scholarly journals Postnatal gene therapy for neuromuscular diseases – opportunities and limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1011-1015
Author(s):  
Janbernd Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Current Development ◽  
Development Status ◽  
Inherited Diseases ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Disease Specific

Abstract During the last decade a number of innovative treatments including gene therapies have been approved for the treatment of monogenic inherited diseases. For some neuromuscular diseases these approaches have dramatically changed the course of the disease. For others relevant challenges still remain and require disease specific approaches to overcome difficulties related to the immune response and the efficient transduction of target cells. This review provides an overview of the current development status of mutation specific treatments for neuromuscular diseases and concludes with on outlook on future developments and perspectives.

scholarly journals Evading the AAV Immune Response in Mucopolysaccharidoses

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3433
Author(s):  
Matthew Piechnik ◽  
Kazuki Sawamoto ◽  
Hidenori Ohnishi ◽  
Norio Kawamoto ◽  
Yasuhiko Ago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Humoral Immune Response ◽  
Transgene Expression ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Adeno Associated Virus ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Significant Challenge ◽  
Racial Background

The humoral immune response elicited by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) poses a significant challenge to achieving therapeutic levels of transgene expression. Antibodies targeting the AAV capsid as well as the transgene product diminish the production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-degrading enzymes essential for the treatment of MPS. Patients who have antibodies against AAV capsid increase in number with age, serotype, and racial background and are excluded from the clinical trials at present. In addition, patients who have undergone AAV gene therapy are often excluded from the additional AAV gene therapy with the same serotype, since their acquired immune response (antibody) against AAV will limit further efficacy of treatment. Several methods are being developed to overcome this immune response, such as novel serotype design, antibody reduction by plasmapheresis and immunosuppression, and antibody evasion using empty capsids and enveloped AAV vectors. In this review, we examine the mechanisms of the anti-AAV humoral immune response and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current evasion strategies in order to provide an evidence-based recommendation on evading the immune response for future AAV-mediated gene therapies for MPS.

scholarly journals Immunomodulation in Administration of rAAV: Preclinical and Clinical Adjuvant Pharmacotherapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing Sum Chu ◽  
Joanne Ng
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Normal Population ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Enveloped Virus

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has attracted a significant research focus for delivering genetic therapies to target cells. This non-enveloped virus has been trialed in many clinical-stage therapeutic strategies but important obstacle in clinical translation is the activation of both innate and adaptive immune response to the protein capsid, vector genome and transgene product. In addition, the normal population has pre-existing neutralizing antibodies against wild-type AAV, and cross-reactivity is observed between different rAAV serotypes. While extent of response can be influenced by dosing, administration route and target organ(s), these pose concerns over reduction or complete loss of efficacy, options for re-administration, and other unwanted immunological sequalae such as local tissue damage. To reduce said immunological risks, patients are excluded if they harbor anti-AAV antibodies or have received gene therapy previously. Studies have incorporated immunomodulating or suppressive regimens to block cellular and humoral immune responses such as systemic corticosteroids pre- and post-administration of Luxturna® and Zolgensma®, the two rAAV products with licensed regulatory approval in Europe and the United States. In this review, we will introduce the current pharmacological strategies to immunosuppress or immunomodulate the host immune response to rAAV gene therapy.

Non-Viral Vectors for Gene Delivery

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Bansal ◽  
Himanshu
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Transfection Efficiency ◽  
Gene Transfection ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Naked Dna

Introduction: Gene therapy has emerged out as a promising therapeutic pave for the treatment of genetic and acquired diseases. Gene transfection into target cells using naked DNA is a simple and safe approach which has been further improved by combining vectors or gene carriers. Both viral and non-viral approaches have achieved a milestone to establish this technique, but non-viral approaches have attained a significant attention because of their favourable properties like less immunotoxicity and biosafety, easy to produce with versatile surface modifications, etc. Literature is rich in evidences which revealed that undoubtedly, non–viral vectors have acquired a unique place in gene therapy but still there are number of challenges which are to be overcome to increase their effectiveness and prove them ideal gene vectors. Conclusion: To date, tissue specific expression, long lasting gene expression system, enhanced gene transfection efficiency has been achieved with improvement in delivery methods using non-viral vectors. This review mainly summarizes the various physical and chemical methods for gene transfer in vitro and in vivo.

Gene therapy with recombinant adenovirus vectors: evaluation of the host immune response

1997 ◽  
Vol 57 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle Christ ◽  
Monika Lusky ◽  
Fabienne Stoeckel ◽  
Dominique Dreyer ◽  
Annick Dieterlé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Recombinant Adenovirus ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Adenovirus Vectors

scholarly journals The Ocular Gene Delivery Landscape

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Bhubanananda Sahu ◽  
Isha Chug ◽  
Hemant Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Fda Approval ◽  
New Information ◽  
Efficient Delivery ◽  
Delivery Routes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Different Parts

The eye is at the forefront of developing therapies for genetic diseases. With the FDA approval of the first gene-therapy drug for a form of congenital blindness, numerous studies have been initiated to develop gene therapies for other forms of eye diseases. These examinations have revealed new information about the benefits as well as restrictions to using drug-delivery routes to the different parts of the eye. In this article, we will discuss a brief history of gene therapy and its importance to the eye and ocular delivery landscape that is currently being investigated, and provide insights into their advantages and disadvantages. Efficient delivery routes and vehicle are crucial for an effective, safe, and longer-lasting therapy.

scholarly journals Characterization of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses (rAAVs) for Gene Therapy Using Orthogonal Techniques

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 586
Author(s):  
Liam Cole ◽  
Diogo Fernandes ◽  
Maryam T. Hussain ◽  
Michael Kaszuba ◽  
John Stenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Light Scattering ◽  
Dynamic Light Scattering ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Multiple Challenges

Viruses are increasingly used as vectors for delivery of genetic material for gene therapy and vaccine applications. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are a class of viral vector that is being investigated intensively in the development of gene therapies. To develop efficient rAAV therapies produced through controlled and economical manufacturing processes, multiple challenges need to be addressed starting from viral capsid design through identification of optimal process and formulation conditions to comprehensive quality control. Addressing these challenges requires fit-for-purpose analytics for extensive characterization of rAAV samples including measurements of capsid or particle titer, percentage of full rAAV particles, particle size, aggregate formation, thermal stability, genome release, and capsid charge, all of which may impact critical quality attributes of the final product. Importantly, there is a need for rapid analytical solutions not relying on the use of dedicated reagents and costly reference standards. In this study, we evaluate the capabilities of dynamic light scattering, multiangle dynamic light scattering, and SEC–MALS for analyses of rAAV5 samples in a broad range of viral concentrations (titers) at different levels of genome loading, sample heterogeneity, and sample conditions. The study shows that DLS and MADLS® can be used to determine the size of full and empty rAAV5 (27 ± 0.3 and 33 ± 0.4 nm, respectively). A linear range for rAAV5 size and titer determination with MADLS was established to be 4.4 × 1011–8.7 × 1013 cp/mL for the nominally full rAAV5 samples and 3.4 × 1011–7 × 1013 cp/mL for the nominally empty rAAV5 samples with 3–8% and 10–37% CV for the full and empty rAAV5 samples, respectively. The structural stability and viral load release were also inferred from a combination of DLS, SEC–MALS, and DSC. The structural characteristics of the rAAV5 start to change from 40 °C onward, with increasing aggregation observed. With this study, we explored and demonstrated the applicability and value of orthogonal and complementary label-free technologies for enhanced serotype-independent characterization of key properties and stability profiles of rAAV5 samples.

scholarly journals Bioinformatics Analysis of Allele Frequencies and Expression Patterns of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN in Different Populations and Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1041
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tarek ◽  
Hana Abdelzaher ◽  
Firas Kobeissy ◽  
Hassan A. N. El-Fawal ◽  
Mohammed M. Salama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Shed Light

The virus responsible for the COVID-19 global health crisis, SARS-CoV-2, has been shown to utilize the ACE2 protein as an entry point to its target cells. The virus has been shown to rely on the actions of TMPRSS2 (a serine protease), as well as FURIN (a peptidase), for the critical priming of its spike protein. It has been postulated that variations in the sequence and expression of SARS-CoV-2’s receptor (ACE2) and the two priming proteases (TMPRSS2 and FURIN) may be critical in contributing to SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. This study aims to examine the different expression levels of FURIN in various tissues and age ranges in light of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels using the LungMAP database. Furthermore, we retrieved expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) of the three genes and their annotation. We analyzed the frequency of the retrieved variants in data from various populations and compared it to the Egyptian population. We highlight FURIN’s potential interplay with the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and showcase a myriad of variants of the three genes that are differentially expressed across populations. Our findings provide insights into potential genetic factors that impact SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in different populations and shed light on the varying expression patterns of FURIN.

Overcoming the Immune Response to Permit Ex Vivo Gene Therapy for Spine Fusion With Human Type 5 Adenoviral Delivery of the LIM Mineralization Protein-1 cDNA

Spine ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hak-Sun Kim ◽  
Manjula Viggeswarapu ◽  
Scott D. Boden ◽  
Yunshan Liu ◽  
Gregory A Hair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Spine Fusion ◽  
Human Type ◽  
Adenoviral Delivery ◽  
Ex Vivo Gene Therapy

scholarly journals Hepatic DR5 Induces Apoptosis and Limits Adenovirus Gene Therapy Product Expression in the Liver

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 5692-5700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang-Ge Zhang ◽  
Jinfu Xie ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Pingar Yang ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Transgene Expression ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Death Domain ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Product Expression ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT A major limitation of adenovirus (Ad) gene therapy product expression in the liver is subsequent elimination of the hepatocytes expressing the gene therapy product. This elimination is caused by both necrosis and apoptosis related to the innate and cell-mediated immune response to the Ad. Apoptosis of hepatocytes can be induced by the innate immune response by signaling through death domain receptors on hepatocytes including the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) receptor (TNFR), Fas, and death domain receptors DR4 and DR5. We have previously shown that blocking signaling through TNFR enhances and prolongs gene therapy product expression in the liver. In the present study, we constructed an Ad that produces a soluble DR5-Fc (AdsDR5), which is capable of neutralizing TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). AdsDR5 prevents TRAIL-mediated apoptosis of CD3-activated T cells and decreases hepatocyte apoptosis after AdCMVLacZ administration and enhances the level and duration of lacZ transgene expression in the liver. In addition to blocking TRAIL and directly inhibiting apoptosis, AdsDR5 decreases production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and TNF-α and decreases NK cell activation, all of which limit Ad-mediated transgene expression in the liver. These results indicate that (i) AdsDR5 produces a DR5-Fc capable of neutralizing TRAIL, (ii) AdsDR5 can reduce activation of NK cells and reduce induction of IFN-γ and TNF-α after Ad administration, and (iii) administration of AdsDR5 can enhance Ad gene therapy in the liver.

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