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Muñoz S, Bertolin J, Jimenez V, Jaén ML, Garcia M, Pujol A, Vilà L, Sacristan V, Barbon E, Ronzitti G, El Andari J, Tulalamba W, Pham QH, Ruberte J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Grimm D, Mingozzi F, Bosch F. Treatment of infantile-onset Pompe disease in a rat model with muscle-directed AAV gene therapy. Mol Metab 2024; 81:101899. [PMID: 38346589 PMCID: PMC10877955 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pompe disease (PD) is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA), leading to progressive glycogen accumulation and severe myopathy with progressive muscle weakness. In the Infantile-Onset PD (IOPD), death generally occurs <1 year of age. There is no cure for IOPD. Mouse models of PD do not completely reproduce human IOPD severity. Our main objective was to generate the first IOPD rat model to assess an innovative muscle-directed adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy. METHODS PD rats were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The novel highly myotropic bioengineered capsid AAVMYO3 and an optimized muscle-specific promoter in conjunction with a transcriptional cis-regulatory element were used to achieve robust Gaa expression in the entire muscular system. Several metabolic, molecular, histopathological, and functional parameters were measured. RESULTS PD rats showed early-onset widespread glycogen accumulation, hepato- and cardiomegaly, decreased body and tissue weight, severe impaired muscle function and decreased survival, closely resembling human IOPD. Treatment with AAVMYO3-Gaa vectors resulted in widespread expression of Gaa in muscle throughout the body, normalizing glycogen storage pathology, restoring muscle mass and strength, counteracting cardiomegaly and normalizing survival rate. CONCLUSIONS This gene therapy holds great potential to treat glycogen metabolism alterations in IOPD. Moreover, the AAV-mediated approach may be exploited for other inherited muscle diseases, which also are limited by the inefficient widespread delivery of therapeutic transgenes throughout the muscular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Muñoz
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Joan Bertolin
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Veronica Jimenez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Jaén
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Miquel Garcia
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Anna Pujol
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laia Vilà
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Victor Sacristan
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Elena Barbon
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, BioQuant Center, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jesus Ruberte
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, BioQuant Center, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Fatima Bosch
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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Abstract
Extensive preclinical research over the past 30 years has culminated in the recent regulatory approval of several gene therapy products for hemophilia. Based on the efficacy and safety data in a recently conducted phase III clinical trial, Roctavian® (valoctocogene roxaparvovec), an adeno-associated viral (AAV5) vector expressing a B domain deleted factor VIII (FVIII) complementary DNA, was approved by the European Commission and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia A. In addition, Hemgenix® (etranacogene dezaparvovec) was also recently approved by the European Medicines Agency and the FDA for the treatment of patients with severe hemophilia B. This product is based on an AAV5 vector expressing a hyper-active factor IX (FIX) transgene (FIX-Padua) transgene. All AAV-based phase III clinical trials to date show a significant increase in FVIII or FIX levels in the majority of treated patients, consistent with a substantial decrease in bleeding episodes and a concomitant reduction in factor usage obviating the need for factor prophylaxis in most patients. However, significant interpatient variability remains that is not fully understood. Moreover, most patients encountered short-term asymptomatic liver inflammation that was treated by immune suppression with corticosteroids or other immune suppressants. In all phase III trials to date, FIX expression has appeared relatively more stable than FVIII, though individual patients also had prolonged FVIII expression. Whether lifelong expression of clotting factors can be realized after gene therapy requires longer follow-up studies. Further preclinical development of next-generation gene editing technologies offers new prospects for the development of a sustained cure for hemophilia, not only in adults, but ultimately in children with hemophilia too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries De Wolf
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Hemophilia "A" gene therapy: Lost in translation. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3508-3509. [PMID: 36417911 PMCID: PMC9734077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Thierry VandenDriessche, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Marinee K. Chuah, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Tipanee J, Samara-Kuko E, Gevaert T, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Universal allogeneic CAR T cells engineered with Sleeping Beauty transposons and CRISPR-CAS9 for cancer immunotherapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3155-3175. [PMID: 35711141 PMCID: PMC9552804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with inactivated donor T cell receptor (TCR) expression can be used as an "off-the-shelf" therapeutic modality for lymphoid malignancies, thus offering an attractive alternative to autologous, patient-derived T cells. Current approaches for T cell engineering mainly rely on the use of viral vectors. Here, we optimized and validated a non-viral genetic modification platform based on Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposons delivered with minicircles to express CD19-28z.CAR and CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoparticles to inactivate allogeneic TCRs. Efficient TCR gene disruption was achieved with minimal cytotoxicity and with attainment of robust and stable CD19-28z.CAR expression. The CAR T cells were responsive to CD19+ tumor cells with antitumor activities that induced complete tumor remission in NALM6 tumor-bearing mice while significantly reducing TCR alloreactivity and GvHD development. Single CAR signaling induced the similar T cell signaling signatures in TCR-disrupted CAR T cells and control CAR T cells. In contrast, TCR disruption inhibited T cell signaling/protein phosphorylation compared with the control CAR T cells during dual CAR/TCR signaling. This non-viral SB transposon-CRISPR-Cas9 combination strategy serves as an alternative for generating next-generation CD19-specific CAR T while reducing GvHD risk and easing potential manufacturing constraints intrinsic to viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building D, Room D365, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building D, Room D365, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thierry Gevaert
- Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology Centre University Hospital Brussels (Universitair Ziekenhuis (UZ) Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building D, Room D365, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building D, Room D365, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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El Andari J, Renaud-Gabardos E, Tulalamba W, Weinmann J, Mangin L, Pham QH, Hille S, Bennett A, Attebi E, Bourges E, Leborgne C, Guerchet N, Fakhiri J, Krämer C, Wiedtke E, McKenna R, Guianvarc’h L, Toueille M, Ronzitti G, Hebben M, Mingozzi F, VandenDriessche T, Agbandje-McKenna M, Müller OJ, Chuah MK, Buj-Bello A, Grimm D. Semirational bioengineering of AAV vectors with increased potency and specificity for systemic gene therapy of muscle disorders. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabn4704. [PMID: 36129972 PMCID: PMC9491714 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Bioengineering of viral vectors for therapeutic gene delivery is a pivotal strategy to reduce doses, facilitate manufacturing, and improve efficacy and patient safety. Here, we engineered myotropic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors via a semirational, combinatorial approach that merges AAV capsid and peptide library screens. We first identified shuffled AAVs with increased specificity in the murine skeletal muscle, diaphragm, and heart, concurrent with liver detargeting. Next, we boosted muscle specificity by displaying a myotropic peptide on the capsid surface. In a mouse model of X-linked myotubular myopathy, the best vectors-AAVMYO2 and AAVMYO3-prolonged survival, corrected growth, restored strength, and ameliorated muscle fiber size and centronucleation. In a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, our lead capsid induced robust microdystrophin expression and improved muscle function. Our pipeline is compatible with complementary AAV genome bioengineering strategies, as demonstrated here with two promoters, and could benefit many clinical applications beyond muscle gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihad El Andari
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edith Renaud-Gabardos
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Louise Mangin
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Susanne Hille
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Antonette Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | - Julia Fakhiri
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chiara Krämer
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mavis Agbandje-McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Structural Biology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Oliver J. Müller
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105 Kiel, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ana Buj-Bello
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Dastidar S, Majumdar D, Tipanee J, Singh K, Klein AF, Furling D, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Comprehensive transcriptome-wide analysis of spliceopathy correction of myotonic dystrophy using CRISPR-Cas9 in iPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes. Mol Ther 2022; 30:75-91. [PMID: 34371182 PMCID: PMC8753376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CTG repeat expansion (CTGexp) is associated with aberrant alternate splicing that contributes to cardiac dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Excision of this CTGexp repeat using CRISPR-Cas resulted in the disappearance of punctate ribonuclear foci in cardiomyocyte-like cells derived from DM1-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This was associated with correction of the underlying spliceopathy as determined by RNA sequencing and alternate splicing analysis. Certain genes were of particular interest due to their role in cardiac development, maturation, and function (TPM4, CYP2J2, DMD, MBNL3, CACNA1H, ROCK2, ACTB) or their association with splicing (SMN2, GCFC2, MBNL3). Moreover, while comparing isogenic CRISPR-Cas9-corrected versus non-corrected DM1 cardiomyocytes, a prominent difference in the splicing pattern for a number of candidate genes was apparent pertaining to genes that are associated with cardiac function (TNNT, TNNT2, TTN, TPM1, SYNE1, CACNA1A, MTMR1, NEBL, TPM1), cellular signaling (NCOR2, CLIP1, LRRFIP2, CLASP1, CAMK2G), and other DM1-related genes (i.e., NUMA1, MBNL2, LDB3) in addition to the disease-causing DMPK gene itself. Subsequent validation using a selected gene subset, including MBNL1, MBNL2, INSR, ADD3, and CRTC2, further confirmed correction of the spliceopathy following CTGexp repeat excision. To our knowledge, the present study provides the first comprehensive unbiased transcriptome-wide analysis of the differential splicing landscape in DM1 patient-derived cardiac cells after excision of the CTGexp repeat using CRISPR-Cas9, showing reversal of the abnormal cardiac spliceopathy in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Debanjana Majumdar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnaud F. Klein
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Marinee K. Chuah, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Thierry VandenDriessche, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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7
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Malerba A, Sidoli C, Lu-Nguyen N, Herath S, Le Heron A, Abdul-Razak H, Jarmin S, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Dickson G, Popplewell L. Dose-Dependent Microdystrophin Expression Enhancement in Cardiac Muscle by a Cardiac-Specific Regulatory Element. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:1138-1146. [PMID: 33765840 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disease that affects 1:5,000 live male births and is characterized by muscle wasting. By the age of 13 years, affected individuals are often wheelchair bound and suffer from respiratory and cardiac failure, which results in premature death. Although the administration of corticosteroids and ventilation can relieve the symptoms and extend the patients' lifespan, currently no cure exists for DMD. Among the different approaches under preclinical and clinical testing, gene therapy, using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, is one of the most promising. In this study, we delivered intravenously AAV9 vectors expressing the microdystrophin MD1 (ΔR4-R23/ΔCT) under control of the synthetic muscle-specific promoter Spc5-12 and assessed the effect of adding a cardiac-specific cis-regulatory module (designated as CS-CRM4) on its expression profile in skeletal and cardiac muscles. Results show that Spc5-12 promoter, in combination with an AAV serotype that has high tropism for the heart, drives high MD1 expression levels in cardiac muscle in mdx mice. The additional regulatory element CS-CRM4 can further improve MD1 expression in cardiac muscles, but its effect is dose dependent and enhancement becomes evident only at lower vector doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Malerba
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Sidoli
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Ngoc Lu-Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Shan Herath
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Le Heron
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Hayder Abdul-Razak
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Jarmin
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - George Dickson
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Weinmann J, Weis S, Sippel J, Tulalamba W, Remes A, El Andari J, Herrmann AK, Pham QH, Borowski C, Hille S, Schönberger T, Frey N, Lenter M, VandenDriessche T, Müller OJ, Chuah MK, Lamla T, Grimm D. Identification of a myotropic AAV by massively parallel in vivo evaluation of barcoded capsid variants. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5432. [PMID: 33116134 PMCID: PMC7595228 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19230-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) forms the basis for several commercial gene therapy products and for countless gene transfer vectors derived from natural or synthetic viral isolates that are under intense preclinical evaluation. Here, we report a versatile pipeline that enables the direct side-by-side comparison of pre-selected AAV capsids in high-throughput and in the same animal, by combining DNA/RNA barcoding with multiplexed next-generation sequencing. For validation, we create three independent libraries comprising 183 different AAV variants including widely used benchmarks and screened them in all major tissues in adult mice. Thereby, we discover a peptide-displaying AAV9 mutant called AAVMYO that exhibits superior efficiency and specificity in the musculature including skeletal muscle, heart and diaphragm following peripheral delivery, and that holds great potential for muscle gene therapy. Our comprehensive methodology is compatible with any capsids, targets and species, and will thus facilitate and accelerate the stratification of optimal AAV vectors for human gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus is the basis of many gene therapies and gene transfer vectors. Here the authors report a pipeline to enable side-by-side comparison of pre-selected capsids in a high throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Weinmann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Weis
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josefine Sippel
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anca Remes
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Herrmann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Quang H Pham
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christopher Borowski
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanne Hille
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Martin Lenter
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,University of Leuven, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Oliver J Müller
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Innere Medizin III, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,University of Leuven, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Dept. of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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9
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Tulalamba W, Weinmann J, Pham QH, El Andari J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Grimm D. Distinct transduction of muscle tissue in mice after systemic delivery of AAVpo1 vectors. Gene Ther 2019; 27:170-179. [PMID: 31624368 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human musculature is a promising and pivotal target for human gene therapy, owing to numerous diseases that affect this tissue and that are often monogenic, making them amenable to treatment and potentially cure on the genetic level. Particularly attractive would be the possibility to deliver clinically relevant DNA to muscle tissue from a minimally invasive, intravenous vector delivery. To date, this aim has been approximated by the use of Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) of different serotypes (rh.74, 8, 9) that are effective, but unfortunately not specific to the muscle and hence not ideal for use in patients. Here, we have thus studied the muscle tropism and activity of another AAV serotype, AAVpo1, that was previously isolated from pigs and found to efficiently transduce muscle following direct intramuscular injection in mice. The new data reported here substantiate the usefulness of AAVpo1 for muscle gene therapies by showing, for the first time, its ability to robustly transduce all major muscle tissues, including heart and diaphragm, from peripheral infusion. Importantly, in stark contrast to AAV9 that forms the basis for ongoing clinical gene therapy trials in the muscle, AAVpo1 is nearly completely detargeted from the liver, making it a very attractive and potentially safer option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Research Division, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 10700, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Drug Discovery Sciences, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Getting Into the Rhythm With CRISPR. Circ Res 2018; 123:928-930. [PMID: 30355043 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.313876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- From the Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium (T.V., M.K.C.).,Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium (T.V., M.K.C.)
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- From the Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium (T.V., M.K.C.).,Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium (T.V., M.K.C.)
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11
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Dastidar S, Ardui S, Singh K, Majumdar D, Nair N, Fu Y, Reyon D, Samara E, Gerli MF, Klein AF, De Schrijver W, Tipanee J, Seneca S, Tulalamba W, Wang H, Chai Y, In’t Veld P, Furling D, Tedesco F, Vermeesch JR, Joung JK, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of trinucleotide repeat expansion in myotonic dystrophy patient-derived iPS and myogenic cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:8275-8298. [PMID: 29947794 PMCID: PMC6144820 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is an attractive platform to potentially correct dominant genetic diseases by gene editing with unprecedented precision. In the current proof-of-principle study, we explored the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene-editing in myotonic dystrophy type-1 (DM1), an autosomal-dominant muscle disorder, by excising the CTG-repeat expansion in the 3'-untranslated-region (UTR) of the human myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene in DM1 patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (DM1-iPSC), DM1-iPSC-derived myogenic cells and DM1 patient-specific myoblasts. To eliminate the pathogenic gain-of-function mutant DMPK transcript, we designed a dual guide RNA based strategy that excises the CTG-repeat expansion with high efficiency, as confirmed by Southern blot and single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. Correction efficiencies up to 90% could be attained in DM1-iPSC as confirmed at the clonal level, following ribonucleoprotein (RNP) transfection of CRISPR/Cas9 components without the need for selective enrichment. Expanded CTG repeat excision resulted in the disappearance of ribonuclear foci, a quintessential cellular phenotype of DM1, in the corrected DM1-iPSC, DM1-iPSC-derived myogenic cells and DM1 myoblasts. Consequently, the normal intracellular localization of the muscleblind-like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1) was restored, resulting in the normalization of splicing pattern of SERCA1. This study validates the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing of repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Simon Ardui
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Debanjana Majumdar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Yanfang Fu
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Deepak Reyon
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ermira Samara
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mattia F M Gerli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E6DE, UK
| | - Arnaud F Klein
- Sorbonne Universités, INSERM, Association Institute de Myologie, Center de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 , France
| | - Wito De Schrijver
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Sara Seneca
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics (REGE), Center for Medical Genetics, UZ Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Yoke Chin Chai
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Peter In’t Veld
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Universités, INSERM, Association Institute de Myologie, Center de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 , France
| | | | - Joris R Vermeesch
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - J Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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12
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Chamberlain K, Riyad JM, Garnett T, Kohlbrenner E, Mookerjee A, Elmastour F, Benard L, Chen J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Marian AJ, Hajjar RJ, Gurha P, Weber T. A Calsequestrin Cis-Regulatory Motif Coupled to a Cardiac Troponin T Promoter Improves Cardiac Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 9 Transduction Specificity. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:927-937. [PMID: 29641321 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) is an efficient vector for gene transfer to the myocardium. However, the use of ubiquitous promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, can result in expression of the transgene in organs other than the heart. This study tested if the efficiency and specificity of cardiac transcription from a chicken cardiac troponin T (TnT) promoter could be further increased by incorporating a cardiomyocyte-specific transcriptional cis-regulatory motif from human calsequestrin 2 (CS-CRM4) into the expression cassette (Enh.TnT). The efficiency of luciferase expression from the TnT and Enh.TnT constructs was compared to expression of luciferase under the control of the CMV promoter in both adult and neonatal mice. Overall, expression levels of luciferase in the heart were similar in mice injected with AAV9.TnT.Luc, AAV9.Enh.TnT.Luc and AAV9.CMV.Luc. In contrast, expression levels of luciferase activity in nontarget organs, including the liver and muscle, was lower in mice injected with the AAV9.TnT.Luc compared to AAV9.CMV.Luc and was negligible with AAV9.Enh.TnT. In neonates, in organs other than the heart, luciferase expression levels were too low to be quantified for all constructs. Taken together, the data show that the AAV9 Enh.TnT constructs drives high levels of expression of the transgene in the myocardium, with insignificant expression in other organs. These properties reduce the risks associated with the AAV9-mediated expression of the therapeutic protein of interest in nontarget organs. The excellent cardiac specificity should allow for the use of higher vector doses than are currently used, which might be essential to achieve the levels of transgene expression necessary for therapeutic benefits. Taken together, the findings suggest that the Enh.TnT transcription unit is a potentially attractive tool for clinical cardiac gene therapy in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Chamberlain
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Jalish M Riyad
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Tyrone Garnett
- 3 Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Erik Kohlbrenner
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Ananda Mookerjee
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Firas Elmastour
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Ludovic Benard
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Jiqiu Chen
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 4 Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium .,5 Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- 4 Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium .,5 Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ali J Marian
- 3 Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Roger J Hajjar
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
| | - Priyatansh Gurha
- 3 Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Thomas Weber
- 1 Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York.,2 Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York
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13
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Singh K, Evens H, Nair N, Rincón MY, Sarcar S, Samara-Kuko E, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Efficient In Vivo Liver-Directed Gene Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1241-1254. [PMID: 29599079 PMCID: PMC5993986 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo tissue-specific genome editing at the desired loci is still a challenge. Here, we report that AAV9-delivery of truncated guide RNAs (gRNAs) and Cas9 under the control of a computationally designed hepatocyte-specific promoter lead to liver-specific and sequence-specific targeting in the mouse factor IX (F9) gene. The efficiency of in vivo targeting was assessed by T7E1 assays, site-specific Sanger sequencing, and deep sequencing of on-target and putative off-target sites. Though AAV9 transduction was apparent in multiple tissues and organs, Cas9 expression was restricted mainly to the liver, with only minimal or no expression in other non-hepatic tissues. Consequently, the insertions and deletion (indel) frequency was robust in the liver (up to 50%) in the desired target loci of the F9 gene, with no evidence of targeting in other organs or other putative off-target sites. This resulted in a substantial loss of FIX activity and the emergence of a bleeding phenotype, consistent with hemophilia B. The in vivo efficacy of the truncated gRNA was as high as that of full-length gRNA. Cas9 expression was transient in neonates, representing an attractive "hit-and-run" paradigm. Our findings have potentially broad implications for somatic gene targeting in the liver using the CRISPR/Cas9 platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanneke Evens
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Melvin Y Rincón
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Centro de Investigaciones, Fundacion Cardiovascular de Colombia, 681004 Floridablanca, Colombia
| | - Shilpita Sarcar
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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Verhelle A, Nair N, Everaert I, Van Overbeke W, Supply L, Zwaenepoel O, Peleman C, Van Dorpe J, Lahoutte T, Devoogdt N, Derave W, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T, Gettemans J. AAV9 delivered bispecific nanobody attenuates amyloid burden in the gelsolin amyloidosis mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:3030. [PMID: 28605435 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Verhelle
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Everaert
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Overbeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Supply
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cindy Peleman
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Derave
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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18
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Merlin S, Cannizzo ES, Borroni E, Bruscaggin V, Schinco P, Tulalamba W, Chuah MK, Arruda VR, VandenDriessche T, Prat M, Valente G, Follenzi A. A Novel Platform for Immune Tolerance Induction in Hemophilia A Mice. Mol Ther 2017; 25:1815-1830. [PMID: 28552407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked bleeding disease caused by factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency. We previously demonstrated that FVIII is produced specifically in liver sinusoid endothelial cells (LSECs) and to some degree in myeloid cells, and thus, in the present work, we seek to restrict the expression of FVIII transgene to these cells using cell-specific promoters. With this approach, we aim to limit immune response in a mouse model by lentiviral vector (LV)-mediated gene therapy encoding FVIII. To increase the target specificity of FVIII expression, we included miRNA target sequences (miRTs) (i.e., miRT-142.3p, miRT-126, and miRT-122) to silence expression in hematopoietic cells, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes, respectively. Notably, we report, for the first time, therapeutic levels of FVIII transgene expression at its natural site of production, which occurred without the formation of neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors). Moreover, inhibitors were eradicated in FVIII pre-immune mice through a regulatory T cell-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, targeting FVIII expression to LSECs and myeloid cells by using LVs with cell-specific promoter minimized off-target expression and immune responses. Therefore, at least for some transgenes, expression at the physiologic site of synthesis can enhance efficacy and safety, resulting in long-term correction of genetic diseases such as HA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Merlin
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Elvira Stefania Cannizzo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Ester Borroni
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Valentina Bruscaggin
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Piercarla Schinco
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valder R Arruda
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Prat
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Guido Valente
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy.
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19
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Verhelle A, Nair N, Everaert I, Van Overbeke W, Supply L, Zwaenepoel O, Peleman C, Van Dorpe J, Lahoutte T, Devoogdt N, Derave W, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T, Gettemans J. AAV9 delivered bispecific nanobody attenuates amyloid burden in the gelsolin amyloidosis mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1353-1364. [PMID: 28334940 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gelsolin amyloidosis is a dominantly inherited, incurable type of amyloidosis. A single point mutation in the gelsolin gene (G654A is most common) results in the loss of a Ca2+ binding site in the second gelsolin domain. Consequently, this domain partly unfolds and exposes an otherwise buried furin cleavage site at the surface. During secretion of mutant plasma gelsolin consecutive cleavage by furin and MT1-MMP results in the production of 8 and 5 kDa amyloidogenic peptides. Nanobodies that are able to (partly) inhibit furin or MT1-MMP proteolysis have previously been reported. In this study, the nanobodies have been combined into a single bispecific format able to simultaneously shield mutant plasma gelsolin from intracellular furin and extracellular MT1-MMP activity. We report the successful in vivo expression of this bispecific nanobody following adeno-associated virus serotype 9 gene therapy in gelsolin amyloidosis mice. Using SPECT/CT and immunohistochemistry, a reduction in gelsolin amyloid burden was detected which translated into improved muscle contractile properties. We conclude that a nanobody-based gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses shows great potential as a novel strategy in gelsolin amyloidosis and potentially other amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Verhelle
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Everaert
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Overbeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Supply
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cindy Peleman
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Derave
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Klein AF, Dastidar S, Furling D, Chuah MK. Therapeutic Approaches for Dominant Muscle Diseases: Highlight on Myotonic Dystrophy. Curr Gene Ther 2016; 15:329-37. [PMID: 26122101 DOI: 10.2174/1566523215666150630120537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophy (DM), one of the most common neuromuscular disorders in adults, comprises two genetically distinct forms triggered by unstable expanded repeats in non-coding regions. The most common DM1 is caused by expanded CTG repeats in the 3'UTR of the DMPK gene, whereas DM2 is due to large expanded CCTG repeats in the first intron of the CNBP gene. Both mutations induce a pathogenic RNA gain-of-function mechanism. Mutant RNAs containing CUG or CCUG expanded repeats, which are retained in the nuclei as aggregates alter activities of alternative splicing regulators such as MBNL proteins and CELF1. As a consequence, alternative splicing misregulations of several pre-mRNAs are associated with DM clinical symptoms. Currently, there is no available cure for this dominant neuromuscular disease. Nevertheless, promising therapeutic strategies have been developed in the last decade. Preclinical progress in DM research prompted the first DM1 clinical trial based on antisense oligonucleotides promoting a RNase-H-mediated degradation of the expanded CUG transcripts. The ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical trial will hopefully give further insights into the quest to find a bona fide cure for DM1. In this review, we will provide an overview of the different strategies that were developed to neutralize the RNA toxicity in DM1. Different approaches including antisense oligonucleotide technologies, gene therapies or small molecules have been tested and validated in cellular and animal models. Remaining challenges and additional avenues to explore will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M K Chuah
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, INSERM UMRS974, CNRS, FRE3617, Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, F- 75013, Paris, France; Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, 1090, Belgium and Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
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22
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Singh K, Evens H, Rincón M, Nair N, Sarcar S, Samara-Kuko E, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. 120. Efficient In Vivo Liver-Directed Gene Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9. Mol Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)32929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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23
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Loperfido M, Jarmin S, Dastidar S, Di Matteo M, Perini I, Moore M, Nair N, Samara-Kuko E, Athanasopoulos T, Tedesco FS, Dickson G, Sampaolesi M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. 628. Transposons Expressing Full-Length Human Dystrophin Enable Genetic Correction of Dystrophic Mesoangioblasts and iPS-Derived Mesoangioblast-Like Cells. Mol Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1525-0016(16)33436-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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24
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Cantore A, Ranzani M, Bartholomae CC, Volpin M, Valle PD, Sanvito F, Sergi LS, Gallina P, Benedicenti F, Bellinger D, Raymer R, Merricks E, Bellintani F, Martin S, Doglioni C, D'Angelo A, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Schmidt M, Nichols T, Montini E, Naldini L. Liver-directed lentiviral gene therapy in a dog model of hemophilia B. Sci Transl Med 2016; 7:277ra28. [PMID: 25739762 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa1405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the efficacy of liver-directed gene therapy using lentiviral vectors in a large animal model of hemophilia B and evaluated the risk of insertional mutagenesis in tumor-prone mouse models. We showed that gene therapy using lentiviral vectors targeting the expression of a canine factor IX transgene in hepatocytes was well tolerated and provided a stable long-term production of coagulation factor IX in dogs with hemophilia B. By exploiting three different mouse models designed to amplify the consequences of insertional mutagenesis, we showed that no genotoxicity was detected with these lentiviral vectors. Our findings suggest that lentiviral vectors may be an attractive candidate for gene therapy targeted to the liver and may be potentially useful for the treatment of hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Cantore
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Ranzani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Cynthia C Bartholomae
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Monica Volpin
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Della Valle
- Coagulation Service and Thrombosis Research Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Sanvito
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Sergi Sergi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Pierangela Gallina
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Benedicenti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Dwight Bellinger
- Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Robin Raymer
- Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth Merricks
- Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | | | - Claudio Doglioni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Armando D'Angelo
- Coagulation Service and Thrombosis Research Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manfred Schmidt
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Timothy Nichols
- Department of Pathology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Eugenio Montini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Naldini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy.
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25
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Loperfido M, Jarmin S, Dastidar S, Di Matteo M, Perini I, Moore M, Nair N, Samara-Kuko E, Athanasopoulos T, Tedesco FS, Dickson G, Sampaolesi M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. piggyBac transposons expressing full-length human dystrophin enable genetic correction of dystrophic mesoangioblasts. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:744-60. [PMID: 26682797 PMCID: PMC4737162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the absence of dystrophin. We developed a novel gene therapy approach based on the use of the piggyBac (PB) transposon system to deliver the coding DNA sequence (CDS) of either full-length human dystrophin (DYS: 11.1 kb) or truncated microdystrophins (MD1: 3.6 kb; MD2: 4 kb). PB transposons encoding microdystrophins were transfected in C2C12 myoblasts, yielding 65±2% MD1 and 66±2% MD2 expression in differentiated multinucleated myotubes. A hyperactive PB (hyPB) transposase was then deployed to enable transposition of the large-size PB transposon (17 kb) encoding the full-length DYS and green fluorescence protein (GFP). Stable GFP expression attaining 78±3% could be achieved in the C2C12 myoblasts that had undergone transposition. Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of the full-length human DYS protein in myotubes. Subsequently, dystrophic mesoangioblasts from a Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy dog were transfected with the large-size PB transposon resulting in 50±5% GFP-expressing cells after stable transposition. This was consistent with correction of the differentiated dystrophic mesoangioblasts following expression of full-length human DYS. These results pave the way toward a novel non-viral gene therapy approach for DMD using PB transposons underscoring their potential to deliver large therapeutic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Loperfido
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Susan Jarmin
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Ilaria Perini
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marc Moore
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | | | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Embryo and Stem Cell Biology Unit, Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels 1090, Belgium Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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26
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Rincon MY, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK. Gene therapy for cardiovascular disease: advances in vector development, targeting, and delivery for clinical translation. Cardiovasc Res 2015; 108:4-20. [PMID: 26239654 PMCID: PMC4571836 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvv205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a promising modality for the treatment of inherited and acquired cardiovascular diseases. The identification of the molecular pathways involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure and other associated cardiac diseases led to encouraging preclinical gene therapy studies in small and large animal models. However, the initial clinical results yielded only modest or no improvement in clinical endpoints. The presence of neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses directed against the viral vector and/or the gene-modified cells, the insufficient gene expression levels, and the limited gene transduction efficiencies accounted for the overall limited clinical improvements. Nevertheless, further improvements of the gene delivery technology and a better understanding of the underlying biology fostered renewed interest in gene therapy for heart failure. In particular, improved vectors based on emerging cardiotropic serotypes of the adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) are particularly well suited to coax expression of therapeutic genes in the heart. This led to new clinical trials based on the delivery of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase protein (SERCA2a). Though the first clinical results were encouraging, a recent Phase IIb trial did not confirm the beneficial clinical outcomes that were initially reported. New approaches based on S100A1 and adenylate cyclase 6 are also being considered for clinical applications. Emerging paradigms based on the use of miRNA regulation or CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering open new therapeutic perspectives for treating cardiovascular diseases by gene therapy. Nevertheless, the continuous improvement of cardiac gene delivery is needed to allow the use of safer and more effective vector doses, ultimately bringing gene therapy for heart failure one step closer to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Y Rincon
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Building D, room D306, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium Centro de Investigaciones, Fundacion Cardiovascular de Colombia, Floridablanca, Colombia
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Building D, room D306, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Building D, room D306, Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, Belgium Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Chuah MK. Editorial: Stem Cell-Based and Gene Therapy for Hereditary Muscle Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2015. [PMID: 26206328 DOI: 10.2174/156652321504150722121542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Building D, room D306 Laarbeeklaan 103 B-1090 Brussels Belgium.
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28
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Maffioletti SM, Gerli MFM, Ragazzi M, Dastidar S, Benedetti S, Loperfido M, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Tedesco FS. Efficient derivation and inducible differentiation of expandable skeletal myogenic cells from human ES and patient-specific iPS cells. Nat Protoc 2015; 10:941-58. [PMID: 26042384 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant human tissue; therefore, an unlimited availability of myogenic cells has applications in regenerative medicine and drug development. Here we detail a protocol to derive myogenic cells from human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and we also provide evidence for its extension to human iPS cells cultured without feeder cells. The procedure, which does not require the generation of embryoid bodies or prospective cell isolation, entails four stages with different culture densities, media and surface coating. Pluripotent stem cells are disaggregated to single cells and then differentiated into expandable cells resembling human mesoangioblasts. Subsequently, transient Myod1 induction efficiently drives myogenic differentiation into multinucleated myotubes. Cells derived from patients with muscular dystrophy and differentiated using this protocol have been genetically corrected, and they were proven to have therapeutic potential in dystrophic mice. Thus, this platform has been demonstrated to be amenable to gene and cell therapy, and it could be extended to muscle tissue engineering and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Maffioletti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mattia F M Gerli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Ragazzi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sara Benedetti
- 1] Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK. [2] Present address: Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mariana Loperfido
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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30
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Viecelli HM, Harbottle RP, Wong SP, Schlegel A, Chuah MK, Vanden Driessche T, Harding CO, Thöny B. Treatment of phenylketonuria using minicircle-based naked-DNA gene transfer to murine liver. Hepatology 2014; 60:1035-43. [PMID: 24585515 PMCID: PMC4449723 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Host immune response to viral vectors, persistence of nonintegrating vectors, and sustained transgene expression are among the major challenges in gene therapy. To overcome these hurdles, we successfully used minicircle (MC) naked-DNA vectors devoid of any viral or bacterial sequences for the long-term treatment of murine phenylketonuria, a model for a genetic liver defect. MC-DNA vectors expressed the murine phenylalanine hydroxylase (Pah) complementary DNA (cDNA) from a liver-specific promoter coupled to a de novo designed hepatocyte-specific regulatory element, designated P3, which is a cluster of evolutionary conserved transcription factor binding sites. MC-DNA vectors were subsequently delivered to the liver by a single hydrodynamic tail vein (HTV) injection. The MC-DNA vector normalized blood phenylalanine concomitant with reversion of hypopigmentation in a dose-dependent manner for more than 1 year, whereas the corresponding parental plasmid did not result in any phenylalanine clearance. MC vectors persisted in an episomal state in the liver consistent with sustained transgene expression and hepatic PAH enzyme activity without any apparent adverse effects. Moreover, 14-20% of all hepatocytes expressed transgenic PAH, and the expression was observed exclusively in the liver and predominately around pericentral areas of the hepatic lobule, while there was no transgene expression in periportal areas. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that MC technology offers an improved safety profile and has the potential for the genetic treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiu Man Viecelli
- Division of Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and affiliated with the Children’s Research Center Zurich
| | - Richard P. Harbottle
- Section of Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suet Ping Wong
- Section of Molecular Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Swiss HPB and Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry Vanden Driessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cary O. Harding
- Departments of Molecular and Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and affiliated with the Children’s Research Center Zurich
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31
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Abstract
Genome engineering can be accomplished by designer nucleases. They are specifically designed to cleave double-stranded DNA at the desired target locus. This double-strand break subsequently engages the DNA repair pathway through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), resulting in either gene disruption or gene repair. Alternatively, the presence of homologous donor DNA allows for targeted integration of this exogenous donor DNA in this target locus through homology-directed DNA repair. The key bottleneck in genome engineering relates to the delivery and expression of the designer nucleases. One of the most attractive vector platforms for genome engineering is based on integration-defective lentiviral vectors (IDLVs). The intrinsic episomal nature of IDLVs is well suited to ensure transient expression of designer nucleases and minimize potential risks associated with their sustained expression. Unfortunately, their expression is compromised because of epigenetic silencing that interferes with the transcriptional competence of IDLVs. In this issue, Pelascini and colleagues now showed that this bottleneck could be overcome by interfering with chromatin remodeling using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. HDAC inhibition restored expression of designer nucleases from IDLVs and rescued their ability to achieve efficient targeted gene disruption by NHEJ comparable with that achieved with bona fide integrating lentiviral vectors. This study has implications for the ex vivo use of IDLVs for gene repair and gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- 1 Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Free University of Brussels , Brussels B-1090, Belgium
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32
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Chuah MK, Petrus I, De Bleser P, Le Guiner C, Gernoux G, Adjali O, Nair N, Willems J, Evens H, Rincon MY, Matrai J, Di Matteo M, Samara-Kuko E, Yan B, Acosta-Sanchez A, Meliani A, Cherel G, Blouin V, Christophe O, Moullier P, Mingozzi F, VandenDriessche T. Liver-specific transcriptional modules identified by genome-wide in silico analysis enable efficient gene therapy in mice and non-human primates. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1605-13. [PMID: 24954473 PMCID: PMC4435486 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The robustness and safety of liver-directed gene therapy can be substantially
improved by enhancing expression of the therapeutic transgene in the liver. To
achieve this, we developed a new approach of rational in silico vector
design. This approach relies on a genome-wide bio-informatics strategy to
identify cis-acting regulatory modules (CRMs) containing
evolutionary conserved clusters of transcription factor binding site motifs that
determine high tissue-specific gene expression. Incorporation of these
CRMs into adeno-associated viral (AAV) and non-viral vectors
enhanced gene expression in mice liver 10 to 100-fold, depending on the promoter
used. Furthermore, these CRMs resulted in robust and sustained
liver-specific expression of coagulation factor IX (FIX), validating their
immediate therapeutic and translational relevance. Subsequent translational
studies indicated that therapeutic FIX expression levels could be attained
reaching 20–35% of normal levels after AAV-based liver-directed gene
therapy in cynomolgus macaques. This study underscores the potential of rational
vector design using computational approaches to improve their robustness and
therefore allows for the use of lower and thus safer vector doses for gene
therapy, while maximizing therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Inge Petrus
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter De Bleser
- Department for Molecular Biomedical Research (DMBR), VIB - Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Le Guiner
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Gwladys Gernoux
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Oumeya Adjali
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jessica Willems
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanneke Evens
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Melvin Y Rincon
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janka Matrai
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [3] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Di Matteo
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ermira Samara-Kuko
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bing Yan
- 1] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [2] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abel Acosta-Sanchez
- 1] Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium [2] University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amine Meliani
- 1] Genethon, Evry, France [2] University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Ghislaine Cherel
- 1] INSERM, U770, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France [2] Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Véronique Blouin
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Olivier Christophe
- 1] INSERM, U770, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France [2] Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Moullier
- 1] INSERM UMR 1089, Atlantic Gene Therapies, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France [2] CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- 1] Genethon, Evry, France [2] University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- 1] Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium [2] Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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33
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Abstract
Humoral immunity to adeno-associated viral vectors can be overcome by using empty capsid mutant "decoys" for preexisting antibodies (Mingozzi et al., this issue).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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35
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Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are X-linked monogenic disorders resulting from deficiencies of factor VIII and FIX, respectively. Purified clotting factor concentrates are currently intravenously administered to treat hemophilia, but this treatment is non-curative. Therefore, gene-based therapies for hemophilia have been developed to achieve sustained high levels of clotting factor expression to correct the clinical phenotype. Over the past two decades, different types of viral and non-viral gene delivery systems have been explored for hemophilia gene therapy research with a variety of target cells, particularly hepatocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, skeletal muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Lentiviral and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vectors are among the most promising vectors for hemophilia gene therapy. In preclinical hemophilia A and B animal models, the bleeding phenotype was corrected with these vectors. Some of these promising preclinical results prompted clinical translation to patients suffering from a severe hemophilic phenotype. These patients receiving gene therapy with AAV vectors showed long-term expression of therapeutic FIX levels, which is a major step forwards in this field. Nevertheless, the levels were insufficient to prevent trauma or injury-induced bleeding episodes. Another challenge that remains is the possible immune destruction of gene-modified cells by effector T cells, which are directed against the AAV vector antigens. It is therefore important to continuously improve the current gene therapy approaches to ultimately establish a real cure for hemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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36
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Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are X-linked monogenic disorders caused by deficiencies in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX), respectively. Current treatment for hemophilia involves intravenous infusion of clotting factor concentrates. However, this does not constitute a cure, and the development of gene-based therapies for hemophilia to achieve prolonged high level expression of clotting factors to correct the bleeding diathesis are warranted. Different types of viral and nonviral gene delivery systems and a wide range of different target cells, including hepatocytes, skeletal muscle cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and endothelial cells, have been explored for hemophilia gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based and lentiviral vectors are among the most promising vectors for hemophilia gene therapy. Stable correction of the bleeding phenotypes in hemophilia A and B was achieved in murine and canine models, and these promising preclinical studies prompted clinical trials in patients suffering from severe hemophilia. These studies recently resulted in the first demonstration that long-term expression of therapeutic FIX levels could be achieved in patients undergoing gene therapy. Despite this progress, there are still a number of hurdles that need to be overcome. In particular, the FIX levels obtained were insufficient to prevent bleeding induced by trauma or injury. Moreover, the gene-modified cells in these patients can become potential targets for immune destruction by effector T cells, specific for the AAV vector antigens. Consequently, more efficacious approaches are needed to achieve full hemostatic correction and to ultimately establish a cure for hemophilia A and B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
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37
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The continuous improvement of gene transfer technologies has broad implications for stem cell biology, gene discovery, and gene therapy. Although viral vectors are efficient gene delivery vehicles, their safety, immunogenicity and manufacturing challenges hamper clinical progress. In contrast, non-viral gene delivery systems are less immunogenic and easier to manufacture. AREAS COVERED In this review, we explore the emerging potential of transposons in gene and cell therapy. The safety, efficiency, and biology of novel hyperactive Sleeping Beauty (SB) and piggyBac (PB) transposon systems will be highlighted for ex vivo gene therapy in clinically relevant adult stem/progenitor cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), myoblasts, and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Moreover, efforts toward in vivo transposon-based gene therapy will be discussed. EXPERT OPINION The latest generation SB and PB transposons currently represent some of the most attractive systems for stable non-viral genetic modification of primary cells, particularly adult stem cells. This paves the way toward the use of transposons as a non-viral gene therapy approach to correct hereditary disorders including those that affect the hematopoietic system. The development of targeted integration into "safe harbor" genetic loci may further improve their safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Di Matteo
- Free University of Brussels, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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39
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Daboussi F, Zaslavskiy M, Poirot L, Loperfido M, Gouble A, Guyot V, Leduc S, Galetto R, Grizot S, Oficjalska D, Perez C, Delacôte F, Dupuy A, Chion-Sotinel I, Le Clerre D, Lebuhotel C, Danos O, Lemaire F, Oussedik K, Cédrone F, Epinat JC, Smith J, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Dickson G, Popplewell L, Koo T, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Duclert A, Duchateau P, Pâques F. Chromosomal context and epigenetic mechanisms control the efficacy of genome editing by rare-cutting designer endonucleases. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:6367-79. [PMID: 22467209 PMCID: PMC3401453 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to specifically engineer the genome of living cells at precise locations using rare-cutting designer endonucleases has broad implications for biotechnology and medicine, particularly for functional genomics, transgenics and gene therapy. However, the potential impact of chromosomal context and epigenetics on designer endonuclease-mediated genome editing is poorly understood. To address this question, we conducted a comprehensive analysis on the efficacy of 37 endonucleases derived from the quintessential I-CreI meganuclease that were specifically designed to cleave 39 different genomic targets. The analysis revealed that the efficiency of targeted mutagenesis at a given chromosomal locus is predictive of that of homologous gene targeting. Consequently, a strong genome-wide correlation was apparent between the efficiency of targeted mutagenesis (≤ 0.1% to ≈ 6%) with that of homologous gene targeting (≤ 0.1% to ≈ 15%). In contrast, the efficiency of targeted mutagenesis or homologous gene targeting at a given chromosomal locus does not correlate with the activity of individual endonucleases on transiently transfected substrates. Finally, we demonstrate that chromatin accessibility modulates the efficacy of rare-cutting endonucleases, accounting for strong position effects. Thus, chromosomal context and epigenetic mechanisms may play a major role in the efficiency rare-cutting endonuclease-induced genome engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayza Daboussi
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Mikhail Zaslavskiy
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Laurent Poirot
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Mariana Loperfido
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Agnès Gouble
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Valerie Guyot
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sophie Leduc
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Roman Galetto
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Sylvestre Grizot
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Danusia Oficjalska
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Christophe Perez
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Fabien Delacôte
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Aurélie Dupuy
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Isabelle Chion-Sotinel
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Diane Le Clerre
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Céline Lebuhotel
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Olivier Danos
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Frédéric Lemaire
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Kahina Oussedik
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Frédéric Cédrone
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Jean-Charles Epinat
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Julianne Smith
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez-Muñoz
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - George Dickson
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Taeyoung Koo
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Aymeric Duclert
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Philippe Duchateau
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Frédéric Pâques
- CELLECTIS S.A., Cellectis Therapeutics, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75 013 Paris, France, Division of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium, Inserm U845, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 156, rue de Vaugirard – 75730 Paris Cedex 15, UMR 8200 CNRS, Institut de cancérologie Gustave Roussy, 114, rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex and School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
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Swinnen M, Vanhoutte D, Van Almen GC, Hamdani N, Schellings MWM, D'hooge J, Van der Velden J, Weaver MS, Sage EH, Bornstein P, Verheyen FK, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Westermann D, Paulus WJ, Van de Werf F, Schroen B, Carmeliet P, Pinto YM, Heymans S. Absence of thrombospondin-2 causes age-related dilated cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2009; 120:1585-97. [PMID: 19805649 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.109.863266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progressive shift from a young to an aged heart is characterized by alterations in the cardiac matrix. The present study investigated whether the matricellular protein thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) may affect cardiac dimensions and function with physiological aging of the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS TSP-2 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice were followed up to an age of 60 weeks. Survival rate, cardiac function, and morphology did not differ at a young age in TSP-2 KO compared with wild-type mice. However, >55% of the TSP-2 KO mice died between 24 and 60 weeks of age, whereas <10% of the wild-type mice died. In the absence of TSP-2, older mice displayed a severe dilated cardiomyopathy with impaired systolic function, increased cardiac dilatation, and fibrosis. Ultrastructural analysis revealed progressive myocyte stress and death, accompanied by an inflammatory response and replacement fibrosis, in aging TSP-2 KO animals, whereas capillary or coronary morphology or density was not affected. Importantly, adeno-associated virus-9 gene-mediated transfer of TSP-2 in 7-week-old TSP-2 KO mice normalized their survival and prevented dilated cardiomyopathy. In TSP-2 KO animals, age-related cardiomyopathy was accompanied by increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 and decreased tissue transglutaminase-2 activity, together with impaired collagen cross-linking. At the cardiomyocyte level, TSP-2 deficiency in vivo and its knockdown in vitro decreased the activation of the Akt survival pathway in cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS TSP-2 expression in the heart protects against age-dependent dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Swinnen
- Center for Heart Failure Research, CARIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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41
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Tuddenham EG, Ingerslev J, Sørensen LN, Christiansen K, Mariani G, Peyvandi F, Waddington SN, Buckley SMK, Kochanek S, Chuah MK, Vandendriessche T, Berntorp E. Genetic aspects and research development in haemostasis. Haemophilia 2008; 14 Suppl 3:113-8. [PMID: 18510530 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2008.01740.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E G Tuddenham
- Haemophilia Centre and Haemostasis Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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42
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De Meyer SF, Vanhoorelbeke K, Chuah MK, Pareyn I, Gillijns V, Hebbel RP, Collen D, Deckmyn H, VandenDriessche T. Phenotypic correction of von Willebrand disease type 3 blood-derived endothelial cells with lentiviral vectors expressing von Willebrand factor. Blood 2006; 107:4728-36. [PMID: 16478886 PMCID: PMC1895808 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-09-3605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder, caused by quantitative (type 1 and 3) or qualitative (type 2) defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF). Gene therapy is an appealing strategy for treatment of VWD because it is caused by a single gene defect and because VWF is secreted into the circulation, obviating the need for targeting specific organs or tissues. However, development of gene therapy for VWD has been hampered by the considerable length of the VWF cDNA (8.4 kb [kilobase]) and the inherent complexity of the VWF protein that requires extensive posttranslational processing. In this study, a gene-based approach for VWD was developed using lentiviral transduction of blood-outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) to express functional VWF. A lentiviral vector encoding complete human VWF was used to transduce BOECs isolated from type 3 VWD dogs resulting in high-transduction efficiencies (95.6% +/- 2.2%). Transduced VWD BOECs efficiently expressed functional vector-encoded VWF (4.6 +/- 0.4 U/24 hour per 10(6) cells), with normal binding to GPIbalpha and collagen and synthesis of a broad range of multimers resulting in phenotypic correction of these cells. These results indicate for the first time that gene therapy of type 3 VWD is feasible and that BOECs are attractive target cells for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon F De Meyer
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
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43
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DeMeyer SF, Van hoorelbeke K, Chuah MK, Pareyn I, Gilijns V, Hebbel RP, Collen D, Vandendriessche T. 483. Phenotypic Correction of Von Willebrand Disease Type 3 Blood-Derived Endothelial Cells with Lentiviral Vectors Expressing Von Willebrand Factor. Mol Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Abstract
The recent advances in gene transfer technology have expedited the development of gene therapy for the treatment of hemophilia A. Three different U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved phase I clinical trials had been initiated using different gene therapy approaches each with their own advantages and limitations. In the first gene therapy trial for hemophilia A, a non-viral approach was being explored for patients with severe hemophilia A using ex vivo transfected dermal fibroblast expressing B-domain-deleted factor VIII ( BDD-FVIII). There were no serious adverse events and some patients appeared to have experienced fewer bleeding episodes with very low levels of FVIII near baseline. In the second trial, onco-retroviral vectors expressing BDD-FVIII were injected by peripheral intravenous infusion in adult patients suffering from severe hemophilia A. The procedure was safe and in some patients FVIII-transduced cells were detectable in the peripheral blood for more than a year. Although no sustained FVIII expression was detectable, occasional modest changes in FVIII levels were apparent, and in some cases a reduced bleeding frequency occurred compared with historical rates. In another trial, one patient suffering from severe hemophilia A has been treated with a high-capacity (or gutless) adenoviral vector expressing full-length FVIII, which appeared to have resulted in 1% of normal FVIII levels for several months. However, a transient inflammatory response with hematologic and liver abnormalities was observed. In conclusion, although modest improvements in clinical end points have been detected in some patients in these early phase I trials, further improvements in gene delivery technologies are warranted to bring hemophilia A gene therapy one step closer to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marinee K Chuah
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, University of Leuven, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
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45
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Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are hereditary coagulation defects resulting from a deficiency of factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX), respectively. Introducing a functional FVIII or FIX gene could potentially provide a cure for these bleeding disorders. Adenoviral vectors have been used as tools to introduce potentially therapeutic genes into mammalian cells and are by far the most efficient vectors for hepatic gene delivery. Long-term expression of both FVIII and FIX has been achieved in preclinical (hemophilic) mouse models using adenoviral vectors. Therapeutic levels of FVIII and FIX also have been achieved in hemophilic dogs using adenoviral vectors and in some cases expression was long-term. The performance of earlier generation adenoviral vectors, which retained residual viral genes, was compromised by potent acute and chronic inflammatory responses that contributed to significant toxicity and morbidity and short-term expression of FVIII and FIX. The development of improved adenoviral vectors devoid of viral genes (gutless or high-capacity adenoviral vectors) was therefore warranted, which led to a significant reduction in acute and chronic toxicity and more prolonged expression of FVIII and FIX. Strategies aimed at making these vectors safer and less immunogenic and their implications for hemophilia gene therapy are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieven Thorrez
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, University of Leuven, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
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46
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Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are hereditary coagulation disorders that result from functional deficiencies of factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX), respectively. Current treatment consists of injections with plasma-derived or recombinant clotting factors. Despite the significant clinical benefits of protein replacement therapies, these do not constitute a cure and patients are still at risk of bleeding. Significant progress has been made recently in the development of gene therapy for hemophilia. This has been primarily due to the technical improvements of existing vector systems and the development of new gene delivery methods. Therapeutic and sometimes physiologic levels of FVIII and FIX could be achieved in FVIII- and FIX-deficient mice and hemophilic dogs using different types of viral vectors. In these preclinical studies, long-term correction of the bleeding disorders and in some cases a permanent cure has been realized. However, complications related to the induction of neutralizing antibodies or viral promoter inactivation often precludes stable phenotypic correction. Several gene therapy phase I clinical trials have been initiated in patients suffering from severe hemophilia A or B. The results from the extensive pre-clinical studies and the preliminary clinical data are encouraging. It is likely that successful gene therapy for hemophilia will become a reality at the beginning of this new millennium, serving as the trailblazer for gene therapy of other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- T VandenDriessche
- Center for Transgene, Technology and Gene Therapy, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, University of Leuven, 49 Herestraat B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Abstract
Hemophilia A and B are X-chromosome linked recessive bleeding disorders that result from a deficiency in factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) respectively. Though factor substitution therapy has greatly improved the lives of hemophiliac patients, there are still limitations to the current treatment that have triggered interest in alternative treatments by gene therapy. Significant progress has recently been made in the development of gene therapy for the treatment of hemophilia A and B. These advances parallel the technical improvements of existing vector systems including MoMLV-based retroviral, adenoviral and AAV vectors, and the development of new delivery methods such as lentiviral vectors, helper-dependent adenoviral vectors and improved non-viral gene delivery methods. Therapeutic and physiologic levels of FVIII and FIX could be achieved in FVIII- and FIX-deficient mice and hemophilia dogs by different gene therapy approaches. Long-term correction of the bleeding disorders and in some cases a permanent cure has been realized in these preclinical studies. However, the induction of neutralizing antibodies often precludes stable phenotypic correction. Another complication is that certain promoters are prone to transcriptional inactivation in vivo, precluding long-term FVIII or FIX expression. Several gene therapy phase I clinical trials are currently ongoing in patients suffering from severe hemophilia A or B. No significant adverse side-effects were reported, and semen samples were negative for vector sequences by sensitive PCR assays. Most importantly, some subjects report fewer bleeding episodes and occasionally have very low levels of clotting factor activity detected. The results from the extensive preclinical studies in normal and hemophilic animal models and encouraging preliminary clinical data indicate that the simultaneous development of different strategies is likely to bring a permanent cure for hemophilia one step closer to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Chuah
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, University of Leuven, Belgium
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48
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Jacquemin M, Lavend'homme R, Benhida A, Vanzieleghem B, d'Oiron R, Lavergne JM, Brackmann HH, Schwaab R, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Hoylaerts M, Gilles JG, Peerlinck K, Vermylen J, Saint-Remy JM. A novel cause of mild/moderate hemophilia A: mutations scattered in the factor VIII C1 domain reduce factor VIII binding to von Willebrand factor. Blood 2000; 96:958-65. [PMID: 10910910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms responsible for the low factor VIII (fVIII) activity in the plasma of patients with mild/moderate hemophilia A are poorly understood. In such patients, we have identified a series of fVIII mutations (Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, Asn2129Ser, Arg2150His, and Pro2153Gln) clustered in the C1 domain and associated with reduced binding of fVIII to von Willebrand factor (vWf). For each patient plasma, the specific activity of mutated fVIII was close to that of normal fVIII. Scatchard analysis showed that the affinity for vWf of recombinant Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, and Arg2150His fVIII mutants was reduced 8-fold, 80-fold, and 3-fold, respectively, when compared with normal fVIII. Given the importance of vWf for the stability of fVIII in plasma, these findings suggested that the reduction of fVIII binding to vWf resulting from the above-mentioned mutations could contribute to patients' low fVIII plasma levels. We, therefore, analyzed the effect of vWf on fVIII production by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with expression vectors for recombinant B domain-deleted normal, Ile2098Ser, Ser2119Tyr, and Arg2150His fVIII. These 3 mutations impaired the vWf-dependent accumulation of functional fVIII in culture medium. Analysis of fVIII production by transiently transfected CHO cells indicated that, in addition to the impaired stabilization by vWf, the secretion of functional Ile2098Ser and Arg2150His fVIII was reduced about 2-fold and 6-fold, respectively, by comparison to Ser2119Tyr and normal fVIII. These findings indicate that C1-domain mutations resulting in reduced fVIII binding to vWf are an important cause of mild/moderate hemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jacquemin
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
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Chuah MK, Van Damme A, Zwinnen H, Goovaerts I, Vanslembrouck V, Collen D, VandenDriessche T. Long-term persistence of human bone marrow stromal cells transduced with factor VIII-retroviral vectors and transient production of therapeutic levels of human factor VIII in nonmyeloablated immunodeficient mice. Hum Gene Ther 2000; 11:729-38. [PMID: 10757352 DOI: 10.1089/10430340050015626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of using bone marrow (BM)-derived human stromal cells for ex vivo gene therapy of hemophilia A was evaluated. BM stromal cells were transduced with an intron-based Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) retroviral vector that contained the B domain-deleted human factor VIII (FVIIIdeltaB) cDNA. This FVIII-retroviral vector was pseudotyped with the gibbon ape leukemia virus envelope (GALV-env) to attain higher transduction efficiencies. Using optimized transduction methods, high in vitro FVIII expression levels of 700 to 2500 mU of FVIII/10(6) cells per 24 hr were achieved without selective enrichment of the transduced BM stromal cells. After xenografting of 1.5-3 x 106 engineered BM stromal cells into the spleen of nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice, human plasma FVIII levels rose to 13 +/- 4 ng/ml but declined to basal levels by 3 weeks postinjection because of promoter inactivation. About 10% of these stromal cells engrafted in the spleen and persisted for at least 4 months after transplantation in the absence of myeloablative conditioning. No human BM stromal cells could be detected in other organs. These findings indicate that retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy using engineered BM stromal cells may lead to therapeutic levels of FVIII in vivo and that long-term engraftment of human BM stromal cells was achieved in the absence of myeloablative conditioning and without neo-organs. Hence, BM stromal cells may be useful for gene therapy of hemophilia A, provided prolonged expression can be achieved by using alternative promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Chuah
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, University of Leuven, Belgium
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50
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VandenDriessche T, Vanslembrouck V, Goovaerts I, Zwinnen H, Vanderhaeghen ML, Collen D, Chuah MK. Long-term expression of human coagulation factor VIII and correction of hemophilia A after in vivo retroviral gene transfer in factor VIII-deficient mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1999; 96:10379-84. [PMID: 10468616 PMCID: PMC17896 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.18.10379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and predisposes to spontaneous bleeding that can be life-threatening or lead to chronic disabilities. It is well suited for gene therapy because a moderate increase in plasma FVIII concentration has therapeutic effects. Improved retroviral vectors expressing high levels of human FVIII were pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein, were concentrated to high-titers (10(9)-10(10) colony-forming units/ml), and were injected intravenously into newborn, FVIII-deficient mice. High-levels (>/=200 milliunits/ml) of functional human FVIII production could be detected in 6 of the 13 animals, 4 of which expressed physiologic or higher levels (500-12,500 milliunits/ml). Five of the six expressers produced FVIII and survived an otherwise lethal tail-clipping, demonstrating phenotypic correction of the bleeding disorder. FVIII expression was sustained for >14 months. Gene transfer occurred into liver, spleen, and lungs with predominant FVIII mRNA expression in the liver. Six of the seven animals with transient or no detectable human FVIII developed FVIII inhibitors (7-350 Bethesda units/ml). These findings indicate that a genetic disease can be corrected by in vivo gene therapy using retroviral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- T VandenDriessche
- Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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