Development of a New Generation, Forward-Oriented Therapeutic Vector for Hemoglobin Disorders

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1172-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Uchida ◽  
Matthew M. Hsieh ◽  
Aylin C Bonifacino ◽  
Allen E Krouse ◽  
Mark E Metzger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Transduction Efficiency ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
High Level ◽  
Viral Components ◽  
Intron 2 ◽  
Viral Titers

Abstract Ameliorating hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease (SCD) using hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy is under development. Unlike in other diseases, therapeutic globin vectors have demanding requirements including high-level β-globin expression, tissue specificity among erythroid cells, long-term persistence, and high-level modification at the HSC level. These demanding requirements necessitate the inclusion of complex genetic elements including the locus control region (LCR), β-globin promoter, β-globin gene, and the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), all now feasible using lentiviral vectors. The additional requirement of intron 2 for high-level β-globin expression dictates a reverse-oriented globin-expression cassette to prevent loss by RNA splicing during viral preparation. This reverse-orientation is in contrast to all other therapeutic vectors under clinical development. Current reverse-oriented globin vectors can drive phenotypic correction in mouse models for both b-thalassemia and SCD, while they are limited by lower viral titers and lower transduction efficiency in primary human HSCs, limiting their prospects, especially in SCD. We hypothesized that the reverse-orientation impedes both viral preparation and vector transduction, as despite deletion of cryptic polyadenylation (polyA) signals to optimize a conventional reverse-oriented globin vector, titers were still 10-fold lower than a standard GFP-vector. We thus designed a forward-oriented globin-expressing vector, which was further optimized by minimizing the size of the LCR, inclusion of a large segment of the β-globin promoter and an enhancer region of the 3'UTR lacking the polyA signal. Viral titers of the forward-oriented vectors (1.0±0.2x10e9 IU/mL) were 6-fold higher than the optimized vector in the reverse orientation (1.6±0.2x10e8 IU/mL, p<0.01), and comparable to a standard GFP-marking vector (1.9±0.2x10e9 IU/mL, p<0.01). The forward-oriented vector demonstrated 3-4 fold higher transduction efficiency among human erythroid cells derived from transduced CD34+ cells in in vitro culture (34±0% vs 13±1%, p<0.01) and in xenografted mice (31±9% vs 7±5%, p<0.05). To evaluate transduction efficiency for long-term HSCs, we transduced rhesus CD34+ cells with our optimized reverse-oriented vector and our forward-oriented vector including GFP or YFP genes (instead of β-globin gene) in a competitive repopulation assay following 10 Gy total body irradiation. In two animals, GFP and YFP signals from both vectors were detected exclusively in red blood cells, documenting tissue specificity. Gene marking levels were 10-fold higher out to 4 years with the forward-oriented vector, compared to the reverse-oriented vector, and were comparable to standard GFP or YFP-marking vectors in 2 other animals. We then replaced the GFP gene with the β-globin gene containing intron 2 in the forward-oriented vector construct. To positively select intron-2-containing β-globin vectors, essential viral components (packaging signal, rev response element (RRE), or central polypurine tract (cPPT)) were deleted in the backbone of the forward-oriented vector, and the deleted viral components were inserted into intron 2 of the β-globin gene. We observed that half of the forward-oriented vectors lost intron 2 during vector preparation when no elements were included into intron 2. Insertion of the RRE resulted in positive selection of intron-2-containing β-globin vectors. We confirmed β-globin expression from the forward-oriented vector by hemoglobin A production in human erythroid cells derived from transduced peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SCD patients. Finally, human β-globin expression was detected in rhesus erythroid cells following transplantation of transduced CD34+ cells in 2 animals. In summary, we have developed a clinically relevant forward-oriented globin-expressing vector, which has 6 fold higher viral titers and 4-10 fold higher transduction efficiency for hematopoietic repopulating cells, as compared to the optimized reverse-oriented vector. RRE insertion allowed positive selection of intron-2-containing β-globin vectors, and human β-globin production was observed in transplanted rhesus macaques with the forward-oriented β-globin vector transduction. These findings bring us closer to a curative gene therapy for hemoglobin disorders. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Chromatin Structure and Transcription of the Human Alpha Globin Locus during Erythroid Differentation

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3575-3575
Author(s):  
Milind C Mahajan ◽  
Subhradip Karmakar ◽  
Sherman M. Weissman
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Ctcf Binding ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
Alpha Globin ◽  
Globin Promoter

Abstract The human alpha globin genes are controlled by DNase hypersensitive sites (HS) HS-4, HS-8, HS-10, HS-33 and HS-40 upstream of the ζ gene. Among these, HS40 functions as a strong enhancer of the alpha like genes. The alpha globin genes are situated amidst actively transcribing genes, but are transcriptionally silent in non-erythroid cells including hematopoietic progenitor cells We have undertaken an analysis of the chromatin structure of the alpha globin locus, recruitment of transcription factors, and the transcriptional activity of the locus in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and upon their differentiation into erythroid cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by PCR analysis of all the regulatory and structural segments of the α-globin locus were performed using antibodies against chemically modified tails of histone H3, the insulator binding factor CTCF, transcription factors such as GATA-1 and NF-E2, and Pol II. Both H3Me2K4 and H3AcK9 modifications were present at HS48 and HS33 in CD34+ cells and substantially increase when these cells are differentiated into erythroid lineage. At the HS40 region, these modifications were present at a low level in CD34+ cells and did not change during erythroid differentiation. Among the α-like gene promoters, we find these modifications at the Mu and theta gene promoters in CD34+ cells and they increase during erythropoiesis. These modifications were absent at the zeta gene promoter consistent with the inactivity of this gene during definitive erythropoiesis. Overall the dominant HS40 enhancer possesses moderate levels of H3Me2K4 and H3AcK9 modifications, and its cognate major a-globin promoter is devoid of these modifications in CD34+ cells even when these cells are differentiated into erythroid lineage. The entire α-globin locus including the HS enhancer regions and a-like gene promoters did not contain the unphosphorylated (initiation) form of Pol II recruitment in CD34+ cells. When these cells differentiated into the erythroid lineage, Pol II was recruited at the HS40 and HS48 regions and at the Mu and theta promoters. Rearrangement of the CTCF binding sites at the α-globin locus occurs during differentiation of CD34+ cells into the erythroid lineage. In CD34+ cells, as in HeLa cells, the α-globin genes are flanked by multiple CTCF binding events at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the locus. At the 5′ end of the locus, the HS40 and HS48 sequences were surrounded by four CTCF binding sites at HS33, HS46, HS55 and HS90. At the 3′ end of the locus CTCF was observed at the theta globin promoter and at the 3′ end of the theta globin gene. Upon differentiation of the CD34+ cells into the erythroid pathway, CTCF recruitment is significantly reduced at HS90 and HS46 sequences, while the sites at HS55 and HS33 show increased CTCF binding. Thus, in contrast to the CD34+ cells, the HS40 and HS48 sequences are y flanked by two CTCF recruitment sites in erythroid cells. Such a differential placement of CTCF binding sites suggests that differential interaction among CTCF sites may regulate the effects of the HS-40 enhancer. In erythroid cells, a strong HS40 enhancer formed by virtue of the recruitment of the enhancer factors can overcome blocking by the downstream flanking CTCF site and this might be mediated by specific interactions between the two flanking insulators. The CTCF binding at the 3′ end of the theta globin gene is abolished during erythropoiesis of CD34+ cells. However, the recruitment of CTCF at the theta globin promoter is unchanged suggesting that the theta globin may be insulated by the influence of the α-globin enhancer sequences. We have detected transcripts from parts of the theta and zeta genes and intergenic regions in HeLa, NB4 and 06990 lymphoblastoid cells and primary erythroid cells in culture. The transcription of the locus was localized to certain regions, suggesting that there may be unappreciated transcriptional regulatory elements within the locus.

scholarly journals Development of a forward-oriented therapeutic lentiviral vector for hemoglobin disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Uchida ◽  
Matthew M. Hsieh ◽  
Lydia Raines ◽  
Juan J. Haro-Mora ◽  
Selami Demirci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Transduction Efficiency ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Rev Response Element ◽  
High Level ◽  
Intron 2

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy is being evaluated for hemoglobin disorders including sickle cell disease (SCD). Therapeutic globin vectors have demanding requirements including high-efficiency transduction at the HSC level and high-level, erythroid-specific expression with long-term persistence. The requirement of intron 2 for high-level β-globin expression dictates a reverse-oriented globin-expression cassette to prevent its loss from RNA splicing. Current reverse-oriented globin vectors can drive phenotypic correction, but they are limited by low vector titers and low transduction efficiencies. Here we report a clinically relevant forward-oriented β-globin-expressing vector, which has sixfold higher vector titers and four to tenfold higher transduction efficiency for long-term hematopoietic repopulating cells in humanized mice and rhesus macaques. Insertion of Rev response element (RRE) allows intron 2 to be retained, and β-globin production is observed in transplanted macaques and human SCD CD34+ cells. These findings bring us closer to a widely applicable gene therapy for hemoglobin disorders.

scholarly journals Long-Term Transfer and Expression of the Human β-Globin Gene in a Mouse Transplant Model

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 3414-3422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Raftopoulos ◽  
Maureen Ward ◽  
Philippe Leboulch ◽  
Arthur Bank
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
High Titer ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
High Level Expression ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
High Level ◽  
Transplant Model

Abstract Somatic gene therapy of hemoglobinopathies depends initially on the demonstration of safe, efficient gene transfer and long-term, high-level expression of the transferred human β-globin gene in animal models. We have used a β-globin gene/β-locus control region retroviral vector containing several modifications to optimize gene transfer and expression in a mouse transplant model. In this report we show that transplantation of β-globin–transduced hematopoietic cells into lethally irradiated mice leads to the continued presence of the gene up to 8 months posttransplantation. The transferred human β-globin gene is detected in 3 of 5 mice surviving long term (>4 months) transplanted with bone marrow cells transduced with high-titer virus. Southern blotting confirms the presence of the unrearranged 5.1-kb human β-globin gene-containing provirus in 2 of these mice. In addition, long-term expression of the transferred gene is seen in 2 mice at levels of 5% and 20% that of endogenous murine β-globin at 6 and 8 months posttransplantation. We further document stem cell transduction by the successful transfer and high-level expression of the human β-globin gene from mice transduced 9 months earlier into irradiated secondary recipient mice. These results demonstrate high-level, long-term somatic human β-globin gene transfer into the hematopoietic stem cells of an animal for the first time, and suggest the potential feasibility of a retroviral gene therapy approach to sickle cell disease and the β thalassemias.

Locus control region activity by 5′HS3 requires a functional interaction with β-globin gene regulatory elements: expression of novel β/γ-globin hybrid transgenes

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (10) ◽  
pp. 3242-3249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel E. Rubin ◽  
Peter Pasceri ◽  
Xiumei Wu ◽  
Philippe Leboulch ◽  
James Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Control Region ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Gene Sequences ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
Intron 2 ◽  
Chromatin Opening

Abstract The human β-globin locus control region (LCR) contains chromatin opening and transcriptional enhancement activities that are important to include in β-globin gene therapy vectors. We previously used single-copy transgenic mice to map chromatin opening activity to the 5′HS3 LCR element. Here, we test novel hybrid globin genes to identify β-globin gene sequences that functionally interact with 5′HS3. First, we show that an 850-base pair (bp) 5′HS3 element activates high-level β-globin gene expression in fetal livers of 17 of 17 transgenic mice, including 3 single-copy animals, but fails to reproducibly activate Aγ-globin transgenes. To identify the β-globin gene sequences required for LCR activity by 5′HS3, we linked the 815-bp β-globin promoter to Aγ-globin coding sequences (BGT34), together with either the β-globin intron 2 (BGT35), the β-globin 3′ enhancer (BGT54), or both intron 2 and the 3′ enhancer (BGT50). Of these transgenes, only BGT50 reproducibly expresses Aγ-globin RNA (including 7 of 7 single-copy animals, averaging 71% per copy). Modifications to BGT50 show that LCR activity is detected after replacing the β-globin promoter with the 700-bp Aγ-globin promoter, but is abrogated when an AT-rich region is deleted from β-globin intron 2. We conclude that LCR activity by 5′HS3 on globin promoters requires the simultaneous presence of β-globin intron 2 sequences and the 260-bp 3′ β-globin enhancer. The BGT50 construct extends the utility of the 5′HS3 element to include erythroid expression of nonadult β-globin coding sequences in transgenic animals and its ability to express antisickling γ-globin coding sequences at single copy are ideal characteristics for a gene therapy cassette.

scholarly journals Developmental- and differentiation-specific patterns of human γ- and β-globin promoter DNA methylation

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 1343-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodwell Mabaera ◽  
Christine A. Richardson ◽  
Kristin Johnson ◽  
Mei Hsu ◽  
Steven Fiering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Promoter Methylation ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Promoter Dna Methylation ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
Promoter Dna

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying the human fetal-to-adult β-globin gene switch remain to be determined. While there is substantial experimental evidence to suggest that promoter DNA methylation is involved in this process, most data come from studies in nonhuman systems. We have evaluated human γ- and β-globin promoter methylation in primary human fetal liver (FL) and adult bone marrow (ABM) erythroid cells. Our results show that, in general, promoter methylation and gene expression are inversely related. However, CpGs at −162 of the γ promoter and −126 of the β promoter are hypomethylated in ABM and FL, respectively. We also studied γ-globin promoter methylation during in vitro differentiation of erythroid cells. The γ promoters are initially hypermethylated in CD34+ cells. The upstream γ promoter CpGs become hypomethylated during the preerythroid phase of differentiation and are then remethylated later, during erythropoiesis. The period of promoter hypomethylation correlates with transient γ-globin gene expression and may explain the previously observed fetal hemoglobin production that occurs during early adult erythropoiesis. These results provide the first comprehensive survey of developmental changes in human γ- and β-globin promoter methylation and support the hypothesis that promoter methylation plays a role in human β-globin locus gene switching.

scholarly journals Substitution of the Human β-Spectrin Promoter for the Human Aγ-Globin Promoter Prevents Silencing of a Linked Human β-Globin Gene in Transgenic Mice

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6634-6640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise E. Sabatino ◽  
Amanda P. Cline ◽  
Patrick G. Gallagher ◽  
Lisa J. Garrett ◽  
George Stamatoyannopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Yolk Sac ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
In Erythroid Cells

ABSTRACT During development, changes occur in both the sites of erythropoiesis and the globin genes expressed at each developmental stage. Previous work has shown that high-level expression of human β-like globin genes in transgenic mice requires the presence of the locus control region (LCR). Models of hemoglobin switching propose that the LCR and/or stage-specific elements interact with globin gene sequences to activate specific genes in erythroid cells. To test these models, we generated transgenic mice which contain the human Aγ-globin gene linked to a 576-bp fragment containing the human β-spectrin promoter. In these mice, the β-spectrin Aγ-globin (βsp/Aγ) transgene was expressed at high levels in erythroid cells throughout development. Transgenic mice containing a 40-kb cosmid construct with the micro-LCR, βsp/Aγ-, ψβ-, δ-, and β-globin genes showed no developmental switching and expressed both human γ- and β-globin mRNAs in erythroid cells throughout development. Mice containing control cosmids with the Aγ-globin gene promoter showed developmental switching and expressed Aγ-globin mRNA in yolk sac and fetal liver erythroid cells and β-globin mRNA in fetal liver and adult erythroid cells. Our results suggest that replacement of the γ-globin promoter with the β-spectrin promoter allows the expression of the β-globin gene. We conclude that the γ-globin promoter is necessary and sufficient to suppress the expression of the β-globin gene in yolk sac erythroid cells.

Ferritin Heavy Chain, a Repressor of the Human β-Globin Gene That Binds a Conserved Cagtgc Motif, Is Bound to the Repressed β-Globin Promoter In Vivo in K562 Cells and Specifically Binds an Analogous Site in the Mouse βMajor-Globin Promoter.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1223-1223
Author(s):  
Robert H. Broyles ◽  
Visar Belegu ◽  
Charles A. Stewart ◽  
Quentin N. Pye ◽  
Austin C. Roth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
K562 Cells ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Ferritin Heavy Chain ◽  
Polyclonal Antisera ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
F1 Generation

Abstract Ferritin heavy chain (FH), an embryonically-expressed protein in the erythroid lineage, localizes to the nucleus and represses the human adult β-globin promoter in transient expression assays (Broyles et al., PNAS98: 9145, 2001). Recently, we have performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays with cross-linked chromatin of K562 cells in which the β-globin gene is repressed, using anti-FH polyclonal antisera. These results strongly indicate that FH occupies the repression site (a CAGTGC motif) in vivo. Binding to this -150 site has been previously demonstrated to be required for β-promoter repression in co-transfections. EMSA assays (competitive gel shifts) have revealed that the mouse βMajor-globin promoter has an analogous CAGTGN motif at -160 bp from the cap site that competes specifically with the human CAGTGC site for FH binding. The mouse βMinor-globin promoter lacks the -150/-160 CAGTGN motif and, therefore, the FH binding site. Thus, a human FH transgenic mouse, in which the FH gene is driven by a truncated β-promoter lacking the CAGTGN motif, should express human FH in definitive erythroid cells where the FH would be predicted to repress βMajor-globin but not βMinor-globin. Such a mouse would be predicted to survive but be born with a mild β-thalassemia due to the decreased βMajor/βMinor ratio in its definitive erythroid cells. Preliminary results from the litters of F1 generation FH-tg mice indicate that such is indeed the case, i.e., that human FH functions as a βMajor-globin repressor in vivo.

Demethylation of βA-Globin Gene in Avian Primary Erythroid Cells Is Developmentally Regulated, Strand Asymmetrical and an Active Process.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3647-3647
Author(s):  
Kavitha Ramachandran ◽  
Jane van Wert ◽  
Gopal Gopisetty ◽  
Rakesh Singal
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Methylation Pattern ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Active Process ◽  
Embryonic Chicken ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Exon 1 ◽  
Demethylase Activity ◽  
Globin Promoter

Abstract Differential expression of globin genes has provided an interesting model system for the better understanding of commonly inherited diseases such as thalassemia. In the avian β-type globin cluster (5′- ρ-βA- βA - ε - 3′), silencing of the embryonic ρ-globin gene occurs concomitantly with the activation of adult βA-globin gene during the embryonic development. The pattern of cytosine methylation plays an important role in gene regulation. We have previously shown that de novo methylation of the embryonic ρ-globin gene during development is strand-asymmetrical and spreads from the proximal transcribed region in the early definitive chicken erythroid cells. In the present study, we examined the methylation pattern of βA- globin gene during development in primary chicken erythroid cells. Using bisulfite genomic sequencing we observed a progressive demethylation of βA- globin gene during embryonic development. Maximum methylation is seen in the different regions of the βA- globin gene on day 5, which reduces on day 8 by about 50 %, and on day 11 the degree of methylation is minimal. Further, strand and regional asymmetry was seen with respect to loss of methylation. The template strand gets demethylated first and demethylation of the coding strand lags behind. The promoter and exon 1 get completely demethylated by day 11 whereas residual methylation is retained on exons 2 and 3. To investigate the mechanism of loss of methylation, we examined the methylation pattern of multiple DNA strands derived from primitive and early definitive embryonic erythroid cells. The primitive embryonic erythroid cells demonstrated methylation of the βA- globin promoter and exon 1 on most of the CpG dinucleotides. Discontinuous loss of methylation in early definitive erythroid cells suggested an active mechanism of demethylation since the DNA replication mediated passive demethylation is likely to be continuous. To investigate if an active process contributes to the demethylation of βA- globin gene, we used a modified methylation sensitive single nucleotide primer extension assay (MS-SNuPE) assay for quantitation of demethylase activity. Demethylase assay was carried out using synthetic unmethylated, hemimethylated, and completely methylated oligonucleotides derived from the βA-globin promoter region and nuclear extracts from embryonic chicken erythroid cells. The demethylase activity in day 5, 8 and 11 nuclear extracts was 6%, 76%, and 24% respectively. In contrast to the previously reported 5-methylcytosine glycosylase, which shows a significant substrate specificity for the hemimethylated DNA, we observed the demethylase activity in the embryonic chicken erythroid cells on both fully methylated and hemimethylated βA-globin promoter sequences. Since human and chicken methyl binding domain 4 (MBD4) proteins exhibit 5-methylcytosine glycosylase activity, we determined the in vivo binding of MBD4 to βA- globin promoter in chicken erythroid cells using Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation (ChIP) followed by real time polymerase chain reaction. MBD4 binding to βA- globin promoter was seen in day 8 but not day 5 chicken erythroid cells implicating a possible role of chicken MBD4 in mediating the active demethylation of the avian βA- globin gene. Our findings demonstrate that demethylation of βA globin gene in developing primary chicken erythroid cells shows strand and regional asymmetry and occurs at least in part by an active process.

Development of Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy of β-Chain Hemoglobinopathies: Optimization of a γ-Globin Gene Expression Cassette

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 2208-2216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiliang Li ◽  
David W. Emery ◽  
Magali Fernandez ◽  
Hemei Han ◽  
George Stamatoyannopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Expression Cassette ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Internal Deletion ◽  
Globin Mrna ◽  
Retrovirus Vector ◽  
Globin Promoter ◽  
Intron 2 ◽  
Β Chain

Progress toward gene therapy of β-chain hemoglobinopathies has been limited in part by poor expression of globin genes in virus vectors. To derive an optimal expression cassette, we systematically analyzed the sequence requirements and relative strengths of theAγ- and β-globin promoters, the activities of various erythroid-specific enhancers, and the importance of flanking and intronic sequences. Expression was analyzed by RNase protection after stable plasmid transfection of the murine erythroleukemia cell line, MEL585. Promoter truncation studies showed that theAγ-globin promoter could be deleted to −159 without affecting expression, while deleting the β-globin promoter to −127 actually increased expression compared with longer fragments. Expression from the optimal β-globin gene promoter was consistently higher than that from the optimal Aγ-globin promoter, regardless of the enhancer used. Enhancers tested included a 2.5-kb composite of the β-globin locus control region (termed a μLCR), a combination of the HS2 and HS3 core elements of the LCR, and the HS-40 core element of the -globin locus. All three enhancers increased expression from the β-globin gene to roughly the same extent, while the HS-40 element was notably less effective with theAγ-globin gene. However, the HS-40 element was able to efficiently enhance expression of a Aγ-globin gene linked to the β-globin promoter. Inclusion of extended 3′ sequences from either the β-globin or the Aγ-globin genes had no significant effect on expression. A 714-bp internal deletion ofAγ-globin intron 2 unexpectedly increased expression more than twofold. With the combination of a −127 β-globin promoter, anAγ-globin gene with the internal deletion of intron 2, and a single copy of the HS-40 enhancer, γ-globin expression averaged 166% of murine -globin mRNA per copy in six pools and 105% in nine clones. When placed in a retrovirus vector, this cassette was also expressed at high levels in MEL585 cells (averaging 75% of murine -globin mRNA per copy) without reducing virus titers. However, recombined provirus or aberrant splicing was observed in 5 of 12 clones, indicating a significant degree of genetic instability. Taken together, these data demonstrate the development of an optimal expression cassette for γ-globin capable of efficient expression in a retrovirus vector and form the basis for further refinement of vectors containing this cassette.

High-level erythroid-specific gene expression in primary human and murine hematopoietic cells with self-inactivating lentiviral vectors

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 98 (9) ◽  
pp. 2664-2672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Moreau-Gaudry ◽  
Ping Xia ◽  
Gang Jiang ◽  
Natalya P. Perelman ◽  
Gerhard Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Lentiviral Vectors ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
High Level Expression ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
High Level

AbstractUse of oncoretroviral vectors in gene therapy for hemoglobinopathies has been impeded by low titer vectors, genetic instability, and poor expression. Fifteen self- inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors using 4 erythroid promoters in combination with 4 erythroid enhancers with or without the woodchuck hepatitis virus postregulatory element (WPRE) were generated using the enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter gene. Vectors with high erythroid-specific expression in cell lines were tested in primary human CD34+ cells and in vivo in the murine bone marrow (BM) transplantation model. Vectors containing the ankyrin-1 promoter showed high-level expression and stable proviral transmission. Two vectors containing the ankyrin-1 promoter and 2 erythroid enhancers (HS-40 plus GATA-1 or HS-40 plus 5-aminolevulinate synthase intron 8 [I8] enhancers) and WPRE expressed at levels higher than the HS2/β-promoter vector in bulk unilineage erythroid cultures and individual erythroid blast-forming units derived from human BM CD34+ cells. Sca1+/lineage− Ly5.1 mouse hematopoietic cells, transduced with these 2 ankyrin-1 promoter vectors, were injected into lethally irradiated Ly5.2 recipients. Eleven weeks after transplantation, high-level expression was seen from both vectors in blood (63%-89% of red blood cells) and erythroid cells in BM (70%-86% engraftment), compared with negligible expression in myeloid and lymphoid lineages in blood, BM, spleen, and thymus (0%-4%). The I8/HS-40–containing vector encoding a hybrid human β/γ-globin gene led to 43% to 113% human γ-globin expression/copy of the mouse α-globin gene. Thus, modular use of erythroid-specific enhancers/promoters and WPRE in SIN-lentiviral vectors led to identification of high-titer, stably transmitted vectors with high-level erythroid-specific expression for gene therapy of red cell diseases.

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