This invention was made with support under grant number AI084457, awarded by the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled SCRI148NPSEQLISTING.TXT, created Jun. 22, 2020 which is approximately 141 kb in size. The information provided is the electronic format of the Sequence Listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Aspects of the present invention concern compositions and methods for treating, inhibiting or ameliorating X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in subjects that have been identified or selected as being ones that would benefit from a therapy to treat, inhibit, or ameliorate XLA. Exemplary aspects include constructs and methods for gene therapy, which restore or increase Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) expression.
X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene. These mutations contribute to the failure of afflicted individuals to generate mature B cells and the inability of these B cells to respond to B cell antigen receptor engagement, as well as, other cellular signals. Affected males are unable to generate protective antibody responses to pathogen challenge and eventually succumb to viral or bacterial infection. Current therapy has not changed for over 5 decades and consists of immunoglobulin replacement and targeted anti-microbial agents. Despite this therapy, XLA subjects continue to suffer from chronic infections and are at an increased risk for a range of morbid or life-threatening complications. In rare settings, XLA subjects have been treated with stem cell transplantation without conditioning or using reduced intensity conditioning with variable outcomes. The need for more therapies to inhibit, treat, or ameliorate XLA is manifest.
Based upon iterative design and testing of candidate promoter, insulator, and enhancer elements and human codon-optimized BTK cDNA constructs, an identified novel lentiviral-based (LV) vector construct that mediates sustained BTK expression in B and myeloid cells derived from (murine or human) hematopoietic stem cells has been manufactured and is described in the alternatives herein. Following ex vivo transduction and transplantation into BTK deficient hosts, these alternatives have been shown to surprisingly sustain BTK expression and rescue B cell development. As shown in one of the exemplary alternatives herein, the constructs set forth herein utilize a truncated ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE) element, a conserved enhancer element derived from intronic regions within the human BTK locus in association with the human BTK proximal promoter to drive expression of a human codon-optimized BTK cDNA.
LV vectors using this construct in mouse gene therapy experiments mediate sustained BTK expression in B and myeloid cells in primary and secondary transplant recipients and rescue B cell development and function without evidence of viral toxicity. Thus, this construct represents a unique LV vector for gene therapy treatment, inhibition, or amelioration of human XLA.
In a first aspect, a polynucleotide for sustained Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) expression, the polynucleotide comprising: a first sequence encoding an ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the UCOE is 2 kb, 1.5 kb, 1 kb, 0.75 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.25 kb or any number of kilobases in between a range defined by any two afore mentioned values. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the BTK promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the promoter is a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the polypeptide further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises at least one DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4, intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In a second aspect a vector for sustaining BTK expression in cells is provided, the vector comprising: a first sequence encoding an ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter, and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises a DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4 intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In a third aspect, a cell for expression of BTK is provided, wherein the cell comprises a polynucleotide, which comprises a first sequence encoding a UCOE, a second sequence encoding a promoter and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide is in a vector. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cell is a B cell. In some alternatives, the cells are a myeloid cell. In some alternatives, the cell is a hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the cell is a CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In a fourth aspect, methods of promoting or increasing B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in a subject in need thereof are provided, wherein the method comprises administering the cells of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject or cells comprising the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject in need and, optionally identifying or selecting the subject as one that would benefit from receiving a therapy that would promote B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in advance of administering the cells and/or, optionally, measuring B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in said subject or in a biological sample obtained from said subject after receiving the administration of the cells. In some alternatives, the cells are from the subject and, wherein the cells are genetically modified by introducing the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein into the cells. In some alternatives, the administering is performed by adoptive cell transfer. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the subject is male. In some alternatives, the subject is suffering from XLA. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive targeted anti-microbial agents. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In a fifth aspect, methods of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) or disease symptoms associated with XLA in a subject in need thereof are provided, wherein the methods comprise administering the cell of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject or a cell comprising the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject in need and, optionally identifying or selecting the subject as one that would benefit from receiving a therapy for XLA or disease symptoms associated with XLA and/or, optionally, measuring an improvement in the progression of XLA or an improvement in a disease symptom associated with XLA in said subject. In some alternatives, the cell is from the subject, wherein the cell is genetically modified by introducing the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein into the cell. In some alternatives, the administering is performed by adoptive cell transfer. In some alternatives, the cell is a B cell. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the subject is male. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive targeted anti-microbial agents. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
As used herein, “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.
“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value is meant to encompass variations of ±20% or ±10%, more preferably ±5%, even more preferably ±1%, and still more preferably ±0.1% from the specified value.
“Polynucleotide,” as described herein refers to “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid molecule,” such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA), oligonucleotides, fragments generated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and fragments generated by any of ligation, scission, endonuclease action, and exonuclease action. Nucleic acid molecules can be composed of monomers that are naturally-occurring nucleotides (such as DNA and RNA), or analogs of naturally-occurring nucleotides (e.g., enantiomeric forms of naturally-occurring nucleotides), or a combination of both. Modified nucleotides can have alterations in sugar moieties and/or in pyrimidine or purine base moieties. Sugar modifications include, for example, replacement of one or more hydroxyl groups with halogens, alkyl groups, amines, and azido groups, or sugars can be functionalized as ethers or esters. Moreover, the entire sugar moiety can be replaced with sterically and electronically similar structures, such as aza-sugars and carbocyclic sugar analogs. Examples of modifications in a base moiety include alkylated purines and pyrimidines, acylated purines or pyrimidines, or other well-known heterocyclic substitutes. Nucleic acid monomers can be linked by phosphodiester bonds or analogs of such linkages. Analogs of phosphodiester linkages include phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoranilidate, phosphoramidate, and the like. The term “nucleic acid molecule” also includes so-called “peptide nucleic acids,” which comprise naturally-occurring or modified nucleic acid bases attached to a polyamide backbone. Nucleic acids can be either single stranded or double stranded. In some alternatives, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein is provided. In some alternatives, the nucleic acid is RNA or DNA.
Coding for” or “encoding” have their plain and ordinary meaning when read in light of the specification, and may include but is not limited to, for example, the property of specific sequences of nucleotides in a polynucleotide, such as a gene, a cDNA, or an mRNA, to serve as templates for synthesis of other macromolecules such as a defined sequence of amino acids. Thus, a gene codes for a protein if transcription and translation of mRNA corresponding to that gene produces the protein in a cell or other biological system.
“Bruton's tyrosine kinase,” (BTK) has its plain and ordinary meaning when read in light of the specification, and may include but is not limited to, for example, an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the BTK gene. BTK is a kinase that plays a crucial role in B-cell development. For example, BTK plays a crucial role in B cell maturation as well as mast cell activation through the high-affinity IgE receptor. Mutations in the BTK gene are implicated in the primary immunodeficiency disease X-linked agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's agammaglobulinemia); sometimes abbreviated to XLA. Patients with XLA have normal pre-B cell populations in their bone marrow but these cells fail to mature and enter the circulation.
“X-linked agammaglobulinemia,” (XLA) as described herein is a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to fight infection. As the form of agammaglobulinemia that is X-linked, it is much more common in males. In people with XLA, the white blood cell formation process does not generate mature B cells, which manifests as a complete or near-complete lack of proteins called gamma globulins, including antibodies, in their bloodstream. X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is characterized by recurrent bacterial infections in affected males in the first two years of life. Recurrent otitis is the most common infection prior to diagnosis. Conjunctivitis, sinopulmonary infections, diarrhea, and skin infections are also frequently seen. Approximately 60% of individuals with XLA are recognized as having immunodeficiency when they develop a severe, life-threatening infection such as pneumonia, empyema, meningitis, sepsis, cellulitis, or septic arthritis.
A “promoter” is a region of DNA that initiates transcription of a specific gene. The promoters can be located near the transcription start site of a gene, on the same strand and upstream on the DNA (the 5′region of the sense strand). The promoter can be a conditional, inducible or a constitutive promoter. The promoter can be specific for bacterial, mammalian or insect cell protein expression. In some alternatives, wherein a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein is provided, the nucleic acid further comprises a promoter sequence. In some alternatives, the promoter is specific for mammalian protein expression. In some alternatives, the promoter is a conditional, inducible or a constitutive promoter.
“Ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOE)” as described herein are regulatory elements that are derived from promoter-containing CpG islands of ubiquitously expressed housekeeping genes. It was proposed that regulatory elements from such promoters possess a chromatin-remodeling function allowing the maintenance of chromatin in a permissive configuration resulting in high and consistent expression of genes in their proximity. Although originally relatively large (up to 16 kb), new, smaller, synthetic UCOEs can lead to high expression of the transgene. Ubiquitous chromatin elements and their functions is described in
“Codon optimization” has its plain and ordinary meaning when read in light of the specification, and may include but is not limited to, for example, the design process of altering codons to codons known to increase maximum protein expression efficiency. In some alternatives, codon optimization for expression in human is preferred, wherein codon optimization can be performed by using algorithms that are known to those skilled in the art so as to create synthetic genetic transcripts optimized for high mRNA and protein yield in humans. Programs containing algorithms for codon optimization in humans are readily available. Such programs can include, for example, OptimumGene™ or GeneGPS® algorithms. Additionally human codon optimized sequences can be obtained commercially, for example, from Integrated DNA Technologies.
Optimization can also be performed to reduce the occurrence of secondary structure in a polynucleotide. In some alternatives of the method, optimization of the sequences in the vector can also be performed to reduce the total GC/AT ratio. Strict codon optimization can lead to unwanted secondary structure or an undesirably high GC content that leads to secondary structure. As such, the secondary structures affect transcriptional efficiency. Programs such as GeneOptimizer can be used after codon usage optimization, for secondary structure avoidance and GC content optimization. These additional programs can be used for further optimization and troubleshooting after an initial codon optimization to limit secondary structures that can occur after the first round of optimization. Alternative programs for optimization are readily available. In some alternatives of the method, the vector comprises sequences that are optimized for secondary structure avoidance and/or the sequences are optimized to reduce the total GC/AT ratio and/or the sequences are optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives herein, the gene encoding BTK is codon optimized. In some alternatives, the codon optimized BTK comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.
“Enhancer elements,” as described herein, are short regions of DNA that can be bound by proteins (activators) to increase the likelihood that transcription of a particular gene will occur. The activators can also be referred to as transcription factors. Enhancers can be either cis-acting, or Trans-acting (acting away from the gene) and can be located up to 1 Mbp (1,000,000 bp) away from the gene and can be upstream or downstream from the start site, and either in the forward or backward direction. The size of an enhancer can be of a size 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 or 1500 bp or any number of base pairs in between a range defined by any two aforementioned values.
“Dnase I hypersensitive site” as described herein, is a region of chromatin that is sensitive to cleavage by the DNase I enzyme. In these specific regions of the genome, chromatin has lost its condensed structure, exposing the DNA and making it accessible. This raises the availability of DNA to degradation by enzymes, such as DNase I. These accessible chromatin zones are functionally related to transcriptional activity, since this remodeled state is necessary for the binding of proteins such as transcription factors. As described in the alternatives herein is “Dnase I hypersensitive site 4” (DHS4). DHS4 is an enhancer element that is located at −18 kb from a E-globin promoter and can include binding sites for both erythroid specific and ubiquitous proteins and plays an important role as a regulatory element. In some alternatives herein, the vector for expression of BTK comprises at least one DNase Hypersensitive Site. In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5).
“Intron” as described herein, is any nucleotide sequence within a gene that is removed by RNA splicing during maturation of the final RNA product. In some alternatives of the vector herein, the vector comprises at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter.
“Vector,” “Expression vector” or “construct” is a nucleic acid used to introduce heterologous nucleic acids into a cell that has regulatory elements to provide expression of the heterologous nucleic acids in the cell. Vectors include but are not limited to plasmid, minicircles, yeast, and viral genomes. In some alternatives, the vector is a viral vector. In some alternatives, the viral vector is a lentiviral vector.
“B cells” as described herein are a type of white blood cell of the lymphocyte subtype. They are also known as B lymphocytes. B cells can function in the humoral immunity component of the adaptive immune system by secreting antibodies. Additionally, B cells present antigen (they are also classified as professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and secrete cytokines. In some alternatives of the cells provided herein, the cells are B cells.
“Myeloid cells” has its plain and ordinary meaning when read in light of the specification, and may include but is not limited to, for example, a granulocyte or monocyte precursor cell in bone marrow or spinal cord, or a resemblance to those found in the bone marrow or spinal cord. The myeloid cell lineage includes circulating monocytic cells in the peripheral blood and the cell populations that they become following maturation, differentiation, and/or activation. These populations include non-terminally differentiated myeloid cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and differentiated macrophages. Differentiated macrophages include non-polarized and polarized macrophages, resting and activated macrophages. Without being limiting, the myeloid lineage can also include granulocytic precursors, polymorphonuclear derived suppressor cells, differentiated polymorphonuclear white blood cells, neutrophils, granulocytes, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, microglia, myeloid derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells and erythrocytes. For example, microglia can differentiate from myeloid progenitor cells. In some alternatives of the cells provided herein, the cells are myeloid cells.
“Hematopoietic stem cells” or “HSC” as described herein, are precursor cells that can give rise to myeloid cells such as, for example, macrophages, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes/platelets, dendritic cells and lymphoid lineages (such as, for example, T-cells, B-cells, NK-cells). HSCs have a heterogeneous population in which three classes of stem cells exist, which are distinguished by their ratio of lymphoid to myeloid progeny in the blood (L/M). In some alternatives of the cells provided herein, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. “Subject” or “patient,” have their plain and ordinary meaning when read in light of the specification, and may include but is not limited to, for example, any organism upon which the alternatives described herein may be used or administered, e.g., for experimental, diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeutic purposes. Subjects or patients include, for example, animals. In some alternatives, the subject is mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primates, and humans. In some alternatives, the subject is a cow, sheep, pig, horse, dog, cat, primate or a human. In some alternatives, the subject is a human male.
“Adoptive cellular therapy” or “adoptive cell transfer,” as described herein refers to the transfer of cells, most commonly immune-derived cells, back into the same patient or into a new recipient host with the goal of transferring the immunologic functionality and characteristics into the new host. In some alternatives, adoptive cellular therapy or adoptive cell transfer comprises administering cells for expression of BTK to a subject in need.
BTK is expressed in both B cells and myeloid cells where it also contributes to normal functional responses in both lineages. Failure to express BTK leads to XLA. Conversely, overexpression of activated or wild type BTK can lead to cell transformation and/or developmental blockade (“Early arrest in B cell development in transgenic mice that express the E41K Bruton's tyrosine kinase mutant under the control of the CD19 promoter region” J Immunol. 1999 Jun. 1; 162(11):6526-33; “Correction of B-cell development in Btk-deficient mice using lentiviral vectors with codon-optimized human BTK.” Leukemia. 2010 September; 24(9):1617-30; incorporated by reference in their entireties herein) and dysregulated expression of wild-type BTK can promote autoantibody production and increase the risk for autoimmunity (“Enhanced Expression of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase in B Cells Drives Systemic Autoimmunity by Disrupting T Cell Homeostasis.” J Immunol. 2016 Jul. 1; 197(1):58-67; incorporated by reference in its entirety herein). Thus, safe and successful clinical gene therapy in XLA requires restoration of BTK expression in each cell lineage that normally expresses the protein as well as tightly regulated expression that does not lead to overexpression in developmental subsets that do not normally express the protein- and where expression might promote altered cell function. To address this challenge, candidate viral vectors in murine XLA animal models and novel human cell models using HSC derived from human subjects with XLA were comprehensively assessed, as described in the alternatives herein. Based upon iterative design and testing of candidate promoter, insulator, and enhancer elements and human codon-optimized BTK cDNA constructs, a novel lentiviral-based (LV) vector construct that mediates sustained BTK expression in B and myeloid cells derived from (murine or human) hematopoietic stem cells following ex vivo transduction and transplantation into BTK deficient hosts has been identified and is shown in the alternatives herein. The unique constructs of the alternatives herein, utilize a truncated UCOE element, a conserved enhancer element derived from intronic regions within the human BTK locus in association with the human BTK proximal promoter to drive expression of a human codon-optimized BTK cDNA. The optimal LV vectors of the one of the exemplary alternatives, is referred to as 0.7 UCOE.DHS4.BTKpro.coBTK. As part of the research described in the alternatives, a series of surprising and unpredicted results leading to this construct choice were identified, as shown: 1) the LV containing the BTK minimal promoter alone were not sufficient to restore B cell development or function as shown in several alternatives; 2) the LV utilizing the Eμ enhancer element (with either a B lineage restricted promoter or the BTK minimal promoter) lead to development of high titer autoantibodies including pathogenic class-switched IgG isotypes indicating that this enhancer created significant safety concerns as shown in several alternatives; 3) silencing of LV vector expression for multiple candidate LV platforms in secondary recipient animals was observed which led to utilization of a UCOE element to resist such silencing; 4) low titers with use of a large UCOE element was observed and therefore led to designing and testing of a novel truncated 0.7 kb element that would lead to improved titer and function and retained resistance to silencing; 5) bioinformatic tools were utilized to identify and test multiple potential candidate enhancer elements derived from the BTK locus and after significant analysis this was used to identify an optimal element, DHS4, that lead to increased BTK expression in vivo without reducing viral titer; 6) alternative human codon-optimized BTK cDNAs were tested and led to an identified construct that best restores BTK expression; 7) HSC was collected from multiple adult subjects with XLA and it was shown that when transplanted into immune deficient NSG mice these stem cells recapitulate the B cell developmental defects seen in XLA subjects and 8) in several alternatives herein, it was shown that XLA HSC can be efficiently transduced using the alternative optimized LV constructs described herein.
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a hereditary X-linked immunodeficiency disorder caused by a mutation in the BTK gene (Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase). This disease affects approximately 1 in 100,000 males. The clinical manifestations can include: lack mature B cells and serum immunoglobulins, susceptibility to lung, sinus, and skin infections with encapsulated bacteria, risks for sudden death due to bacteria sepsis, chronic and systemic infections with enteroviruses, chronic inflammatory bowel disease and increased risk for malignancy such as colon and other types of cancer.
The current treatment options for XLA can include lifelong pooled human immunoglobulin (IVIg or SCIg) every 3-4 weeks. However these treatments are expensive and the current treatments can also lead to risk for infection and sudden death.
The candidates for gene therapy can include those with single gene hematopoietic disorder.
Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmic non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase whose main role is in B cell receptor signaling pathway. BTK promotes B cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. BTK can maintain sustained calcium signal following BCR (B cell receptor) engagement and promotes NFKB activation. Furthermore, BTK also plays role in cytokine, growth factor, and TLR signaling pathways. A role for BTK is shown in
No other investigators have described use of the BTK promoter or any of the additional modifications of the alternatives herein, in association with the BTK in LV vectors. While the BTK promoter and the BTK first intron have been partially evaluated in previous studies of promoter function, no group has described or tested candidate enhancer elements derived from the human BTK locus including the DHS4 element or others (“Analysis of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene promoter reveals critical PU.1 and SP1 sites.” Blood. 1996 Feb. 1; 87(3):1036-44; “Cell specific expression of human Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase gene (Btk) is regulated by Sp1- and Spi-1/PU.1-family members.” Oncogene. 1996 Nov. 7; 13(9):1955-64; “Large-scale comparative sequence analysis of the human and murine Bruton's tyrosine kinase loci reveals conserved regulatory domains.” Genome Res. 1997 April; 7(4):315-29.; “Synergistic activation of the human Btk promoter by transcription factors Sp1/3 and PU.1.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Jun. 7; 259(2):364-9; “Btk expression is controlled by Oct and BOB.1/OBF.1.” Nucleic Acids Res. 2006 Mar. 31; 34(6):1807-15; “Proteasome-dependent autoregulation of Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) promoter via NF-kappaB.” Blood. 2008 May 1; 111(9):4617-26.; all references hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties).
An independently derived codon-optimized BTK cDNA has been identified (“Correction of B-cell development in Btk-deficient mice using lentiviral vectors with codon-optimized human BTK.” Leukemia. 2010 September; 24(9):1617-30′ incorporated by reference in its entirety). Other investigators have studied the use of UCOE element alone or in association with a lineage specific or ubiquitous promoter in LV vectors but none have applied this technology to BTK (“Lentiviral vectors containing an enhancer-less ubiquitously acting chromatin opening element (UCOE) provide highly reproducible and stable transgene expression in hematopoietic cells.” Blood. 2007 Sep. 1; 110(5):1448-57. “A ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE) confers resistance to DNA methylation-mediated silencing of lentiviral vectors.” Mol Ther. 2010 September; 18(9):1640-9; “Physiological regulation of transgene expression by a lentiviral vector containing the A2UCOE linked to a myeloid promoter.” Gene Ther. 2012 October; 19(10):1018-29; “Correction of murine Rag2 severe combined immunodeficiency by lentiviral gene therapy using a codon-optimized RAG2 therapeutic transgene.” Mol Ther. 2012 October; 20(10):1968-80; “Promoter and lineage independent anti-silencing activity of the A2 ubiquitous chromatin opening element for optimized human pluripotent stem cell-based gene therapy.” Biomaterials. 2014 February; 35(5):1531-42.; “A ubiquitous chromatin opening element prevents transgene silencing in pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny.” Stem Cells. 2013 March; 31(3):488-99; “Lentiviral MGMT(P140K)-mediated in vivo selection employing a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (A2UCOE) linked to a cellular promoter.” Biomaterials. 2014 August; 35(25): 7204-13; “Detailed comparison of retroviral vectors and promoter configurations for stable and high transgene expression in human induced pluripotent stem cells.” Gene Ther. 2017 Mar. 27; all references hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties herein).
The optimized lentiviral vectors, as described in the alternatives herein, will be used in gene therapy for subjects with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) designed to lead to long-term curative therapy for this disease. Shown in
In some alternatives, the optimized BTK lentiviral vector comprises a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE). The UCOE can provide stable expression of transgenes regardless of integration site and can also confer resistance to silencing in an adjacent promoter (see
The optimized LV vectors for BTK expression were also shown to increase BTK expression in cells. A few exemplary vectors that were used in several alternatives are shown in
Cells transduced with DKO mock, BTKp, UCOE.BTKp and Eμ.BTKp were tested for BTK expression. As shown in the FACS assay, incorporation of Eμ into the LV vector for BTK expression was also shown to boost BTK expression the most in both B cells and myeloid cells as compared to the BTKp promoter alone and with the UCOE elements. (
It is contemplated that this LV vector will lead to curative therapy, in particular XLA gene therapy.
In the alternatives described herein, the gene delivery platform was specialized for XLA therapy. This would allow restoration of endogenous BTK expression in B cells and myeloid cells, and rescue of immunological responses in those suffering from XLA. The vector safety profile was further evaluated. Previously investigated lentiviral vectors for XLA included those with promoter and transcription elements such as the BTK minimal promoter, the Ig heavy chain μ. intronic enhancer, as well as the 1.5 kb ubiquitous chromatin opening element. However, as shown in the alternatives herein, there were further modifications needed in order to improve the BTK expression in B and myeloid cells.
In order to improve the lentiviral vector for gene therapy, several steps were taken, as shown in the alternatives herein: 1) improvement of viral titer by decreasing the size of the UCOE element to 0.7 kb; 2) identifying transcriptional elements within the endogenous human BTK that would improve expression in B and myeloid cells and test the expression with conserved non-coding sequences (CNS) that are included upstream from the BTK promoter (
Both vectors (0.7UCOE and 0.7UCOE-I4,5) expressing human BTK, restored BTK expression to affected hematopoietic cells, rescued B cell development and function and restored immune responses (
The LV vector that included conserved BTK regulatory elements (derived from BTK introns 4 and 5) in association with the endogenous BTK improves BTK expression per viral integration. Also 0.7UCOE.I4,5.BTKpBTK LV comprises an efficient candidate for XLA gene therapy.
For expanded pre-clinical studies the following are performed: a) murine modeling to fully evaluate toxicity, safety and efficacy (including use of secondary transplantation and integration site analysis); b) in-vitro immortalization and transactivation assays; c) refine genetic elements within introns 4 and 5 for improving BTK expression in B and myeloid cells; and d) evaluation of 0.7UCOE.I-4,5.BTKp.BTK in healthy control and XLA subject CD34+ stem cells in vitro and in NSG recipient mice.
Experiments were performed in order to optimize the safety and efficacy of a lentiviral gene therapy in mice using a UCOE insulated BTK promoter. For the experiments several vector constructs were used: WT Mock, KO Mock, BTKp, 1.5.UCOE.BTKp, and Eμ.BTKp.
Shown in
Restoration of BTK expression was shown in affected hematopoietic lineages and B cell development in gene therapy mice treated with 0.7 kb UCOE.BTKpro.coBTK LV (
Proliferation of B cells, increase of IgM and IgG secretion were also seen in cells following 0.7.UCOE.BTK.co LV gene therapy in primary recipients (
Reconstitution of B cell function was also seen following 0.7.UCOE.Bkp.co LV gene therapy in primary recipients (
VCN and BTK expression are maintained after serial passage of gene therapy-treated bone marrow cells into secondary TBK−/− recipients (
The vector 0.7UCOE.BTKp.co was shown to lead to sustained BTK expression and lower copy numbers in XLA CD34 cells (
The BTK promoter in the lentiviral vectors were also used to evaluate BTK expression in wild type mice. As shown, the BTK promoter mimics BTK's endogenous expression pattern in mice (
The Eμ promoter was then tested for expression enhancement in the lentiviral vectors. Two vectors were tested, which had the Eμ promoter as shown in
Representative plots of BTK expression after flow cytometry of peripheral blood B cells and myeloid cells from gene therapy-treated KO mice was also performed (
As shown in
Sera from the mice treated with the cells transduced with the WT Mock, 1.5 kb.UCOE.BTKp and Eμ.BTKp vectors were analyzed by autoantigen array for levels of IgM and IgG reactive to 88 murine antigens. Data from each row was subject to z-transformation and Z-scores are displayed on a colorimetric scale from lowest reactivity (red) to highest (blue). As shown in
B cell specific promoters were also examined for their influence on BTK production. In an exemplary alternative, a lentivector was manufactured, which comprised the Eμ enhancer element and a B cell specific promoter, B29, fused to a gene encoding human BTK (huBTK) (
The BTK promoter region was also examined in another alternative, to evaluate the influence of the BTK promoter in a lentiviral vector for BTK expression. As shown in
A lentiviral vector was manufactured, which comprised a ubiquitous chromatin opening element and a BTK promoter (BTKpro) fused to a gene encoding human BTK (
A lentiviral vector was manufactured, which comprised a Eμ enhancer and a BTK promoter (BTKpro) fused to a gene encoding human BTK (
Provided below are exemplary constructs used herein:
1. 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK.
2. 0.7UCOEfwd.BTKp.coBTK
3. 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK
4. 0.7UCOEfwd.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK
5. 0.7UCOE.IE.BTKp.coBTK
6. 0.7UCOEfwd.IE.BTKp.coBTK
7. 0.7UCOE.BTKp.co2BTK
8. 0.7UCOEfwd.BTKp.co2BTK
9. 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.co2BTK
10. 0.7UCOEfwd.DHS4.BTKp.co2BTK
11. 0.7UCOE.IE.BTKp.co2BTK
12. 0.7UCOEfwd.IE.BTKp.co2BTK
Generally, these constructs represent various iterations of 3 different elements (0.7UCOE, Enhancer, or BTK coding sequence, all having the same BTK promoter):
Human codon optimization of the gene encoding BTK was performed. Human codon optimization can be performed by using algorithms that are known to those skilled in the art so as to create synthetic genetic transcripts optimized for high mRNA and protein yield in humans. As shown in
The expression profile of several vectors were examined: WT mock, DKO mock, BTKp (BTK promoter), UCOE. BTKp (ubiquitous chromatin opening element plus BTK promoter), UCOE.BTKp.co (ubiquitous chromatin opening element, BTK promoter plus human codon optimized BTK) and Eμ.BTKp (Eμ element plus BTK promoter). As shown in
The restoration of mature B cell subsets were also examined in the cells transduced with the vectors: WT mock, DKO mock, BTKp (BTK promoter), UCOE. BTKp (ubiquitous chromatin opening element plus BTK promoter), UCOE.BTKp.co (ubiquitous chromatin opening element, BTK promoter plus codon optimized BTK) and Eμ.BTKp (Eμ element plus BTK promoter). In XLA, development stops at the pre B cell. Accordingly, the cells were examined for further development, in which development of the B cell is dependent on the levels of BTK. As shown, the lentivector comprising the Eμ element plus BTK promoter for BTK expression led to cells that were of the mature peripheral B cell population, indicating that the levels of BTK produced from the transduced cell would lead to restoration of mature B cell subsets in the mice (
The numerical reconstitution of B cell populations were also examined in BTK deficient mice that were administered cells expressing BTK. The cells were transduced with the following vectors: WT mock, DKO mock, BTKp (BTK promoter), UCOE. BTKp (ubiquitous chromatin opening element plus BTK promoter), UCOE.BTKp.co (ubiquitous chromatin opening element, BTK promoter plus human codon optimized BTK) and Eμ.BTKp (Eμ element plus BTK promoter). Shown in
B cell proliferation was also shown in mice that were treated with cells transduced with the lentiviral vectors that comprised the ubiquitous chromatin opening element and BTK promoter (UCOE.BTKp) and a lentiviral vector that comprise the element fused to the BTK promoter region (Eμ.BTKp) (
The cells were also treated with PMA and lonomycin. PMA is used for activating PKC, while lonomycin, is used to trigger calcium release, which is needed for NFAT signaling (
As shown in
The transduced cells were administered to mice and further tested for T cell dependent immune responses. The cells were transduced with the following lentiviral vectors: WT mock, DKO, DKO mock, BTKp, UCOE.BTKp, and UCOE.BTKp.co (human codon optimized BTK), Eμ.BTKp.co (human codon optimized BTK), and Eμ.BTKp. T cell immune responses were then evaluated. As shown, the cells transduced with Eμ.BTKp lentiviral vectors led to increased IgG and IgM expression (
The antibody levels were also associated with BTK expression, as well as, survival of the mice. As shown in
BTK expression was also evaluated in neutrophils and secondary recipient mice. As shown in
Overall the BTK promoter studies demonstrated that the BTK promoters in the lentiviral vectors exhibit significant BTK expression in B and myeloid cells. UCOE.BTKpro and Eμ.BTKpro rescue B cell development, absolute B cell numbers, B cell proliferation, and immune responses. Myeloid expression is also rescued with UCOE.BTKpro and Eμ.BTKpro. Unexpectedly, Eμ-containing vectors lead to high-titer autoantibody production, thus, making them potentially unsafe for clinical use. UCOE-Btkp-Btk vectors exhibit functional rescue at much lower viral copy number compared with non-UCOE vectors. UCOE-Btkp-Btk vectors exhibit sustained marking in both murine and human HSC. Thus, the UCOE.BTKp-coBTK lentiviral vector represents an improved and unique clinical vector platform for additional modification.
Alternative enhancer elements within the BTK promoter were evaluated for their abilities to improve BTK expression in cells. The lentiviral constructs used are shown in
The 1.5 kb UCOE was truncated to 0.7UCOE to create the lentiviral vector 0.7UCOE.BTKp (
The 0.7UCOE.BTKp and 0.7UCOE.IE.BTKp were transduced into cells and the methods outlined in
The cells transduced with 0.7UCOE.IE exhibited an improved safety profile over 0.7UCOE, as well (see
Lentiviral constructs for expression of BTK were designed with DNase Hypersensitive sites (
The DNAse hypersensitivity sites were identified as shown in
Base on the identification of the introns and the DNAse hypersensitivity sites, constructs with candidate introns and DNAse hypersensitive sites were constructed (
In vivo comparisons of the DHS constructs to the 0.7UCOE and 0.7UCOE.IE vectors were performed. In an experimental set up, 40 ul virus per 1×106 cells (optimized for matched viral count numbers (VCN) for an overnight transduction. This was followed by RO injection of 1×106 cells/condition into TBKBP mice (900 rads irradiation prior to transplant). As shown, the cells that were transduced with the 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK led to higher expression of BTK with higher VCN (
After 15 weeks post-transplant, B cell development was evaluated and a peripheral blood lymphocyte distribution was examined. As shown in
Experiments were performed to compare the lentiviral constructs, which had the UCOE and intronic elements to the new DHS constructs. The volumes were matched for 40 uL virus/million cells. As shown in
In another alternative, BTK expression in vivo was examined using the following vectors: 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK, 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK and 0.7UCOE.DHS1-5.BTKp.coBTK. For the experiment, Lin-cells were harvested from TBK donor mice. For the transduction: a matched volume was achieved by 10 ul virus/million cells (target: matched input VCN of ˜3, as predicted by in vitro test) followed by a 16 hour transduction, 4×10e6 cells/ml in SCGM transduction media (mSCF, mTPO)+ polybrene. The cells were then transplanted in which 1.5×10e6 cells were administered per mouse (recipients: TBK, 900 rads irradiation) (
Experiments were performed to examine the effect of human codon optimized BTK constructs on cellular expression of BTK. Human codon optimized BTK is described in Ng et al. (“Correction of B cell development in Btk-deficient mice using lentiviral vectors with codon-optimized human BTK.” Leukemia. 2010 September; 24(9):1617-30; incorporated by reference in its entirety).
The objective of the following experiments was to compare the BTK expression/staining of two different versions of human codon optimized BTK. The set-up included: Isolated Lin-cells from TBK mice, Transduction media: complete SCGM+mSCF+mTPO+polybrene, addition of 5, 10, or 20 ul virus to 1×106 cells (4×106 cells/ml), 7-day in vitro culture, then BTK stain and VCN at Day 7. The lentiviral constructs were: 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK (Titer: 1.17E+09), 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK (Titer: 1.09E+09), 0.7UCOE.BTKp.newcoBTK (Titer: 1.81E+08), and 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.newcoBTK (Titer: 1.13E+08) (
As shown in
In vivo comparison of original vs new human codon optimized BTK is also contemplated. The experimental groups include: 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK (Titer: 1.17E+09) (5 mice), 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK (Titer: 1.09E+09) (5 mice), 0.7UCOE.BTKp.newcoBTK (Titer: 1.81E++08) (5 mice), 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.newcoBTK (Titer: 1.13E+08) (5 mice), KO Mock (3 mice), WT Mock (5 mice) and Unirradiated controls (1 mouse). Transduction set-up includes: Volume match with 10 ul/million cells (for consistency with current in vivo experiments) (
Testing Alternative Orientations with the UCOE Elements in the Lentiviral Vector
Experiments were performed to examine the effect of UCOE element orientation on cellular expression of BTK (
For the experiments, 4 lentiviral vectors were tested: KO mock, 0.7UCOE.BTKp (7.52E+07), 0.7UCOEfwd.BTKp co14 (6.79E+08), 0.7UCOEfwd.BTKp co16 (1.79E+09), and WT mock. As shown in
As shown from the experiments, the BTK promoter is a robust promoter. In regards to the UCOE elements, 0.7 kb UCOE effectively prevents silencing of BTK expression and leads to increased vector titer. Furthermore, placing the UCOE in the forward orientation increases titer significantly, but does not alter BTK expression. This indicates that the reverse UCOE orientation performs equivalent to high titer constructs. In regards to enhancer elements, it was shown that 0.7UCOE.IE.Btkp exhibits rescue of BTK expression function with fewer viral integrations compared to 0.7UCOE.Btkp and the addition of smaller enhancer elements (DHS sites) has not increased titer compared to larger IE construct.
UCOE in the forward orientation increases IE titer by >1 log indicating that the forward orientation of the UCOE will increase titer in all constructs.
For example, it was shown that 0.7UCOE.DHS4.Btkp exhibits increased BTK expression in B and myeloid cells as compared to 0.7UCOE.IE.Btkpro indicating that 0.7UCOE.DHS4.Btkp vector is a particularly robust vector.
In regards to the human codon optimized BTK, the new construct leads to a significant increase in BTK expression as compared to the previous co-Btk construct.
The rescue of B cell development and function of XLA cells in vivo were examined using a lentiviral vector. The experiments were performed to evaluate whether it would be feasible to recapitulate XLA patient's B cell phenotype in NSG mice. Also contemplated was whether the methods would rescue the B cell development in vivo by transducing XLA stem cells with the clinical LV vector. Shown in
The XLA B cell phenotype in the periphery include a markedly reduced percentage of B cells, higher percentage of transition/immature B cells (CD38+ CD24+ CD10 high), and a lack of mature B cells (CD38− CD24− CD10low).
The human chimera in NSG was shown in patient XLA P2, P3 and P4 in
For the human lymphocyte reconstitution, the percentage of B cells was equivalent in bone marrow, however, a significantly lower percentage in spleen with a relative increase in myeloid and T cells was seen in all XLA patients P2, P3 and P4 (
The phenotype of the engrafted XLA stem cell (spleen) is shown in
The phenotype of the engrafted XLA stem cell (spleen) is shown in
The B cell developmental block was examined for all XLA patients. As shown in
The B cell function by Ca2+ was also examined in the XLA cells (
From the evaluation of the XLA B cells, it was shown the XLA cells have B cell development blocked at the Pre B cell stage (
As shown, XLA patients have a lower number and percentage of B cells in spleen. Additionally, the B cell development is arrested at the pre-B cell stage in the bone marrow. The next step was to recapitulate the XLA patient's B cell phenotype in NSG mice to examine the effects of the BTK expressing lentiviral vector system.
Human lentiviral transduction of stem cells was performed with the following vectors: 0.7 UCOE.BTKp.coBTK and 0.7UCOE.DHS4.BTKp.coBTK according to the methods shown in
The human lentiviral transduction of the stem cells led to 70% viability with the 0.7UCOEBTKp.BTK, as compared to the vector with the DNAse hypersensitivity site 4 region (
BTK expression was also seen in the cells derived from patient XLA P2 transduced with the 0.7UCOE.BTK.pBTK lentiviral vector. As shown in a non-selective environment, 0.7UCOE.BTKpBK leads to a higher expression of BTK, as compared to the lentiviral vector comprising the DNAse hypersensitivity site 4 region (
In view of the above experimentation, it was concluded that the XLA stem cells transduced with 0.7UCOE.BTKp.BTK and 0.7UCOE. DHS4.BTKp.BTK at MOI10, leads to clinically relevant viral copy 1-2. As such, it is contemplated that lentiviral transduction of XLA stem cells in vivo will lead to rescue of B cell development.
The preclinical modeling of human HSC was examined using a lentiviral vector expressing human codon optimized BTK fused to a GFP protein, which was self-cleavable with a T2A linker (See
Further tests are contemplated with constructs as shown in
In effort to improve tissue specific BTK expression, conserved non-coding sequences were identified by comparing human vs. mouse non-coding sequences and identifying areas that are highly conserved. Conserved non-coding sequences were cloned in front of BTKp and see if they improve the expression in conjunction with the BTK promoter (BTKp). The first pass read-out used GFP reporter to track expression-improved expression would increase the GFP signal or “MFI”. Introns 4 and 5 were identified as improving MFI, as well as a contig of introns 4, 5, and 13. GFP was encoded by the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8. Sequences that are shown in Set 1 of
The contig containing introns 4, 5 and 13 vs. a contig with introns 4 and 5 only were next tested again in vitro with GFP. The Intron 4,5 together had better MFI.
Intron 4 and 5 contig were tested in vivo in mouse gene therapy model, calling it intronic enhancer 4, 5 or IE4-5. These studies used the enhancer/promoter elements to drive expression of a codon-optimized human BTK coding sequence, and showed that inclusion of IE4-5 improved expression of BTK per viral copy number.
The polypeptides that encode the sequences for the BTK for expression are set forth in SEQ ID NO's 33-35, and 41-45.
Refining Candidate Enhancers Using Information from Encode Database
To more narrowly define DNA elements mediating enhancer activities in IE4-5, the ENCODE database was used to find DNase hypersensitive sites located in these introns, and one was found in each intron that were both in B cells and in myeloid cells, but not always present in non-relevant tissues. These were called DHS 4 and 5, and were 725 bp and 1077 bp less than the sizes of the previous intronic regions that were included. There were also DNase hypersensitive sites in B and myeloid cells identified within intron 1 (DHS1, 2, and 3) that were also for testing, due to some evidence that intron 1 may improve MFI in vitro. DHS 3 and 4 were identified as having properties of transcriptional enhancers in B cells by the ENCODE segmentation analysis; DHS5 was identified as a CTCF binding site/candidate insulator.
Various combinations of DHS sites 1 through 5 were also tested.
As shown in
Shown in
Chromatin Opening Element (UCOE) to 0.7 kb. The UCOE element spans a large, CpG-rich region across the divergently transcribed promoter regions for the housekeeping genes CBX3 and HNRPA2B1, and has traditionally been truncated to a 1.5-2.2kb region by various groups for use in protein expression constructs. The 1.5 kb UCOE used here starts at Exon 1 of CBX3 and spans past CBX3 Alternate Exon 1. Truncation of this region to 0.7 kb eliminates the region downstream of Alt. Ex. 1. (93B) DNaseI Hypersensitive sites (DHS) from intronic regions of the BTK gene were identified from the ENCODE database and visualized using the UCSC Genome Browser on Human Feb. 2009 (GRCh37/hg19) Assembly. Five DHS were identified, and were labeled consecutively as DHS1, DHS2, DHS3, DHS4, and DHS5 (blue boxes). ENCODE Genome Segmentation identified a predicted Enhancer element around DHS4 (yellow box). Exons are shown as black boxes. The sequence length is noted beneath each DHS. Various combinations of these DHS sequences were cloned into the 0.7UCOE.BTKp.coBTK construct and tested in vitro as follows (data not shown). Murine Btk−/−Tec−/− bone marrow cells were transduced with LV containing the various expression cassettes shown below. Mean fluorescence intensity of transgene expression was then compared by flow cytometry. (93C) An in vitro transduction experiment of murine (TBK) lineage negative cells was performed to compare BTK expression levels in two versions of codon-optimized BTK: coBTK (
Shown in
Pre−Clinical Modeling LV Vectors in Human HSC from XLA Patients
The aim of the following experiments was to determine if gene therapy vectors can rescue the development of B cells from XLA HSCs when transplanted into immunodeficient NSG mice. CD34 cell source: XLA Patient 3 (missense mutation) and healthy donor #15. The transduction protocol comprises one hit of LV after a 48 hour prestimulation in SCGM (TPO, FLT3 and SCF at 100 ng/ml). The MOI used: 5. The lentivirus used was 0.7 UCOE. BTKp.BTK.co2 (titer: 7×108) and DHS4.co2 (titer: 1×109)
Experimental mice: 4 mice=Healthy donor #15 (HD)
Analyzed at: 12 week post transfer (
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As described herein, a polynucleotide for sustained Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) expression is provided. The polynucleotide can comprise a first sequence encoding a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the UCOE is 2kb, 1.5 kb, 1 kb, 0.75 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.25 kb or any number of kilobases in between a range defined by any two afore mentioned values. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the BTK promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the promoter is a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter, B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the polypeptide further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4, intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, the polypeptide comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO's: 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
A vector for sustaining BTK expression in cells is also provided. The vector can comprise a first sequence encoding an ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter, and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter, B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise a DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4 intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, the polypeptide or vector comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO's: 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In some alternatives, a cell for expression of BTK is provided, the cell comprising: a polynucleotide, which comprises a first sequence encoding an ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide is in a vector. The vector can comprise a first sequence encoding a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter, and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter, B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises a DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4 intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 (SEQ ID NO: 4: intron 4-5), SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cell is a B cell. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cell is a hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the cell is a CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In some alternatives, a method of promoting B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in a subject in need thereof is provided, the method comprising administering the cell of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject or a cell comprising the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject in need and, optionally identifying the subject as one that would benefit from receiving a therapy that would promote B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in advance of administering the cell and/or, optionally, measuring B cell survival, proliferation and/or differentiation in said subject or in a biological sample obtained from said subject. The vector can comprise a first sequence encoding a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter, and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter, B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise a DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4 intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 (SEQ ID NO: 4: intron 4-5), SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, the cell is from the subject and, wherein the cell is genetically modified by introducing the polynucleotide or the vector of any one of alternatives described above into the cell. In some alternatives, the administering is performed by adoptive cell transfer. In some alternatives, the cell is a B cell. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cell is a hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the cell is a CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the subject is male. In some alternatives, the subject is suffering from X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive targeted anti-microbial agents. In some alternatives, the polypeptide or vector comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO's: 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45. In some alternatives, the polypeptide or vector comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO's: 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
In some alternatives, a method of treating, inhibiting, or ameliorating X linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) or disease symptoms associated with XLA in a subject in need thereof is provided, the method comprising: administering the cell of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject or a cell comprising the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein to the subject in need and, optionally identifying the subject as one that would benefit from receiving a therapy for XLA or disease symptoms associated with XLA and/or, optionally, measuring an improvement in the progression of XLA or an improvement in a disease symptom associated with XLA in said subject. The vector can comprise a first sequence encoding a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE), a second sequence encoding a promoter, and a third sequence encoding BTK. In some alternatives, the first sequence comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the promoter is a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the promoter comprises the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5. In some alternatives, the third sequence is codon optimized for expression in humans. In some alternatives, the third sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises a B cell specific promoter. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter comprises the B cell specific promoter, B29. In some alternatives, the B29 promoter sequence comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46. In some alternatives, the B cell specific promoter is an endogenous promoter. In some alternatives, the vector further comprises one or more enhancer elements. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise at least one intronic region. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise a DNase Hypersensitive Site (DHS). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site is DNase Hypersensitive Site 1 (DHS1), DNase Hypersensitive Site 2, (DHS2) DNase Hypersensitive Site 3 (DHS3), DNase Hypersensitive Site 4 (DHS4) and/or DNase Hypersensitive Site 5 (DHS5). In some alternatives, the DNase Hypersensitive Site comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is from a human BTK locus that is in association with a human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the at least one intronic region is intron 4 intron 5 and/or intron 13 of the human BTK locus that is in association with the human BTK proximal promoter. In some alternatives, the intronic region comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 (intron 4), SEQ ID NO: 10 (intron 5) and/or SEQ ID NO: 11 (intron 13). In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 (SEQ ID NO: 4: intron 4-5), SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a reverse orientation or forward orientation. In some alternatives, the UCOE is in a forward orientation. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the one or more enhancer elements comprises the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 19 and/or SEQ ID NO: 20. In some alternatives, the polynucleotide further comprises a gene upstream of a BTK promoter. In some alternatives, the gene upstream of a BTK promoter is a BTK enhancer. In some alternatives, the BTK enhancer comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 22. In some alternatives, the vector is a lentiviral-based vector of a B lineage specific lentiviral vector. In some alternatives, the cells are B cells. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cells are hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cells are CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In some alternatives, the cell is from the subject, wherein the cell is genetically modified by introducing the polynucleotide of any one of the alternatives herein or the vector of any one of the alternatives herein into the cell. In some alternatives, the administering is performed by adoptive cell transfer. In some alternatives, the cell is a B cell. In some alternatives, the cells are myeloid cells. In some alternatives, the cell is a hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the cell is a CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell. In some alternatives, the subject is male. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy. In some alternatives, the subject is selected to receive targeted anti-microbial agents. In some alternatives, the polypeptide or vector comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO's: 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45. In some alternatives, 0.7UCOE comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. In some alternatives, the enhancer comprises a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
Listed below are sequences used in the alternatives herein:
Sequence elements relative to
The sequences of gene expression cassettes below are cloned into pRRL backbone of pRRLSIN.cppt.PGK-GFP.WPRE [PGK-GFP removed] Addgene #12252;
The nucleic acid comprising the promoter with GFP sequence is below (BTKp.GFP): (SEQ ID NO: 23)
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT International Application Number PCT/US2018/028331, filed on Apr. 19, 2018, designating the United States of America and published in the English language as WO 2018/195297, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/488,523, filed on Apr. 21, 2017 which are each expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US18/28331 | 4/19/2018 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62488523 | Apr 2017 | US |