Gene therapy for hemophilia B mediated by recombinant adeno-associated viral vector with hFIXR338A,a high catalytic activity mutation of human coagulation factor IX

A mutant human factor IX with arginine at 338 residual changed to alanine (hFIXR338A) by site-directed mutagenesis was introduced into AAV vectors, and a recombinant adeno-associ-ated viral vector containing hFIXR338A, prepared by rHSV/AAV hybrid helper virus system, was directly introduced to the hind leg muscle of factor IX knock out mice. The expression and the biological activity of human factor IX mutant, hFIXR338A, and the immune response against it in the treated mice were assayed and detected. The results showed that (i) the high-level expression of human factor IX mutant protein, hFIXR338A, has been detected in rAAV-hFIXR338A treated hemophilia B mice and lasted more than 15 weeks; (ii) the clotting activity of hFIXR338A in plasma is 34.2%± 5.23%, which is remarkably higher than that of (14.27%±3.4%) of wild type hFIX treated mice in the activated partial thromboplastin assay; (iii) immune response against factor IX R338A was absent, with no factor IX mutant protein (hFIXR338A) inhibitors development in the treated mice; and (iv) no local or systemic side-effects and toxicity associated with the gene transfer were found. It demonstrated the potential use of treating hemophilia B by recombinant adeho-associated viral vectors with mutant hFIXR338A gene, an alternative strategy for hemophilia B gene therapy to wild-type human factor IX.

Preparation of a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector with a mutation of human factor-Ⅸin large scale and its expression in vitro and in vivo

A series of adeno-associated viral vectors containing a mutation of human factor Ⅸ (hFⅨR338A) with different regulation elements were constructed and used to transduce cell lines. The plasmids and the stable transduction cell clones with high expression level of hFⅨR338A were obtained by selecting and optimizing, and then, the recombinant adeno-associated viral vector with hFⅨR338A was prepared via novel rHSV/AAV hybrid virus packaging system on a large scale, which contained the capsid protein genes. A method for producing rAAV-hFⅨR338A viral stocks on a large scale and higher titer was established, which can be used for industrial purpose. The titer of rAAV-hFⅨR338A was more than 1.25?012 particle/mL, and then, a mammalian cell line, C2C12 and the factor Ⅸ knock-out mice were transfected with the rAAV-hFⅨR338A in vitroand in vivo. The results show that the high-level expression of rAAV-hFⅨR338A was achieved in cell line and hemophilia B mice. It reached at (2551.32±92.14) ng·(106 cells)-1·(24h)-1 in C2C12 cell in vitro and had a peak concentration of 463.28 ng/mL in mice treated with rAAV-hFⅨR338A, which was as high as the expression of rAAV-hFⅨ-wt(2565.76?4.36) ng·(106 cells) -1·(24 h)-1 in C2C12 and453.92 ng/mL in the mice treated with rAAV-hFⅨ-wt) in vitro and in vivo, there is no any difference between two groups, but the clotting activity of hFⅨR338A is about 2.46 times higher than that of hFⅨ-wt. It was first reported that a mutation of human factor Ⅸ was used into gene therapyresearch for hemophilia B, meanwhile, a novel packagingsystem, rAAV/HSV was used for preparation of rAAV-hFⅨR338A on a large scale, which laid the foundation ofindustrial production for applying rAAV viral stocks to gene therapy clinical trial for hemophilia B mediated withrAAV-hFⅨ.

Characteristics and advantages of adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases

Common neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system are characterized by progressive damage to the function of neurons, even leading to the permanent loss of function. Gene therapy via gene replacement or gene correction provides the potential for transformative therapies to delay or possibly stop further progression of the neurodegenerative disease in affected patients. Adeno-associated virus has been the vector of choice in recent clinical trials of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases due to its safety and efficiency in mediating gene transfer to the central nervous system. This review aims to discuss and summarize the progress and clinical applications of adeno-associated virus in neurodegenerative disease in central nervous system. Results from some clinical trials and successful cases of central neurodegenerative diseases deserve further study and exploration.

Viral vectors as a novel tool for clinical and neuropsychiatric research applications

Background A viral vector is a genetically modified vector produced by genetic engineering. As pathogenic genes in the virus are completely or largely eliminated, it is safe to be widely used in multidisciplinary research fields for expressing genes, such as neuroscience, metabolism, oncology and so on. Neuroscience and psychiatry are the most closely related disciplines in either basic research or clinical research, but the application of viral vectors in neuropsychiatry has not received much attention or not been widely accepted.Aim This article will focus on the application of viral vectors in basic and clinical neuropsychiatric research.Methods By using viral vectors, scientists can perform neurological labelling, gene expression regulation and physiological manipulation for investigating phenomenon from molecular mechanisms to behaviours. At the same time, to treat mental or neurological disorders, viral vectors can be designed for gene therapy, which alter gene expression levels or repair mutated genes in the brains of patients.Perspective Viral vectors play an important role in basic research and clinical applications. To further understand brain function and prevent mental and neurological diseases, we hypothesize that viral vectors could be used along with various advanced technologies, such as sequencing and high-throughput expression analysis in the neuroscience research field.

MicroRNA-regulated viral vectors for gene therapy

Safe and effective gene therapy approaches require targeted tissue-specific transfer of a therapeutic transgene.Besides traditional approaches, such as transcriptional and transductional targeting, micro RNA-dependent posttranscriptional suppression of transgene expression has been emerging as powerful new technology to increase the specificity of vector-mediated transgene expression. Micro RNAs are small non-coding RNAs and often expressed in a tissue-, lineage-, activation- or differentiation-specific pattern. They typically regulate gene expression by binding to imperfectly complementary sequences in the 3' untranslated region(UTR) of the m RNA. To control exogenous transgene expression, tandem repeats of artificial micro RNA target sites are usually incorporated into the 3' UTR of the transgene expression cassette, leading to subsequent degradation of transgene m RNA in cel s expressing the corresponding micro RNA. This targeting strategy, first shown for lentiviral vectors in antigen presenting cells, has now been used for tissue-specific expression of vector-encoded therapeutic transgenes, to reduce immune response against the transgene, to control virus tropism for oncolytic virotherapy, to increase safety of live attenuated virus vaccines and to identify and select cell subsets for pluripotent stem cell therapies, respectively. This review provides an introduction into the technical mechanism underlying micro RNA-regulation, highlights new developments in this field and gives an overview of applications of micro RNA-regulated viral vectors for cardiac, suicide gene cancer and hematopoietic stem cell therapy, as well as for treatment of neurological and eye diseases.

ADENO-ASSOCIATED VIRUS INTRODUCED INTEGRATION AND EXPRESSION OF FOREIGN GENES IN PC12 CELLS

Objective To investigate integration and expression of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in neuronal PC12 cells,the result of which can be applied in further gene therapy of diseases of the central nervous sys- tem. Methods Human neurotrophin-3(hNT3)genes were inserted into AAV vectors. Then the recombinat AAV plas- mids were encapsidated as recombinant virions. PCl2 cells were transfected with the virions and the positive cells were selected by G418. The transfection positive (hNT3 modified)PC12 cells were cultured for several generations and the cellular genomic DNA and total RNA were extracted. We investigated the integration locus or AAV vectors by South- ern blot and transcript situation or foreign genes by dot blot. Results The hybridization tests showed that AAV in- troduced foreign genes were stably integrated, but at random locus, and robustly transcribed in hNT3 modified PCl2 cells. Conclusion AAV vectors can serve as high efficiency vectors or target genes in neuronal PC12 cells.

Surface Modification of Biomimetic PLGA-(ASP-PEG) Matrix with RGD-Containing Peptide:a New Non-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer and Tissue Engineering

RGD-containing peptide （ K16-GRGDSPC） , characterized as non-viral gene vectors, was fabricated to modify the surface of PLGA-[ASP- PEG] matrix, which offered the foundation for gene transfer with porous matrix of gene activated later. Peptide was synthesized and matrix was executed into chips A, B and chip C. Chip C was regarded as control. Chips A and B were reacted with cross-linker. Then chip A was reacted with peptide. MS and HPLC were ased to detect the .14W and purity of peptide. Sulphur, existing on the surface of biomaterials, was detected by XPS. The purity of un-reacted peptide in residual solution was detected by a spectrophotometer. HPLC shows that the peptide purity was 94%- 95% , and MS shows that the MW was 2 741. 3307. XPS reveals that the binding energy of sulphur was 164 eV and the ratio of carbon to sulphur （C/S） was 99. 746 ：0. 1014 in reacted chip A. The binding energy of sulphur in reacted chip B was 164 eV and 162 eV, C/ S was 99.574：0.4255, aM there was no sulphur in chip C. Peptide was manufactured and linked to the surface of biomimetic and 3-D matrix, which offered the possibilities for gene transfer and tissue engineering with this new kind of non-viral gene vector.

Construction of genetically engineered macrophages expressing Smad6 and Smad7 genes with adeno-associated virus

Objective: To construct the genetically engineered macrophages expressing Smad6 and Smad7 genes with adeno-associated virus (AAV). Methods: The plasmids containing pcDNA3-Smad6/Flag and pcDNA3-Smad7/Flag were digested with BamHⅠ and XhoⅠ, respectively. Then the Smad6/Flag and Smad7/Flag gene segments obtained were cloned into plasmid pAAV-MCS respectively to construct the recombinant pAAV-Smad6/Flag and pAAV-Smad7/Flag plasmids. The resulting recombinant plasmids (pAAV-Smad6/Flag or pAAV-Smad7/Flag) or pAAV-LacZ plasmid were co-transfected into the HEK 293cells with pHelper and pAAV-RC by calcium-phosphate precipitation method. Recombinant AAV-2 viral particles were prepared from infected HEK293 cells and then were used to infect mouse macrophages. The expressions of Smad6 and Smad7 in macrophages were detected by immunocytochemical staining and expression of b-galactosidase was evaluated by X-gal staining. Results: The recombinant AAV vector containing Smad6 or Smad7 genes was successfully constructed. More than 95% macrophage cells expressed X-gal and Smad6 and Smad7 genes at 72 h after infection. Conclusion: These results indicate that the genetically engineered macrophages can express Smad6 and Smad7 proteins effectively, laying the foundation for the studies of TGF-β-induced diseases in vivo and highlighting the feasibility of macrophage-based gene therapy.

A Viral Expression Vector from Foxtail mosaic virus to Express Green Fluorescent Protein

[Objective]Foxtail mosaic virus(FoMV)infects gramineous and dicotyledonous plants.In this study,we sought to construct a viral vector based on FoMV to express exogenous proteins in plants.[Method]A recombinant viral expression vector was constructed by inserting the promotor of Potato virus X(PVX)and exogenous gene sequences into the 3’non-coding region of the FoMV coat protein gene.[Results]The plasmid pCB301-FoMV-CP-PVXprom-GFP expressed green fluorescent protein in inoculated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.[Conclusion]A recombinant viral expression vector was constructed successfully.

纳米粒子在骨组织工程化基因修饰治疗中的应用

背景:传统的骨组织工程技术治疗临界骨缺损存在成骨效率低、安全性差等问题。而以非病毒纳米粒子为基因载体构建的基因强化型骨组织工程移植物,具有更高的成骨效率和安全性,引起了国内外学者的广泛关注和研究。目的:对当前国内外有关纳米粒子在组织工程成骨基因治疗研究中取得的新技术、新方法以及面临的挑战等进行综述,旨在为纳米粒子介导的骨组织工程基因治疗研究提供参考。方法:第一作者在Pub Med、Web of Science和中国知网数据库上进行文献检索,并以“Bone defect repair,Bone tissue engineering,Gene delivery,Nanoparticles,Non-viral gene vector,Sustained release technology,Sequential release,Targeted delivery”作为英文检索词,以“骨缺损修复,骨组织工程,基因递送,纳米粒子,非病毒基因载体,缓释技术,序贯释放,靶向递送”作为中文检索词,最终纳入84篇文献进行总结。结果与结论:(1)在骨缺损愈合的各个生理阶段进行针对性的基因递送可以显著增强骨修复效果。在早期炎症阶段,通过纳米粒子递送抗炎基因来调节炎症反应,可以为后续骨愈合奠定基础;在血管新生期,向局部递送促血管化基因有助于形成高度组织化、可灌注的血管系统,加快骨愈合速度;随着血管化的进行,骨骼的神经再支配也开始发生,此时递送促神经再生的功能性基因有利于促进神经化骨再生;在成骨阶段,通过构建纳米粒子-成骨基因复合物,可以直接提升支架及体内新骨形成的效率。(2)各种有机、无机纳米颗粒、金属有机框架和外泌体等非病毒纳米载体,在骨组织工程基因治疗中具有巨大的潜力,这些纳米基因载体各有其独特的优势和不足,因此在实际应用时,需要根据基因转染效率、生物安全性和成骨特性等因素选择最合适的类型。(3)为了全面提升递送基因的效果,目前主要通过对纳米载体进行各种功能设计来增强基因转染效率,包括增强缓释性和多基因递送序贯性等时间调控能力、增强对骨组织和成骨相关细胞的空间靶向能力、增强跨膜运输效率和细胞核靶向能力等全过程调控手段。(4)未来要进一步推动纳米粒子介导的骨组织工程基因治疗在临床上的应用,还需要克服诸多技术挑战,包括提高有机纳米基因载体的基因转染效率、降低无机纳米载体的生物安全性风险、优化新型纳米载体的生产工艺以及促进其它生理过程与成骨交互作用等,这些问题也是未来骨组织工程基因治疗的研究热点和潮流。

HBeAg gene expression with baculovirus vector in silk worm cells

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Use of PEI-coated Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Gene Vectors

Summary: To evaluate the feasibility of using polyethyleneimine (PEI) coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (polyMAG-1000) as gene vectors. The surface characteristics of the nanoparticles were observed with scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the nanoparticles to combine with and protect DNA was investigated at different PH values after polyMAG-1000 and DNA were combined in different ratios. The nanoparticles were tested as gene vectors with in vitro transfection models. Under the scanning electron microscope the nanoparticles were about 100 nm in diameter. The nanoparticles could bind and condense DNA under acid, neutral and alkaline conditions, and they could transfer genes into cells and express green fluorescent proteins (GFP). The transfection efficiency was highest (51 %) when the ratio of nanoparticles to DNA was 1:1 (v:w). In that ratio, the difference in transfection efficiency was marked depending on whether a magnetic field was present or not: about 10 % when it was absent but 51 % when it was present. The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with PEI may potentially be used as gene vectors.

Retrovirus vector transfection of rat insulin gene into pancreas decrease blood glucose of diabetic rat

Human and animal diabetes mellitus were controlled by a dietary treatment supplemented with either a sulfonylurea drug or insulin injection. Insulin injections were inconvenient and the hypoglycemia induced by insulin-overdose could be fatal. Sulfonylurea drugs were administered orally, however, do not typically provide satisfactory control of blood glucose as a starting treatment in 25% - 30% patients. Therefore, it was imperative to develop a method for the control of human and animal diabetes mellitus. Recently, insulin gene transferred and expressed in non-pancreatic cells as a means for the treatment of diabetes was developed rapidly in the expanding gene therapy. Retrovirus, lentivirus, adenovirus, adenoassociated virus and herpes simplex had been used as viral vectors, and the constructed viral-insulin gene was successfully transferred into diabetic rat cells. A gene, containing promoter, enhancer and rat type I insulin gene (a-chain, b-chain and signal peptide), was constructed into a retrovirus vector in the study. The constructed viral-insulin gene was transferred into mouse fibroblast cell. The insulin concentration in 3-day cultured mouse fibroblast cells was 4806.35 ± 53.72 pg/ml. The insulin concentration for the viral vector containing enhancer and promoter of rat insulin gene was higher than the vector containing only insulin gene by a 61% increase in the cultured mouse fibroblast cells. The enhancer and promoter activity of rat insulin gene would be an important determinant for the expression of insulin gene. The secreted amount of insulin by retrovirus vector contained enhancer/promoter gene in this study could achieve as high concentrations (4806.35 ± 53.72 pg/ml) as the insulin injection therapy. Blood glouse decreased sig- nificantly for at last 10 days demonstrated that transfection, direction injection of viral-insulin gene into pancreas of diabetic rat, was successful. These studies suggest that the retrovirus vector might be used to transfer the insulin gene in vitro and in vivo.

Constructing and packaging scAAV vectors and detecting their transduction efficiency

Gene therapy is a form of molecular medicine that promises to provide new treatments for a large number of inherited and acquired diseases. One of the biggest stumbling blocks to successful widespread application of genetic treatments is the development of safe and effective vectors with which to ferry genetic material into cells. Adeno-associated virus （AAV）, a nonpathogenic human parvovirus, has gained attention as a potentially safe vector for gene transfer and gene therapy. The AAV genome is a single-stranded DNA, which is transcriptionally inactive. It has been reported that viral second-strand DNA synthesis is the rate-limiting step in AAV-mediated transgene expression. Self-complementary adeno-associated viral（scAAV） vectors bypass the requirement for viral second-strand DNA synthesis, and lead to a significant increase in transduction efficiency, scAAV vectors have been successfully constructed by Xiao and Smulski in the USA in 2003. Recently, we have developed and packaged scAAV, and reported as following.

A RGD-Containing Oligopeptide (K)_(16)GRGBSPC: A Novel Vector for Integrin-Mediated Targeted Gene Belivery

A 23 amino acid, bifunctional integrin-targeted synthetic oligopeptide was evaluated for ex vivo gene delivery to rabbit bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs）. Synthesis of the peptide （K）16GRGDSPC was performed on a solid-phase batch peptide synthesizer. BMSCs were transfected with plasmid DNA coding for luciferase by （K）j6GRGDSPC and the transfection efficiency was assayed. The influences of chloroquine and polyethyleneimine on the transfection efficiency were also examined. The target specificity of （K）16GRGDSPC to mediate exogenous gene into BMSCs was analyzed using cell attachment test and gene delivery inhibition test. The results showed that the transfection efficiency of the oligopeptide vector was lower than that of Lipofectamine. But in the presence of endosomal buffer chloroquine or endosomal disrupting agent polyethyleneimine, the transfection efficiency of the vector was greatly enhanced. In addition, RGD-containing peptides inhibited BMSCs＇ attachment to the 96-well plates pretreated with fibronectin or vitronecfin and significantly decreased the transfection efficiency of the oligopeptide vector. These studies demonstrated that oligopeptide （K）16GRGDSPC was an ideal novel targeted non-viral gene delivery vector, which was easy to be synthesized, high efficient and low cytotoxicity. The vector could effectively deliver exogenous gene into rat BMSCs.

Pristimerin enhances recombinant adeno-associated virus vector-mediated transgene expression in human cell lines in vitro and murine hepatocytes in vivo

OBJECTIVE： In the present study, we systemically evaluated the ability of two bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicine, celastrol and pristimerin, to enhance recombinant adeno-associated virus （rAAV） serotype vector-mediated transgene expression both in human cell lines in vitro, and in murine hepatocytes in vivo. METHODS： Human cell lines were infected with rAAV vectors with either mock treatment or treatment with celastrol or pristimerin. The transgene expression, percentage of nuclear translocated viral genomes and the ubiquitination of intracellular proteins were investigated post-treatment. In addition, nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient gamma （NSG） mice were tail vain-injected with rAAV vectors and co-administered with either dimethyl sulfoxide, celastrol, pristimerin or a positive control, bortezomib. The transgene expression in liver was detected and compared over time. RESULTS： We observed that treatment with pristimerin, at as low as 1 IJmol/L concentration, significantly enhanced rAAV2 vector-mediated transgene expression in vitro, and intraperitoneal co- administration with pristimerin at 4 mg/（kg.d） for 3 d dramatically facilitated viral transduction in murine hepatocytes in vivo. The transduction efficiency of the tyrosine-mutant rAAV2 vectors as well as that of rAAV8 vectors carrying oversized transgene cassette was also augmented significantly by pristimerin. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which pristimerin mediated the observed increase in the transduction efficiency of rAAV vectors include both inhibition of proteasomal degradation of the intracellular proteins and enhanced nuclear translocation of the vector genomes. CONCLUSION： These studies suggest the potential beneficial use of pristimerin and pristimerincontaining herb extract in future liver-targeted gene therapy with rAAV vectors.

Increasingβ-hexosaminidase A activity using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells

GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of autosomal-recessive lysosomal storage disorde rs.These diseases result from a deficiency of lysosomal enzymeβ-hexosaminidase A(HexA),which is responsible for GM2 ganglioside degradation.HexA deficiency causes the accumulation of GM2-gangliosides mainly in the nervous system cells,leading to severe progressive neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation.To date,there is no treatment for these diseases.Cell-mediated gene therapy is considered a promising treatment for GM2 gangliosidoses.This study aimed to evaluate the ability of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs-HEXA-HEXB)to restore HexA deficiency in Tay-Sachs disease patient cells,as well as to analyze the functionality and biodistribution of MSCs in vivo.The effectiveness of HexA deficiency cross-correction was shown in mutant MSCs upon intera ction with MSCs-HEXA-HEXB.The results also showed that the MSCs-HEXA-HEXB express the functionally active HexA enzyme,detectable in vivo,and intravenous injection of the cells does not cause an immune response in animals.These data suggest that genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells have the potentials to treat GM2 gangliosidoses.

常用病毒载体系统的生物安全挑战及风险评估

通过介绍常用病毒载体的特点、病毒载体系统运用的生物安全挑战及载体系统的生物和环境风险评估,为我国病毒载体系统研发及临床运用等方面提供参考依据。病毒载体系统将治疗性基因及其相关的调控元件传递到人类细胞核中,通过基因改造患者的细胞,从而治愈疾病或提高身体抵抗疾病的能力,改善患者的健康状况。病毒载体因其独特的基因传递特征和靶向特异性,已越来越成为向各种实验系统转运核酸的重要工具。病毒载体还在基因治疗和疾病防控等领域起着重要的作用,为解决人类遗传和获得性疾病提供了一种新的解决方法。利用病毒载体系统进行疾病防控及科学研究,需要了解病毒载体的特性、进行人类健康和环境风险等评估,且强调生物安全管理的重要性。

动物疫病活载体疫苗研究进展

活载体疫苗是以细菌或病毒作为载体表达外源抗原和治疗因子的载体系统,具有安全性高、毒力返祖风险低、成本低,可诱导免疫机体产生高水平的体液免疫、细胞免疫或黏膜免疫等优点,是目前最具发展潜力的基因工程疫苗之一,在动物疫病防控领域应用较多。病毒载体包括DNA病毒(如腺病毒、腺相关病毒和痘病毒等)和RNA病毒(如新城疫病毒、流感病毒等);细菌载体包括减毒致病菌与非致病菌两类,主要包括乳酸菌、沙门氏菌、大肠杆菌等。活载体疫苗常用的抗原呈递策略有载体-宿主平衡致死系统、微生物表面展示系统。多种疫苗载体的开发及抗原呈递策略的选择,使得活载体疫苗的使用价值最大化。不同载体疫苗在预防疫病方面均有不同优缺点,应根据实际情况选择最优最适合的活载体疫苗。本文综述了动物疫病防控领域的病毒和细菌活载体疫苗研究进展及其抗原呈递方式,以期为活载体疫苗的进一步研究提供参考。