1
|
Vacca O, Zarrouki F, Izabelle C, Belmaati Cherkaoui M, Rendon A, Dalkara D, Vaillend C. AAV-Mediated Restoration of Dystrophin-Dp71 in the Brain of Dp71-Null Mice: Molecular, Cellular and Behavioral Outcomes. Cells 2024; 13:718. [PMID: 38667332 PMCID: PMC11049308 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080718] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A deficiency in the shortest dystrophin-gene product, Dp71, is a pivotal aggravating factor for intellectual disabilities in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recent advances in preclinical research have achieved some success in compensating both muscle and brain dysfunctions associated with DMD, notably using exon skipping strategies. However, this has not been studied for distal mutations in the DMD gene leading to Dp71 loss. In this study, we aimed to restore brain Dp71 expression in the Dp71-null transgenic mouse using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) administrated either by intracardiac injections at P4 (ICP4) or by bilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections in adults. ICP4 delivery of the AAV9-Dp71 vector enabled the expression of 2 to 14% of brain Dp71, while ICV delivery enabled the overexpression of Dp71 in the hippocampus and cortex of adult mice, with anecdotal expression in the cerebellum. The restoration of Dp71 was mostly located in the glial endfeet that surround capillaries, and it was associated with partial localization of Dp71-associated proteins, α1-syntrophin and AQP4 water channels, suggesting proper restoration of a scaffold of proteins involved in blood-brain barrier function and water homeostasis. However, this did not result in significant improvements in behavioral disturbances displayed by Dp71-null mice. The potential and limitations of this AAV-mediated strategy are discussed. This proof-of-concept study identifies key molecular markers to estimate the efficiencies of Dp71 rescue strategies and opens new avenues for enhancing gene therapy targeting cognitive disorders associated with a subgroup of severely affected DMD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Vacca
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France (M.B.C.)
| | - Faouzi Zarrouki
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France (M.B.C.)
| | - Charlotte Izabelle
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France (M.B.C.)
| | - Mehdi Belmaati Cherkaoui
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France (M.B.C.)
| | - Alvaro Rendon
- Department of Therapeutics, Sorbonne University, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France; (A.R.)
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Department of Therapeutics, Sorbonne University, Institut de la Vision, 75012 Paris, France; (A.R.)
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France (M.B.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Banks E, Gutekunst CA, Vargish GA, Eaton A, Pelkey KA, McBain CJ, Zheng JQ, Oláh VJ, Rowan MJM. An enhancer-AAV approach selectively targeting dentate granule cells of the mouse hippocampus. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100684. [PMID: 38211592 PMCID: PMC10831952 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian brain contains a diverse array of cell types, including dozens of neuronal subtypes with distinct anatomical and functional characteristics. The brain leverages these neuron-type specializations to perform diverse circuit operations and thus execute different behaviors properly. Through the use of Cre lines, access to specific neuron types has improved over past decades. Despite their extraordinary utility, development and cross-breeding of Cre lines is time consuming and expensive, presenting a significant barrier to entry for investigators. Furthermore, cell-based therapeutics developed in Cre mice are not clinically translatable. Recently, several adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors utilizing neuron-type-specific regulatory transcriptional sequences (enhancer-AAVs) were developed that overcome these limitations. Using a publicly available RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) dataset, we evaluated the potential of several candidate enhancers for neuron-type-specific targeting in the hippocampus. Here, we demonstrate that a previously identified enhancer-AAV selectively targets dentate granule cells over other excitatory neuron types in the hippocampus of wild-type adult mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmie Banks
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; GDBBS Graduate Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Claire-Anne Gutekunst
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Vargish
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna Eaton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth A Pelkey
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chris J McBain
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James Q Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Viktor Janos Oláh
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Matthew J M Rowan
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klinkovskij A, Shepelev M, Isaakyan Y, Aniskin D, Ulasov I. Advances of Genome Editing with CRISPR/Cas9 in Neurodegeneration: The Right Path towards Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3333. [PMID: 38137554 PMCID: PMC10741756 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The rate of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is rising rapidly as the world's population ages. Conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and dementia are becoming more prevalent and are now the fourth leading cause of death, following heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Although modern diagnostic techniques for detecting NDDs are varied, scientists are continuously seeking new and improved methods to enable early and precise detection. In addition to that, the present treatment options are limited to symptomatic therapy, which is effective in reducing the progression of neurodegeneration but lacks the ability to target the root cause-progressive loss of neuronal functioning. As a result, medical researchers continue to explore new treatments for these conditions. Here, we present a comprehensive summary of the key features of NDDs and an overview of the underlying mechanisms of neuroimmune dysfunction. Additionally, we dive into the cutting-edge treatment options that gene therapy provides in the quest to treat these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Klinkovskij
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostics, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, World-Class Research Centre “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (A.K.); (D.A.)
| | - Mikhail Shepelev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova Str., Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Yuri Isaakyan
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8 Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Denis Aniskin
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostics, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, World-Class Research Centre “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (A.K.); (D.A.)
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostics, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, World-Class Research Centre “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (A.K.); (D.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zafra-Puerta L, Burgos DF, Iglesias-Cabeza N, González-Fernández J, Sánchez-Martín G, Sánchez MP, Serratosa JM. Gene replacement therapy for Lafora disease in the Epm2a -/- mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.14.571636. [PMID: 38168354 PMCID: PMC10760157 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.571636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Lafora disease is a rare and fatal form of progressive myoclonic epilepsy typically occurring early in adolescence. Common symptoms include seizures, dementia, and a progressive neurological decline leading to death within 5-15 years from onset. The disease results from mutations transmitted with autosomal recessive inheritance in the EPM2A gene, encoding laforin, a dual-specificity phosphatase, or the EPM2B gene, encoding malin, an E3-ubiquitin ligase. Laforin has glucan phosphatase activity, is an adapter of enzymes involved in glycogen metabolism, is involved in endoplasmic reticulum-stress and protein clearance, and acts as a tumor suppressor protein. Laforin and malin work together in a complex to control glycogen synthesis and prevent the toxicity produced by misfolded proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Disruptions in either protein can lead to alterations in this complex, leading to the formation of Lafora bodies that contain abnormal, insoluble, and hyperphosphorylated forms of glycogen called polyglucosans. We used the Epm2a -/- knock-out mouse model of Lafora disease to apply a gene replacement therapy by administering intracerebroventricular injections of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying the human EPM2A gene. We evaluated the effects of this treatment by means of neuropathological studies, behavioral tests, video-electroencephalography recording, and proteomic/phosphoproteomic analysis. Gene therapy with recombinant adeno-associated virus containing the EPM2A gene ameliorated neurological and histopathological alterations, reduced epileptic activity and neuronal hyperexcitability, and decreased the formation of Lafora bodies. Differential quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics revealed beneficial changes in various molecular pathways altered in Lafora disease. Improvements were observed for up to nine months following a single intracerebroventricular injection. In conclusion, gene replacement therapy with human EPM2A gene in the Epm2a -/- knock-out mice shows promise as a potential treatment for Lafora disease.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang J, Zhu M, Sun J, Feng L, Yang M, Sun B, Mao L. Gene therapy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in preclinical models of ischemic stroke. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3725-3740. [PMID: 37551863 PMCID: PMC10651967 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14392] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke has been associated with devastating clinical outcomes, with current treatment strategies proving largely ineffective. Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative treatment options for addressing post-stroke functional deficits. Gene therapy utilizing adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as a critical gene vector delivering genes to the central nervous system (CNS) gene delivery has emerged as a promising approach for treating various CNS diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of the biological characteristics of AAV vectors and the therapeutic advancements observed in preclinical models of ischemic stroke. The study further investigates the potential of manipulating AAV vectors in preclinical applications, emphasizing the challenges and prospects in the selection of viral vectors, drug delivery strategies, immune reactions, and clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Medical College of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| | - Mengna Zhu
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| | - Jingyi Sun
- Department of Spinal SurgeryShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Lina Feng
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| | - Mingfeng Yang
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| | - Baoliang Sun
- Medical College of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| | - Leilei Mao
- Institute for Neurological Research, The Second Affiliated HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesTaianChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li L, Vasan L, Kartono B, Clifford K, Attarpour A, Sharma R, Mandrozos M, Kim A, Zhao W, Belotserkovsky A, Verkuyl C, Schmitt-Ulms G. Advances in Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2725. [PMID: 37893099 PMCID: PMC10603849 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are gene therapy delivery tools that offer a promising platform for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Keeping up with developments in this fast-moving area of research is a challenge. This review was thus written with the intention to introduce this field of study to those who are new to it and direct others who are struggling to stay abreast of the literature towards notable recent studies. In ten sections, we briefly highlight early milestones within this field and its first clinical success stories. We showcase current clinical trials, which focus on gene replacement, gene augmentation, or gene suppression strategies. Next, we discuss ongoing efforts to improve the tropism of rAAV vectors for brain applications and introduce pre-clinical research directed toward harnessing rAAV vectors for gene editing applications. Subsequently, we present common genetic elements coded by the single-stranded DNA of rAAV vectors, their so-called payloads. Our focus is on recent advances that are bound to increase treatment efficacies. As needed, we included studies outside the neurodegenerative disease field that showcased improved pre-clinical designs of all-in-one rAAV vectors for gene editing applications. Finally, we discuss risks associated with off-target effects and inadvertent immunogenicity that these technologies harbor as well as the mitigation strategies available to date to make their application safer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leyao Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Lakshmy Vasan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bryan Kartono
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Kevan Clifford
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College St., Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Ahmadreza Attarpour
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St., Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Raghav Sharma
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Matthew Mandrozos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ain Kim
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wenda Zhao
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ari Belotserkovsky
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Claire Verkuyl
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Centre, 6th Floor, 60 Leonard Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 6th Floor, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Salimando GJ, Tremblay S, Kimmey BA, Li J, Rogers SA, Wojick JA, McCall NM, Wooldridge LM, Rodrigues A, Borner T, Gardiner KL, Jayakar SS, Singeç I, Woolf CJ, Hayes MR, De Jonghe BC, Bennett FC, Bennett ML, Blendy JA, Platt ML, Creasy KT, Renthal WR, Ramakrishnan C, Deisseroth K, Corder G. Human OPRM1 and murine Oprm1 promoter driven viral constructs for genetic access to μ-opioidergic cell types. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5632. [PMID: 37704594 PMCID: PMC10499891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41407-2] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
With concurrent global epidemics of chronic pain and opioid use disorders, there is a critical need to identify, target and manipulate specific cell populations expressing the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). However, available tools and transgenic models for gaining long-term genetic access to MOR+ neural cell types and circuits involved in modulating pain, analgesia and addiction across species are limited. To address this, we developed a catalog of MOR promoter (MORp) based constructs packaged into adeno-associated viral vectors that drive transgene expression in MOR+ cells. MORp constructs designed from promoter regions upstream of the mouse Oprm1 gene (mMORp) were validated for transduction efficiency and selectivity in endogenous MOR+ neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery of mice, with additional studies revealing robust expression in rats, shrews, and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived nociceptors. The use of mMORp for in vivo fiber photometry, behavioral chemogenetics, and intersectional genetic strategies is also demonstrated. Lastly, a human designed MORp (hMORp) efficiently transduced macaque cortical OPRM1+ cells. Together, our MORp toolkit provides researchers cell type specific genetic access to target and functionally manipulate mu-opioidergic neurons across a range of vertebrate species and translational models for pain, addiction, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Salimando
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sébastien Tremblay
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Blake A Kimmey
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jia Li
- Dept. of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sophie A Rogers
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica A Wojick
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nora M McCall
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa M Wooldridge
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amrith Rodrigues
- Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tito Borner
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kristin L Gardiner
- Dept. of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Selwyn S Jayakar
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilyas Singeç
- Stem Cell Translation Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bart C De Jonghe
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - F Christian Bennett
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neurology, Dept. of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mariko L Bennett
- Division of Neurology, Dept. of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Dept. of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael L Platt
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kate Townsend Creasy
- Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dept. of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William R Renthal
- Dept. of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Karl Deisseroth
- CNC Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Gregory Corder
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jonckheere AI, Kingma SDK, Eyskens F, Bordon V, Jansen AC. Metachromatic leukodystrophy: To screen or not to screen? Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 46:1-7. [PMID: 37354699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene encoding arylsulfatase A. Disease onset is variable (with late infantile, early and late juvenile, and adult forms) and treatment options depend on age and disease symptoms at onset. In the past, allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been the best treatment option, following strict selection criteria. The outcome however is variable and morbidity remains high. This paved the way to the development of new treatment options, some of them aiming to be curative. In the light of this changing therapeutic field, newborn screening is becoming a valuable option. This narrative review aims to describe the outcome of allo-HSCT in the different MLD disease forms, and, in addition, reviews new treatment options. Finally, the shift of the field towards newborn screening for MLD is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- An I Jonckheere
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium; Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Sandra D K Kingma
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - François Eyskens
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Victoria Bordon
- Department of Child Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ding L, Balsamo G, Diamantaki M, Preston-Ferrer P, Burgalossi A. Opto-juxtacellular interrogation of neural circuits in freely moving mice. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:2415-2440. [PMID: 37420087 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00842-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Neural circuits are assembled from an enormous variety of neuronal cell types. Although significant advances have been made in classifying neurons on the basis of morphological, molecular and electrophysiological properties, understanding how this diversity contributes to brain function during behavior has remained a major experimental challenge. Here, we present an extension to our previous protocol, in which we describe the technical procedures for performing juxtacellular opto-tagging of single neurons in freely moving mice by using Channelrhodopsin-2-expressing viral vectors. This method allows one to selectively target molecularly defined cell classes for in vivo single-cell recordings. The targeted cells can be labeled via juxtacellular procedures and further characterized via post-hoc morphological and molecular analysis. In its current form, the protocol allows multiple recording and labeling attempts to be performed within individual animals, by means of a mechanical pipette micropositioning system. We provide proof-of-principle validation of this technique by recording from Calbindin-positive pyramidal neurons in the mouse hippocampus during spatial exploration; however, this approach can easily be extended to other behaviors and cortical or subcortical areas. The procedures described here, from the viral injection to the histological processing of brain sections, can be completed in ~4-5 weeks.This protocol is an extension to: Nat. Protoc. 9, 2369-2381 (2014): https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2014.161.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Ding
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience-International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Balsamo
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience-International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maria Diamantaki
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience-International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS), Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Patricia Preston-Ferrer
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Burgalossi
- Institute of Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Werner-Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mullagulova A, Shaimardanova A, Solovyeva V, Mukhamedshina Y, Chulpanova D, Kostennikov A, Issa S, Rizvanov A. Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous and Intrathecal Delivery of AAV9-Mediated ARSA in Minipigs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119204. [PMID: 37298156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination and motor and cognitive impairments due to deficiencies of the lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA) or the saposin B activator protein (SapB). Current treatments are limited; however, gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for ARSA delivery has shown promising results. The main challenges for MLD gene therapy include optimizing the AAV dosage, selecting the most effective serotype, and determining the best route of administration for ARSA delivery into the central nervous system. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AAV serotype 9 encoding ARSA (AAV9-ARSA) gene therapy when administered intravenously or intrathecally in minipigs, a large animal model with anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. By comparing these two administration methods, this study contributes to the understanding of how to improve the effectiveness of MLD gene therapy and offers valuable insights for future clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aysilu Mullagulova
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Alisa Shaimardanova
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya Solovyeva
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Yana Mukhamedshina
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Department of Histology, Cytology, and Embryology, Kazan State Medical University, 420012 Kazan, Russia
| | - Daria Chulpanova
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Alexander Kostennikov
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Shaza Issa
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Banks E, Gutekunst CA, Vargish GA, Eaton A, Pelkey KA, McBain CJ, Zheng JQ, Oláh VJ, Rowan MJ. A novel enhancer-AAV approach selectively targeting dentate granule cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.03.527045. [PMID: 37214904 PMCID: PMC10197561 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.03.527045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian brain contains the most diverse array of cell types of any organ, including dozens of neuronal subtypes with distinct anatomical and functional characteristics. The brain leverages these neuron-type-specializations to perform diverse circuit operations and thus execute different behaviors properly. Through the use of Cre lines, access to specific neuron types has steadily improved over past decades. Despite their extraordinary utility, development and cross-breeding of Cre lines is time-consuming and expensive, presenting a significant barrier to entry for many investigators. Furthermore, cell-based therapeutics developed in Cre mice are not clinically translatable. Recently, several AAV vectors utilizing neuron-type-specific regulatory transcriptional sequences (enhancer-AAVs) were developed which overcome these limitations. Using a publicly available RNAseq dataset, we evaluated the potential of several candidate enhancers for neuron-type-specific targeting in the hippocampus. Here we identified a promising enhancer-AAV for targeting dentate granule cells and validated its selectivity in wild-type adult mice.
Collapse
|
12
|
Basurco L, Abellanas MA, Ayerra L, Conde E, Vinueza-Gavilanes R, Luquin E, Vales A, Vilas A, Martin-Uriz PS, Tamayo I, Alonso MM, Hernaez M, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Clavero P, Mengual E, Arrasate M, Hervás-Stubbs S, Aymerich MS. Microglia and astrocyte activation is region-dependent in the α-synuclein mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Glia 2023; 71:571-587. [PMID: 36353934 PMCID: PMC10100513 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation is a common feature in neurodegenerative diseases that contributes to neuronal loss. Previously, we demonstrated that the basal inflammatory tone differed between brain regions and, consequently, the reaction generated to a pro-inflammatory stimulus was different. In this study, we assessed the innate immune reaction in the midbrain and in the striatum using an experimental model of Parkinson's disease. An adeno-associated virus serotype 9 expressing the α-synuclein and mCherry genes or the mCherry gene was administered into the substantia nigra. Myeloid cells (CD11b+ ) and astrocytes (ACSA2+ ) were purified from the midbrain and striatum for bulk RNA sequencing. In the parkinsonian midbrain, CD11b+ cells presented a unique anti-inflammatory transcriptomic profile that differed from degenerative microglia signatures described in experimental models for other neurodegenerative conditions. By contrast, striatal CD11b+ cells showed a pro-inflammatory state and were similar to disease-associated microglia. In the midbrain, a prominent increase of infiltrated monocytes/macrophages was observed and, together with microglia, participated actively in the phagocytosis of dopaminergic neuronal bodies. Although striatal microglia presented a phagocytic transcriptomic profile, morphology and cell density was preserved and no active phagocytosis was detected. Interestingly, astrocytes presented a pro-inflammatory fingerprint in the midbrain and a low number of differentially displayed transcripts in the striatum. During α-synuclein-dependent degeneration, microglia and astrocytes experience context-dependent activation states with a different contribution to the inflammatory reaction. Our results point towards the relevance of selecting appropriate cell targets to design neuroprotective strategies aimed to modulate the innate immune system during the active phase of dopaminergic degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leyre Basurco
- Departamentode Bioquímica y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Neurociencias, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Abellanas
- Departamentode Bioquímica y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Neurociencias, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leyre Ayerra
- Departamentode Bioquímica y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Neurociencias, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enrique Conde
- Programa de Inmunología, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Esther Luquin
- Departamento de Patología, Anatomía y Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Africa Vales
- Programa de Terapia Génica, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaya Vilas
- Programa de Oncohematología, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Ibon Tamayo
- Programa de Biología Computacional, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta M Alonso
- Programa de Tumores Sólidos, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Neurociencias y Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Spain
| | - Mikel Hernaez
- Programa de Biología Computacional, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Programa de Terapia Génica, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Neurociencias y Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Spain
| | - Pedro Clavero
- Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elisa Mengual
- Departamento de Patología, Anatomía y Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Arrasate
- Programa de Neurociencias, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Neurociencias y Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Spain
| | - Sandra Hervás-Stubbs
- Programa de Inmunología, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Neurociencias y Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Spain
| | - Maria S Aymerich
- Departamentode Bioquímica y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Neurociencias, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Programa de Tumores Sólidos, CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Neurociencias y Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Spain
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu K, Yang Y, Hu Z, Yue Y, Gong Y, Cui J, Culver JP, Bruchas MR, Chen H. TRPV1-mediated sonogenetic neuromodulation of motor cortex in freely moving mice. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:016055. [PMID: 36780694 PMCID: PMC9969813 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acbba0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Background.Noninvasive and cell-type-specific neuromodulation tools are critically needed for probing intact brain function. Sonogenetics for noninvasive activation of neurons engineered to express thermosensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) by transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) was recently developed to address this need. However, using TRPV1-mediated sonogenetics to evoke behavior by targeting the cortex is challenged by its proximity to the skull due to high skull absorption of ultrasound and increased risks of thermal-induced tissue damage.Objective.This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of TRPV1-mediated sonogenetics in targeting the motor cortex to modulate the locomotor behavior of freely moving mice.Approach.Adeno-associated viral vectors was delivered to the mouse motor cortex via intracranial injection to express TRPV1 in excitatory neurons. A wearable FUS device was installed on the mouse head after a month to control neuronal activity by activating virally expressed TRPV1 through FUS sonication at different acoustic pressures. Immunohistochemistry staining ofex vivobrain slices was performed to verify neuron activation and evaluate safety.Results.TRPV1-mediated sonogenetic stimulation at 0.7 MPa successfully evoked rotational behavior in the direction contralateral to the stimulation site, activated cortical neurons as indicated by the upregulation of c-Fos, and did not induce significant changes in inflammatory or apoptotic markers (GFAP, Iba1, and Caspase-3). Sonogenetic stimulation of TRPV1 mice at a higher acoustic pressure, 1.1 MPa, induced significant changes in motor behavior and upregulation of c-Fos compared with FUS sonication of naïve mice at 1.1 MPa. However, signs of damage at the meninges were observed at 1.1 MPa.Significance.TRPV1-mediated sonogenetics can achieve effective and safe neuromodulation at the cortex with carefully selected FUS parameters. These findings expand the application of this technique to include superficial brain targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Yaoheng Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Zhongtao Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Yimei Yue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Yan Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Jianmin Cui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
| | - Joseph P Culver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States of America
- Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States of America
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Center of Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States of America
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, United States of America
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Merjane J, Chung R, Patani R, Lisowski L. Molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as broad therapeutic targets for gene therapy applications utilizing adeno-associated viral vectors. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36786126 DOI: 10.1002/med.21937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the devastating clinical outcome of the neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), its etiology remains mysterious. Approximately 90% of ALS is characterized as sporadic, signifying that the patient has no family history of the disease. The development of an impactful disease modifying therapy across the ALS spectrum has remained out of grasp, largely due to the poorly understood mechanisms of disease onset and progression. Currently, ALS is invariably fatal and rapidly progressive. It is hypothesized that multiple factors can lead to the development of ALS, however, treatments are often focused on targeting specific familial forms of the disease (10% of total cases). There is a strong need to develop disease modifying treatments for ALS that can be effective across the full ALS spectrum of familial and sporadic cases. Although the onset of disease varies significantly between patients, there are general disease mechanisms and progressions that can be seen broadly across ALS patients. Therefore, this review explores the targeting of these widespread disease mechanisms as possible areas for therapeutic intervention to treat ALS broadly. In particular, this review will focus on targeting mechanisms of defective protein homeostasis and RNA processing, which are both increasingly recognized as design principles of ALS pathogenesis. Additionally, this review will explore the benefits of gene therapy as an approach to treating ALS, specifically focusing on the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene delivery to the CNS and recent advances in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Merjane
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger Chung
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chandran J, Chowdhury EA, Perkinton M, Jamier T, Sutton D, Wu S, Dobson C, Shah DK, Chessell I, Meno-Tetang GML. Assessment of AAV9 distribution and transduction in rats after administration through Intrastriatal, Intracisterna magna and Lumbar Intrathecal routes. Gene Ther 2023; 30:132-141. [PMID: 35637286 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Challenges in obtaining efficient transduction of brain and spinal cord following systemic AAV delivery have led to alternative administration routes being used in clinical trials that directly infuse the virus into the CNS. However, data comparing different direct AAV injections into the brain remain limited making it difficult to choose optimal routes. Here we tested both AAV9-egfp and AAV9-fLuc delivery via intrastriatal (IST), intracisterna magna (ICM) and lumbar intrathecal (LIT) routes in adult rats and assessed vector distribution and transduction in brain, spinal cord and peripheral tissues. We find that IST infusion leads to robust transgene expression in the striatum, thalamus and cortex with lower peripheral tissue transduction and anti-AAV9 capsid titers compared to ICM or LIT. ICM delivery provided strong GFP and luciferase expression across more brain regions than the other routes and similar expression in the spinal cord to LIT injections, which itself largely failed to transduce the rat brain. Our data highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each direct CNS delivery route which will help with future clinical targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth Chandran
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ekram Ahmed Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Tanguy Jamier
- Neuroscience, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel Sutton
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Science, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shengjia Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Claire Dobson
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dhaval K Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Iain Chessell
- Neuroscience, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stanton AC, Lagerborg KA, Tellez L, Krunnfusz A, King EM, Ye S, Solomon IH, Tabebordbar M, Sabeti PC. Systemic administration of novel engineered AAV capsids facilitates enhanced transgene expression in the macaque CNS. MED 2023; 4:31-50.e8. [PMID: 36417917 PMCID: PMC9840684 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are a promising vehicle for noninvasive gene delivery to the central nervous system via intravenous infusion. However, naturally occurring serotypes have a limited ability to transduce the brain, and translating engineered capsids from mice to nonhuman primates has proved challenging. METHODS In this study, we use an mRNA-based directed-evolution strategy in multiple strains of mice as well as a de novo selection in cynomolgus macaques to identify families of engineered vectors with increased potency in the brain and decreased tropism for the liver. FINDINGS We compare the transgene expression capabilities of several engineered vectors and show that while some of our novel macaque-derived variants significantly outperform AAV9 in transducing the macaque brain following systemic administration, mouse-derived variants-both those identified in this study and those reported by other groups-universally do not. CONCLUSIONS Together, the results of this work introduce a class of primate-derived engineered AAV capsids with increased therapeutic potential and highlight the critical need for using appropriate animal models to both identify and evaluate novel AAVs intended for delivery to the human central nervous system. FUNDING This work was funded primarily through an anonymous philanthropic gift to the P.C.S. lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to P.C.S.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Stanton
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142,Harvard Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115,Lead Contact,Correspondence: (A.C.S); (P.C.S.)
| | - Kim A. Lagerborg
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142,Harvard Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | - Liana Tellez
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | | | - Emily M. King
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Simon Ye
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142,Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Isaac H. Solomon
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 02115,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA 02115
| | | | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138,Correspondence: (A.C.S); (P.C.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Heller G, Bradbury AM, Sands MS, Bongarzone ER. Preclinical studies in Krabbe disease: A model for the investigation of novel combination therapies for lysosomal storage diseases. Mol Ther 2023; 31:7-23. [PMID: 36196048 PMCID: PMC9840155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.017] [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: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease (KD) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by mutations in the galc gene. There are over 50 monogenetic LSDs, which largely impede the normal development of children and often lead to premature death. At present, there are no cures for LSDs and the available treatments are generally insufficient, short acting, and not without co-morbidities or long-term side effects. The last 30 years have seen significant advances in our understanding of LSD pathology as well as treatment options. Two gene therapy-based clinical trials, NCT04693598 and NCT04771416, for KD were recently started based on those advances. This review will discuss how our knowledge of KD got to where it is today, focusing on preclinical investigations, and how what was discovered may prove beneficial for the treatment of other LSDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Heller
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Allison M Bradbury
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Abigail Wexner Research Institute Nationwide Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
| | - Mark S Sands
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ernesto R Bongarzone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Giovannelli I, Higginbottom A, Kirby J, Azzouz M, Shaw PJ. Prospects for gene replacement therapies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:39-52. [PMID: 36481799 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00751-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. ALS causes death, usually within 2-5 years of diagnosis. Riluzole, the only drug currently approved in Europe for the treatment of this condition, offers only a modest benefit, increasing survival by 3 months on average. Recent advances in our understanding of causative or disease-modifying genetic variants and in the development of genetic therapy strategies present exciting new therapeutic opportunities for ALS. In addition, the approval of adeno-associated virus-mediated delivery of functional copies of the SMN1 gene to treat spinal muscular atrophy represents an important therapeutic milestone and demonstrates the potential of gene replacement therapies for motor neuron disorders. In this Review, we describe the current landscape of genetic therapies in ALS, highlighting achievements and critical challenges. In particular, we discuss opportunities for gene replacement therapy in subgroups of people with ALS, and we describe loss-of-function mutations that are known to contribute to the pathophysiology of ALS and could represent novel targets for gene replacement therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giovannelli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Adrian Higginbottom
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Real CC, Binda KH, Thomsen MB, Lillethorup TP, Brooks DJ, Landau AM. Selecting the Best Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease for Your Research Purpose: Insight from in vivo PET Imaging Studies. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1241-1272. [PMID: 36797611 PMCID: PMC10286593 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230216101659] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative multisystem disorder leading to motor and non-motor symptoms in millions of individuals. Despite intense research, there is still no cure, and early disease biomarkers are lacking. Animal models of PD have been inspired by basic elements of its pathogenesis, such as dopamine dysfunction, alpha-synuclein accumulation, neuroinflammation and disruption of protein degradation, and these have been crucial for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of pathology, the identification of biomarkers, and evaluation of novel therapies. Imaging biomarkers are non-invasive tools to assess disease progression and response to therapies; their discovery and validation have been an active field of translational research. Here, we highlight different considerations of animal models of PD that can be applied to future research, in terms of their suitability to answer different research questions. We provide the reader with important considerations of the best choice of model to use based on the disease features of each model, including issues related to different species. In addition, positron emission tomography studies conducted in PD animal models in the last 5 years are presented. With a variety of different species, interventions and genetic information, the choice of the most appropriate model to answer research questions can be daunting, especially since no single model recapitulates all aspects of this complex disorder. Appropriate animal models in conjunction with in vivo molecular imaging tools, if selected properly, can be a powerful combination for the assessment of novel therapies and developing tools for early diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cristiano Real
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karina Henrique Binda
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Majken Borup Thomsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thea Pinholt Lillethorup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David James Brooks
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Institute of Translational and Clinical Research, University of Newcastle, Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne Marlene Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen H, Durinck S, Patel H, Foreman O, Mesh K, Eastham J, Caothien R, Newman RJ, Roose-Girma M, Darmanis S, Warming S, Lattanzi A, Liang Y, Haley B. Population-wide gene disruption in the murine lung epithelium via AAV-mediated delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 components. MOLECULAR THERAPY - METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2022; 27:431-449. [DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
21
|
Zhou K, Han J, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhu C. Routes of administration for adeno-associated viruses carrying gene therapies for brain diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:988914. [PMID: 36385771 PMCID: PMC9643316 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.988914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy is a powerful tool to treat various central nervous system (CNS) diseases ranging from monogenetic diseases to neurodegenerative disorders. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have been widely used as the delivery vehicles for CNS gene therapies due to their safety, CNS tropism, and long-term therapeutic effect. However, several factors, including their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, the efficiency of transduction, their immunotoxicity, loading capacity, the choice of serotype, and peripheral off-target effects should be carefully considered when designing an optimal AAV delivery strategy for a specific disease. In addition, distinct routes of administration may affect the efficiency and safety of AAV-delivered gene therapies. In this review, we summarize different administration routes of gene therapies delivered by AAVs to the brain in mice and rats. Updated knowledge regarding AAV-delivered gene therapies may facilitate the selection from various administration routes for specific disease models in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhou
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurobehavior, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinming Han
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yafeng Wang
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurobehavior, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Henan Neurodevelopment Engineering Research Center for Children, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurobehavior, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Centre for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Rajan DS, Escolar ML. Evolving therapies in neuronopathic LSDs: opportunities and challenges. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:2245-2256. [PMID: 35442005 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00939-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are multisystemic progressive disorders caused by genetic mutations involving lysosomal function. While LSDs are individually considered rare diseases, the overall true prevalence of these disorders is likely higher than our current estimates. More than two third of the LSDs have associated neurodegeneration and the neurological phenotype often defines the course of the disease and treatment outcomes. Addressing the neurological involvement in LSDs has posed a significant challenge in the rapidly evolving field of therapies for these diseases. In this review, we summarize current approaches and clinical trials available for patients with neuronopathic lysosomal storage disorders, exploring the opportunities and challenges that have emerged with each of these.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepa S Rajan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maria L Escolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Surdyka M, Jesion E, Niewiadomska-Cimicka A, Trottier Y, Kalinowska-Pośka Ż, Figiel M. Selective transduction of cerebellar Purkinje and granule neurons using delivery of AAV-PHP.eB and AAVrh10 vectors at axonal terminal locations. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:947490. [PMID: 36176957 PMCID: PMC9513253 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.947490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based brain gene therapies require precision without off-targeting of unaffected neurons to avoid side effects. The cerebellum and its cell populations, including granule and Purkinje cells, are vulnerable to neurodegeneration; hence, conditions to deliver the therapy to specific cell populations selectively remain challenging. We have investigated a system consisting of the AAV serotypes, targeted injections, and transduction modes (direct or retrograde) for targeted delivery of AAV to cerebellar cell populations. We selected the AAV-PHP.eB and AAVrh10 serotypes valued for their retrograde features, and we thoroughly examined their cerebellar transduction pattern when injected into lobules and deep cerebellar nuclei. We found that AAVrh10 is suitable for the transduction of neurons in the mode highly dependent on placing the virus at axonal terminals. The strategy secures selective transduction for granule cells. The AAV-PHP.eB can transduce Purkinje cells and is very selective for the cell type when injected into the DCN at axonal PC terminals. Therefore, both serotypes can be used in a retrograde mode for selective transduction of major neuronal types in the cerebellum. Moreover, our in vivo transduction strategies are suitable for pre-clinical protocol development for gene delivery to granule cells by AAVrh10 and Purkinje cells by AAV-PHPeB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Surdyka
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewelina Jesion
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Żaneta Kalinowska-Pośka
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Maciej Figiel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Marrone L, Marchi PM, Azzouz M. Circumventing the packaging limit of AAV-mediated gene replacement therapy for neurological disorders. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1163-1176. [PMID: 34904932 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2012148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene therapy provides the exciting opportunity of a curative single treatment for devastating diseases, eradicating the need for chronic medication. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are among the most attractive vector carriers for gene replacement in vivo. Yet, despite the success of recent AAV-based clinical trials, the clinical use of these vectors has been limited. For instance, the AAV packaging capacity is restricted to ~4.7 kb, making it a substantial challenge to deliver large gene products. AREAS COVERED In this review, we explore established and emerging strategies that circumvent the packaging limit of AAVs to make them effective vehicles for gene replacement therapy of monogenic disorders, with a particular focus on diseases affecting the nervous system. We report historical references, design remarks, as well as strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. We additionally discuss examples of neurological disorders for which such strategies have been attempted. EXPERT OPINION The field of AAV-gene therapy has experienced enormous advancements in the last decade. However, there is still ample space for improvement aimed at overcoming existing challenges that are slowing down the progressive trajectory of this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Marrone
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paolo M Marchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hunter JE, Molony CM, Bagel JH, O’Donnell PA, Kaler SG, Wolfe JH. Transduction characteristics of alternative adeno-associated virus serotypes in the cat brain by intracisternal delivery. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:384-393. [PMID: 36034772 PMCID: PMC9391516 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Multiple studies have examined the transduction characteristics of different AAV serotypes in the mouse brain, where they can exhibit significantly different patterns of transduction. The pattern of transduction also varies with the route of administration. Much less information exists for the transduction characteristics in large-brained animals. Large animal models have brains that are closer in size and organization to the human brain, such as being gyrencephalic compared to the lissencephalic rodent brains, pathway organization, and certain electrophysiologic properties. Large animal models are used as translational intermediates to develop gene therapies to treat human diseases. Various AAV serotypes and routes of delivery have been used to study the correction of pathology in the brain in lysosomal storage diseases. In this study, we evaluated the ability of selected AAV serotypes to transduce cells in the cat brain when delivered into the cerebrospinal fluid via the cisterna magna. We previously showed that AAV1 transduced significantly greater numbers of cells than AAV9 in the cat brain by this route. In the present study, we evaluated serotypes closely related to AAVs 1 and 9 (AAVs 6, AS, hu32) that may mediate more extensive transduction, as well as AAVs 4 and 5, which primarily transduce choroid plexus epithelial (CPE) and ependymal lining cells in the rodent brain. The related serotypes tended to have similar patterns of transduction but were divergent in some specific brain structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E. Hunter
- Research Institute of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 502-G Abramson Research Center, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Caitlyn M. Molony
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jessica H. Bagel
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Patricia A. O’Donnell
- W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephen G. Kaler
- Section on Translational Neuroscience, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John H. Wolfe
- Research Institute of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 502-G Abramson Research Center, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,W.F. Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Corresponding author John H. Wolfe, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 502-G Abramson Research Center, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Transduction of Brain Neurons in Juvenile Chum Salmon ( Oncorhynchus keta) with Recombinant Adeno-Associated Hippocampal Virus Injected into the Cerebellum during Long-Term Monitoring. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094947. [PMID: 35563338 PMCID: PMC9101580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Corpus cerebelli in juvenile chum salmon is a multiprojective region of the brain connected via afferent and efferent projections with the higher regions of the brainstem and synencephalon, as well as with multiprojection regions of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. During the postembryonic development of the cerebellum in chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, the lateral part of the juvenile cerebellum gives rise to the caudomedial part of the definitive cerebellum, which is consistent with the data reported for zebrafish and mouse cerebellum. Thus, the topographic organization of the cerebellum and its efferents are similar between fish (chum salmon and zebrafish) and mammals, including mice and humans. The distributions of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAVs) after an injection of the base vector into the cerebellum have shown highly specific patterns of transgene expression in bipolar neurons in the latero-caudal lobe of the juvenile chum tectum opticum. The distribution of rAAVs in the dorsal thalamus, epithalamus, nucleus rotundus, and pretectal complex indicates the targeted distribution of the transgene via the thalamo-cerebellar projections. The detection of GFP expression in the cells of the epiphysis and posterior tubercle of juvenile chum salmon is associated with the transgene’s distribution and with the cerebrospinal fluid flow, the brain ventricles and its outer surface. The direct delivery of the rAAV into the central nervous system by intracerebroventricular administration allows it to spread widely in the brain. Thus, the presence of special projection areas in the juvenile chum salmon cerebellum, as well as outside it, and the identification of the transgene’s expression in them confirm the potential ability of rAAVs to distribute in both intracerebellar and afferent and efferent extracerebellar projections of the cerebellum.
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhou C, Ni W, Zhu T, Dong S, Sun P, Hua F. Cellular Reprogramming and Its Potential Application in Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:884667. [PMID: 35464309 PMCID: PMC9023048 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.884667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become the most common age-related dementia in the world and is currently incurable. Although many efforts have been made, the underlying mechanisms of AD remain unclear. Extracellular amyloid-beta deposition, intracellular tau hyperphosphorylation, neuronal death, glial cell activation, white matter damage, blood–brain barrier disruption, and other mechanisms all take part in this complicated disease, making it difficult to find an effective therapy. In the study of therapeutic methods, how to restore functional neurons and integrate myelin becomes the main point. In recent years, with the improvement and maturity of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and direct cell reprogramming technology, it has become possible to induce non-neuronal cells, such as fibroblasts or glial cells, directly into neuronal cells in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, the induced neurons are functional and capable of entering the local neural net. These encouraging results provide a potential new approach for AD therapy. In this review, we summarized the characteristics of AD, the reprogramming technique, and the current research on the application of cellular reprogramming in AD. The existing problems regarding cellular reprogramming and its therapeutic potential for AD were also reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhou
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wanyan Ni
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Taiyang Zhu
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuyu Dong
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Fang Hua
- Institute of Neurological Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fang Hua,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wu BW, Yee MB, Goldstein RS, Kinchington PR. Antiviral Targeting of Varicella Zoster Virus Replication and Neuronal Reactivation Using CRISPR/Cas9 Cleavage of the Duplicated Open Reading Frames 62/71. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020378. [PMID: 35215971 PMCID: PMC8880005 DOI: 10.3390/v14020378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes Herpes Zoster (HZ), a common debilitating and complicated disease affecting up to a third of unvaccinated populations. Novel antiviral treatments for VZV reactivation and HZ are still in need. Here, we evaluated the potential of targeting the replicating and reactivating VZV genome using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat-Cas9 nucleases (CRISPR/Cas9) delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. After AAV serotype and guide RNA (gRNA) optimization, we report that a single treatment with AAV2-expressing Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR/Cas9 (saCas9) with gRNA to the duplicated and essential VZV genes ORF62/71 (AAV2-62gRsaCas9) greatly reduced VZV progeny yield and cell-to-cell spread in representative epithelial cells and in lytically infected human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neurons. In contrast, AAV2-62gRsaCas9 did not reduce the replication of a recombinant virus mutated in the ORF62 targeted sequence, establishing that antiviral effects were a consequence of VZV-genome targeting. Delivery to latently infected and reactivation-induced neuron cultures also greatly reduced infectious-virus production. These results demonstrate the potential of AAV-delivered genome editors to limit VZV productive replication in epithelial cells, infected human neurons, and upon reactivation. The approach could be developed into a strategy for the treatment of VZV disease and virus spread in HZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Betty W. Wu
- Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Michael B. Yee
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | | | - Paul R. Kinchington
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-412-647-6319
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Balachandar L, Borrego D, Diaz JR. Serotype-based evaluation of an optogenetic construct in rat cortical astrocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 593:35-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
30
|
Kremer LP, Cerrizuela S, Dehler S, Stiehl T, Weinmann J, Abendroth H, Kleber S, Laure A, El Andari J, Anders S, Marciniak-Czochra A, Grimm D, Martin-Villalba A. High throughput screening of novel AAV capsids identifies variants for transduction of adult NSCs within the subventricular zone. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 23:33-50. [PMID: 34553001 PMCID: PMC8427210 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The adult mammalian brain entails a reservoir of neural stem cells (NSCs) generating glial cells and neurons. However, NSCs become increasingly quiescent with age, which hampers their regenerative capacity. New means are therefore required to genetically modify adult NSCs for re-enabling endogenous brain repair. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are ideal gene-therapy vectors due to an excellent safety profile and high transduction efficiency. We thus conducted a high-throughput screening of 177 intraventricularly injected barcoded AAV variants profiled by RNA sequencing. Quantification of barcoded AAV mRNAs identified two synthetic capsids, peptide-modified derivative of wild-type AAV9 (AAV9_A2) and peptide-modified derivative of wild-type AAV1 (AAV1_P5), both of which transduce active and quiescent NSCs. Further optimization of AAV1_P5 by judicious selection of the promoter and dose of injected viral genomes enabled labeling of 30%–60% of the NSC compartment, which was validated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses and single-cell RNA sequencing. Importantly, transduced NSCs readily produced neurons. The present study identifies AAV variants with a high regional tropism toward the ventricular-subventricular zone (v-SVZ) with high efficiency in targeting adult NSCs, thereby paving the way for preclinical testing of regenerative gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas P.M. Kremer
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Santiago Cerrizuela
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sascha Dehler
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stiehl
- Institute of Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing and BioQuant, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Weinmann
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Abendroth
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kleber
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Laure
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Anders
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Marciniak-Czochra
- Institute of Applied Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing and BioQuant, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Virus-Host Interaction Group, Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence Cell Networks, BioQuant, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ana Martin-Villalba
- Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Corresponding author: Ana Martin-Villalba, Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Arotcarena ML, Dovero S, Biendon N, Dutheil N, Planche V, Bezard E, Dehay B. Pilot Study Assessing the Impact of Intrathecal Administration of Variants AAV-PHP.B and AAV-PHP.eB on Brain Transduction in Adult Rhesus Macaques. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:762209. [PMID: 34869273 PMCID: PMC8634843 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.762209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are increasingly used as an effective and safe approach to deliver genetic material to the central nervous system (CNS). The AAV9-derived variants, AAV-PHP. B and AAV-PHP.eB, reportedly broadly transduce cells throughout the CNS compared to the original serotype 9, AAV9. As non-human primate data are scarce, we here evaluated the CNS transduction efficiencies after lumbar intrathecal bolus delivery of identical doses of either AAV-PHP. B:CAG-EGFP or AAV-PHP. eB:CAG-EGFP in rhesus macaque monkeys. AAV-PHP.eB achieved a more efficient and widespread CNS transduction compared to AAV-PHP.B. We report a strong neuronal and oligodendroglial tropism for both variants in the putamen and in the hippocampus. This proof-of-concept experiment highlights the potential value of intrathecal infusions of AAV-PHP.eB to distribute genetic material in the CNS with cell-type specificity and introduces a new opportunity to model brain diseases in rhesus macaque monkeys and further develop gene therapies targeting the CNS in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Dovero
- CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Vincent Planche
- CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,Centre Memoire de Ressources et de Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Erwan Bezard
- CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Heflin JK, Sun W. Novel Toolboxes for the Investigation of Activity-Dependent Myelination in the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:769809. [PMID: 34795563 PMCID: PMC8592894 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.769809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelination is essential for signal processing within neural networks. Emerging data suggest that neuronal activity positively instructs myelin development and myelin adaptation during adulthood. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling activity-dependent myelination have not been fully elucidated. Myelination is a multi-step process that involves the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells followed by the initial contact and ensheathment of axons by mature oligodendrocytes. Conventional end-point studies rarely capture the dynamic interaction between neurons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells spanning such a long temporal window. Given that such interactions and downstream signaling cascades are likely to occur within fine cellular processes of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells, overcoming spatial resolution limitations represents another technical hurdle in the field. In this mini-review, we discuss how advanced genetic, cutting-edge imaging, and electrophysiological approaches enable us to investigate neuron-oligodendrocyte lineage cell interaction and myelination with both temporal and spatial precision.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack Kent Heflin
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Wenjing Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Thirtamara Rajamani K, Leithead AB, Kim M, Barbier M, Peruggia M, Niblo K, Barteczko L, Lefevre A, Grinevich V, Harony-Nicolas H. Efficiency of cell-type specific and generic promoters in transducing oxytocin neurons and monitoring their neural activity during lactation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22541. [PMID: 34795340 PMCID: PMC8602291 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01818-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) neurons have been at the center of several physiological and behavioral studies. Advances in viral vector biology and the development of transgenic rodent models have allowed for targeted gene expression to study the functions of specific cell populations and brain circuits. In this study, we compared the efficiency of various adeno-associated viral vectors in these cell populations and demonstrated that none of the widely used promoters were, on their own, effective at driving expression of a down-stream fluorescent protein in OXT or AVP neurons. As anticipated, the OXT promoter could efficiently drive gene expression in OXT neurons and this efficiency is solely attributed to the promoter and not the viral serotype. We also report that a dual virus approach using an OXT promoter driven Cre recombinase significantly improved the efficiency of viral transduction in OXT neurons. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of the OXT promoter for conducting functional studies on OXT neurons by using an OXT specific viral system to record neural activity of OXT neurons in lactating female rats across time. We conclude that extreme caution is needed when employing non-neuron-specific viral approaches/promoters to study neural populations within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keerthi Thirtamara Rajamani
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda B Leithead
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie Barbier
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Peruggia
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristi Niblo
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lara Barteczko
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Arthur Lefevre
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sevin C, Deiva K. Clinical Trials for Gene Therapy in Lysosomal Diseases With CNS Involvement. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:624988. [PMID: 34604300 PMCID: PMC8481654 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.624988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
There are over 70 known lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), most caused by mutations in genes encoding lysosomal hydrolases. Central nervous system involvement is a hallmark of the majority of LSDs and, if present, generally determines the prognosis of the disease. Nonetheless, brain disease is currently poorly targeted by available therapies, including systemic enzyme replacement therapy, mostly (but not only) due to the presence of the blood–brain barrier that restricts the access of orally or parenterally administered large molecules into the brain. Thus, one of the greatest and most exciting challenges over coming years will be to succeed in developing effective therapies for the treatment of central nervous system manifestations in LSDs. Over recent years, gene therapy (GT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for a variety of inherited neurodegenerative diseases. In LSDs, the ability of genetically corrected cells to cross-correct adjacent lysosomal enzyme-deficient cells in the brain after gene transfer might enhance the diffusion of the recombinant enzyme, making this group of diseases a strong candidate for such an approach. Both in vivo (using the administration of recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors) and ex vivo (auto-transplantation of lentiviral vector-modified hematopoietic stem cells-HSCs) strategies are feasible. Promising results have been obtained in an ever-increasing number of preclinical studies in rodents and large animal models of LSDs, and these give great hope of GT successfully correcting neurological defects, once translated to clinical practice. We are now at the stage of treating patients, and various clinical trials are underway, to assess the safety and efficacy of in vivo and ex vivo GT in several neuropathic LSDs. In this review, we summarize different approaches being developed and review the current clinical trials related to neuropathic LSDs, their results (if any), and their limitations. We will also discuss the pitfalls and the remaining challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sevin
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Kumaran Deiva
- Pediatric Neurology Department, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Srivastava V, Singh A, Jain GK, Ahmad FJ, Shukla R, Kesharwani P. Viral vectors as a promising nanotherapeutic approach against neurodegenerative disorders. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
36
|
Qian C, Yang C, Lu M, Bao J, Shen H, Deng B, Li S, Li W, Zhang M, Cao C. Activating AhR alleviates cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease model mice by upregulating endogenous Aβ catabolic enzyme Neprilysin. Theranostics 2021; 11:8797-8812. [PMID: 34522212 PMCID: PMC8419060 DOI: 10.7150/thno.61601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Neprilysin (NEP) is a major endogenous catabolic enzyme of amyloid β (Aβ). Previous studies have suggested that increasing NEP expression in animal models of Alzheimer's disease had an ameliorative effect. However, the underlying signaling pathway that regulates NEP expression remains unclear. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated cytoplasmic receptor and transcription factor. Recent studies have shown that AhR plays essential roles in the central nervous system (CNS), but its physiological and pathological roles in regulating NEP are not entirely known. Methods: Western blotting, immunofluorescence, quantitative RT-PCR and enzyme activity assay were used to verify the effects of AhR agonists on NEP in a cell model (N2a) and a mouse model (APP/PS1). Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were conducted to investigate the roles of AhR in regulating NEP transcription. Object recognition test and the Morris water maze task were performed to assess the cognitive capacity of the mice. Results: Activating AhR by the endogenous ligand L-Kynurenine (L-KN) or FICZ, or by the exogenous ligand diosmin or indole-3-carbinol (I3C) significantly increases NEP expression and enzyme activity in N2a cells and APP/PS1 mice. We also found that AhR is a direct transcription factor of NEP. Diosmin treatment effectively ameliorated the cognitive disorder and memory deficit of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. By knocking down AhR or using a small molecular inhibitor targeting AhR or NEP, we found that diosmin enhanced Aβ degradation through activated AhR and increased NEP expression. Conclusions: These results indicate a novel pathway for regulating NEP expression in neurons and that AhR may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
|
37
|
Tchedre KT, Batabyal S, Galicia M, Narcisse D, Mustafi SM, Ayyagari A, Chavala S, Mohanty SK. Biodistribution of adeno-associated virus type 2 carrying multi-characteristic opsin in dogs following intravitreal injection. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8676-8686. [PMID: 34418301 PMCID: PMC8435460 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy of retinal diseases using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector-based delivery has shown clinical success, and clinical trials based on rAAV-based optogenetic therapies are currently in progress. Recently, we have developed multi-characteristic opsin (MCO), which has been shown to effectively re-photosensitize photoreceptor-degenerated retina in mice leading to vision restoration at ambient light environment. Here, we report the biodistribution of the rAAV2 carried MCO (vMCO-I) in live samples and post-mortem organs following intraocular delivery in wild-type dogs. Immunohistochemistry showed that the intravitreal injection of vMCO-I resulted in gene transduction in the inner nuclear layer (INL) but did not induce detectable inflammatory or immune reaction in the dog retina. Vector DNA analysis of live body wastes and body fluids such as saliva and nasal secretions using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed no correlative increase of vector copy in nasal secretions or saliva, minimal increase of vector copy in urine in the low-dose group 13 weeks after injection and in the faeces of the high-dose group at 3-13 weeks after injection suggesting clearance of the virus vector via urine and faeces. Further analysis of vector DNA extracted from faeces using PCR showed no transgene after 3 weeks post-injection. Intravitreal injection of vMCO-I resulted in few sporadic off-target presences of the vector in the mesenteric lymph node, liver, spleen and testis. This study showed that intravitreal rAAV2-based delivery of MCO-I for retinal gene therapy is safe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kissaou T. Tchedre
- Nanoscope Technologies LLCArlingtonTexasUSA
- Nanoscope Therapeutics IncBedfordTexasUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ananta Ayyagari
- Nanoscope Technologies LLCArlingtonTexasUSA
- Nanoscope Therapeutics IncBedfordTexasUSA
| | | | - Samarendra K. Mohanty
- Nanoscope Technologies LLCArlingtonTexasUSA
- Nanoscope Therapeutics IncBedfordTexasUSA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ballon DJ, Rosenberg JB, Fung EK, Nikolopoulou A, Kothari P, De BP, He B, Chen A, Heier LA, Sondhi D, Kaminsky SM, Mozley PD, Babich JW, Crystal RG. Quantitative Whole-Body Imaging of I-124-Labeled Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Biodistribution in Nonhuman Primates. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:1237-1259. [PMID: 33233962 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A method is presented for quantitative analysis of the biodistribution of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vectors following in vivo administration. We used iodine-124 (I-124) radiolabeling of the AAV capsid and positron emission tomography combined with compartmental modeling to quantify whole-body and organ-specific biodistribution of AAV capsids from 1 to 72 h following administration. Using intravenous (IV) and intracisternal (IC) routes of administration of AAVrh.10 and AAV9 vectors to nonhuman primates in the absence or presence of anticapsid immunity, we have identified novel insights into initial capsid biodistribution and organ-specific capsid half-life. Neither I-124-labeled AAVrh.10 nor AAV9 administered intravenously was detected at significant levels in the brain relative to the administered vector dose. Approximately 50% of the intravenously administered labeled capsids were dispersed throughout the body, independent of the liver, heart, and spleen. When administered by the IC route, the labeled capsid had a half-life of ∼10 h in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), suggesting that by this route, the CSF serves as a source with slow diffusion into the brain. For both IV and IC administration, there was significant influence of pre-existing anticapsid immunity on I-124-capsid biodistribution. The methodology facilitates quantitative in vivo viral vector dosimetry, which can serve as a technique for evaluation of both on- and off-target organ biodistribution, and potentially accelerate gene therapy development through rapid prototyping of novel vector designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Ballon
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center.,Department of Genetic Medicine
| | | | - Edward K Fung
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Paresh Kothari
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Bin He
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | | - Linda A Heier
- Department of Radiology; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - John W Babich
- Department of Radiology, Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Center
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sehara Y, Hayashi Y, Ohba K, Uchibori R, Urabe M, Inutsuka A, Shimazaki K, Kawai K, Mizukami H. Higher Transduction Efficiency of AAV5 to Neural Stem Cells and Immature Neurons in Gerbil Dentate Gyrus Compared to AAV2 and rh10. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 33:76-85. [PMID: 34348481 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The safety and high efficiency of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors has facilitated their wide scale use to deliver therapeutic genes for experimental and clinical purposes in diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). AAV1, 2, 5, 8, 9, and rh10 are the most commonly used serotypes for CNS applications. Most AAVs are known to transduce genes predominantly into neurons. However, the precise tropism of AAVs in the dentate gyrus (DG), the region where persistent neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain, is not fully understood. We stereotaxically injected 1.5 × 1010 viral genomes of AAV2, 5, or rh10 carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the right side of gerbil hippocampus, and performed immunofluorescent analysis using differentiation stage-specific markers one week after injection. We found that AAV5 showed a significantly larger number of double positive cells for GFP and Sox2 in the DG, compared to the AAV2 and rh10 groups. On the other hand, AAVrh10 presented a substantially larger number of double positive cells for GFP and NeuN in the DG, compared to AAV2 and AAV5. Our findings indicated that AAV5 showed high transduction efficiency to neural stem cells and precursor cells, while AAVrh10 showed much higher efficiency to mature neurons in the DG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Sehara
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan, 329-0498;
| | - Yuka Hayashi
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Kenji Ohba
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Ryosuke Uchibori
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Masashi Urabe
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Ayumu Inutsuka
- Jichi Medical University, 12838, Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Kuniko Shimazaki
- Jichi Medical University, 12838, Department of Neurosurgery, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Kensuke Kawai
- Jichi Medical University, 12838, Department of Neurosurgery, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Jichi Medical University, Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Center for Molecular Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Huntington TE, Srinivasan R. Adeno-Associated Virus Expression of α-Synuclein as a Tool to Model Parkinson's Disease: Current Understanding and Knowledge Gaps. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1120-1137. [PMID: 34221553 PMCID: PMC8219504 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population and is characterized by a constellation of motor and non-motor symptoms. The abnormal aggregation and spread of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is thought to underlie the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to the development of PD. It is in this context that the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to express a-syn in the rodent midbrain has become a popular tool to model SNc DA neuron loss during PD. In this review, we summarize results from two decades of experiments using AAV-mediated a-syn expression in rodents to model PD. Specifically, we outline aspects of AAV vectors that are particularly relevant to modeling a-syn dysfunction in rodent models of PD such as changes in striatal neurochemistry, a-syn biochemistry, and PD-related behaviors resulting from AAV-mediated a-syn expression in the midbrain. Finally, we discuss the emerging role of astrocytes in propagating a-syn pathology, and point to future directions for employing AAVs as a tool to better understand how astrocytes contribute to a-syn pathology during the development of PD. We envision that lessons learned from two decades of utilizing AAVs to express a-syn in the rodent brain will enable us to develop an optimized set of parameters for gaining a better understanding of how a-syn leads to the development of PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Huntington
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rahul Srinivasan
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), College Station, TX 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sondhi D, Kaminsky SM, Hackett NR, Pagovich OE, Rosenberg JB, De BP, Chen A, Van de Graaf B, Mezey JG, Mammen GW, Mancenido D, Xu F, Kosofsky B, Yohay K, Worgall S, Kaner RJ, Souwedaine M, Greenwald BM, Kaplitt M, Dyke JP, Ballon DJ, Heier LA, Kiss S, Crystal RG. Slowing late infantile Batten disease by direct brain parenchymal administration of a rh.10 adeno-associated virus expressing CLN2. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/572/eabb5413. [PMID: 33268510 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb5413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Late infantile Batten disease (CLN2 disease) is an autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the CLN2 gene encoding tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1). We tested intraparenchymal delivery of AAVrh.10hCLN2, a nonhuman serotype rh.10 adeno-associated virus vector encoding human CLN2, in a nonrandomized trial consisting of two arms assessed over 18 months: AAVrh.10hCLN2-treated cohort of 8 children with mild to moderate disease and an untreated, Weill Cornell natural history cohort consisting of 12 children. The treated cohort was also compared to an untreated European natural history cohort of CLN2 disease. The vector was administered through six burr holes directly to 12 sites in the brain without immunosuppression. In an additional safety assessment under a separate protocol, five children with severe CLN2 disease were treated with AAVrh.10hCLN2. The therapy was associated with a variety of expected adverse events, none causing long-term disability. Induction of systemic anti-AAVrh.10 immunity was mild. After therapy, the treated cohort had a 1.3- to 2.6-fold increase in cerebral spinal fluid TPP1. There was a slower loss of gray matter volume in four of seven children by MRI and a 42.4 and 47.5% reduction in the rate of decline of motor and language function, compared to Weill Cornell natural history cohort (P < 0.04) and European natural history cohort (P < 0.0001), respectively. Intraparenchymal brain administration of AAVrh.10hCLN2 slowed the progression of disease in children with CLN2 disease. However, improvements in vector design and delivery strategies will be necessary to halt disease progression using gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dolan Sondhi
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stephen M Kaminsky
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Neil R Hackett
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Odelya E Pagovich
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jonathan B Rosenberg
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bishnu P De
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alvin Chen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Benjamin Van de Graaf
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jason G Mezey
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Grace W Mammen
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Denesy Mancenido
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Barry Kosofsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kaleb Yohay
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Stefan Worgall
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Robert J Kaner
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mark Souwedaine
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Bruce M Greenwald
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael Kaplitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jonathan P Dyke
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Douglas J Ballon
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Linda A Heier
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Szilard Kiss
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ronald G Crystal
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
von Jonquieres G, Rae CD, Housley GD. Emerging Concepts in Vector Development for Glial Gene Therapy: Implications for Leukodystrophies. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661857. [PMID: 34239416 PMCID: PMC8258421 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Central Nervous System (CNS) homeostasis and function rely on intercellular synchronization of metabolic pathways. Developmental and neurochemical imbalances arising from mutations are frequently associated with devastating and often intractable neurological dysfunction. In the absence of pharmacological treatment options, but with knowledge of the genetic cause underlying the pathophysiology, gene therapy holds promise for disease control. Consideration of leukodystrophies provide a case in point; we review cell type – specific expression pattern of the disease – causing genes and reflect on genetic and cellular treatment approaches including ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies and in vivo approaches using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We link recent advances in vectorology to glial targeting directed towards gene therapies for specific leukodystrophies and related developmental or neurometabolic disorders affecting the CNS white matter and frame strategies for therapy development in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg von Jonquieres
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caroline D Rae
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary D Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Pickering CA, Mazarakis ND. Viral Vector Delivery of DREADDs for CNS Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 21:191-206. [PMID: 33573551 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666210211102435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) are genetically modified G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), that can be activated by a synthetic ligand which is otherwise inert at endogenous receptors. DREADDs can be expressed in cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and subsequently offer the opportunity for remote and reversible silencing or activation of the target cells when the synthetic ligand is systemically administered. In neuroscience, DREADDs have thus far shown to be useful tools for several areas of research and offer considerable potential for the development of gene therapy strategies for neurological disorders. However, in order to design a DREADD-based gene therapy, it is necessary to first evaluate the viral vector delivery methods utilised in the literature to deliver these chemogenetic tools. This review evaluates each of the prominent strategies currently utilised for DREADD delivery, discussing their respective advantages and limitations. We focus on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based and lentivirus-based systems, and the manipulation of these through cell-type specific promoters and pseudotyping. Furthermore, we address how virally mediated DREADD delivery could be improved in order to make it a viable gene therapy strategy and thus expand its translational potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ceri A Pickering
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D Mazarakis
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
FAM19A5/TAFA5, a novel neurokine, plays a crucial role in depressive-like and spatial memory-related behaviors in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2363-2379. [PMID: 32317715 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0720-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
FAM19A5/TAFA5 is a member of the family with sequence similarity 19 with unknown function in emotional and cognitive regulation. Here, we reported that FAM19A5 was highly expressed in the embryonic and postnatal mouse brain, especially in the hippocampus. Behaviorally, genetic deletion of Fam19a5 resulted in increased depressive-like behaviors and impaired hippocampus-dependent spatial memory. These behavioral alterations were associated with the decreased expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors, as well as significantly reduced glutamate release and neuronal activity in the hippocampus. Subsequently, these changes led to the decreased density of dendritic spines. In recent years, the roles of chronic stress participating in the development of depression have become increasingly clear, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. We found that the levels of FAM19A5 in plasma and hippocampus of chronic stress-treated mice were significantly decreased whereas overexpression of human FAM19A5 selectively in the hippocampus could attenuate chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors. Taken together, our results revealed for the first time that FAM19A5 plays a key role in the regulation of depression and spatial cognition in the hippocampus. Furthermore, our study provided a new mechanism for chronic stress-induced depression, and also provided a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and a new strategy for the treatment of depression.
Collapse
|
45
|
A Confocal Microscopic Study of Gene Transfer into the Mesencephalic Tegmentum of Juvenile Chum Salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, Using Mouse Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115661. [PMID: 34073457 PMCID: PMC8199053 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, data on the presence of adenoviral receptors in fish are very limited. In the present work, we used mouse recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) with a calcium indicator of the latest generation GCaMP6m that are usually applied for the dorsal hippocampus of mice but were not previously used for gene delivery into fish brain. The aim of our work was to study the feasibility of transduction of rAAV in the mouse hippocampus into brain cells of juvenile chum salmon and subsequent determination of the phenotype of rAAV-labeled cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Delivery of the gene in vivo was carried out by intracranial injection of a GCaMP6m-GFP-containing vector directly into the mesencephalic tegmentum region of juvenile (one-year-old) chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. AAV incorporation into brain cells of the juvenile chum salmon was assessed at 1 week after a single injection of the vector. AAV expression in various areas of the thalamus, pretectum, posterior-tuberal region, postcommissural region, medial and lateral regions of the tegmentum, and mesencephalic reticular formation of juvenile O. keta was evaluated using CLSM followed by immunohistochemical analysis of the localization of the neuron-specific calcium binding protein HuCD in combination with nuclear staining with DAPI. The results of the analysis showed partial colocalization of cells expressing GCaMP6m-GFP with red fluorescent HuCD protein. Thus, cells of the thalamus, posterior tuberal region, mesencephalic tegmentum, cells of the accessory visual system, mesencephalic reticular formation, hypothalamus, and postcommissural region of the mesencephalon of juvenile chum salmon expressing GCaMP6m-GFP were attributed to the neuron-specific line of chum salmon brain cells, which indicates the ability of hippocampal mammal rAAV to integrate into neurons of the central nervous system of fish with subsequent expression of viral proteins, which obviously indicates the neuronal expression of a mammalian adenoviral receptor homolog by juvenile chum salmon neurons.
Collapse
|
46
|
Mocanu VM, Shmuel A. Optical Imaging-Based Guidance of Viral Microinjections and Insertion of a Laminar Electrophysiology Probe Into a Predetermined Barrel in Mouse Area S1BF. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:541676. [PMID: 34054436 PMCID: PMC8158817 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.541676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Wide-field Optical Imaging of Intrinsic Signals (OI-IS; Grinvald et al., 1986) is a method for imaging functional brain hemodynamic responses, mainly used to image activity from the surface of the cerebral cortex. It localizes small functional modules – such as cortical columns – with great spatial resolution and spatial specificity relative to the site of increases in neuronal activity. OI-IS is capable of imaging responses either through an intact or thinned skull or following a craniotomy. Therefore, it is minimally invasive, which makes it ideal for survival experiments. Here we describe OI-IS-based methods for guiding microinjections of optogenetics viral vectors in proximity to small functional modules (S1 barrels) of the cerebral cortex and for guiding the insertion of electrodes for electrophysiological recording into such modules. We validate our proposed methods by tissue processing of the cerebral barrel field area, revealing the track of the electrode in a predetermined barrel. In addition, we demonstrate the use of optical imaging to visualize the spatial extent of the optogenetics photostimulation, making it possible to estimate one of the two variables that conjointly determine which region of the brain is stimulated. Lastly, we demonstrate the use of OI-IS at high-magnification for imaging the upper recording contacts of a laminar probe, making it possible to estimate the insertion depth of all contacts relative to the surface of the cortex. These methods support the precise positioning of microinjections and recording electrodes, thus overcoming the variability in the spatial position of fine-scale functional modules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Mocanu
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Amir Shmuel
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Rha AK, Maguire AS, Martin DR. GM1 Gangliosidosis: Mechanisms and Management. Appl Clin Genet 2021; 14:209-233. [PMID: 33859490 PMCID: PMC8044076 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s206076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The lysosomal storage disorder, GM1 gangliosidosis (GM1), is a neurodegenerative condition resulting from deficiency of the enzyme β-galactosidase (β-gal). Mutation of the GLB1 gene, which codes for β-gal, prevents cleavage of the terminal β-1,4-linked galactose residue from GM1 ganglioside. Subsequent accumulation of GM1 ganglioside and other substrates in the lysosome impairs cell physiology and precipitates dysfunction of the nervous system. Beyond palliative and supportive care, no FDA-approved treatments exist for GM1 patients. Researchers are critically evaluating the efficacy of substrate reduction therapy, pharmacological chaperones, enzyme replacement therapy, stem cell transplantation, and gene therapy for GM1. A Phase I/II clinical trial for GM1 children is ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adeno-associated virus-mediated GLB1 delivery by intravenous injection, providing patients and families with hope for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allisandra K Rha
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Anne S Maguire
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Douglas R Martin
- Scott-Ritchey Research Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Chemogenetics drives paradigm change in the investigation of behavioral circuits and neural mechanisms underlying drug action. Behav Brain Res 2021; 406:113234. [PMID: 33741409 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in chemogenetic approaches to the investigation of brain function have ushered in a paradigm change in the strategy for drug and behavior research and clinical drug-based medications. As the nature of the drug action is based on humoral regulation, it is a challenge to identify the neuronal mechanisms responsible for the expression of certain targeted behavior induced by drug application. The development of chemogenetic approaches has allowed researchers to control neural activities in targeted neurons through a toolbox, including engineered G protein-coupled receptors or ligand-gated ion channels together with exogenously inert synthetic ligands. This review provides a brief overview of the chemogenetics toolbox with an emphasis on the DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) technique used in rodent models, which is applicable to the investigation of how specific neural circuits regulate behavioral processes. The use of chemogenetics has had a significant impact on basic neuroscience for a better understanding of the relationships between brain activity and the expression of behaviors with cell- and circuit-specific orders. Furthermore, chemogenetics is potentially a useful tool to deconstruct the neuropathological mechanisms of mental diseases and its regulation by drug, and provide us with transformative therapeutics with medication. We also review recent findings in the use of chemogenetic techniques to uncover functional circuit connections of serotonergic neurons in rodent models.
Collapse
|
49
|
Duarte Azevedo M, Sander S, Jeanneret C, Olfat S, Tenenbaum L. Selective targeting of striatal parvalbumin-expressing interneurons for transgene delivery. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 354:109105. [PMID: 33652020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PVCre mice--> combined with AAV-FLEX vectors allowed efficient and specific targeting of PV+ interneurons in the striatum. However, diffusion of viral particles to the globus pallidus caused massive transduction of PV+ projection neurons and subsequent anterograde transport of the transgene product to the subthalamic nucleus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Different AAV serotypes (1 and 9) and promoters (CBA and human synapsin) were evaluated. The combination of AAV1, a moderate expression level (human synapsin promoter) and a precise adjustment of the stereotaxic coordinates in the anterior and dorsolateral part of the striatum were necessary to avoid transduction of PV+ GP projection neurons. Even in the absence of direct transduction due to diffusion of viral particles, GP PV+ projection neurons could be retrogradely transduced via their terminals present in the dorsal striatum. However, in the absence of diffusion, GP-Str PV+ projection neurons were poorly or not transduced suggesting that retrograde transduction did not significantly impair the selective targeting of striatal PV+ neurons. Finally, a prominent reduction of the number of striatal PV+ interneurons (about 50 %) was evidenced in the presence of the Cre recombinase suggesting that functional effects of AAV-mediated transgene expression in PV+ striatal interneurons in PVCre mice should be analyzed with caution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Duarte Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Center for Neuroscience Research, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Sibilla Sander
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Center for Neuroscience Research, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Cheryl Jeanneret
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Center for Neuroscience Research, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Soophie Olfat
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Center for Neuroscience Research, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Liliane Tenenbaum
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurotherapies, Center for Neuroscience Research, Clinical Neurosciences Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kurokawa Y, Osaka H, Kouga T, Jimbo E, Muramatsu K, Nakamura S, Takayanagi Y, Onaka T, Muramatsu SI, Yamagata T. Gene Therapy in a Mouse Model of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 32:589-598. [PMID: 33256498 PMCID: PMC8236559 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2020.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Niemann–Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) is a fatal congenital neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene, which is involved in cholesterol transport in lysosomes. Broad clinical manifestations of NPC1 include liver failure, pulmonary disorder, neurological deficits, and psychiatric symptoms. The main cause of death in NPC1 patients involves central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction; there is no essential treatment. We generated a tyrosine-mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) 9/3 vector that expresses human NPC1 under a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (AAV-CMV-hNPC1) and injected it into the left lateral ventricle (5 μL) and cisterna magna (10 μL) of Npc1 homo-knockout (Npc1−/−) mice. Each mouse received total 1.35 × 1011 vector genome on days 4 or 5 of life. AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice (n = 11) had an average survival of >28 weeks, while all saline-treated Npc1−/− mice (n = 11) and untreated Npc1−/− mice (n = 6) died within 16 weeks. Saline-treated and untreated Npc1−/− mice lost body weight from 7 weeks until death. However, the average body weight of AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice increased until 15 weeks. AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice also showed a significant improvement in the rotarod test performance. A pathological analysis at 11 weeks showed that cerebellar Purkinje cells were preserved in AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice. In contrast, untreated Npc1−/− mice showed an almost total loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Combined injection into both the lateral ventricle and cisterna magna achieved broader delivery of the vector to the CNS, leading to better outcomes than noted in previous reports, with injection into the lateral ventricles or veins alone. In AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice, vector genome DNA was detected widely in the CNS and liver. Human NPC1 RNA was detected in the brain, liver, lung, and heart. Accumulated unesterified cholesterol in the liver was reduced in the AAV-treated Npc1−/− mice. Our results suggest the feasibility of gene therapy for patients with NPC1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshie Kurokawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Osaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kouga
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Eriko Jimbo
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | - Sachie Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, 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
| | | |
Collapse
|