1
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Thomas SP, Domm JM, van Vloten JP, Xu L, Vadivel A, Yates JGE, Pei Y, Ingrao J, van Lieshout LP, Jackson SR, Minott JA, Achuthan A, Mehrani Y, McAusland TM, Zhang W, Karimi K, Vaughan AE, de Jong J, Kang MH, Thebaud B, Wootton SK. A promoterless AAV6.2FF-based lung gene editing platform for the correction of surfactant protein B deficiency. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3457-3477. [PMID: 37805711 PMCID: PMC10727957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Surfactant protein B (SP-B) deficiency is a rare genetic disease that causes fatal respiratory failure within the first year of life. Currently, the only corrective treatment is lung transplantation. Here, we co-transduced the murine lung with adeno-associated virus 6.2FF (AAV6.2FF) vectors encoding a SaCas9-guide RNA nuclease or donor template to mediate insertion of promoterless reporter genes or the (murine) Sftpb gene in frame with the endogenous surfactant protein C (SP-C) gene, without disrupting SP-C expression. Intranasal administration of 3 × 1011 vg donor template and 1 × 1011 vg nuclease consistently edited approximately 6% of lung epithelial cells. Frequency of gene insertion increased in a dose-dependent manner, reaching 20%-25% editing efficiency with the highest donor template and nuclease doses tested. We next evaluated whether this promoterless gene editing platform could extend survival in the conditional SP-B knockout mouse model. Administration of 1 × 1012 vg SP-B-donor template and 5 × 1011 vg nuclease significantly extended median survival (p = 0.0034) from 5 days in the untreated off doxycycline group to 16 days in the donor AAV and nuclease group, with one gene-edited mouse living 243 days off doxycycline. This AAV6.2FF-based gene editing platform has the potential to correct SP-B deficiency, as well as other disorders of alveolar type II cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia P Thomas
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jakob M Domm
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jacob P van Vloten
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Liqun Xu
- Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Arul Vadivel
- Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Jacob G E Yates
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Yanlong Pei
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Joelle Ingrao
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Sergio R Jackson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jessica A Minott
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Adithya Achuthan
- Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Yeganeh Mehrani
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Thomas M McAusland
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Khalil Karimi
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Andrew E Vaughan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jondavid de Jong
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Martin H Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bernard Thebaud
- Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Mulcrone PL, Lam AK, Frabutt D, Zhang J, Chrzanowski M, Herzog RW, Xiao W. Chemical modification of AAV9 capsid with N-ethyl maleimide alters vector tissue tropism. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8436. [PMID: 37231038 PMCID: PMC10212940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although more adeno-associated virus AAV-based drugs enter the clinic, vector tissue tropism remains an unresolved challenge that limits its full potential despite that the tissue tropism of naturally occurring AAV serotypes can be altered by genetic engineering capsid vie DNA shuffling, or molecular evolution. To further expand the tropism and thus potential applications of AAV vectors, we utilized an alternative approach that employs chemical modifications to covalently link small molecules to reactive exposed Lysine residues of AAV capsids. We demonstrated that AAV9 capsid modified with N-ethyl Maleimide (NEM) increased its tropism more towards murine bone marrow (osteoblast lineage) while decreased transduction of liver tissue compared to the unmodified capsid. In the bone marrow, AAV9-NEM transduced Cd31, Cd34, and Cd90 expressing cells at a higher percentage than unmodified AAV9. Moreover, AAV9-NEM localized strongly in vivo to cells lining the calcified trabecular bone and transduced primary murine osteoblasts in culture, while WT AAV9 transduced undifferentiated bone marrow stromal cells as well as osteoblasts. Our approach could provide a promising platform for expanding clinical AAV development to treat bone pathologies such as cancer and osteoporosis. Thus, chemical engineering the AAV capsid holds great potential for development of future generations of AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Mulcrone
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Anh K Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Dylan Frabutt
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Junping Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Matthew Chrzanowski
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Rana J, Marsic D, Zou C, Muñoz-Melero M, Li X, Kondratov O, Li N, de Jong YP, Zolotukhin S, Biswas M. Characterization of a Bioengineered AAV3B Capsid Variant with Enhanced Hepatocyte Tropism and Immune Evasion. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:289-302. [PMID: 36950804 PMCID: PMC10125406 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2022.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Capsid engineering of adeno-associated virus (AAV) can surmount current limitations to gene therapy such as broad tissue tropism, low transduction efficiency, or pre-existing neutralizing antibodies (NAb) that restrict patient eligibility. We previously generated an AAV3B combinatorial capsid library by integrating rational design and directed evolution with the aim of improving hepatotropism. A potential isolate, AAV3B-DE5, gained a selective proliferative advantage over five rounds of iterative selection in hepatocyte spheroid cultures. In this study, we reanalyzed our original dataset derived from the AAV3B combinatorial library and isolated variants from earlier (one to three) rounds of selection, with the assumption that variants with faster replication kinetics are not necessarily the most efficient transducers. We identified a potential candidate, AAV3B-V04, which demonstrated significantly enhanced transduction in mouse-passaged primary human hepatocytes as well as in humanized liver chimeric mice, compared to the parental AAV3B or the previously described isolate, AAV3B-DE5. Interestingly, the AAV3B-V04 capsid variant exhibited significantly reduced seroreactivity to pooled or individual human serum samples. Forty-four percent of serum samples with pre-existing NAbs to AAV3B had 5- to 20-fold lower reciprocal NAb titers to AAV3B-V04. AAV3B-V04 has only nine amino acid substitutions, clustered in variable region IV compared to AAV3B, indicating the importance of the loops at the top of the three-fold protrusions in determining both transduction efficiency and immunogenicity. This study highlights the effectiveness of rational design combined with targeted selection for enhanced AAV transduction via molecular evolution approaches. Our findings support the concept of limiting selection rounds to isolate the best transducing AAV3B variant without outgrowth of faster replicating candidates. We conclude that AAV3B-V04 provides advantages such as improved human hepatocyte tropism and immune evasion and propose its utility as a superior candidate for liver gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Damien Marsic
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Porton Biologics, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenhui Zou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maite Muñoz-Melero
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kondratov
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ning Li
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ype P. de Jong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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4
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Ertl HCJ. Mitigating Serious Adverse Events in Gene Therapy with AAV Vectors: Vector Dose and Immunosuppression. Drugs 2023; 83:287-298. [PMID: 36715794 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gene transfer with high doses of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has resulted in serious adverse events and even death of the recipients. Toxicity could most likely be circumvented by repeated injections of lower and less toxic doses of vectors. This has not been pursued as AAV vectors induce potent neutralizing antibodies, which prevent cell transduction upon reinjection of the same vector. This review discusses different types of immune responses against AAV vectors and how they offer targets for the elimination or inhibition of vector-specific neutralizing antibodies. Such antibodies can be circumvented by using different virus serotypes for sequential injections, they can be removed by plasmapheresis, or they can be destroyed by enzymatic degradation. Antibody producing cells can be eliminated by proteasome inhibitors. Drugs that inhibit T-cell responses, B-cell signaling, or presentation of the vector's antigens to B cells can prevent or reduce induction of AAV-specific antibodies. Combinations of different approaches and drugs are likely needed to suppress or eliminate neutralizing antibodies, which would then allow for repeated dosing. Alternatively, novel AAV vectors with higher transduction efficacy are being developed and may allow for a dose reduction, although it remains unknown if this will completely address the problem of high-dose adverse events.
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Abstract
In vivo gene therapy is rapidly emerging as a new therapeutic paradigm for monogenic disorders. For almost three decades, hemophilia A (HA) and hemophilia B (HB) have served as model disorders for the development of gene therapy. This effort is soon to bear fruit with completed pivotal adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector gene addition trials reporting encouraging results and regulatory approval widely anticipated in the near future for the current generation of HA and HB AAV vectors. Here we review the clinical development of AAV gene therapy for HA and HB and examine outstanding questions that have recently emerged from AAV clinical trials for hemophilia and other monogenic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Samelson-Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lindsey A. George
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Division of Hematology and Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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6
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Fang B, Shen Y, Peng B, Bai H, Wang L, Zhang J, Hu W, Fu L, Zhang W, Li L, Huang W. Small‐Molecule Quenchers for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer: Structure, Mechanism, and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202207188. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Fang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing School of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Yu Shen
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Bo Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Hua Bai
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Limin Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Wenbo Hu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Li Fu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing School of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Teaching and Evaluation Center of Air Force Medical University Xi'an 710032 China
| | - Lin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies) Xiamen University Xiamen 361005, Fujian China
| | - Wei Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies) Xiamen University Xiamen 361005, Fujian China
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7
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Bolous NS, Bhatt N, Bhakta N, Neufeld EJ, Davidoff AM, Reiss UM. Gene Therapy and Hemophilia: Where Do We Go from Here? J Blood Med 2022; 13:559-580. [PMID: 36226233 PMCID: PMC9550170 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s371438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy for hemophilia using adeno-associated virus (AAV) derived vectors can reduce or eliminate patients' disease-related complications and improve their quality of life. Broad implementation globally will lead to societal gains and foster health equity. Several vector products each for factor IX (FIX) or factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency are in advanced clinical development. Safety data are reassuring. Efficacy data for up to 8 and 5 years, respectively, vary considerably among vector types and among individuals, but indicate significant reduction in bleeds and factor use. Products will soon be approved for marketing. This review highlights the relevant considerations for implementation of hemophilia gene therapy, specifically across a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds globally, based on recent publications and our own experience. We address the current efficacy and safety data and relevant aspects of vector immunology. We then discuss pertinent implementation steps including pre-implementation and readiness assessments, considerations on cost, cost-effectiveness and payment models, approaches to education and informed consent, and the operational needs as well as the need for monitoring of health outcomes and implementation outcomes. To prevent a lag or complete lack of establishing access to this life-changing therapy option for all patients with hemophilia worldwide, adaptable pathways supported by collaborative and international efforts of all stakeholders are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy S Bolous
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA,Correspondence: Nancy S Bolous, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 721, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA, Tel +1 901 595 1968, Fax +1 901 595 5319, Email
| | - Nidhi Bhatt
- Department of Hematology – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nickhill Bhakta
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ellis J Neufeld
- Department of Hematology – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ulrike M Reiss
- Department of Hematology – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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Rghei AD, van Lieshout LP, Cao W, He S, Tierney K, Lopes JA, Zielinska N, Baracuhy EM, Campbell ESB, Minott JA, Guilleman MM, Hasson PC, Thompson B, Karimi K, Bridle BW, Susta L, Qiu X, Banadyga L, Wootton SK. Adeno-associated virus mediated expression of monoclonal antibody MR191 protects mice against Marburg virus and provides long-term expression in sheep. Gene Ther 2022:10.1038/s41434-022-00361-2. [PMID: 36050451 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Vectored monoclonal antibody (mAb) expression mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery leads to sustained therapeutic mAb expression and protection against a wide range of infectious diseases in both small and large animal models, including nonhuman primates. Using our rationally engineered AAV6 triple mutant capsid, termed AAV6.2FF, we demonstrate rapid and robust expression of two potent human antibodies against Marburg virus, MR78 and MR191, following intramuscular (IM) administration. IM injection of mice with 1 × 1011 vector genomes (vg) of AAV6.2FF-MR78 and AAV6.2FF-MR191 resulted in serum concentrations of approximately 141 μg/mL and 195 μg/mL of human IgG, respectively, within the first four weeks. Mice receiving 1 × 1011 vg (high) and 1 × 1010 vg (medium) doses of AAV6.2FF-MR191 were completely protected against lethal Marburg virus challenge. No sex-based differences in serum human IgG concentrations were observed; however, administering the AAV-mAb over multiple injection sites significantly increased serum human IgG concentrations. IM administration of three two-week-old lambs with 5 × 1012 vg/kg of AAV6.2FF-MR191 resulted in serum human IgG expression that was sustained for more than 460 days, concomitant with low levels of anti-capsid and anti-drug antibodies. AAV-mAb expression is a viable method for prolonging the therapeutic effect of recombinant mAbs and represents a potential alternative "vaccine" strategy for those with compromised immune systems or in possible outbreak response scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira D Rghei
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Wenguang Cao
- Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Shihua He
- Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Kevin Tierney
- Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Jordyn A Lopes
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nicole Zielinska
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Enzo M Baracuhy
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elena S B Campbell
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jessica A Minott
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Matthew M Guilleman
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Pamela C Hasson
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | | | - Khalil Karimi
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Byram W Bridle
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Leonardo Susta
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Logan Banadyga
- Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Sarah K Wootton
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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9
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Fang B, Shen Y, Peng B, Bai H, Wang L, Zhang J, Hu W, Fu L, Zhang W, Li L, Huang W. Small Molecule Quenchers for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer: Structure, Mechanism and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202207188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Fang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Yu Shen
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Bo Peng
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Hua Bai
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Limin Wang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Wenbo Hu
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Li Fu
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Air Force Medical University Teaching and Evaluation Center CHINA
| | - Lin Li
- Nanjing Tech University Institute of Advanced Materials 30 South Puzhu Road 210008 Nanjing CHINA
| | - Wei Huang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
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10
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Lundgren TS, Denning G, Stowell SR, Spencer HT, Doering CB. Pharmacokinetic analysis identifies a factor VIII immunogenicity threshold after AAV gene therapy in hemophilia A mice. Blood Adv 2022; 6:2628-2645. [PMID: 35286375 PMCID: PMC9043920 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the development of novel treatment options for hemophilia A are prevalent. However, the anti-factor VIII (FVIII) neutralizing antibody (inhibitor) response to existing FVIII products remains a major treatment challenge. Although some novel products are designed to function in the presence of inhibitors, they do not specific address the immunogenicity risk or mechanistic causes of inhibitor development, which remain unclear. Furthermore, most preclinical studies supporting clinical gene therapy programs have reported immunogenicity signals in animal models, especially at higher vector doses and sometimes using multiple vector designs. In these settings, immunogenicity risk factor determination, comparative immunogenicity of competing vector designs, and the potential for obtaining meaningful prognostic data remain relatively unexplored. Additionally, there remains the opportunity to investigate clinical gene therapy as an alternative to standard immune tolerance induction therapy. The current study was designed to address these issues through longitudinal dose-response evaluation of 4 adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector candidates encoding 2 different FVIII transgenes in a murine model of hemophilia A. Plasma FVIII activity and anti-FVIII antibody data were used to generate a pharmacokinetic model that (1) identifies initial AAV-FVIII product expression kinetics as the dominant risk factor for inhibitor development, (2) predicts a therapeutic window where immune tolerance is achieved, and (3) demonstrates evidence of gene therapy-based immune tolerance induction. Although there are known limitations to the predictive value of preclinical immunogenicity testing, these studies can uncover or support the development of design principles that can guide the development of safe and effective genetic medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taran S. Lundgren
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Sean R. Stowell
- Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - H. Trent Spencer
- Expression Therapeutics, Inc., Tucker, GA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Christopher B. Doering
- Expression Therapeutics, Inc., Tucker, GA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
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11
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Cabanes-Creus M, Navarro RG, Zhu E, Baltazar G, Liao SHY, Drouyer M, Amaya AK, Scott S, Nguyen LH, Westhaus A, Hebben M, Wilson LOW, Thrasher AJ, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. Novel human liver-tropic AAV variants define transferable domains that markedly enhance the human tropism of AAV7 and AAV8. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 24:88-101. [PMID: 34977275 PMCID: PMC8693155 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent clinical successes have intensified interest in using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for therapeutic gene delivery. The liver is a key clinical target, given its critical physiological functions and involvement in a wide range of genetic diseases. Here, we report the bioengineering of a set of next-generation AAV vectors, named AAV-SYDs (where “SYD” stands for Sydney, Australia), with increased human hepato-tropism in a liver xenograft mouse model repopulated with primary human hepatocytes. We followed a two-step process that staggered directed evolution and domain-swapping approaches. Using DNA-family shuffling, we first mapped key AAV capsid regions responsible for efficient human hepatocyte transduction in vivo. Focusing on these regions, we next applied domain-swapping strategies to identify and study key capsid residues that enhance primary human hepatocyte uptake and transgene expression. Our findings underscore the potential of AAV-SYDs as liver gene therapy vectors and provide insights into the mechanism responsible for their enhanced transduction profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marti Cabanes-Creus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute & The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Grober Baltazar
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sophia H Y Liao
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Matthieu Drouyer
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Anais K Amaya
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute & The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Suzanne Scott
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute & The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Loan Hanh Nguyen
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Great Ormond Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Matthias Hebben
- LogicBio Therapeutics, 65 Hayden avenue, Lexington, 02421 MA, USA
| | - Laurence O W Wilson
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Adrian J Thrasher
- Great Ormond Institute of Child Health, University College London, WC1N 1EH London, UK
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute & The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Military Institute of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Song Z, Shao W, Song L, Pei X, Li C. Human Hepatocyte Transduction with Adeno-Associated Virus Vector. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2544:83-93. [PMID: 36125711 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2557-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As the adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors hold unique advantages over other viral vectors, AAV gene therapy has accumulated rapid progress and development. Liver-targeted gene therapy by AAV vectors has been successfully applied in clinical trials for many diseases. Low transduction efficiency and high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs), however, are the major obstacles to further translate this therapeutic strategy into clinical trials. Pre-clinical evaluation on hepatocytes could help to elucidate the tropism of AAV serotypes for liver-targeted gene therapy, and could also provide a test model to develop novel AAV mutants with Nabs evasion and high liver tropism. Here, we described the basic laboratory procedure to apply the AAV vector to transduce human hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo with some tips gained from our own experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Song
- Gene Therapy Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wenwei Shao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xieolei Pei
- Gene Therapy Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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13
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George LA. Hemophilia gene therapy: ushering in a new treatment paradigm? HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2021; 2021:226-233. [PMID: 34889378 PMCID: PMC8877054 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2021000254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
After 3 decades of clinical trials, repeated proof-of-concept success has now been demonstrated in hemophilia A and B gene therapy. Current clinical hemophilia gene therapy efforts are largely focused on the use of systemically administered recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors for F8 or F9 gene addition. With multiple ongoing trials, including licensing studies in hemophilia A and B, many are cautiously optimistic that the first AAV vectors will obtain regulatory approval within approximately 1 year. While supported optimism suggests that the goal of gene therapy to alter the paradigm of hemophilia care may soon be realized, a number of outstanding questions have emerged from clinical trial that are in need of answers to harness the full potential of gene therapy for hemophilia patients. This article reviews the use of AAV vector gene addition approaches for hemophilia A and B, focusing specifically on information to review in the process of obtaining informed consent for hemophilia patients prior to clinical trial enrollment or administering a licensed AAV vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A. George
- Correspondence Lindsey A. George, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Colket Translational Research Bldg, Rm 5016, 3501 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104; e-mail:
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14
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Tafaleng EN, Mukherjee A, Bell A, Morita K, Guzman-Lepe J, Haep N, Florentino RM, Diaz-Aragon R, Frau C, Ostrowska A, Schultz JR, Martini PGV, Soto-Gutierrez A, Fox IJ. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 alpha 2 Messenger RNA Reprograms Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors and Functional Proteins in End-Stage Cirrhotic Human Hepatocytes. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1911-1926. [PMID: 34558820 PMCID: PMC8557308 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The only definitive therapy for end-stage liver disease is whole-organ transplantation. The success of this intervention is severely limited by the complexity of the surgery, the cost of patient care, the need for long-term immunosuppression, and the shortage of donor organs. In rodents and humans, end-stage degeneration of hepatocyte function is associated with disruption of the liver-specific transcriptional network and a nearly complete loss of promoter P1-driven hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (P1-HNF4α) activity. Re-expression of HNF4α2, the predominant P1-HNF4α, reinstates the transcriptional network, normalizes the genes important for hepatocyte function, and reverses liver failure in rodents. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of supplementary expression of human HNF4α2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary human hepatocytes isolated from explanted livers of patients who underwent transplant for end-stage irreversibly decompensated liver failure (Child-Pugh B, C) resulting from alcohol-mediated cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Re-expression of HNF4α2 in decompensated cirrhotic human hepatocytes corrects the disrupted transcriptional network and normalizes the expression of genes important for hepatocyte function, improving liver-specific protein expression. End-stage liver disease in humans is associated with both loss of P1-HNF4α expression and failure of its localization to the nucleus. We found that while HNF4α2 re-expression increased the amount of P1-HNF4α protein in hepatocytes, it did not alter the ability of hepatocytes to localize P1-HNF4α to their nuclei. Conclusion: Re-expression of HNF4α2 mRNA in livers of patients with end-stage disease may be an effective therapy for terminal liver failure that would circumvent the need for organ transplantation. The efficacy of this strategy may be enhanced by discovering the cause for loss of nuclear P1-HNF4α localization in end-stage cirrhosis, a process not found in rodent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar N Tafaleng
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Amitava Mukherjee
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Kazutoyo Morita
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Jorge Guzman-Lepe
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Nils Haep
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Carla Frau
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | | | | | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
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15
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Ito M, Takino N, Nomura T, Kan A, Muramatsu SI. Engineered adeno-associated virus 3 vector with reduced reactivity to serum antibodies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9322. [PMID: 33927271 PMCID: PMC8084969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88614-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural serotypes of adeno-associated virus (AAV) or their variants, such as AAV8 and AAV5, are commonly used as vectors in the clinical programs for liver-targeted gene therapy. While AAV8 vectors are not highly efficient at targeting primary human hepatocytes, AAV3 vectors have recently demonstrated remarkable efficiency at targeting both human and non-human primate hepatocytes. However, the presence of high levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) impedes transduction into hepatocytes, representing a major obstacle to the clinical application of AAV3 vectors. Herein, we engineered the viral capsid to reduce its reactivity with pre-existing NAbs, thereby enhancing the transduction efficiency. By introducing three substitutions (S472A, S587A, and N706A) on the surface loop of AAV3B capsid protein, we generated a triple mutant AAV3 (AAV.GT5) vector with less reactivity to anti-AAV capsid NAbs. While the transduction efficiency of AAV.GT5 into human hepatocellular cell lines was similar to those of parental AAV3B, it was 50-fold higher for hepatocytes derived from humanized mice compared to AAV8 vectors. Moreover, the AAV.GT5 vector yield was similar to those of the AAV2 and AAV3B vectors. Thus, high resistance to pre-existing NAbs makes AAV.GT5 a promising candidate for future liver-targeted gene therapy clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Ito
- Division of Neurological Gene Therapy, Center for Open Innovation, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Naomi Takino
- Division of Neurological Gene Therapy, Center for Open Innovation, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | | | - Shin-Ichi Muramatsu
- Division of Neurological Gene Therapy, Center for Open Innovation, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. .,Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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16
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Cabanes-Creus M, Navarro RG, Liao SHY, Baltazar G, Drouyer M, Zhu E, Scott S, Luong C, Wilson LOW, Alexander IE, Lisowski L. Single amino acid insertion allows functional transduction of murine hepatocytes with human liver tropic AAV capsids. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 21:607-620. [PMID: 34095344 PMCID: PMC8142051 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent successes in clinical gene therapy applications have intensified the interest in using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as vectors for gene delivery into human liver. An inherent intriguing characteristic of AAVs is that vector variants vary substantially in their ability to transduce hepatocytes from different species. This has historically limited the value of preclinical studies using rodent models for predicting the efficiency of AAV vectors in liver-targeted gene therapy clinical studies. In this work, we aimed to investigate the key determinants of the observed differential interspecies transduction abilities among AAV variants. We took advantage of domain swapping strategies between AAV-KP1, a newly identified variant with enhanced murine liver tropism, and AAV3b, which functions poorly in mice. The systematic in vivo comparison of AAV3b/AAV-KP1 chimeric variants allowed us to identify a threonine insertion at position 265 within variable region I (VR-I) as the key residue that confers murine hepatic transduction to human-derived clade B (AAV2-like) and clade C (AAV3b-like) variants. We propose to use this insertion to generate phylogenetically related AAV surrogates in support of toxicology and dosing studies in the murine liver model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marti Cabanes-Creus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sophia H Y Liao
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Grober Baltazar
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Matthieu Drouyer
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Suzanne Scott
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Clement Luong
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Laurence O W Wilson
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Vector and Genome Engineering Facility, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.,Military Institute of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Colón-Thillet R, Jerome KR, Stone D. Optimization of AAV vectors to target persistent viral reservoirs. Virol J 2021; 18:85. [PMID: 33892762 PMCID: PMC8067653 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01555-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene delivery of antiviral therapeutics to anatomical sites where viruses accumulate and persist is a promising approach for the next generation of antiviral therapies. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are one of the leading vectors for gene therapy applications that deliver gene-editing enzymes, antibodies, and RNA interference molecules to eliminate viral reservoirs that fuel persistent infections. As long-lived viral DNA within specific cellular reservoirs is responsible for persistent hepatitis B virus, Herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infections, the discovery of AAV vectors with strong tropism for hepatocytes, sensory neurons and T cells, respectively, is of particular interest. Identification of natural isolates from various tissues in humans and non-human primates has generated an extensive catalog of AAV vectors with diverse tropisms and transduction efficiencies, which has been further expanded through molecular genetic approaches. The AAV capsid protein, which forms the virions' outer shell, is the primary determinant of tissue tropism, transduction efficiency, and immunogenicity. Thus, over the past few decades, extensive efforts to optimize AAV vectors for gene therapy applications have focused on capsid engineering with approaches such as directed evolution and rational design. These approaches are being used to identify variants with improved transduction efficiencies, alternate tropisms, reduced sequestration in non-target organs, and reduced immunogenicity, and have produced AAV capsids that are currently under evaluation in pre-clinical and clinical trials. This review will summarize the most recent strategies to identify AAV vectors with enhanced tropism and transduction in cell types that harbor viral reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Colón-Thillet
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Keith R Jerome
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Daniel Stone
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, USA.
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18
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Mendell JR, Al-Zaidy SA, Rodino-Klapac LR, Goodspeed K, Gray SJ, Kay CN, Boye SL, Boye SE, George LA, Salabarria S, Corti M, Byrne BJ, Tremblay JP. Current Clinical Applications of In Vivo Gene Therapy with AAVs. Mol Ther 2020; 29:464-488. [PMID: 33309881 PMCID: PMC7854298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 322] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary diseases are caused by mutations in genes, and more than 7,000 rare diseases affect over 30 million Americans. For more than 30 years, hundreds of researchers have maintained that genetic modifications would provide effective treatments for many inherited human diseases, offering durable and possibly curative clinical benefit with a single treatment. This review is limited to gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) because the gene delivered by this vector does not integrate into the patient genome and has a low immunogenicity. There are now five treatments approved for commercialization and currently available, i.e., Luxturna, Zolgensma, the two chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies (Yescarta and Kymriah), and Strimvelis (the gammaretrovirus approved for adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency [ADA-SCID] in Europe). Dozens of other treatments are under clinical trials. The review article presents a broad overview of the field of therapy by in vivo gene transfer. We review gene therapy for neuromuscular disorders (spinal muscular atrophy [SMA]; Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD]; X-linked myotubular myopathy [XLMTM]; and diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Canavan disease, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase [AADC] deficiency, and giant axonal neuropathy), ocular disorders (Leber congenital amaurosis, age-related macular degeneration [AMD], choroideremia, achromatopsia, retinitis pigmentosa, and X-linked retinoschisis), the bleeding disorder hemophilia, and lysosomal storage disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry R Mendell
- Center of Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Kimberly Goodspeed
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Sanford L Boye
- Department of Pediatrics, Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shannon E Boye
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lindsey A George
- Division of Hematology and the Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie Salabarria
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barry J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Powell Gene Therapy Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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19
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Biswas M, Marsic D, Li N, Zou C, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Zolotukhin I, Kumar SRP, Rana J, Butterfield JSS, Kondratov O, de Jong YP, Herzog RW, Zolotukhin S. Engineering and In Vitro Selection of a Novel AAV3B Variant with High Hepatocyte Tropism and Reduced Seroreactivity. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 19:347-361. [PMID: 33145371 PMCID: PMC7591349 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Limitations to successful gene therapy with adeno-associated virus (AAV) can comprise pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to the vector capsid that can block cellular entry, or inefficient transduction of target cells that can lead to sub-optimal expression of the therapeutic transgene. Recombinant serotype 3 AAV (AAV3) is an emerging candidate for liver-directed gene therapy. In this study, we integrated rational design by using a combinatorial library derived from AAV3B capsids with directed evolution by in vitro selection for liver-targeted AAV variants. The AAV3B-DE5 variant described herein was undetectable in the original viral library but gained a selective advantage upon in vitro passaging in human hepatocarcinoma spheroid cultures. AAV3B-DE5 contains 24 capsid amino acid substitutions compared with AAV3B, distributed among all five variable regions, with strong selective pressure on VR-IV, VR-V, and VR-VII. In vivo, AAV3B-DE5 demonstrated improved human hepatocyte tropism in a liver chimeric mouse model. Importantly, this variant exhibited reduced seroreactivity to human intravenous immunoglobulin (i.v. Ig), as well as individual serum samples from 100 healthy human donors. Therefore, molecular evolution using a combinatorial library platform generated a viral capsid with high hepatocyte tropism and enhanced evasion of pre-existing AAV neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Damien Marsic
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Porton Biologics, Building 3, Ascendas Park, No. 388 Xinping Street, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu 215021, China
| | - Ning Li
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chenhui Zou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Irene Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jyoti Rana
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - John S S Butterfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kondratov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ype P de Jong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sergei Zolotukhin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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