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Robust recall and long-term memory T-cell responses induced by prime-boost regimens with heterologous live viral vectors expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag and Env proteins.

We investigated long-term memory and recall cellular immune responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env and Gag proteins elicited by recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSVs) expressing Env and Gag. More than 7 months after a single vaccination with VSV-Env, approximately 6% of CD8(+) splenocytes stained with major histocompatibility complex class I tetramers containing the Env p18-I10 immunodominant peptide and showed a memory phenotype (CD44(Hi)). The level of tetramer-positive cells in memory was about 14% of the peak primary response. Recall responses elicited in these mice 5 days after boosting with a heterologous recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HIV-1 Env showed that 40 to 45% of CD8(+) splenocytes were tetramer positive and activated (CD62L(Lo)), and these cells produced gamma interferon after stimulation with Env peptide, indicating that they were functional. Five months after the boost, the long-term memory cell population (tetramer positive, CD44(Hi)) constituted 30% of the CD8(+) splenocytes. Recall responses to HIV-1 Gag were examined in mice primed with VSV recombinants expressing HIV-1 Gag protein and boosted with a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing Gag. Using this protocol, we found that approximately 40% of CD8(+) splenocytes were activated (CD62L(Lo)) and specific for a Gag immunodominant peptide (tetramer positive). The high-level Gag recall response elicited by the vaccinia virus-Gag was greater than that obtained by boosting with a VSV-Gag vector with a different VSV glycoprotein. The corresponding levels of CD44(Hi) memory cells were also higher long after boosting with vaccinia virus-Gag than after boosting with a glycoprotein exchange VSV-Gag. Our results show that VSV vectors elicit high-level memory CTL responses and that these can be amplified as much as six- to sevenfold using a heterologous boosting vector.

AIDS Vaccines↗

An efficient and versatile mammalian viral vector system for major histocompatibility complex class I/peptide complexes.

We report a Sendai virus (SeV) vector system for expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I/peptide complexes. We cloned the extracellular domain of a human MHC class I heavy chain, HLA-A*2402, and human beta-2 microglobulin (beta2m) fused with HLA-A*2402-restricted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes (e-beta2m) in separate SeV vectors. When we coinfected nonhuman mammalian cells with the SeVs, naturally folded human MHC class I/peptide complexes were secreted in the culture supernatants. Biotin binding peptide sequences on the C terminus of the heavy chain were used to tetramerize the complexes. These tetramers made in the SeV system recognized specific CD8-positive T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1-positive patients with a specificity and sensitivity similar to those of MHC class I tetramers made in an Escherichia coli system. Solo infection of e-beta2m/SeV produced soluble e-beta2m in the culture supernatant, and cells pulsed with the soluble protein were recognized by specific CTLs. Furthermore, when cells were infected with e-beta2m/SeV, these cells were recognized by the specific CTLs more efficiently than the protein pulse per se. SeV is nonpathogenic for humans, can transduce foreign genes into nondividing cells, and may be useful for immunotherapy to enhance antigen-specific immune responses. Our system can be used not only to detect but also to stimulate antigen-specific cellular immune responses.

Animals↗

Murine cytomegalovirus abortively infects human dendritic cells, leading to expression and presentation of virally vectored genes.

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in antigen-specific immune responses. Thus, the targeting of exogenous antigens to DC has become a popular approach for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. In this report, we studied the interplay between murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and human monocyte-derived DC. The results showed that an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-encoding, replication-competent MCMV vector underwent abortive infection in human DC; this was accompanied by the efficient expression of EGFP. Infection of human DC by this vector resulted in a modest increase in the expression of cell surface proteins associated with DC maturation and has no significant effect on the immunostimulatory function of the cells, as reflected by their ability to support T-cell proliferation in a mixed-lymphocyte reaction. Finally, an MCMV vector encoding the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein was constructed and used to infect cultured human DC. The infected DC were shown to be capable of stimulating the expansion of autologous, gp120-specific, class I-restricted T lymphocytes from an HIV-1-negative donor, as determined by tetramer staining and enzyme-linked immunospot analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that MCMV may have potential utility as a vector for human vaccine development.

Blotting, Western↗

Transfer of the full-length dystrophin-coding sequence into muscle cells by a dual high-capacity hybrid viral vector with site-specific integration ability.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, making it a potential target for gene therapy. There is, however, a scarcity of vectors that can accommodate the 14-kb DMD cDNA and permanently genetically correct muscle tissue in vivo or proliferating myogenic progenitors in vitro for use in autologous transplantation. Here, a dual high-capacity adenovirus-adeno-associated virus (hcAd/AAV) vector with two full-length human dystrophin-coding sequences flanked by AAV integration-enhancing elements is presented. These vectors are generated from input linear monomeric DNA molecules consisting of the Ad origin of replication and packaging signal followed by the recently identified AAV DNA integration efficiency element (p5IEE), the transgene(s) of interest, and the AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR). After infection of producer cells with a helper Ad vector, the Ad DNA replication machinery, in concert with the AAV ITR-dependent dimerization, leads to the assembly of vector genomes with a tail-to-tail configuration that are efficiently amplified and packaged into Ad capsids. These dual hcAd/AAV hybrid vectors were used to express the dystrophin-coding sequence in rat cardiomyocytes in vitro and to restore dystrophin synthesis in the muscle tissues of mdx mice in vivo. Introduction into human cells of chimeric genomes, which contain a structure reminiscent of AAV proviral DNA, resulted in AAV Rep-dependent targeted DNA integration into the AAVS1 locus on chromosome 19. Dual hcAd/AAV hybrid vectors may thus be particularly useful to develop safe treatment modalities for diseases such as DMD that rely on efficient transfer and stable expression of large genes.

Adenoviridae↗

Viral vectors expressing immunoregulatory cytokines to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by altered immunoregulation and augmented synthesis of nitric oxide. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous IL-4, introduced by a recombinant human type 5 adenovirus (Ad5) vector, on the tissue injury associated with an experimental model of colonic immune activation and inflammation. Colitis was induced in rats by the intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB) dissolved in 50% ethanol, and control rats received saline via the same route. 1 h later, all rats were randomized into two groups. The first group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 3.0 x 10(6) plaque forming units (PFUs) of Ad5 transfected with murine interleukin-4 (Ad5IL-4) and the second group was injected i.p. with the same amount of Ad5 expressing the Escherichia coli Lac Z gene (Ad5LacZ). One-half of the colitic and controls rats were injected again with 3.0 x 10(6) PFUs of Ad5IL-4 or Ad5LacZ on day 3 of the 6-d study. When introduced once or twice via the peritoneal route into control rats Ad5LacZ was localised to the serosal lining of the peritoneal cavity, the diaphragm and the liver on day 6. One or two injections of Ad5IL-4 into rats also produced measurable levels of circulating IL-4. TNB-colitis in both Ad5LacZ-treated groups was associated with pronounced elevations in serum IFN-gamma, and mucosal ulceration of the distal colon. Myeloperoxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase II (NOS II) synthetic activity were also increased by 30- and fivefold, respectively, above control levels in the distal colon. However, two injections of AD5IL-4 into colitic rats caused the overexpression of IL-4, and significantly inhibited tissue damage, serum and colon IFN-gamma levels and myeloperoxidase activity in the distal colon. In addition, NOS II gene expression and NOS II nitric oxide synthesis was significantly inhibited. No therapeutic effect was observed in rats injected once with AD5IL-4. Thus, IL-4, introduced by Ad5, is therapeutic during acute inflammation in the rat colon. The therapeutic effect of IL-4 was associated with an inhibition of inducible nitric oxide expression and a reduction in nitric oxide synthesis.

Adenoviridae↗

A non-viral vector for targeting gene therapy to motoneurons in the CNS.

Gene therapy vectors that can be targeted to motoneuronal cells are required in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. We propose the use of the atoxic fragment C of tetanus toxin (TTC) as biological activity carrier to the motoneurons. Naked DNA encoding beta-galactosidase-TTC hybrid protein was used to transfect muscle cells in vivo, resulting in a selective gene transfer of the enzymatic activity to the CNS. In the muscle, level expression of beta-galactosidase was readily detectable 24 h after injection, reaching a maximum after 4 days and gradually decreasing thereafter. Labelling in the hypoglossal motoneurons and motor cortex was observed from 4 days after injection. In this paper, we show that TTC works as an enzymatic activity carrier to the CNS when muscle cells are transfected in vivo. We have also shown that the presence of TTC does not have any influence on the expression of the transfected gene. Both these results warrant further studies of TTC as a means of treating motoneuron diseases in the field of gene therapy.

Animals↗

Adeno-associated viral-vector-mediated hypoxia-inducible vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression attenuates ischemic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Exogenous delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF) may provide a useful approach to the treatment of brain ischemia. We investigated the use of a hypoxia-responsive element to control VEGF expression given for neuroprotection. METHODS: Three groups (n=36) of mice received AAVH9-VEGF, AAVH9-lacZ, or saline injection. Five days after gene transfer, the mice underwent 45 minutes of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) followed by 1 to 7 days of reperfusion. Infarct volume was determined using cresyl violet staining; neuronal injury was examined using TUNEL, cleaved caspase-3, and fluoro-Jade B staining. RESULTS: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) was overexpressed after tMCAO in the ischemic hemisphere in the brain. Expression of lacZ, mediated by AAV-lacZ, was seen before and after tMCAO; however, AAVH9-lacZ-mediated lacZ expression was detected only after tMCAO. Infarct volume was smaller in the AAVH9-VEGF-transduced group compared with AAVH9-lacZ and saline groups (55% reduction, P<0.05) with reduced TUNEL (29+/-5% and 30+/-7% versus 12+/-3%, P<0.05), cleaved caspase-3 (20+/-3% and 21+/-5% versus 13+/-4%, P<0.05) and fluoro-Jade B (23+/-3% and 24+/-5% versus 12+/-5%, P<0.05) -positive neurons, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous expression of VEGF through AAVH9-VEGF gene transfer 5 days before the onset of ischemia provides neuroprotection. Hypoxia-responsive element is a viable strategy of restricting VEGF expression to areas of ischemia to minimize adverse effects of therapy on adjacent normal parenchyma.

Animals↗

Viscoelastic gel formulations enhance airway epithelial gene transfer with viral vectors.

Advances in gene transfer to the conducting airways for the treatment of pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis have identified several vector classes that transduce airway epithelia in vitro and in animal models. One barrier to epithelial gene transfer is the rapid removal of materials from the airway surface via mucociliary clearance. This host defense mechanism limits gene transfer efficiency to airway epithelial cells. Here we show that formulation of gene transfer vectors with viscoelastic gels provides longer epithelial residence time and increases vector-mediated gene transfer efficiency. Gene transfer with adenoviral, adeno-associated, and lentiviral vectors all significantly improved after formulation with viscoelastic gels designed to slow mucociliary clearance. Importantly, viscoelastic gel formulations enhanced vector transduction to the conducting airways, the desired treatment target for diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Adenoviridae↗

In vivo gene transfer into rat bone marrow progenitor cells using rSV40 viral vectors.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene transfer has been attempted almost entirely ex vivo and has been limited by cytokine-induced loss of self-renewal capacity and transplantation-related defects in homing and engraftment. Here, we attempted to circumvent such limitations by injecting vectors directly into the bone marrow (BM) to transduce HSCs in their native environment. Simian virus 40 (SV40)-derived gene delivery vectors were used because they transduce resting CD34+ cells very efficiently. Rats received SV-(Nef-FLAG), carrying FLAG marker epitope--or a control recombinant SV40 (rSV40)--directly into both femoral marrow cavities. Intracellular transgene expression by peripheral blood (PB) or BM cells was detected by cytofluorimetry. An average of 5.3% PB leukocytes expressed FLAG for the entire study--56 weeks. Transgene expression was sustained in multiple cell lineages, including granulocytes (average, 3.3% of leukocytes, 20.4% of granulocytes), CD3+ T lymphocytes (average, 0.53% of leukocytes, 1% of total T cells), and CD45R+ B lymphocytes, indicating gene transfer to long-lived progenitor cells with multilineage capacity. An average of 15% of femoral marrow cells expressed FLAG up to 16.5 months after transduction. Thus, direct intramarrow administration of rSV40s yields efficient gene transfer to rat BM progenitor cells and may be worthy of further investigation.

Animals↗

"Bronchial artery delivery of viral vectors for gene delivery in cystic fibrosis; superior to airway delivery?".

BACKGROUND: Attempts at gene therapy for the pulmonary manifestations of Cystic Fibrosis have relied mainly on airway delivery. However the efficiency of gene transfer and expression in the airway epithelia has not reached therapeutic levels. Access to epithelial cells is not homogenous for a number of reasons and the submucosal glands cannot be reached via the airways. PRESENTATION: We propose to inject gene delivery vectors directly into bronchial arteries combined with pre-delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor to increase vascular endothelial permeability and post-delivery flow reduction by balloon occlusion. Thus it may be possible to reach mucous secreting cells of the bronchial luminal epithelium and the submucosal glands in an increased and homogenous fashion. TESTING: This combination of techniques to the best of our knowledge has not previously been investigated, and may enable us to overcome some of the current limitations to gene therapy for Cystic Fibrosis.

Journal Article↗

Current development of adeno-associated viral vectors.

Vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) have recently been used in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Canavan's diseases. Indeed, AAV-mediated gene transfer is a promising tool for the delivery of therapeutic gene into the central and peripheral nervous systems. AAV-mediated gene transfer was also applied in phase I and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of hemophilia B. Remarkable progress is being reported in the development of AAV-based vectors; however, the design of AAV-derived vectors needs to be improved. As it stands, AAV-mediated gene transfer has a limited capacity in accommodating foreign genes. In addition, some preclinical studies have shown that AAV-derived vectors can cause tumors in animals due to insertional mutagenesis events. This review will discuss perspectives and drawbacks for AAV-based vector systems.

Adenoviridae↗