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Mandalawatta HP, Rajendra K, Fairfax K, Hewitt AW. Emerging trends in virus and virus-like particle gene therapy delivery to the brain. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102280. [PMID: 39206077 PMCID: PMC11350507 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in gene therapy and gene-editing techniques offer the very real potential for successful treatment of neurological diseases. However, drug delivery constraints continue to impede viable therapeutic interventions targeting the brain due to its anatomical complexity and highly restrictive microvasculature that is impervious to many molecules. Realizing the therapeutic potential of gene-based therapies requires robust encapsulation and safe and efficient delivery to the target cells. Although viral vectors have been widely used for targeted delivery of gene-based therapies, drawbacks such as host genome integration, prolonged expression, undesired off-target mutations, and immunogenicity have led to the development of alternative strategies. Engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs) are an emerging, promising platform that can be engineered to achieve neurotropism through pseudotyping. This review outlines strategies to improve eVLP neurotropism for therapeutic brain delivery of gene-editing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K.C. Rajendra
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Kirsten Fairfax
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Alex W. Hewitt
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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Esparza TJ, Su S, Francescutti CM, Rodionova E, Kim JH, Brody DL. Enhanced in vivo blood brain barrier transcytosis of macromolecular cargo using an engineered pH-sensitive mouse transferrin receptor binding nanobody. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:64. [PMID: 37620930 PMCID: PMC10463325 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blood brain barrier limits entry of macromolecular diagnostic and therapeutic cargos. Blood brain barrier transcytosis via receptor mediated transport systems, such as the transferrin receptor, can be used to carry macromolecular cargos with variable efficiency. Transcytosis involves trafficking through acidified intracellular vesicles, but it is not known whether pH-dependent unbinding of transport shuttles can be used to improve blood brain barrier transport efficiency. METHODS A mouse transferrin receptor binding nanobody, NIH-mTfR-M1, was engineered to confer greater unbinding at pH 5.5 vs 7.4 by introducing multiple histidine mutations. The histidine mutant nanobodies were coupled to neurotensin for in vivo functional blood brain barrier transcytosis testing via central neurotensin-mediated hypothermia in wild-type mice. Multi-nanobody constructs including the mutant M1R56H, P96H, Y102H and two copies of the P2X7 receptor-binding 13A7 nanobody were produced to test proof-of-concept macromolecular cargo transport in vivo using quantitatively verified capillary depleted brain lysates and in situ histology. RESULTS The most effective histidine mutant, M1R56H, P96H, Y102H-neurotensin, caused > 8 °C hypothermia after 25 nmol/kg intravenous injection. Levels of the heterotrimeric construct M1R56H, P96H, Y102H-13A7-13A7 in capillary depleted brain lysates peaked at 1 h and were 60% retained at 8 h. A control construct with no brain targets was only 15% retained at 8 h. Addition of the albumin-binding Nb80 nanobody to make M1R56H, P96H, Y102H-13A7-13A7-Nb80 extended blood half-life from 21 min to 2.6 h. At 30-60 min, biotinylated M1R56H, P96H, Y102H-13A7-13A7-Nb80 was visualized in capillaries using in situ histochemistry, whereas at 2-16 h it was detected in diffuse hippocampal and cortical cellular structures. Levels of M1R56H, P96H, Y102H-13A7-13A7-Nb80 reached more than 3.5 percent injected dose/gram of brain tissue after 30 nmol/kg intravenous injection. However, higher injected concentrations did not result in higher brain levels, compatible with saturation and an apparent substrate inhibitory effect. CONCLUSION The pH-sensitive mouse transferrin receptor binding nanobody M1R56H, P96H, Y102H may be a useful tool for rapid and efficient modular transport of diagnostic and therapeutic macromolecular cargos across the blood brain barrier in mouse models. Additional development will be required to determine whether this nanobody-based shuttle system will be useful for imaging and fast-acting therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Esparza
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shiran Su
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Elvira Rodionova
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joong Hee Kim
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David L Brody
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Moos T, Thomsen MS, Burkhart A, Hede E, Laczek B. Targeted transport of biotherapeutics at the blood-brain barrier. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1823-1838. [PMID: 38059358 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2292697] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of neurological diseases is significantly hampered by the lack of available therapeutics. A major restraint for the development of drugs is denoted by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which precludes the transfer of biotherapeutics to the brain due to size restraints. AREAS COVERED Novel optimism for transfer of biotherapeutics to the brain has been generated via development of targeted therapeutics to nutrient transporters expressed by brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs). Targeting approaches with antibodies acting as biological drug carriers allow for proteins and genetic material to enter the brain, and qualified therapy using targeted proteins for protein replacement has been observed in preclinical models and now emerging in the clinic. Viral vectors denote an alternative for protein delivery to the brain by uptake and transduction of BCECs, or by transport through the BBB leading to neuronal transduction. EXPERT OPINION The breaching of the BBB to large molecules has opened for treatment of diseases in the brain. A sturdier understanding of how biotherapeutics undergo transport through the BBB and how successful transport into the brain can be monitored is required to further improve the translation from successful preclinical studies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Moos
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Maj Schneider Thomsen
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Annette Burkhart
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Eva Hede
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Bartosz Laczek
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Choi ES, Shusta EV. Strategies to identify, engineer, and validate antibodies targeting blood-brain barrier receptor-mediated transcytosis systems for CNS drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1789-1800. [PMID: 38007619 PMCID: PMC10842915 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2286371] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Numerous therapeutics for neurological diseases have been developed, but many have failed in clinical trials in part due to limited brain bioavailability, mainly stemming from inefficient transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). One potential approach to noninvasive, BBB-targeted drug delivery to the brain is the use of engineered antibodies as delivery vehicles that can transport conjugated drug cargo across the BBB and into the brain via receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT). Effective development of these RMT targeting systems includes novel target discovery, along with antibody engineering and subsequent validation. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on both known and emerging RMT systems, targeting antibody properties in relation to BBB trafficking, and antibody validation strategies. EXPERT OPINION Clinical development of known RMT targeting systems and identification of novel BBB RMT targets will be complementary strategies for overcoming the BBB in central nervous system (CNS) disease treatment. The search for new RMT targets with higher brain specificity and enriched expression in the brain has given rise to some new targets which may offer unique benefits. It is our opinion that the expansion of BBB RMT system identification, along with targeting molecule engineering and validation strategies, will substantially contribute to the treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Seo Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Eric V Shusta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
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Esparza TJ, Su S, Francescutti CM, Rodionova E, Kim JH, Brody DL. Enhanced in Vivo Blood Brain Barrier Transcytosis of Macromolecular Cargo Using an Engineered pH-sensitive Mouse Transferrin Receptor Binding Nanobody. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.26.538462. [PMID: 37333358 PMCID: PMC10274906 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.26.538462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Background The blood brain barrier limits entry of macromolecular diagnostic and therapeutic cargos. Blood brain barrier transcytosis via receptor mediated transport systems, such as the transferrin receptor, can be used to carry macromolecular cargos with variable efficiency. Transcytosis involves trafficking through acidified intracellular vesicles, but it is not known whether pH-dependent unbinding of transport shuttles can be used to improve blood brain barrier transport efficiency. Methods A mouse transferrin receptor binding nanobody, NIH-mTfR-M1, was engineered to confer greater unbinding at pH 5.5 vs 7.4 by introducing multiple histidine mutations. The histidine mutant nanobodies were coupled to neurotensin for in vivo functional blood brain barrier transcytosis testing via central neurotensin-mediated hypothermia in wild-type mice. Multi-nanobody constructs including the mutant M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H and two copies of the P2X7 receptor-binding 13A7 nanobody were produced to test proof-of-concept macromolecular cargo transport in vivo using quantitatively verified capillary depleted brain lysates and in situ histology. Results The most effective histidine mutant, M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H -neurotensin, caused >8°C hypothermia after 25 nmol/kg intravenous injection. Levels of the heterotrimeric construct M1 56,96,102His -13A7-13A7 in capillary depleted brain lysates peaked at 1 hour and were 60% retained at 8 hours. A control construct with no brain targets was only 15% retained at 8 hours. Addition of the albumin-binding Nb80 nanobody to make M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H -13A7-13A7-Nb80 extended blood half-life from 21 minutes to 2.6 hours. At 30-60 minutes, biotinylated M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H -13A7-13A7-Nb80 was visualized in capillaries using in situ histochemistry, whereas at 2-16 hours it was detected in diffuse hippocampal and cortical cellular structures. Levels of M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H -13A7-13A7-Nb80 reached more than 3.5 percent injected dose/gram of brain tissue after 30 nmol/kg intravenous injection. However, higher injected concentrations did not result in higher brain levels, compatible with saturation and an apparent substrate inhibitory effect. Conclusion The pH-sensitive mouse transferrin receptor binding nanobody M1 R56H, P96H, Y102H may be a useful tool for rapid and efficient modular transport of diagnostic and therapeutic macromolecular cargos across the blood brain barrier in mouse models. Additional development will be required to determine whether this nanobody-based shuttle system will be useful for imaging and fast-acting therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Esparza
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Shiran Su
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | | | - Elvira Rodionova
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Joong Hee Kim
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - David L. Brody
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
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Pardridge WM. Advanced Blood-Brain Barrier Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010093. [PMID: 36678722 PMCID: PMC9866552 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue of Pharmaceutics, "Advanced Blood-Brain Barrier Drug Delivery," comprises 16 articles or reviews, which cover a cross-section of brain drug delivery for either small-molecule or large-molecule therapeutics [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Pardridge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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