecal route of administration along with transient immunosuppression, to inform possible clinical translation. Three doses of the bicistronic vector were tested: 2.5e11, 1.25e11, and 0.625e11 vector genomes per mouse. The highest dose provided the greatest increase in biochemical and behavioral parameters, such that treated mice lived to a median age of 56 weeks (>3 times the lifespan of the SD controls). These results have direct implications in deciding a human equivalent dose for TSD/SD and have informed the approval of a clinical trial application (NCT04798235).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex E. Ryckman
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Natalie M. Deschenes
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Brianna M. Quinville
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Karlaina J.L. Osmon
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Melissa Mitchell
- Medical Genetics/Departments of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Zhilin Chen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Steven J. Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jagdeep S. Walia
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Medical Genetics/Departments of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
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Shaimardanova AA, Chulpanova DS, Solovyeva VV, Issa SS, Mullagulova AI, Titova AA, Mukhamedshina YO, Timofeeva AV, Aimaletdinov AM, Nigmetzyanov IR, Rizvanov AA. Increasing β-hexosaminidase A activity using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:212-219. [PMID: 37488869 PMCID: PMC10479847 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.375328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of autosomal-recessive lysosomal storage disorders. These diseases result from a deficiency of lysosomal enzyme β-hexosaminidase A (HexA), which is responsible for GM2 ganglioside degradation. HexA deficiency causes the accumulation of GM2-gangliosides mainly in the nervous system cells, leading to severe progressive neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. To date, there is no treatment for these diseases. Cell-mediated gene therapy is considered a promising treatment for GM2 gangliosidoses. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-HEXA-HEXB) to restore HexA deficiency in Tay-Sachs disease patient cells, as well as to analyze the functionality and biodistribution of MSCs in vivo. The effectiveness of HexA deficiency cross-correction was shown in mutant MSCs upon interaction with MSCs-HEXA-HEXB. The results also showed that the MSCs-HEXA-HEXB express the functionally active HexA enzyme, detectable in vivo, and intravenous injection of the cells does not cause an immune response in animals. These data suggest that genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells have the potentials to treat GM2 gangliosidoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daria S. Chulpanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Shaza S. Issa
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Aysilu I. Mullagulova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Angelina A. Titova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Yana O. Mukhamedshina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Anna V. Timofeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | | | - Islam R. Nigmetzyanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
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Vyas M, Deschenes NM, Osmon KJL, Chen Z, Ahmad I, Kot S, Thompson P, Richmond C, Gray SJ, Walia JS. Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 9-Mediated Gene Therapy for AB-Variant GM2 Gangliosidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14611. [PMID: 37834060 PMCID: PMC10572999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders that are characterized by the accumulation of GM2 gangliosides (GM2), leading to rapid neurological decline and death. The hydrolysis of GM2 requires the specific synthesis, processing, and combination of products of three genes-HEXA, HEXB, and GM2A-within the cell's lysosomes. Mutations in these genes result in Tay-Sachs disease, Sandhoff disease, or AB-variant GM2 gangliosidosis (ABGM2), respectively. ABGM2, the rarest of the three types, is characterized by a mutation in the GM2A gene, which encodes the GM2 activator (GM2A) protein. Being a monogenic disease, gene therapy is a plausible and likely effective method of treatment for ABGM2. This study aimed at assessing the effects of administering a one-time intravenous treatment of single-stranded Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (ssAAV9)-GM2A viral vector at a dose of 1 × 1014 vector genomes (vg) per kilogram per mouse in an ABGM2 mouse model (Gm2a-/-). ssAAV9-GM2A was administered at 1-day (neonatal) or 6-weeks of age (adult-stage). The results demonstrated that, in comparison to Gm2a-/- mice that received a vehicle injection, the treated mice had reduced GM2 accumulation within the central nervous system and had long-term persistence of vector genomes in the brain and liver. This proof-of-concept study is a step forward towards the development of a clinically therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with ABGM2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Vyas
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Natalie M. Deschenes
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Karlaina J. L. Osmon
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Zhilin Chen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (Z.C.)
| | - Imtiaz Ahmad
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Shalini Kot
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (Z.C.)
| | - Patrick Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada;
| | - Chris Richmond
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (Z.C.)
| | - Steven J. Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jagdeep S. Walia
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (Z.C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada;
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4
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Deschenes NM, Cheng C, Ryckman AE, Quinville BM, Khanal P, Mitchell M, Chen Z, Sangrar W, Gray SJ, Walia JS. Biochemical Correction of GM2 Ganglioside Accumulation in AB-Variant GM2 Gangliosidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119217. [PMID: 37298170 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
GM2 gangliosidosis is a group of genetic disorders that result in the accumulation of GM2 ganglioside (GM2) in brain cells, leading to progressive central nervous system (CNS) atrophy and premature death in patients. AB-variant GM2 gangliosidosis (ABGM2) arises from loss-of-function mutations in the GM2 activator protein (GM2AP), which is essential for the breakdown of GM2 in a key catabolic pathway required for CNS lipid homeostasis. In this study, we show that intrathecal delivery of self-complementary adeno-associated virus serotype-9 (scAAV9) harbouring a functional human GM2A transgene (scAAV9.hGM2A) can prevent GM2 accumulation in in GM2AP-deficient mice (Gm2a-/- mice). Additionally, scAAV9.hGM2A efficiently distributes to all tested regions of the CNS within 14 weeks post-injection and remains detectable for the lifespan of these animals (up to 104 weeks). Remarkably, GM2AP expression from the transgene scales with increasing doses of scAAV9.hGM2A (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 × 1011 vector genomes (vg) per mouse), and this correlates with dose-dependent correction of GM2 accumulation in the brain. No severe adverse events were observed, and comorbidities in treated mice were comparable to those in disease-free cohorts. Lastly, all doses yielded corrective outcomes. These data indicate that scAAV9.hGM2A treatment is relatively non-toxic and tolerable, and biochemically corrects GM2 accumulation in the CNS-the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with ABGM2. Importantly, these results constitute proof-of-principle for treating ABGM2 with scAAV9.hGM2A by means of a single intrathecal administration and establish a foundation for future preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Deschenes
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Camilyn Cheng
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Alex E Ryckman
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Brianna M Quinville
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Prem Khanal
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Melissa Mitchell
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Zhilin Chen
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Waheed Sangrar
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jagdeep S Walia
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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Mignani L, Guerra J, Corli M, Capoferri D, Presta M. Zebra-Sphinx: Modeling Sphingolipidoses in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054747. [PMID: 36902174 PMCID: PMC10002607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipidoses are inborn errors of metabolism due to the pathogenic mutation of genes that encode for lysosomal enzymes, transporters, or enzyme cofactors that participate in the sphingolipid catabolism. They represent a subgroup of lysosomal storage diseases characterized by the gradual lysosomal accumulation of the substrate(s) of the defective proteins. The clinical presentation of patients affected by sphingolipid storage disorders ranges from a mild progression for some juvenile- or adult-onset forms to severe/fatal infantile forms. Despite significant therapeutic achievements, novel strategies are required at basic, clinical, and translational levels to improve patient outcomes. On these bases, the development of in vivo models is crucial for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of sphingolipidoses and for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies. The teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a useful platform to model several human genetic diseases owing to the high grade of genome conservation between human and zebrafish, combined with precise genome editing and the ease of manipulation. In addition, lipidomic studies have allowed the identification in zebrafish of all of the main classes of lipids present in mammals, supporting the possibility to model diseases of the lipidic metabolism in this animal species with the advantage of using mammalian lipid databases for data processing. This review highlights the use of zebrafish as an innovative model system to gain novel insights into the pathogenesis of sphingolipidoses, with possible implications for the identification of more efficacious therapeutic approaches.
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CRISPR/nCas9-Based Genome Editing on GM2 Gangliosidoses Fibroblasts via Non-Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810672. [PMID: 36142595 PMCID: PMC9505638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The gangliosidoses GM2 are a group of pathologies mainly affecting the central nervous system due to the impaired GM2 ganglioside degradation inside the lysosome. Under physiological conditions, GM2 ganglioside is catabolized by the β-hexosaminidase A in a GM2 activator protein-dependent mechanism. In contrast, uncharged substrates such as globosides and some glycosaminoglycans can be hydrolyzed by the β-hexosaminidase B. Monogenic mutations on HEXA, HEXB, or GM2A genes arise in the Tay–Sachs (TSD), Sandhoff (SD), and AB variant diseases, respectively. In this work, we validated a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing strategy that relies on a Cas9 nickase (nCas9) as a potential approach for treating GM2 gangliosidoses using in vitro models for TSD and SD. The nCas9 contains a mutation in the catalytic RuvC domain but maintains the active HNH domain, which reduces potential off-target effects. Liposomes (LPs)- and novel magnetoliposomes (MLPs)-based vectors were used to deliver the CRISPR/nCas9 system. When LPs were used as a vector, positive outcomes were observed for the β-hexosaminidase activity, glycosaminoglycans levels, lysosome mass, and oxidative stress. In the case of MLPs, a high cytocompatibility and transfection ratio was observed, with a slight increase in the β-hexosaminidase activity and significant oxidative stress recovery in both TSD and SD cells. These results show the remarkable potential of CRISPR/nCas9 as a new alternative for treating GM2 gangliosidoses, as well as the superior performance of non-viral vectors in enhancing the potency of this therapeutic approach.
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