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Muñoz S, Bertolin J, Jimenez V, Jaén ML, Garcia M, Pujol A, Vilà L, Sacristan V, Barbon E, Ronzitti G, El Andari J, Tulalamba W, Pham QH, Ruberte J, VandenDriessche T, Chuah MK, Grimm D, Mingozzi F, Bosch F. Treatment of infantile-onset Pompe disease in a rat model with muscle-directed AAV gene therapy. Mol Metab 2024; 81:101899. [PMID: 38346589 PMCID: PMC10877955 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pompe disease (PD) is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA), leading to progressive glycogen accumulation and severe myopathy with progressive muscle weakness. In the Infantile-Onset PD (IOPD), death generally occurs <1 year of age. There is no cure for IOPD. Mouse models of PD do not completely reproduce human IOPD severity. Our main objective was to generate the first IOPD rat model to assess an innovative muscle-directed adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy. METHODS PD rats were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The novel highly myotropic bioengineered capsid AAVMYO3 and an optimized muscle-specific promoter in conjunction with a transcriptional cis-regulatory element were used to achieve robust Gaa expression in the entire muscular system. Several metabolic, molecular, histopathological, and functional parameters were measured. RESULTS PD rats showed early-onset widespread glycogen accumulation, hepato- and cardiomegaly, decreased body and tissue weight, severe impaired muscle function and decreased survival, closely resembling human IOPD. Treatment with AAVMYO3-Gaa vectors resulted in widespread expression of Gaa in muscle throughout the body, normalizing glycogen storage pathology, restoring muscle mass and strength, counteracting cardiomegaly and normalizing survival rate. CONCLUSIONS This gene therapy holds great potential to treat glycogen metabolism alterations in IOPD. Moreover, the AAV-mediated approach may be exploited for other inherited muscle diseases, which also are limited by the inefficient widespread delivery of therapeutic transgenes throughout the muscular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Muñoz
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Joan Bertolin
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Veronica Jimenez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Jaén
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Miquel Garcia
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Anna Pujol
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laia Vilà
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Victor Sacristan
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Elena Barbon
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Jihad El Andari
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, BioQuant Center, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Quang Hong Pham
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jesus Ruberte
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), B-1090, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, BioQuant Center, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM UMR951, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Fatima Bosch
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.
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2
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Cui Z, Shen W, Sun X, Li Y, Liu Y, Sun Z. Developing and evaluating a predictive model for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia based on UGT1A1 gene polymorphism and clinical risk factors. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1345602. [PMID: 38487473 PMCID: PMC10937529 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1345602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NHB) is one of the most common diseases in the neonatal period. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to long-term complications. In severe cases, it may even result in fatality. The UGT1A1 gene and clinical risk factors play important roles in the development and progression of NHB. Methods In this study, we conducted a cohort study and analyzed 3258 newborns from the Jilin Women And Children Health Hospital in northern China, including 372 children with hyperbilirubinemia. We established a predictive model using a logistic regression model based on clinical risk factors and the polymorphism of the G211A locus in the UGT1A1 gene of newborns. Furthermore, the performance of the prediction model was evaluated using the ROC curve. Results The logistic regression model indicates that the following factors are associated with an increased risk of NHB: the time when stool turns yellow [P ≤ 0.001, OR 1.266 (95% CI: 1.125-1.425)]; neonatal cephalohematoma [P ≤ 0.001, OR 33.642 (95% CI: 21.823-51.861)]; hemolytic disease of newborn [P ≤ 0.001, OR 33.849 (95% CI: 18.589-61.636)]; neonatal weight loss [P ≤ 0.001, OR 11.275 (95% CI: 7.842-16.209)]; neonatal premature rupture of membranes (PROM) history [P = 0.021, OR 1.422 (95% CI: 1.056-1.917)]; genetic polymorphism at the UGT1A1 gene G211A locus. Gestational age is a protective factor [P ≤ 0.001, OR 0.766 (95% CI: 0.686-0.855)]. Compared to natural labor, cesarean section is a protective factor [P = 0.011, OR 0.711 (95% CI: 0.546-0.926)], while assisted delivery is a risk factor [P = 0.022, OR 2.207 (95% CI: 1.121-4.346)]. The area under the curve (AUC) of this prediction model is 0.804 (95% CI: 0.777-0.831), indicating good discrimination ability and value for predicting the risk of NHB after birth. Conclusion We have developed and evaluated a predictive model that combines UGT1A1 gene polymorphism and clinical risk factors for the first time. By using this nomogram and taking into account the results of serum total bilirubin measurement or transcutaneous bilirubin measurement, early prediction of the risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyang Cui
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wensheng Shen
- Department of Neonatology, Jilin Women and Children Health Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Xuetong Sun
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhiyong Sun
- Department of Neonatology, Jilin Women and Children Health Hospital, Changchun, China
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Sellier P, Vidal P, Bertin B, Gicquel E, Bertil-Froidevaux E, Georger C, van Wittenberghe L, Miranda A, Daniele N, Richard I, Gross DA, Mingozzi F, Collaud F, Ronzitti G. Muscle-specific, liver-detargeted adeno-associated virus gene therapy rescues Pompe phenotype in adult and neonate Gaa -/- mice. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:119-134. [PMID: 37204237 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by acid α-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency. Reduced GAA activity leads to pathological glycogen accumulation in cardiac and skeletal muscles responsible for severe heart impairment, respiratory defects, and muscle weakness. Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant human GAA (rhGAA) is the standard-of-care treatment for PD, however, its efficacy is limited due to poor uptake in muscle and the development of an immune response. Multiple clinical trials are ongoing in PD with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors based on liver- and muscle-targeting. Current gene therapy approaches are limited by liver proliferation, poor muscle targeting, and the potential immune response to the hGAA transgene. To generate a treatment tailored to infantile-onset PD, we took advantage of a novel AAV capsid able to increase skeletal muscle targeting compared to AAV9 while reducing liver overload. When combined with a liver-muscle tandem promoter (LiMP), and despite the extensive liver-detargeting, this vector had a limited immune response to the hGAA transgene. This combination of capsid and promoter with improved muscle expression and specificity allowed for glycogen clearance in cardiac and skeletal muscles of Gaa-/- adult mice. In neonate Gaa-/- , complete rescue of glycogen content and muscle strength was observed 6 months after AAV vector injection. Our work highlights the importance of residual liver expression to control the immune response toward a potentially immunogenic transgene expressed in muscle. In conclusion, the demonstration of the efficacy of a muscle-specific AAV capsid-promoter combination for the full rescue of PD manifestation in both neonate and adult Gaa-/- provides a potential therapeutic avenue for the infantile-onset form of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sellier
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - P Vidal
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - B Bertin
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - E Gicquel
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - I Richard
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - D A Gross
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - F Mingozzi
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - F Collaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
| | - G Ronzitti
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Evry, France
- Genethon, Evry, France
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4
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Pontoizeau C, Gaborit C, Tual N, Simon-Sola M, Rotaru I, Benoist M, Colella P, Lamazière A, Brassier A, Arnoux JB, Rötig A, Ottolenghi C, de Lonlay P, Mingozzi F, Cavazzana M, Schiff M. Successful treatment of severe MSUD in Bckdhb -/- mice with neonatal AAV gene therapy. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:41-49. [PMID: 36880392 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by the dysfunction of the mitochondrial branched-chain 2-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) enzyme complex leading to massive accumulation of branched-chain amino acids and 2-keto acids. MSUD management, based on a life-long strict protein restriction with nontoxic amino acids oral supplementation represents an unmet need as it is associated with a poor quality of life, and does not fully protect from acute life-threatening decompensations or long-term neuropsychiatric complications. Orthotopic liver transplantation is a beneficial therapeutic option, which shows that restoration of only a fraction of whole-body BCKD enzyme activity is therapeutic. MSUD is thus an ideal target for gene therapy. We and others have tested AAV gene therapy in mice for two of the three genes involved in MSUD, BCKDHA and DBT. In this study, we developed a similar approach for the third MSUD gene, BCKDHB. We performed the first characterization of a Bckdhb-/- mouse model, which recapitulates the severe human phenotype of MSUD with early-neonatal symptoms leading to death during the first week of life with massive accumulation of MSUD biomarkers. Based on our previous experience in Bckdha-/- mice, we designed a transgene carrying the human BCKDHB gene under the control of a ubiquitous EF1α promoter, encapsidated in an AAV8 capsid. Injection in neonatal Bckdhb-/- mice at 1014 vg/kg achieved long-term rescue of the severe MSUD phenotype of Bckdhb-/- mice. These data further validate the efficacy of gene therapy for MSUD opening perspectives towards clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Pontoizeau
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Nolan Tual
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Irina Rotaru
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Anaïs Brassier
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Arnoux
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Rötig
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Chris Ottolenghi
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Pascale de Lonlay
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Inserm U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | | | - Marina Cavazzana
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biotherapies Department and Clinical Investigation Center, Inserm, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, University Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
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5
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Lisjak M, Iaconcig A, Guarnaccia C, Vicidomini A, Moretti L, Collaud F, Ronzitti G, Zentilin L, Muro AF. Lethality rescue and long-term amelioration of a citrullinemia type I mouse model by neonatal gene-targeting combined to SaCRISPR-Cas9. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101103. [PMID: 37744006 PMCID: PMC10514469 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.08.022] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Citrullinemia type I is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1). The clinical presentation includes the acute neonatal form, characterized by ammonia and citrulline accumulation in blood, which may lead to encephalopathy, coma, and death, and the milder late-onset form. Current treatments are unsatisfactory, and the only curative treatment is liver transplantation. We permanently modified the hepatocyte genome in lethal citrullinemia mice (Ass1fold/fold) by inserting the ASS1 cDNA into the albumin locus through the delivery of two AAV8 vectors carrying the donor DNA and the CRISPR-Cas9 platform. The neonatal treatment completely rescued mortality ensuring survival up to 5 months of age, with plasma citrulline levels significantly decreased, while plasma ammonia levels remained unchanged. In contrast, neonatal treatment with a liver-directed non-integrative AAV8-AAT-hASS1 vector failed to improve disease parameters. To model late-onset citrullinemia, we dosed postnatal day (P) 30 juvenile animals using the integrative approach, resulting in lifespan improvement and a minor reduction in disease markers. Conversely, treatment with the non-integrative vector completely rescued mortality, reducing plasma ammonia and citrulline to wild-type values. In summary, the integrative approach in neonates is effective, although further improvements are required to fully correct the phenotype. Non-integrative gene therapy application to juvenile mice ensures a stable and very efficient therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Lisjak
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iaconcig
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonio Vicidomini
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Laura Moretti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Généthon, 91000 Évry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université d’Évry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Évry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Généthon, 91000 Évry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université d’Évry, Inserm, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Évry, France
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrés F. Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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Ilyinskii PO, Roy C, Michaud A, Rizzo G, Capela T, Leung SS, Kishimoto TK. Readministration of high-dose adeno-associated virus gene therapy vectors enabled by ImmTOR nanoparticles combined with B cell-targeted agents. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad394. [PMID: 38024395 PMCID: PMC10673641 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Tolerogenic ImmTOR nanoparticles encapsulating rapamycin have been demonstrated to mitigate immunogenicity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors, enhance levels of transgene expression, and enable redosing of AAV at moderate vector doses of 2 to 5E12 vg/kg. However, recent clinical trials have often pushed AAV vector doses 10-fold to 50-fold higher, with serious adverse events observed at the upper range. Here, we assessed combination therapy of ImmTOR with B cell-targeting drugs for the ability to increase the efficiency of redosing at high vector doses. The combination of ImmTOR with a monoclonal antibody against B cell activation factor (aBAFF) exhibited strong synergy leading to more than a 5-fold to 10-fold reduction of splenic mature B cells and plasmablasts while increasing the fraction of pre-/pro-B cells. In addition, this combination dramatically reduced anti-AAV IgM and IgG antibodies, thus enabling four successive AAV administrations at doses up to 5E12 vg/kg and at least two AAV doses at 5E13 vg/kg, with the transgene expression level in the latter case being equal to that observed in control animals receiving a single vector dose of 1E14 vg/kg. Similar synergistic effects were seen with a combination of ImmTOR and a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib. These results suggest that ImmTOR could be combined with B cell-targeting agents to enable repeated vector administrations as a potential strategy to avoid toxicities associated with vector doses above 1E14 vg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gina Rizzo
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA 02472, USA
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7
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Seker Yilmaz B, Gissen P. Genetic Therapy Approaches for Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2227. [PMID: 37626723 PMCID: PMC10452060 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is the most common urea cycle disorder with high unmet needs, as current dietary and medical treatments may not be sufficient to prevent hyperammonemic episodes, which can cause death or neurological sequelae. To date, liver transplantation is the only curative choice but is not widely available due to donor shortage, the need for life-long immunosuppression and technical challenges. A field of research that has shown a great deal of promise recently is gene therapy, and OTCD has been an essential candidate for different gene therapy modalities, including AAV gene addition, mRNA therapy and genome editing. This review will first summarise the main steps towards clinical translation, highlighting the benefits and challenges of each gene therapy approach, then focus on current clinical trials and finally outline future directions for the development of gene therapy for OTCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna Seker Yilmaz
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
| | - Paul Gissen
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
- National Institute of Health Research Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Metabolic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK
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Chen X, Wolfe DA, Bindu DS, Zhang M, Taskin N, Goertsen D, Shay TF, Sullivan EE, Huang SF, Ravindra Kumar S, Arokiaraj CM, Plattner VM, Campos LJ, Mich JK, Monet D, Ngo V, Ding X, Omstead V, Weed N, Bishaw Y, Gore BB, Lein ES, Akrami A, Miller C, Levi BP, Keller A, Ting JT, Fox AS, Eroglu C, Gradinaru V. Functional gene delivery to and across brain vasculature of systemic AAVs with endothelial-specific tropism in rodents and broad tropism in primates. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3345. [PMID: 37291094 PMCID: PMC10250345 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38582-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Delivering genes to and across the brain vasculature efficiently and specifically across species remains a critical challenge for addressing neurological diseases. We have evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV9) capsids into vectors that transduce brain endothelial cells specifically and efficiently following systemic administration in wild-type mice with diverse genetic backgrounds, and in rats. These AAVs also exhibit superior transduction of the CNS across non-human primates (marmosets and rhesus macaques), and in ex vivo human brain slices, although the endothelial tropism is not conserved across species. The capsid modifications translate from AAV9 to other serotypes such as AAV1 and AAV-DJ, enabling serotype switching for sequential AAV administration in mice. We demonstrate that the endothelial-specific mouse capsids can be used to genetically engineer the blood-brain barrier by transforming the mouse brain vasculature into a functional biofactory. We apply this approach to Hevin knockout mice, where AAV-X1-mediated ectopic expression of the synaptogenic protein Sparcl1/Hevin in brain endothelial cells rescued synaptic deficits.
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Grants
- DP1 DA048931 NIDA NIH HHS
- P51 OD011107 NIH HHS
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- UG3 MH120095 NIMH NIH HHS
- DP1 NS111369 NINDS NIH HHS
- OT2 OD024899 NIH HHS
- DP1 MH104069 NIMH NIH HHS
- UF1 MH128336 NIMH NIH HHS
- DP1 EB016986 NIBIB NIH HHS
- DP1 OD000616 NIH HHS
- DP2 NS087949 NINDS NIH HHS
- NIH Director’s New Innovator DP2NS087949 and PECASE, NIH BRAIN Armamentarium 1UF1MH128336-01, NIH Pioneer 5DP1NS111369-04 and SPARC 1OT2OD024899. Additional funding includes the Vallee Foundation, the Moore Foundation, the CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network, and the NSF NeuroNex Technology Hub grant 1707316, the Heritage Medical Research Institute and the Beckman Institute for CLARITY, Optogenetics and Vector Engineering Research (CLOVER) for technology development and dissemination, NIH BRAIN UG3MH120095.
- The Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_188952, A.K), the Synapsis (grant 2019-PI02, A.K.), the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society (A.K.).
- CNPRC base grant (NIH P51 OD011107)
- The CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network. C.E. is an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Damien A Wolfe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Mengying Zhang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Naz Taskin
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Goertsen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Timothy F Shay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Erin E Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Sheng-Fu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Cynthia M Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Lillian J Campos
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - John K Mich
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deja Monet
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Victoria Ngo
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Ding
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Natalie Weed
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yeme Bishaw
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bryan B Gore
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ed S Lein
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athena Akrami
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cory Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Boaz P Levi
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annika Keller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan T Ting
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew S Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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9
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Greig JA, Chorazeczewski JK, Chowdhary V, Smith MK, Jennis M, Tarrant JC, Buza EL, Coughlan K, Martini PG, Wilson JM. Lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA therapy corrects serum total bilirubin level in Crigler-Najjar syndrome mouse model. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 29:32-39. [PMID: 36936447 PMCID: PMC10017950 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.02.007] [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: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a rare disorder of bilirubin metabolism caused by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) mutations characterized by hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice. No cure currently exists; treatment options are limited to phototherapy, whose effectiveness diminishes over time, and liver transplantation. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of systemically administered, lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated human UGT1A1 (hUGT1A1) mRNA therapy in a Crigler-Najjar mouse model. Ugt1 knockout mice were rescued from lethal post-natal hyperbilirubinemia by phototherapy. These adult Ugt1 knockout mice were then administered a single lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated hUGT1A1 mRNA dose. Within 24 h, serum total bilirubin levels decreased from 15 mg/dL (256 μmol/L) to <0.5 mg/dL (9 μmol/L), i.e., slightly above wild-type levels. This reduction was sustained for 2 weeks before bilirubin levels rose and returned to pre-treatment levels by day 42 post-administration. Sustained reductions in total bilirubin levels were achieved by repeated administration of the mRNA product in a frequency-dependent manner. We were also able to rescue the neonatal lethality phenotype seen in Ugt1 knockout mice with a single lipid nanoparticle dose, which suggests that this may be a treatment modality appropriate for metabolic crisis situations. Therefore, lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated hUGT1A1 mRNA may represent a potential treatment for Crigler-Najjar syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A. Greig
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Vivek Chowdhary
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Melanie K. Smith
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Jennis
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James C. Tarrant
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Buza
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - James M. Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Corresponding author. James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, Gene Therapy Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 125 South 31st Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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10
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Xie S, Wei S, Ma X, Wang R, He T, Zhang Z, Yang J, Wang J, Chang L, Jing M, Li H, Zhou X, Zhao Y. Genetic alterations and molecular mechanisms underlying hereditary intrahepatic cholestasis. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1173542. [PMID: 37324459 PMCID: PMC10264785 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1173542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary cholestatic liver disease caused by a class of autosomal gene mutations results in jaundice, which involves the abnormality of the synthesis, secretion, and other disorders of bile acids metabolism. Due to the existence of a variety of gene mutations, the clinical manifestations of children are also diverse. There is no unified standard for diagnosis and single detection method, which seriously hinders the development of clinical treatment. Therefore, the mutated genes of hereditary intrahepatic cholestasis were systematically described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Xie
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shizhang Wei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Ma
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruilin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting He
- Department of Pharmacy, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Chang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manyi Jing
- Department of Pharmacy, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haotian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuelin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanling Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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11
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Calabria A, Cipriani C, Spinozzi G, Rudilosso L, Esposito S, Benedicenti F, Albertini A, Pouzolles M, Luoni M, Giannelli S, Broccoli V, Guilbaud M, Adjali O, Taylor N, Zimmermann VS, Montini E, Cesana D. Intrathymic AAV delivery results in therapeutic site-specific integration at TCR loci in mice. Blood 2023; 141:2316-2329. [PMID: 36790505 PMCID: PMC10356579 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022017378] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been successfully exploited in gene therapy applications for the treatment of several genetic disorders. AAV is considered an episomal vector, but it has been shown to integrate within the host cell genome after the generation of double-strand DNA breaks or nicks. Although AAV integration raises some safety concerns, it can also provide therapeutic benefit; the direct intrathymic injection of an AAV harboring a therapeutic transgene results in integration in T-cell progenitors and long-term T-cell immunity. To assess the mechanisms of AAV integration, we retrieved and analyzed hundreds of AAV integration sites from lymph node-derived mature T cells and compared these with liver and brain tissue from treated mice. Notably, we found that although AAV integrations in the liver and brain were distributed across the entire mouse genome, >90% of the integrations in T cells were clustered within the T-cell receptor α, β, and γ genes. More precisely, the insertion mapped to DNA breaks created by the enzymatic activity of recombination activating genes (RAGs) during variable, diversity, and joining recombination. Our data indicate that RAG activity during T-cell receptor maturation induces a site-specific integration of AAV genomes and opens new therapeutic avenues for achieving long-term AAV-mediated gene transfer in dividing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Calabria
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Cipriani
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Spinozzi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Rudilosso
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Esposito
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Benedicenti
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Albertini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Pouzolles
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Mirko Luoni
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Giannelli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Milan, Italy
| | - Mickael Guilbaud
- Translational Gene Therapy Laboratory, INSERM and Nantes University, Nantes, France
| | - Oumeya Adjali
- Translational Gene Therapy Laboratory, INSERM and Nantes University, Nantes, France
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Valérie S. Zimmermann
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Eugenio Montini
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Cesana
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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12
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Aronson SJ, Ronzitti G, Bosma PJ. What's next in gene therapy for Crigler-Najjar syndrome? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:119-121. [PMID: 36579791 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2160237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sem J Aronson
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, BK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, Evry, France
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, BK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Chen X, Wolfe DA, Bindu DS, Zhang M, Taskin N, Goertsen D, Shay TF, Sullivan E, Huang SF, Kumar SR, Arokiaraj CM, Plattner V, Campos LJ, Mich J, Monet D, Ngo V, Ding X, Omstead V, Weed N, Bishaw Y, Gore B, Lein ES, Akrami A, Miller C, Levi BP, Keller A, Ting JT, Fox AS, Eroglu C, Gradinaru V. Functional gene delivery to and across brain vasculature of systemic AAVs with endothelial-specific tropism in rodents and broad tropism in primates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523844. [PMID: 36711773 PMCID: PMC9882234 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Delivering genes to and across the brain vasculature efficiently and specifically across species remains a critical challenge for addressing neurological diseases. We have evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV9) capsids into vectors that transduce brain endothelial cells specifically and efficiently following systemic administration in wild-type mice with diverse genetic backgrounds and rats. These AAVs also exhibit superior transduction of the CNS across non-human primates (marmosets and rhesus macaques), and ex vivo human brain slices although the endothelial tropism is not conserved across species. The capsid modifications translate from AAV9 to other serotypes such as AAV1 and AAV-DJ, enabling serotype switching for sequential AAV administration in mice. We demonstrate that the endothelial specific mouse capsids can be used to genetically engineer the blood-brain barrier by transforming the mouse brain vasculature into a functional biofactory. Vasculature-secreted Hevin (a synaptogenic protein) rescued synaptic deficits in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Damien A. Wolfe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Mengying Zhang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Naz Taskin
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Goertsen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Timothy F. Shay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Erin Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Sheng-Fu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sripriya Ravindra Kumar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Cynthia M. Arokiaraj
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Viktor Plattner
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lillian J. Campos
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - John Mich
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deja Monet
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Victoria Ngo
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Xiaozhe Ding
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | | | - Natalie Weed
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yeme Bishaw
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bryan Gore
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ed S Lein
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athena Akrami
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Cory Miller
- Cortical Systems and Behavior Lab, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92039, USA
| | - Boaz P. Levi
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Annika Keller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan T. Ting
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew S. Fox
- Department of Psychology and California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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14
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Rescue of a familial dysautonomia mouse model by AAV9-Exon-specific U1 snRNA. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1534-1548. [PMID: 35905737 PMCID: PMC9388384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a currently untreatable, neurodegenerative disease caused by a splicing mutation (c.2204+6T>C) that causes skipping of exon 20 of the elongator complex protein 1 (ELP1) pre-mRNA. Here, we used adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9-U1-FD) to deliver an exon-specific U1 (ExSpeU1) small nuclear RNA, designed to cause inclusion of ELP1 exon 20 only in those cells expressing the target pre-mRNA, in a phenotypic mouse model of FD. Postnatal systemic and intracerebral ventricular treatment in these mice increased the inclusion of ELP1 exon 20. This also augmented the production of functional protein in several tissues including brain, dorsal root, and trigeminal ganglia. Crucially, the treatment rescued most of the FD mouse mortality before one month of age (89% vs 52%). There were notable improvements in ataxic gait as well as renal (serum creatinine) and cardiac (ejection fraction) functions. RNA-seq analyses of dorsal root ganglia from treated mice and human cells overexpressing FD-ExSpeU1 revealed only minimal global changes in gene expression and splicing. Overall then, our data prove that AAV9-U1-FD is highly specific and will likely be a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for this debilitating disease.
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15
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Aronson SJ, Junge N, Trabelsi M, Kelmemi W, Hubert A, Brigatti KW, Fox MD, de Knegt RJ, Escher JC, Ginocchio VM, Iorio R, Zhu Y, Özçay F, Rahim F, El-Shabrawi MHF, Shteyer E, Di Giorgio A, D'Antiga L, Mingozzi F, Brunetti-Pierri N, Strauss KA, Labrune P, Mrad R, Baumann U, Beuers U, Bosma PJ. Disease burden and management of Crigler-Najjar syndrome: Report of a world registry. Liver Int 2022; 42:1593-1604. [PMID: 35274801 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sem J Aronson
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Norman Junge
- Division for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mediha Trabelsi
- Laboratoire de Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis (Laboratory of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar (University of Tunis El Manar), Tunis, Tunisia.,Service des Maladies Congénitales et Héréditaires (Department of Hereditary and Congenital Disorders), Hôpital Charles Nicolle (Charles Nicolle Hospital), Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wided Kelmemi
- Laboratoire de Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis (Laboratory of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar (University of Tunis El Manar), Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Aurelie Hubert
- Department of Hereditary Diseases of Hepatic Metabolism, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | | | - Michael D Fox
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna C Escher
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Virginia M Ginocchio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Iorio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Yan Zhu
- Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Figen Özçay
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fakher Rahim
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Health research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mortada H F El-Shabrawi
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eyal Shteyer
- Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Angelo Di Giorgio
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Kevin A Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, USA.,Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philippe Labrune
- Department of Hereditary Diseases of Hepatic Metabolism, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | - Ridha Mrad
- Laboratoire de Génétique Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis (Laboratory of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar (University of Tunis El Manar), Tunis, Tunisia.,Service des Maladies Congénitales et Héréditaires (Department of Hereditary and Congenital Disorders), Hôpital Charles Nicolle (Charles Nicolle Hospital), Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ulrich Baumann
- Division for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Segurado OG, Jiang R, Pipe SW. Challenges and opportunities when transitioning from in vivo gene replacement to in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 therapies - a spotlight on hemophilia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2022; 22:1091-1098. [PMID: 35708146 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2022.2090241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Currently, a few in vivo gene replacement therapies are commercially available, with many in clinical development for the treatment of some inherited monogenic diseases. These disorders arise from mutations in genes encoding essential proteins with a well understood biological function. Wide adoption of gene replacement therapies requires solid safety and efficacy profiles with demonstrable long-term durability and cost-benefit advantages vs standard therapies. AREAS COVERED This expert review outlines the challenges and opportunities in treating hemophilia, including the progression from in vivo gene therapies toward in vivo gene editing, focusing on pre-clinical and emerging clinical data for gene editing and addressing the need for sustained and durable gene expression during hepatocyte proliferation when the liver is unable to maintain steady gene expression and protein production. EXPERT OPINION In vivo gene editing in liver tissues may be able to rescue patients younger than 18 years who are not eligible for gene replacement therapies, with hemophilia as a prime example.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steven W Pipe
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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17
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Pontoizeau C, Simon-Sola M, Gaborit C, Nguyen V, Rotaru I, Tual N, Colella P, Girard M, Biferi MG, Arnoux JB, Rötig A, Ottolenghi C, de Lonlay P, Mingozzi F, Cavazzana M, Schiff M. Neonatal gene therapy achieves sustained disease rescue of maple syrup urine disease in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3278. [PMID: 35672312 PMCID: PMC9174284 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30880-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare recessively inherited metabolic disorder causing accumulation of branched chain amino acids leading to neonatal death, if untreated. Treatment for MSUD represents an unmet need because the current treatment with life-long low-protein diet is challenging to maintain, and despite treatment the risk of acute decompensations and neuropsychiatric symptoms remains. Here, based on significant liver contribution to the catabolism of the branched chain amino acid leucine, we develop a liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV8) gene therapy for MSUD. We establish and characterize the Bckdha (branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase a)−/− mouse that exhibits a lethal neonatal phenotype mimicking human MSUD. Animals were treated at P0 with intravenous human BCKDHA AAV8 vectors under the control of either a ubiquitous or a liver-specific promoter. BCKDHA gene transfer rescued the lethal phenotype. While the use of a ubiquitous promoter fully and sustainably rescued the disease (long-term survival, normal phenotype and correction of biochemical abnormalities), liver-specific expression of BCKDHA led to partial, though sustained rescue. Here we show efficacy of gene therapy for MSUD demonstrating its potential for clinical translation. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism, which is currently treated with life-long low-protein diet that can be challenging to maintain. Here the authors develop an AAV8-directed gene therapy providing sustainable disease rescue in a mouse model of MSUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Pontoizeau
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, Paris Cité University, Paris, France. .,Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France. .,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | | - Irina Rotaru
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Nolan Tual
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | | | - Muriel Girard
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Paris, France.,Inserm U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Maria-Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne University, Inserm, Institute of Myology, Centre of Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Arnoux
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Rötig
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Chris Ottolenghi
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Biochemistry, Metabolomics Unit, Paris Cité University, Paris, France.,Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France.,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
| | - Pascale de Lonlay
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France.,Inserm U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | | | - Marina Cavazzana
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.,Necker Hospital, APHP, Biotherapies Department, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Necker Hospital, APHP, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Pediatrics Department, Paris Cité University, Filière G2M, Paris, France. .,Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France.
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18
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Lisjak M, De Caneva A, Marais T, Barbon E, Biferi MG, Porro F, Barzel A, Zentilin L, Kay MA, Mingozzi F, Muro AF. Promoterless Gene Targeting Approach Combined to CRISPR/Cas9 Efficiently Corrects Hemophilia B Phenotype in Neonatal Mice. Front Genome Ed 2022; 4:785698. [PMID: 35359664 PMCID: PMC8962648 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2022.785698] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many inborn errors of metabolism require life-long treatments and, in severe conditions involving the liver, organ transplantation remains the only curative treatment. Non-integrative AAV-mediated gene therapy has shown efficacy in adult patients. However, treatment in pediatric or juvenile settings, or in conditions associated with hepatocyte proliferation, may result in rapid loss of episomal viral DNA and thus therapeutic efficacy. Re-administration of the therapeutic vector later in time may not be possible due to the presence of anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies. We have previously shown the permanent rescue of the neonatal lethality of a Crigler-Najjar mouse model by applying an integrative gene-therapy based approach. Here, we targeted the human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) cDNA into a hemophilia B mouse model. Two AAV8 vectors were used: a promoterless vector with two arms of homology for the albumin locus, and a vector carrying the CRISPR/SaCas9 and the sgRNA. Treatment of neonatal P2 wild-type mice resulted in supraphysiological levels of hFIX being stable 10 months after dosing. A single injection of the AAV vectors into neonatal FIX KO mice also resulted in the stable expression of above-normal levels of hFIX, reaching up to 150% of the human levels. Mice subjected to tail clip analysis showed a clotting capacity comparable to wild-type animals, thus demonstrating the rescue of the disease phenotype. Immunohistological analysis revealed clusters of hFIX-positive hepatocytes. When we tested the approach in adult FIX KO mice, we detected hFIX in plasma by ELISA and in the liver by western blot. However, the hFIX levels were not sufficient to significantly ameliorate the bleeding phenotype upon tail clip assay. Experiments conducted using a AAV donor vectors containing the eGFP or the hFIX cDNAs showed a higher recombination rate in P2 mice compared to adult animals. With this study, we demonstrate an alternative gene targeting strategy exploiting the use of the CRISPR/SaCas9 platform that can be potentially applied in the treatment of pediatric patients suffering from hemophilia, also supporting its application to other liver monogenic diseases. For the treatment of adult patients, further studies for the improvement of targeting efficiency are still required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Lisjak
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessia De Caneva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Thibaut Marais
- Inserm UMRS974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Elena Barbon
- Genethon, Evry, France
- IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- Inserm UMRS974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabiola Porro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Adi Barzel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mark A. Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, Evry, France
- University Pierre and Marie Curie - Paris 6, INSERM U974, Paris, France
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrés F. Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Andrés F. Muro,
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19
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Costa-Verdera H, Collaud F, Riling CR, Sellier P, Nordin JML, Preston GM, Cagin U, Fabregue J, Barral S, Moya-Nilges M, Krijnse-Locker J, van Wittenberghe L, Daniele N, Gjata B, Cosette J, Abad C, Simon-Sola M, Charles S, Li M, Crosariol M, Antrilli T, Quinn WJ, Gross DA, Boyer O, Anguela XM, Armour SM, Colella P, Ronzitti G, Mingozzi F. Hepatic expression of GAA results in enhanced enzyme bioavailability in mice and non-human primates. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6393. [PMID: 34737297 PMCID: PMC8568898 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26744-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). PD is currently treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with intravenous infusions of recombinant human GAA (rhGAA). Although the introduction of ERT represents a breakthrough in the management of PD, the approach suffers from several shortcomings. Here, we developed a mouse model of PD to compare the efficacy of hepatic gene transfer with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing secretable GAA with long-term ERT. Liver expression of GAA results in enhanced pharmacokinetics and uptake of the enzyme in peripheral tissues compared to ERT. Combination of gene transfer with pharmacological chaperones boosts GAA bioavailability, resulting in improved rescue of the PD phenotype. Scale-up of hepatic gene transfer to non-human primates also successfully results in enzyme secretion in blood and uptake in key target tissues, supporting the ongoing clinical translation of the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Costa-Verdera
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France.,Sorbonne University Paris and INSERM U974, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | - Pauline Sellier
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | | | - Umut Cagin
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Julien Fabregue
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Simon Barral
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Catalina Abad
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183, Rouen, France
| | - Marcelo Simon-Sola
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Mathew Li
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - Tom Antrilli
- Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | - David A Gross
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Olivier Boyer
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183, Rouen, France
| | | | | | - Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000, Evry, France. .,Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Integrare research Unit UMR_S951, 91000, Evry, France. .,Sorbonne University Paris and INSERM U974, 75013, Paris, France. .,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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20
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Pavani G, Amendola M. Targeted Gene Delivery: Where to Land. Front Genome Ed 2021; 2:609650. [PMID: 34713234 PMCID: PMC8525409 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.609650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-editing technologies have the potential to correct most genetic defects involved in blood disorders. In contrast to mutation-specific editing, targeted gene insertion can correct most of the mutations affecting the same gene with a single therapeutic strategy (gene replacement) or provide novel functions to edited cells (gene addition). Targeting a selected genomic harbor can reduce insertional mutagenesis risk, while enabling the exploitation of endogenous promoters, or selected chromatin contexts, to achieve specific transgene expression levels/patterns and the modulation of disease-modifier genes. In this review, we will discuss targeted gene insertion and the advantages and limitations of different genomic harbors currently under investigation for various gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pavani
- INTEGRARE, UMR_S951, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Univ Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Mario Amendola
- INTEGRARE, UMR_S951, Genethon, Inserm, Univ Evry, Univ Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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21
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Zhukouskaya VV, Jauze L, Charles S, Leborgne C, Hilliquin S, Sadoine J, Slimani L, Baroukh B, van Wittenberghe L, Danièle N, Rajas F, Linglart A, Mingozzi F, Chaussain C, Bardet C, Ronzitti G. A novel therapeutic strategy for skeletal disorders: Proof of concept of gene therapy for X-linked hypophosphatemia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj5018. [PMID: 34705504 PMCID: PMC8550245 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj5018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are a well-established gene transfer approach for rare genetic diseases. Nonetheless, some tissues, such as bone, remain refractory to AAV. X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare skeletal disorder associated with increased levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), resulting in skeletal deformities and short stature. The conventional treatment for XLH, lifelong phosphate and active vitamin D analogs supplementation, partially improves quality of life and is associated with severe long-term side effects. Recently, a monoclonal antibody against FGF23 has been approved for XLH but remains a high-cost lifelong therapy. We developed a liver-targeting AAV vector to inhibit FGF23 signaling. We showed that hepatic expression of the C-terminal tail of FGF23 corrected skeletal manifestations and osteomalacia in a XLH mouse model. Our data provide proof of concept for AAV gene transfer to treat XLH, a prototypical bone disease, further expanding the use of this modality to treat skeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volha V. Zhukouskaya
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
- Paris-Saclay University, INSERM U1185, AP-HP, DMU SEA, Endocrinology and Diabetes for Children, Reference Center for Rare Diseases of the Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, OSCAR filière, EndoRare, and BOND ERN, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Louisa Jauze
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1213, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Séverine Charles
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Stéphane Hilliquin
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
- AP-HP, Department of Rheumatology, Cochin Hospital, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Sadoine
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
| | - Lotfi Slimani
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
| | - Brigitte Baroukh
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
| | | | | | - Fabienne Rajas
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1213, Lyon F-69008, France
| | - Agnès Linglart
- Paris-Saclay University, INSERM U1185, AP-HP, DMU SEA, Endocrinology and Diabetes for Children, Reference Center for Rare Diseases of the Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, OSCAR filière, EndoRare, and BOND ERN, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Catherine Chaussain
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
- Paris-Saclay University, INSERM U1185, AP-HP, DMU SEA, Endocrinology and Diabetes for Children, Reference Center for Rare Diseases of the Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, OSCAR filière, EndoRare, and BOND ERN, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- AP-HP, Reference Center for Rare Disorders of the Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, Dental Medicine Department, Bretonneau Hospital, GHN-Université de Paris, Paris 75018, France
| | - Claire Bardet
- Université de Paris, Institut des maladies musculo-squelettiques, Laboratory Orofacial Pathologies, Imaging and Biotherapies URP2496 and FHU-DDS-Net, Dental School, and Plateforme d’Imagerie du Vivant (PIV), Montrouge, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, Inserm, Genethon, INTEGRARE Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
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22
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Bertolin J, Sánchez V, Ribera A, Jaén ML, Garcia M, Pujol A, Sánchez X, Muñoz S, Marcó S, Pérez J, Elias G, León X, Roca C, Jimenez V, Otaegui P, Mulero F, Navarro M, Ruberte J, Bosch F. Treatment of skeletal and non-skeletal alterations of Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA by AAV-mediated gene therapy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5343. [PMID: 34504088 PMCID: PMC8429698 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25697-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPSIVA) or Morquio A disease, a lysosomal storage disorder, is caused by N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) deficiency, resulting in keratan sulfate (KS) and chondroitin-6-sulfate accumulation. Patients develop severe skeletal dysplasia, early cartilage deterioration and life-threatening heart and tracheal complications. There is no cure and enzyme replacement therapy cannot correct skeletal abnormalities. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we generate the first MPSIVA rat model recapitulating all skeletal and non-skeletal alterations experienced by patients. Treatment of MPSIVA rats with adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 encoding Galns (AAV9-Galns) results in widespread transduction of bones, cartilage and peripheral tissues. This led to long-term (1 year) increase of GALNS activity and whole-body correction of KS levels, thus preventing body size reduction and severe alterations of bones, teeth, joints, trachea and heart. This study demonstrates the potential of AAV9-Galns gene therapy to correct the disabling MPSIVA pathology, providing strong rationale for future clinical translation to MPSIVA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Bertolin
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Víctor Sánchez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Albert Ribera
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Luisa Jaén
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miquel Garcia
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Pujol
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Xavier Sánchez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergio Muñoz
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Marcó
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jennifer Pérez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Gemma Elias
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Xavier León
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Roca
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veronica Jimenez
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Otaegui
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Francisca Mulero
- Molecular Imaging Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Navarro
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jesús Ruberte
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fatima Bosch
- Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Bellaterra, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain.
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23
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Diagnostic methods for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: benefits, limitations, requirements, and novel developments. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:277-283. [PMID: 33948000 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Invasive bilirubin measurements remain the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of infants with severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The present paper describes different methods currently available to assess hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants. Novel point-of-care bilirubin measurement methods, such as the BiliSpec and the Bilistick, would benefit many newborn infants, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where the access to costly multi-analyzer in vitro diagnostic instruments is limited. Total serum bilirubin test results should be accurate within permissible limits of measurement uncertainty to be fit for clinical purposes. This implies correct implementation of internationally endorsed reference measurement systems as well as participation in external quality assessment programs. Novel analytic methods may, apart from bilirubin, include the determination of bilirubin photoisomers and bilirubin oxidation products in blood and even in other biological matrices. IMPACT: Key message: Bilirubin measurements in blood remain the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (SNH). External quality assessment (EQA) plays an important role in revealing inaccuracies in diagnostic bilirubin measurements. What does this article add to the existing literature? We provide analytic performance data on total serum bilirubin (TSB) as measured during recent EQA surveys. We review novel diagnostic point-of-care (POC) bilirubin measurement methods and analytic methods for determining bilirubin levels in biological matrices other than blood. Impact: Manufacturers should make TSB test results traceable to the internationally endorsed total bilirubin reference measurement system and should ensure permissible limits of measurement uncertainty.
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24
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Manso AM, Hashem SI, Nelson BC, Gault E, Soto-Hermida A, Villarruel E, Brambatti M, Bogomolovas J, Bushway PJ, Chen C, Battiprolu P, Keravala A, Schwartz JD, Shah G, Gu Y, Dalton ND, Hammond K, Peterson K, Saftig P, Adler ED. Systemic AAV9.LAMP2B injection reverses metabolic and physiologic multiorgan dysfunction in a murine model of Danon disease. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/535/eaax1744. [PMID: 32188720 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax1744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Danon disease (DD) is a rare X-linked autophagic vacuolar myopathy associated with multiorgan dysfunction, including the heart, skeletal muscle, and liver. There are no specific treatments, and most male patients die from advanced heart failure during the second or third decade of life. DD is caused by mutations in the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) gene, a key mediator of autophagy. LAMP2 has three isoforms: LAMP2A, LAMP2B, and LAMP2C. LAMP2B is the predominant isoform expressed in cardiomyocytes. This study evaluates the efficacy of human LAMP2B gene transfer using a recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 carrying human LAMP2B (AAV9.LAMP2B) in a Lamp2 knockout (KO) mouse, a DD model. AAV9.LAMP2B was intravenously injected into 2- and 6-month-old Lamp2 KO male mice to assess efficacy in adolescent and adult phenotypes. Lamp2 KO mice receiving AAV9.LAMP2B demonstrated dose-dependent restoration of human LAMP2B protein in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle tissue. Impaired autophagic flux, evidenced by increased LC3-II, was abrogated by LAMP2B gene transfer in all tissues in both cohorts. Cardiac function was also improved, and transaminases were reduced in AAV9.LAMP2B-treated KO mice, indicating favorable effects on the heart and liver. Survival was also higher in the older cohort receiving high vector doses. No anti-LAMP2 antibodies were detected in mice that received AAV9.LAMP2B. In summary, LAMP2B gene transfer improves metabolic and physiologic function in a DD murine model, suggesting that a similar therapeutic approach may be effective for treating patients with this highly morbid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Manso
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sherin I Hashem
- Department of Pathology, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bradley C Nelson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Emily Gault
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Angel Soto-Hermida
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Elizza Villarruel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michela Brambatti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Julius Bogomolovas
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Paul J Bushway
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Chao Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gaurav Shah
- Rocket Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY 10118, USA
| | - Yusu Gu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nancy D Dalton
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kirk Hammond
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kirk Peterson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Paul Saftig
- Biochemical Institute, Christian Albrechts-University, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Eric D Adler
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA.
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25
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Wei G, Cao J, Huang P, An P, Badlani D, Vaid KA, Zhao S, Wang DQH, Zhuo J, Yin L, Frassetto A, Markel A, Presnyak V, Gandham S, Hua S, Lukacs C, Finn PF, Giangrande PH, Martini PGV, Popov YV. Synthetic human ABCB4 mRNA therapy rescues severe liver disease phenotype in a BALB/c.Abcb4 -/- mouse model of PFIC3. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1416-1428. [PMID: 33340584 PMCID: PMC8188846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a rare lethal autosomal recessive liver disorder caused by loss-of-function variations of the ABCB4 gene, encoding a phosphatidylcholine transporter (ABCB4/MDR3). Currently, no effective treatment exists for PFIC3 outside of liver transplantation. METHODS We have produced and screened chemically and genetically modified mRNA variants encoding human ABCB4 (hABCB4 mRNA) encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). We examined their pharmacological effects in a cell-based model and in a new in vivo mouse model resembling human PFIC3 as a result of homozygous disruption of the Abcb4 gene in fibrosis-susceptible BALB/c.Abcb4-/- mice. RESULTS We show that treatment with liver-targeted hABCB4 mRNA resulted in de novo expression of functional hABCB4 protein and restored phospholipid transport in cultured cells and in PFIC3 mouse livers. Importantly, repeated injections of the hABCB4 mRNA effectively rescued the severe disease phenotype in young Abcb4-/- mice, with rapid and dramatic normalisation of all clinically relevant parameters such as inflammation, ductular reaction, and liver fibrosis. Synthetic mRNA therapy also promoted favourable hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration to restore normal homeostasis, including liver weight, body weight, liver enzymes, and portal vein blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide strong preclinical proof-of-concept for hABCB4 mRNA therapy as a potential treatment option for patients with PFIC3. LAY SUMMARY This report describes the development of an innovative mRNA therapy as a potential treatment for PFIC3, a devastating rare paediatric liver disease with no treatment options except liver transplantation. We show that administration of our mRNA construct completely rescues severe liver disease in a genetic model of PFIC3 in mice.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/administration & dosage
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/deficiency
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/metabolism
- Animals
- Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/drug therapy
- Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/genetics
- Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Deletion
- HEK293 Cells
- Homozygote
- Humans
- Liposomes/chemistry
- Liver/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Knockout
- Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System/chemistry
- Nanoparticles/chemistry
- Phenotype
- RNA, Messenger/administration & dosage
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Transfection
- Treatment Outcome
- ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 4
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyan Wei
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Pinzhu Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ping An
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Disha Badlani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kahini A Vaid
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shuangshuang Zhao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Q-H Wang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Zhuo
- Rare Diseases, Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ling Yin
- Rare Diseases, Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Arianna Markel
- Rare Diseases, Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA; Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Serenus Hua
- Analytical Development, Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Yury V Popov
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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26
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Shi X, Bortolussi G, Bloemendaal LT, Duijst S, Muro AF, Bosma PJ. Low efficacy of recombinant SV40 in Ugt1a1-/- mice with severe inherited hyperbilirubinemia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250605. [PMID: 33891666 PMCID: PMC8064607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to AAV, Simian Virus 40 (rSV40) not inducing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) allowing re-treatment seems a promising vector for neonatal treatment of inherited liver disorders. Several studies have reported efficacy of rSV40 in animal models for inherited liver diseases. In all studies the ubiquitous endogenous early promoter controlled transgene expression establishing expression in all transduced tissues. Restricting this expression to the target tissues reduces the risk of immune response to the therapeutic gene. In this study a liver specific rSV40 vector was generated by inserting a hepatocyte specific promoter. This increased the specificity of the expression of hUGT1A1 in vitro. However, in vivo the efficacy of rSV40 appeared too low to demonstrate tissue specificity while increasing the vector dose was not possible because of toxicity. In contrast to earlier studies, neutralizing antibodies were induced. Overall, the lack of a platform to produce high titered and pure rSV40 particles and the induction of NAbs, renders it a poor candidate for in vivo gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Shi
- Amsterdam UMC, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lysbeth ten Bloemendaal
- Amsterdam UMC, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Duijst
- Amsterdam UMC, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrés F. Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Piter J. Bosma
- Amsterdam UMC, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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27
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Shi X, Aronson SJ, Ten Bloemendaal L, Duijst S, Bakker RS, de Waart DR, Bortolussi G, Collaud F, Oude Elferink RP, Muro AF, Mingozzi F, Ronzitti G, Bosma PJ. Efficacy of AAV8-h UGT1A1 with Rapamycin in neonatal, suckling, and juvenile rats to model treatment in pediatric CNs patients. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 20:287-297. [PMID: 33511243 PMCID: PMC7809245 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A clinical trial using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-human uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (hUGT1A1) to treat inherited severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (Crigler-Najjar syndrome) is ongoing, but preclinical data suggest that long-term efficacy in children is impaired due to loss of transgene expression upon hepatocyte proliferation in a growing liver. This study aims to determine at what age long-term efficacy can be obtained in the relevant animal model and whether immune modulation allows re-treatment using the same AAV vector. Neonatal, suckling, and juvenile Ugt1a1-deficient rats received a clinically relevant dose of AAV8-hUGT1A1, and serum bilirubin levels and anti-AAV8 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in serum were monitored. The possibility of preventing the immune response toward the vector was investigated using a rapamycin-based regimen with daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections starting 2 days before and ending 21 days after vector administration. In rats treated at postnatal day 1 (P1) or P14, the correction was (partially) lost after 12 weeks, whereas the correction was stable in rats injected at P28. Combining initial vector administration with the immune-suppressive regimen prevented induction of NAbs in female rats, allowing at least partially effective re-administration. Induction of NAbs upon re-injection could not be prevented, suggesting that this strategy will be ineffective in patients with low levels of preexisting anti-AAV NAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Shi
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sem J Aronson
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lysbeth Ten Bloemendaal
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Duijst
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert S Bakker
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk R de Waart
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, INSERM, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Ronald P Oude Elferink
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université d'Evry, INSERM, Genethon, Integrare Research Unit UMR S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Meibergdreef 69-71, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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28
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De Sabbata G, Boisgerault F, Guarnaccia C, Iaconcig A, Bortolussi G, Collaud F, Ronzitti G, Sola MS, Vidal P, Rouillon J, Charles S, Nicastro E, D'Antiga L, Ilyinskii P, Mingozzi F, Kishimoto TK, Muro AF. Long-term correction of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in Spf-Ash mice with a translationally optimized AAV vector. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 20:169-180. [PMID: 33473356 PMCID: PMC7786024 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is an X-linked liver disorder caused by partial or total loss of OTC enzyme activity. It is characterized by elevated plasma ammonia, leading to neurological impairments, coma, and death in the most severe cases. OTCD is managed by combining dietary restrictions, essential amino acids, and ammonia scavengers. However, to date, liver transplantation provides the best therapeutic outcome. AAV-mediated gene-replacement therapy represents a promising curative strategy. Here, we generated an AAV2/8 vector expressing a codon-optimized human OTC cDNA by the α1-AAT liver-specific promoter. Unlike standard codon-optimization approaches, we performed multiple codon-optimization rounds via common algorithms and ortholog sequence analysis that significantly improved mRNA translatability and therapeutic efficacy. AAV8-hOTC-CO (codon optimized) vector injection into adult OTCSpf-Ash mice (5.0E11 vg/kg) mediated long-term complete correction of the phenotype. Adeno-Associated viral (AAV) vector treatment restored the physiological ammonia detoxification liver function, as indicated by urinary orotic acid normalization and by conferring full protection against an ammonia challenge. Removal of liver-specific transcription factor binding sites from the AAV backbone did not affect gene expression levels, with a potential improvement in safety. These results demonstrate that AAV8-hOTC-CO gene transfer is safe and results in sustained correction of OTCD in mice, supporting the translation of this approach to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia De Sabbata
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Florence Boisgerault
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Corrado Guarnaccia
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Iaconcig
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Patrice Vidal
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Jeremy Rouillon
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | | | | | - Federico Mingozzi
- Généthon, 91000 Evry, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Université Evry, INSERM, Généthon, Integrare Research Unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France.,Institut de Myologie, 73013 Paris, France
| | | | - Andrés F Muro
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149 Trieste, Italy
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29
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Taverna S, Cammarata G, Colomba P, Sciarrino S, Zizzo C, Francofonte D, Zora M, Scalia S, Brando C, Curto AL, Marsana EM, Olivieri R, Vitale S, Duro G. Pompe disease: pathogenesis, molecular genetics and diagnosis. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15856-15874. [PMID: 32745073 PMCID: PMC7467391 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the GAA gene, localized on chromosome 17 and encoding for acid alpha-1,4-glucosidase (GAA). Currently, more than 560 mutations spread throughout GAA gene have been reported. GAA catalyzes the hydrolysis of α-1,4 and α-1,6-glucosidic bonds of glycogen and its deficiency leads to lysosomal storage of glycogen in several tissues, particularly in muscle. PD is a chronic and progressive pathology usually characterized by limb-girdle muscle weakness and respiratory failure. PD is classified as infantile and childhood/adult forms. PD patients exhibit a multisystemic manifestation that depends on age of onset. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent or reduce the irreversible organ damage associated with PD progression. Here, we make an overview of PD focusing on pathogenesis, clinical phenotypes, molecular genetics, diagnosis, therapies, autophagy and the role of miRNAs as potential biomarkers for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Taverna
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cammarata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Colomba
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serafina Sciarrino
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmela Zizzo
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniele Francofonte
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Zora
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Scalia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Brando
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessia Lo Curto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuela Maria Marsana
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Olivieri
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Vitale
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Duro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB-CNR), National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
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30
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A Quantitative In Vitro Potency Assay for Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Encoding for the UGT1A1 Transgene. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 18:250-258. [PMID: 32637454 PMCID: PMC7327880 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Potency assessment of clinical-grade vector lots is crucial to support adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector release and is required for future marketing authorization. We have developed and validated a cell-based, quantitative potency assay that detects both transgenic expression and activity of an AAV8-hUGT1A1 vector, which is currently under clinical evaluation for the treatment of Crigler-Najjar syndrome. Potency of AAV8-hUGT1A1 was evaluated in vitro. After transduction of human hepatoma 7 (Huh7) cells, transgene-positive cells were quantified using flow cytometry and transgenic activity by a bilirubin conjugation assay. The in vitro potency of various AAV8-hUGT1A1 batches was compared with their potency in vivo. After AAV8-hUGT1A1 transduction, quantification of UGT1A1-expressing cells shows a linear dose-response relation (R2 = 0.98) with adequate intra-assay and inter-day reproducibility (coefficient of variation [CV] = 11.0% and 22.6%, respectively). In accordance, bilirubin conjugation shows a linear dose-response relation (R2 = 0.99) with adequate intra- and inter-day reproducibility in the low dose range (CV = 15.7% and 19.7%, respectively). Both in vitro potency assays reliably translate to in vivo efficacy of AAV8-hUGT1A1 vector lots. The described cell-based potency assay for AAV8-hUGT1A1 adequately determines transgenic UGT1A1 expression and activity, which is consistent with in vivo efficacy. This novel approach is suited for the determination of vector lot potency to support clinical-grade vector release.
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31
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Strauss KA, Ahlfors CE, Soltys K, Mazareigos GV, Young M, Bowser LE, Fox MD, Squires JE, McKiernan P, Brigatti KW, Puffenberger EG, Carson VJ, Vreman HJ. Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type 1: Pathophysiology, Natural History, and Therapeutic Frontier. Hepatology 2020; 71:1923-1939. [PMID: 31553814 PMCID: PMC7909716 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We describe the pathophysiology, treatment, and outcome of Crigler-Najjar type 1 syndrome (CN1) in 28 UGT1A1 c.222C>A homozygotes followed for 520 aggregate patient-years. APPROACH AND RESULTS Unbound ("free") bilirubin (Bf ) was measured in patient sera to characterize the binding of unconjugated bilirubin (BT ) to albumin (A) and validate their molar concentration ratio (BT /A) as an index of neurological risk. Two custom phototherapy systems were constructed from affordable materials to provide high irradiance in the outpatient setting; light dose was titrated to keep BT /A at least 30% below intravascular BT binding capacity (i.e., BT /A = 1.0). Categorical clinical outcomes were ascertained by chart review, and a measure (Lf ) was used to quantify liver fibrosis. Unbound bilirubin had a nonlinear relationship to BT (R2 = 0.71) and BT /A (R2 = 0.76), and Bf as a percentage of BT correlated inversely to the bilirubin-albumin equilibrium association binding constant (R2 = 0.69), which varied 10-fold among individuals. In newborns with CN1, unconjugated bilirubin increased 4.3 ± 1.1 mg/dL per day. Four (14%) neonates developed kernicterus between days 14 and 45 postnatal days of life; peak BT ≥ 30 mg/dL and BT /A ≥ 1.0 mol:mol were equally predictive of perinatal brain injury (sensitivity 100%, specificity 93.3%, positive predictive value 88.0%), and starting phototherapy after age 13 days increased this risk 3.5-fold. Consistent phototherapy with 33-103 µW/cm2 •nm for 9.2 ± 1.1 hours/day kept BT and BT /A within safe limits throughout childhood, but BT increased 0.46 mg/dL per year to reach dangerous concentrations by 18 years of age. Liver transplantation (n = 17) normalized BT and eliminated phototherapy dependence. Liver explants showed fibrosis ranging from mild to severe. CONCLUSION Seven decades after its discovery, CN1 remains a morbid and potentially fatal disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A. Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA,Penn-Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA,Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA
| | - Charles E. Ahlfors
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Kyle Soltys
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Transplantation, Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - George V. Mazareigos
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Transplantation, Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Michael D. Fox
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA,Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA,Diagnostic Referral Division, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - James E. Squires
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Patrick McKiernan
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | | | - Hendrik J. Vreman
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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Cagin U, Puzzo F, Gomez MJ, Moya-Nilges M, Sellier P, Abad C, Van Wittenberghe L, Daniele N, Guerchet N, Gjata B, Collaud F, Charles S, Sola MS, Boyer O, Krijnse-Locker J, Ronzitti G, Colella P, Mingozzi F. Rescue of Advanced Pompe Disease in Mice with Hepatic Expression of Secretable Acid α-Glucosidase. Mol Ther 2020; 28:2056-2072. [PMID: 32526204 PMCID: PMC7474269 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pompe disease is a neuromuscular disorder caused by disease-associated variants in the gene encoding for the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA), which converts lysosomal glycogen to glucose. We previously reported full rescue of Pompe disease in symptomatic 4-month-old Gaa knockout (Gaa−/−) mice by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated liver gene transfer of an engineered secretable form of GAA (secGAA). Here, we showed that hepatic expression of secGAA rescues the phenotype of 4-month-old Gaa−/− mice at vector doses at which the native form of GAA has little to no therapeutic effect. Based on these results, we then treated severely affected 9-month-old Gaa−/− mice with an AAV vector expressing secGAA and followed the animals for 9 months thereafter. AAV-treated Gaa−/− mice showed complete reversal of the Pompe phenotype, with rescue of glycogen accumulation in most tissues, including the central nervous system, and normalization of muscle strength. Transcriptomic profiling of skeletal muscle showed rescue of most altered pathways, including those involved in mitochondrial defects, a finding supported by structural and biochemical analyses, which also showed restoration of lysosomal function. Together, these results provide insight into the reversibility of advanced Pompe disease in the Gaa−/− mouse model via liver gene transfer of secGAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Cagin
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Francesco Puzzo
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Jose Gomez
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pauline Sellier
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Catalina Abad
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183 Rouen, France
| | | | - Nathalie Daniele
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Nicolas Guerchet
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Bernard Gjata
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Severine Charles
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Olivier Boyer
- Université de Rouen Normandie-IRIB, 76183 Rouen, France
| | | | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Pasqualina Colella
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France; Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.
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33
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Lee S, Zhou P, Whyte S, Shin S. Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 8-Mediated Genetic Labeling of Cholangiocytes in the Neonatal Murine Liver. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12040351. [PMID: 32295003 PMCID: PMC7238059 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Determination of the cellular tropism of viral vectors is imperative for designing precise gene therapy. It has been widely accepted that transduction of hepatocytes using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) is a promising approach to correct inborn errors in neonates, but the type of neonatal hepatic cells transduced by AAV8 has not been thoroughly investigated. To address this question, we used a reporter mouse that carries Cre recombinase (Cre)-inducible yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Our analysis primarily focused on cholangiocytes, given their pivotal roles in normal liver function and disease. We treated RosaYFP/+ mice at postnatal day 2 (P2) with AAV8-cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-Cre and analyzed livers at P10 and P56. The vast majority of HNF4α+ hepatocytes were labeled with YFP at both time points, and 11.6% and 24.4% of CK19+ cholangiocytes were marked at P10 and P56, respectively. We also detected YFP+ cells devoid of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte markers, and a subset of these cells expressed the endothelial and fibroblast marker CD34. Next, we used the hepatocyte-specific thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) promoter. Surprisingly, AAV8-TBG-Cre marked 6.8% and 30.9% of cholangiocytes at P10 and P56, respectively. These results suggest that AAV8 can be a useful tool for targeting cholangiocytes in neonatal livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghoon Lee
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Ping Zhou
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Senyo Whyte
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Soona Shin
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Correspondence:
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34
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Dhawan A, Lawlor MW, Mazariegos GV, McKiernan P, Squires JE, Strauss KA, Gupta D, James E, Prasad S. Disease burden of Crigler-Najjar syndrome: Systematic review and future perspectives. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 35:530-543. [PMID: 31495946 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CNS) results from biallelic mutations of UGT1A1 causing partial or total loss of uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronyltransferase activity leading to unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and its attendant risk for irreversible neurological injury (kernicterus). CNS is exceedingly rare and has been only partially characterized through relatively small studies, each comprising between two and 57 patients. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted to consolidate data on the patient, caregiver, and societal burden of CNS. RESULTS Twenty-eight articles on clinical aspects of CNS were identified, but no published data on its humanistic or economic burden were found. In patients with complete UGT1A1 deficiency (type 1 CNS [CNS-I]), unconjugated bilirubin levels increase 3-6 mg/dL/day during the newborn period and reach neurologically dangerous levels between 5 and 14 days of age. Phototherapy is the mainstay of treatment but poses significant challenges to patients and their families. Despite consistent phototherapy, patients with CNS-I have worsening hyperbilirubinemia with advancing age. Liver transplantation is the only definitive therapy for CNS-I and is increasingly associated with excellent long-term survival but also incurs high costs, medical and surgical morbidities, and risks of immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS Crigler-Najjar syndrome is associated with a substantial burden, even with existing standards of care. The development of novel disease-modifying therapies has the potential to reduce disease burden and improve the lives of CNS patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Dhawan
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael W Lawlor
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - George V Mazariegos
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Patrick McKiernan
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - James E Squires
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Emma James
- Audentes Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, USA
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35
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Aronson SJ, Veron P, Collaud F, Hubert A, Delahais V, Honnet G, de Knegt RJ, Junge N, Baumann U, Di Giorgio A, D'Antiga L, Ginocchio VM, Brunetti-Pierri N, Labrune P, Beuers U, Bosma PJ, Mingozzi F. Prevalence and Relevance of Pre-Existing Anti-Adeno-Associated Virus Immunity in the Context of Gene Therapy for Crigler-Najjar Syndrome. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 30:1297-1305. [PMID: 31502485 PMCID: PMC6763963 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy is currently evaluated as a potential treatment for Crigler–Najjar syndrome (CN) (NCT03466463). Pre-existing immunity to AAV is known to hinder gene transfer efficacy, restricting enrollment of seropositive subjects in ongoing clinical trials. We assessed the prevalence of anti-AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in subjects affected by CN and investigated the impact of low NAb titers (<1:5) on liver gene transfer efficacy in an in vivo passive immunization model. A total of 49 subjects with a confirmed molecular diagnosis of CN were included in an international multicenter study (NCT02302690). Pre-existing NAbs against AAV8 were detected in 30.6% (15/49) of screened patients and, in the majority of positive cases, cross-reactivity to AAV2 and AAV5 was detected. To investigate the impact of low NAbs on AAV vector-mediated liver transduction efficiency, adult wild-type C57BL/6 mice were passively immunized with pooled human donor-derived immunoglobulins to achieve titers of up to 1:3.16. After immunization, animals were injected with different AAV8 vector preparations. Hepatic vector gene copy number was unaffected by low anti-AAV8 NAb titers when column-purified AAV vector batches containing both full and empty capsids were used. In summary, although pre-existing anti-AAV8 immunity can be found in about a third of subjects affected by CN, low anti-AAV8 NAb titers are less likely to affect liver transduction efficiency when using AAV vector preparations manufactured to contain both full and empty capsids. These findings have implications for the design of liver gene transfer clinical trials and for the definition of inclusion criteria related to seropositivity of potential participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sem J Aronson
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Aurélie Hubert
- Department of Hereditary Diseases of Hepatic Metabolism, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | | | | | - Robert J de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Norman Junge
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Baumann
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Angelo Di Giorgio
- Department of Paediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Department of Paediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Virginia M Ginocchio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics & Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Telethon Institute of Genetics & Medicine (TIGEM), Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Philippe Labrune
- Department of Hereditary Diseases of Hepatic Metabolism, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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36
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Famulari ES, Navarro-Tableros V, Herrera Sanchez MB, Bortolussi G, Gai M, Conti L, Silengo L, Tolosano E, Tetta C, Muro AF, Camussi G, Fagoonee S, Altruda F. Human liver stem cells express UGT1A1 and improve phenotype of immunocompromised Crigler Najjar syndrome type I mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:887. [PMID: 31965023 PMCID: PMC6972964 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57820-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Crigler Najjar Syndrome type I (CNSI) is a rare recessive disorder caused by mutations in the Ugt1a1 gene. There is no permanent cure except for liver transplantation, and current therapies present several shortcomings. Since stem cell-based therapy offers a promising alternative for the treatment of this disorder, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of human liver stem cells (HLSC) in immune-compromised NOD SCID Gamma (NSG)/Ugt1−/− mice, which closely mimic the pathological manifestations in CNSI patients. To assess whether HLSC expressed UGT1A1, decellularised mouse liver scaffolds were repopulated with these cells. After 15 days’ culture ex vivo, HLSC differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells showing UGT1A1 expression and activity. For the in vivo human cell engraftment and recovery experiments, DiI-labelled HLSC were injected into the liver of 5 days old NSG/Ugt1−/− pups which were analysed at postnatal Day 21. HLSC expressed UGT1A1 in vivo, induced a strong decrease in serum unconjugated bilirubin, thus significantly improving phenotype and survival compared to untreated controls. A striking recovery from brain damage was also observed in HLSC-injected mutant mice versus controls. Our proof-of-concept study shows that HLSC express UGT1A1 in vivo and improve the phenotype and survival of NSG/Ugt1−/− mice, and show promises for the treatment of CNSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Smeralda Famulari
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Victor Navarro-Tableros
- 2i3T - Società per la gestione dell'incubatore di imprese e per il trasferimento tecnologico dell'Università degli studi di Torino, Scarl and Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Beatriz Herrera Sanchez
- 2i3T - Società per la gestione dell'incubatore di imprese e per il trasferimento tecnologico dell'Università degli studi di Torino, Scarl and Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marta Gai
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Silengo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tolosano
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Andrés Fernando Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sharmila Fagoonee
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy.
| | - Fiorella Altruda
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. .,Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy.
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37
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Capsid-specific removal of circulating antibodies to adeno-associated virus vectors. Sci Rep 2020; 10:864. [PMID: 31965041 PMCID: PMC6972890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57893-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies directed against adeno-associated virus (AAV) are commonly found in humans. In seropositive subjects, vector administration is not feasible as antibodies neutralize AAV vectors even at low titers. Consequently, a relatively large proportion of humans is excluded from enrollment in clinical trials and, similarly, vector redosing is not feasible because of development of high-titer antibodies following AAV vector administration. Plasmapheresis has been proposed as strategy to remove anti-AAV antibodies from the bloodstream. Although safe and relatively effective, the technology has some limitations mainly related to the nonspecific removal of all circulating IgG. Here we developed an AAV-specific plasmapheresis column which was shown to efficiently and selectively deplete anti-AAV antibodies without depleting the total immunoglobulin pool from plasma. We showed the nearly complete removal of anti-AAV antibodies from high titer purified human IgG pools and plasma samples, decreasing titers to levels that allow AAV vector administration in mice. These results provide proof-of-concept of a method for the AAV-specific depletion of neutralizing antibodies in the setting of in vivo gene transfer.
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38
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Experimental models assessing bilirubin neurotoxicity. Pediatr Res 2020; 87:17-25. [PMID: 31493769 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0570-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The molecular and cellular events leading to bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, the mechanisms regulating liver and intestine expression in neonates, and alternative pathways of bilirubin catabolism remain incompletely defined. To answer these questions, researchers have developed a number of model systems to closely recapitulate the main characteristics of the disease, ranging from tissue cultures to engineered mouse models. In the present review we describe in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models developed to study bilirubin metabolism and neurotoxicity, with a special focus on the use of engineered animal models. In addition, we discussed the most recent studies related to potential therapeutic approaches to treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, ranging from anti-inflammatory drugs, activation of nuclear receptor pathways, blockade of bilirubin catabolism, and stimulation of alternative bilirubin-disposal pathways.
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39
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Donadon I, Bussani E, Riccardi F, Licastro D, Romano G, Pianigiani G, Pinotti M, Konstantinova P, Evers M, Lin S, Rüegg MA, Pagani F. Rescue of spinal muscular atrophy mouse models with AAV9-Exon-specific U1 snRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7618-7632. [PMID: 31127278 PMCID: PMC6698663 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy results from loss-of-function mutations in SMN1 but correcting aberrant splicing of SMN2 offers hope of a cure. However, current splice therapy requires repeated infusions and is expensive. We previously rescued SMA mice by promoting the inclusion of a defective exon in SMN2 with germline expression of Exon-Specific U1 snRNAs (ExspeU1). Here we tested viral delivery of SMN2 ExspeU1s encoded by adeno-associated virus AAV9. Strikingly the virus increased SMN2 exon 7 inclusion and SMN protein levels and rescued the phenotype of mild and severe SMA mice. In the severe mouse, the treatment improved the neuromuscular function and increased the life span from 10 to 219 days. ExspeU1 expression persisted for 1 month and was effective at around one five-hundredth of the concentration of the endogenous U1snRNA. RNA-seq analysis revealed our potential drug rescues aberrant SMA expression and splicing profiles, which are mostly related to DNA damage, cell-cycle control and acute phase response. Vastly overexpressing ExspeU1 more than 100-fold above the therapeutic level in human cells did not significantly alter global gene expression or splicing. These results indicate that AAV-mediated delivery of a modified U1snRNP particle may be a novel therapeutic option against SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving Donadon
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Erica Bussani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Federico Riccardi
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Danilo Licastro
- CBM S.c.r.l., Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Romano
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Pianigiani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pavlina Konstantinova
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melvin Evers
- Department of Research & Development, uniQure biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shuo Lin
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus A Rüegg
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franco Pagani
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste, Italy
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40
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Zabaleta N, Hommel M, Salas D, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Genetic-Based Approaches to Inherited Metabolic Liver Diseases. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 30:1190-1203. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Zabaleta
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mirja Hommel
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Salas
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, IDISNA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Vivet Therapeutics, Pamplona, Spain
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41
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Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA), resulting in systemic pathological glycogen accumulation. PD can present with cardiac, skeletal muscle, and central nervous system manifestations, as a continuum of phenotypes among two main forms: classical infantile-onset PD (IOPD) and late-onset PD (LOPD). IOPD is caused by severe GAA deficiency and presents at birth with cardiac hypertrophy, muscle hypotonia, and severe respiratory impairment, leading to premature death, if not treated. LOPD is characterized by levels of residual GAA activity up to ∼20% of normal and presents both in children and adults with a varied severity of muscle weakness and motor and respiratory deficit. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), based on repeated intravenous (i.v.) infusions of recombinant human GAA (rhGAA), represents the only available treatment for PD. Upon more than 10 years from its launch, it is becoming evident that ERT can extend the life span of IOPD and stabilize disease progression in LOPD; however, it does not represent a cure for PD. The limited uptake of the enzyme in key affected tissues and the high immunogenicity of rhGAA are some of the hurdles that limit ERT efficacy. GAA gene transfer with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors has been shown to reduce glycogen storage and improve the PD phenotype in preclinical studies following different approaches. Here, we present an overview of the different gene therapy approaches for PD, focusing on in vivo gene transfer with AAV vectors and discussing the potential opportunities and challenges in developing safe and effective gene therapies for the disease. Based on emerging safety and efficacy data from clinical trials for other protein deficiencies, in vivo gene therapy with AAV vectors appears to have the potential to provide a therapeutically relevant, stable source of GAA enzyme, which could be highly beneficial in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, Evry, France.,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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42
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Keeler GD, Markusic DM, Hoffman BE. Liver induced transgene tolerance with AAV vectors. Cell Immunol 2019; 342:103728. [PMID: 29576315 PMCID: PMC5988960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Immune tolerance is a vital component of immunity, as persistent activation of immune cells causes significant tissue damage and loss of tolerance leads to autoimmunity. Likewise, unwanted immune responses can occur in inherited disorders, such as hemophilia and Pompe disease, in which patients lack any expression of protein, during treatment with enzyme replacement therapy, or gene therapy. While the liver has long been known as being tolerogenic, it was only recently appreciated in the last decade that liver directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy can induce systemic tolerance to a transgene. In this review, we look at the mechanisms behind liver induced tolerance, discuss different factors influencing successful tolerance induction with AAV, and applications where AAV mediated tolerance may be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey D Keeler
- Department of Pediatrics, Div. Cell and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, United States
| | - David M Markusic
- Department of Pediatrics, Div. Cell and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, United States
| | - Brad E Hoffman
- Department of Pediatrics, Div. Cell and Molecular Therapy, University of Florida, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, United States.
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43
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Aronson SJ, Bakker RS, Shi X, Duijst S, Ten Bloemendaal L, de Waart DR, Verheij J, Ronzitti G, Oude Elferink RP, Beuers U, Paulusma CC, Bosma PJ. Liver-directed gene therapy results in long-term correction of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 in mice. J Hepatol 2019; 71:153-162. [PMID: 30935993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3), for which there are limited therapeutic options, often leads to end-stage liver disease before adulthood due to impaired ABCB4-dependent phospholipid transport to bile. Using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)-mediated gene therapy, we aimed to restore the phospholipid content in bile to levels that prevent liver damage, thereby enabling stable hepatic ABCB4 expression and long-term correction of the phenotype in a murine model of PFIC3. METHODS Ten-week-old Abcb4-/- mice received a single dose of AAV8-hABCB4 (n = 10) or AAV8-GFP (n = 7) under control of a liver specific promoter via tail vein injection. Animals were sacrificed either 10 or 26 weeks after vector administration to assess transgene persistence, after being challenged with a 0.1% cholate diet for 2 weeks. Periodic evaluation of plasma cholestatic markers was performed and bile duct cannulation enabled analysis of biliary phospholipids. Liver fibrosis and the Ki67 proliferation index were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Stable transgene expression was achieved in all animals that received AAV8-hABCB4 up to 26 weeks after administration. AAV8-hABCB4 expression restored biliary phospholipid excretion, increasing the phospholipid and cholesterol content in bile to levels that ameliorate liver damage. This resulted in normalization of the plasma cholestatic markers, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. In addition, AAV8-hABCB4 prevented progressive liver fibrosis and reduced hepatocyte proliferation for the duration of the study. CONCLUSION Liver-directed gene therapy provides stable hepatic ABCB4 expression and long-term correction of the phenotype in a murine model of PFIC3. Translational studies that verify the clinical feasibility of this approach are warranted. LAY SUMMARY Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3) is a severe genetic liver disease that results from impaired transport of lipids to bile, which makes the bile toxic to liver cells. Because therapeutic options are currently limited, this study aims to evaluate gene therapy to correct the underlying genetic defect in a mouse model of this disease. By introducing a functional copy of the missing gene in liver cells of mice, we were able to restore lipid transport to bile and strongly reduce damage to the liver. The proliferation of liver cells was also reduced, which contributes to long-term correction of the phenotype. Further studies are required to evaluate whether this approach can be applied to patients with PFIC3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sem J Aronson
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert S Bakker
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaoxia Shi
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Duijst
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lysbeth Ten Bloemendaal
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk R de Waart
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne Verheij
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, University of Evry, University Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Ronald P Oude Elferink
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Beuers
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coen C Paulusma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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44
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Ronzitti G, Collaud F, Laforet P, Mingozzi F. Progress and challenges of gene therapy for Pompe disease. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:287. [PMID: 31392199 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.04.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pompe disease (PD) is a monogenic disorder caused by mutations in the acid alpha-glucosidase gene (Gaa). GAA is a lysosomal enzyme essential for the degradation of glycogen. Deficiency of GAA results in a severe, systemic disorder that, in its most severe form, can be fatal. About a decade ago, the prognosis of PD has changed dramatically with the marketing authorization of an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) based on recombinant GAA. Despite the breakthrough nature of ERT, long-term follow-up of both infantile and late-onset Pompe disease patients (IOPD and LOPD, respectively), revealed several limitations of the approach. In recent years several investigational therapies for PD have entered preclinical and clinical development, with a few next generation ERTs entering late-stage clinical development. Gene therapy holds the potential to change dramatically the way we treat PD, based on the ability to express the Gaa gene long-term, ideally driving enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to ERT. Several gene therapy approaches to PD have been tested in preclinical animal models, with a handful of early phase clinical trials started or about to start. The complexity of PD and of the endpoints used to measure efficacy of investigational treatments remains a challenge, however the hope is for a future with more therapeutic options for both IOPD and LOPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pascal Laforet
- Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, APHP, Garches, France.,Nord/Est/Ile de France Neuromuscular Center, France
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45
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De Caneva A, Porro F, Bortolussi G, Sola R, Lisjak M, Barzel A, Giacca M, Kay MA, Vlahoviček K, Zentilin L, Muro AF. Coupling AAV-mediated promoterless gene targeting to SaCas9 nuclease to efficiently correct liver metabolic diseases. JCI Insight 2019; 5:128863. [PMID: 31211694 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-integrative AAV-mediated gene therapy in the liver is effective in adult patients, but faces limitations in pediatric settings due to episomal DNA loss during hepatocyte proliferation. Gene targeting is a promising approach by permanently modifying the genome. We previously rescued neonatal lethality in Crigler-Najjar mice by inserting a promoterless human uridine glucuronosyl transferase A1 (UGT1A1) cDNA in exon 14 of the albumin gene, without the use of nucleases. To increase recombination rate and therapeutic efficacy, here we used CRISPR/SaCas9. Neonatal mice were transduced with two AAVs: one expressing the SaCas9 and sgRNA, and one containing a promoterless cDNA flanked by albumin homology regions. Targeting efficiency increased ~26-fold with an eGFP reporter cDNA, reaching up to 24% of eGFP-positive hepatocytes. Next, we fully corrected the diseased phenotype of Crigler-Najjar mice by targeting the hUGT1A1 cDNA. Treated mice had normal plasma bilirubin up to 10 months after administration, hUGT1A1 protein levels were ~6-fold higher than in WT liver, with a 90-fold increase in recombination rate. Liver histology, inflammatory markers, and plasma albumin were normal in treated mice, with no off-targets in predicted sites. Thus, the improved efficacy and reassuring safety profile support the potential application of the proposed approach to other liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia De Caneva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabiola Porro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Sola
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela Lisjak
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Adi Barzel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mauro Giacca
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mark A Kay
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kristian Vlahoviček
- Bioinformatics Group, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrés F Muro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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46
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In vitro and in vivo translational models for rare liver diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:1003-1018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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47
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Collaud F, Bortolussi G, Guianvarc'h L, Aronson SJ, Bordet T, Veron P, Charles S, Vidal P, Sola MS, Rundwasser S, Dufour DG, Lacoste F, Luc C, Wittenberghe LV, Martin S, Le Bec C, Bosma PJ, Muro AF, Ronzitti G, Hebben M, Mingozzi F. Preclinical Development of an AAV8-hUGT1A1 Vector for the Treatment of Crigler-Najjar Syndrome. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:157-174. [PMID: 30705921 PMCID: PMC6348934 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are among the most efficient vectors for liver gene therapy. Results obtained in the first hemophilia clinical trials demonstrated the long-term efficacy of this approach in humans, showing efficient targeting of hepatocytes with both self-complementary (sc) and single-stranded (ss) AAV vectors. However, to support clinical development of AAV-based gene therapies, efficient and scalable production processes are needed. In an effort to translate to the clinic an approach of AAV-mediated liver gene transfer to treat Crigler-Najjar (CN) syndrome, we developed an (ss)AAV8 vector carrying the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family 1-member A1 (hUGT1A1) transgene under the control of a liver-specific promoter. We compared our construct with similar (sc)AAV8 vectors expressing hUGT1A1, showing comparable potency in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, (ss)AAV8-hUGT1A1 vectors showed superior yields and product homogeneity compared with their (sc) counterpart. We then focused our efforts in the scale-up of a manufacturing process of the clinical product (ss)AAV8-hUGT1A1 based on the triple transfection of HEK293 cells grown in suspension. Large-scale production of this vector had characteristics identical to those of small-scale vectors produced in adherent cells. Preclinical studies in animal models of the disease and a good laboratory practice (GLP) toxicology-biodistribution study were also conducted using large-scale preparations of vectors. These studies demonstrated long-term safety and efficacy of gene transfer with (ss)AAV8-hUGT1A1 in relevant animal models of the disease, thus supporting the clinical translation of this gene therapy approach for the treatment of CN syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Collaud
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Giulia Bortolussi
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Laurence Guianvarc'h
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Sem J Aronson
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AG&M, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Philippe Veron
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Severine Charles
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Patrice Vidal
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Stephanie Rundwasser
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Delphine G Dufour
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Florence Lacoste
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Cyril Luc
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | | | - Samia Martin
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Christine Le Bec
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Piter J Bosma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AG&M, 1105 BK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andres F Muro
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Matthias Hebben
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- INTEGRARE, Genethon, INSERM, Univ. Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002 Evry, France
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48
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Bilirubin-Induced Oxidative Stress Leads to DNA Damage in the Cerebellum of Hyperbilirubinemic Neonatal Mice and Activates DNA Double-Strand Break Repair Pathways in Human Cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:1801243. [PMID: 30598724 PMCID: PMC6287157 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1801243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Unconjugated bilirubin is considered a potent antioxidant when present at moderate levels. However, at high concentrations, it produces severe neurological damage and death associated with kernicterus due to oxidative stress and other mechanisms. While it is widely recognized that oxidative stress by different toxic insults results in severe damage to cellular macromolecules, especially to DNA, no data are available either on DNA damage in the brain triggered by hyperbilirubinemia during the neonatal period or on the activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Here, using a mouse model of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, we demonstrated that DNA damage occurs in vivo in the cerebellum, the brain region most affected by bilirubin toxicity. We studied the mechanisms associated with potential toxic action of bilirubin on DNA in in vitro models, which showed significant increases in DNA damage when neuronal and nonneuronal cells were treated with 140 nM of free bilirubin (Bf), as determined by γH2AX Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. Cotreatment of cells with N-acetyl-cysteine, a potent oxidative-stress inhibitor, prevented DNA damage by bilirubin, supporting the concept that DNA damage was caused by bilirubin-induced oxidative stress. Bilirubin treatment also activated the main DNA repair pathways through homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), which may be adaptive responses to repair bilirubin-induced DNA damage. Since DNA damage may be another important factor contributing to neuronal death and bilirubin encephalopathy, these results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms associated with bilirubin toxicity and may be of relevance in neonates affected with severe hyperbilirubinemia.
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49
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Colella P, Sellier P, Costa Verdera H, Puzzo F, van Wittenberghe L, Guerchet N, Daniele N, Gjata B, Marmier S, Charles S, Simon Sola M, Ragone I, Leborgne C, Collaud F, Mingozzi F. AAV Gene Transfer with Tandem Promoter Design Prevents Anti-transgene Immunity and Provides Persistent Efficacy in Neonate Pompe Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:85-101. [PMID: 30581888 PMCID: PMC6299151 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-restricted, AAV-mediated gene transfer is being used to provide sustained, tolerogenic transgene expression in gene therapy. However, given the episomal status of the AAV genome, this approach cannot be applied to pediatric disorders when hepatocyte proliferation may result in significant loss of therapeutic efficacy over time. In addition, many multi-systemic diseases require widespread expression of the therapeutic transgene that, when provided with ubiquitous or tissue-specific non-hepatic promoters, often results in anti-transgene immunity. Here we have developed tandem promoter monocistronic expression cassettes that, packaged in a single AAV, provide combined hepatic and extra-hepatic tissue-specific transgene expression and prevent anti-transgene immunity. We validated our approach in infantile Pompe disease, a prototype disease caused by lack of the ubiquitous enzyme acid-alpha-glucosidase (GAA), presenting multi-systemic manifestations and detrimental anti-GAA immunity. We showed that the use of efficient tandem promoters prevents immune responses to GAA following systemic AAV gene transfer in immunocompetent Gaa−/− mice. Then we demonstrated that neonatal gene therapy with either AAV8 or AAV9 in Gaa−/− mice resulted in persistent therapeutic efficacy when using a tandem liver-muscle promoter (LiMP) that provided high and persistent transgene expression in non-dividing extra-hepatic tissues. In conclusion, the tandem promoter design overcomes important limitations of AAV-mediated gene transfer and can be beneficial when treating pediatric conditions requiring persistent multi-systemic transgene expression and prevention of anti-transgene immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Colella
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Pauline Sellier
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Helena Costa Verdera
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Puzzo
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | | | - Nicolas Guerchet
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Nathalie Daniele
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Bernard Gjata
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Solenne Marmier
- University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Marcelo Simon Sola
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Isabella Ragone
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Christian Leborgne
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Fanny Collaud
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, INSERM U951 Integrare, University of Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91002, Evry, France.,University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 and INSERM U974, 75651, Paris, France.,Spark Therapeutics, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
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50
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Kuranda K, Jean-Alphonse P, Leborgne C, Hardet R, Collaud F, Marmier S, Costa Verdera H, Ronzitti G, Veron P, Mingozzi F. Exposure to wild-type AAV drives distinct capsid immunity profiles in humans. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:5267-5279. [PMID: 30352429 DOI: 10.1172/jci122372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have been broadly adopted as a gene delivery tool in clinical trials, owing to their high efficiency of transduction of several host tissues and their low immunogenicity. However, a considerable proportion of the population is naturally exposed to the WT virus from which AAV vectors are derived, which leads to the acquisition of immunological memory that can directly determine the outcome of gene transfer. Here, we show that prior exposure to AAV drives distinct capsid immunity profiles in healthy subjects. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from AAV-seropositive donors, recombinant AAV triggered TNF-α secretion in memory CD8+ T cells, B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting cells, and anti-capsid antibody production. Conversely, PBMCs isolated from AAV-seronegative individuals appeared to carry a population of NK cells reactive to AAV. Further, we demonstrated that the AAV capsid activates IL-1β and IL-6 cytokine secretion in monocyte-related dendritic cells (moDCs). IL-1β and IL-6 blockade inhibited the anti-capsid humoral response in vitro and in vivo. These results provide insights into immune responses to AAV in humans, define a possible role for moDCs and NK cells in capsid immunity, and open new avenues for the modulation of vector immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, Evry, France.,INSERM S951, Université Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | | | - Federico Mingozzi
- INSERM U974, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Genethon, Evry, France.,INSERM S951, Université Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
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