1
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Sousa AA, Hemez C, Lei L, Traore S, Kulhankova K, Newby GA, Doman JL, Oye K, Pandey S, Karp PH, McCray PB, Liu DR. Systematic optimization of prime editing for the efficient functional correction of CFTR F508del in human airway epithelial cells. Nat Biomed Eng 2024:10.1038/s41551-024-01233-3. [PMID: 38987629 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) enables precise and versatile genome editing without requiring double-stranded DNA breaks. Here we describe the systematic optimization of PE systems to efficiently correct human cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) F508del, a three-nucleotide deletion that is the predominant cause of CF. By combining six efficiency optimizations for PE-engineered PE guide RNAs, the PEmax architecture, the transient expression of a dominant-negative mismatch repair protein, strategic silent edits, PE6 variants and proximal 'dead' single-guide RNAs-we increased correction efficiencies for CFTR F508del from less than 0.5% in HEK293T cells to 58% in immortalized bronchial epithelial cells (a 140-fold improvement) and to 25% in patient-derived airway epithelial cells. The optimizations also resulted in minimal off-target editing, in edit-to-indel ratios 3.5-fold greater than those achieved by nuclease-mediated homology-directed repair, and in the functional restoration of CFTR ion channels to over 50% of wild-type levels (similar to those achieved via combination treatment with elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor) in primary airway cells. Our findings support the feasibility of a durable one-time treatment for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Sousa
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Colin Hemez
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Soumba Traore
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Katarina Kulhankova
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gregory A Newby
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Keyede Oye
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Philip H Karp
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Paul B McCray
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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2
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Trivedi PD, Byrne BJ, Corti M. Evolving Horizons: Adenovirus Vectors' Timeless Influence on Cancer, Gene Therapy and Vaccines. Viruses 2023; 15:2378. [PMID: 38140619 PMCID: PMC10747483 DOI: 10.3390/v15122378] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient and targeted delivery of a DNA payload is vital for developing safe gene therapy. Owing to the recent success of commercial oncolytic vector and multiple COVID-19 vaccines, adenovirus vectors are back in the spotlight. Adenovirus vectors can be used in gene therapy by altering the wild-type virus and making it replication-defective; specific viral genes can be removed and replaced with a segment that holds a therapeutic gene, and this vector can be used as delivery vehicle for tissue specific gene delivery. Modified conditionally replicative-oncolytic adenoviruses target tumors exclusively and have been studied in clinical trials extensively. This comprehensive review seeks to offer a summary of adenovirus vectors, exploring their characteristics, genetic enhancements, and diverse applications in clinical and preclinical settings. A significant emphasis is placed on their crucial role in advancing cancer therapy and the latest breakthroughs in vaccine clinical trials for various diseases. Additionally, we tackle current challenges and future avenues for optimizing adenovirus vectors, promising to open new frontiers in the fields of cell and gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (P.D.T.); (B.J.B.)
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3
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Lotfi M, Morshedi Rad D, Mashhadi SS, Ashouri A, Mojarrad M, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Farrokhi S, Hashemi M, Lotfi M, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, Abbaszadegan MR. Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 Delivery Approaches for Therapeutic Gene Editing of Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2576-2596. [PMID: 37723364 PMCID: PMC10661828 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10585-3] [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] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advancement in genome editing technologies has provided new promises for treating neoplasia, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and monogenic disorders. Recently, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has emerged as a powerful gene editing tool offering advantages, including high editing efficiency and low cost over the conventional approaches. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), with their great proliferation and differentiation potential into different cell types, have been exploited in stem cell-based therapy. The potential of hPSCs and the capabilities of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been paradigm-shifting in medical genetics for over two decades. Since hPSCs are categorized as hard-to-transfect cells, there is a critical demand to develop an appropriate and effective approach for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery into these cells. This review focuses on various strategies for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Lotfi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Dorsa Morshedi Rad
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Samaneh Sharif Mashhadi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atefeh Ashouri
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Mojarrad
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shima Farrokhi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Hashemi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marzieh Lotfi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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4
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Chavda VP, Bezbaruah R, Valu D, Patel B, Kumar A, Prasad S, Kakoti BB, Kaushik A, Jesawadawala M. Adenoviral Vector-Based Vaccine Platform for COVID-19: Current Status. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020432. [PMID: 36851309 PMCID: PMC9965371 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) breakout had an unimaginable worldwide effect in the 21st century, claiming millions of lives and putting a huge burden on the global economy. The potential developments in vaccine technologies following the determination of the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 and the increasing global efforts to bring potential vaccines and therapeutics into the market for emergency use have provided a small bright spot to this tragic event. Several intriguing vaccine candidates have been developed using recombinant technology, genetic engineering, and other vaccine development technologies. In the last decade, a vast amount of the vaccine development process has diversified towards the usage of viral vector-based vaccines. The immune response elicited by such vaccines is comparatively higher than other approved vaccine candidates that require a booster dose to provide sufficient immune protection. The non-replicating adenoviral vectors are promising vaccine carriers for infectious diseases due to better yield, cGMP-friendly manufacturing processes, safety, better efficacy, manageable shipping, and storage procedures. As of April 2022, the WHO has approved a total of 10 vaccines around the world for COVID-19 (33 vaccines approved by at least one country), among which three candidates are adenoviral vector-based vaccines. This review sheds light on the developmental summary of all the adenoviral vector-based vaccines that are under emergency use authorization (EUA) or in the different stages of development for COVID-19 management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek P. Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +91-7030-919-407
| | - Rajashri Bezbaruah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, Assam, India
| | - Disha Valu
- Drug Product Development Laboratory, Biopharma Division, Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd., Moraiya, Ahmedabad 382213, Gujarat, India
| | - Bindra Patel
- Pharmacy Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Anup Kumar
- Pharmacy Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Sanjay Prasad
- Cell and Gene Therapy Drug Product Development Laboratory, Biopharma Division, Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd., Moraiya, Ahmedabad 382213, Gujarat, India
| | - Bibhuti Bhusan Kakoti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, Assam, India
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Health Systems Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL 33805-8531, USA
| | - Mariya Jesawadawala
- Pharmacy Section, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, Gujarat, India
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5
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Martinez MG, Smekalova E, Combe E, Gregoire F, Zoulim F, Testoni B. Gene Editing Technologies to Target HBV cccDNA. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122654. [PMID: 36560658 PMCID: PMC9787400 DOI: 10.3390/v14122654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, since chronic HBV infection is associated with elevated risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current licensed therapies against HBV efficiently suppress viral replication; however, they do not have significant effects on the intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of the viral minichromosome responsible for viral persistence. Thus, life-long treatment is required to avoid viral rebound. There is a significant need for novel therapies that can reduce, silence or eradicate cccDNA, thus preventing HBV reemergence after treatment withdrawal. In this review, we discuss the latest developments and applications of gene editing and related approaches for directly targeting HBV DNA and, more specifically, cccDNA in infected hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emmanuel Combe
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), 69002 Lyon, France
- Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL1), 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France
- Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL1), 69008 Lyon, France
- Correspondence:
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6
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Demirci S, Essawi K, Germino-Watnick P, Liu X, Hakami W, Tisdale JF. Advances in CRISPR Delivery Methods: Perspectives and Challenges. CRISPR J 2022; 5:660-676. [PMID: 36260301 PMCID: PMC9835311 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of new genome editing technologies and the emphasis placed on their optimization, the genetic and phenotypic correction of a plethora of diseases sit on the horizon. Ideally, genome editing approaches would provide long-term solutions through permanent disease correction instead of simply treating patients symptomatically. Although various editing machinery options exist, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas (CRISPR-associated protein) editing technique has emerged as the most popular due to its high editing efficiency, simplicity, and affordability. However, while CRISPR technology is gradually being perfected, optimization is futile without accessible, effective, and safe delivery to the desired cell or tissue. Therefore, it is important that scientists simultaneously focus on inventing and improving delivery modalities for editing machinery as well. In this review, we will discuss the critical details of viral and nonviral delivery systems, including payload, immunogenicity, efficacy in delivery, clinical application, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selami Demirci
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Address correspondence to: Selami Demirci, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA,
| | - Khaled Essawi
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Paula Germino-Watnick
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xiong Liu
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Hakami
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - John F. Tisdale
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA; and College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Address correspondence to: John F. Tisdale, Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA,
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7
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Thampi P, Samulski RJ, Grieger JC, Phillips JN, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR. Gene therapy approaches for equine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:962898. [PMID: 36246316 PMCID: PMC9558289 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.962898] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With an intrinsically low ability for self-repair, articular cartilage injuries often progress to cartilage loss and joint degeneration resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and the associated articular cartilage changes can be debilitating, resulting in lameness and functional disability both in human and equine patients. While articular cartilage damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OA, the contribution of other joint tissues to the pathogenesis of OA has increasingly been recognized thus prompting a whole organ approach for therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy methods have generated significant interest in OA therapy in recent years. These utilize viral or non-viral vectors to deliver therapeutic molecules directly into the joint space with the goal of reprogramming the cells' machinery to secrete high levels of the target protein at the site of injection. Several viral vector-based approaches have demonstrated successful gene transfer with persistent therapeutic levels of transgene expression in the equine joint. As an experimental model, horses represent the pathology of human OA more accurately compared to other animal models. The anatomical and biomechanical similarities between equine and human joints also allow for the use of similar imaging and diagnostic methods as used in humans. In addition, horses experience naturally occurring OA and undergo similar therapies as human patients and, therefore, are a clinically relevant patient population. Thus, further studies utilizing this equine model would not only help advance the field of human OA therapy but also benefit the clinical equine patients with naturally occurring joint disease. In this review, we discuss the advancements in gene therapeutic approaches for the treatment of OA with the horse as a relevant patient population as well as an effective and commonly utilized species as a translational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy Thampi
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joshua C. Grieger
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer N. Phillips
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - C. Wayne McIlwraith
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Laurie R. Goodrich
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States,*Correspondence: Laurie R. Goodrich
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8
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Biegert GWG, Rosewell Shaw A, Suzuki M. Current development in adenoviral vectors for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 23:571-581. [PMID: 34938857 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenoviruses are well characterized and thus easily modified to generate oncolytic vectors that directly lyse tumor cells and can be "armed" with transgenes to promote lysis, antigen presentation, and immunostimulation. Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) are safe, versatile, and potent immunostimulants in patients. Since transgene expression is restricted to the tumor, adenoviral transgenes overcome the toxicities and short half-life of systemically administered cytokines, immune checkpoint blockade molecules, and bispecific T cell engagers. While OAds expressing immunostimulatory molecules ("armed" OAds) have demonstrated anti-tumor potential in preclinical solid tumor models, the efficacy has not translated into significant clinical outcomes as a monotherapy. However, OAds synergize with established standards of care and novel immunotherapeutic agents, providing a multifaceted means to address complexities associated with solid tumors. Critically, armed OAds revitalize endogenous and adoptively transferred immune cells while simultaneously enhancing their anti-tumor function. To properly evaluate these novel vectors and reduce the gap in the cycle between bench-to-bedside and back, improving model systems must be a priority. The future of OAds will involve a multidimensional approach that provides immunostimulatory molecules, immune checkpoint blockade, and/or immune engagers in concert with endogenous and exogenous immune cells to initiate durable and comprehensive anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greyson Willis Grossman Biegert
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amanda Rosewell Shaw
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masataka Suzuki
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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9
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Brücher D, Franc V, Smith SN, Heck AJR, Plückthun A. Malignant tissues produce divergent antibody glycosylation of relevance for cancer gene therapy effectiveness. MAbs 2021; 12:1792084. [PMID: 32643525 PMCID: PMC7531505 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1792084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy approaches now allow for the production of therapeutic antibodies by healthy or cancerous human tissues directly in vivo, and, with an increasing number of gene delivery methods available, the cell type for expression can be chosen. Yet, little is known about the biophysical changes introduced by expressing antibodies from producer cells or tissues targeted by gene therapy approaches, nor about the consequences for the type of glycosylation. The effects of different glycosylation on therapeutic antibodies have been well studied by controlling their glycan compositions in non-human mammalian production cells, i.e., Chinese hamster ovary cells. Therefore, we investigated the glycosylation state of clinically approved antibodies secreted from cancer tissues frequently targeted by in vivo gene therapy, using native mass spectrometry and glycoproteomics. We found that antibody sialylation and fucosylation depended on the producer tissue and the antibody isotype, allowing us to identify optimal producer cell types according to the desired mode of action of the antibody. Furthermore, we discovered that high amounts (>20%) of non-glycosylated antibodies were produced in cells sensitive to the action of the produced antibodies. Different glycosylation in different producer cells can translate into an altered potency of in-vivo produced antibodies, depending on the desired mode of action, and can affect their serum half-lives. These results increase our knowledge about antibodies produced from cells targeted by gene therapy, enabling development of improved cancer gene therapy vectors that can include in vivo glycoengineering of expressed antibodies to optimize their efficacies, depending on the desired mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Brücher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vojtech Franc
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Center , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sheena N Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Utrecht , Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Proteomics Center , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Weklak D, Pembaur D, Koukou G, Jönsson F, Hagedorn C, Kreppel F. Genetic and Chemical Capsid Modifications of Adenovirus Vectors to Modulate Vector-Host Interactions. Viruses 2021; 13:1300. [PMID: 34372506 PMCID: PMC8310343 DOI: 10.3390/v13071300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus-based vectors are playing an important role as efficacious genetic vaccines to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, they have an enormous potential as oncolytic vectors for virotherapy and as vectors for classic gene therapy. However, numerous vector-host interactions on a cellular and noncellular level, including specific components of the immune system, must be modulated in order to generate safe and efficacious vectors for virotherapy or classic gene therapy. Importantly, the current widespread use of Ad vectors as vaccines against COVID-19 will induce antivector immunity in many humans. This requires the development of strategies and techniques to enable Ad-based vectors to evade pre-existing immunity. In this review article, we discuss the current status of genetic and chemical capsid modifications as means to modulate the vector-host interactions of Ad-based vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Florian Kreppel
- Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Street 10, 58453 Witten, Germany; (D.W.); (D.P.); (G.K.); (F.J.); (C.H.)
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11
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Capsid and Genome Modification Strategies to Reduce the Immunogenicity of Adenoviral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052417. [PMID: 33670859 PMCID: PMC7957472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus-based gene transfer vectors are the most frequently used vector type in gene therapy clinical trials to date, and they play an important role as genetic vaccine candidates during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Immediately upon delivery, adenovirus-based vectors exhibit multiple complex vector-host interactions and induce innate and adaptive immune responses. This can severely limit their safety and efficacy, particularly after delivery through the blood stream. In this review article we summarize two strategies to modulate Ad vector-induced immune responses: extensive genomic and chemical capsid modifications. Both strategies have shown beneficial effects in a number of preclinical studies while potential synergistic effects warrant further investigations.
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Rai N, Shihan M, Seeger W, Schermuly RT, Novoyatleva T. Genetic Delivery and Gene Therapy in Pulmonary Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031179. [PMID: 33503992 PMCID: PMC7865388 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive complex fatal disease of multiple etiologies. Hyperproliferation and resistance to apoptosis of vascular cells of intimal, medial, and adventitial layers of pulmonary vessels trigger excessive pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction in the course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a subgroup of PH. Multiple gene mutation/s or dysregulated gene expression contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH by endorsing the proliferation and promoting the resistance to apoptosis of pulmonary vascular cells. Given the vital role of these cells in PAH progression, the development of safe and efficient-gene therapeutic approaches that lead to restoration or down-regulation of gene expression, generally involved in the etiology of the disease is the need of the hour. Currently, none of the FDA-approved drugs provides a cure against PH, hence innovative tools may offer a novel treatment paradigm for this progressive and lethal disorder by silencing pathological genes, expressing therapeutic proteins, or through gene-editing applications. Here, we review the effectiveness and limitations of the presently available gene therapy approaches for PH. We provide a brief survey of commonly existing and currently applicable gene transfer methods for pulmonary vascular cells in vitro and describe some more recent developments for gene delivery existing in the field of PH in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabham Rai
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Mazen Shihan
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Werner Seeger
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph T. Schermuly
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
| | - Tatyana Novoyatleva
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (M.S.); (W.S.); (R.T.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Brücher D, Kirchhammer N, Smith SN, Schumacher J, Schumacher N, Kolibius J, Freitag PC, Schmid M, Weiss F, Keller C, Grove M, Greber UF, Zippelius A, Plückthun A. iMATCH: an integrated modular assembly system for therapeutic combination high-capacity adenovirus gene therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 20:572-586. [PMID: 33665227 PMCID: PMC7890373 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adenovirus-mediated combination gene therapies have shown promising results in vaccination or treating malignant and genetic diseases. Nevertheless, an efficient system for the rapid assembly and incorporation of therapeutic genes into high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HCAdVs) is still missing. In this study, we developed the iMATCH (integrated modular assembly for therapeutic combination HCAdVs) platform, which enables the generation and production of HCAdVs encoding therapeutic combinations in high quantity and purity within 3 weeks. Our modular cloning system facilitates the efficient combination of up to four expression cassettes and the rapid integration into HCAdV genomes with defined sizes. Helper viruses (HVs) and purification protocols were optimized to produce HCAdVs with distinct capsid modifications and unprecedented purity (0.1 ppm HVs). The constitution of HCAdVs, with adapters for targeting and a shield of trimerized single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for reduced liver clearance, mediated cell- and organ-specific targeting of HCAdVs. As proof of concept, we show that a single HCAdV encoding an anti PD-1 antibody, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-2 produced all proteins, and it led to tumor regression and prolonged survival in tumor models, comparable to a mixture of single payload HCAdVs in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the iMATCH system provides a versatile platform for the generation of high-capacity gene therapy vectors with a high potential for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Brücher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Kirchhammer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sheena N. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jatina Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nina Schumacher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Kolibius
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick C. Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Schmid
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Inselspital, INO-F, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Corina Keller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Grove
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs F. Greber
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alfred Zippelius
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Corresponding author: Andreas Plückthun, Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Mashel TV, Tarakanchikova YV, Muslimov AR, Zyuzin MV, Timin AS, Lepik KV, Fehse B. Overcoming the delivery problem for therapeutic genome editing: Current status and perspective of non-viral methods. Biomaterials 2020; 258:120282. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ghosh S, Brown AM, Jenkins C, Campbell K. Viral Vector Systems for Gene Therapy: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Progress and Biosafety Challenges. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2020; 25:7-18. [PMID: 36033383 PMCID: PMC9134621 DOI: 10.1177/1535676019899502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines gene therapy as an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases (including inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections), the technique remains risky and is still under study to make sure that it will be effective and safe. METHODS Applications of viral vectors and nonviral gene delivery systems have found an encouraging new beginning in gene therapy in recent years. Although several viral vectors and nonviral gene delivery systems have been developed in the past 3 decades, no one delivery system can be applied in gene therapy to all cell types in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the use of viral vector systems (both in vitro and in vivo) present unique occupational health and safety challenges. In this review article, we discuss the biosafety challenges and the current framework of risk assessment for working with the viral vector systems. DISCUSSION The recent advances in the field of gene therapy is exciting, but it is important for scientists, institutional biosafety committees, and biosafety officers to safeguard public trust in the use of this technology in clinical trials and make conscious efforts to engage the public through ongoing forums and discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Ghosh
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alex M. Brown
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chris Jenkins
- Clinical Biosafety Services, A Division of Sabai Global, Wildwood, MO, USA
| | - Katie Campbell
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
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Lee D, Liu J, Junn HJ, Lee EJ, Jeong KS, Seol DW. No more helper adenovirus: production of gutless adenovirus (GLAd) free of adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA) contaminants. Exp Mol Med 2019; 51:1-18. [PMID: 31659156 PMCID: PMC6817846 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-019-0334-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is emerging as an effective treatment option for various inherited genetic diseases. Gutless adenovirus (GLAd), also known as helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd), has many notable characteristics as a gene delivery vector for this particular type of gene therapy, including broad tropism, high infectivity, a large transgene cargo capacity, and an absence of integration into the host genome. Additionally, GLAd ensures long-term transgene expression in host organisms owing to its minimal immunogenicity, since it was constructed following the deletion of all the genes from an adenovirus. However, the clinical use of GLAd for the treatment of inherited genetic diseases has been hampered by unavoidable contamination of the highly immunogenic adenovirus used as a helper for GLAd production. Here, we report the production of GLAd in the absence of a helper adenovirus, which was achieved with a helper plasmid instead. Utilizing this helper plasmid, we successfully produced large quantities of recombinant GLAd. Importantly, our helper plasmid-based system exclusively produced recombinant GLAd with no generation of helper plasmid-originating adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA). The recombinant GLAd that was produced efficiently delivered transgenes regardless of their size and exhibited therapeutic potential for Huntington’s disease (HD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Our data indicate that our helper plasmid-based GLAd production system could become a new platform for GLAd-based gene therapy. A new protocol allows for the manufacturing of a next-generation gene therapy vector without contamination of helper adenovirus and replication-competent adenovirus (RCA). Adenoviruses are often used to deliver therapeutic DNA, but their proteins can trigger immune reactions. So-called ‘gutless’ adenoviruses that lack all viral genes don’t cause the same problem but their production has traditionally relied on a helper adenovirus that remains as an unavoidable contaminant. A team led by Dai-Wu Seol from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea, has now prepared large quantities of gutless adenoviruses using helper plasmid, a circular DNA that encodes all the proteins needed for production of gutless adenoviruses but do not leave behind any contaminant adenoviruses. Gutless adenoviruse vectors made this way successfully delivered corrected copies of the faulty genes responsible for human diseseas into human cells and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwoo Lee
- Genenmed Inc., 84 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jida Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Junn
- Genenmed Inc., 84 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Joo Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Shik Jeong
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City, Republic of Korea
| | - Dai-Wu Seol
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Viral Delivery Systems for CRISPR. Viruses 2019; 11:v11010028. [PMID: 30621179 PMCID: PMC6356701 DOI: 10.3390/v11010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The frontiers of precision medicine have been revolutionized by the development of Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 as an editing tool. CRISPR/Cas9 has been used to develop animal models, understand disease mechanisms, and validate treatment targets. In addition, it is regarded as an effective tool for genome surgery when combined with viral delivery vectors. In this article, we will explore the various viral mechanisms for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 into tissues and cells, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each method. We will also review the history and recent development of CRISPR and viral vectors and discuss their applications as a powerful tool in furthering our exploration of disease mechanisms and therapies.
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Li C, Psatha N, Wang H, Singh M, Samal HB, Zhang W, Ehrhardt A, Izsvák Z, Papayannopoulou T, Lieber A. Integrating HDAd5/35++ Vectors as a New Platform for HSC Gene Therapy of Hemoglobinopathies. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2018; 9:142-152. [PMID: 29766024 PMCID: PMC5948227 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We generated an integrating, CD46-targeted, helper-dependent adenovirus HDAd5/35++ vector system for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy. The ∼12-kb transgene cassette included a β-globin locus control region (LCR)/promoter driven human γ-globin gene and an elongation factor alpha-1 (EF1α)-mgmtP140K expression cassette, which allows for drug-controlled increase of γ-globin-expressing erythrocytes. We transduced bone marrow lineage-depleted cells from human CD46-transgenic mice and transplanted them into lethally irradiated recipients. The percentage of γ-globin-positive cells in peripheral blood erythrocytes in primary and secondary transplant recipients was stable and greater than 90%. The γ-globin level was 10%-20% of adult mouse globin. Transgene integration, mediated by a hyperactive Sleeping Beauty SB100x transposase, was random, without a preference for genes. A second set of studies was performed with peripheral blood CD34+ cells from mobilized donors. 10 weeks after transplantation of transduced cells, human cells were harvested from the bone marrow and differentiated ex vivo into erythroid cells. Erythroid cells expressed γ-globin at a level of 20% of adult α-globin. Our studies suggest that HDAd35++ vectors allow for efficient transduction of long-term repopulating HSCs and high-level, almost pancellular γ-globin expression in erythrocytes. Furthermore, our HDAd5/35++ vectors have a larger insert capacity and a safer integration pattern than currently used lentivirus vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357720, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nikoletta Psatha
- Division of Hematology Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357720, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13092 Germany
| | | | - Wenli Zhang
- Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, 58448, Germany
| | | | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, 13092 Germany
| | - Thalia Papayannopoulou
- Division of Hematology Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - André Lieber
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357720, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Abstract
Curing a genetic disease by repairing the underlying genetic defect is a fascinating concept that has been addressed so far by gene compensation therapy. For this, a functional copy of the gene in question together with elements controlling its expression is produced as a vector and introduced ex vivo into the patient's own cells that subsequently are reinfused. Alternatively, vectors are administered directly in vivo. Although this strategy resulted in impressive therapeutic benefits for patients, the ultimate goal of gene therapy, i.e., a cure by repairing the actual genetic or epigenetic defect, remained an unresolved task. With the advent of designer DNA-binding domains, this goal is coming into reach. These domains are either combined with nucleases and used as molecular precision scissors for introducing DNA breaks at defined sites in the cell's genome preparing for position-selective DNA repair, or they are used as programmable DNA-binding units for positioning epigenome-modifying domains to predefined target sequences. However, for reaching its full potential, these components need to be delivered into cells in an efficient and safe manner. Here, we summarize current viral and non-viral delivery approaches applicable for genome and epigenome editing and discuss their respective advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Just
- Laboratory for Infection Biology & Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Laboratory for Infection Biology & Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- Laboratory for AAV Vector Development, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.
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