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Phuphanitcharoenkun S, Bhukhai K, Phanthong P, Prasongtanakij S, Linn AK, Sutjarit N, Anurathapan U, Leboulch P, Payen E, Hongeng S, Borwornpinyo S. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction-based quantitation of therapeutic lentiviral vector copies in transduced hematopoietic stem cells. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:586-591. [PMID: 38551525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.018] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Gene therapy using lentiviral vectors (LVs) that harbor a functional β-globin gene provides a curative treatment for hemoglobinopathies including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Accurate quantification of the vector copy number (VCN) and/or the proportion of transduced cells is critical to evaluate the efficacy of transduction and stability of the transgene during treatment. Moreover, commonly used techniques for LV quantification, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting, require either a standard curve or expression of a reporter protein for the detection of transduced cells. In the present study, we describe a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) technique to measure the lentiviral VCN in transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). METHODS After HSPCs were transduced with an LV encoding the therapeutic β-globin (βA-T87Q) gene, the integrated lentiviral sequence in the host genome was amplified with primers that targeted a sequence within the vector and the human RPP30 gene. The dynamic range of ddPCR was between 5 × 10-3 ng and 5 × 10-6 ng of target copy per reaction. RESULTS We found that the ddPCR-based approach was able to estimate VCN with high sensitivity and a low standard deviation. Furthermore, ddPCR-mediated quantitation of lentiviral copy numbers in differentiated erythroblasts correlated with the level of βA-T87Q protein detected by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the ddPCR technique has the potential to precisely detect LV copy numbers in the host genome, which can be used for VCN estimation, calculation of infectious titer and multiplicity of infection for HSPC transduction in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kanit Bhukhai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phetcharat Phanthong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somsak Prasongtanakij
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Aung Khine Linn
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nareerat Sutjarit
- Graduate Program in Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- Harvard Medical School and Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Paris-Saclay University, CEA, INSERM, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto - immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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2
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Kitawi R, Ledger S, Kelleher AD, Ahlenstiel CL. Advances in HIV Gene Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2771. [PMID: 38474018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052771] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Early gene therapy studies held great promise for the cure of heritable diseases, but the occurrence of various genotoxic events led to a pause in clinical trials and a more guarded approach to progress. Recent advances in genetic engineering technologies have reignited interest, leading to the approval of the first gene therapy product targeting genetic mutations in 2017. Gene therapy (GT) can be delivered either in vivo or ex vivo. An ex vivo approach to gene therapy is advantageous, as it allows for the characterization of the gene-modified cells and the selection of desired properties before patient administration. Autologous cells can also be used during this process which eliminates the possibility of immune rejection. This review highlights the various stages of ex vivo gene therapy, current research developments that have increased the efficiency and safety of this process, and a comprehensive summary of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) gene therapy studies, the majority of which have employed the ex vivo approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Kitawi
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Scott Ledger
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anthony D Kelleher
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Chantelle L Ahlenstiel
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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3
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Wu J, Feng J, Zhang Q, He Y, Xu C, Wang C, Li W. Epigenetic regulation of stem cells in lung cancer oncogenesis and therapy resistance. Front Genet 2023; 14:1120815. [PMID: 37144123 PMCID: PMC10151750 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1120815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics plays an important role in regulating stem cell signaling, as well as in the oncogenesis of lung cancer and therapeutic resistance. Determining how to employ these regulatory mechanisms to treat cancer is an intriguing medical challenge. Lung cancer is caused by signals that cause aberrant differentiation of stem cells or progenitor cells. The different pathological subtypes of lung cancer are determined by the cells of origin. Additionally, emerging studies have demonstrated that the occurrence of cancer treatment resistance is connected to the hijacking of normal stem cell capability by lung cancer stem cells, especially in the processes of drug transport, DNA damage repair, and niche protection. In this review, we summarize the principles of the epigenetic regulation of stem cell signaling in relation to the emergence of lung cancer and resistance to therapy. Furthermore, several investigations have shown that the tumor immune microenvironment in lung cancer affects these regulatory pathways. And ongoing experiments on epigenetics-related therapeutic strategies provide new insight for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaming Feng
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiran Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yazhou He
- Department of oncology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengdi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Weimin Li, ; Chengdi Wang,
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Med-X Center for Manufacturing, Center of Precision Medicine, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Weimin Li, ; Chengdi Wang,
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4
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Rattananon P, Anurathapan U, Bhukhai K, Hongeng S. The Future of Gene Therapy for Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia: The Power of the Lentiviral Vector for Genetically Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:730873. [PMID: 34658870 PMCID: PMC8517149 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.730873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
β-thalassemia, a disease that results from defects in β-globin synthesis, leads to an imbalance of β- and α-globin chains and an excess of α chains. Defective erythroid maturation, ineffective erythropoiesis, and shortened red blood cell survival are commonly observed in most β-thalassemia patients. In severe cases, blood transfusion is considered as a mainstay therapy; however, regular blood transfusions result in chronic iron overload with life-threatening complications, e.g., endocrine dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, and ultimately premature death. Therefore, transplantation of healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is considered an alternative treatment. Patients with a compatible human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched donor can be cured by allogeneic HSC transplantation. However, some recipients faced a high risk of morbidity/mortality due to graft versus host disease or graft failure, while a majority of patients do not have such HLA match-related donors. Currently, the infusion of autologous HSCs modified with a lentiviral vector expressing the β-globin gene into the erythroid progenitors of the patient is a promising approach to completely cure β-thalassemia. Here, we discuss a history of β-thalassemia treatments and limitations, in particular the development of β-globin lentiviral vectors, with emphasis on clinical applications and future perspectives in a new era of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parin Rattananon
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Thailand
| | - Usanarat Anurathapan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Thailand
| | - Kanit Bhukhai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Thailand
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5
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Ducloux C, You B, Langelé A, Goupille O, Payen E, Chrétien S, Kadri Z. Enhanced Cell-Based Detection of Parvovirus B19V Infectious Units According to Cell Cycle Status. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121467. [PMID: 33353185 PMCID: PMC7766612 DOI: 10.3390/v12121467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) causes various human diseases, ranging from childhood benign infection to arthropathies, severe anemia and fetal hydrops, depending on the health state and hematological status of the patient. To counteract B19V blood-borne contamination, evaluation of B19 DNA in plasma pools and viral inactivation/removal steps are performed, but nucleic acid testing does not correctly reflect B19V infectivity. There is currently no appropriate cellular model for detection of infectious units of B19V. We describe here an improved cell-based method for detecting B19V infectious units by evaluating its host transcription. We evaluated the ability of various cell lines to support B19V infection. Of all tested, UT7/Epo cell line, UT7/Epo-STI, showed the greatest sensitivity to B19 infection combined with ease of performance. We generated stable clones by limiting dilution on the UT7/Epo-STI cell line with graduated permissiveness for B19V and demonstrated a direct correlation between infectivity and S/G2/M cell cycle stage. Two of the clones tested, B12 and E2, reached sensitivity levels higher than those of UT7/Epo-S1 and CD36+ erythroid progenitor cells. These findings highlight the importance of cell cycle status for sensitivity to B19V, and we propose a promising new straightforward cell-based method for quantifying B19V infectious units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Ducloux
- Laboratoire Français du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies (LFB), 3 Avenue des Tropiques, BP 305, Courtabœuf CEDEX, 91958 Les Ulis, France; (C.D.); (B.Y.); (A.L.)
| | - Bruno You
- Laboratoire Français du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies (LFB), 3 Avenue des Tropiques, BP 305, Courtabœuf CEDEX, 91958 Les Ulis, France; (C.D.); (B.Y.); (A.L.)
| | - Amandine Langelé
- Laboratoire Français du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies (LFB), 3 Avenue des Tropiques, BP 305, Courtabœuf CEDEX, 91958 Les Ulis, France; (C.D.); (B.Y.); (A.L.)
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR-1184, IMVA-HB and IDMIT Center, CEA, INSERM and Paris-Saclay University, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (O.G.); (E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Olivier Goupille
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR-1184, IMVA-HB and IDMIT Center, CEA, INSERM and Paris-Saclay University, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (O.G.); (E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR-1184, IMVA-HB and IDMIT Center, CEA, INSERM and Paris-Saclay University, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (O.G.); (E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Stany Chrétien
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR-1184, IMVA-HB and IDMIT Center, CEA, INSERM and Paris-Saclay University, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (O.G.); (E.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Zahra Kadri
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR-1184, IMVA-HB and IDMIT Center, CEA, INSERM and Paris-Saclay University, F-92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (O.G.); (E.P.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Bogert NV, Furkel J, Din S, Braren I, Eckstein V, Müller JA, Uhlmann L, Katus HA, Konstandin MH. A novel approach to genetic engineering of T-cell subsets by hematopoietic stem cell infection with a bicistronic lentivirus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13740. [PMID: 32792615 PMCID: PMC7426960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70793-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral modification of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) paved the way for in vivo experimentation and therapeutic approaches in patients with genetic disease. A disadvantage of this method is the use of a ubiquitous promoter leads not only to genetic modification of the leukocyte subset of interest e.g. T-cells, but also all other subsequent leukocyte progeny of the parent HSCs. To overcome this limitation we tested a bicistronic lentivirus, enabling subset specific modifications. Designed novel lentiviral constructs harbor a global promoter (mPGK) regulating mCherry for HSCs selection and a T-cell specific promoter upstream of eGFP. Two T-cell specific promoters were assessed: the distal Lck—(dLck) and the CD3δ-promoter. Transduced HSCs were FACS sorted by mCherry expression and transferred into sublethally irradiated C57/BL6 mice. Successful transplantation and T-cell specific expression of eGFP was monitored by peripheral blood assessment. Furthermore, recruitment response of lentiviral engineered leukocytes to the site of inflammation was tested in a peritonitis model without functional impairment. Our constructed lentivirus enables fast generation of subset specific leukocyte transgenesis as shown in T-cells in vivo and opens new opportunities to modify other HSCs derived subsets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- N V Bogert
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany.
| | - J Furkel
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - S Din
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - I Braren
- Vector Core Facility, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - V Eckstein
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J A Müller
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L Uhlmann
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H A Katus
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - M H Konstandin
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site, Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
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7
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Locatelli A. Towards a novel therapy against AIDS. Med Hypotheses 2020; 137:109569. [PMID: 31952017 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
AIDS is an infectious disease that kills over a million people per year. Very recently, Dash et al have for the first time reached the functional cure in HIV-infected humanized mice using CRISPR-Cas9 in combination with LASER ART, and this with a success of one third. Here, I use a theoretical approach to design a therapeutic strategy applicable to humans and different from that of Dash et al. The experimental treatment presented here includes the injection of an Env-directed integrase-defective CRISPR gene-editing lentiviral vector able to express quintuplex gRNAs plus the humanized SpCas9 and the puromycin resistance gene linked by T2A, preceded by a plasma/leukapheresis and the injection of an immunosuppressive cocktail, and followed by an in vivo positive selection. My protocol could have a major impact on HIV-infected people in the event of confirmation by a clinical trial, and it is possible that it becomes a reference treatment against AIDS, although, for the moment, it is only at the stage of hypothesis and theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Locatelli
- Lycée les Eaux Claires, 1 rue des Eaux Claires, 38100 Grenoble, France.
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8
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Sii-Felice K, Castillo Padilla J, Relouzat F, Cheuzeville J, Tantawet S, Maouche L, Le Grand R, Leboulch P, Payen E. Enhanced Transduction of Macaca fascicularis Hematopoietic Cells with Chimeric Lentiviral Vectors. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1306-1323. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Sii-Felice
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Javier Castillo Padilla
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Francis Relouzat
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Joëlle Cheuzeville
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- bluebird bio France, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Siriporn Tantawet
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Leïla Maouche
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, UMR 1184, IDMIT Department, Institute of Biology François Jacob, INSERM, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- Ramathibodi Hospital and Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Harvard Medical School and Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Massachusetts
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- Division of Innovative Therapies, UMR E007, Institute of Biology François Jacob, CEA, Paris-Sud University, Paris-Saclay University, Fontenay aux Roses, France
- INSERM, Paris, France
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9
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Karponi G, Zogas N. Gene Therapy For Beta-Thalassemia: Updated Perspectives. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2019; 12:167-180. [PMID: 31576160 PMCID: PMC6765258 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s178546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was until very recently, the only permanent curative option available for patients suffering from transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. Gene therapy, by autologous transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells, currently represents a novel therapeutic promise, after many years of extensive preclinical research for the optimization of gene transfer protocols. Nowadays, clinical trials being held on a worldwide setting, have demonstrated that, by re-establishing effective hemoglobin production, patients may be rendered transfusion- and chelation-independent and evade the immunological complications that normally accompany allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The present review will offer a retrospective scope of the long way paved towards successful implementation of gene therapy for beta-thalassemia, and will pinpoint the latest strategies employed to increase globin expression that extend beyond the classic transgene addition perspective. A thorough search was performed using Pubmed in order to identify studies that provide a proof of principle on the aforementioned topic at a preclinical and clinical level. Inclusion criteria also regarded gene transfer technologies of the past two decades, as well as publications outlining the pitfalls that precluded earlier successful implementation of gene therapy for beta-thalassemia. Overall, after decades of research, that included both successes and pitfalls, the path towards a permanent, donor-irrespective cure for beta-thalassemia patients is steadily becoming a realistic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garyfalia Karponi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Zogas
- Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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10
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Ghiaccio V, Chappell M, Rivella S, Breda L. Gene Therapy for Beta-Hemoglobinopathies: Milestones, New Therapies and Challenges. Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 23:173-186. [PMID: 30701409 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-019-00383-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Inherited monogenic disorders such as beta-hemoglobinopathies (BH) are fitting candidates for treatment via gene therapy by gene transfer or gene editing. The reported safety and efficacy of lentiviral vectors in preclinical studies have led to the development of several clinical trials for the addition of a functional beta-globin gene. Across trials, dozens of transfusion-dependent patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) have been treated via gene therapy and have achieved reduced transfusion requirements. While overall results are encouraging, the outcomes appear to be strongly influenced by the level of lentiviral integration in transduced cells after engraftment, as well as the underlying genotype resulting in thalassemia. In addition, the method of procurement of hematopoietic stem cells can affect their quality and thus the outcome of gene therapy both in SCD and TDT. This suggests that new studies aimed at maximizing the number of corrected cells with long-term self-renewal potential are crucial to ensure successful treatment for every patient. Recent advancements in gene transfer and bone marrow transplantation have improved the success of this approach, and the results obtained by using these strategies demonstrated significant improvement of gene transfer outcome in patients. The advent of new gene-editing technologies has suggested additional therapeutic options. These are primarily focused on correcting the defective beta-globin gene or editing the expression of genes or genomic segments that regulate fetal hemoglobin synthesis. In this review, we aim to establish the potential benefits of gene therapy for BH, to summarize the status of the ongoing trials, and to discuss the possible improvement or direction for future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ghiaccio
- Hematology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Maxwell Chappell
- Hematology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Hematology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Laura Breda
- Hematology Division, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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11
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Zhang X, McGrath PS, Salomone J, Rahal M, McCauley HA, Schweitzer J, Kovall R, Gebelein B, Wells JM. A Comprehensive Structure-Function Study of Neurogenin3 Disease-Causing Alleles during Human Pancreas and Intestinal Organoid Development. Dev Cell 2019; 50:367-380.e7. [PMID: 31178402 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenin3 (NEUROG3) is required for endocrine lineage formation of the pancreas and intestine. Patients with NEUROG3 mutations are born with congenital malabsorptive diarrhea due to complete loss of enteroendocrine cells, whereas endocrine pancreas development varies in an allele-specific manner. These findings suggest a context-dependent requirement for NEUROG3 in pancreas versus intestine. We utilized human tissue differentiated from NEUROG3-/- pluripotent stem cells for functional analyses. Most disease-associated alleles had hypomorphic or null phenotype in both tissues, whereas the S171fsX68 mutation had reduced activity in the pancreas but largely null in the intestine. Biochemical studies revealed NEUROG3 variants have distinct molecular defects with altered protein stability, DNA binding, and gene transcription. Moreover, NEUROG3 was highly unstable in the intestinal epithelium, explaining the enhanced sensitivity of intestinal defects relative to the pancreas. These studies emphasize that studies of human mutations in the endogenous tissue context may be required to assess structure-function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghao Zhang
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Patrick S McGrath
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joseph Salomone
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Mohamed Rahal
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Heather A McCauley
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jamie Schweitzer
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Rhett Kovall
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, & Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - James M Wells
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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12
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Gene therapy targeting haematopoietic stem cells for inherited diseases: progress and challenges. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 18:447-462. [DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0020-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Papadopoulou LC, Ingendoh-Tsakmakidis A, Mpoutoureli CN, Tzikalou LD, Spyridou ED, Gavriilidis GI, Kaiafas GC, Ntaska AT, Vlachaki E, Panayotou G, Samiotaki M, Tsiftsoglou AS. Production and Transduction of a Human Recombinant β-Globin Chain into Proerythroid K-562 Cells To Replace Missing Endogenous β-Globin. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:5665-5677. [PMID: 30375878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Protein replacement therapy (PRT) has been applied to treat severe monogenetic/metabolic disorders characterized by a protein deficiency. In disorders where an intracellular protein is missing, PRT is not easily feasible due to the inability of proteins to cross the cell membrane. Instead, gene therapy has been applied, although still with limited success. β-Thalassemias are severe congenital hemoglobinopathies, characterized by deficiency or reduced production of the adult β-globin chain. The resulting imbalance of α-/β-globin chains of adult hemoglobin (α2β2) leads to precipitation of unpaired α-globin chains and, eventually, to defective erythropoiesis. Since protein transduction domain (PTD) technology has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, we produced a human recombinant β-globin chain in fusion with the TAT peptide and successfully transduced it into human proerythroid K-562 cells, deficient in mature β-globin chain. Notably, the produced human recombinant β-globin chain without the TAT peptide, used as internal negative control, failed to be transduced into K-562 cells under similar conditions. In silico studies complemented by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation and LC-MS/MS analysis indicated that the transduced recombinant fusion TAT-β-globin protein interacts with the endogenous native α-like globins to form hemoglobin α2β2-like tetramers to a limited extent. Our findings provide evidence that recombinant TAT-β-globin is transmissible into proerythroid K-562 cells and can be potentially considered as an alternative protein therapeutic approach for β-thalassemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefkothea C Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Alexandra Ingendoh-Tsakmakidis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Christina N Mpoutoureli
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Lamprini D Tzikalou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Efthymia D Spyridou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - George I Gavriilidis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Georgios C Kaiafas
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Agoritsa T Ntaska
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Adult Thalassemia Unit , Hippokrateion General Hospital , Thessaloniki 54642 , Greece
| | | | | | - Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki 54124 , Macedonia , Greece
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Lin P, Zhong XZ, Wang XD, Li JJ, Zhao RQ, He Y, Jiang YQ, Huang XW, Chen G, He Y, Yang H. Survival analysis of genome-wide profiles coupled with Connectivity Map database mining to identify potential therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma. Oncol Rep 2018; 40:3189-3198. [PMID: 30272356 PMCID: PMC6196639 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the most common epithelial cell malignancies worldwide. However, its prognosis is poor. The aim of the present study was to examine the prognostic landscape and potential therapeutic targets for CCA. RNA sequencing data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and processed. A total of 172 genes that were significantly associated with overall survival of patients with CCA were identified using the univariate Cox regression method. Bioinformatics tools were applied using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology (GO). It was identified that ‘Wnt signaling pathway’, ‘cytoplasm’ and ‘AT DNA binding’ were the three most significant GO categories of CCA survival-associated genes. ‘Transcriptional misregulation in cancer’ was the most significant pathway identified in the KEGG analysis. Using the Drug-Gene Interaction database, a drug-gene interaction network was constructed, and 31 identified genes were involved in it. The most meaningful potential therapeutic targets were selected via protein-protein and gene-drug interactions. Among these genes, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) was identified to be a potential target due to its significant upregulation in CCA. To rapidly find molecules that may affect these genes, the Connectivity Map was queried. A series of molecules were selected for their potential anti-CCA functions. 0297417-0002B and tribenoside exhibited the highest connection scores with PLK1 via molecular docking. These findings may offer novel insights into treatment and perspectives on the future innovative treatment of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lin
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Zhu Zhong
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Jun Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Qi Zhao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Qiu Jiang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xian-Wen Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yun He
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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Sii-Felice K, Giorgi M, Leboulch P, Payen E. Hemoglobin disorders: lentiviral gene therapy in the starting blocks to enter clinical practice. Exp Hematol 2018; 64:12-32. [PMID: 29807062 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The β-hemoglobinopathies, transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, are the most prevalent inherited disorders worldwide and affect millions of people. Many of these patients have a shortened life expectancy and suffer from severe morbidity despite supportive therapies, which impose an enormous financial burden to societies. The only available curative therapy is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, although most patients do not have an HLA-matched sibling donor, and those who do still risk life-threatening complications. Therefore, gene therapy by one-time ex vivo modification of hematopoietic stem cells followed by autologous engraftment is an attractive new therapeutic modality. The first proof-of-principle of conversion to transfusion independence by means of a lentiviral vector expressing a marked and anti-sickling βT87Q-globin gene variant was reported a decade ago in a patient with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. In follow-up multicenter Phase II trials with an essentially identical vector (termed LentiGlobin BB305) and protocol, 12 of the 13 patients with a non-β0/β0 genotype, representing more than half of all transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia cases worldwide, stopped red blood cell transfusions with total hemoglobin levels in blood approaching normal values. Correction of biological markers of dyserythropoiesis was achieved in evaluated patients. In nine patients with β0/β0 transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia or equivalent severity (βIVS1-110), median annualized transfusion volume decreased by 73% and red blood cell transfusions were stopped in three patients. Proof-of-principle of therapeutic efficacy in the first patient with sickle cell disease was also reported with LentiGlobin BB305. Encouraging results were presented in children with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia in another trial with the GLOBE lentiviral vector and several other gene therapy trials are currently open for both transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Phase III trials are now under way and should help to determine benefit/risk/cost ratios to move gene therapy toward clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Sii-Felice
- UMR E007, Service of Innovative Therapies, Institute of Biology François Jacob and University Paris Saclay, CEA Paris Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Marie Giorgi
- UMR E007, Service of Innovative Therapies, Institute of Biology François Jacob and University Paris Saclay, CEA Paris Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Philippe Leboulch
- UMR E007, Service of Innovative Therapies, Institute of Biology François Jacob and University Paris Saclay, CEA Paris Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Emmanuel Payen
- UMR E007, Service of Innovative Therapies, Institute of Biology François Jacob and University Paris Saclay, CEA Paris Saclay, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; INSERM, Paris, France.
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